TL: Moonlit

After eliminating the undercover zombie, Wen Qingling was no longer lazy. He carefully searched Ling City again but did not find any suspicious zombies, which put his mind at ease.

While waiting for Xiao Hen and the others to return, Wen Qingling accelerated the maturation of a batch of blood anemones, intending to sell the slices to the decayed zombies and strengthen the ranks of civilized zombies. The civilized city had already begun to take shape, and more residents were needed.

Wen Qingling set a time limit for Xiao Hen and the others. Xiao Hen and his team hurried back without stopping. Finally, on the morning of the fifth day, they arrived in Ling City with two cars instead of one, as they had brought a living person. Xiao Hen asked Ji Rong and the others to wait outside the city while he drove in alone.

In just four days, the planning and construction of the core city and inner city had been mostly completed. Some civilized zombies had already moved in, although the majority of them still resided in the civilization base.

Xiao Hen drove directly to the clinic and indeed found Wen Qingling there. He was idly twirling a pen, lost in thought.

As soon as Xiao Hen got out of the car, he smelled a strong bloody scent. He glanced at the office where he could hear the voices of Jiang Lan and Wen Zheng, who were cutting the large blood anemones.

Wen Qingling looked at him as if he could see into his heart.

Xiao Hen raised an eyebrow. “Can you see something?”

Wen Qingling didn’t answer his teasing remark. “Where is the medical equipment?”

Xiao Hen looked at the clinic space. “You want me to put the equipment here?”

Wen Qingling stood up. “I’ll take you to see the research institute in the base. Put the equipment there.”

Xiao Hen said, “Wait, there’s one more thing.”

He turned around and went back to the car, bringing out a zombie. The zombie was heavily decayed, with tattered clothes and a stiff body. It was clearly in a dormant state.

Xiao Hen placed the zombie on the ground. “Can this one still be saved?”

Wen Qingling looked at him strangely. “Is it your relative?”

Xiao Hen said, “No, it’s a gift for you.”

Wen Qingling asked, “Do you think our Ling City lacks such gifts?”

Xiao Hen said, “His name is Zhu Baizhang, the top virus research expert in the country. He’s even more famous than Meng Lao.”

Wen Qingling’s eyes gradually lit up. “Are you sure you didn’t get the wrong zombie?”

Xiao Hen smiled as he finally saw a reaction from Wen Qingling. “I’m sure I didn’t get it wrong.”

They had originally planned to find these top talents together with Wen Qingling, but they happened to pass by the city where Zhu Baizhang resided when they were driving back. Xiao Hen didn’t have high hopes, as Wen Qingling had said that zombies wouldn’t wait for him to find them. However, when they arrived at Zhu Baizhang’s residence, he had already been bitten. During the early days of the apocalypse, which were the most chaotic, even though he was an expert in virus research, he couldn’t develop a vaccine in a short period of time. He knew his time was running out, so he refused Xiao Hen’s help and asked them to leave.

Xiao Hen felt lucky, so he made a detour to Zhu Baizhang’s home. Unlike other houses where the doors were wide open, Zhu Baizhang’s home was tightly shut, which made Xiao Hen realize something. They broke in through a window and found Zhu Baizhang in the master bedroom. Two wardrobes blocked the bedroom window, and Zhu Baizhang was lying between the gap.

Since the beginning of the apocalypse, all wandering zombies had been stained with blood to some extent, whether human or animal blood. As long as they had fed, they wouldn’t enter a dormant state. Xiao Hen had never seen a zombie in this state before, and he knew that even if a zombie entered a dormant state, it didn’t mean it was dead. It should be possible to awaken it as long as there was fresh blood.

After the previous incident, Xiao Hen didn’t dare to use his own blood without authorization, especially since no one knew what would happen if someone drank his blood. So, he brought the zombie back and let Wen Qingling make the final decision.

Wen Qingling turned and went to the office, and the smell of blood became stronger when the door opened. He took a slice of blood anemone and a large bag of blood anemone fluid and came back. Jiang Lan and Wen Zheng followed him out. The two of them looked like butchers who had just finished slaughtering.

Jiang Lan saw Xiao Hen and greeted him, but her attitude had changed greatly compared to before. It couldn’t be described as cold, but it definitely wasn’t warm either. In the eyes of parents, their child was the most important thing in the world, and nothing and no one was more important than their child, especially when it came to emotions. If Xiao Hen couldn’t be on the same page as Wen Qingling and still looked at things from a human perspective, not to mention whether Wen Qingling would be willing or not, Jiang Lan, as a mother, would advise him to consider it carefully.

