Rebirth of MC Chapter 176

Chapter 176: The final battle

Just as the first rays of light breaks the horizon, a military Hummer cruises out of A City. The soldiers guarding this outermost gate salute as the vehicle drives past, a complicated expression on each of their faces.

"Not greeting grandfather before leaving, is it okay?" Wrapped in a soft quilt and holding a steaming cup of scented tea, Huo Zaiyuan asks softly from the passenger seat.

"Paying grandfather a visit before leaving would only add to his worry. Leaving behind our wedding day as one of the possible last memories of us is the best thing we can do for him." Removing one hand from the steering wheel, Long Zhanye gently strokes the back of Huo Zaiyuan's head.

"Un, you are right." Nodding, Huo Zaiyuan sends the cup back into his space and pulls the quilt up to his chin. "I'll rest for a while."

Yesterday was their wedding night and today, they have to set off early. While Long Zhanye is in great spirits, Huo Zaiyuan, on the other hand, is still sore and tired. Which is why he has to take the opportunity to rest on the way to G City or else, how is he going to fight later on…

"Un, go to sleep. It'll take us about a day to reach G City."

Four out of the nine days have already passed. Wasting one day to reach G City makes that five days. They will only have four days left to deal with the mountain demon, then tear open a rift between realms order to enter the world of Immortals…

For his little Yuan, he definitely cannot lose…

A day and a half later, the military Hummer enters G City. At that time, in order to prevent the polluted air from spreading, the Elder Taoist priest used the modified mutant plants to lay a few layers of arrays. Hence, a sea of ordinary undead mill around outside of the city, unable to enter. Amongst the mass of common zombies, a few evolved ones can be spotted here and there. Peering over the perimeter walls into the city itself, one can see that the streets within are also filled with undead. The only difference is the ones inside all sport sharp claws and teeth. Every last one of them is at least a Rank 3. Suffice to say, the mountain demon already anticipated this day when the mass invasion failed. Hence, it recalled every available zombie back to G City in order to make a final stand.

With Huo Zaiyuan's soul fusing with his original vessel, he has already surpassed the limitations of a human. Although Long Zhanye's dragon soul is still confined to a human body, based on his power alone, he is able to resist the potent evil energy here. Hence, to this couple, shrugging off the infection trying to dig its metaphorical claws into them is as easy as breathing.

"Tsk, tsk, such a large battalion standing in formation to welcome us ah!" Hummer coming to a halt, Long Zhanye opens the driver's side door and leans out to look, a calm and collected grin on his face.

"But this 'welcome committee' don't seem to be in a good mood. Come, let's give them a huge present." Still sitting in the passenger's seat, Huo Zaiyuan waves his left hand, materialising an assembled rocket launcher and handing it over to his husband.

Taking the offered weapon and bracing it on his shoulder, Long Zhanye shoots him a mock grimace. "Little Yuan, I've tainted you. The old you wouldn't have bullied the dead."

Firing the rocket launcher immediately after saying this, the consequent explosion lands in the middle of the horde, blowing away a relatively large chunk of undead. Only after suffering the first attack does the horde turn towards the Hummer in unison, shambling forward with low snarls. The two exit their vehicle, one tossing talisman into the wave of zombies while the other lifts two submachine guns, firing from the hip. Back to back they stand, felling row after row of walking corpses before they can get surrounded.

In the end, after tossing a few dozen grenades, Huo Zaiyuan materialises some fire talisman, causing a golden blaze to spread. One with snow-white hair fluttering in the wind, another in a crisp uniform billowing in the breeze, the couple advances…

For an entire day, Huo Zaiyuan and Long Zhanye fight their way through the barriers and into G City, slaughtering a straight path towards the dead volcano. Thick, slimy, purplish-red fluid secreting an intense smell of rotting meat flows endlessly out of the volcanic crater. Of course, this is not lava, but the liquid that creates poisonous swamps.

"Tch, this welcome ceremony is truly grotesque." Long Zhanye's mouth curls in disgust as he stares at the foul liquid streaming down the mountain.

"That substance not only contains potent evil energy, but is it highly toxic towards a Taoist's spiritual vessel. It will erode my body should a drop touch." Huo Zaiyuan can't help a small smile forming as he eyes the other man's smug expression.

"Beloved, I am not a Taoist practitioner. This filthy insignifant thing is completely beneath me. However, you need to extremely cautious." With a wave of his hand, a flash of black light flicker in the air before Long Zhanye and a black dragon appears. In a single bound, the man lands lightly on the dragon's back, turning his head to quirk an inquiring eyebrow at the Taoist.

Smile still plastered on his lips, Huo Zaiyuan lifts two fingers and swipes it horizontally through the air. A large, silver jian materialises near his feet. Taking a step forward onto the blade, he mentally wills it to move. The jian rises smoothly and shoots towards the mountain, Long Zhanye following close behind on his black dragon. Two streaks of light, one black, one white, fly to the peak of the volcano before dropping into the crater, initiating a direct attack on the mountain demon sealed within.

