A Time-Traveling Zombie Romance (GL) - Chapter 31

“Zhang Xiaoqi… did you hear something just now?” Mu Jinyi’s voice trembled slightly as she whispered to me.

“I heard it—a scream!” I frowned.

“Yes… it was terrible.”

“No, I have to go see what’s happening.” I said, opening the door and heading downstairs.

“Hey… hey, Zhang—” Mu Jinyi hadn’t had time to stop me. Seeing me rush down, she hurried after me.

The innkeeper saw me and stepped forward, asking, “Young Master, may I ask what orders you have?”

“I need to go out for a moment.” I bypassed him and walked toward the door.

The innkeeper panicked when he realized I intended to leave. He blocked my path: “This isn’t allowed, Young Master! Outside, there’s a monster! You’ll die if you go out!!!”

I was slightly angry. “Didn’t you hear that scream just now? Someone is out there!”

“Alas, this has happened countless times in our town. We’re powerless. That monster is too powerful for ordinary folks like us to defeat. Going out would just be a death wish,” the innkeeper sighed.

“Human life is paramount. How can it be ignored? Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.” I brushed past him and ran toward the source of the sound.

Mu Jinyi arrived just as I ran out. She exclaimed anxiously, “There’s a monster outside, and she went out? Isn’t she afraid of dying? Well, let’s go.” Using lightness skills, she instantly vanished beside me, following me.

The innkeeper stood there, stunned. “Ah… two more young and handsome masters will die tonight. Such a pity.”

“Hey, Zhang Xiaoqi, why didn’t you wait for me!” Mu Jinyi ran up beside me, smiling.

I froze, then frowned in slight anger. “You came too?”

“Why? You can come, but I can’t?”

“Do you know how dangerous this place is?”

“You came despite the danger?” Mu Jinyi retorted.

“I’m different from you!” I said.

“How different? You’re human, and so am I. Aren’t we the same?”

Her words left me speechless for a moment. Then I frowned. “Be careful.”

I activated my lightness skill and flew forward, with Mu Jinyi close behind.

Following the sound, we arrived at a clearing surrounded by trees, with a lake nearby. In the center lay a dark, indistinct shape. As Mu Jinyi and I approached, we saw it was a mutilated adult man—missing limbs, head, and intestines spilled, bl00d darkened on the ground. His eyes were wide with terror, as if he had seen something horrifying…

Both Mu Jinyi and I felt our stomachs churn at the sight of the dismembered corpse. We struggled to hold back nausea—it was the first time seeing a human corpse, and such a gruesome one at that. Anyone who saw it would feel the same.

The area was saturated with evil energy; the monster must be nearby. Cautiously, I slowly drew my sword and gripped it tightly, scanning the surroundings.

Mu Jinyi also felt the strangeness of the surroundings. The silence was so intense she could hear our heartbeats. Suddenly, a soft sword appeared in her hand, her palms slightly sweating.

Then, the quiet of the clearing was broken by a strange laughter.

“Ha ha ha! Another delicious meal delivered to my door! Today’s my lucky day!”

A figure in bl00d-red and black robes descended from the sky, landing about five meters in front of us.

“Who are you?” Mu Jinyi asked foolishly.

“I’m not human,” the monster-illusion replied.

“What kind of monster are you?” I frowned.

“Fine. Since you’ll die soon, I’ll let you know. I’m a 500-year-old aquatic centipede, feeding solely on humans,” the centipede said arrogantly.

“Not human?” Mu Jinyi froze.

“Fiend! You’ve killed countless lives! Today I’ll kill you to avenge them!” I pointed my sword coldly at the water centipede.

“Oh? You have that ability? Those stinky Taoists and bald monks said the same thing—avenge the heavens—but they ended up in my stomach. Who do you think you are? Even the so-called martial arts masters are just ants compared to me,” the water centipede sneered.

“Zhang Xiaoqi, it’s a monster! We can’t win. Should we escape?” Mu Jinyi tugged at my sleeve, whispering.

The centipede, of course, heard her. It laughed three times: “Since you’re here, there’s no way out. Just obediently be my dinner!”

“Don’t worry. I’m confident. Who lives and who dies isn’t certain yet,” I said, gripping my sword.

