A Time-Traveling Zombie Romance (GL) - Chapter 9

That morning, I still woke up early and was squatting in the courtyard, holding my horse stance. Yunxi sat on a small wooden stool beside me, engrossed in her book.

Suddenly, she put the book down and said, “Junior Brother, yesterday… are you alright?”

“Uh… I’m fine. What’s the matter, Sister?” I asked, a little puzzled.

“Oh.”

“Hehe, Sister, don’t tell me you’re afraid of me now,” I teased, noticing her hesitation.

“Who… who said that?” Yunxi stammered, looking as if a secret had been exposed. She lowered her head slightly, feeling shy.

“Haha, by the way, Sister, who exactly is this so-called ‘Uncle Senior’ (Shishu)? I’ve never heard Master mention him,” I said, rubbing my nose and laughing.

“Well, I just heard about him from Master yesterday. His name is Qin Fei. Within the sect, because of his cleverness, his martial arts are just slightly below Master’s, but in recent years, he’s killed countless zombies. His specialties are lightness skills and hidden weapons. His lightness is so fast that one cannot see his shadow; even running across trees leaves no trace. His hidden weapons are swift, precise, and deadly. The martial world calls him ‘Flying Meteor’. He’s killed thousands of zombies…” Yunxi’s voice grew quieter as she cautiously watched my reaction.

I laughed. “Haha, Sister, I don’t mind. That’s just old grudges from the past. Besides, it was the zombies who were at fault first. Uncle Senior’s actions were necessary to protect the innocent. It’s nothing serious. Yesterday I told them not to disturb humans recklessly anymore. With me, the Zombie Emperor, stepping in, they naturally behave. However… these undead are also my subjects, but they have no self-control over bl00d. This will be a tough problem to handle.” I looked up at the sky, lost in thought.

“Yes, that is indeed troublesome. I suppose Uncle Senior will continue exterminating zombies,” Yunxi said.

“Haha, heh heh,” I suddenly burst into laughter.

“Junior Brother, what’s so funny all of a sudden?” Yunxi asked curiously.

“I remembered something a zombie said yesterday. Hehe,” I said, laughing.

“Oh? What did it say to make you so happy?” Yunxi asked with interest.

“Yesterday, one zombie said, ‘That human stinky Taoist killed so many of our brothers. We are filled with resentment. But we don’t have his skills; otherwise, we’d have drunk their bl00d already. Especially that old Taoist in a black cloak, he killed so many of our brothers. I even smelled his bad breath last time—it’s worse than rotting corpses! Haha!’” I laughed, holding my stomach. “Clearly, he was talking about Uncle Senior, haha.”

“Hehe.” Yunxi held a handkerchief before her, her eyes crescent-shaped, full of amusement, softly laughing.

“Bang~” Suddenly, a fist-sized stone flew from a distance, hitting my knee.

“Ouch~!” My leg went numb, and I collapsed from my horse stance.

“Junior Brother!” Yunxi jumped up in alarm, running over as I held my knee in pain. “Junior Brother, are you alright?”

“Sister… my… knee… hurts~~” I said, holding it, tears welling in my eyes.

“Ah! Your knee is bleeding!” Yunxi rolled up my pants to reveal a swollen, bruised knee with a little fresh bl00d. She looked heartbroken, tears threatening to fall.

“Ouch~” Pain shot through my knee again as Yunxi’s tears fell onto it. Feeling uncomfortable, I wiped them away gently.

“Haha, such a small hit, and you’re all crying? How boring.” At that moment, Uncle Senior Qin Fei and Master slowly approached. Qin Fei teased,

“Uncle Senior, why did you hit Junior Brother?” Yunxi turned to him, fuming.

“Impudent! Yunxi, how dare you yell at your Uncle Senior!” Master frowned at her.

“This boy shows no respect to elders, and was speaking ill behind my back. This is just a small punishment,” Qin Fei pouted.

“Uncle Senior, even if Junior Brother was wrong, you didn’t need to hit him so hard. Moreover, he only repeated what others said, not spreading gossip himself. Isn’t your reaction a little… petty?” Yunxi helped me sit on the stool, glaring at Qin Fei.

“You…” Qin Fei was left speechless.

“Impudent, Yunxi, you’ve gone too far,” Master said, slightly angry.

“Master, I’ve always listened to you, but please forgive me this once. If anyone bullies Junior Brother, I won’t let it go. Besides, Junior Brother saved my life when I was a child, pulling me from the jaws of zombies. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t be alive today. I will protect him in this life, no matter what,” Yunxi said righteously, looking Master in the eye.

“Sister…” I stared at her beautiful face, warmth flooding my heart. She held my hand tightly.

“Ah… well, fine, fine.” Master sighed, turning away with his hands behind his back.

“Uncle Senior, you must apologize to Junior Brother today, or… I’ll challenge you,” Yunxi said, drawing her sword.

“Uh…” Qin Fei didn’t expect this outcome, and looked slightly guilty. “Ah, I’m at fault. I shouldn’t have vented on Qi’er. I apologize.”

“Uh… it’s… okay, Uncle Senior. It wasn’t my fault either,” I said, slightly surprised.

Yunxi’s expression eased, and she helped me walk slowly toward the room, supporting me.

Master watched me limp away, and said, “Qi’er, your ten-year term is complete. Your family must miss you greatly. Tomorrow, you’ll descend the mountain, taking Yunxi with you. Prepare your belongings tonight.”

I paused and asked curiously, “Master, aren’t you coming with me?”

“No, I have to accompany your Uncle Senior back to the sect. Ten years away… we must pay respects to your ancestral masters and your senior uncle and aunt.”

“Oh, very well.”

“Sister, tomorrow we’ll leave the mountain,” I whispered softly to Yunxi as we sat on the bed.

“Yes… I’ll miss this place a bit,” she replied, carefully tending to my wounds.

“Ah, Sister, what you just said touched me so much,” I said, suddenly moved, holding her hand.

Yunxi froze, then blushed.

“Hehe,” I smiled foolishly, holding her hand as she stayed shyly red-faced.

The next day…

“Master, Uncle Senior, take care,” Yunxi said, carrying her bag, unwilling to part.

“Master, when will we see you again?” I asked, reluctant to leave.

“I don’t know! Don’t worry, I will come to find you,” Master sighed.

“Yunxi, Qi’er, take care,” Qin Fei said.

“Yes, Uncle Senior, Master, until we meet again,” I bowed and, holding Yunxi’s hand, limped away.

“Ah, some things they must experience. Even if society won’t tolerate it, they’ll be together. Junior Brother… is this the fateful bond Master mentioned ten years ago?” Master said, watching our backs.

“Hehe, Senior Brother, no. I see it as a rare destiny. They can break social norms—who else can do that? Ordinary people stick to rigid ideas of male and female, lovers. That’s just outdated,” Qin Fei said, smiling lightly.

“Let’s hope so… a rare destiny.”

The morning sun rose higher, bathing the earth in warm light, lingering…