Chapter 38 I Won't Let Her Travel Alone

"Welcome home." A-Chan smiled as well.

She stepped aside to let Chen Hui into the house, and only after closing the door did she say, "Has Hui Niang finished what she needed to do?"

"Not yet." Chen Hui sat down in the chair. Although she didn't feel tired, returning here made her feel relaxed, both physically and mentally.

Achan showed a surprised expression.

Chen Hui said calmly, "Fang Yu and her son are dead, but Yan Liru is still alive."

Achan was not surprised. Yan Liru was the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, a third-rank official. If he suddenly died, the matter would definitely escalate. Once someone came to investigate, Huiniang would not be able to escape.

Hui Niang is not like Xiao Lin Shi. Although she is dead, she is still alive and should make more plans for herself.

However, based on her understanding of Hui Niang, she wouldn't leave the Yan family without doing anything.

"What did you do to him?" Achan asked with great interest.

“I fed him my blood.”

Ever since she was able to touch Yan Liru's food, she would squeeze out her not-so-abundant blood and mix it into it every day.

The tea she brewed for him, the snacks she made, every dish she served him—all contained her blood.

She was a living corpse, her blood containing a kind of corpse poison that couldn't be detected by any silver needle test. No matter how careful Yan Liru was, he would inevitably be poisoned.

“If he commits suicide now, he might have a chance to become a living corpse,” Achan said with a smile.

“He won’t. He’s greedy for power, how could he bear to die? He can only watch himself rot away, bit by bit.” Chen Hui said calmly.

"Oh dear, the people in the city must be heartbroken. Lord Yan has a very good reputation outside the city."

Regardless of Yan Liru's character, he has an excellent public image and has genuinely helped some people; otherwise, his reputation would not have spread.

"Reputation... let that reputation go to him in death."

Chen Hui stayed with A Chan. Now she is not the same person she was more than ten years later. People around her would hardly recognize her as the same person as the proprietress of the eatery at the end of the street, unless someone from the Yan family happened to pass by and might recognize her face.

Although the chances were slim, Chen Hui still made some changes, not wanting to cause unnecessary trouble for A Chan.

She put her hair up and applied a slightly different makeup look than before, resulting in a three- or four-point change compared to her previous face.

Achan watched her do her makeup with great interest.

After Chen Hui finished her makeup, she pressed the restless A Chan down onto a stool and gave her a beautiful peach blossom makeup look.

Ah Chan looked in the mirror and touched her face, feeling that she looked beautiful today.

Early in the morning, after eating the breakfast that Chen Hui had prepared for her, Achan went with her to a nearby woodworking shop.

She doesn't plan to move yet. Although Chen Hui doesn't need to sleep, she still needs a place to rest.

After discussing it, Achan and Chen Hui decided to buy a couch on the first floor so they could rest there at night.

The two chose a tatami mat of suitable length. Achan paid the money, and after the shop assistant asked her for the address and saw that it wasn't far, he immediately pushed a cart over and delivered the tatami mat to her shop.

On the way back, Achan saw several people banging drums and gongs to attract people to the street, so she curiously looked over there.

"What happened?"

She recognized the leader as the ward chief of Changping Ward, who usually only managed those who ran around after curfew. Otherwise, he was just like any other ordinary person and could be seen on the street occasionally.

She only learned his identity when someone called him Fangzheng.

Seeing Ah Chan's curiosity, the deliveryman smiled and said, "Go watch the fun, young lady. I'll walk slowly. If I arrive early, I'll wait for you at the door."

"Okay." Achan pulled Chen Hui to the street to watch the excitement.

Once everyone had gathered, the neighborhood official announced loudly, "Recently, there have been living corpses roaming around the neighborhood. Tonight, the officials from the Ministry of Justice will be in the neighborhood investigating the whereabouts of the living corpses. After curfew, every household must lock their doors and windows and must not disrupt the investigation."

After Fangzheng finished speaking, the audience's reaction was not very enthusiastic.

I'd heard that story several times before, but the zombie still hadn't been caught. Luckily, no one died after that, so people stopped paying much attention. Who knew that the zombie would wander around the city and come back?

"Are those officials in the Ministry of Justice reliable? They've arrested people so many times already, why haven't they caught anyone yet?" someone shouted from the crowd.

