Chapter 39: Courting Disaster, Collective Cluelessness

“Second-tier?”

“Yeah. Just like ability users, zombies can also evolve. The initial ones are first-tier, and these are the evolved second-tier. They naturally intimidate and control first-tier zombies.” As Bian Changxi spoke, her gaze swept over the area and she spotted at least three second-tier zombies.

Gu Xu looked at the zombie, his dark, handsome brows furrowing slightly. “Compared to first-tier ones…”

“They’re not just stronger, faster, and more perceptive—some even develop abilities.”

“Abilities?”

“Yeah, just like humans: metal, wood, water, fire, earth, and even others. Yesterday, I ran into an ice-type one,” Bian Changxi said with a self-deprecating chuckle. “Almost got killed. These guys aren’t easy to deal with. Their intelligence increases too. I bet it’s these second-tiers that gathered so many first-tiers and made them stop mindlessly waiting around. But they also have a serious weakness.”

Gu Xu noticed that Bian Changxi talked about zombies as if they were a species on par with higher animals, even humans—not like others who just call them monsters or trash, full of hatred and disgust. She didn’t seem afraid or even resentful of them.

“What’s their weakness?” Gu Xu asked earnestly, genuinely curious.

Bian Changxi realized she’d said too much, but maybe it was because she was still annoyed at Yang Zong and Yang Xiaowen. She couldn’t share her past life’s frustrations, but with all her experience and almost prophetic knowledge, she couldn’t help but go on. She smiled slightly and continued, “Generally, the more zombies evolve, the better they look—just like in human society, where the upper class always looks more polished than the lower class. If they evolve and end up looking this ugly, there are only two possibilities: they’re either transitional forms or failed evolutions. Either way, their abilities are rough and weak, and easily interrupted. Most importantly, they can’t combine their abilities with their physical strength—they’re always neglecting one for the other.”

Gu Xu’s dark eyes lit up. “So you mean, if we lure them into using their abilities and interrupt them at the last moment, repeating this process, we can take them down easily.”

Bian Changxi sighed inwardly. If she’d remembered this when fighting that ice-type zombie before, she wouldn’t have had to go head-to-head and get so badly hurt.

“That’s one way to put it.”

“You said ‘some’ evolve abilities. What about those that don’t?” This guy really liked to pick apart her words. Bian Changxi raised an eyebrow. “Then they just advance without evolving abilities. Those ones get more organized too. Each type has its own challenges and weaknesses. But honestly, our real problem isn’t the second-tiers, but the sheer number of first-tiers. Got any good ideas for getting us out of here?”

Gu Xu looked at her intently and sighed with a smile. “Miss Bian, you really know a lot.”

“You said you wouldn’t pry,” she replied, turning slightly to show the hilt of the straight blade on her back.

Gu Xu lowered his eyes. “I wouldn’t dare. Just being on good terms with you is already the best advantage I could hope for.”

Bian Changxi was taken aback, then laughed. “So pragmatic!”

“Captain Gu!” someone called. Gu Xu looked up, his face turning cold. Bian Changxi followed his gaze and saw a group of people coming out of the supermarket, led by a young man and a woman who looked like his mother. The woman smiled obsequiously. “Captain Gu, you’re discussing how to get out, right?” She glanced at Bian Changxi with disdain. “What does a little girl know? My son Zhao Cheng has always been a top student—he knows much more. Let him help you come up with a plan. And there’s Ziyue and Haitao too, let them pitch in and learn. We can’t rely on you for everything, can we?”

She acted like she was in charge, even pushing the two young men forward. Both looked uncomfortable, especially Ziyue, who seemed annoyed that the woman only said he should “learn,” making him seem inferior to Zhao Cheng.

Trying to prove himself, Ziyue squeezed forward and tried to ingratiate himself with Gu Xu. “Yeah, Captain Gu, we’re college students after all. We might not be strong, but we’re smart. In a crisis like this, we can’t just sit around. Actually, I wanted to share my thoughts with you last night…”

Before he could finish, Haitao gently shook off the woman’s hand, went to help an elderly person, and said quietly, “I, Chen Haitao, don’t have much experience and don’t know how to deal with the zombies outside. Captain Gu, just tell us what to do—we promise not to hold anyone back.”