Xiao Hen noticed the change in Jiang Lan’s attitude, and he understood where the problem lay.Wen Qingling hesitated as he held a slice of blood anemone in one hand and a bag of blood anemone fluid in the other, looking at the dormant zombie. “We don’t force good zombies. In this situation, if we directly turn it into a civilized zombie, wouldn’t it seem like we’re very democratic and free?”

Jiang Lan nodded in agreement. “For freedom and enlightenment, this choice should be left to it. Although I don’t think any zombie would refuse to live a dignified life, who knows if there are any non-mainstream zombies that won’t follow the usual path?”

Wen Qingling nodded. “Makes sense.”

Wen Zheng poked his head out. “Who is this? Are all dormant zombies like this? Why does it look like a piece of rotten wood?”

It was indeed like a rotten piece of wood, hollowed out by worms, and it didn’t look appealing at all.

Wen Qingling glanced nervously at his mother, and sure enough, he saw a cold light in her eyes. Wen Qingling quickly tried to remedy the situation, “Not all dormant zombies are so ugly. It also depends on their age. Like my mother, even if she’s a dormant zombie, she’s the most beautiful zombie among dormant zombies.”

His survival instinct was truly strong.

Jiang Lan coldly snorted, “Do you feel superior compared to the ‘Withered Wood Segment’?”

Wen Qingling: “…”

Wen Qingling looked at his father, who kept his mouth shut and looked everywhere but at his own son.

He caused the trouble, so he had to solve it himself.

Wen Qingling then looked at Xiao Hen.

Xiao Hen received the distress signal and quickly changed the topic back, “Should we prepare a basin of mutant pig blood?”

Wen Qingling: “…”

Jiang Lan: “…”

Wen Zheng: “…”

They felt that the timing of bringing up mutant pig blood was a bit off.

Xiao Hen: “???”

Xiao Hen was a bit confused by the three pairs of eyes staring at him, wondering if he failed to change the topic.

Jiang Lan waved her hand, “Alright, I’ll go prepare the mutant pig blood.”

Jiang Lan left angrily, and both Wen Qingling and Wen Zheng breathed a sigh of relief.

Xiao Hen: “…”

While waiting, Xiao Hen clarified the boundaries with the Central Mega City and told Wen Qingling about bringing Shi Chong’s Uncle over.

Wen Qingling asked, “How does he look?”

Following the principle of ‘whoever bites gets married,’ if he looked ugly, no one would bite.

Xiao Hen understood his intention and helplessly said, “He doesn’t want to get married, and he doesn’t know about civilized zombies. We didn’t tell him. Shi Chong left Central Mega City, and we couldn’t leave him there. We had no choice but to bring him along.”

Wen Qingling said, “Then send him to Chang Boheng and Wen Chu.”

Xiao Hen was momentarily speechless. “Qingling, have you ever considered that there might still be living relatives of civilized zombies in the base? They are humans. If they know their relatives are still ‘alive,’ they will definitely come to find them. By then, would you let the people in the base leave or let the humans in?”

Wen Qingling furrowed his brows slightly, and Wen Zheng looked contemplative.Xiao Hen continued, “To develop and strengthen a community, it’s not just about our own development. Isolating ourselves from the outside world won’t guarantee success. Even a powerful nation needs diplomacy, let alone a community that hasn’t fully developed yet.”

Wen Zheng asked, “What do you think, Xiao Hen?”

Xiao Hen looked at Wen Qingling, who remained silent and spoke gently, “I have always seen your pursuit of peace. I have seen everything you’ve done. Otherwise, I wouldn’t say this. I know you have no malice towards humans, nor do you have any hostility. When I say ‘peaceful coexistence,’ it means giving them an opportunity to get close to you, to Ling City.”

Wen Qingling fell into silence.

Xiao Hen said, “Qingling, the world is changing. We, conscious and intelligent zombies, are the closest to humans compared to the bloodthirsty mutant zombies and mutated plants and animals. Humans are most likely to accept us. The virus has been causing mutations and evolutions, and no one knows what the future world will be like. The danger is everywhere. In this species transformation, both humans and we are the weak ones. We cannot rule the world, and humans are preoccupied. It would be beneficial for both sides if we could cooperate with humans.”

Xiao Hen spoke seriously, “I’m speaking from the perspective of civilized zombies, without any bias towards humans.”

Xiao Hen’s analysis this time was impartial and based on facts, which made Wen Qingling puzzled. He couldn’t understand why civilized zombies couldn’t rule the world. He voiced his thoughts and asked Xiao Hen.

