Chapter Thirteen: No Choice but to Face

During all this, the three women would occasionally glance at Qi Xi, who stood motionless. They watched him with terror, wondering if this man, putting on a calm facade, had already resigned himself to death. Their hearts sank into utter despair, as if plunged into an icy abyss, and their movements grew sluggish.

Crack, crack, crack, crack, crack, crack, crack!

The door handle was about to give way, yet the three women continued to fumble about, aimless and slow. Nan Housheng shouted at the top of his lungs, “Faster! What are you doing?!”

Startled, the three women hurried their actions, quickly moving a pane of glass over to brace the door.

But just then, the handle finally broke under the pressure. The round glass, pushed by the door, scraped against the floor, producing a screeching sound. The zombies were howling, forcing more than half their bodies through the gap.

“Brother Qi! Is it ready yet?” Watermelon, already aware of the commotion behind the door, couldn’t help but shout. The zombies were about to burst through. Even though he knew from his past life that Qi Xi would succeed in using the Thunderblade Technique, now, faced with such imminent danger, he couldn’t suppress his anxiety.

He felt frustrated. He desperately wanted to guide everyone to avoid this peril. Having experienced this once in his previous life, he knew what danger awaited here. But if they circumvented this crisis, Qi Xi wouldn’t be able to comprehend the Thunderblade Technique, and his memories would veer off course.

The consequences could be dire.

Most reborn individuals seem to control everything, altering history’s flow however they please, without a second thought for the repercussions. They bend the course of others’ lives at will, utterly unconcerned.

But to change others’ history so recklessly and still believe you’re in control—it’s pure nonsense.

Watermelon was different. He understood the taboos. He would avoid certain death, but when danger promised great reward, he would not shy away.

This choice led to their current predicament.

“In front of a seasoned traveler between worlds, I’m still a rookie,” Watermelon mused, frustrated. Even with the cheat of reincarnation, he still felt woefully inexperienced. This was the last situation he wanted, but it was inevitable.

“Keep calm.” Qi Xi, seeing Watermelon's agitation, now truly displayed the demeanor of a veteran traverser.

Though he had only crossed over once before, it was enough to be considered a senior—just not a very experienced one.

The number of times a traverser has journeyed is a closely guarded secret; among professionals, no one knows another’s tally. There are only veterans and novices.

That was why Watermelon showed such respect to this half-baked senior.

Qi Xi slowly raised the hatchet, an overwhelming aura emanating from him, shaking the hearts of all present.

Beside him, Li Feidao stared in astonishment at Qi Xi, who now seemed transformed. This man was clearly extraordinary!

Qi Xi finally opened his eyes. Within them burned a sharp, boundless vitality. “It’s ready. Step aside, Watermelon, Li Feidao.”

“Alright!” In the previous life, Watermelon had hesitated, but now, knowing what would happen next, he stepped aside without a second thought, anticipation welling up inside him.

Li Feidao, seeing Watermelon move, realized staying put would be fatal. Cursing under his breath, he steeled himself and moved aside as well.

Five zombies still capable of movement lunged at them.

Qi Xi sneered, “Prepare to die!”

He gripped the hatchet with one hand and charged forward!

The zombies hurtled towards him, eager to devour this brazen human—a prospect that filled them with unholy delight. Their howls grew even more frenzied as they saw him approach.

Qi Xi dove into the horde. His mind was clear, utterly free of distraction. He twisted and moved with uncanny agility, slipping through the zombies’ attack range, weaving through them with ease.

His movements were so swift and nimble that he passed through their onslaught unharmed, emerging behind them.

He looked down at three zombies struggling to rise, raised his hatchet, and finished them off.

Meanwhile, in less than a second, the five attacking zombies all had their heads sent rolling across the floor!

The thick-bladed hatchet was impossibly sharp.

No, it was Qi Xi’s technique that was truly remarkable!

Li Feidao was dumbstruck, his mouth agape, staring at the dispatched zombies in disbelief. He was at a loss for words; was this even human?

It was beyond extraordinary!

Not only he, but Xiao Fengyu, Liang Fei, Qiu Xiaoyan, and Nan Housheng all witnessed the scene, their mouths forming perfect O’s in astonishment.

It was incredible.

The four, who had been shrouded in despair, suddenly felt a surge of hope.

The door continued to give way, and Xiao Fengyu and the others, jolted into action, ran over at once.

“To the back door,” Watermelon said.

In the previous life, after much searching, Xiao Fengyu and Liang Fei had both been infected before finally finding the back door as an escape route. This time, Watermelon knew what to do and could prevent such tragedy.

Everyone rushed to the rear. No one realized that Watermelon’s simple words had just saved two lives.

The back exit led through the kitchen, where another door awaited. As they opened it, three zombies in chef’s uniforms lunged at them.

Without hesitation, Qi Xi cut them down. Despite the carnage, not a drop of blood stained him—true mastery.

“Take the kitchen knives,” Qi Xi instructed.

Everyone discarded their nearly useless, rusty blades and fire pokers, replacing them with sharp kitchen knives from the restaurant.

Soon, they reached the back door. As soon as it was opened, a zombie lunged forward.

Qi Xi was ready. With a swift kick and a faster slash of his knife, he cut deep into the zombie’s neck. The creature crashed to the ground, its head flung off by the force.

“Move!”

“Quickly!”

Before long, they reached the police station.

They opened the door and shut it behind them. Immediately, zombies outside hurled themselves at the entrance, trying to force it open, but those inside braced it firmly. The zombies pounded on the glass, desperate to break through.

The police station’s glass doors were much sturdier than those of the restaurant, so there was no need to worry about them shattering—only about the zombies forcing them open. Zombies were strong, and there were many, but if they lost sight of their prey, they would soon disperse.

Nan Housheng held the door while Feidao, Watermelon, and Qi Xi dragged a ten-by-two meter office desk to barricade it firmly. No matter how the zombies pushed, the door barely budged.

Staying here too long, however, would only attract more zombies—everyone knew this. Qi Xi led the way to another door, which, when opened, revealed a zombie in a police uniform lunging at them.

Qi Xi dodged the fatal attack and struck with his knife.

With a wet thud, the zombie collapsed.

They shut the door and carefully surveyed the hallway.

“I never imagined there wouldn’t be any survivors in the police station… They’ve all turned,” Li Feidao said in disbelief. “It’s terrifying.”

Nan Housheng, now breathless, leaned on his knees, gasping. “Maybe… maybe we’re the only ones left in this county.”

“That can’t be,” Qiu Xiaoyan replied, fear in her voice. “There are so many people in this county—there must be other survivors.” The thought that only they remained filled her with dread. Had her parents, husband, and everyone else she loved died? How could she accept that?

“I know what you’re thinking. You hope your family survived,” Nan Housheng said quietly. “I hope the same… but the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment. Never mind. I shouldn’t have said that. Sorry.”

Seeing the three women’s faces darken, Nan Housheng realized he’d said too much and quickly apologized, falling silent.