Chapter Fifty-Eight: Exposed

Page 1 of 3

The next morning.

“Boss, we’ve searched every corner of the Liu family residence, but we still haven’t found that old man’s body…” Wang Ling arrived alone at Wang Chao’s quarters at dawn to report their findings.

“Hmm? Did you send people to search elsewhere?” Wang Chao lounged in a gilded chair, exuding an air of absolute authority.

“We did. Yesterday, we searched the entire southern district of the city, checked every house, big or small—still no sign of that old man…” Wang Ling continued.

“Hmm? Did you even search the houses infested with zombies?” Wang Chao suddenly shot Wang Ling a cold glance.

“Boss!” At that look, Wang Ling abruptly dropped to his knees and explained, “We went through every house near the south edge of the city. All the places we had locked down seemed to have been tampered with—every zombie inside had been let loose! That’s what led to last night’s chaos!”

“I see…” Wang Chao lifted his head and pondered for a moment. “So someone really is making trouble. Pass down my orders: everyone is to be on high alert. Remember—even if you have to dig up the earth itself, you must find that old ghost for me! Alive, I want to see the man; dead, I want his corpse!”

“Yes, Boss!” Wang Ling saluted with cupped fists, but as he was about to leave, something seemed to occur to him and he added, “Boss, we didn’t find the old man, but we did discover a hidden passage beneath the Liu residence…”

“A secret passage?” Wang Chao’s eyes widened in anger. “Why didn’t you say so earlier? That old man might have escaped through it! Take me there at once—find out where it leads!”

“The passage leads outside the city, but I don’t think the old man escaped through it,” Wang Ling replied, his gaze complex as he clenched his teeth.

“Oh? Explain,” Wang Chao demanded. Outwardly he looked like a brute, but his mind was sharp, and he always listened to his subordinates’ advice.

“The passage was locked from the outside. There’s no way the old man could have closed it behind him from inside. That’s why I believe he’s still in the city,” Wang Ling answered honestly.

“Hmm. But is it possible someone from outside came in, rescued him, and then set the zombies loose at his urging?” Wang Chao pressed, appearing almost humble.

“I can’t say, but we did find several zombie corpses in the tunnel, each head cleaved clean off in a single strike. If someone did come to rescue him, their martial skills must be formidable!” Wang Ling reported everything he knew.

“Highly skilled…” Wang Chao narrowed his eyes, recalling what had happened about a week earlier.

When Wang Jian was killed, Wang Chao heard the news immediately; he had informants in Qinghe Town. The moment Wang Jian died, Wang Chao dispatched zombies to the murderer’s lair. But upon learning the killer was a cultivator, Wang Chao abandoned his plans for revenge—by then, it was too late to recall the zombies.

Given his temperament, if someone murdered his only brother, he would have gone all out for revenge no matter the cost. But his opponent was a cultivator; provoking such a person would be suicidal. He wasn’t foolish enough to throw his life away for vengeance.

“But if someone did sneak in…” Wang Chao thought, “it’s likely that cultivator. After all, I sent zombies to his hideout—he could be here for revenge…”

The thought sent a chill down his spine. To provoke a cultivator in this apocalypse—who could say what a reckless move that was? What’s more, all cultivators in Qingzhou seemed to have lost their spiritual power, and yet this cultivator called Yue Qi could still use spells—he must be extremely powerful.

Page 2 of 3

“What should I do if it really is him?” The question made Wang Chao restless and deeply uneasy. It was a most unpleasant feeling.

But in all of Qingzhou, only Wang Chao knew the truth; he had eliminated everyone who helped investigate the incident—left no witness alive. He didn’t want any rumors circulating in Qingzhou. If word got out that his own brother was killed and he didn’t avenge him, what would become of his reputation? How could he command respect in the future?

“Boss, what are your instructions?” Wang Ling ventured, noticing Wang Chao lost in thought.

“Hmm? There’s nothing more we can do for now. Double the guard! Keep an eye out for anything suspicious in the city. Nobody is to leave these days! Even if we have to turn the city upside down, we must find that old man…” Wang Chao replied distractedly.

“Yes, Boss!” Wang Ling was about to leave but was stopped again.

