Chapter 111: Joining Up, Finding a Good House

She spoke to Bald Qiang, but also to everyone else: “So-called ‘Reinforced Type’ means your bones get harder, your muscles get harder, your skin gets harder—you reach the legendary level where knives and bullets can’t hurt you. Of course, you’re only at the second tier; ordinary people can’t harm you, but that doesn’t necessarily apply to other ability users. Knives aren’t much of a threat, but you still can’t dodge bullets.”

She took the rifle off her back, fiddling with it like a toy, seemingly unconcerned by the twitch in Bald Qiang’s eye and the cold glint deep in his gaze.

Chu Hao watched nervously. Big Sis, the guy still has a pistol, you know. Sure, your rifle is powerful, but don’t turn your side to him—if he shoots, you won’t have time to dodge.

Chen Guanqing seemed to understand Bian Changxi’s intentions. He glanced at Bald Qiang and, with a sly smile, picked up the conversation: “So, is this ability a good thing or not?”

“It’s great! Of course it’s great! Being immune to knives and bullets—how amazing is that? Look at the other abilities: speed types can run fast when escaping, strength types can hit hard when fighting, but all of them take effort—exhausting, really! And those with elemental abilities like metal, wood, water, fire, earth—they need to use energy, and once they run out, they’re just ordinary people. Not to mention people like Chu Hao with spatial abilities—total glass cannons. All they can do is collect junk and handle logistics, always relying on others.”

Chu Hao’s brow twitched hard, but in the end, he said nothing.

Bian Changxi changed her tone, looking at Bald Qiang with admiration: “But reinforced types are different. You don’t have to do anything—just sit there, let the wind and rain, hammers and blades come at you, and you’re still fine. It’s like having a full-body energy shield, always in an unbeatable position.”

Everyone was stunned. So that’s what Bald Qiang’s ability is. It sounded impressive, but suddenly someone blurted out, “Then how did he get hurt?”

Bian Changxi raised an eyebrow, glancing at the blood-soaked bandages and clothes at Bald Qiang’s waist, unsure: “Maybe his opponent was just too strong? But how often do you run into someone stronger than yourself? Don’t worry, this guy still has a clear advantage.”

Bald Qiang finally couldn’t sit still. His face twitched again and again. He struggled to his feet, bracing against the wall, and bowed to Bian Changxi: “I was too arrogant, thinking too highly of myself, not realizing there’s always someone better out there. Please, miss, don’t hold my earlier attitude against me. I’ve lost too much blood—my head’s not clear…” He took a breath, tossed aside his pistol, and bowed even lower. “Please, save my life!”

Now that’s the right attitude. Who do you think you are? I’m not your mother or your daughter—why should I rush to heal you?

Bian Changxi quickly said, “What are you doing? I just meant that if you’re this strong, whoever hurt you must be even more impressive. As for this wound, I… I’m afraid…”

Bald Qiang sighed inwardly, feeling too weak to speak. He suddenly realized his life was now in this young woman’s hands. If she said she couldn’t heal him, what could he do? Kill her? He’d never survive that, and besides, judging by everyone’s attitude, they weren’t afraid of her at all—she must be pretty capable.

Whether it was his physical weakness or genuine fear, he gave in easily, saying repeatedly, “I understand, I understand. Even doctors in hospitals can’t save everyone. If Miss Bian can’t save me, that’s just my fate.”

Bian Changxi studied his expression—he seemed genuinely resigned. She figured this guy had just gotten cocky because there was no one stronger around, or maybe he was just putting on a tough front because he was at the end of his rope. She decided he was worth saving.

If he’d shown even a hint of resentment or hatred, she’d have washed her hands of him—she wasn’t about to save a poisonous snake.

“Well, since you’ve said that, I’m relieved. Come in with me. Chu Hao, could you help out?”

Bald Qiang’s injury was actually pretty serious. Not only was a chunk of flesh missing, but the wound was so torn up you could see not just intestines, but even other organs inside the abdominal cavity.

This guy was tough—anyone else would’ve passed out by now. Bian Changxi suddenly understood how he’d managed to survive alone in this zombie-infested world with just a reinforced ability.

But she wasn’t a surgeon. All she could do was close up the wound and use a bit of energy to help it heal. The rest was up to Bald Qiang himself.

Afterwards, Bian Changxi pulled Chu Hao—who’d been helping hold up clothes and wipe away blood—outside into the chilly wind and asked the question on her mind: “This Bald Qiang must have a background, right? Why didn’t he go with the convoy to Sucheng?”

