118 Chapter 37

The news was reported live, and at that time, it was played throughout the country. Li Jinghua was just returning home when she heard the news being played. Rushing to the living room, she saw the scene of the destroyed mountain on the TV. She stared at the TV with wide eyes, almost not believing what happened.

"Why...? How come?" she murmured softly.

"Hua-jie, what's wrong?" Li Xinwen who was sitting on the sofa of the living room asked.

"I... this mountain isn't supposed to be like this," Li Jinghua replied.

"En. It was destroyed just recently," Li Xinwen informed her. 'There was a strong spiritual signature and the direction appears to be at that mountain,' Li Xinwen thought back to Abbot Bingwen and couldn't help but feel that it is related.

Not long after, Li Xinwen's phone gave out a single notification and he took it out only to see a message from Min Xiaoyu.

[Min Xiaoyu: My grandfather want to see you.]

[Min Xiaoyu: He's dying.]

The second message came right after and Li Xinwen frowned. "Hua-jie, can you help me tell mom that I will go out for a bit? Something happened with Min Xiaoyu," Li Xinwen said as he sent his reply to Min Xiaoyu.

"Mr Min? What happened?"

"Nothing too serious. Hopefully," Li Xinwen replied before he left home, leaving Li Jinghua alone in the living room. Not long after, Mother Li came out of the kitchen only to see Li Xinwen is no longer in the living room.

"Ah'Hua, where's Ah'Wen?" Mother Li asked.

"Ah, I asked him to go buy some soy sauce nearby. I forgot to grab it on my way home," Li Jinghua quickly replied.

"Soy sauce? But we still have it," Mother Li said. Then her eyes went to the TV which is still playing the news. "Mt. Shengyan is destroyed? What is happening to our world, ah... is the world ending or something?"

When Li Jinghua heard what her mother said, she quickly turned the TV off. "No, the world won't end, mom. Come on, I'll help you finish cooking dinner," Li Jinghua said as she gently pushed her mother back to the kitchen.

Meanwhile, Li Xinwen quickly arrived at Min Family household. When he arrived, he already noticed that Min Shaotian's spiritual signature is weak, almost that of a normal mortal. 'No, its even weaker than mortal. It seems that he really is dying,' Li Xinwen thought as he went into the house. He easily made his way and found Min Xiaoyu. He looked even more haggard than before. The rim of his eyes were red, and he was close to breaking down.

"Are you alright?" Li Xinwen asked.

Min Xiaoyu only shook his head. "Grandpa... he's waiting for you. Please go on in," Min Xiaoyu said in a hoarse voice.

Li Xinwen noticed that Min Xiaoyu seemed to be out of it, so he placed a hand on the other's shoulder before he sends a small amount of spiritual energy into him. "Calm down, restrain your grief," Li Xinwen said in a soft voice. "With the way you are now, you're in danger of submitting to your inner demon."

Hearing what Li Xinwen said, Min Xiaoyu took a deep breath and tried to calm himself. "Thank you..." he whispered in a soft voice.

Li Xinwen nods his head before he entered the room where Min Shaotian is resting. The person has changed. No longer did he appear healthy and strong, and instead, he look weak. His body has shriveled up and his hair has turned white. His skins sticking to his bones, and Li Xinwen also noticed that the other is having trouble breathing.

"Min Shaotian, I thought I told you to tell me if you plan to approach An Wuya," Li Xinwen said as he sat down before the now old Min Shaotian.

"..."

There was no reply, so Li Xinwen can only sigh. He reached out to touch Min Shaotian's forehead. "You called me here to tell me something when you can't even speak anymore. Don't resist," Li Xinwen said as he injects some of his spiritual energy towards Min Shaotian.

He guides his energy into the brain, and started to replay what happened before. After witnessing what happened, Li Xinwen's sighed heavily. "That Gu absorbed your spiritual energy and destroyed your cultivation. You are now a cripple and without a strong spiritual energy to keep up with your body... you-"

"Xinwen... Yuyu..." Min Shaotian speaks with a hoarse voice. He sounded extremely weak, and was struggling to even voice out each word.