He bowed to Gu Xu, then helped the elderly person back. He’d thought everyone was coming to seriously discuss an escape plan; if he’d known it was just for show, he wouldn’t have come.

The others glared at him, disappointed.

Gu Xu waited for them to finish, then said coolly, “No need for suggestions. We soldiers may be rough, but we do have brains.”

Guo Ziyue kept smiling and said, cluelessly, “Captain Gu, I don’t mean to look down on you, but isn’t it better for everyone to discuss things together? More people, more ideas.”

The woman, however, picked up on Gu Xu’s cold tone and grew dissatisfied. “Captain Gu, what do you mean by that? Are you trying to draw a line between us? In times like these, we should all stick together. Besides, my son is your brother’s best friend! You can’t just ignore that!”

After all that posturing, their real motive was obvious: they were afraid Gu Xu’s group would leave them behind and were desperate to assert their presence. Bian Changxi watched them like she was watching a farce, thinking how, in her previous life, Gu Xu lost two comrades because of people like this, ending up isolated and resentful. How frustrating.

She couldn’t help but look at Gu Xu a few more times.

Gu Xu felt awkward under her gaze and was about to speak when a mocking, streetwise voice came from behind. “So what if we’re not ‘loyal’ today? What are you gonna do—cry, throw a fit, bite us? If you’re so capable, go fight your way out yourself. Funny how people can beg for help and still act so entitled!”

Qiu Yun, Wu Dalang, and Gu Pei walked over, looking like they’d just scoped out the first floor.

Gu Pei’s face was red with disappointment as he looked at Zhao Cheng and Guo Ziyue. “Acheng, Ziyue, I promised to help your families, but now I realize how naïve I was. I tried to play the hero and just made things harder for everyone. There’s no point in saying more now. My brother and our team have done more than enough. As for our years of friendship, it ends here. From now on, you’re no longer my classmates or buddies. Don’t say you know me. You’re on your own.”

Zhao Cheng, Guo Ziyue, and their families were shocked. Gu Pei ignored them and walked up to Gu Xu. “Sorry, bro.”

Gu Xu patted his shoulder. Qiu Yun slung an arm around his neck. “Good job. Being a man isn’t about being a pushover—it’s about knowing where you stand. Saving a cat or a dog doesn’t make you a saint. Kindness and loyalty depend on who you’re dealing with.”

Gu Xu shot a cold look at Zhao Cheng and the others and said only, “If you can’t see your own situation clearly, then stay here and enjoy the rest of your life.”

Everyone shivered. Gu Xu turned to his own people. “Upstairs. Let’s discuss our plan.”

**Author’s Note:**

No matter the situation, there are always people like this—clueless about their circumstances, thinking they’re more important than they are, acting all high and mighty even when they need help. It’s the most annoying thing.

The plot is moving a bit slowly here—partly to advance the story, partly to let things unfold naturally. I’m not a fan of non-stop, breakneck pacing. My writing and temperament are both a bit scattered, so the story might have more little details. Even though these minor characters like Zhao Cheng take up almost a whole chapter, it’s just a few moments when you’re reading, or a few shots if it were on TV. But they really are part of the story’s flesh and blood—without them, something would feel missing.

This kind of situation happens a lot. Sometimes a plot point is neither here nor there—useful, but not essential. I struggle over whether to include it, and even after writing it, I revise it over and over. I’m the type who loves to edit, which drives me crazy and makes the writing less cohesive. The initial excitement often gets worn away, and the story’s flavor can change.

But I always think, if I don’t take advantage of being young and having time to experiment now, and I’m still at this level a year or two from now, I’d be letting down my readers, my editor, and especially all of you who support me.

So, I’ll keep experimenting. Luckily, I still have enough drafts saved up.

Anyway, enough rambling. The point is, even though this part is a bit slow, the next section—when they leave the supermarket—will be much more exciting. Stay tuned! Off I go~~

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