Ninety-six

Ye Yin was led by Ding Chun to the collection room on the basement level of the Ding residence. Inside, various precious jewels, antiques, and authentic masterpieces from renowned artists were displayed, even more abundant and rich than the provincial museum she had visited before.

“These things nowadays are just for idle viewing,” Ding Chun casually said as he took down a necklace from the display case—an exquisite pink diamond necklace once owned by a famous countess—and handed it to Ye Yin. “Women always like these, no matter the era.”

Ye Yin examined the necklace for a moment and returned it indifferently. “Thank you, but I don’t need it.”

“You only want the crystal cores?”

“Yes.”

“That’s difficult,” Ding Chun said bluntly. “You can take anything from this collection, but not the crystal cores. The ones I keep are rare treasures, one in ten thousand. I don’t know your background, but I do know that those who want to buy can’t afford the price, and those who can afford it aren’t interested in buying.”

“Don’t be so sure,” Ye Yin replied. “Whether it’s an exchange or using food supplies or base currency, that’s not a problem.”

Ding Chun glanced at her and smiled. “Exchange? What could you possibly offer me in exchange?”

Ye Yin smiled faintly and placed the crystal core of a Half-Corpse King, about the size of a fist and dazzlingly radiant, on the display table. “How about this?”

Upon seeing the vibrant core, Ding Chun’s eyes widened to the size of eggs, his breath quickened, and he instinctively reached out to touch it. Just as his fingers were about to make contact, Ye Yin snatched it back, smiling, “Can this crystal core be exchanged?”

Ding Chun forced himself to maintain composure and said coolly, “It’s not impossible, but it depends. Some precious crystal cores simply can’t be traded.”

“This is already considered a ninth-tier crystal core. Ninth-tier cores have value but no market; it’s hard to imagine any core it couldn’t trade for,” Ye Yin countered. “No need to haggle with me—if you’re willing, we trade; if not, I’ll find someone else. After all, there’s only one of these cores, but the ones I need aren’t exclusive to you.”

Ding Chun’s eagerness surfaced beneath his calm exterior. “Then, what kind of crystal core do you want?”

“Fifth-tier or above elemental cores of the five elements. I already have the fire element, so I don’t need that; the others are fine,” Ye Yin said. “One for four.”

“That won’t do.” Ding Chun shook his head like a rattle. “Yours is valuable, but definitely not worth four in return. Five-element cores are practical; selling them individually to corresponding supernaturals wouldn’t be cheap either.”

Ye Yin smiled and produced an eighth-tier psychic core. “The association has been offering rewards for fifth-tier and above psychic cores, right? How many elemental cores could this eighth-tier one get?”

Ding Chun’s expression shifted slightly.

If he traded four of his elemental cores—metal, wood, water, and earth—for her single ninth-tier core, he’d be at a slight loss. But adding the eighth-tier psychic core tipped the scales heavily in her favor. Several high-ranking association members were psychics, and zombies with such cores were extremely rare and difficult to capture. Their prices had been steadily rising. Collectors preferred quality over quantity; no matter how precious elemental cores were, they couldn’t compare to ninth-tier cores. Also, the fifth-tier psychic core owned by Old Qiu had long annoyed him, so these two cores today were his prime target.

“Let me think about it. This is truly tricky—especially when a charming lady like you makes such a request...” Ding Chun said with a teasing tone.

Ye Yin had already read the thoughts he tried to hide behind his expression but said nothing, letting him continue the act. Were she not in urgent need of the elemental cores, she would have negotiated more slowly rather than adding the painstakingly acquired psychic core and letting Ding Chun gain such an advantage.

“In that case, for Miss Huang’s sake, I’ll take the loss,” Ding Chun said after a long “inner conflict,” smiling broadly. “You must treat me to a meal to soothe my wounded soul.”

Ye Yin laughed. “Of course.”

And so, Ye Yin acquired three elemental cores from Ding Chun: an eighth-tier earth core, a sixth-tier metal core, and a sixth-tier water core. Ding Chun didn’t have any sixth-tier or above wood cores at the moment. Afraid Ye Yin might back out of the deal, he insisted it was no problem for him to procure one soon and promised to deliver it quickly. Should he fail within a certain period, he pledged compensation.

Ye Yin wasn’t particularly attached to these items. Yet, since someone was willing to collect them on her behalf and was quite capable, there was no reason to object. She agreed readily.

After settling the crystal core matters, Ye Yin quietly visited Qiao Xinran’s residence once more. But the place was deserted—empty furniture collecting dust, the fading sunset casting long shadows, and the white grand piano standing silent.

Ye Yin lifted the piano lid and gently pressed a key with her index finger. The lonely note echoed hauntingly through the room, startling her. She hurriedly left, uneasy.

While Ye Yin waited at the third base for news from Ding Chun about the wood elemental core, a series of major events unfolded inside and outside the base.

