PSW - Chapter 159

Chapter 159

Although the three Xias concealed some secrets and gave off a very strange feeling, they hadn't done anything out of the ordinary since arriving at the Zhongshan base. They behaved perfectly normally. Led by Xia Sheng, they immediately traded for a batch of food and water, then rented a place for a short-term stay and wandered around the base as anyone would.

And when Wan Yinyue and the others proposed they go their separate ways, Xia Sheng didn't try to stop them.

Perhaps it was best to observe them a little longer. Yes, first, she would visit the base leader here. It would be best to have Zhongshan's ability users secretly watch the trio. Wan Yinyue quickly made her decision. She and Xie Congdong parted ways with the three Xias, found the relevant personnel by asking other ability users, and presented the token representing Humanity's Light, stating their purpose and requesting to speak with the leader of the Zhongshan base.

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The cooperation talks between Humanity's Light and Zhongshan went very smoothly. When Feng Shuxian finished reading the letter from Humanity's Light and saw the name "Zheng Yi" mentioned, she instinctively rubbed the back of her hand, understanding the goodwill of these two visitors. Zheng Yi, from Humanity's Light?

Feng Shuxian could never forget the benefactor who had helped their base during the last high-temperature period, especially since not much time had passed. Zhongshan still offered sincere blessings to that Saint every month.

Resource trade, shared cooperation, and extending that to scientific research… an enhancement potion for ability users? Feng Shuxian took the potion that Wan Yinyue had carefully retrieved from her storage space. Swirling the bottle, she could clearly sense the energy contained within. Zhongshan had no research in this area, but… they could offer some help in terms of construction or tool invention. Feng Shuxian thought of the materials and various modified machines piled up in her "warehouse" and guessed that perhaps the research institute at Humanity's Light… well, they might have some interest in these things?

"Once this high-temperature period is over, I will organize a team of ability users to visit Humanity's Light," Feng Shuxian said, folding the letter, carefully placing it back in the envelope, and storing it away before giving her reply. "A pleasure to work with you."

"The pleasure is all ours." Wan Yinyue broke into a bright smile and raised her hand to shake Feng Shuxian's outstretched one. The two women looked at each other and smiled.

With official business concluded, Wan Yinyue naturally brought up what had happened on their journey, specifically mentioning the three Xias who had arrived at Zhongshan with them and explaining the strange and dangerous feeling she got from them.

Feng Shuxian nodded, not dismissing the warning. "I'll have people watch them discreetly." Whatever their scheme was, it would be discovered immediately.

While they were discussing their cooperation, Xia Sheng was re-evaluating and scrutinizing the Xia siblings. His unnaturally pale face lifted from the shadows of his hood, and he offered a gentle smile. "You two seem to be secretly giving off a 'we're so strange, we're so suspicious' vibe. Are you unwilling to acknowledge me as your brother? My dearest little brother and sister!"

"…" A chill ran down Xia Cheng and Xia Sheng's spines almost instinctively. They shook their heads repeatedly, but before they could even try to explain, the man burst into laughter again.

"Ha, hahaha, hahaha!" His unique tone, timbre, and even the rhythm of his laughter were identical to that of the main villain in Light Pretty Cure.

"We're the same kind now, you know. With my strength, I can escape safely even if I'm exposed. But you two can't." He flashed a wide, exaggerated smile, carefully studying their expressions. However, he felt a twinge of boredom when they didn't transform and show the reaction he'd hoped for. He let his smile fade, retreating back into the shadows.

"What-what do you mean?" An extremely unsettling feeling arose in both Xia Cheng and Xia Sheng's hearts. They had vaguely sensed danger before and had many suspicions about their future, but…

"Hey, hey, hey, I am, after all, the one and only, the most powerful… mutated zombie, as you call me! Someone like me would be a zombie king in the novels from before the apocalypse, right? You've been following me for so long, eating the food and water I gave you. Did you never think you've already been influenced, infiltrated by me?" As he spoke, he raised his arms and swayed slightly, as if he were engrossed in imitating a villain from Light Pretty Cure, and once again let out that signature three-part laugh. "Of course, because I've retained my sanity and my appearance hasn't changed much, and also considering I had to preserve your transformation abilities and couldn't let the zombification affect your transformed appearances… I thought about this for quite a while. So I adopted a relatively conservative and covert method of infiltration."

"!" Xia Cheng and Xia Sheng's pupils contracted. They exchanged a look and almost simultaneously reached for their wrists to check their pulses. No, they quickly pressed their fingers to the main arteries in their necks, feeling the strong throb and the flow of blood, feeling their own body heat. Only then did the momentary terror slowly, slightly, subside. "We're going to become zombies?! Zombies like you?"

"Yes. But don't worry, your appearances won't change much. Your body temperature will just get lower over time, your skin will turn paler, your heartbeats will slow, and you'll develop a certain desire for fresh blood and flesh. Relax, this craving can be controlled. As for whether you'll still have reproductive capabilities, I don't know. Perhaps you can experiment with that in the future." Xia Sheng opened his arms wide. "My dearest brother and sister! Now, we are truly a family! Heavens, that description sounds more like vampires, doesn't it? How romantic~ If only my own transformation could have been like this. A pity I never met a zombie as benevolent and great as myself."

