CHAPTER 2040: CHAPTER 2033: SUCCESSION

North of the Cloud Gorge Base, like in other directions, the wall against the corpses here was long flattened by the tide of zombies. The army that once fought the hordes is nowhere to be seen. All around lay the remnants of military weapons destroyed, and the distant gale sweeps by, stirring up vast swathes of black ash from the ground.

In the distance, the city streets are a scene of utter desolation. One can see the slow-moving red tide, but the growls of the corpses are inaudible, only the howling wind can be heard. It’s a sort of quiet, but it is soon broken.

"Beg me."

Suddenly, a voice rings out, sounding like a joke, yet upon closer listening, there’s an undeniable tone, mixed with a hint of mockery.

A man’s back crashes heavily onto the ground, a terrifying force acting on him causes him to spit out blood mixed with fragments of his organs, his face pallid with fright. His exoskeleton battle suit long since shattered, in front of him a five-meter-tall towering giant, its entire body covered in a dark red flesh armor.

A foot presses down on him, rendering the man immobile.

The mocking voice emanates again from the giant’s mouth, somewhat impatient.

"Quickly beg me, just open your mouth, and I’ll let you go." Speaking, the foe’s large foot applies slightly more pressure, causing blood to gush from Chi Biyi’s mouth!

Ryle hadn’t dealt a killing blow; Chi Biyi wouldn’t die just yet. But even a slight increase in force made his consciousness flicker for a moment. Forcing himself to endure, Chi Biyi said nothing. He turned his head with difficulty, looking into the distance where Yi Huangcheng, clad in black exoskeleton battle armor, struggled to stand, only to wobble and fall again after a second, desperately trying to rise.

Seeing his state, Chi Biyi understood that Yi Huangcheng was at the end of his rope. Relying on the Divine God Armor, he occupied a Zombie King, but this couldn’t help him defeat the Zombie King!

Turning back, seeing Zombie King Ryle again, who patiently awaited him, that look... all Chi Biyi felt was humiliation!

As if every subtle facial expression he made, every slight bodily movement, was a compelling spectacle in this Zombie King’s eyes!

"Hurry up, I can’t wait any longer."

"Five."

"Four."

"..."

Still nothing said, Zombie King Ryle urged him, beginning to count down, each smaller number intensifying the scent of death.

"Three."

In what felt like the blink of an eye, the number reached "Two." At this moment, Chi Biyi, from an unknown source of strength, grabbed a laser weapon left by a dead soldier nearby, aimed the barrel at Ryle’s face, and roared: "Fuck you!"

As he spoke, he didn’t hesitate to pull the trigger, the laser weapon at maximum power output, striking Zombie King Ryle’s face with the red laser!

Boom!

A thunderous explosion, firelight surged!

As the smoke cleared, the explosion at such close range left Chi Biyi’s hands a bloody mess, yet the Zombie King before him seemed unaffected. His last counterattack, like a helpless baby swinging fists, feebly hit an adult’s face.

Ryle’s smile froze for a few seconds before it resumed, but beneath his foot, Chi Biyi’s entire being started to turn black, eventually scattering into fine black ash.

Ah!

With Chi Biyi’s death, Yi Huangcheng once again stood up, but this time didn’t fall. Steadying himself, he used the last of his strength to swing his sword at the Zombie King!

His desperate shout went from distant to near in an instant!

But reality is cruel, Yi Huangcheng hadn’t even touched his foe when Ryle turned his head, casually swiped a hand, raising a storm that sent Yi Huangcheng spinning in the air, crashing heavily onto the ground!

...

"This is all there is, no more."

"This is enough, thank you, uncle." The little boy in front had a look of satisfaction, his spoken thanks sincere, the man’s lips curved upwards, as if smiling, or perhaps it was a failed attempt at a smile.

He gazed at the boy, somewhat dazed, not speaking for a long while, making the boy a bit uncomfortable, unconsciously reaching up to scratch his head.

"Uncle?" The boy’s call brought the man back to his senses. He said nothing else, merely pointing northward.

"Good child, take your mom and go that way, don’t look back."

The man’s words always carried a coldness and a subtle creepy smile that, upon hearing, sent shivers down one’s spine. But the boy wasn’t affected. To him, this strange uncle always spoke this way.

"I understand."

"Hmm... you have a long way to go. Remember, if anyone calls out to you, kill them first, don’t hesitate... carry the bodies, and if you’re hungry, eat on the road."

Upon hearing this, the boy opened his mouth to speak, but in the end, he said nothing. That’s just how this uncle was, spooky, fond of scaring people.

"Shall I go now?"

The man said nothing, just nodded. Seeing this, the boy shouldered his pack, pushing a wheelchair down the desolate road. In the wheelchair was a woman, legs severed, unconscious.

He watched the boy’s thin figure grow more distant, mumbling to himself, "He resembles... quite similar indeed." He tried to stretch his mouth into a grin, but it never quite achieved the desired effect. Whatever thoughts followed made his expression twist utterly as he clutched his mouth, letting out a low, sinister laugh.

The boy pushing his mother grew farther away, stopping midway to look back at the man: "Why do you insist on staying here, when there are zombies everywhere."

His voice was loud, shouted out. Whatever the man heard was unknown, but he didn’t answer, bent over like he had a convulsion.

Thinking, the boy didn’t linger, continuing to push his mother farther.

Soon after, Yi Huangcheng in the Divine God Armor landed heavily, creating a deep pit not far from the man.

Noticing the commotion, the man cackled maniacally: "Because I’m sick! Hahaha..." Laughing, he approached Yi Huangcheng.

He was on the verge of death, yet through the tightly sealed helmet, one could hear his heavy breathing.

Snap!

The helmet was opened, revealing a completely unfamiliar face to both.

"Give me everything you have." The man demanded, in a tone unnatural for any normal person.

Yi Huangcheng gave a bitter laugh, his whole skeletal structure shattered, he no longer had the strength to stand.

"Take it." The Divine God Armor was removed, held in the man’s hand, yet he remained unsatisfied, giving a weird laugh: "You’re about to die."

"Yes."

"Also give me what’s in your head."

"If everything next can be handed to you, then... cough cough... take it..."

"Yes, hand it over to me, all of it hehehe..."

Hearing the man’s words, Yi Huangcheng’s whole body relaxed, covered in blood everywhere.

His consciousness grew hazy, in a daze he seemed to hear Long Yingjia’s voice, her pleading for him not to leave, her figure faded away into blank thoughts, filled with his regretful sigh.

"Sigh... still couldn’t live to see you..."