Fang Zheng hurriedly said, "Don't talk nonsense. In short, everyone must not go out tonight, and do not open the door to anyone, lest the living zombies break into your home."

"Don't worry, we want to live a few more days. We'll lock the door at the beginning of the 5-7 PM."

When Ah Chan saw that it was the same old story again, she immediately lost interest. After listening for a while, she and Chen Hui walked home together.

On the way, Chen Hui asked, "Has that zombie not been caught yet?"

She remembered that before she went to the Yan family, the government was searching for living corpses in Changpingfang.

"No, I heard that the zombie went to Chang Le Fang before."

Chen Hui immediately sensed something was wrong: "Could it be that zombie Fang Yu was raising? Is it coming for me?"

She thought about it and then felt something was wrong. Even if Fang Yu and her son were still alive, they wouldn't be so crazy as to send living corpses into the city to kill people.

Unless something unexpected happens.

“Perhaps it has something to do with the spice pills you ate before.” Seeing Chen Hui’s furrowed brows, A Chan comforted her, “Don’t worry, this zombie couldn’t find you before, and now that your scent is even fainter, it won’t be of any use even if it comes to Changpingfang.”

Of course, she wasn't completely unprepared. After all, she was now a vulnerable human being, and she was also very afraid of dying.

However, Achan still felt that something was amiss. So many days had passed, the scent in Huiniang's body should have faded by now. The living corpse couldn't find her before, so it was even less likely now.

If it's not for Hui Niang, then someone probably wants it to appear in Changpingfang.

After all, zombies are something that can be used by him, and they might be useful to others as well.

Chen Hui, unaware of what A Chan was thinking, said somewhat apologetically, "I've still caused you trouble."

“What trouble is this?” Achan said in a light tone. “For me, this is a great opportunity.”

Chen Hui looked puzzled, but A Chan just smiled and said no more. Whatever the reason that zombie was running around, we should soon find out.

Although everyone seemed too lazy to listen when the ward was banging drums and gongs earlier, by 5 PM, almost all the shops and residences in Changping Ward had closed and locked themselves early.

The undead prefer to appear at night, and at this hour, before it is completely dark, it will not come out. However, Xue Mingtang had prepared blood bait in advance, as the undead are most fond of flesh and blood, especially the flesh and blood of living people.

In order to lure out the zombies, he specially requested to bring out several prisoners from the Ministry of Justice prison, and even stabbed them to draw blood.

The Ministry of Justice officials took the blood bait to several neighborhoods where the zombies had recently appeared. Soon, signal arrows were raised in Yong'an neighborhood.

Xue Mingtang was somewhat surprised. The Xue family lived in Yong'an Ward, and he hadn't expected that the zombies would run to the vicinity of his home. However, this did not hinder the plan. Although his subordinates did not understand why they had to lure the zombies to Changping Ward.

According to the plan, the Ministry of Justice personnel would take the blood bait directly to Changpingfang.

The zombie was fast, but the clerk from the Ministry of Justice had a Swift Wind Talisman from the Imperial Observatory on him, which allowed him to outrun the zombie. He managed to lead the zombie into Changping Ward without any major incidents.

Xue Mingtang had long ago divided his subordinates into several teams and arranged them in various places in Changpingfang.

When it was his turn, he didn't team up with anyone; he was all alone.

Some subordinates were worried about him, but he insisted on doing so. In the end, all his subordinates went to their respective positions to wait as he instructed, while Xue Mingtang went to the street where A Chan's family lived.

Following Xue Mingtang's prior instructions, the clerk from the Ministry of Justice, carrying the blood bait, brought it to Xue Mingtang and lured the living corpse over as well.

"My lord, you must be careful. That zombie has increased in speed and seems to be about to advance in rank." The clerk from the Ministry of Justice who had just arrived threw down the blood bait and hurriedly said to Xue Mingtang.

"Okay, you can go now." Xue Mingtang waved his hand.

The man didn't say much. Knowing that his cultivation level was low and that staying there would only make him a hindrance, he quickly left.

The prisoner from the Ministry of Justice, who had been used as blood bait, lay on the ground, his breathing growing weaker, bleeding all the way down his body, and he was about to collapse.

Xue Mingtang didn't even glance at him, but simply waited quietly for the living corpse to appear.

