Chapter 51 Half-human
Tonight is destined to be a sleepless night.
Electricity is a luxury in the apocalypse, so most buildings along the way were shrouded in darkness, especially the Holiday Inn, which resembled a silent giant ship on a dark sea. Under the moonlight, it was just a silhouette, yet it carried most of the population of Roosevelt.
Perhaps because it was maintained by someone, the lighting in Luozhou was much better than that in Fuguang City, which Bai Chenzhu had visited.
Bai Chenzhu walked slowly through the dark streets under the moonlight. Suddenly, a trash can fell over, and a rat, whose appearance was indistinct, scurried out of the can with a squeaking sound. Bai Chenzhu jumped back two steps to avoid it.
Fortunately, the mouse wasn't very interested in him and went into the drainage ditch.
Even from a distance of over fifty meters, the shadow of the person ahead stretched incredibly long. Because a marker had already been placed in someone's mental sea, Bai Chenzhu could pinpoint that person's location even if he couldn't see them.
No matter how many times someone tried to shake him off, he couldn't.
Yes, he was tracking.
Follow openly and honestly.
Jiang Ye had sent them all to investigate various suspicious locations, while he himself went to the makeshift hospital. But Bai Chenzhu felt that the hospital was the most likely place, and therefore wanted to go there the most.
The figure at the end of the path stood motionless.
Bai Chenzhu pondered for a moment, then strolled over leisurely.
Jiang Ye, with his hands in his pockets, turned to the side and looked at him helplessly. "Young Master, please spare me."
"Huh?" Bai Chenzhu asked, puzzled. "Where did I not let you off the hook? I agreed to this, and even if there was a trap, you shouldn't have come alone."
Jiang Ye was about to speak when he was stopped by a gesture.
"I know what you're going to say. You just want me to say that you can act faster on your own. Don't worry, just do what you need to do. I won't hold you back." Bai Chenzhu understood and patted his shoulder, signaling him to relax and not look so tense.
“I was planning to carry the old man and run away, but you’re here,” Jiang Ye said, laughing and crying at the same time, “so I’ll have to carry you instead.”
Bai Chenzhu's phoenix eyes were sharp as she glanced at him sideways. "Then you go back. I'll go by myself."
He turned and left, and Jiang Ye ended up chasing after him.
As for where the temporary hospital was, Bai Chenzhu knew it better than Jiang Ye, after all, he had accompanied Zhou Zhuohua to accept the commission before. Now, with his long legs, he quickly bypassed the main part of the temporary hospital and found the conspicuous inpatient department based on Zhou Zhuohua's description.
It was an inconspicuous little building hidden in the darkness, with a faint light inside. In the darkness, he could see the smiling sun above the top floor wall, along with bright red flowers and lush green grass.
Bai Chenzhu looked up and counted. The lights on the top floor were on, but they were all covered by curtains, so he couldn't see the people inside.
An arm suddenly pressed down on his shoulder, almost knocking Bai Chenzhu over.
Jiang Ye leaned closer to him and said, "Let's make a bet. We'll bet on whether Grandpa Li is here or not."
Bai Chenzhu raised an eyebrow and said with amusement, "You think I would gamble on not being here?"
"Don't I know you? Don't you suspect Li Zhenzhen?" Jiang Ye laughed. "Let me speak first. I bet he's in."
"You trust her that much?"
Jiang Ye shook his head. "I don't believe her. I just think Bai Guang is all-powerful in Luozhou and doesn't bother to hide it. Otherwise, how would Sister Zhuohua know that the top floor is sealed off? It's just that Li Zhenzhen is trapped by his side and can't get away."
"Don't you think we're a lot like Li Zhenzhen?" Bai Chenzhu frowned, looking worriedly at the brightly colored hospital building in front of her. "Is it really true that Li Zhenzhen can't find her father? If Bai Guangzheng is powerful enough, everything we do is just child's play in his eyes."
"We'll only know for sure when the final results are in." Jiang Ye removed his hand from his shoulder, tilted his head and smiled at him. "If I win the bet, you can let me tie a bow in my hair tomorrow."
Jiang Ye didn't succeed last time, and he's still holding a grudge. Bai Chenzhu swung his fist at Jiang Ye, but the movement was slow, and Jiang Ye ducked and easily dodged it.
"How interesting!" Jiang Ye said with a smile.
"Who's there!" A beam of light swept over; it was the patrolman who had heard a faint sound coming from the bushes.
The two exchanged a glance and then quickly separated in tacit agreement.
——
The inpatient building has five floors, with colorful graffiti on the walls and iron staircases outside. Because it used to be a kindergarten, the rooms here are particularly spacious, with simple hospital beds inside.
The two evaded the few security guards and made their way to the fourth floor. From the fourth floor onwards, the stairwells were heavily guarded, with armed men standing at the entrances.
Bai Chenzhu released his spiritual power and carefully sensed the situation. "There are four people at the stairwell. Take care of them quietly, and it's best not to let them see your face... Let's go around to the outside and go up."
