Chapter 110: Stranded, and Meeting Bald Qiang Again

Bian Changxi was never much of a risk-taker. Every time she’d taken the initiative to go on an adventure in the past, it was only because she had a plan and was confident she could protect herself. If she were in Chen Guanqing’s shoes today, she’d probably have put things off, waiting until she was sure of success before acting.

But she also craved strength. Now that Chen Guanqing was determined to go through with it, her job—besides answering all his questions and doing her best to ensure his survival—was to observe.

Watching an ordinary ability user attempt to ascend to “Exorcist” status, live and in person—this was a rare opportunity.

Chu Hao, on the other hand, was getting frustrated. His friend had grabbed that black core, sat down on the ground, and hadn’t budged for over an hour. Meanwhile, Bian Changxi stood beside him, staring intently the whole time, barely blinking. Chu Hao tried to keep up, but after a few minutes his eyes were burning—what was so interesting about this, anyway?

He sulked, pulled some weeds by the wall, stood guard at the door, and finally couldn’t take it anymore. He sidled up to Bian Changxi and whispered, “Looks like Lao Liu won’t be done anytime soon. George and the others must be getting anxious. Should I go back and give them an update?”

Bian Changxi was startled, glanced at Chen Guanqing, and finally remembered her plan to set out before the Mid-Autumn Festival. Now it was already late morning, and Chen Guanqing hadn’t finished absorbing the core—actually, it seemed like he’d only just started. He’d spent all that time circling around, “bonding” with the energy inside the black core. She’d only realized then how devious and treacherous that energy was—one misstep and it would force its way into the body, wreaking havoc. Chen Guanqing had almost fallen for it a few times, and she’d had to step in and help. Luckily, he managed to resolve it himself each time.

—Only an idiot like Chu Hao would think they were just posing like statues.

Even if Chen Guanqing managed to absorb the power, it would take time for him to master and use this new ability smoothly. There was no way they’d be leaving today.

She sighed inwardly, but there was nothing to be done.

She said, “Alright. But don’t mention anything about Xiao Ai to those two—less trouble if fewer people know. And after you go back, don’t bother coming here again. If we’re not back by four o’clock, bring both of them over. Otherwise, Chen Guanqing and I will just head back ourselves.”

“Why bring them over?”

Bian Changxi walked to the door and reached out into the howling wind outside. Garbage and dust swirled everywhere. A white plastic bag slapped against her hand. She pulled her hand back and brushed it off. “The wind’s so strong. I bet it’ll rain heavily tomorrow. Our place is right by the river—if the water rises, it’ll be a huge hassle. We should find somewhere else to stay.”

She paused. “Oh, and give me Xiao Ai.”

After handing things off with Chu Hao and making sure there was no danger nearby, she returned and resumed her long, silent vigil.

Time flew by. While Bian Changxi and Chen Guanqing were locked in their tense, silent struggle with the new power, Chu Hao was on the verge of tears facing the people in front of him.

“Where exactly did Bian Changxi go? Don’t tell me you let her slip away again?” Chai Zhong stood with hands on his hips, looking thoroughly exasperated. Bald Qiang, meanwhile, was pale and sweating, leaning against the wall, saying nothing but shooting icy glares that could freeze someone solid.

Chu Hao wanted to curse. Damn it, are these people here for help or what? Why are they all acting so high and mighty? Then he remembered last time, when Bald Qiang had come for medicine for his back wound and hadn’t even mentioned Bian Changxi—clearly, he’d offended her. If he didn’t give a proper explanation now, Bald Qiang would definitely hold a grudge.

He checked the time—still early. Even if he tried to slip away to find Bian Changxi, he might be followed, and if they discovered Xiao Ai, things would get ugly. So he stuck to his story: “Miss Bian went out. She said she’ll be back late.”

“How late?” Bald Qiang rasped. His waist had been torn open by a mutant beast, intestines spilling out, and he’d stuffed them back in section by section. He’d used every medicine he could, but in the end had no choice but to drag himself here. Who knew Chu Hao wouldn’t be around, leaving only a foreigner chattering away in a language he couldn’t understand, and a little girl who knew nothing. He moved over to Chai Zhong, but all Chai Zhong had were cold and flu meds.

Still, he told himself that Chu Hao’s group had a wood-type ability user—one of his brothers had regrown a chunk of missing flesh thanks to her.

He’d seen the wound, heard the name “Bian Changxi,” and vaguely remembered seeing her around the convoy. Connecting the dots with the girl he’d seen when trading chickens, he couldn’t help but sneer inwardly. Chu Hao, you sure know how to hide your treasures.

