Chapter 36: The Fifth Corpse King Emerges—Ghost Night!

"Listen up, brothers, I’ve got a bold idea. Once we pull this off, we’re going to be stinking rich!"

"Don't ask questions yet. Let's go rent a vehicle, and I'll explain on the way!"

Li Xingyue scanned the area, but Huang Qian was nowhere to be found. It seemed she had already headed to District B. He found a staff member who led them to the rental warehouse. Selecting a mid-range SUV in decent condition, he paid 150 points, loaded his crew in, and drove out of Liberty City.

"Captain, can you tell us your plan now?"

Yellow Tooth nodded. "Yeah, I've been dying to know."

Liu Yi looked anxious too. "Exactly. Starsea City is supposed to have a Zombie King and tons of zombies. Why are we heading there all of a sudden?"

Li Xingyue thought for a moment. "How should I put this? I met a few people there last time. I was thinking maybe they could help us scavenge some supplies."

Liu San hesitated. "Captain, if there are supplies, wouldn't they just keep them for themselves? Why would they share with us?"

True, that was a valid concern.

"Oh, it’s like this: they don't want to enter the city themselves, but they want some supplies from Liberty City. It’s a mutually beneficial partnership."

"Alright, relax. Here’s the plan: when we reach the outskirts, I’ll go in first to scout. Once I’ve confirmed everything, I’ll come back to get you."

"But Captain..."

"It’s fine, San, don't worry!"

Li Xingyue cut Liu San off and drove straight toward the eastern side of Starsea City. Before long, they arrived at the spot where they had been ambushed previously. A few half-wrecked vehicles were still sitting there.

Li Xingyue got out to inspect them, then hopped into the driver's seat of one. "Wait here. Don't worry, I’ll be back in under an hour."

With that, he drove straight into the city.

Liu San looked at Liu Yi. "Big Brother, this is too dangerous. Should we follow him?"

Liu Yi watched Li Xingyue disappear into the distance, looking conflicted. "Forget it, let’s trust him. Tell you what—if he’s not back in an hour, we’re charging in."

The four of them stood on the empty road, bored. No one ever came here; people were terrified of the Zombie King and assumed the city was still swarming with undead.

Li Xingyue drove quickly into the city, soon reaching the villa district where he had last parted ways with Tyrant and his group. Entering the villa they had used before, he found it empty, save for a deck of cards scattered on the table.

It seemed they had left a long time ago.

Li Xingyue had suspected they might be gone, but he came anyway because they had mentioned a zombie on the verge of breaking through to the eighth rank who was staying behind. Li Xingyue wanted to see if he could get that zombie to cooperate in procuring supplies.

He exited the villa district and returned to the main road. How was he supposed to contact it? Just yell? There didn't seem to be another way.

Facing the city, Li Xingyue cupped his hands around his mouth. "Hey! It’s me, Li Xingyue! That zombie who’s about to hit the eighth rank—are you there?"

He shouted at the top of his lungs, leaving himself slightly lightheaded, but there was no response.

"Damn it, did the guy go off somewhere to sleep?"

With no other choice, he cupped his hands again, ready to shout once more. "Hey! I am—"

"Stop shouting. I'm here."

"Holy mother of—!"

Li Xingyue jumped, startled by the voice behind him. He spun around to find a young man standing there out of nowhere.

Taking a closer look, he saw an eighteen or nineteen-year-old with fair skin and red lips, sporting a wolf-cut hairstyle and dressed in black cargo pants and a jacket. He was incredibly handsome. Li Xingyue was baffled—did high-level zombies all have such insane good looks?

Calming down, Li Xingyue leaned in. "Brother, are you the zombie Tyrant and the others mentioned? The one about to hit the eighth rank?"

The young man grinned. "Yeah, Brother Yue. Long time no see. I’m already at the eighth rank now!"

"Haha, long time no see... wait. We’ve never actually met before!"

The young man shook his head. "No, Brother Yue. You forgot. Back when you went to Liberty City, I was the one who drove you there."

As soon as he said it, it clicked. A zombie had indeed driven him to Liberty City.

"Damn, it was you, little brother? Well, talk about fate!"

The young man beamed and opened his arms to hug Li Xingyue. "Brother Yue, long time no see."

Li Xingyue felt relieved; finding out it was someone he’d already "met" meant he didn't have to worry about dealing with a bad temper.

"By the way, kid, what's your name?"

The young man shook his head. "I don't have one. I don't know what to call myself."

"How about I give you one?"

"Sure, Brother Yue!"

"Let me think... you're wearing all black, how about 'Coalball'?"

"...Uh, Brother Yue, are you serious?"

"Hahaha, of course not. How about 'Ghost Night'?"

The young man pondered. "...Ghost Night? Yes. From now on, I am Ghost Night!"

Li Xingyue handed him a cigarette and reached for his lighter, only to watch as Ghost Night shoved the cigarette into his mouth and started chewing it.

"Damn it, little Night, spit it out! You’re supposed to smoke it, not eat it!"

...

Ten minutes later, Li Xingyue finally taught Ghost Night how to smoke. Ghost Night took a puff and looked at him. "So, Brother Yue, what brings you to Starsea City?"

Li Xingyue remembered his mission. "Ugh, I took a job. I need to get some supplies back, so I thought I’d ask for your help."

Ghost Night chuckled. "I thought you were looking for me to help you flatten Liberty City. If it’s just that, it’s easy!"

Good grief, a mass murderer at the drop of a hat? Damn, this guy was a killing machine too.

Li Xingyue explained his plan. "That’s the gist of it. I want to bring back as much as I can before others catch on. Once word gets out, everyone else will come here to 'shop' too!"

Ghost Night nodded. "No problem, Brother Yue. Just bring your team over!"

"Great, I’m going to get them now!"

After concluding their plan, Li Xingyue drove back to his team. Yellow Tooth and the three brothers were pacing anxiously, on the verge of coming after him. They breathed a sigh of relief when they saw him return unscathed.

"Captain, I really thought something happened to you. We were about to charge in."

Yellow Tooth nodded vigorously. "Yeah, Old Li, I was worried sick!"

Liu Er spat on the ground. "Pffft! You've taken two leaks and a dump in the time he was gone, what are you so nervous about?"