Chapter 90: Meeting Tian Jian Again

After Qin Yu and her companions finished their breakfast, they decided to leave the village and continue their "adventure."

After Nangong Yao had taken down yet another second-tier zombie, he suddenly turned to Qin Yu and asked, "Qin Yu, why aren't you all helping out?"

Qin Yu rolled her eyes helplessly and replied, "Because you're so overwhelmingly cool and powerful, the rest of us mere mortals hardly get a chance to do anything, do we?"

Nangong Yao turned away in a haughty manner, though inwardly he hoped he wouldn't have to keep fighting. But the very next moment, as another zombie rushed towards them, he sent out a blade of wind without a second thought.

He watched as Qin Yu dug into the zombie's skull for something, and asked in puzzlement, "All along the way, I've seen you all digging around in the heads of these ugly things. Doesn't it disgust you?"

Zhao Meng tossed the crystal core in her hand and smiled. "These are actually quite valuable. Absorbing them can raise our ability levels. In this post-apocalyptic world, strength is everything. No, more accurately, power is the only thing that matters."

Nangong Yao glanced thoughtfully at the crystal core, a disdainful noise escaping his lips. Only he knew the truth: his own powers were diminishing. Now he possessed barely one percent of his former strength. If these crystal cores could truly enhance the so-called abilities of these people, did that mean that by absorbing them, he too might be able to regain his former power? If so, he might be forced to reconsider touching those grotesque things.

While Nangong Yao was lost in contemplation, Qin Yu noticed his thoughtful expression. A glint of calculation flashed in her eyes, but wisely, she held her tongue.

"Someone's coming," Tao's cool, distant voice broke the silence.

Qin Yu raised an eyebrow, glanced at Tao, who was still holding her hand, and asked, "How far?"

"About a kilometer," Tao replied.

Qin Yu nodded. She turned to the others and said, "Get ready for battle!"

At her words, everyone's bodies tensed. Tao, with her deep gaze, watched the approaching group who were not far off.

About five hundred meters away, Tian Jian and his team walked towards them, grim-faced.

At that moment, Fan Fan in Tian Jian's group suddenly spotted Qin Yu and the others nearby. He whispered a few words, and the whole group sped up, rushing toward Qin Yu's party.

Qin Yu and her companions stood their ground, watching as Tian Jian's group charged toward them. A smile curved Qin Yu's lips. They arrived at just the right moment, didn't they? She had quite a few questions for him.

Tian Jian, stopping a few meters away, was surprised to see a new man in Qin Yu's group—a man who looked rather formidable. As for little Tao, Tian Jian dismissed her as too weak to be of any concern and happily ignored her.

Tian Jian's expression grew even darker, though he forced a smile and said, "Captain Qin, what a coincidence, running into you out here."

Qin Yu regarded Tian Jian's feigned friendliness and replied, "Indeed, quite a coincidence. I wonder, Captain Tian, what brings you to such a remote place?"

He chuckled. "Well, we're out on a mission, of course. You know most of the tasks assigned by the base are in these out-of-the-way places. What about you, Captain Qin?"

Qin Yu spread her hands, feigning helplessness. "We had no choice. Apparently, someone spread word that Captain Qian's death was related to us. We're just trying to keep a low profile for a while. Captain Tian, do you have any leads regarding Captain Qian's case?"

Tian Jian put on a troubled look, crossing his arms. "I do have a little information, but..."

"Oh? A little? I wonder, are you unwilling to share it with us? You know, being falsely accused is a bitter pill to swallow," Qin Yu said earnestly.

Tian Jian was delighted inside, but outwardly he maintained his troubled expression. He sighed, "Captain Qin, I wish I could help you, but..."

"Captain Tian, just say what you mean. If you need us to do something, we'll do our best," Qin Yu replied.

"Since Captain Qin is so straightforward, I won't beat around the bush. We've been out here for days and run out of food. We haven't found any supply stations. I wonder, do you and your team have anything we could eat?" Tian Jian asked, a trace of urgency slipping into his voice.

Qin Yu was taken aback, shook her head apologetically, and said, "Captain Tian, you know we left in such a rush, and there haven't been any villages to resupply at. To be honest, we've been hungry for a day ourselves. I wish we could help, but we really have nothing to spare. Alas..."

Liar, Nangong Yao thought. They'd just had a good breakfast that morning, and now she was telling these people they had nothing. Still, he wisely kept silent, sensing that Qin Yu and her group didn't care much for these people.

Tian Jian's face darkened at Qin Yu's words. "In that case, there’s nothing more to say. Let’s go our separate ways."

Qin Yu smiled politely. "Very well, Captain Tian. I won't trouble you further. But if you do discover who's spreading rumors about me, please let me know. Of course, I intend to get to the bottom of this myself."

Tian Jian shook his head, claiming ignorance, then bid them farewell and led his group away in another direction. Qin Yu watched Tian Jian and his team recede into the distance, a mocking smile playing at her lips.

Who knew who would win this little game in the end?

Nangong Yao eyed Qin Yu's inscrutable smile and asked curiously, "Xiaoyu, who was that? He looks so annoying—totally out of line with this immortal's aesthetics! We should eliminate him! Eliminate him!"

Zhao Meng stepped up and patted Nangong Yao on the head. "For once, you said something right! We don't get along with that guy. Next time you see him, hit him with your hammer, slash him with your sword, and blast him with all your weird spells. I refuse to believe he'll dare show off in front of us again!"

Nangong Yao rubbed his head and nodded. "All right, next time I'll do just that. Hmph! Ugly fool!"

The others couldn't help but laugh at Nangong Yao's haughty demeanor. He really was a proud, ridiculous fellow who fancied himself an immortal.

Little did Nangong Yao know he’d already been labeled as such in everyone’s hearts. If he ever learned what they truly thought of him, he’d surely protest that it didn’t fit his immortal’s sense of beauty!

Late that night, Qin Yu and her companions sat together, communicating silently with their eyes.

Still following us?—Qin Yu

Yes.—Tao

Honestly, they've been tailing us all day! So much for going our separate ways.—Zhao Meng

Ah, the night is perfect—just right to do what needs to be done.—Qin Yu

Nangong Yao looked up at the moonless sky and waved his hand.

A smile curled on Qin Yu's lips, looking strangely chilling in the darkness.