To Bai Chenzhu's astonishment, Jiang Ye pulled his short-sleeved shirt up a bit, the collar hanging on his nose and tied in a slipknot.
Bai Chenzhu could see his exposed belly button, but to avoid laughing out loud, he covered his mouth and silently turned his head away, unwilling to look anymore.
The next second, Jiang Ye rushed out, so fast that the security guard had barely raised his gun before his body went limp and he collapsed. He knocked everyone unconscious before turning back to look at Bai Chenzhu.
Bai Chenzhu kicked the unconscious person with the tip of his shoe. "Strange, they're all ordinary people."
Luo Zhou is such a big place with good conditions, yet there are so few people with superpowers. It can't even produce a single person with superpowers comparable to Chen Hao from Fuguang City, let alone a team or organization with superpowers.
Jiang Ye dusted off his hands. "Let's go."
Bai Chenzhu nodded, but couldn't help but laugh when she turned her head and saw his bizarre appearance.
They dealt with the people in the stairwell, then climbed out of the window and up the outer edge of the wall to the fifth-floor window.
The bodyguard turned around at the sound, and tried to call for help in fear, but he was already dealt with swiftly.
One dull thud after another echoed as bodies fell to the ground.
Jiang Ye untied the knot at his collar and took a deep breath of fresh air.
Bai Chenzhu stepped onto the ground and looked at the people lying in the corridor. He felt a deep sense of unease: if Mr. Li was in there, then everyone else was just an ordinary person or a low-level ability user. Bai Guangzheng really didn't respect people at all.
But upon closer reflection, aside from this group of outsiders, everyone in Luozhou had to be subservient to them. Who would dare to barge into the ward late at night?
He gripped the doorknob, pressed down, and the door opened.
Sitting on the hospital bed was an elderly man, around sixty years old. Although his hair was completely white, he was in good spirits. Hearing the noise, he looked out the window and then turned his gaze to the two young men, asking in surprise, "Who are you?"
Bai Chenzhu stood frozen in place, staring at the old man, his pupils suddenly shrinking.
A superhuman!
He could almost immediately sense the extraordinary spiritual power emanating from the old man.
Bai Chenzhu took a step back and bumped into Jiang Ye's chest. Jiang Ye looked at him in confusion and steadied his shoulder.
Bai Chenzhu calmed himself down. Thinking of Han Yuyan, whom he had previously encountered and who had affected his public image, he looked at the old man in front of him and didn't seem so scary anymore.
He took two steps forward.
"Is this Mr. Li Minnian? We asked Miss Li Zhenzhen to come and pick you up." Bai Chenzhu took out a pendant from his pocket.
He had actually secretly hidden a 'token'. Jiang Ye's eyes darkened slightly, and he secretly raised his elbow and poked him in the waist.
Bai Chenzhu was caught off guard by his sudden movement, which made her waist go numb. She gasped, clutched her waist, and glared at Jiang Ye.
“Yes, Zhenzhen.” Li Minnian held the pendant in his hands, tears welling in his eyes. “How is she? Is she alright? She shouldn’t have been wronged.”
“She is fine,” Bai Chenzhu said. “There’s no time to lose, you should come with us.”
Li Minnian nodded, then shook his head. "You can't take me away without his permission."
"Oh?" Jiang Ye smiled nonchalantly. "Then guess how we got up here?"
“This…” Li Minnian hesitated. He looked down at the pendant. “This is not good. It’s too dangerous.”
He sighed repeatedly, "It's too dangerous, you should leave quickly."
Bai Chenzhu stepped forward. "We've already been in great danger getting here; we can't escape anyway. If you don't come with us today, our trip will have been in vain."
Without immediately agreeing to their request, Li Minnian frowned and said, "You were able to defeat so many people outside, you must all be superhumans, right? Hurry up and run, move quickly."
"Otherwise, he'll eat you up."
——
"He means Bai Guangzheng ate all of Li Minnian's former superhuman subordinates?!" Bai Tao covered her mouth in disbelief. "My God!"
The thought of being so close to Bai Guangzheng gave her goosebumps. They say ignorance is bliss, but she was practically dancing wildly in a minefield.
Bai Tao slumped into the chair, a nauseous feeling rising in her stomach.
Zhou Zhuohua's gaze was calm. "So Bai Guangzheng is also a superhuman?"
"According to Old Man Li, yes," Bai Chenzhu said, stroking his chin and looking at Jiang Ye, who had remained silent since returning. "Leveling up by eating ability users, is that also a way for ability users to level up?"
Jiang Ye's fingertips rested slowly on the armrest, he didn't speak, he was thinking about something.
Tang Zhao was so frightened that he clung to the wall like a gecko, jumping up and down for a long time before he calmed down.