Devil! Madman! Lunatic! Xia Cheng cursed him wildly in her mind. Brother and sister? How could this zombie monster possibly be their brother! Was she… was she no longer human? No, no, she was clearly an ability user… Why would an ability user turn into a zombie? She had to escape, she had to… If she killed this thing, would the transformation stop?

"What a beautiful day. Why don't we make today the anniversary for the three of us siblings? A wonderful idea. Let's go, let's go home. We can use this ham to make soup, or slice it up and savor it~ Oh, it would be even better if it were accompanied by an enthusiastic performance from my little brother and sister~ You know, I've always loved watching Light Pretty Cure and the Poli Guli Robot. I remember, when I was little, I often fantasized about being part of those magical worlds, imagining how I'd act if I were in them…" It was clear that this mutated zombie was in an excellent mood, so much so that he didn't even mind the uncontrollably offensive expressions on Xia Cheng and Xia Sheng's faces, nor did he punish them for it. He also abandoned his previous silent intimidation, opting instead for an exaggerated, enthusiastic approach. He slung an arm around each of the siblings, like a real older brother, and forcibly steered them toward the place they had temporarily rented.

"The three of us are one now. You don't want to be captured for research, do you? Even if I die, your transformation won't stop. Ah, you've watched so many anime, you should understand the meaning of the word 'contamination,' right? You've been contaminated by me~ It's irreversible~ Perhaps you can be saved in the future if a cure for the transformation is developed? But who knows if that will be hundreds of years from now. My dear family, accept reality and perform well. Today, I want to see a showdown between the Poli Guli Robot and Light Pretty Cure. You two can start by fighting for thirty rounds!"

She'd rather he just shut his mouth and go back to being silent like before! Giving them no response or feedback at all! Xia Cheng's face twisted, but being so close to this special zombie, her very soul was increasingly intimidated by its powerful aura and strength, and she didn't dare to resist rashly. Even though they had spent so much time with this zombie, and had seen it excitedly role-play various anime characters, and in a sense, it had been quite good to them—even so, Xia Cheng and Xia Sheng weren't sure how much tolerance and patience this zombie's fascination with their robot and magical girl transformations would afford them.

She didn't know how strong this Zhongshan base was, whether it could stand up to him… This was the first base they had come to besides Yongdu. After all, they had been captured the moment they entered Yongdu, seized by that perverted madman, Si Haotian. Right, the two ability users they met earlier must have sensed something was wrong, since they had tried their best to act strange. They were from Humanity's Light…

Xia Cheng vaguely remembered that before they went to Yongdu, the pair of sisters she had met mentioned the city of Pujie and Humanity's Light. She and Xia Sheng had also promised to consider going to Pujie after picking up their parents… At the thought of her parents, Xia Cheng's expression dimmed for a moment, but she quickly composed herself. She didn't resist physically, following Xia Sheng back to their lodging. Along the way, however, she tried hard to observe the strength and number of ability users in the base, pondering the possibility of rescue.

Even if she became a zombie, as long as she kept her sanity, she would never become siblings with this perverted zombie! She would not be controlled by it!

This pervert was someone who could chat and laugh with Si Haotian. For the rest of their lives, Xia Cheng and Xia Sheng would never forget how those two had casually summoned an ability user, dissected them, cooked the meat from various parts, and savored it, even sharing the blood. The mere thought of the bloodstains on the floor and the yellowish-white fluid that looked like brain matter made Xia Cheng instinctively want to vomit.

But after hearing Xia Sheng's words, Xia Cheng was somewhat relieved that her first reaction to those images was still nausea and the urge to vomit, and not something else.

She had to find a way to escape. If she couldn't… couldn't change it… she would never become a monster. She had to discuss this with her brother in secret… No. She had to find a chance to get away from Xia Sheng, even for a moment. She had to find an opportunity to meet with the higher-ups of Zhongshan, or to see those two ability users from Humanity's Light again. It might bring danger to Zhongshan and to them, but having a monster like this disguised within a human base was already a massive danger in itself.

Xia Sheng seemed to have fully adapted to the role of "good big brother." After bringing his little brother and sister home, he eagerly took out the ham. As if coaxing small children, he cut two translucent slices of red meat and gave one to each of them. "Big brother is going to make you soup. You can try this first, and while you're at it, think about how you're going to perform later~ If you don't perform well, even big brother will get angry."

"…" Xia Cheng stared at the slice of red meat, instantly associating it with the image of Si Haotian smiling elegantly as he used a small knife to carve a piece of flesh from a still-living ability user's thigh. She squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, then forced a smile and took the meat. "Thank you… brother. We will."

Xia Sheng, the brother, also looked like he was about to be sick, but he was more concerned about his sister's state. Seeing her take the meat and say those words, his eyes flickered as if he understood something, or as if he had made a decision. He also took a slice of meat. "Thanks, big brother."

"Haha, good, you're both so good." Xia Sheng pulled down his hood, revealing his deathly pale face. His lips stretched into a perfect smile, showing eight perfectly white, neat teeth. "Well then, hurry up and try it." He watched them.

"…" Xia Cheng and Xia Sheng took a deep breath. Without looking at each other, without a single word, they seemed to understand each other's thoughts. They almost simultaneously forced a smile, placed the meat in their mouths, and chewed slowly, fighting to suppress the instinctive, physiological urge to gag, their faces showing expressions of delighted enjoyment.

Objectively speaking, the ham was indeed quite good.

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