As soon as it catches sight of the two attackers charging towards it, the mountain demon roars, mouth opening wide, spouting forth a torrent of scarlet mist. The couple separates instantly, dodging to the left and right. Huo Zaiyuan flicks his fingers, nine talismans fanning out around his torso in a circle. Spinning and rising at the same time, the talismans shoot towards the demon.

A sphere of black, chaotic energy flies towards the giant head from the other side, catching the demon in flanking position.

The nine talismans converge into a Ninth Heavens Mystic array midway through the attack, and adding on Long Zhanye's flanking strike, the demon controlling Chi You's decapitated head is too slow in trying to evade. Two powerful strikes sink into the left and right side of the bodiless head, causing purplish-red liquid and rotting flesh to spew forth.

Howling in rage and pain, the mountain demon bellows, "Taoist! I will definitely kill you this time!!"

"Tch, don't you know the saying: one has to look at the owner before hitting a dog? This Heretical Dragon's man is not someone you, this brainless giant head, can touch so easily." A flicker of deep loathing passes through Long Zhanye's golden eyes as he jabs a clawed finger at the demon.

Gathering his inner energy, Long Zhanye leaps off the back of the black dragon as the latter tosses its head back and hisses. The atmospheric pressure within the volcano grows heavier as a formidable surge of power explodes forth, charging towards the mountain demon.

Unaffected by the pressure nor the frightening rush of power, Huo Zaiyuan makes a drawing motion in front of himself. A silvery-white horsetail whisk[1] appears in hand. Swiping the bristles a few times through the air, a Yin-Yang symbol fades into existence, growing in size as small runes pour forth, snaking around the circular edge in a revolving link. A flick of his wrist has the newly created seal drifting swiftly towards the enemy.

Having being on the defensive long enough, the demonic head doesn't intend to keep evading attacks any longer. Mouth opening to let loose an earth-shaking roar, the entire volcano trembles. Below, the thick, stinking fluid bubbles like water put to boil… A forceful bolt of demonic energy rushes towards Huo Zaiyuan and Long Zhanye.

The collision of three formidable powers gives rise to a sonic boom. Cracks and fractures appear on the surface of the mountain as the entire region quakes from the aftershock. Not stopping to regain their balance, Long Zhanye and Huo Zaiyuan instantly attack again in unison.

From within the demon's plump head, two scarlet-red, beast-like claws slash out. After this display, it is not difficult to tell that the mountain demon's original body is hidden within Chi You's head!

Another shockwave ripples outwards from the clashing of three powerful attacks. Already shaky from the earlier explosion, the foundation of the volcano shudders violently, causing the cracks to widen. Finally, the walls begin to crumble…

Even though this mountain demon has completely fused itself with the ancient Demon God's head and obtained the vast reserve of power stored within, it is still hard-pressed to resist the combined force of the Heretical Dragon and the strongest Taoist priest. Striking their foe in rapid succession at full power, they slowly pressure it into a defensive stance. The black dragon hisses once more even as the red claws slice through the air in a diagonal upwards slash.

~~~

As Long Zhanye and Huo Zaiyuan slipped out of the dormitory building without a word, by the time Long Haotian went to find the newlyweds, it is already afternoon. Hence, an anxious Commander-in-chief makes the prompt decision to gather Zuo Hanyang, You Nuandong, Li Qing, Qin Jun, Lian Xiang, Long Hongjian and Mo Junfan. Together, they are to form a special unit and accompany him to G City.

When the line of vehicles approach G City, small craters and scorch marks left behind by grenades, rocket launcher shells and bullets become increasingly frequent. Suffice to say, Huo Zaiyuan and Long Zhanye cleared out quite a few undead on the entire journey to this city. Just as they arrive outside the array's barriers, a sudden burst of dazzling silver light erupts from within G City, rising up towards the sky. One is able to feel an impressive amount of power emitting from it. The pillar of light begins to warp, twisting into a spiral black hole that immediately begins to suck everything in. Before any within the vehicles can react, a blast similar to an atomic bomb goes off with the dead volcano as ground zero, rippling forcefully outwards, bringing along with it an intense gust of hot air and dust…

~~~

The battle lasted for an entire day and night, up until dawn breaks the horizon once more, brilliant sunlight raining down on Mother Earth. The volcano has long since crumbled, unable to endure the massive amounts of power being flung around. As for the mountain demon, it is already forced to expose more of its original body in order to fight Huo Zaiyuan and Long Zhanye off. Presently, large chunks of Chi You's giant head are missing.

The horsetail whisk whips out, drawing threads of silver together in a mesh barrier, blocking the claws. Leaping upwards, the slender figure lands lightly on top of a huge boulder. The whisk vanishes as Huo Zaiyuan's hand stretches out to the side. In the next moment, Liu Ying flies over, hilt landing in his palm.