First, Qiao Xinran escaped from the first base and went missing. The association placed a heavy bounty on her capture. The head of the Qingyun Sect, Master Fuyunzi, personally attempted mediation but failed. Subsequently, Commander Ye of the third base openly declared support for Qiao Xinran, severing ties with the association and entering open conflict.

Meanwhile, internal turmoil erupted in the first base. Five elite units from the twelfth division of the first military district united to establish a new base government, facing off tensely behind a high wall against the original administration.

At this critical juncture, the capital base forcibly ordered all major bases to participate in a vital operation to open roads between bases. No excuses were allowed, with threats of bombings and forceful suppression for those who shirked the task.

One crisis after another, the senior leaders of the third base were overwhelmed, with no time even for brief respite or leisure.

The atmosphere in Situ Fei’s family had been overwhelmingly somber recently.

Everyone knew that opening roads between bases was a thankless, exhausting task. Ye Yu’s order made her understand the true meaning of “raising you for a thousand days, wasting you for a moment.”

This time, the road-opening operation was not assigned to the regular army but to her father and other neglected uncles’ old squads. Despite her limited experience, Situ Fei had been appointed overall commander of the road-opening forces. This “promotion” at such a tense moment left her conflicted—neither happy nor sad, as her heart was set on slaying zombies.

After the orders were issued, the family fell silent. Even her usually nagging but proud mother was unusually quiet. During their routine family walk that evening, her mother wore mismatched shoes on both feet, walking a long while without noticing. Holding back tears, Situ Fei quietly led her along, unwilling to point it out.

Passing through the market, her mother suddenly remembered and asked, “What do you want for breakfast tomorrow? I’ll go shopping.”

“Fried eggs.”

“Good.” Her mother hurried off, and Situ Minister followed. His figure stooped and weary, Situ Fei suddenly realized how much her father had aged.

Ye Yin was watering the water celery by the door when Situ Fei unexpectedly arrived from afar, cheerfully greeting her. “Busy?”

“Not too bad. Have you eaten?”

“No. Don’t bother entertaining me now—I just came to say a few words and then leave. I’ve got other matters.”

“Go ahead.”

“I’m leaving the base tomorrow,” Situ Fei said. “I might not come back, so I want to say this in advance. I’ve long seen that you’re luckier than me and will probably survive until humanity’s final victory. When that day comes, remember to burn a letter for me, let me share the joy. Also, tomorrow I’ll have someone send you all the crystal cores I’ve collected over the years. My mom’s extravagant spending means anything under her watch is at risk, and my dad’s loyal nature means he might give everything away. If anything happens to me, I’d appreciate it if you could, like a bank, regularly deliver to them. Thank you. I’ll be rooting for your invincibility even from the afterlife.”

Ye Yin was silent for a moment. “Shall I see you off?”

“No need. I’ll sneak back on my own. You go on with your work.”

The next morning, the main road-opening troops quietly departed the base, vanishing from the eyes of those who came to see them off.

The group was peculiar—most soldiers wore tattered uniforms, unlike the usual military appearance. Besides soldiers, there were men, women, and children dressed as ordinary civilians.

Curious onlookers asked about this. An old soldier replied calmly, “I won’t come back; they won’t survive either. It’s better to face life and death together, companions on the road to the underworld.” His five or six-year-old grandson, not understanding, thought it was a family outing and was happily excited.

Though he spoke calmly, listeners felt an aching sorrow. Some soft-hearted women hurriedly handed them dry rations, eyes red, and quickly walked away.

The base gates creaked as they were lowered; the swaying steel cables startled a flock of roosting crows into flight.

Situ Fei looked out the car window at her family walking hand in hand, covering her face as tears fell. The strength she had put on in Java was gone; now she was just a young girl unable to let go of her family, more afraid of separation than anyone else.

Suddenly, the vehicle slowed to a stop. Wiping her tears, she called out loudly, “What’s going on?”

“It’s Minister Situ and Madam Situ!”

Startled, Situ Fei hurried out. Minister Situ and her mother staggered over, clutching large bundles. “Fei Fei, wait for us! Let’s go together!”

“Fei Fei, don’t cry, we’re here now!”

Situ Fei recalled a childhood memory when she was lost in a park. She thought she would never see her parents again and cried alone, only to be found soon after. The three had embraced and cried together. Now, though her mother was gaunt and disheveled, and her father’s hair had grayed, their tears were the same—warm and comforting.

“Is everything settled?” Ye Yin asked Pi.

“Yes, Master. Almost no one was left behind. They should arrive tomorrow night.”

“Tomorrow night, huh,” Ye Yin frowned. “I need to set off soon then.”

“Wish you a safe journey, Master.”

“Don’t smirk; you’re coming with me.”

“Huh? What about Huahua...”

“We’re leaving together,” Ye Yin smiled. “No more returning once we’re done.”

Author’s note: This volume is nearing its end and will soon welcome the final volume! ~(≧▽≦)/~

P.S.: The next chapter features Zhi Qiu’s character! The artwork is incredibly handsome!