Chapter Twelve: I Use Zombies as ‘Tools’

Five days later, at dawn.

Sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow on Xu Hanfeng’s face. He slowly opened his eyes, a sharp glint flickering within them. Over the past few days, his injuries had gradually healed with the aid of medication; the pain had lessened considerably, and he was now barely able to stand.

“Let’s set out today,” Xu Hanfeng said weakly, his tone carrying an undeniable resolve. He pointed at the map and continued, “We’re still in Ningjiang Province. Let’s head toward Nanyang Province. This route will help us avoid most of the zombie hordes.”

We nodded, a mixture of anticipation and unease filling our hearts. We needed to push forward, to reach the military virus research base and use my serum to develop a vaccine to save humanity.

We quickly packed our belongings, double-checked our supplies, and made sure everything was ready.

The streets of the small town remained eerily silent. As we stepped out of the bungalow, I glanced back at our temporary refuge, feeling a deep reluctance to leave.

Jiang Hanchuan took it upon himself to pick up the rope, preparing to drag Xu Hanfeng onwards. But after only a few steps outside the town, he was already gasping for breath, sweat pouring down his forehead.

“Linyu, you take over. I can’t do this anymore!” Jiang Hanchuan bent over, hands on his knees, panting heavily.

Without a word, I took the rope attached to the stretcher. “Alright, I’ll handle it from here.”

Jiang Hanchuan froze, muttering to himself, “Did Linyu take medicine today? Why is he so quick to volunteer?” But what shocked him even more was yet to come.

I casually tossed the rope toward a couple of wandering zombies nearby and murmured a few words under my breath. To everyone’s astonishment, those two zombies seemed to understand, grasping the rope with their decayed hands and steadily pulling the stretcher forward.

Jiang Hanchuan’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You… you can control zombies to pull the stretcher?”

That’s when Jiang Hanchuan realized he had been played and flew into a rage. “Damn it, Linyu! If you have this ability, why did you make me drag it for so long? You were just messing with me! No wonder you were so bold saying you’d take over!”

I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Haha, you insisted on showing off; I never forced you! Besides, if the boss gets dragged like that, it’s on you! What, you not happy now?”

“You… you stop it! I…” Jiang Hanchuan was so irritated he stomped his feet.

Lu Yucheng watched us with a mix of amusement and exasperation, quickly intervening. “Alright, alright, you two stop it. What time is this to be joking around?”

Suppressing my laughter, I strode ahead, feeling delighted inside. Behind me, Jiang Hanchuan glared in frustration, like a competitor utterly defeated yet unwilling to admit it.

...

We moved through the forest when suddenly a commotion arose behind us. I turned to see a group of marauders, fierce as wolves, closing in rapidly.

Suddenly, an arrow zipped past my ear like lightning. My heart tightened as I shouted, “Bad news! They have bows! Take cover!”

The three of us scattered like startled birds, each finding shelter behind a sturdy tree. Arrows rained down like deadly hail, each one carrying a chilling menace.

Lu Yucheng was frantic, shouting to me, “Linyu, what do we do? They have bows. If we fight, it’ll be like a match between egg and stone.”

Jiang Hanchuan’s face was grim. “No way we can charge in. We’d get riddled before even getting close.”

I furrowed my brow, closing my eyes to think deeply. My mind churned violently, then suddenly, I snapped them open.

Jiang Hanchuan, mistaking my expression for confidence, asked eagerly, “Linyu, you have a plan?”

Lu Yucheng’s eyes flickered with hope, curious to see what solution I had devised.

I gave an awkward smile. “Uh… not at all.”

Both sighed simultaneously. Jiang Hanchuan muttered grumpily, “No plan? Then what now?”

Just as we felt helpless, a defiant voice rang out from the opposite side.

“Listen up, people on the other side! We’re the Azure Dragon Gang. If you kill our men, don’t expect to live to leave!”

Lu Yucheng stuck out her tongue disdainfully. “What a disgusting name. Just a bunch of punks calling themselves the Azure Dragon Gang. Ridiculous.”

I remained focused on finding a way out, somewhat distracted. Two zombies slipped from my control and lumbered forward, emitting guttural roars toward the others.

The marauders’ eyes widened in shock. “Zombies?! How can there be zombies here?” They hastily nocked arrows.

Their leader waved his hand calmly, then used a telescope to confirm the situation.

To everyone’s surprise, the zombies bore the same armbands as the marauders.

He cursed angrily, “Damn it! Those are our own people—they’ve turned into zombies!”

“Don’t shoot! Those are our men!” the leader ordered his subordinates.

I thought to myself that these people were surprisingly loyal, sparing their undead comrades.

An idea sparked in my mind, and I whispered, “I’ve got it!”

Lu Yucheng turned to me, eyes filled with doubt. “Linyu, really? No jokes this time?”

I smiled confidently, replying in a thick Jinzhou accent, “Absolutely!”

...

Then I looked at Jiang Hanchuan solemnly. “Hanchuan, when the time comes, we lift the boss up quickly. Remember, be fast!”

Jiang Hanchuan looked puzzled, unsure of my plan.

I closed my eyes again, focusing my energy as if forging a mysterious link with the zombies. I gave them instructions, and four of them obediently approached us.

“Everyone, mount the ‘horses’!” I shouted.

I signaled Jiang Hanchuan to help Xu Hanfeng onto one zombie’s back, then I jumped onto another. Lu Yucheng understood immediately and without hesitation climbed onto a zombie ahead.

I urged loudly, “Go! Move! Giddy-up!” Under my control, the zombies dashed like wild stallions, speeding away.

Jiang Hanchuan, still stunned, shouted, “Wow! You can do this? Hey, wait for me!” Before finishing, he too jumped on a zombie’s back and chased after us.

With my special ability enhancing their speed, we quickly vanished from the Azure Dragon Gang’s sight.

The marauders stared blankly, watching our retreating figures.

“Boss, they… they’re riding zombies to escape?!” one subordinate gawked, mouth forming an O, as if witnessing a ghost.

Another stammered, “Not only don’t they bite them, but they… they’re carrying them?”

The leader’s jaw dropped. He slapped his cheeks in disbelief. “Seems that way.”

“Boss, do we still chase them?” a stunned subordinate asked.

The leader turned and slapped the man’s face sharply. “Are you crazy? This has to be some evil curse. Why chase? You go if you want!” Then he turned and ran.

The gang was stunned, watching their leader sprint madly through the crowd, running backward.

Once far enough away, he shouted, “Brothers, retreat! If that curse comes back, none of us will get out!”

The whole group panicked, running back even faster than their leader.

“Damn it! You bunch of cowards are running faster than rabbits! Wait up for your boss!”