Rebirth of MC

Long Zhanye moves forward to check on the wound of the woman's left arm before turning to Qin Jun. "The one who amputated her hand, was it you?"

Although the amputation itself is a little crude, the bandaging technique applied to staunch blood flow is perfect. To be able to achieve such great results under the worst circumstances possible clearly proves that this man's medical expertise is wonderous.

"When I arrived, the front gates were wide open. I saw her being tackled to the floor by a monster the moment I came in. Her left hand had already been bitten." Qin Jun explains as he soothes Li Qing. "On my way here, I saw how anyone who was bitten by those creatures will eventually turn into one of themso I thought, if I remove the area where the bite is, then perhaps they can be saved, but"

"A zombie's infection spreads extremely quickly, no matter if one is bitten or scratched" Huo Zaiyuan interrupts as he approaches Li Qing's mother.

From the looks of it, she is already beginning to change. Although the initial infected area has already been removed and the speed of infection has been deterred

"Don't tell methere truly is no way to save them" Gradually calming down, Li Qing hesitantly glances at the other three people.

Pursing his lips, Huo Zaiyuan looks at his best friend, then slowly opens his mouth. "They cannot be rescued. But perhaps I can allow Aunt to regain consciousness and be clear-headed for a while. It will allow you to speak to her one last time"

Looking up at Huo Zaiyuan with tear-filled eyes, Li Qing nods in consent. "Okay, little Yuan, please let me speak to my mum"

Ever since he left his mother's side at a young age, there were very few chances for them to meet face to face. On a typical day, he can only rely on phone calls to hear his mother's voice and talk to her. This time, if it wasn't because he broke up with Qin Jun, he wouldn't have come to this city

It has been over ten days since the start of the apocalypse, and although he has spent all that time hiding with his mother, most of his time was wasted watching the movements of those monsters outsidehe more or less understands the issue his mother is facing and the infection now spreading slowly through her body. After she was bitten, she will eventually turn into one of those creaturesnow, he isn't begging for his mother to be rescued from this fate, but rather, that he will be able to say goodbye to her. That in itself might be an extravagant wish too, now that he thinks about it.

"Qin Jun, older brother Long, can you please move the furniture in that corner away?" Huo Zaiyuan draws in a deep breath, then points towards the cabinet and armchair.

Although Qin Jun doesn't understand why Huo Zaiyuan wants them to move the furniture away, but for the sake of Li Qing, he fulfils the request without question.

On the other hand, Long Zhanye knows about Huo Zaiyuan's Taoist art. If he asks them to move the furniture away, it obviously means he needs the space to perform an array of some sort. Hence, he too doesn't ask for a reason.

Although he hadn't been asked to help, Li Qing gets up anyway.

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While the three went to move the furniture, Huo Zaiyuan settles down beside Li Qing's mother, left hand flicking to retrieve three coin talisman, imbuing them with energy, then place one on the woman's forehead, chest and abdomen. When the last piece is in position, her once grey complexion slowly reverts back to a wane beige colour, her physical strength clearly recovering as a result, breath coming out stronger and steadier.

"Little Yuan, it's done." Long Zhanye announces as he returns to his side.

"Un, then please move Aunt over into that corner. Be careful not to let any of the wooden pieces slip from their positions." Huo Zaiyuan rises and moves over to the dining table.

Uncaring if Li Qing or Qin Jun sees it, he materialises his Holy Dragon Bone Brush, glass bottle with the ant crystals, saucer and tube containing spring water before on the table before him. Within the body of every zombie lies undead essence as well as Ying energy, both fusing to create a deadly infectious virus. When a living being is bitten or scratched by a zombie and turns, it is due to that individual's internal energy being devoured by said virus. As soon as the human's internal energy is near exhausted, the transformation is inevitable.

Currently, the Energy Congregation Array that Huo Zaiyuan is planning to set up will be able to increase a person's internal energy for a short period of time. This way, he can delay the virus seeking to transform Li Qing's mother and allow her a period of clear-headedness.

Pouring a small amount of water onto the saucer, he adds in around more than ten pieces of red crystals. This time, he wouldn't be drawing runes on a piece of peach wood, so he needed to make more ink. As the crystals dissolve into the water, the amount of scarlet liquid sitting in the middle of the saucer is about the size of an infant's hand. Not a lot, but enough for him to complete this array.

Storing the tube and glass bottle away, he picks up the brush and saucer and heads over to the corner.

The reason he asked for Li Qing's mother to be moved here is because in this corner, the dormant spiritual energy is the highest. Placing the saucer to one side, he slowly moves his fingers through a series of handseals with the brush grasped between both palms. Once that is done, the brush glows a golden tint and a translucent silver dragon rushes upwards, leaping through the air. Holding the Holy Dragon Bone Brush with his right hand, he drips the bristles in scarlet ink and rapidly draws runes on the floor.

Staring at Huo Zaiyuan's strange movements, Qin Jun and Li Qing have no idea what is happening, but are afraid to ask and interrupt his concentration.

This particular array requires a long line of runes and is much more complicated. By the time Huo Zaiyuan is finished, he has drawn a line of characters that circles around Li Qing's mother twice, with the final one written at the top of her head.

As soon as he finishes inking the last rune, the brush in his hand flashes silver. With a tired huff, Huo Zaiyuan's slim body sways, then collapses onto the ground.

"Little Yuan." The Long Zhanye who was standing three steps away reacts in an instant, dashing over and drawing him into his embrace.

"I - I'm fine." Beads of sweat dots that white-jade like face, but Huo Zaiyuan manages to flash a small smile at Long Zhanye.