The people left in Longyue Town—aside from Chen Guanqing and the old Granny Gu who’d already turned to ashes—were basically here because they had no choice. Either they missed the convoy, or someone schemed to get them kicked off. In short, they were either dumb, had a criminal record, or were unpopular—basically, the dregs that got left behind.

Chu Hao glanced inside—Bald Qiang seemed to have fallen asleep—then whispered, “Old Brother Chai told me in secret: Bald Qiang escaped from prison. Maybe it’s his convict look that scared people, or maybe he had enemies in Longyue Town, but someone made sure he didn’t get on the convoy.” He sighed. “Old Brother Chai also got tricked by his nemesis—got kicked off the convoy after getting on. So those two kind of sympathize with each other. If they ever make it to Sucheng, I bet the first thing they’ll do is get revenge.”

A prison escapee? Bian Changxi thought of the zombie convicts under the 4S shop back then. No wonder Bald Qiang was so tough—he must’ve been a real hard case before. As for the pistol, he probably picked it up during his escape.

Being tough doesn’t mean he’s a bad guy, but it sure doesn’t mean he’s a good one either. He was a wild card, and Bian Changxi wasn’t keen on traveling with him.

Chu Hao didn’t want to either. He whispered, “I think Chai Zhong wants to go to Sucheng with us. As for Bald Qiang, I’m not sure, but after this, he’ll either drag us along or tag along himself. What do you think?”

Whether he’d “drag” or “follow” depended on whether Bian Changxi could keep him in check.

Bian Changxi asked, “What’s his style?”

“Well…” Chu Hao gave a wry smile. “Let’s put it this way: at first, there weren’t just us, Chai Zhong, and Old Baldy—there were other groups too. But two-thirds of them were wiped out by Bald Qiang.”

“What do you mean?”

“Those people thought they had numbers on their side—some wanted Bald Qiang to work for them, some wanted his gun. But within a day or two, their leaders were killed, and their followers scattered. No one knows where they went—just disappeared.”

Chu Hao shook his head. He really didn’t see the point. There were so few survivors—if you kill everyone, you’re just left alone, like on a deserted island. Most of those people were just talking tough—if they knew how dangerous Bald Qiang was, they’d have backed off. Why go so far as to kill? And he was ruthless—always targeting the leaders, which meant killing one was like wiping out a whole group.

He continued, “Bald Qiang’s a loner, trusts no one. He’s skilled and won’t starve, but he’s always short on water, so he’d catch game and trade with us for supplies. We didn’t really need the meat, but to avoid offending him, we always took it. Fortunately, he’s reasonable with people who don’t mess with him—never asks for too much.”

“So are you saying he’s too ruthless, or that he has principles?”

“Honestly, I think he’s both.”

Bian Changxi propped her chin on her hand. “If we don’t take him, he’ll see us as enemies, and things will get awkward if we meet again. He’s vengeful, too. If we do take him… Ugh, why overthink it? Go ask Chen Guanqing what he thinks, and see what Chai Zhong wants to do. You guys decide—I have no opinion.”

Chu Hao was dumbfounded. “You can’t just wash your hands of this! That’s too irresponsible.”

“How am I the boss? I’m just the errand girl here. Go on, Boss Chu. Oh, and hurry up—let’s settle this in half an hour. We need to leave and find a place with few zombies, little vegetation, not near water, and a house that’s tall and sturdy—one that won’t blow down in the wind or leak in the rain…”

Chu Hao: “…”

The sky was looking worse and worse. The wind was picking up, and the black, stinking river rolled with wave after wave, making everyone uneasy, as if something was about to crawl out from the depths.

The old house rattled and creaked, the roof threatening to blow off at any moment. Anyone could tell a storm was coming, so even though it was late, no one objected after hearing Chu Hao’s suggestion—everyone agreed to find a safer place.

Sure enough, Chai Zhong decided to stick with Bian Changxi’s group, immediately sending a few younger guys to pack up. Chu Hao, ever the workhorse, got talked into being their mobile warehouse. The rest started discussing where to go.

They needed a place with few zombies, little vegetation, away from the river (who knew what was in there now), and preferably near a main road for easy evacuation.

Such a place was hard to find. Every suggestion was shot down, until Bian Changxi suddenly said, “I saw a middle school when I came into town. It fits all our criteria, except for the location.”

“You mean the one next to the gas station?” Chai Zhong said. “That could work, but it’s in the opposite direction from Sucheng—it’d slow us down.”

Bian Changxi agreed.

Suddenly, Bald Qiang spoke: “What about the town kindergarten?” After getting out of bed, he’d kept quiet. His wound was closed on the surface, but still damaged inside, so he couldn’t move much. Everyone understood and didn’t chase him off, so he naturally became part of the evacuation team and their planning."