Before long, the zombies finally arrived.

The hunched-over zombies, running on all fours, have a human form, but their behavior is far removed from that of humans.

If Xue Mingtang had looked more closely, he might have noticed that when he and the blood bait appeared at the same time, the zombie wasn't looking at the blood bait.

Unfortunately, he was so engrossed in the joy of the plan's impending success that he didn't notice.

Carrying the blood bait, he went directly to Achan's house and threw the half-dead prisoner onto the closed door.

Achan and Chen Hui both heard a sound outside the door, as if something had hit the door.

At this moment, Chen Hui smelled a familiar fishy stench. Her expression changed, and she immediately stood up.

"What's wrong?" Achan looked at her.

"The zombies are here, they're right outside." Chen Hui's expression was tense as she stared intently at the doorway.

If that zombie breaks in, even if she's no match for it, she can hold it off for a while, enough for Achan to escape.

She turned her head, wanting to say something to Achan, but saw Achan rummaging through the cabinet, searching for a while, and then taking out a small jar.

Achan handed the small jar to Chen Hui, gesturing for her to open it.

Chen Huicai lifted the lid of the jar, and suddenly a sour and pungent smell hit the top of his head.

This is the first time I've smelled such a terrible odor since she died. To be more precise, it's not that I smelled it, but that I felt it with my body.

This smell is impossible to mask.

"What is this?" She almost dropped the jar in her arms and quickly put the lid back on.

"I specially prepared this medicinal powder, which can be used to drive away zombies, undead, and mandrills." Achan looked innocent; she hadn't expected that Huiniang would happen to be at home when she needed to use this jar of powder.

Chen Hui, now a living corpse, paused for a moment. Through her own experience, she confirmed that the powder was extremely effective.

"How do I use it? Do I sprinkle it at the doorway?"

Although the smell is horrible, it might actually stop that zombie from getting in.

"right."

Following Achan's instructions, Chen Hui sprinkled the powder at the door and window, then quickly covered the jar.

The room gradually filled with that terrible smell, which, although it didn't harm her, made her dizzy.

Seeing that she was not in a good state, Achan simply took her upstairs to the second floor.

The powder only had a strong smell when you got close to it; once you got up there, you could barely smell it. Chen Hui immediately felt much better.

The noise outside continued. Achan and Chen Hui exchanged a glance, then stood by the windows on the second floor, opening them a crack so they could observe what was happening downstairs.

To Xue Mingtang's surprise, the zombie didn't head for the blood bait at all; instead, it rushed towards him.

He had everything planned out, assuming the zombie would eat the blood bait, then accidentally break down the door, allowing Ji Chan to die a natural and tragic death.

Then, he can call people to come and wipe out the zombies.

However, things did not go as he planned.

When the zombie faced Xue Mingtang, saliva kept dripping from its mouth, corroding the ground and creating small pits.

It stared intently at the person in front of it, drawn by the scent emanating from him; it believed that consuming him would allow it to advance in rank.

Driven by its desire to advance, the zombie lunged at Xue Mingtang without hesitation.

Xue Mingtang was of the same level as the zombie. The zombie relied on brute force, but Xue Mingtang had more skill, so it was difficult to determine a winner for a while.

Ah Chan was anxiously watching from inside the house. How long was this fight going to go on?

She left Chen Hui on the second floor and ran downstairs again, returning shortly afterward with three palm-sized bags.

She unsealed the bag, handed one to Chen Hui, and pointed at Xue Mingtang, saying, "Throw this bag at that man."

Chen Hui didn't ask any questions. She took the bag, opened the window a crack, and threw it at Xue Mingtang while holding the sealed bag closed.

The first one missed; he dodged it.

Then comes the second one.

Because Xue Mingtang was trying to dodge the zombies' attacks, he didn't manage to avoid the bag in time, and it hit him squarely, opening the bag and spraying powder all over him.

The powder had no smell, but it distracted Xue Mingtang from glancing at A Chan's second floor while he was fighting off the zombies.

At this moment, he was thinking that although the plan had failed, eliminating Ji Chan was of utmost urgency. For her to still dare to make such underhanded moves at a time like this, it seemed she truly had no desire to live.

Since that's the case, he has no choice but to create an accident.

