C23 She Was a Zombie

The babbling of the stream was quite soothing, particularly as it cascaded over the pebbles with a crisp, melodious sound.

Jiang Loong had kindled a fire by the creek and dispatched all his subordinate zombies to keep watch, retaining only the Rank 4 mutated zombie within his spatial domain. This creature was his ace in combat; should any unforeseen danger arise, he could release it as a last resort.

From his storage space, Jiang Loong retrieved two sets of clothing tailored for Tongtong and Ke'er. He submerged both sets in the water, adhering to his longstanding practice of washing new clothes before their first wear.

After letting the clothes soak for a bit, Jiang Loong gave them a simple scrub and a double rinse. He then draped them over the fire to dry.

With that task completed, Jiang Loong's attention shifted to Ke'er, who sat serenely by the fire, its glow casting a warm, rosy hue on her delicate features.

His intent was purely to assist Ke'er with a bath; her body was grimy and stained with blood, a state no one could overlook.

Yet Ke'er was unlike Tongtong, who appeared as a seven or eight-year-old human child. Ke'er was the epitome of a blossoming young beauty, remarkably well-developed for her age.

"What am I thinking? She's still a zombie," Jiang Loong chided himself, shaking his head to dispel the jumble of thoughts.

Approaching Ke'er with a composed demeanor, he didn't concern himself with whether she would engage with him or even understand. He simply stated, "Ke'er, I'd like to help you bathe. You're not very clean, and since you can't wash yourself, I'll have to assist. Do you agree?"

Ke'er gazed at him blankly, her eyes lacking any semblance of life.

Yet, Jiang Loong offered her a reassuring smile and coaxed, "Ke'er, come with me into the creek."

Taking her small hand, he led her into the waters of the stream.

As they passed by Tongtong, hand in hand, Jiang Loong noticed Tongtong's eyes fixed on them, watching intently.

Jiang Loong cleared his throat and instructed Tongtong, "Tongtong, turn your head away. Don't look this way."

Understanding the authoritative tone, Tongtong obediently turned away, no longer facing Jiang Loong and Ke'er.

Watching her small frame turn, Jiang Loong involuntarily swallowed hard, feeling guilty as if he were about to do something wrong behind Tongtong's back.

"She's just a zombie," he reminded himself repeatedly, trying to keep his thoughts in check.

While reinforcing this thought, Jiang Loong reached out and began to undo Ke'er's clothing.

Ke'er wasn't wearing a dress but instead long pants and a robe.

Jiang Loong started with the robe, which was tattered and stained with blood—a clear sign of encounters with the sharp claws of mutated zombies.

With the outer robe undone, it was time to address the next layer.

Jiang Loong swallowed again, took a deep breath, and steeled his mind with the mantra: Ke'er is merely a zombie.

He then found and released the hidden fastening on Ke'er's back, his eyes widening in astonishment.

Was this the physique of a typical teenage girl?

Moreover, Ke'er showed no signs of being a zombie, aside from her vacant expression.

Jiang Loong was utterly taken aback.

Bathed in moonlight, Ke'er stood expressionless in the stream.

Once an exceptional Evolver, she was now a mutated zombie. Yet, apart from Jiang Loong's certainty of her true nature, her appearance betrayed nothing of the sort.

A subtle blue-green glow emanated from her eyes, a gift from the energy source crystal nestled within her brain. In daylight, her eyes would surely be stunning.

If only they sparkled with life.

After bathing Ke'er, she was completely cleansed, as fresh as new.

Then, Jiang Loong carefully began to wash her hair.

"Why does your hair seem to be turning white?" he exclaimed, surprised.

He quickly noticed the change—a shade somewhere between gray and silver.

"Your hair texture appears to have changed too!" Jiang Loong observed another difference.

Most zombies have hair that's brittle and prone to breaking, which explains why many are bald.

When Ke'er first became a zombie, her hair lacked shine. But as she evolved, her hair improved in quality and even changed color.

Despite Ke'er's restored appearance, she was no longer human and had subtle differences from her past self.

Furthermore, Ke'er was now Jiang Loong's obedient zombie, incapable of defying him.

The image of the defiant yet resilient girl huddled in a corner lingered in Jiang Loong's mind.

"I'll wait for you to recognize me," Jiang Loong mused.

He then led Ke'er from the creek, drying her off before dressing her in her unique outfit: a pair of boots, a gray-white skirt, and a finely crafted cloak.

Once dressed, Ke'er, with her staff, could pass for a quintessential medieval sorceress, radiating a commanding presence.

Jiang Loong admired her with satisfaction, straightened her clothes, and invited, "Come, Ke'er, let's warm up by the fire."

Next was Tongtong.

Since he planned to dress Tongtong in new clothes soon, Jiang Loong decided to give her another bath first.

Tongtong's outfit was more contemporary than Ke'er's, featuring a pink blouse, a dark suspender skirt, and an adorable matching hat.

Jiang Loong affectionately pinched Tongtong's soft cheek before bathing her.

Afterward, he indulged in the beef jerky he'd found in the treasure chest, savoring it by the fire.

Turning to Ke'er, he playfully asked, "Ke'er, would you like some beef jerky?"