Xiao Hen smiled bitterly, “Let me ask you one thing, do civilized zombies have the ability to reproduce? Even if civilized zombies truly ruled the world, the eventual fate of this group would be extinction if they couldn’t reproduce.”

Xiao Hen knew that Wen Qingling’s question was just casual. Wen Qingling was actually quite laid-back. If it weren’t for the persuasion of Jiang Lan and Wen Zheng, he wouldn’t have had any thoughts about organizing Ling City and would have just wanted to stay in his little plot of land in South City.

Wen Zheng’s expression became very serious, indicating that Xiao Hen had hit upon the most fatal point for civilized zombies.

Since the establishment of the civilization base, there were humans who had partners from the human era. They lived together and hunted together, but there had never been any news of them having children. It was unclear whether their safety measures were effective, if they were simply unable to conceive, or perhaps they didn’t engage in such activities at all.

Wen Zheng, feeling like he had been struck in the knee, well… he was getting up there in age, so not having such needs should be normal.

Wen Qingling, still single to this day, found it not surprising considering this point. After Xiao Hen pointed it out, he also realized, “Civilized zombies’ expressions and emotions are gradually recovering. As long as I become strong enough, it’s not impossible for civilized zombies to become true humans.”

No one can predict things that haven’t happened yet, and now what they need is research and breakthroughs from professionals.

Jiang Lan returned with a basin of mutant pig blood and noticed that the atmosphere among the three was off, so she asked.

Wen Qingling explained to Jiang Lan the question they were discussing.

Jiang Lan put down the basin and said, “Regardless of whether civilized zombies can reproduce or not, it has nothing to do with you.”

Wen Qingling: “…”

Well, that was the truth, unless men could give birth.

Xiao Hen looked at Wen Qingling and couldn’t help but lower his gaze, falling on Wen Qingling’s stomach…

Feeling the cold gaze, Xiao Hen hurriedly averted his eyes, pretending he hadn’t seen anything and hadn’t thought of anything.

Jiang Lan said, “Xiao Xiao is right. There is indeed such a possibility. They know their loved ones are still alive, so they will definitely try to find them. Even if human family members don’t come looking for them, civilized zombies might still have the desire to search for their loved ones. It’s in their blood and nature, something they can’t let go of. The situation is already clear, so you can ask the civilized zombies about their thoughts.”

Jiang Lan had already started feeding pig blood to the dormant zombie, and with half a basin of blood, the withered old Zhu Baizhang suddenly sat up, gasping intensely as if trying to tear through his throat. The sound was particularly terrifying.

Wen Qingling felt very familiar with this way of sitting up.

Jiang Lan didn’t expect the dormant zombie to awaken in this manner, and she almost came face to face with the decaying face. Fortunately, Wen Zheng pulled her back in time, avoiding their skulls colliding.

Wen Qingling’s mental indoctrination had already begun, specifically cleaning up a zombie’s brain. It wouldn’t take long, and soon Zhu Baizhang regained a bit of consciousness. Occasionally, his empty and lifeless eyes would show a trace of confusion. Wen Qingling continued cleansing until Zhu Baizhang’s consciousness was clear enough to communicate normally.

Among the four people present, Zhu Baizhang could only recognize Xiao Hen. It seemed like he had just woken up after sleeping for a long time, and his memories were still stuck before he turned into a zombie. Xiao Hen had to roughly explain the current situation to him and the purpose of awakening and restoring his consciousness.

Realizing that the people in front of him were all zombies, Zhu Baizhang’s old eyes immediately brightened. In his eyes, Wen Qingling and the others appeared exactly like humans, without a trace of being zombies. Nothing and no one could stop a research fanatic’s love for research.

What did it matter to become a civilized zombie? What did it matter if they couldn’t return to human society? What did it matter to stay in the base and conduct research? None of these were important in the face of research.

Since Zhu Baizhang had the desire, Wen Qingling certainly wouldn’t refuse. He had Zhu Baizhang consume blood anemone fluid, and during the waiting period, he conducted a survey using his mental powers to ask how many civilized zombies wanted to find their human family members.

This question was extraordinary. Almost everyone expressed that if they had the chance, they would definitely want to reunite with their parents, spouses, children, siblings, and loved ones. The bloodline and family ties deeply engraved in their bones couldn’t be erased even if they became zombies. However, whether their loved ones were still alive or where they were, they had no choice but to let go. If they could find their family members, they would be very happy, but if they couldn’t, they would accept the reality.

They chose to let nature take its course.

They could let nature take its course, but Wen Qingling couldn’t. There were certain things he had to consider first. If their human family members came looking for them, how would they arrange things?