"Zhanye!" Huo Zaiyuan calls.

Locked in battle for an entire day and night, the demon's mental state has already become chaotic and agitated. Which is exactly what Huo Zaiyuan and Long Zhanye are aiming for. Drawing the fight out until the demon loses its patience and goes berserk, they will take this split-second opportunity to deliver their strongest attack.

"Got it." Long Zhanye answers, silhouette flickering rapidly backwards to evade a wild swing. Snapping his fingers, the black dragon obediently returns to his side.

Gathering their inner powers in preparation for a single, heavy blow, two figures drift slowly upwards, one black and one white. When the energy surrounding their bodies grow too dense to contain for long, they streak towards the demonic head. Even in its berserk rage, the mountain demon is not so lost as to lose its intelligence. Seeing them charging forth with their most powerful attacks, it also begins to gather its power to meet them head-on.

Black, white and red. Three colours, three forces, two sides. The violent explosion this time puts all others to shame. Everything in their vicinity is reduced to dust, the wave of destruction travelling further outwards in all directions, sparing nothing. The excess energy shoots up into the sky. As though a razor-sharp knife sliced it apart, the sky above splits open. The black hole warps and begins to rotate, sucking everything into its abyssal depths…

~~~

Who knows how long passed before the small team laid flat on their backs are able to move again. Crawling painfully to their feet one after another, everyone silently bears witness to the astonishing scene before their eyes. Within the array, the entire G City is completely wiped out, replaced by a wasteland… No traces of grass, buildings or zombies… Everything is just…gone.

Faint, golden light descends from the sky like a shower of glitter. Or a swarm of tiny fireflies slowly drifting in the wind. Amazement paints the faces of everyone present. Some even extend a hand out with palms up in order to catch the falling sparkles.

"What is this?" The question falls from Li Qing's lips in a soft whisper as he stares at the golden flecks disappearing from his palm.

"This is the scattered energy borne from sacrifice to induce rebirth. Look," Lian Xiang answers, pointing towards what was once G City.

As the shower of golden sparks falls gently to the ground, the wasteland gradually transforms. Tender, green sprouts grow, small flowers blossoming. Tree saplings burst from the soil, maturing at a rapid pace. In a few moments, it is as though the earth has entered the peak of spring. Lush green plants as far as the eye can see, it conceals the marks of destruction and carnage.

"Then, where is Boss and eldest sister-in-law…why haven't they appeared yet?!" Zuo Hanyang strains his eyes to peer into the dense vegetation, as though by looking hard enough, he would see two figure within.

"The black hole that appeared in the sky is a gateway leading into the Immortal Realm. Long Zhanye and little Yuan has broken their mortal bindings and ascended, returning to where they belong," Lian Xiang says. "Grandfather, you may finally be at ease."

"They truly managed to return?"

"Un. I can guarantee that they succeeded. Grandfather, let us head back. If they know you are still worrying about them, they will surely be upset." Lian Xiang is not someone who knows how to offer verbal comfort, but these words don't lack warmth.

"Un, as long as they are fine, all will be well. All will be well…"

"Grandfather, one day, we will definitely be able to meet older brother Long and little Yuan again." Li Qing slips his hand into Long Haotian's squeezing it lightly in comfort.

"That's right ah. Commander-in-chief, don't worry and be happy! Let's all return to the city!"

Entering their vehicles, the short convoy leaves the lush greenery behind, heading back towards the safe zone.

From the day G City vanished from the face of the earth, every zombie roaming the land disappears as well. The devastated land covered in sores and scars is shrouded in lush new growth, restoring life to the earth. It also represents the end of the apocalypse. At long last, the survivors in A City can travel safely outside, spreading out to claim a small piece of land for themselves. A small slice of paradise to begin their lives anew.

~~~

As for Long Zhanye and Huo Zaiyuan?

(Author's note: Here ends the story within the mortal realm…)

Translator's note: And so here ends the apocalypse arc in the modern, mortal world.

I am actually going to give you lovely readers a warning for the next few chapters until the end of the novel, which is approximately 20+ chapters away.
If you are reading this for the zombie apocalypse and the modern world and the main couple's friends and everything we fell in love with so far, I suggest turning away after reading this note, hold onto all the fluff accumulated on this relatively long journey, savour it for as long as needed, then set them aside. Because what comes next only stars our main couple and no one else you have come to adore.

Personally, I would have loved to end the novel here and introduce the next portion as a side story or even an alternate universe, but…eh. Anyway, despite my lukewarm (and disappointed) reaction to the next portion, I encourage you lovely readers to continue on ahead and form your own decisions. Don't let me sway you before reading ^-^

Who knows? You might actually end up liking it, or I might gain another companion to rant with over this…

[1] Horsetail whisk:

Chapter end