"I understand. I will help you take care of him. But you should believe on your grandson more, ba! He's not weak," Li Xinwen shook his head. "Consider that this is a repayment for what you did to help Ah'Xiao."

"Thank you..." Min Shaotian sounded relieved and closed his eyes. After that, Min Shaotian's spiritual signture disappeared completely. His body stopped breathing and Li Xinwen closed his eyes.

"May you safely enter the cycle of reincarnation. Who knows, maybe you'll meet your grandson again in your next life," Li Xinwen said before he stood up and left the room.

Outside, he saw Min Xiaoyu who finally broke down into tears. Although he could not relate to Min Xiaoyu, he understood that the other is drowned in sorrow of losing his elder. "Once you've calmed down, you should prepare a funeral for your grandfather."

Min Xiaoyu didn't answer and only continued to cry. Li Xinwen also didn't say anything else and simply let the other be. He took out his phone and sent a message to Li Jinghua as well as Xue Jun.

To Li Jinghua, he informed her that he may need to miss dinner. To Xue Jun, he informed him of the death of Min Shaotian.

It didn't take long for Xue Jun to arrive. He was still wearing his military uniform and behind him, there were several others who wore the same military uniform. Li Xinwen glanced at the people behind him, and noticed that though their strength are low, they are all cultivator.

Li Xinwen understood that they are the students of Min Shaotian, here to send him off for the last time. "Since you are here, I won't be needed anymore. Xue Jun, go and help Min Xiaoyu. As an outsider, I shouldn't be here," Li Xinwen told him. "If there's something wrong with Min Xiaoyu, tell me immediately."

"Understood."

Li Xinwen walked away. On his way out, he came face to face with Lan Minghui and Yan Zhuyi. Since he had went through Min Shaotian's memories, he knew of the others' identity. Nodding his head, he was just about to leave when Lan Minghui stopped him.

"Wait. Are you not going to stay?" Lan Minghui asked.

"I am an outsider. And I have already paid my respect to the dead. There is nothing else for me to do here," Li Xinwen replied. "Speaking of which, is An Wuya dead?" he asked while looking straight at Yan Zhuyi. Based on Min Shaotian's memories, they separated while escaping after the explosion in the mountain. He suspected that Yan Zhuyi went back to check.

"Dead. His body turned to ashes," Yan Zhuyi replied.

"I see. Such a shame. I would like to kill him myself," Li Xinwen murmured in a soft voice. "Well, what has happened cannot be changed. Since you helped me settle this grievance, then I guess a word of warning will do. In the next few years, the world will change. It is better to be prepared."

* * *

 

Three month passed after the death of Min Shaotian. Li Xinwen accompanied Li Jinghua to the military training ground. There, they met the others who are already waiting. Li Xinwen glanced at the people who sat around the table.

Min Xiaoyu seemed to have recovered. Xue Jun still looks the same while Xue Rui looked stronger than before. 'Looks like he worked hard. And surprisingly, he's here too,' Li Xinwen's eyes landed on Xue Liang who have a bored expression on his face.

"Everyone is here? I'm sorry for calling you all suddenly but there might be a change in the future that I experienced," Li Jinghua said as she took her seat. Li Xinwen naturally sat down beside her, appearing calm.

"About three months ago, Mt. Shengyan was destroyed. But in my past life, it should be destroyed three years later," Li Jinghua told the others. "After the destruction of Mt. Shengyan, I asked Xue Jun to help me if there is a meteor that would come towards earth... and the result, there is."

According to Li Jinghua, the meteorite is the same one from her memories. After the pieces of the meteorites lands on earth, it will take few months for the zombie virus to appear and ravaged the earth.

"This might be the cause and effect of my rebirth," Li Jinghua let out a heavy sigh.

Li Xinwen who is the real cause: ...

"Since things appears to have happened earlier than expected, then we need to hasten our plan. How is the preparation going?" Li Jinghua asked.

