TL: Moonlit

While Fang Zhen was narrating, Wen Qingling kept looking at him, making sure that every word he said was true. This person was cunning and intelligent, and in order to save his own life, he couldn’t afford to hide anything. He revealed everything he knew, down to the details of how he had flirted with Xu Shengfei.

Xiao Hen asked, “Are you sure she took your backpack?”

Fang Zhen almost swore to Xiao Hen, “I saw it with my own eyes, it’s absolutely true. I’ve always suspected that she wanted to follow me, and her main goal was my ‘treasure.’ She must have realized how valuable the ‘treasure’ is. It’s useless for you to search me, I really don’t have it anymore.”

Confirming that the last blood anemone ultimately ended up in Xu Shengfei’s hands, both Xiao Hen and Wen Qingling furrowed their brows almost simultaneously.

Without a doubt, the blood anemone in Xu Shengfei’s possession had also evolved. The red-eyed zombies attacked Yin Cheng’s armored vehicle convoy and created a trap in Heli Forest. What puzzled Xiao Hen was, if the evolved blood anemone sprayed poisonous mist for indiscriminate attacks, would anyone be able to survive?

If no one survived, then what about the three vehicles that left with the armored convoy?

Xiao Hen had been troubled by this matter.

He looked at Wen Qingling, and Wen Qingling knew he had something to say. Just as he was about to leave, he heard Fang Zhen’s voice, “I’ve told you everything I know, so let me go. I haven’t harmed any of you. At most, I deceived you. Isn’t that punishment enough?”

Xiao Hen’s gaze turned icy. “Your actions have caused too much death and injury. Don’t you think your punishment should be death?”

Fang Zhen defended himself, “I didn’t do any of those things, it was Xu Shengfei! It was her! You should go and kill her. What does it have to do with me?”

Wen Qingling halted his steps. “You’re just as guilty as Xu Shengfei. Half of the killings she caused, you’re responsible for.”

Fang Zhen sensed their murderous intent, and he began to wail, “It wasn’t me! I didn’t do those things! I won’t take the blame for that woman! You should go after her for what she did!”

Wen Qingling ignored his defense and effortlessly leaped to the rooftop nearby, with Xiao Hen following suit.

Wen Qingling asked, “What do you want to say?”

Xiao Hen replied, “Is it possible for someone other than you to control the evolved blood anemone?”

Wen Qingling knew that Xiao Hen suspected Xu Shengfei. “It’s unlikely if it’s someone else. But if it’s Xu Shengfei, I can’t say for sure. After all, we’re relatives with a trace of blood connection.”

Xiao Hen didn’t understand. “What do you mean?”

Wen Qingling explained his previous small experiment to Xiao Hen. It was simple. Wen Qingling’s blood mutated, and whoever consumed it would turn into a zombie. A drop of blood could cause a zombie to explode, leaving behind blood stains that created Blood Corpses. After the mutation, the blood could also “recognize people.” For example, Wen Qingling fed a considerable amount of his blood to his dormant parents, and they remained unharmed. This was enough to prove that his blood had a “family recognition” behavior.

Based on this deduction, when Xu Shengfei was still conscious, she bit into the blood anemone grown from Wen Qingling’s blood. Instead of exploding or turning into a zombie, she became the “Mother Corpse”. There must have been coincidences, mutations, and unexplainable factors involved, but it couldn’t be ruled out that she shared a distant blood connection with Wen Qingling. Otherwise, she wouldn’t still be alive.

Wen Qingling felt troubled by his powerful mutated bloodline. “Sigh, being too outstanding is also a nuisance.”

Xiao Hen said, “…”

Xiao Hen replied, “I don’t think it’s the time to be lamenting.”

Wen Qingling didn’t share Xiao Hen’s concerns. As long as they could find Xu Shengfei, he would strangle her without hesitation. This time, he had to witness her death with his own eyes. No matter how many crystal nuclei were offered, he would not be swayed.