So he had Chai Zhong’s men carry him over.

“She’ll be back before dark, right? If she’s not back by then…” He left the threat hanging in the air.

Chu Hao pulled Chai Zhong aside, fuming. “Brother Chai, what’s your deal? Miss Bian saved your brother’s life, and now you’re selling her out? Who knows what Bald Qiang is thinking? His wound is already rotting—what if Miss Bian can’t heal him? What if he gets nasty and does something to her?”

Chai Zhong looked miserable. “What could I do? You think I wanted this? That guy came at me with a gun—if I didn’t hand over medicine, he’d have wiped out all my guys. You know my brothers are all muscle, no match for Bald Qiang. I had no choice. By the way, where did Miss Bian go?”

He didn’t want anyone else knowing about Bian Changxi either, so he’d ordered his men to keep quiet. He’d just managed to hold out until Old Baldy left with his crew yesterday, and was hoping to team up with Chu Hao’s group for the road ahead—only for Bald Qiang to show up first.

He wondered if Miss Bian could handle this brute. If Bald Qiang took a liking to her and dragged her off, he’d never let the rest of them tag along. Then they’d lose their chance with such a skilled healer.

What a pain!

What, you think they could gang up and take down Bald Qiang?

Ever heard the saying “a starved camel is still bigger than a horse”? His powers were the real deal—otherwise, how could he survive alone for so long, hunting giant mutant beasts? And he had guns, too. If things got desperate, maybe they’d fight to the death, but it hadn’t come to that yet.

Everyone was frustrated and worried, but no one dared confront Bald Qiang. George and Anran hid inside, seemingly doing nothing, but actually following Chu Hao’s instructions—eating their fill and resting up, ready to run at a moment’s notice.

As four o’clock approached, Bian Changxi returned. She’d planned to wait for Chu Hao’s group to come to her, but thinking about how weak the three of them were, she decided it was safer to come back herself—it wasn’t far, just a half-hour drive.

Speaking of which, she and Chen Guanqing had found the car on their walk back. There was still some gas in the tank. The car looked battered and worn, but it still ran, so they drove it back.

“A little fixing up and it’ll be good as new,” Chen Guanqing said. Ever since he’d mastered his new dark-type ability and formed some kind of connection with Xiao Ai—Bian Changxi didn’t fully understand it, but according to him, he could sense Xiao Ai’s movements through their energy link, though actual control would take time—he’d undergone a complete transformation. He was still skinny as a rail, his clothes hanging off him like a sack, but his whole demeanor now resembled that of a successful businessman.

Everything he saw, he’d think about how it could be useful in the future. A piece of glass could patch a broken car window; a steel pipe could help probe or breathe while hiding; a lounge chair was perfect for resting. When he saw a bucket of wallpaper in a hardware store, he said, “Wrap this around your legs—when crossing rivers or walking through tall grass, you need something waterproof, tough, and soft…”

Bian Changxi felt like her ears were going to develop calluses. She, a dignified pseudo-space-type ability user, had been reduced to a scavenger!

Anything Chen Guanqing thought was useful, he insisted she collect. If she refused, he’d lay out all the facts and reasons, so convincing you almost wanted to applaud. She realized that once this man had no more worries—or rather, once his fighting spirit and hope were reignited—even in this terrifying apocalypse, he saw novelty and opportunity everywhere, like a gamer facing new levels, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

Maybe it was just a rebound from all the pressure—after all, he’d been suppressed for three months.

Sigh. It was her own fault for bragging that her space ability could hold a ton of stuff.

So when Bian Changxi, already in a foul mood, saw the sour faces of Bald Qiang and the others, her mood soured further. After Chu Hao explained what happened, she glanced at Bald Qiang, her gaze now tinged with subtle hostility. She thought, Who does he think he is? In a land with no tigers, the monkey becomes king. If he really had such great skills, would he be here with his guts hanging out?

Still, she stuck to her principle of not making enemies lightly. She calmly walked up to Bald Qiang. “What’s your ability?”

“That’s none of your business,” Bald Qiang rasped, barely able to stand. “Just heal me.”

Bian Changxi ignored him and continued, “Last time you brought a big rooster, I saw it couldn’t even peck through your arm. Your skin’s tough—I’m guessing you’re a reinforcement-type ability user.”

Hi everyone, I’m your beloved Stockpile-kun~ la la la

"**Restarting the Farm at the End of the World**