Chapter Fifty-Nine: Divergent Paths

Chapter Fifty-Nine

Due to Qu Wenyuan’s period, the group didn’t want to linger in the wilderness. The scent of blood could excite the zombies even further, so after some discussion, they decided to return to the base first to hand in the first two missions, and then set out again in a couple of days to complete the third.

The entrance to Changyang Base was as crowded as ever!

Because everyone entering the base had to be checked for zombie virus infection, long lines were a constant at the gate. Mei and the others stood patiently in the middle of the queue, moving forward with the slow tide of people.

Many in the line were mercenary teams who had gone out to kill zombies and complete missions. Some recognized Mei and her five companions from the mission hall, but many did not. Those who hadn’t seen them before, noting the matching insignias, pristine uniforms, and the presence of a girl not yet of age, mostly assumed, “These people must be some wealthy family’s hired companions for fun.”

Those who did recognize the group knew all six were ability users, with one even being a young master of the Ye family who ruled the base. They also knew the team had taken on three missions with no level restrictions, tasks no ordinary person could hope to accomplish. Seeing them return after just two days, unharmed and unruffled, everyone speculated: had they succeeded, or failed?

Surrounded by glances—some surprised, some mocking, some scrutinizing—the six remained unbothered, each minding their own business as if oblivious to the attention.

Mei and An Ziyou shared a pair of earphones, listening together to music Mei had copied from her computer, occasionally exchanging opinions about the songs. Mo Chen and Lin Shaojie each held a PSP, linked and gaming together. Qu Wenyuan cradled a tablet, watching something she’d copied from Mei’s computer. Ye Jingxuan, meanwhile, carved a piece of jade with a knife conjured from his powers.

To be so at ease in the apocalypse was rare indeed, if not unique.

“Please hold out your hand,” a young man politely requested when their turn came for inspection.

Everyone extended their hands obediently for their blood samples, except for Mei, who hesitated, tilting her head to look at the man.

“What’s the matter, little one?” he asked with a gentle smile. “Is there a problem?”

Mei almost asked if they’d met before, but swallowed the words and simply shook her head. “I was just curious, because you weren’t the one who checked us last time.”

“Oh, I must not have been on duty that day. Otherwise, I’d have met a lovely little girl sooner. All right, your blood is fine—you're clear to go in.” He stamped their ID cards with the word “approved” and waved them through.

Mei said nothing more, following the others inside. After a few steps, though, she glanced back at the man.

“What’s wrong?” An Ziyou, who noticed her looking back, asked with some curiosity. The others turned to her as well, puzzled by her focus on an ordinary staff member.

“I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere before, but I can’t remember where,” Mei murmured.

“That’s not so strange, is it? We all live in the same base. Maybe you passed him on the street,” Lin Shaojie said, unconcerned.

Mei shook her head, not bothering to explain further. The feeling he gave her was not just the fleeting familiarity of a passing face. She was certain she either knew him, or he knew her. When she’d almost asked if they’d met, he’d tensed ever so slightly—a subtle reaction only someone with Mei’s strength of perception would notice. When she changed her question, he’d instantly relaxed.

Just before, she’d seen him slip a bloodied cotton swab into his pocket—why would an ordinary person need that?

But this wasn’t the time or place to discuss such things, so Mei said nothing more and followed Ye Jingxuan back to the Ye residence.

At the gates, Uncle Yu had already received word and was waiting to greet Ye Jingxuan and the others.

“Young master, you’ve worked hard. Come inside and rest. The rooms for you and your friends have all been cleaned and are ready for you at any time!”

“Uncle Yu, next time just send someone—no need to come out yourself. How is everything at home?” Ye Jingxuan asked as he walked in.

“All is well, young master, nothing to worry about.”

Inside, Ye Shitian awaited them in the living room. Seeing them enter, he stood and looked over each of them, making sure none were missing or injured before saying, “It’s good you’re all back. Sit down and rest.”

They thanked him politely and took their seats as Ye Jingxuan gave a brief report of their recent mission. He mentioned they’d completed two tasks and gained much, but said nothing of the dangers. He merely told his father that, without his companions’ help, he could never have returned so quickly and unscathed.

Upon hearing this, Ye Shitian looked at Mei and the others, stood up, and with solemn gratitude said, “Thank you all for your help. Words cannot express the Ye family’s debt to you. In the future, if you ever need our assistance, we will do everything in our power.”

