RIACMET chapter 47

 

The three people were still shocked, but the battle was already over.

More than two hundred zombies had been killed—so quickly! It was awe-inspiring, ruthless, and clean, almost like it was environmentally friendly.

Afterward, Huang Qian quietly used her vines to roll up the mutant zombie’s crystal core, along with two ordinary zombie cores, and handed them to Cheng Jing.

They met other survivor teams, but none of them collected zombie crystal cores like they did.

According to Jiang Nian, there were still very few zombies that had cores. Some were definitely powered zombies, while the ordinary ones depended on how much they’d evolved.

That’s why most people didn’t even know these cores existed and wouldn’t bother collecting them.

It would take time for more ability users to advance and start forming their own groups before anyone realized the same thing was happening with zombies.

The reason their team knew about this was because Cheng Jing had found two cores when dealing with Xiaoya’s parents.

Jiang Nian also explained to everyone:

Zombies with special powers were changed from infected ability users, and their crystal cores were in the lower abdomen. Ordinary zombie cores were inside the head. They formed after ordinary people evolved into zombies, and you had to open up the body to take them out.

They had tested it themselves, and it turned out to be true. No one asked how their “godfather” had known.

Jiang Nian had his secrets—everyone knew it—but they all agreed not to talk about them.

“……”

“We survived…thank you.”

The older man thanked them, and the two younger people supporting him also bowed to show their gratitude.

“You’re welcome. We had to come through here too.”

After that, Lu Ningzhou casually asked about their situation.

The three of them were actually related. The father, Li Kaiyun, was in his forties, tall and strong. His son, Li Liang, was a sophomore in college, and his daughter, Li Shuhui, was a freshman.

At first, the family of four and their neighbors, a family of three, went to the base together. But they hadn’t expected to run into a zombie that was also a mutant, and in the end, only the three of them survived.

Zhao Lei looked around, saw Cheng Jing checking the time, and waved his long arm decisively:

“Okay, that’s all set. Let’s clean up.”

The frightened girl quickly said, worriedly:

“You’re so strong. Can you take us with you? You’re going to the base too, right?”

Then, she looked at Zhao Lei and Huang Qian, her eyes showing panic.

“…”

Li Liang didn’t like what his sister said, but he looked at his father.

No one answered, and no one agreed. Huang Qian and Zhao Lei both looked at Cheng Jing.

In a world like this, being too kind can get you killed.

Even though Jiang Nian was easygoing, he would never hesitate to refuse anyone who wanted to tag along.

Li Kaiyun realized that Cheng Jing was in charge, so he stepped forward and said earnestly:

“We have a vehicle. We just need to follow you. We won’t use your resources.”

After speaking, he saw that Cheng Jing’s expression was still calm. He quickly added:

“I know the world is hard on everyone. As long as we don’t run into something like today again, we won’t bother you.”

Cheng Jing wasn’t a cold-blooded killer. He had always been tolerant of those who showed restraint and understanding.

When he saw the older man’s sincere face, he replied:

“Wait a moment.”

He was about to call Jiang Nian, who was still in the car, to explain the situation, but when he looked up, he saw Jiang Nian walking over with Xiaoya. He put his phone away again.

Seeing Li Kaiyun looked confused, Tang Yi kindly reminded him:

“We decide on battles, but Brother Nian makes all the other decisions.”

“…All right…thank you.”

Although Li Kaiyun was surprised, he immediately pulled his children forward and told Jiang Nian what he had just said and explained their situation.

Jiang Nian nodded and asked calmly:

“We’re going to Nancheng Base. Where are you going?”

They had already passed Base L, and the only bases near this main road were Base K and Nancheng Base.

“It’s just as well—we’re also going to Nancheng Base. My nephew is a soldier stationed there.”

Li Kaiyun replied, sounding a little more energetic. He looked at his two pale children and said,

“At first, we thought Nancheng Base was still far away, so we left early in the morning. But we never expected it would turn out like this.”

“Oh…”

Jiang Nian understood. He looked at Cheng Jing and the others, then nodded.

“Okay. Since you’re also going to Nancheng Base, you can come with us.”

He didn’t mind bringing others with him, but only if they wouldn’t become a burden. He’d prefer if they could be useful.

For example, it was helpful if you had connections in the base they were heading toward together.

Kindness should always be returned. Otherwise, it was just charity for free.

That was why, even though they had helped many people, it had only been because it was convenient for them—never more than that.

As long as you could protect yourself, it didn’t cost them anything to put in a little effort. But this only worked if the other person was also respectful and understanding.

Those who thought they could get protection by playing the victim, pretending to be pitiful, and using moral blackmail were wrong.

…

Li Kaiyun thanked Jiang Nian, checked their vehicle, and then helped his children bury their neighbors’ family.

After that, the father and his two kids talked about something, then walked over to Cheng Jing and asked through the car window:

“We want to bring my wife to the military base. Could you help with the cremation?”

Li Kaiyun’s voice cracked as he spoke, and his sons’ eyes filled with tears. They were still holding back, but Li Shuhui had already buried her face in her brother’s shoulder and was sobbing uncontrollably.

Cheng Jing didn’t say no. He got out of the car and went with them.

Jiang Nian felt heavy inside. Xiaoya’s eyes were also red. Tragedy was everywhere, and even though you knew it was coming, it still hit you each time.

Cheng Jing controlled the flames with great skill. After it was over, he quietly stepped aside so they could be alone and deal with their grief.

The mood became serious. Only the sound of the cold wind and crying could be heard.

Li Kaiyun put his wife’s ashes in a simple box. Then he took some food from their car and told his children to sit down and eat. Even if they weren’t very hungry, they had to eat a little. They had used up too much strength, and it wouldn’t do to collapse now, right after setting out again.

But most of their supplies had been stored in the three vehicles—and now, most of that was gone.

To reach the base, they tried to save as much as possible. They shared a single packet of instant noodles and mixed the seasoning sachet with water to drink on the way.

Jiang Nian watched them quietly, especially observing how Li Kaiyun treated his children.

When Jiang Nian saw Li Kaiyun only leave him a small piece of bread, he finally walked over, carrying three meal boxes that would heat up on their own, some snack bread, a few bandages, and medicines.

“We’ll be leaving soon and won’t stop again until it gets dark. You won’t be able to stand it. Take these—it’s a gift from fate. Eat, then treat your wounds.”

“Thank you. We won’t forget this. When we get to the base, we’ll repay you twice.”

Li Kaiyun didn’t wait. He accepted the supplies and gave them to his children, his eyes red.

“Uncle Li, I’ll call you that. As you said, life is hard for everyone. But we still have to help each other. So don’t overthink it. You don’t have to repay anything.”

Jiang Nian looked at the tall man and, for no reason, felt a sudden sadness in his chest.

Li Kaiyun’s face was sharp and cold. He looked like a tough man.

But it was this stranger who suddenly made the idea of fatherly love inside him become painfully clear:

This was the kind of father he should be. No matter how cold or strong he looked, he would protect his children without hesitation when danger came.

A real father never resented his own children, no matter when.

But he was the only one who had been rejected by his own father before he was even born.

His eyes burned a little. Jiang Nian talked in a calm way with Li Liang and Li Shuhui for a few minutes before going back to the car.

It was true that he cared about the connections this family had at the base. But it was also true that he really admired Li Kaiyun.