"Medicines and first aid materials has been stocked according to your request. The development of the water purification tablets have also started. We've hired the exact researchers that you suggested," Xue Rui replied.

"So fast?" Li Jinghua looked at Xue Rui with disbelief.

"There is nothing that money couldn't solve," Xue Rui smirked.

"You mean, almost nothing. There are things that no amount of money can buy," Li Jinghua frowned at Xue Rui. "In any case, you did well. What about weapons?"

At this, Xue Liang threw a stack of papers onto the table. "300 assault rifles, 20 grenade launchers, 20 rifles, 200 submachine gun, 500 handguns, several crates of grenades..." at the same time, he listed out the items by types for Li Jinghua. "There will be more shipment coming from R country in another six months," he added.

When Li Jinghua checked the list, she was evidently surprised with what she found. 'At most... I was only expecting few rifles and pistols but this...' Li Jinghua inspected the stack of papers which includes informations of each weapons.

Seeing Li Jinghua looking at the papers seriously, Xue Liang couldn't help but lean on the table, propping his chin on his hand. "Did also do well?" he asked. "If yes, then shouldn't I get a reward?" as he said this, his eyes went over to Li Xinwen.

Seeing the unmasked desire within Xue Liang's eyes, Li Xinwen only raised an eyebrow in return. "You want a reward?" he asked, feeling slightly amused.

"Good boys who did their jobs well should get a reward, no? How about you and I go out later after this meet-"

"No!"

"Not allowed!"

Xue Liang's sentence were cut off by Xue Rui and Xue Jun respectively. The two brothers were glaring at Xue Liang. Li Xinwen who witnessed this scene found that it was funny and couldn't help the small chuckle that left his lips.

 All eyes landed on him but he paid it no mind. His finger tapped on the table as he thought for a while. 'Speaking of which, I haven't gotten back on him for stealing the cultivation manual. Since he delivers himself to me...'

"Alright. After this meeting, let's talk," Li Xinwen said to Xue Liang. "Just the two of us."

"That's more like it," Xue Liang said with a big smile on his face while giving his brothers a haughty look.

Meanwhile, Li Jinghua only looked at her brother worriedly. After finding out that Xue Liang is one of the few underworld lord, she felt uneasy to work along with him. It was only with Xue Jun's assurance that he will not let Xue Liang cause trouble did she agree.

When Li Xinwen saw her sister's worried expression, he just smiled and reached out to hold her hand assuringly. "Don't worry. I won't get bullied. You've seen how strong I've become these past three months, right?"

Li Jinghua just sighed and nods her head. Then, she turned to Xue Jun and Min Xiaoyu. "The training of the soldiers, how is it?"

"All is doing well. Those who are able to cultivate is only four people and I left them to train with Mr Min," Xue Jun replied. "The rest, trains with this idiot brother of mine."

"Major General said everything goes well but I have one thing to report. One of the four that I trained are unable to comprehend the cultivation method that I taught," Min Xiaoyu added. "Her growth is slower than the rest and it seemed that if she were to continue, it would damage her meridians instead."

Min Xiaoyu glanced over at Li Xinwen, silently asking for guidance on how to solve this problem. Li Xinwen only signalled to him that he will tell him later. Clearing his throat, Min Xiaoyu then added another sentence: "Since it's like this, I asked her to stop cultivating for a while until I find the solution for the problem."

If Min Xiaoyu was being honest, he didn't know why Li Xinwen would like to act like an innocent sheep in front of his sister when he's actually a dragon in the sky.

The meeting continues, and Li Jinghua shared everything she remembers from before the apocalypse. Which event that they should know, and what effect it would cause. It is especially helpful, especially when it comes to playing with the stocks.

"Three months before the meteorites arrives, we'll start stocking up foods, clothes and other necessary materials that have a short shelve lives. This is all from me. Is there anything else you'd like to add?" Li Jinghua asked.

"Well, about these things... should we find a way to inform the citizens on how to adapt to the change in early days of the apocalypse?" Min Xiaoyu asked. "If they are prepared, then maybe we can reduce the casualty rate on the early days."

