Chapter 92: The Surprise Attack

"Zombies?!" Everyone present was shocked, especially Yue Qi. They hadn't seen a single sign of zombies when they arrived earlier.

"Are they heading toward the forest?" If that were true, the people before them would likely suspect that he had intentionally lured the zombies there to harm them.

"No, they're coming along the main road..." Cao Nan looked at Yue Qi with a strange expression. He had heard earlier that the newcomers were survivors, but he hadn't expected them to be such young boys and girls.

"There's no time! Everyone, follow me to the camp to hide. We can discuss everything else after we repel this wave of zombies, shall we?" Yang Zhenwu, the leader of the camp, made a swift decision. If they stayed any longer, everyone here might be doomed!

"Very well..." Yue Qi frowned. He didn't really want to get involved in this mess; after all, the zombies hadn't discovered them yet, and fleeing was still a possibility. But just as he was about to refuse, he saw Xin Zi nod at him. Yue Qi agreed, though he was puzzled, wondering what Xin Zi was up to.

The group quickened their pace back to the camp. Standing from a high vantage point, Yue Qi saw that the number of incoming zombies was significant. At this distance, it was hard to tell if they were mutated or ordinary, but he suspected there were mutated ones among them—and more than just one!

"What now, Brother Wu? Preliminary count is about sixty or seventy; that should be the total number..." The person on the ladder, who had just returned, was a thin, small man with an exceptionally sharp gaze.

"Get prepared! Are you sure it's just zombies? If they spot us, fire the arrows immediately. Stop as many as you can!" Yang Zhenwu’s expression was grave. Since he established this camp, he had never encountered such a large horde, and they seemed to be targeting his camp specifically. He couldn't help but feel nervous.

"Archers, fire the first round and reload quickly! Crossbowmen, provide cover fire alongside the archers! The rest of you, charge out with me! Remember, not a single one can escape!" Yang Zhenwu issued his orders and drew his sword. It was brand new, without a single mark; the smithy in Changlong Town had plenty of these, and Yang Zhenwu could use it with confidence!

Yue Qi and his group watched coldly. It wasn't that they didn't want to help, but if they intervened, their identities would become suspicious. After all, if a powerful stranger suddenly arrived at your camp claiming they just wanted to help, no one would easily believe them.

Yang Zhenwu donned his armor. It was clearly salvaged from an old military camp; though worn, it still offered protection—it had saved his life many times.

"By the way, young brother..." Yang Zhenwu hadn't asked for Yue Qi's name yet. "I'm sorry about this, but perhaps you should go hide inside the camp. We'll find you once we've settled this!" Yang Zhenwu was acting out of kindness; if any zombies breached their line, the others would be in danger.

"No need..." Yue Qi shook his head. He didn't want to be difficult, but if the zombies truly reached the gates, he could intervene in a crisis to ensure the safety of the others.

"You...! Fine! Brother Wu, we don't need to say more to them! No time, let's go!" Cao Nan, hearing Yue Qi’s cold reply, was angered and urged Yang Zhenwu.

"Very well... but everyone, stay safe..." Yang Zhenwu gave them one last deep look before rushing toward the direction of the zombies.

***

I must admit, the arrows fired by these archers were quite powerful. A single volley brought down almost the entire first row of zombies. Yue Qi saw clearly that although there were no mutated zombies in that row, the lethality was impressive. Not every arrow pierced a skull, but the heavy bows pinned some zombies to the ground, rendering them combat-ineffective for the time being.

"These archers must have a military background. And looking at their gear, it likely came from an army depot..." Xin Zi walked over to Yue Qi. As the heir to the second master of the Hidden Sword Manor, he knew a thing or two about such things.

"Indeed, very impressive!" Yue Qi praised. He could see that not everyone was a soldier, yet they displayed remarkable discipline, a testament to the camp leader's training.

"This 'Brother Wu' is no ordinary man. But his attitude toward us is decent; I wonder what he's truly like..." Xin Zi noticed that the strongest fighter in the camp wasn't the man called "Brother Wu," yet he was the leader. It was food for thought.

"Let's keep watching. If they get into real trouble, we'll help," Yue Qi said, turning his gaze to the battlefield of dozens of humans and zombies. The numbers were small, but the sight was harrowing.

It was clear that Yang Zhenwu and his men were experienced. They fought in the front, and their martial prowess allowed them to handle ordinary zombies one-on-one—a feat that surprised Yue Qi. Back in Qinghe Town, Wang Jian’s men would have needed to group up in threes or fours to take down a single ordinary zombie.

As the front line fought, the crossbowmen and archers spread out, monitoring the situation. If anyone faltered, they provided support. They switched to lighter bows that required less arm strength; though less lethal, their purpose was to harass and distract.

Yue Qi had not yet spotted any mutated zombies. Between the volleys and the assault, over a dozen zombies already lay dead. It was an incredible result, especially since they had to avoid injury—one scratch meant a death sentence.

Even so, two men fell. They weren't killed by the zombies; they committed suicide. Once they realized they were bitten, they charged the zombies to drag them down before driving their own blades into their skulls. This spirit of refusing to die alone moved Yue Qi and the others.

"Awoo!" Suddenly, the zombie pack turned chaotic. All of them surged forward with renewed, frenzied aggression!

"Is that... a mutated zombie?!" Yue Qi and Xin Zi exchanged glances. Judging by the roar, there were definitely two or three mutated ones in the ranks.

"Lian'er, Yunsheng, go hide below. Mutated zombies are here!" Yue Qi warned. Though Bai Lian was reluctant, she knew she couldn't help, so she took Yuqi to leave.

"Brother Xin, Qin Luo, you should head down too. Mutated zombies aren't a joke; I'm not sure I can handle that many at once," Yue Qi said.

Xin Zi nodded and retreated, but Qin Luo was defiant. "What about mutated zombies? It's not like I haven't seen them before. Besides, little junior brother, my spiritual perception is much stronger than yours..."

Yue Qi felt a headache coming on, but seeing Qin Luo argue, he reconsidered—her strength was praised by the old master, so perhaps she had the capital to back it up.

"Stay then, but don't run off," Yue Qi sighed, conceding. Qin Luo wore a triumphant, smug expression.

The zombies' frenzy turned the tide. The archers couldn't even reload fast enough, and Yang Zhenwu’s men were forced into a retreat. Casualties mounted. Yang Zhenwu fought desperately, only to see his comrades thinning and the pile of corpses growing.

"Fall back to the camp! Don't get bogged down! Archers, cover!" Yang Zhenwu roared. But the ranged attacks were now ineffective, and the zombies charged relentlessly.

Of the forty or so men who had started, only ten remained, exhausted to the point of being unable to lift their swords.

"Is this where we die?" Yang Zhenwu pushed back a zombie, his mind flashing to his fallen brothers—men who were laughing with him moments ago.

With a bitter look, he watched the others flee, then turned back to face the horde.

"Brother Wu, no!" Cao Nan roared, but he was blocked by a zombie and couldn't reach him.

"Die with me!" Yang Zhenwu shouted, charging the nearest zombie. It struck him down with a single blow and lunged for his throat.

"Live on..." Yang Zhenwu smiled, closing his eyes to await the end.

"Boom!" Death did not come. Instead, a thunderous roar echoed. Yang Zhenwu opened his eyes to see the zombie that was about to kill him lying on the ground, its skull shattered to pieces.