Thinking of this, the zombie's claw suddenly slashed down on Xue Mingtang's chest, but he couldn't dodge it in time.

Then he discovered that the zombie seemed to be moving faster and faster, and its attacks were becoming increasingly difficult to dodge.

Is it time to advance to the next level?

He didn't realize that it wasn't the zombies that were moving faster, but rather that his body had become sluggish.

"What's wrong with him?" Chen Hui, who was upstairs, noticed Xue Mingtang's unusual behavior downstairs and couldn't help but ask A Chan beside her.

The change in the other person began when she threw down that bag of powder.

Achan looked down at Xue Mingtang, who was being tackled to the ground by zombies, and smiled brightly: "He inhaled a lot of Boiling Blood Grass before, which has had some effect on his body."

Chen Hui turned her head and waited patiently for A Chan to continue.

"I kindly removed the effects of the Boiling Blood Grass from him, but his body will be slightly sluggish for a short period of time."

In the life-or-death moment of confronting the undead, even the slightest mistake could cost him his life.

Achan wasn't omniscient; she just preferred to be prepared.

There is a type of fragrance called blended fragrance.

When used alone, there are no discomforts. However, when used together, a minor issue arises.

She had only done it casually and hadn't thought about when she would use it, but Xue Mingtang just happened to appear outside her door.

Wouldn't it be a waste not to use it on him?

The zombie's claws pierced through Xue Mingtang's legs, preventing him from standing up. Then, it greedily bit into his neck, and blood gushed out with a single bite.

Excruciating pain mixed with terror filled Xue Mingtang's mind in that instant.

It was only at this point that he finally developed a fear of death.

He couldn't understand it. It was just an ordinary task that shouldn't have been difficult for him at all. How could he have collapsed here?

Where exactly did he go wrong?

The zombies seemed more interested in his blood than his flesh.

It lay there sucking up a lot of blood, and Xue Mingtang had completely lost the strength to resist. He could only hope that the zombie wouldn't kill him.

It did not kill Xue Mingtang. After absorbing enough blood, the zombie finally sensed an opportunity to advance. It needed to find a safe enough place to advance.

Soon, the zombie released Xue Mingtang and quickly disappeared into a small alley.

"He doesn't seem to be dead yet." After the zombie left, Achan opened the window and peered out at Xue Mingtang.

“But it will be soon,” Chen Hui added.

“Let’s go down.” Achan placed the last bag in Chen Hui’s hand. “If he can still resist, give him another blow.”

"Okay." Chen Hui took the bag, put one arm around A Chan's waist, and jumped down from the second floor with her. The landing was very light and made no sound.

The two walked toward Xue Mingtang.

Xue Mingtang's consciousness was already becoming hazy, but he still struggled to open his eyes. He groped around on his body; he had a signal arrow with him. As long as he pulled the trigger, someone would come to rescue him, and he could survive.

He reached for the whistling arrow in his pocket, and before the smile on his face could even bloom, another hand took the arrow away.

"Lord Xue, does the incense I mixed smell good?" A woman's soft voice suddenly rang out, and A Chan's face appeared in Xue Mingtang's line of sight.

Achan smiled and tilted her head to look at him.

"It's you..."

Xue Mingtang suddenly realized something. It wasn't that the zombie had suddenly become more powerful; it was that he had been tricked without his knowledge!

Was it the incense she threw down?

"The Ministry of Justice will not let you get away with this."

Achan said innocently, "I was just too scared when I saw the zombies, so I threw down a bag of incense powder. It's just ordinary incense powder. I will cooperate when the officials from the Ministry of Justice come to investigate."

Xue Mingtang opened his mouth wide, unable to speak.

His only lifeline was now in Achan's hands.

He didn't want to die. He hadn't been promoted yet, he still had so much to do, he still...

"Lord Xue, how does it feel to be on the verge of death?" Achan's voice rang out softly.

No, it's not good at all.

"When you killed Ji Chan, you should have thought this day would come."

He certainly hadn't expected to die from this. His elder sister wanted Ji Chan to disappear, so he casually shot an arrow. Originally, there shouldn't have been any accidents; she should have been dead.

But when facing Ji Chan, his plans always seem to go awry.

It was the same last time, and it's the same this time.

"Don't be afraid," Achan said gently. "Soon, many people will come down to accompany you. I won't let her travel alone."