Chapter 10 Tang Sword

Pei Linlang’s eyes widened. “Me?”

Lin Yu nodded. “Yes. You kill it.”

Pei Linlang knew both Sister Lin Yu and her brother wanted the best for her, but the thought of killing a zombie still frightened her.

Her body stiffened, and she couldn’t help but glance at Pei Yan for help.

Pei Yan sighed inwardly. He never wanted his only sister to go through this. Linlang was… only twelve.

But some things couldn’t be avoided. In this world full of danger, if he sheltered her like a delicate flower in a greenhouse, sparing her from all hardship, that would harm her more than help her.

Only by weathering storms can one grow into a towering tree.

He couldn’t always guarantee he’d protect her from every threat. It was better to let her face it early.

So when Lin Yu looked to him for confirmation, he nodded without hesitation.

Though he thought this way, his face showed none of it. Instead, he gave her an encouraging look. “Linlang, I believe you can do it.”

Pei Linlang took a deep breath. She knew that if she wanted to survive the apocalypse, she had to change. Kindness without strength was only a burden. Today’s events had already given her a harsh lesson she would remember for life.

She closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them again, determined.

Now it was her turn to take the first step toward change.

And that began with killing a zombie.

You can do it. Come on!

She accepted the spiked club Lin Yu handed her. Ten pounds wasn’t too heavy for her. She kept encouraging herself in her heart, step by step approaching the zombie.

Pinned to the ground by the spear, the zombie caught the scent of living flesh the moment they came near. It let out an excited rasp, “Hhhh,” its head straining desperately to turn. From its sunken sockets, dead eyes bulged outward, its limbs twitching to push against the ground, trying to break free from the spear.

Suddenly, the man lying lifeless beneath it also thrashed violently. His decayed features turned grayish black, his flesh instantly rotting—clear signs of turning.

Pei Linlang knew they couldn’t drag this out. If the two zombies broke free, it would cause them serious trouble. She clenched her eyes shut and swung the spiked club down at their heads.

Though they had entrusted the task to Linlang, Lin Yu and Pei Yan didn’t simply stand by. Their focus stayed locked on her. If anything went wrong, they would act immediately.

Luckily, early-stage zombies weren’t too difficult. With the spear holding them down, Linlang smashed their heads quickly into pulp. Red, yellow, and black fluids splattered into a revolting mess.

Linlang seemed oblivious, her hands swinging relentlessly, shouting as she struck: “I’ll kill you! Kill you!”

“That’s enough. They’re dead.”

“Linlang, stop. They’re already dead…”

Both Lin Yu and Pei Yan spoke at once.

At their voices, Linlang stopped. Opening her eyes, she stared at the ruined mess on the ground. Her body went slack, and the spiked club slipped from her hands, crashing to the floor with a loud “thud.”

The noise startled her back, and she stumbled aside, retching violently again.

Lin Yu didn’t mock her. Her first kill hadn’t been much better. She thought for a moment, then unzipped her backpack and handed a bottle of water to Pei Yan, gesturing for him to check on Linlang.

Linlang was bent over, vomiting until tears ran down her cheeks. A pair of warm, steady hands patted her back gently.

“All right. Don’t be scared. You did well. My Linlang is amazing.”

She lifted her tear-streaked face and sobbed, “Brother…”

Pei Yan passed her the water. “Your Sister Lin Yu gave this. Drink, then come pick a weapon.”

Having given them the water, Lin Yu turned away, no longer concerned with the siblings. She scanned the racks for a weapon.

Her eyes soon stopped at one.

A Tang sword.

Its silvery-white blade gleamed like ice, radiating a chilling aura. Lin Yu fell in love with it at first sight.

Why a sword?

Because when swung, its strike carried a fearless, unstoppable power, as though it could cleave through everything before it.

This is it.

She strode forward, lifted the sword from its stand, and weighed it in her hands. It was far lighter than the spiked club, yet its cutting power was no less deadly. More agile, too.

With reinforcement from a metal ability user later, it would fit her hand like an extension of her own arm.

She slid it into its scabbard, then fastened it at her waist.

Holding her new weapon, Lin Yu couldn’t help but smile.

“This is a hengdao—a horizontal Tang sword,” came a voice at her side.

Pei Yan had appeared beside her without her noticing.

Lin Yu turned, her smile still lingering. “You seem to know a lot about swords?”

Her black eyes gleamed like obsidian, her delicate skin glowing under the light. Her refined features, softened by a hint of girlish innocence, blended with her cool aura. That smile brightened her face, making the whole room seem lighter.

Pei Yan’s heart skipped at the sight. He faltered for a moment before replying awkwardly, “Something like that.”

Then he quickly averted his gaze, pretending to study the racks. At last, he chose a broad, intimidating saber.

Lin Yu waited, curious for him to elaborate. But when he said nothing further, she didn’t press, returning to her own choices.

He only hid his knowledge to avoid giving himself away.

Meanwhile, Pei Linlang stood before the racks, hesitating. Finally, she asked softly, “Sister Lin Yu… are you still planning to use the spiked club? If not, could you give it to me? I felt it was pretty handy just now.”

After all, the spiked club belonged to Lin Yu. No matter what, she had to ask first.

Lin Yu nodded. “You can have it.”

“Thank you, Sister Lin Yu!”

Though happy at first, Linlang soon regretted it. If only she had tossed it farther away earlier, she wouldn’t have had to pick it up from that disgusting pile of rotten flesh. Pinching her nose, she reluctantly retrieved it.

Watching her grimace with both disgust and attachment, Lin Yu chuckled softly. She summoned her water ability, washing the weapon clean.

When Linlang saw the spiked club gleaming again, she cheered up. “Sister Lin Yu, your power is amazing.”

Lin Yu only smiled faintly.

“We’ve got our weapons now. But… where are we going next?”