Wen Qingling said, “The worst-case scenario is Xu Shengfei teaming up with the evolved blood anemone.”Xiao Hen asked, “Why couldn’t it be Xu Shengfei controlling the evolved blood anemone?”

That would be the most terrifying outcome. With Xu Shengfei’s madness, she could easily slaughter both humans and zombies.

Wen Qingling replied, “It’s impossible.”

Xiao Hen asked, “Why?”

Wen Qingling looked at him like he was a fool. “Because of my dignity, my blood, and every cell in my body forbid it. Can my blood products be controlled by someone I want to kill? Would my blood have no face?”

Xiao Hen remained silent. He had seen the evolved blood anemone behave uncontrollably towards Wen Qingling at the Ling City Base, showing no recognition whatsoever.

Wen Qingling: “Rest assured, the evolved blood anemone is only likely to team up with Xu Shengfei or go separate ways. It’s impossible for Xu Shengfei to control the evolved blood anemone.”

After all, even the demented evolved blood anemone dares to shout at its own father. What can Xu Shengfei do to control the demented blood anemone? There is absolutely no possibility of that happening.

Objectively speaking, if Xu Shengfei could truly control the evolved blood anemone, which sweeps through zombies and humans with its poisonous mist attack, it wouldn’t have missed causing trouble in the South City. Since it didn’t come, and instead sent wave after wave of corpse puppets to their deaths, it proves that Xu Shengfei is unable to control the evolved blood anemone.

Xiao Hen seemed to have realized this point. “Perhaps this is the only good news I’ve heard.”

Wen Qingling looked at him with suspicion. “Are you worried about zombies or humans?”

Xiao Hen helplessly said, “Mixed bloodline, no corpse rights, right?”

Wen Qingling stared at him for a long time, took a step forward, and pressed his hand against Xiao Hen’s chest. “Let me hear your heart, I suspect that your thoughts are deceiving me.”

Xiao Hen stood quietly. “What did my heart say?”

Wen Qingling looked at him and said, “Your heart tells me that you can’t let go.”

Xiao Hen held Wen Qingling’s wrist, pulled him into an embrace, and held him tightly. “Listen carefully again, what exactly can’t I let go of?”

Wen Qingling leaned his ear against Xiao Hen’s chest as if he were truly listening to his heart. In reality, he had no ability to hear people’s thoughts. Sensing thoughts is not the same as listening to a heart’s voice.

Wen Qingling said, “Xiao Hen, you have concerns, don’t deny it. I can see it.”

Xiao Hen asked, “What are my concerns?”

Wen Qingling replied, “Family. You desperately want to get rid of it, but you can’t control your concern. It’s the nature of the bloodline. I can understand it to some extent. You can bring your family to Ling City, the civilized city I’ve built. There will be a space for survival for some humans.”

Wen Qingling continued, “I accept your family.”

Xiao Hen tightened his arms and remained silent for a long time. Wen Qingling’s words pierced the softest part of his heart. He really wanted his mother to see this side of Wen Qingling. He believed that his mother would surely like this version of Wen Qingling.

Unfortunately, he would never have the chance in this lifetime.

Treating the whole world with indifference but being able to speak so softly and gently, Xiao Hen felt that this might be the warmest words Wen Qingling could ever say.

Xiao Hen kissed the person in his arms on the black hair. “Thank you.”

Xiao Hen knew that his father would not give up everything in Central Mega City and come to Ling City with him. In the two or three years after the apocalypse, they never had a proper conversation. Every meeting was either an argument or exchanging cold words, a once harmonious and filial family that everyone envied had reached this unexpected state.Ji Rong wiped his face and straightened his stiff neck. “Is it the trend nowadays to publicly kill dogs?”

