RIACMET chapter 66

 

When faced with Cheng Jing’s guess, Jiang Nian didn’t give a definitive answer.

“Maybe, but I can’t say for sure without trying it myself. Even though it sounds self-important, I’m probably the only one who understands this purification power.”

After finishing, he took a deep breath, lowered his gaze to his hands, and muttered to himself, almost helplessly:

“That’s why, when I realized how strange my power was, I decided to hide it.

“It has to be hidden.”

Cheng Jing’s tone suddenly turned serious.

To others, this would be a great thing—a ray of hope to fight the zombie virus. But for the person who possessed it, it would be nothing but a disaster if this ability was exposed before he had enough leverage and strength.

Jiang Nian nodded firmly.

“I’ll do everything I can to extend my range to five hundred meters as soon as possible. That way, whether we’re up against zombies or humans, we’ll have one more trump card.”

Being treated like a lab rat in his past life still made him feel cold all over. He had no intention of selflessly sacrificing his powers.

The scientists would eventually find a way to end the apocalypse. Why should he—a man who had already died once—try to play hero?

“Alright.”

Cheng Jing didn’t argue.

“If you need anything, just tell me.”

He was far more worried about Jiang Nian’s safety than the purification’s potential.

It would have been perfect if his ability were a space dimension that could hide living beings. Then, he could just keep Jiang Nian hidden away.

“…”

Jiang Nian thought for a moment, then said,

“Actual combat is the fastest way to develop and strengthen a power. My range has already reached two hundred meters. Training at home isn’t effective anymore. So, if there’s a chance, take me with you on a real fight.”

He really wanted to see what would happen if he used his power on a zombie directly.

“… ”

Cheng Jing fell silent.

Jiang Nian reached up and lightly patted his own cheek.

“Brother Jing?”

He knew his boyfriend wouldn’t be happy when he brought up going outside.

“…”

Cheng Jing took Jiang Nian’s hand and held it for a long time before finally speaking again.

“The base recently issued a mission. Anyone can exchange zombie cores for points. Two days from now, our team is going out with some volunteers to clear zombies. We’ll stay near the base, leave in the morning, and return before nightfall. If you want, you can come.”

“With volunteers?”

Jiang Nian looked puzzled.

Cheng Jing explained,

“These are the base’s official rescue personnel and some survivors, both ordinary people and ability users. The goal is to eliminate the zombies gathering near the base. Since the risk is relatively low, the higher-ups quietly approved joint operations like this one.”

Usually, survivors could go out on their own, but this time, the base’s teams were also participating, making it a larger-scale effort.

Jiang Nian smiled.

“Oh, so we’re basically going monster hunting together…”

Cheng Jing nodded.

“You could say that. Everyone is free to keep whatever cores they collect. Ordinary zombie cores are worth ten points each, and special ability zombie cores are worth thirty.”

“The prices are almost the same as in my previous life. Just as I thought, the military is always more sensitive to this kind of thing and started collecting them early.”

Jiang Nian was a little surprised.

He remembered that, in his previous life, it had been more than a year since the world turned into a scorching wasteland when a researcher at Base S discovered that zombie cores could be converted into energy to power the base.

Once the news spread, every base started issuing missions to trade cores for points. That was still months away from happening now.

He wasn’t sure if Nancheng Base had collected cores this early last time or if his rebirth and the choices he made had caused the butterfly effect.

Some things seemed to be happening ahead of schedule.

“I heard that the experts at the Nancheng Base Research Institute have been instructing their field teams to monitor zombie mutations ever since the seers first appeared. They’ve been gathering cores for quite a while.”

Cheng Jing shared what he knew internally. The military was indeed quicker and more perceptive than the rest.

Jiang Nian asked softly,

“Have they made any progress with the research?”

“Not yet.”

Cheng Jing shook his head.

“But the experts say that, since the cores can accelerate zombie evolution, they must be special. That’s why they suggested collecting them on a large scale.”

“I see…”

Jiang Nian slowly understood. Thinking about it, it made sense. The key figures in these military-led bases were formidable, so it wasn’t surprising that they had noticed things earlier.

In his previous life, however, he never had the chance to learn about these powerful bases.

“Is something wrong?”

Cheng Jing looked at him worriedly, noticing the thoughtful look on his face.

“It’s nothing. I’m just realizing that a lot of things are happening much sooner than I remember, but that’s probably a good thing.”

Jiang Nian shook his head to clear his thoughts. Then, he glanced up with a half-smile.

“Brother Jing, if we hadn’t talked tonight, you wouldn’t have told me about the mission, would you?”

They were leaving in two days—it clearly wasn’t a last-minute decision.

Cheng Jing hesitated, then turned his face away awkwardly.

“…Yeah.”

He finally admitted it, rubbing the bridge of his nose—a habit he had when he felt guilty.

“I originally thought you should focus solely on being a trader and a farmer. There’s no need for you to fight zombies. We have enough points and supplies. But, if you want to increase your power, then that’s fine. I’ll find you a safer place to train.”

Protecting Jiang Nian had become instinctive. Even though the risk was low, he hated the idea of Jiang Nian putting himself in danger.

“I knew it—you’re treating me like I’m made of glass.”

Jiang Nian sighed and put his hand on the broad shoulder in front of him, pleading,

“Brother Jing, please take me along on missions like this in the future. If you don’t agree, I’ll just go by myself or find someone else to team up with.”

Honestly, sometimes he really did want to pick a fight with his boyfriend!

Cheng Jing’s heart thumped wildly. He pressed his fingers to his temples, resigned.

“Fine. I get it. Just—don’t joke about that. From now on, if there are missions like this, I’ll bring you.”

If this person actually went out alone—or, God forbid, joined up with someone else—he’d probably end up committing domestic violence in the apocalypse.

“Alright, done deal! Thanks, Brother Jing.”

Jiang Nian finally smiled in satisfaction. He’d gotten what he wanted. Stirring things up always worked out in the end.

“… ”

Cheng Jing could only fall silent, already regretting speaking in anger. He knew he’d been outplayed by this little bastard again.

“It’s getting dark. I’ll turn on the lights.”

Fearing that Cheng Jing would change his mind, Jiang Nian quickly changed the subject and stood up to turn on the living room lights.

Cheng Jing got up and headed to the shower.

“Brother Jing, I’ll get some clean clothes for you later.”

After all the bickering, he was in a good mood again. He picked up his game console, turned on the tablet, and started playing games while watching his show.

Cheng Jing didn’t respond. He picked up a set of clothes and went into the bathroom. When the door closed behind him, he couldn’t help but silently laugh.

When they first started dating, he imagined what married life with Jiang Nian would be like: a steady relationship with the occasional argument or watching Jiang Nian’s stubborn temper flare up.

Even though life was harsh in this apocalypse, he’d gotten exactly what he’d wished for in the end.

He didn’t care about other people’s lives or deaths. He didn’t care when the world might heal. He only wanted Jiang Nian to be safe and happy, far away from all the pain he’d suffered before.

To make that happen, he’d toss anyone who dared come screaming at their door straight into the zombie hordes himself.

Even Jiang Nian’s family. If he ever got the chance, he wouldn’t let any of them walk away alive.