C14

Jiang Feng was at a loss for words as he watched Jiang Wei's furrowed brow. He knew all too well how much she missed her mother, Cui Wei, longing for the day they could all be together again and bask in the warmth of a family reunion.

Urendir and Cui Wei were destined to become entwined in Jiang Feng's life. As for what the future held, he could only take things one step at a time.

Suddenly, the piercing screams of a woman erupted from the room, escalating in intensity.

The chilling and unearthly wails sent the people in the living room into a frenzy, as they bombarded Jiang Feng with questions, "Benefactor, what's happening inside? What's going on?"

"Stay calm, everyone. What's happening inside is a baptism. Soon we'll see who emerges as the lucky one," Jiang Feng replied, his tone detached.

A puzzled Urendir inquired, "Could it be...?"

Jiang Feng clarified, "Regardless, they can't avoid this baptism, as sexual contact can also trigger mutations. The new humans are no different from zombies; both are contagious."

Minutes later, the room fell silent. Su Kouye and Chen Ming emerged, their garments smeared with blood.

"Terrible luck. All five turned into zombies and had to be eliminated," Su Kouye announced.

His words sent a shockwave through the other survivors in the living room. They cried out in horror, "No, we won't transform! We'll stay right here. You don't have to take us with you. Just spare our lives."

With his eyes closed, Jiang Feng solemnly responded, "We respect your choice. From now on, you're on your own."

And with that, Jiang Feng and his companions left the still-panicked survivors behind.

Despite his outward composure, Jiang Feng felt a sharp sting in his heart.

"You've essentially found a pretext for killing them," Su Kouye remarked to Jiang Feng.

"What choice did I have? You've been complaining about the food shortage. I never anticipated so many survivors. Just feeding them has depleted our supplies significantly. But you're clever to have guessed my motives," Jiang Feng conceded.

"Just a wild guess," Su Kouye chuckled.

Later that night, at 8 o'clock, Jiang Wei was fast asleep in Jiang Feng's room, while Jiang Feng and Urendir quietly discussed their plans.

"Su Kouye isn't someone to be taken lightly; he's extremely sharp. Often, he'll figure out what I'm thinking without me having to spell it out," Jiang Feng said with a hint of unease.

"Weren't you quite trusting of him before?"

"I was, initially. But after spending roughly ten days with us, even with our caution, he's likely pieced together that we have a post-apocalyptic strategy, despite his feigned ignorance. The more he knows, the more he acts as if he's clueless or doesn't care. What's even more perplexing is that his abilities are on par with mine, yet he's exceedingly compliant, almost to a fault."

"So, what's your plan?"

"Remember how you rewrote the Doomsday Strategy because you couldn't stand my handwriting? I'm going to let him see part of my original copy, withholding the names of renowned warriors and certain crucial details. Then, we'll gauge his reaction and see if he wants the strategy."

"And if he does, we just eliminate him?" Urendir's gaze sharpened.

"No, wanting it would be the expected response. It's if he declines or shows any hesitation that we should be concerned."

"Why's that?" Urendir asked, confused.

"A normal person would naturally be curious and want to take a look. If he refuses, it's likely because he knows we're onto him. Any hesitation suggests he's weighing his options, and only someone with a lot of guile and ulterior motives would pause. You'll accompany me; just follow my lead."

Having laid out his plan, Jiang Feng proceeded to sort through half of the Doomsday Strategy by the drawer, while Urendir changed back into her casual clothes.

Once they were prepared, they approached Su Kouye's door and knocked. "Are you asleep?"

Su Kouye promptly opened the door at the sound of Jiang Feng's voice. "No, it's too early for sleep. What's up?"

"Just wanted to talk."

Inside the room, Urendir stationed herself by the door while Jiang Feng and Su Kouye sat down to chat face-to-face.

After several minutes of small talk, Jiang Feng was ready to broach the main subject. He pulled out a small stack of papers, the title page boldly announcing 'Doomsday Strategy.'

"Doomsday Strategy," Su Kouye blurted out, catching Jiang Feng off guard.

"Surprised, are you?"

"Absolutely. All my earlier doubts now make sense. You couldn't possibly be a real prophet, could you? I never imagined you'd have such a useful tool. And Jiang Wei—she's always calling you 'Daddy.' I've been wondering if she was adopted."

Su Kouye's reaction was too normal, not at all like someone with ulterior motives.

"Jiang Wei is my daughter from the future. She's the one who brought me the Doomsday Strategy."

"My God, that's incredible! Jiang Wei is actually from the future."

"If you had questions before, why didn't you ask?" prodded Jiang Feng.