Everyone on the ground witnessed the scene of dog abuse, with the victim being the arrogant and cool Dr. Wen. They all kneeled in admiration of Xiao Hen’s audacity. This big shot was known for his ruthlessness and would resort to violence at the drop of a hat. They admired Colonel Xiao’s unyielding neck. He was a true man to dare to fall in love with him!

Wen Qingling suddenly stood up and looked into the distance. “People from Yue County Base are coming to fight us.”

Wen Qingling jumped down from the high building and landed steadily on the ground, leaving Xiao Hen, who was still immersed in his emotions, in the chaotic wind.

Xiao Hen: “…”

He followed suit and jumped down, his face expressionless.

Ji Rong made an effort to hold back, not letting himself laugh out loud. He really wanted to ask what kind of experience it was to be in a romantic relationship with the boss and an emotionless zombie.

Xiao Hen’s gaze swept over like knives, and Ji Rong quickly raised his hand in surrender and turned away, laughing secretly.

Xiao Hen kicked him in the butt. “If you have time to gossip, you better be prepared to work!”

Ji Rong ran while holding his butt, feeling aggrieved. He took out his frustration on him because he couldn’t handle his own boyfriend. Was this the mature attitude one should have in a relationship? He deserved to be rejected.

Ji Rong was full of resentment.

Wen Qingling said to Miao Bo, “Over two thousand people from Yue County Base have gathered here. As a good socialist citizen, I won’t engage in indiscriminate killing. Who knows, in a few years, will humans become an endangered species? I’ve let Fang Shenlong go, and you can leave too.”

People from Yue County Base: “…”

What do you mean by not engaging in indiscriminate killing? Are you saying you’re scared because too many people have come?!

Miao Bo took a step forward. “Dr. Wen, can we have the opportunity to follow you?”

Before Wen Qingling could answer, everyone from Yue County Base was shocked. “Miao Bo! What do you mean? Are you betraying the base?!”

Miao Bo didn’t answer, just looked steadily at Wen Qingling, waiting for his response.

Wen Qingling shook his head. “You’re not suitable by my side. If you want to leave Yue County Base, you can go to Xiang County Base. Chang Boheng and Wen Chu are there.”

Chang Boheng walked over, unable to hide his smile. “Xiang County Base welcomes you anytime.”

Seeing Chang Boheng, Miao Bo understood that they were late.

If they followed Wen Qingling, Miao Bo had confidence in persuading Fang Shenlong. But if they went to Chang Boheng’s base, Miao Bo was uncertain. After all, Fang Shenlong had been a leader of a large base all along and had done well. If it weren’t for the recent mistakes, he wouldn’t have faced such rebellion, with even his trusted followers distancing themselves from him. It was highly likely that Fang Shenlong would refuse.

Miao Bo didn’t directly refuse, but smiled. “I’ll discuss it with Fang Shenlong.”

Chang Boheng’s smile became even more sincere. “I’ll be waiting for good news from you.”

Miao Bo smiled and said to Wen Qingling, “Could you please tell Fang Shenlong that I’ll be waiting for him at the West Suburb Gas Station?”

Wen Qingling replied, “No need, he has already brought his men here.”

As they spoke, the horde of zombies voluntarily made their way, and several vehicles drove in.

Fang Shenlong, who had been trapped by the zombie horde until now, jumped down from the car with a serious expression. He walked quickly to Miao Bo’s side and examined him from top to bottom. Seeing that he was fine, he then warily looked at Wen Qingling and the others. When he saw Xiao Hen, his eyes immediately turned red.

Miao Bo hurriedly held him back and explained the situation to Fang Shenlong.

Fang Shenlong stared at Xiao Hen, acknowledging his strength. He had admired Xiao Hen and the other three back at Ling City Base and had wanted to recruit them. But things changed unexpectedly, and no one had expected it would end up like this.

Fang Shenlong knew that they couldn’t return to Yue County Base. He didn’t expect Wen Qingling and Xiao Hen to be so bold as to empty the food supply of Yue County Base. They were truly ruthless individuals.