“Wang Ling, come here!” Wang Chao called absentmindedly. As Wang Ling stepped forward, Wang Chao continued, “If that old man was rescued, where do you think they’d go?”

“Where to?” Wang Ling was taken aback, surprised at how approachable Wang Chao suddenly seemed. He thought for a moment before replying, “Depends on the person. If the old man decided to follow his rescuer, he’d probably tell him about the resources hidden in the City Lord’s residence. After all, that information could be used against us. Besides…” Wang Ling paused and glanced at Wang Chao, “The old man and you never got along, Boss. I’d wager he’d do it.”

“And what should we do then?” Wang Chao didn’t get angry—instead, he smiled at Wang Ling, though Wang Ling felt a chill in that smile.

“We should thoroughly search the area around the City Lord’s residence!” Wang Ling answered hastily, his heart pounding.

“Do it! Pass down my order: apart from guards at the city gates, everyone else is to search the area around the City Lord’s residence! Even if we have to turn the place upside down, we’re going to find the culprit!” Wang Chao sneered.

Having followed Wang Chao for some time, Wang Ling knew exactly what was on his boss’s mind and scurried off to carry out his orders.

“So, you want to play games with me…” Wang Chao stood up suddenly and muttered, “Then you'd better be ready to die!”

“Achoo!” Yue Qi sneezed, then looked up at the sky.

The morning had started bright and blue, but now clouds blanketed the sky, dense and impenetrable.

“The weather changes really fast here! But that’s always been the way in Qingzhou—sunny in the morning, pouring rain by afternoon,” Li Yuan explained, noticing Yue Qi’s expression.

“Mm!” Yue Qi nodded, though something still felt off to him. After a moment’s thought, he decided it was just the oppressive weather and the coming storm.

They had already left the house and were heading toward the granary. Li Yuan had doubted their small group could carry anything away, but Yue Qi claimed to have his own way. Remembering how the spirit stones and scrolls had vanished into Yue Qi’s hands the night before, Li Yuan agreed to lead the way.

Suddenly, thunder rumbled overhead. A bolt of lightning split the sky. The heavens seemed to rage—nearby, silver streaks darted into the forest on the mountainside, followed by a tremendous crash and a plume of black smoke. Clearly, a tree had been struck.

“How much farther? Should we find shelter from the rain first?” Yue Qi asked Li Yuan, seeing how quickly the storm was brewing.

Page 3 of 3

“Let’s wait it out for now. It’s not far, but there’s a military camp ahead, and all the city’s guards are stationed there. These days, it’s crawling with zombies too—no way we’re getting through quickly,” Li Yuan said after a moment’s thought.

“All right, let’s take shelter,” Yue Qi agreed, scanning the area until he spotted a house with red lacquered doors. He urged everyone inside, and after a brief hesitation, Li Yuan followed.

No sooner had they stepped inside than the first raindrops began to fall—at first, fat and scattered, but soon merging into a dense, silvery downpour.

“Whew…” Inhaling the moist air, Yue Qi stood by the window, watching the heavy rain.

It was a torrential curtain, the drops splattering on the windowsill and even striking Yue Qi himself, but he did not move away. Instead, he stood quietly, gazing at the storm.

From here he could see the field, where several zombies were running and howling, clawing at the air, as if enraged by the downpour.

“What are you thinking, Brother Qi?” Bai Lian came up behind him, gently wrapping her arms around his waist and pressing her cheek to his back, savoring his warmth.

“It’s nothing—just lost in thought for a moment,” Yue Qi smiled, turning to kiss her forehead.

“Come, let’s rest. You’ve been working too hard lately,” Bai Lian whispered, her voice full of tenderness.

“This is nice—at least life feels meaningful,” Yue Qi replied, then added, “Let’s go further inside. It’s raining hard here; you’ll catch a cold if you get wet.”

Bai Lian nodded, taking his hand and preparing to leave the window.

“Wait a moment!” Yue Qi suddenly frowned, releasing Bai Lian’s hand and stepping back toward the window, peering outside—heedless of the rain striking his face.

“What’s wrong?” Bai Lian joined him, but all she could see was a blur of rain.

“They’ve found us!” Yue Qi said grimly, his eyes scanning ceaselessly. In the distance, countless black dots were massing together…