Zhou Zhuohua, on the other hand, quickly regained his composure after the initial shock. "So, from our arrival in Luozhou, Tao Tao recognizing him, and his willingness to let us stay here so casually... in his eyes, all these things were just like ingredients jumping into the pot on their own, just waiting to be eaten!"
Bai Tao suddenly realized, "No wonder, no wonder it's like this."
"Jiang Ye," Bai Chenzhu called out.
Jiang Ye finally came to his senses. "I've made up my mind."
Bai Chenzhu held her breath, thinking he had come up with a foolproof solution, and listened intently, "What?"
Jiang Ye said confidently, "Let's choose the double-layered bow style!"
Everyone: ...?
The only one who understood what he was saying, Bai Chenzhu, pressed down on his head without hesitation, twisted it around, and leaned close to his ear, sneering, "Jiang Ye, we're talking about serious matters. Are you daydreaming?"
Jiang Ye dared not admit it. He touched his nose and said, "No, no, where were we? Cough cough, were you talking about Bai Guangzheng eating people?"
"Don't worry, Sister Zhuohua is definitely the safest."
These words were tantamount to confirming the 'cannibalism' thing, and Zhou Zhuohua, both amused and exasperated, slapped his arm.
Bai Chenzhu's expression was cold and stern. "Can't you beat him?"
Jiang Ye had a good attitude. He frankly said, "It's hard to say, I've never fought one."
His usual carefree smile made Bai Chenzhu's heart sink. After thinking for a moment, Bai Chenzhu proposed an even worse idea, "I don't think Li Minnian is necessarily right. He might not be a superhuman."
Jiang Ye raised an eyebrow, a smile in his eyes, and looked at him approvingly, waiting for him to continue.
Jiang Ye's attitude made Bai Chenzhu's heart sink even further.
Bai Chenzhu turned his gaze to the others and voiced his guess, "Li Minnian said that when they encountered an accident, Bai Li was injured and sent back early, while the others continued their journey. Unexpectedly, all these superhumans were killed by Bai Guangzheng, who then imprisoned them. So, before the incident, Bai Guangzheng was no longer a 'normal person'."
“Compared to the previous mutated cows, he might be the real ‘zombie king’.”
One shock after another followed. Bai Tao's eyes widened, and she grabbed the sofa in terror, saying, "You mean he's a talking, thinking, and lively zombie king?!"
"Jiang Ye, what do you think?" Bai Chenzhu looked at Jiang Ye, seeking an answer. Jiang Ye knew far more about zombies and superhumans than anyone else present.
Jiang Ye raised his index finger, "You're only half right."
Bai Chenzhu frowned; he didn't think he had said anything wrong.
Bai Guangzheng does indeed have thoughts and can speak, but he eats people with superpowers. The mutated cow from before also ate zombies.
Bai Guang is evolving by consuming superhumans. Jiang Ye once said that zombies evolve by absorbing spiritual power, but humans cannot.
With all the conditions fitting together, the white light was undoubtedly a zombie.
“I can basically conclude that the fragment is on him.” Jiang Ye’s eyes curved into a smile as he revealed the answer. “The powerful spiritual energy on the fragment can influence both humans and zombies. He is a human who is half-zombified but whose zombification process was stopped by the fragment.”
"Is he human?" Bai Chenzhu's eyes hardened.
“Yes, he’s a half-zombie human. The more he understands his condition, the more he instinctively seeks out what he has as a human being, including his memories and emotions, and hates his zombified parts. After all, he longs to be human.” Jiang Ye looked at Bai Tao, his words like knives. “You must have realized it, he’s not your father anymore.”
"His 'doting' on you as a father is not out of kinship, but because he longs for his human identity and imitates and plays the role of his past self. But he may not even remember you anymore, nor what he should have done as a father, a human, and a base lord, leaving only an obsession."
Bai Tao remained silent, her fingers digging deeply into her clothes. Her face was deathly pale as she tried to recall something.
Her expression silently confirmed Jiang Ye's words.
“This is a good thing.” Zhou Zhuohua suddenly interjected, shifting the gaze from Bai Tao. “It’s much better than fighting the Zombie King. So, we can now think about how to deal with a ‘half-human’.”
At this point, Tang Zhao, who had been nervously biting his nails, perked up. He immediately remembered the method he had used to defeat the mutated bull, and like a model student answering a question in class, he eagerly raised his hand, "Can we give him some medicine?"
The group exchanged glances.
Tang Zhao, feeling uneasy, weakly withdrew his hand. "W-what's wrong? Did I say something wrong?"
Bai Chenzhu reassured her, "On the contrary, you are absolutely right."
His phoenix eyes curved as he looked at Bai Tao, and unusually, he called her "Tao Tao" in imitation of Zhou Zhuohua.
Bai Tao crossed her arms and shivered.
Bai Chenzhu stood up and stretched. "Then I'll leave the medicine to you. Jiang Ye, we still need to go find Li Zhenzhen."
He took a slip of paper out of his pocket and waved it, his voice low and slow, "As a messenger."
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