"I did ask you on the very first day if you were a prophet, but you dodged the question. I figured you didn't trust me and thought you'd open up once you fully trusted me. Seems like that moment is now."

"You're right. We sought you out because we fully trust you now. I'll let you see the strategy tonight. Interested?"

Jiang Feng slid the strategy across the table, never breaking eye contact with Su Kouye, watching for any flicker of emotion. Meanwhile, Urendir was tensely poised, ready to act if Su Kouye hesitated or refused the strategy.

To their surprise, Su Kouye didn't waver. He eagerly grabbed the strategy, grinning. "You should've shown this to me sooner. I've been so curious, and now I've finally got my answers."

His reaction was genuine, direct, and decisive, with no hint of hesitation—just like any regular person.

"Yeah, I should've shown it to you earlier," Jiang Feng conceded.

Su Kouye, however, was too engrossed in the strategy guide to respond, flipping through it with uncharacteristic eagerness, his focus entirely on the pages.

In that moment, Su Kouye was nothing like the cunning, calculating figure Jiang Feng had feared.

Jiang Feng, seeing no apparent issues, turned to Urendir and shook his head, signaling to scrap the plan of assassinating Su Kouye.

After skimming the strategy guide for a few minutes, Su Kouye remarked, "Jiang Feng, this seems to be over ten thousand words. I can't possibly get through it all right now."

"Indeed," Jiang Feng replied. "The guide requires careful reading to fully grasp it. For now, we just need to focus on the initial sections; the rest isn't immediately necessary."

Su Kouye then set the guide aside and looked earnestly at Jiang Feng. "Thank you for saving me and for letting me see the guide. I, Su Kouye, promise to give my all in helping you."

With an understanding smile, Jiang Feng responded, "No need for such formality. We're comrades from here on out. I'll leave you to it then; take your time with the guide."

Finishing his thought, Jiang Feng rose and exited Su Kouye's room with Urendir.

Back in his own room, Jiang Feng let out a sigh. "Perhaps I'm overthinking it. Su Kouye might genuinely be committed to our cause."

"Who can say?" Urendir mused. "I'm not particularly fond of him. And you've given him the guide. What if he runs off with it tonight?"

"I doubt that will happen. He only has part of it; I've kept the majority to myself. For now, let's just get some rest." Jiang Feng's trust in Su Kouye had begun to outweigh his suspicions.

The following day, Su Kouye was still present, helping Jiang Feng with breakfast as usual. Jiang Feng began to question whether he had misjudged Su Kouye's character.

Once breakfast was over, Jiang Feng set out to clean the second floor, which was teeming with zombies—roughly two to three hundred.

Su Kouye, Urendir, and Jiang Feng charged ahead courageously, while Chen Ming and Jiang Wei tackled the stragglers from a safer distance.

Jiang Feng kept a close eye on Su Kouye's combat abilities. Although his talent was modest, his paranormal power to morph into a beastly humanoid form certainly gave him an edge.

Harboring the ambition of an emperor, Jiang Feng couldn't help but maintain a sense of pride. Even if he couldn't match Urendir's strength, he was determined to at least surpass Su Kouye.

In a bid to slay more zombies and bolster his own strength, Jiang Feng started to take more risks. With a swift leap, he bounded off the wall in a few agile steps, moving with the grace of a gazelle, before using the wall to catapult himself into the densest throng of the undead.

Jiang Feng's audacious move sent a jolt of fear through Urendir and Su Kouye. Urendir tried to follow suit but was abruptly yanked back as Su Kouye grabbed her leg.

"What are you doing?" Urendir yelled, bewildered.

"The zombies are swarming towards Chen Ming and Jiang Wei; they're overwhelmed. Stay close to them. I'll back up Jiang Feng," Su Kouye called out, already sprinting in Jiang Feng's direction.

Urendir was skeptical of Su Kouye, concerned he wouldn't fully commit to aiding Jiang Feng. Yet, Jiang Wei's predicament was dire. Her ability to cast fireballs had greatly improved, but it drained her, limiting her to one blast every ten seconds. Chen Ming was faring no better, struggling to fend for himself, let alone protect Jiang Wei, as the horde closed in. Urendir found herself torn between two equally perilous choices.

Meanwhile, Jiang Feng, deep in the second-floor hall, faced grim odds. His back and right hind leg bore the marks of zombie bites.

The hall was vast, offering no obstacles to the converging zombies. Jiang Feng's pace in dispatching them couldn't keep up with their relentless advance, and he was swiftly engulfed. Panting and nearing exhaustion, escape was no longer an option.

Jiang Feng glanced back towards Urendir and the others in the tight passageway, but his view was blocked by a sea of zombies; his companions were nowhere in sight.