Chapter Seventy: Wang Cheng

For the sake of a woman he loved, He Xiao abandoned the brotherhood he once cherished—such is the apocalypse, and such is human nature. In that instant, Wang Cheng felt an unprecedented sense of release in his heart. This period of fleeing had exhausted him beyond measure, and the death of his closest brother left him in utter despair.

“In the end, it’s death. Kill!”

That was Wang Cheng’s only thought at that moment. Gripping the fire axe tightly, he charged forward. Even though he knew his blows would barely harm the berserk demon rat, this was the only path left, a desperate fight to the death—perhaps, in death, he could find release.

A guttural roar rang out.

The berserk demon rat’s razor-sharp claws exuded a chilling cold. Its lantern-sized eyes were bloodshot, and its filthy black fur was matted with blood. Such a monstrous beast standing before a man looked every bit a demon. In a heartbeat, Wang Cheng’s courage evaporated.

But then—

A cold, indifferent voice spat, “Cut!” In the next instant, Wang Cheng saw a man in a dark cloak, wielding a katana, appear before him. The newcomer said nothing, simply vanished in a blink, reappeared before the demon rat, and slashed its flesh with the blade. Immediately, a torrent of rat blood gushed forth.

The berserk demon rat howled as Yang Fan’s blade split open its abdomen. The beast swung its vicious claws, aiming to pierce Yang Fan’s heart and kill him, but it was futile. Yang Fan moved with a ghostly swiftness, dodging and leaping. In a flash, he stood before its forehead, and with a sweep of the Thunder Blade, a streak of white light flashed.

The massive rat’s severed head floated in the air, denied even a final howl.

One berserk demon rat was slain—Yang Fan’s movements were ethereal, effortless. Just a slash, an end, a kill.

Another berserk demon rat, witnessing its companion’s death, shrieked and charged at Yang Fan, but the Thunder Blade struck once more—swift, ruthless, and precise. Another demon rat fell. The last surviving beast, sensing danger, turned to flee.

Steel Energy Slam!

But Yang Fan was already upon it, shattering its bones, and with one stroke of the Thunder Blade, not a single rat survived.

—

“Amazing… incredible…” Wang Cheng gaped at Fu Gaobin, at a loss for words, only blurting out what was on his mind. On the other side, He Xiao, Ji Wu, and another girl stood frozen in shock.

“Don’t waste it, don’t waste it!” Fu Gaobin, snapping out of his astonishment, hurried onto the battlefield to collect the corpses of the three berserk demon rats. Ever since he’d tasted their flesh, he hadn’t been able to forget it. Not only was the meat harmless, it even strengthened the body—so of course, he wasn’t about to waste any.

A single berserk demon rat could feed their group for a month. With three rats and even their blood, nothing was left to waste. Wang Cheng and the others looked on in surprise, not understanding why he was so intent on collecting the corpses.

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“It’s you…” Suddenly, Ji Wu cried out in astonishment, staring at Yang Fan in disbelief. With her exclamation, the others also turned to look at Yang Fan, each wearing the same incredulous expression.

“It’s him…” He Xiao hadn’t expected that the one who saved him was the very person he had once scolded and berated. For someone who had always excelled since childhood, this realization left He Xiao deeply uncomfortable, as if something was stuck in his chest.

“Thank you.” Wang Cheng, recovering his composure faster than anyone but Fu Gaobin, bowed to Yang Fan with genuine gratitude, then turned to glare coldly at He Xiao. “You bastard.” With that, he suddenly lunged forward, gripping the fire axe as if he meant to kill He Xiao. He Xiao immediately sensed danger and grew flustered, but quickly regained his composure, gripping his broadsword tightly, a vicious glint in his eyes.

But at that moment, Yang Fan stepped in front of him, blocking Wang Cheng’s way.

“What are you doing?” Wang Cheng was taken aback that the man who had just saved him would now stand in his path.

Ji Wu didn’t understand, nor did Fu Gaobin, nor anyone else in the vehicle. As for He Xiao, he was equally baffled.

Watching the snow fall from the sky, Yang Fan looked at Wang Cheng, and for a brief moment it was as if he saw his past self, betrayed by Qin Ziwen. He spoke slowly: “In the apocalypse, his actions aren’t excessive. Ji Wu is the one he cares for, so he tried to save her. It doesn’t make him bad—just means your bond isn’t strong enough. Besides… do you really think you could kill him?”

