Chapter 53: “Can I Touch You?”
Guanzi Ning, sitting in the back seat, spoke up, “Indeed, it is a sensory talent. Not just in this aspect—her danger perception is also very sharp. Last time when the ‘Bone Wings’ appeared, if she had been a bit slower in dodging, she would have been pierced along with it. But, Major, what kind of creepy thing did you kill this time? The side effects are really uncomfortable.”
She paused and described the feeling, “Like a dead ghost is lying on top of you.”
In the sweltering heat, Cen Tianjiao and the others all shivered.
Cen Tianjiao rubbed his arms, “Sister Ning, your description is spot on. We did run into a tough ‘dead ghost’ this time. Almost didn’t make it back.”
Shi Zijin also felt helpless, “Let’s go see the old commander first.”
When Xing Hongwen saw Shi Zijin, whose aura was unusually eerie, he frowned, “The side effects are pretty severe this time. Was this thing hard to deal with?”
Shi Zijin replied, “That person’s ability was ‘Wraith.’ At night, he would vanish without a trace. It took some effort to find a sunny day, and only when he showed up did I get the chance to kill him. I’m not sure if it was because too many people were possessed by his wraith state, but after licking his blood, I received fragments of several people’s memories. It’s too chaotic and hard to digest, which is why I’ve been feeling this strange sense of possession. It should pass once I fully process his memories and powers.”
Xing Hongwen sighed in relief, “As long as there’s no real harm to you. I’ve already sent Pei Dong to receive the batch of construction materials you brought. Once everything is set, construction can start this week.”
The old man sighed again, “But building the city walls will take time. During this period, there’s a high chance of evolved zombies launching surprise attacks. Yesterday, Pei Dong reported that evolved zombies were spotted in the eastern district. They killed two refugees and then disappeared. It feels like they’re either testing us or outright provoking us.”
“A zombie siege seems inevitable. So, after you’ve rested, Lexi, I’ll need you to go out and gather more construction materials.”
“Additionally, we need medicines and medical equipment. As evolved zombies increase, our casualties will too. Healers with healing abilities are too rare—we still need medical support.”
Shi Zijin felt the weight on his shoulders increase.
Xing Hongwen shared the pressure, “And then there’s the mutant zombie, ‘Bone Wings.’ Although we’ve captured it, with our current research capabilities, we can’t fully understand its mutation patterns and behavior. We’ll have to secretly transport it to the Changjing Base, where a specialized team with advanced equipment can take over.”
Shi Zijin nodded, “Can I take a look at it?”
Xing Hongwen then had a top-grade researcher from Dongyang lead Shi Zijin and his team into the Level 1 confidential research area.
One electronic gate after another opened until Shi Zijin finally saw the ‘Bone Wings’ youth, floating in the nutrient solution with his eyes closed.
The boy’s features were delicate and beautiful, showing no signs of a zombie at all.
Behind him was a massive pair of folded wings, with blood-red feathers connected to bony joints—strange and terrifying.
The researcher said, “We’ve put him into a deep sleep state, halting all possibilities of growth and activity. Otherwise, with his destructive power, he might tear down my lab.”
Shi Zijin asked, “He won’t wake up during transport, right?”
That would be troublesome.
The researcher patted his chest confidently, “As long as the protective chamber remains intact, he won’t wake up. Plus, the chamber is made of special materials—not easy to break under normal circumstances. Just keep someone like Second Lieutenant Dang, with his brute strength, from punching it.”
As the team’s tank and close-combat specialist, Dang Xingyan chuckled.
On the way back, Shi Zijin’s mind was filled with the hardships of the next mission.
Not only did they need to find construction materials, medicines, and medical equipment, but they also had to deliver this ‘Bone Wings’ hot potato to Changjing.
Cen Tianjiao and the others were equally exhausted.
Being the heart of the base was no easy task.
On their backs rested the lives of nearly 50,000 people in the base.
That weight was enough to make it hard to breathe.
Cen Tianjiao sprawled out in the back seat, “I don’t care anymore. I need to get back to Taoyang and enjoy a few days of comfort with my mom. We’ll deal with the rest later.”
Shi Zijin patted the driver, Dang Xingyan, “Step on it. I’m tired.”
Dang Xingyan floored the gas pedal.
By the time they returned to Taoyang, it was already past ten o’clock.
The central park at night was especially beautiful, with ground lights under the fountain casting shimmering reflections on the water.
Amid the shimmering water and under the moonlight, Shi Zijin saw Su Tao lying on a lounge chair by the fountain.
Su Tao happened to get up and look back, catching sight of Shi Zijin in the night.
The sense of unfamiliarity peaked, making her swallow back the questions she wanted to ask.
She stood still, unwilling to take a step forward.
Shi Zijin couldn’t help but laugh, “It’s really me.”
Su Tao said honestly, “But I feel like you’re a bit different. It’s so strange.”
“Where do you think I’m different?”
“Your aura and state. There were moments where you felt like a ghost—creepy.”
Shi Zijin hadn’t expected her to be so perceptive. She was almost entirely right, and he didn’t know how to respond.
Su Tao tilted her head and asked, “Can I touch you?”
Her genuinely curious gaze made Shi Zijin think she looked like a little bunny observing in secret—alert, yet with little self-protection.
He couldn’t resist teasing her ,”One touch, and you’ll find your hand passes right through me.”
Su Tao’s scalp tingled, “…Hand out.”
Shi Zijin extended his hand. Under the moonlight, his fingers were long and slender, with distinct knuckles—beautiful.
Calluses on his thumb and fingertips hinted at long-term gun use.
Su Tao pursed her lips and stretched out a small, fair finger, gently poking his palm.
Hey, solid and warm.
She immediately beamed, revealing a row of small white teeth:
“Assessment complete. Basically qualified. Then maybe something happened to you. Can I know what it was?”
Shi Zijin withdrew his hand, clenching his palm, where a lingering tickle remained.
“It has to do with my abilities.”
Su Tao remembered how he said this was classified information before and immediately became wary, “Now that you say it, I’m afraid to hear it. What if someone captures me and forces me to talk? I definitely don’t have that iron-willed resolve. I’d surely give in under pressure.”
Hearing her playful words, Shi Zijin couldn’t help but laugh.
The heavy burden that had weighed on him all day suddenly felt much lighter.
“It’s okay. I permit you to get captured and sell my information to save your life.”
Su Tao immediately put on an expression of rapt attention.
She even gestured for him to lie down with her on the lounge chair beside her for a detailed chat.
Shi Zijin did as suggested. The moment he lay down, the relaxation of his body made the last bit of pressure vanish.
Even his voice sounded much lighter:
“My ability is called ‘Inheritance.’ When I kill someone and lick their blood, I can gain that person’s memories and abilities. It’s like inheriting these two things from them.”
Su Tao was so shocked she almost jumped off the chair.
Doesn’t that mean he could possess multiple abilities?
Oh my god.
No wonder it had to be kept a secret.