“Refuse wine but drink punishment!” The centipede revealed murderous intent, running at us with black twin blades, clearly poisoned.

I blocked and counterattacked immediately.

“Not bad. Interesting,” the water centipede sneered.

Mu Jinyi quickly joined the fight. Our coordination was excellent. I didn’t know her sword style, but together we were effective, capable of offense and defense. After over a hundred exchanges, the water centipede grew impatient. With a roar, its back sprouted thick, long spines; its eyes turned red; two curved pincers appeared by its mouth; its hands transformed into crab-like claws; its lower body became the long, multi-legged form of a centipede, greatly enlarged…

“Is this still a centipede? Clearly a monster,” Mu Jinyi said, eyebrows furrowed.

“Not human, yet pretending? Absolutely ridiculous,” I teased.

“Seeking death!” The water centipede’s eyes gleamed bloodthirstily as it lunged with its centipede legs.

“Dodge!” Mu Jinyi and I split, attacking from opposite sides.

The water centipede’s speed and power had multiplied, countering our moves and even striking back. We began to feel overwhelmed.

“Ah!” Suddenly, Mu Jinyi was struck, flying tens of meters, spitting bl00d, her vision going black as she fainted.

“Mu Jinyi!!” I shouted, frowning when she didn’t respond.

“Ha ha, now it’s just you. Obey, and maybe I’ll make your death less painful,” the water centipede taunted.

“Heh, we’ll see who dies,” I said, lowering my head. Slowly, my eyes turned bl00d-red. The centipede froze.

“Wooo~~!” I howled, fangs lengthened, nails blackened, black smoke swirling around me, immense power radiating outward.

“What… what are you?!” The water centipede was stunned, sensing a kingly aura far stronger than itself.

“Sorry, I’m like you—not human,” I sneered.

“What kind of monster are you?”

“I’m not a monster either. I’m a corpse, my subjects call me ‘The Emperor.’” I raised my hand, admiring my nails, licking a nearby blade.

“What!!! You… are… the Corpse Emperor?!” The water centipede was shocked, trembling.

“Smart.”

“Heh, Corpse Emperor, this is probably a misunderstanding. Our kind and your corpse kind stay out of each other’s business. Let’s stop fighting. I’ll give you all the bl00d from that person, just let me have his heart, okay?” The centipede’s tone softened after realizing I was the Corpse Emperor.

“No,” I said coldly.

Its expression changed. “Corpse Emperor, don’t be greedy. I respect you as the king of corpses, so I gave you some, but now you want it all?”

“Who I choose, you have no right to take,” I replied, smiling.

“I judge your cultivation is only six hundred years. Worst-case, we both suffer, and you gain nothing,” the centipede thought fiercely.

“Then let’s see.”

I summoned the Bloodthirsty Sword and attacked. The sword was given to me after my first layer of cultivation, said to contain the bl00d of an ancient corpse king. The stronger the king, the stronger the sword. The blade was silver with red light, a gem-studded hilt, and a small skull at the center.

After cultivating, my power and speed doubled. Before the centipede could react, I dashed to its front and slashed. Its crab-like claws barely blocked my strike, black bl00d dripping from them.

It tried to grab me with its pincers. I flipped back, landing safely. Its twin blades appeared again, and we collided, sparks flying.

From the outside, it looked like two shadows dancing wildly. After over a hundred exchanges, we separated. I had minor wounds, but they healed within seconds, leaving no scars. I felt fresh, full of limitless power.

The water centipede, however, was severely wounded, black bl00d flowing. It was exhausted.

I lunged, aiming for its head. It dodged, but one pincer was severed, bl00d gushing. With a roar, it transformed into a massive centipede and dove into the lake, fleeing quickly.

“Corpse Emperor, I will avenge my severed arm! Wait for me!!” were the last words it left behind.

“Phew…” I exhaled in relief. That battle was intense. I had doubts about winning, but I emerged victorious, solidifying my confidence.

“Damn, why didn’t I finish it off? It’ll harm others again. Well, next time, I’ll take its head,” I muttered.

I glanced at Mu Jinyi, still unconscious a few dozen meters away, and crouched beside her. “You insisted on going out despite being overpowered…” I shook my head, smiling bitterly.

I lifted her onto my back and flew back to the inn.