Yang Fan’s voice was cold as ice. The wind whipped his purple cloak, his words striking deep. Half of Wang Cheng’s anger was extinguished on the spot.

“I… I understand,” Wang Cheng sighed, turning away from Yang Fan to glare at He Xiao. “I’ll let Ji Wu go, but Liu Xing was just an ordinary classmate and you chose to save her instead of me. He Xiao, you’re lacking as a person.”

Fury boiled in Wang Cheng’s chest. He Xiao’s face darkened, and he said nothing. The girl called Liu Xing regained her wits and snapped, “Wang Cheng, if you’re useless, just admit you’re useless—stop blaming He Xiao. You’re not only lacking as a person, but you’re also an idiot.”

Liu Xing’s words were venomous, and Wang Cheng was nearly driven mad with rage. Before the apocalypse, he had always claimed brotherhood was everything, but when danger struck, he was betrayed by his own friend. This grudge ran deep. Coupled with the woman’s insults, Wang Cheng could hardly keep from coughing up blood.

“She’s right—it’s your own lack of ability,” Yang Fan interjected again, leaving Wang Cheng speechless, for he could see Yang Fan’s strength with his own eyes. But then Yang Fan added, “Become my subordinate. I can make you strong.”

Yang Fan’s words stunned him. Wang Cheng’s eyes lit up, glancing at Yang Fan in disbelief. “Really?”

“What do you think?”

Yang Fan wasted no words, gesturing to Fu Gaobin to get in the vehicle.

Wang Cheng snapped to attention and hurried after Yang Fan. He didn’t know why Yang Fan wanted him as a follower, but something told him that if he followed, his fate might change…

“The vehicle is large enough. You can all come with us,” Yang Fan said to Ji Wu.

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The three of them immediately sighed in relief, their faces lighting up with joy—but Yang Fan’s next words made their expressions darken.

“But you two cannot get in,” he said firmly, pointing to He Xiao and Liu Xing.

“You… Hmph, fine, we won’t ride with you. Ji Wu, Xing, don’t worry, as long as I’m here you’ll be safe. This man recruiting Wang Cheng must have ulterior motives. The world’s gone mad, and some people have lost all humanity. Let’s go,” He Xiao retorted, recovering quickly. He knew Ji Wu’s temperament—she was no opportunist—so he made his case right away. Now that all pretenses were dropped, he had nothing to fear.

But before Yang Fan could reply, Wang Cheng sneered, “Yes, some people really aren’t human anymore. I wonder who it was just a few days ago who said, once we found a safe place, we should take all the women by force and pass them around for fun. He Xiao, your shamelessness knows no bounds.”

With the truth laid bare, He Xiao’s face changed drastically, panic flashing in his eyes. Ji Wu and Liu Xing immediately turned to glare at him with disgust.

“You’re talking nonsense!” He Xiao forced himself to stay calm, cursing Wang Cheng. He turned to Ji Wu and Liu Xing, pleading, “He’s just bitter and spouting lies. Ji Wu, you know I love you. I’d never force you. Let’s go, we have to leave now.”

The more He Xiao spoke, the more composed he became, leaving the two women uncertain whom to trust.

At this moment, Yang Fan spoke up.

“Do you realize the world has changed? It’s no longer what it once was. You say you love Ji Wu, but you have no power to protect her. If I hadn’t stepped in earlier, you all would be dead. So, if you truly love Ji Wu, you should leave her here.”

Yang Fan’s words were sharp as knives.

Tension filled the air.

(Today, I suffered a devastating blow. My heart feels as if it’s been cut open. I ran all morning, then stood under freezing cold water for over an hour—just short of self-harm. My heart is shattered like glass, and I keep rolling over those shards, the pain unbearable, as if someone is stabbing my heart again and again. I know men shouldn’t cry, but I wept until my small room shook, until my sobs were raw and wrenching. I stared helplessly at my phone, with no one to confide in. Since I started writing, I haven’t spoken to anyone. I’ve lost so much. It took me three hours, pushing through the pain, to finish this chapter. I don’t know how long I can keep going, or if I’ll break. All I know is, I’m still alive… I…)