With that, Ye Shitian gave them a deep bow. Ye Jingxuan followed suit, bowing in thanks; he wasn’t one for words, but he meant it—the Ye family would never refuse them anything.

Mei and the others hurriedly stood to avoid the bow. “You’re too kind, sir. We’re companions with A-Ye, and helping each other is only right—there’s no need for such formality.”

The others echoed her words; even Mo Chen, though silent, looked embarrassed by such gratitude.

Ye Shitian said no more and motioned for everyone to sit once more.

“We’ve gathered a lot of supplies this time. After handing over what belongs to the base, the rest should last the Ye family a long while. But where do you want to store it?” Mo Chen asked as he sat down, speaking for the first time.

“There’s no rush. Rest well tonight, and tomorrow I’ll have someone inventory everything with you,” Ye Shitian replied, unconcerned. Though he had no idea how much they’d brought back, he didn’t press them, instead urging them to rest.

Seeing that the Ye family wasn’t in a hurry, Mo Chen said nothing more; after all, it wasn’t as if the supplies would bite, stored safely in their space.

Mei cared little about rest, but she remembered Ye Jingxuan’s promise that Uncle Yu would prepare a delicious meal for her upon their return. Since Ye Shitian was present, Mei couldn’t say it aloud, so she simply gazed expectantly at Ye Jingxuan, hoping he’d remember.

Ye Jingxuan hadn’t forgotten. Seeing Mei’s anxious look, he helplessly reached out to pat her head. “Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten. Go rest for now—you’ll have your meal tonight.”

“Really?” Mei’s eyes brightened, but she still pressed him for confirmation.

“I promise.”

Satisfied, Mei waited while the others exchanged a few more pleasantries with Ye Shitian before heading to their rooms to rest, leaving Ye Shitian and Ye Jingxuan to talk alone in the living room.

“You didn’t run into any trouble on this mission, I hope?” Ye Shitian asked, knowing that even if his son had, he would downplay it.

“It was all right,” Ye Jingxuan replied simply.

Truthfully, without Mei and the others, the mission would have been a deadly one. The psychic zombie alone would have been nearly impossible to handle, not to mention the mutant pomegranate trees. On the road, they’d experimented with zombies—those exploding pomegranates could lacerate flesh, and the pink smoke inside, entering through wounds, would erode a victim’s bones, leaving them as limp as jelly.

He remembered the sight of the test zombie, collapsed into a puddle of soft flesh after the smoke cleared. It had sent chills down all their spines. If Mei had been even a little slower to react, they would have suffered the same fate.

“Did the other three families send people after you this time?” Ye Shitian pressed.

“Yes, a group did. But we took care of them.”

“Now that you’re back, they’ll surely probe your strength, see what you and your friends are truly capable of. Once you hand in the mission, they’ll stop watching and finally make their move.” Ye Shitian warned his son to be prepared.

“It’s fine. I only worry if they don’t act. When they do, we’ll have our chance,” Ye Jingxuan said, unconcerned.

“While you were away, the Liu family befriended two more ability users. Though they haven’t formally joined, it’s only a matter of time. Even the Situ and Wang families are vying for them.”

“Oh? What kind of abilities drew all three families’ attention?”

“They’re rare healers. It’s not certain whether they can cure the zombie virus, but they can heal broken bones completely. You know them—they’re the Xiao siblings who entered the base with you. The sister is the healer.”

“So it’s those two!” Ye Jingxuan nodded in understanding.

He remembered the Xiao siblings, especially the sister who bore some resemblance to Mei. If not for her, he might never have realized his feelings for Mei.

But to him, she was only a woman who looked a bit like Mei. He could barely recall her face.

“What do you think of them?” Ye Shitian asked, sensing his son did know the pair.

“Not much. They’re not on the same path as us; there’s no point trying to win them over,” Ye Jingxuan replied firmly. For people who had kept themselves pure, he and his companions were already too far gone; their paths were irreconcilable.

“Then let it be.” Ye Shitian sighed. He trusted his son's judgment, but the Ye family couldn’t survive on just three ability users—they needed more people, and trustworthy ones were hard to find.

Ye Jingxuan heard his father’s sigh and understood its cause. But he already had a plan for the Ye family’s future. If it succeeded, the Ye family would fear no threats from any other clan.

Nothing was settled yet, though, so he couldn’t share it. If it failed, there’d be only disappointment; better to wait until he had results.

For now, he needed to find Uncle Yu—he’d promised Mei that meal, and without Uncle Yu’s consent, his promise would be for nothing.