"I agree. The less casualty, the easier it'll be to survive. Not to mention, if they are prepared and know how to fight the undead, then that is another load off our back. After all, the military will be the one to lead the frontlines," Xue Jun said in a calm manner.

"I understand. But how are we going to inform them? If we made a public post about this, they won't believe us," said Li Jinghua. "I don't think it's a good idea for the Major General Xue to announce it either considering his position."

"How about making it into a movie?" Xue Rui suggested. "When its a movie, people will have a higher acceptance on the information. And as long as we make it interesting, I believe the audience will be able to retain most information."

Then, as if remembering something, Xue Rui quickly added to his sentence: "Of course, we'll need to cut off the cultivation and ability user bits. After all, we want normal people to relate to the situation."

"En. That could work. But finding someone to write the script, actors, productions... it'll need a lot of money and time. All of us will be too busy with the preparation to oversee those," Li Jinghua replied.

"Jinghua, you're worrying over trivial things. Which family do you think I'm from? All of those is not a problem at all. Leave those to me," Xue Rui said with a confident smile on his face.

"Alright. If you say so then I'll leave everything to you. Anything else?" Li Jinghua eyed everyone in the meeting room and when no one speak, she packed up her stuff. "If there is nothing else, then let's end it here."

* * *

The meeting ends, and Li Xinwen turned to his sister. "Hua-jie, I'll stay for a while to accompany Xue Liang for a bit. I did promise that I'll have a talk with him," Li Xinwen said with a small smile on his face.

"Are you sure...?"

"En. Don't worry," he replied before turning to Xue Liang. The smile on his face disappeared and was replaced with a more serious expression. "Let's go," he said as he gestured for Xue Liang to follow him.

Xue Liang grinned at Li Xinwen's invitation and he quickly stood up. He excitedly followed Li Xinwen, and as his eyes trained on Li Xinwen's back, he slowly glanced down, before finally his gaze rests on Li Xinwen's ass.

Remembering their past passionate moments, Xue Liang couldn't help but lick his lips. 'I really can't wait to push him down and claim him as mine again...'

Xue Liang was deep in his thought that he didn't realize that they have entered the training ground.

"En. This place is good enough," Li Xinwen said with satisfaction as he turned to face Xue Liang. "So, shall we begin?"

It wasn't until Xue Liang heard Li Xinwen speak that he finally took notice of his surrounding. There were still some soldiers training in the training ground, and he also noticed that his brothers had followed them along, as well as Min Xiaoyu and Li Jinghua.

"Xinwen, didn't you say that we'll talk, alone?" Xue Liang asked.

"When did I ever say alone?" Li Xinwen asked with an eyebrow raised. "I said that we will 'talk', 'just the two of us'. Naturally, we're the only two who will do the 'talking'," Li Xinwen said as he beckoned at Xue Liang with one hand to come at him.

Xue Liang didn't move, and only stared at him with confusion on his face. Seeing this expression, Li Xinwen just let out a chuckle. "What were you expecting? Hurry and come at me, ba. Don't men talk with their fists?"

"You were playing me?" Xue Liang's expression turned dark as he stared at Li Xinwen.

"Please don't expect me to treat you well after all that you've done," Li Xinwen narrowed his eyes and once again beckoned Xue Liang to come at him.

"I refuse," Xue Liang said with a gritted teeth. He turned around, wanting to leave. After stealing the cultivation manual from Li Xinwen, he had also started cultivating. Now, he was able to sense other people's spiritual energy and gauge their strength based on the amount of spiritual energy within them.

When he arrived at the military base, he was pleased to find out that he had caught up with his eldest brother. And he had checked out Li Xinwen's strength earlier. He was sure that the other was below him but now, he realized that Li Xinwen was just hiding his real strength.

'To fight a losing battle is not something I do,' Xue Liang thought to himself. He prefered to have control whenever he's in a fight. After being the overlord in the underworld business, there's no one who dared to cross him. He had just taken a step when he was stopped by Li Xinwen's next sentence.

