Handling the supplies

Unfortunately, imagination was rich, but reality was far too lean. How could someone who had been utterly weak and useless before the apocalypse become strong just because the apocalypse had arrived and he had some food on hand? When he saw zombies wandering everywhere in town, a scene no different from hell on earth, he promptly backed down. He considered this sizing up the situation.

With nothing to do all day, he initially practiced slashing in the large outer cave with the Tang saber he had acquired, then ran, jumped, and did push-ups to build his stamina and arm strength. But for someone who had rarely bothered to move before the apocalypse, this training was decidedly tedious and exhausting. After two days, he began finding excuses and gradually stopped training. With no computer and no training to do, reading and keeping a diary became his ways of passing the time. He had even felt quite smug about it, believing he had shown foresight by preparing everything and could live in the cave for a year or two without any trouble.

The notebook recorded only the first ten days after the apocalypse, along with some recollections of the past. In the first few days, every line had brimmed with vitality and ambition, but the later entries grew increasingly dejected and dispirited. Perhaps he had begun to realize there was something wrong with the goal he had set himself. On the tenth day, he took his Tang saber and decided to go down the mountain for a look, only to run into his first love, A Dan, who had fled to the mountain for refuge. What followed was recorded in the diary. Though the account was not very detailed, it was enough to give them a general picture.

Zhang Yi truly could not feel any sympathy for this man, even if they were about to benefit from his actions.

"Look at this saber." After learning from the diary that there was a Tang saber, Nan Shao had begun searching the cave once he had killed the zombie. He found it beneath the bedding, but its rusty appearance at first glance left him somewhat doubtful.

Zhang Yi took it and tried drawing it. It stuck a little, making it clear that this was not its original scabbard. Yet when a small portion of the blade emerged, its snowy gleam in the firelight immediately told them both that this was no ordinary weapon.

With a clang, Zhang Yi drew the saber all the way out, then turned his wrist and slashed diagonally at the rail at the foot of the folding wire bed. The blade passed through as though nothing were there, while the hollow iron rail did not budge. He froze for a moment, but Nan Shao had already reached over and given it a push. Only then did they discover that it had been severed and had merely remained in place. They exchanged a look, both surprised and excited.

"He actually managed to get such a fine saber!" Nan Shao could not help marveling. To have such a fine saber and still end up trapped in this cave until he died truly left one at a loss for words.

Zhang Yi sheathed the saber, then said, "Let's carry the body outside first. As for these supplies, what do you think?"

"Take a little down and leave the rest here," Nan Shao answered without hesitation. Then he suddenly paused and asked, "You aren't thinking of handing all this over to the town, are you? Or sharing it with the others?"

"Do I look that selfless?" Zhang Yi asked, taken aback.

"Yes." Nan Shao nodded.

Zhang Yi did not know whether to laugh or cry. He had no idea how he had given him that impression. Before going to prison, he might have entertained such thoughts. After all, his sense of justice had been so strong that he had always hoped to help others. But after everything he had experienced, he could no longer retain that selfless, upright, hot-blooded disposition. He would not hurt others, but when his own interests were not secure, he could no longer help others for nothing either.

"That would only bring trouble." He shook his head and gave his answer.

Chapter 25: Handling the supplies

Nan Shao and Zhang Yi buried the cave owner's body some distance from the cave, then carefully sorted through the supplies. They discovered that he had prepared quite thoroughly.

There were fifty bags of rice weighing ten kilograms each, the same quantity of flour, a hundred bundles of dried noodles weighing five kilograms each, assorted dried foods and vegetables, various cans of fish, meat, and fruit, fifty cases of chocolate, candy, compressed biscuits, and instant noodles, assorted salt, soy sauce, peanut oil, and seasonings, fifty large containers of drinking water, several sets of clothes for every season, underwear and socks by the dozen, and only two kinds of footwear-sneakers and military boots, five pairs of each. There were also five or six cotton quilts and down duvets, along with various toiletries, lighting equipment, and assorted sealed common medicines.

In the end, when they left, they took only two cans of fruit, five packets of pickled mustard stems, a radio, a box of batteries, a razor, and the Tang saber. They cut two bundles of firewood on the mountain, concealed the items inside, and carried them down. Before leaving, they camouflaged the cave somewhat. Unless someone deliberately searched for it, it would be difficult to discover.

When they returned home, Li Muran and Meat Tower Chen were still absorbing Corpse Crystals. The last time Nan Shao had absorbed one, it had taken nearly an entire night, and the two of them would probably take no less time. Yangyang, meanwhile, was fast asleep with his belly up and his limbs sprawled, looking thoroughly comfortable. Neither of them disturbed the others. Zhang Yi found a whetstone and began sharpening the chopping blades they had brought back the day before yesterday, while Nan Shao took a razor into the bathroom to shave off several days' growth.

This was not Meat Tower Chen's first time cultivating with a Corpse Crystal. Although his ability improved slowly, he absorbed them faster than Li Muran, who was doing so for the first time. When he opened his eyes, full of energy, Zhang Yi and Nan Shao were splitting firewood in the yard. Zhang Ruiyang followed them around like a little tail, babbling away about who knew what. Meat Tower Chen gazed at the roof, feeling that it had been a long time since he had known such peace and tranquility.

Dinner was broken-noodle soup with some chopped pickled mustard stems. It was called broken-noodle soup because many of the dried noodles Nan Shao and the others had brought back had broken, so those were being cooked first. Zhang Yi had done the cooking this time, and he had made plenty, entirely because the supplies in the cave behind the house had given him confidence. At a time like this, filling their stomachs and building everyone's strength had become the most important thing. After dinner, everyone also received a piece of yellow peach.

When they saw the pieces of yellow peach dropped into their bowls, Li Muran and Meat Tower Chen were both dumbfounded.

"Brother Yi, isn't this a little too extravagant?" Meat Tower Chen stammered, yet his throat bobbed as he swallowed a mouthful of saliva.

Zhang Yi gestured for them to eat, then slowly told them both about the discovery on the mountain behind the house. Originally, he and Nan Shao had thought they would keep it from them for the time being, lest they become complacent. But after discussing it, they had ultimately decided to tell them. After all, if they left so many supplies unused, who knew what might happen later? They should not let them go to waste for nothing. And if they did use them, with everyone living together, it would be impossible to keep the secret. Rather than grow suspicious of one another later, it was better to explain everything clearly from the start. At the same time, this matter could reveal everyone's true nature, allowing them to make plans for the future.