With another wave of his hand, the brush is replacedby another talisman, which is placed on top of the last rune. One more application of spiritual energy through his fingertips causes the entire array to light up in silver light. In unison, the rays of light levitate upwards, then enters the woman's body.

"Half an houruse it wisely and have a good conversation with your mother. Don't cross over the rune boundary. It's dangerous." After imparting these instructions, Huo Zaiyuan lets his head fall, resting it on Long Zhanye's chest. Due to exhausting most of his spiritual energy, he quickly slips into unconsciousness.

He doesn't know exactly what Li Qing talked about with his mother, but when he next opens his eyes, three hours have gone by.

The body of Li Qing's mother is wrapped tightly in two bed quilts, secured by a cord of rope. Off to the side, Li Qing stares blankly ahead, eyes red, obviously having cried again for a long moment. Long Zhanye and Qin Jun are currently in the backyard digging a grave. No questions about who that is for.

Although Huo Zaiyuan's footsteps are very light, Long Zhanye's hearing is above average. By the time he arrives at the doorway, Long Zhanye's head is already lifted, eyes locking on him.

"You're awake. How are you feeling?"

"Not too bad. I simply used too much spiritual energy and fainted, that's all. A little rest and everything will be fine." Squatting down at the top of the steps, he drawls, tongue still leaden with exhaustion.

Seeing Huo Zaiyuan is up, Qin Jun puts down the shovel in his hands before hoisting himself out of the waist-deep hole they dug. "Little Yuan, I've something to tell you. Come with me."

"Sure." Glancing briefly at Long Zhanye, Huo Zaiyuan follows after Qin Jun.

Entering the house, Qin Jun stares out the door for a minute, then turns to Huo Zaiyuan. "You disappeared for one year without telling anyone, letting Li Qing and I go crazy from searching for you. Where did you go? What's with the military arrest warrant on the internet? What happened? And that soldier. Why would you be travelling together with him? Could it be he captured you and will bring you to a military prison?" It is very unlike the cool-headed Qin Jun to have a frustrated outburst and a launch a string of non-stop questions.

Regarding Qin Jun for a moment with a calm expression, Huo Zaiyuan pulls up a chair at the dining table and sits down. "At that time, I left X City because I had a lot of matters to settle. I had to do it personally, so I couldn't stay. As for the arrest warrant, I don't know how that came about. Long Zhanyeafter I came to Z City, I met him during the apocalypse. Regarding my use of talismans and the Taoist arts, it is one of the reasons I disappeared for an entire year." Deciding not to hide anything else from Qin Jun, he continues. "Oh, that's right. Currently, my name is Zi Yuan. You are smart. You don't need me to explain further."

"Hmm." Listening to Huo Zaiyuan's explanation, Qin Jun's expression eases. "So what are we going to do now? Everywhere is so chaotic."

"I've decided to go to A City. Long Zhanye's power mostly resides there. What about you? And your familyyou ran over looking for little Qing, wouldn't there be any problems?" Standing up, he wanders over to the kitchen pantry and reaches for a kettle to pour some water for Qin Jun and himself.

"Hmph, how much emotional attachment do I have with that family? It seems I obeyed them so much that my old man obstinately does as he pleases and engaged me to someone else without my knowledge. He nearly made me lose my little Qing." A cold light enters his eyes as he scoffs.

"If that's the case, then come together with us. It'll be safer to stay as a group. At least we can watch each other's backs." Draining the cup of water in his hands, he says. "Presently, little Qing's mental state is not too good. You need to properly comfort and protect him."

"Of course."

That evening, the four of them bury Li Qing's mother in the backyard and erects a simple gravestone. In regards to those who were unfortunate enough to be infected by the zombie virus and turn, Li Qing's mother can be considered lucky in that she died peacefully, without turning into a blood-thirsty monster and able to bid her son farewell.

Kneeling before the grave, tracing the crudely carved words on the gravestone with his fingertips, Li Qing seems to be in a better state than he was this morning, even with his eyes still red.

"Thank you all very much."

"Fool. No need to thank us." Huo Zaiyuan murmurs, eyes displaying a sorrowful but happy smile. Seeing his best friend recovering admirably from grief, he is naturally happy.

Face flushing red, Li Qing snaps half-heartedly. "Little Yuan, I haven't seen you in a while and you suddenly become more annoying than before."

"Oh, is that so? I'm honoured. You should be hungry, right? I'll go cook." Tone bland as ever, he quips back before turning on his heels and walking into the house.

"Is your cooking edible?!" Li Qing stands up and brushes his pants off, then quickly follows behind Huo Zaiyuan.

Looking at those two trading barbs back and forth, Qin Jun finally smiles, then turns to Long Zhanye. "Eldest brother Long[1], thatwhen you first met little Yuan, was he always like this?"

"Un, he has always been this way since we met. Why?"

"Oh, nothing much. It's justhe's changed a lot."

(Author's notes: Adorable theatre -

Yuan shou: Apocalypse Zombie Annihilation Squad, assemble!

Long gong: High attack, high defence, formidable abilities, Heaven defying techniquesdo you want it?

Yuan shou: (Immediately shouts) Yes!

Long gong: (Spreads his arms wide) Then you only need me ~!

(Long gong sends party invite to Yuan shou. Permanent arrangement, no backing out.)

Footnotes:

[1] Qin Jun addresses LZY as "" since he is the oldest one there. It's different from what HZY and LQ address LZY as, which is just "".

(Translators notes: Got these chapters out a few hours earlier than usual due as I would be busy for the rest of today. ^-^)