"If you can beat me, I'll do whatever you want."

Xue Liang turned back to face Li Xinwen whose face was full of confidence. Xue Liang then thought back to how satisfying it will be to have this confident man writhe under him as he have his way with him. The temptation was simply too big.

He still remembers the way how Li Xinwen's tight hole would clung against his rod as he sheathed himself all the way inside. The sweet, seductive sound that he managed to elicit from the other each time he pounded into him.

"Are you sure?" Xue Liang asked. "Give me your word that you won't go against it!"

"Alright. I promise you this. In return, if I win..." the corner of Li Xinwen's lips curved up, forming a smirk. "You will listen to me until the day you can beat me. Let the heaven be the witness and if I ever go back against my word, may the heaven send lightning down and strike my body."

Xue Liang didn't even wait for Li Xinwen to finish as he launched an attack, hoping to take Li Xinwen by surprise.

"Liang-ge! You bastard. How could you be so low!" Xue Rui who saw this scene couldn't help but admonish his elder brother loudly.

Of course, Li Xinwen has long been prepared. After all, Xue Liang is someone who would take advantage of others weakness, someone who would break into someone's house, someone who would openly harrass people and he even dared to steal from him. It is only natural that Li Xinwen expected such move from Xue Liang.

When Xue Liang's fist was about to reach him, Li Xinwen simply evades by stepping to the side. He made sure to stick his leg out, tripping Xue Liang who was unable to stop from the inertia.

"Stop playing as if you're a normal person. Did you not steal a cultivation manual from me? Xiaohao Linghun... I'm sure you've already used them or else, how can you reach the peak 3rd stage of Houtian in a short amount of time?"

Li Xinwen's lifts his leg up high before he brought it back down. Xue Liang saw this and quickly rolled away thus, Li Xinwen's foot only slammed down on the ground below. Li Xinwen has already reached the sixth stage of Houtian but he deliberately suppressed his strength to match Xue Liang.

Even then, the ground underneath his feet breaks as countless web cracks formed. By now, his fight with Xue Liang has already gained other's attention who had stopped their training to witness the fight.

Xue Liang recovered quickly, and after hearing what Li Xinwen had said to him earlier, he no longer hides his ability. Instead, he laid all his cards open. His hands quickly formed several seals and activated the first move of the Demonic Profane Flame.

Li Xinwen watched as the dark, purple flame formed on Xue Liang's hands. He had seen how Xue Liang effortlessly formed the seals to activate the move and he couldn't help but lament. 'Truly a shame. Such genius is hard to come by, even back in Long Xing,' Li Xinwen thought to himself as he prepared for Xue Liang's next attack.

He didn't have to wait long as Xue Liang didn't waste time to send three sets of fire balls hurling towards him. He carefully analyzed their trajectory before taking few steps backwards, letting the first two fire balls hit the ground.

For the third one, he decided to parry it away. Based on its trajectory, the fireball would've continued to fly and it would endanger Li Jinghua. When his hand touched the fire ball, his eyes narrowed slightly at the feeling of the corrosive power from the flame.

'This flame does live up to the name of its skill,' Li Xinwen thought as he mobilised his spiritual energy to cleanse the corrosive effect on his hand. Xue Liang on the other hand, rushed forward again. The demonic flame still covered his hands as their fingers formed into a claw.

Li Xinwen dodged the first claw swipe from Xue Liang by leaning back slightly. As for the second one, he raised his left hand to block the attack before he grabbed Xue Liang's wrist to keep him in place. He then lifts his right arm up to his waist, his hand forming into a fist. With one quick movement, he pushed his hands forward, driving the fist into Xue Liang's stomach.

It was only one, simple punch. No fancy movement. A straight punch that even a child can do. But the force contained within that punch is by no mean, weak. The flames on Xue Liang's hands disappeared. His pupil rolled to the back of his head before slumping forward.

Upon realizing that Xue Liang had passed out, Li Xinwen dropped Xue Liang's body to the ground. He blinked his eyes, as if not willing to believe that Xue Liang had fallen with a single punch.

'Did I fail to control my strength?' he wondered. Li Xinwen squats beside the unconscious Xue Liang and slapped his face a few times but the other did not show any reaction. The other soldiers who witnessed this scene couldn't help but feel disappointed at the outcome before returning to their own training.

"It looks like he is out cold. I guess this can be considered my win," Li Xinwen grinned from ear to ear. "Xue Liang, ah... you better behave after this and listen to laozi's every words," Li Xinwen said in a soft whisper while he placed his hand on top of Xue Liang's chest.

He then pushed some of his spiritual energy into Xue Liang, guiding them to rest within the other's dantian. After doing this, he finally pulled his hand away. "From now on, You. Belongs. To. Laozi."

"Xue Jun! When Xue Liang wakes up, be sure to remind him of his promise. Also, tell him that if he dares to misbehave, I will know," Li Xinwen said out loud as he stood up.

Making his way to Li Jinghua, Li Xinwen gave her a smile. "So, do you think your brother is still helpless, Hua-jie?" Li Xinwen asked playfully.

Li Jinghua was still trying to process what had just happened. From the start of the match to the point where Xue Liang had passed out, it did not even take a minute. Her worry, was really unwarranted.

"Ah'Wen... you didn't plan this with everyone else just to make me worry less about you, right?" Li Jinghua asked back.

Li Xinwen who didn't even plan to knock Xue Liang out in one move was rendered speechless by her question. Seeing Li Xinwen's deadpanned expression, Li Jinghua continued to explain her reasoning.

"I mean, he... those flame has the strength of a level 2 ability users. You've only trained for few months, it is almost impossible for you to win."

Min Xiaoyu and Xue Jun who knew Li Xinwen's real strength: ...

"Hua-jie! You have to believe in your younger brother, ah!" Li Xinwen suddenly felt wronged.

* * *

After the meeting in the military base, everyone returned to their daily routine. When Xue Liang woke up that day, he noticed there was a collar around his neck. He had tried all methods he could think of to remove them, but he was unable to do so. It wasn't until he found out that the collar was given to him by Li Xinwen did he stop trying to remove it.

Days continued to pass, then days changed to months. Li Jinghua would update the group every three months if there is anything that they need to take note of.

Li Xinwen continued to train with Sun Xiao, and they would occasionally go to the military training base to train with the rest. At first, Sun Xiao was still wary to be surrounded by tough looking adults. But over time, he overcame his shyness and became even more confident.

Before Li Xinwen knew it, a year passed since he had transmigrated into this world. He wouldn't have noticed it were it not for Manager Su reminding him that he will need to return to his work. At first, Li Xinwen wanted to quit acting. But then, he remembered the plan of making the movie and thought that he should at least help Li Jinghua in this matter.

With that, the name Li Xinwen once again returned in the entertainment world. Since he has returned to his work, Li Xinwen now did not have time to laze around.

With the combination of work and training, another year has passed in the blink of an eye. The movie that they had planned was finally released and it hits the box office with the highest sales in that year. The talk about zombies spreads through out the country. Even before the meteorites fell, everyone already knew the zombie's weakness which is the brain.

Another few months passed, and the government released news about the incoming meteorite. But luckily, since Xue Jun had warned them about it two years ago, they were prepared. Just like Li Jinghua's past, they shot at the meteorite but there are still pieces of it that fell onto earth.

Now, Li Jinghua began the final preparation for the apocalypse. She sold all of her stocks, bonds and shares, before she started hoarding all the necessary materials. She also purchased several vehicles. It was only unfortunate that her space was limited or else, she would've bought a bigger vehicles such as trailers or trucks.

Unknown to her, Li Xinwen had bought those trailers and trucks that she wanted to purchase and placed it inside his dimension. Lanyu had complained to Li Xinwen on how the cars was taking spaces and how it looked ugly. But Li Xinwen paid it no mind. As for the cats, though they are stronger now, they still haven't reached spiritual awareness.

Once their preparation was complete, they only needed to wait for the apocalypse to come.

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