Rebirth of MC

Separated for a year, Li Qing is naturally ecstatic to finally see Huo Zaiyuan again. His pretty face blossoms into a wide smile, attracting the eyes of countless passing soldiers, dazzling them and making them can't resist stealing another glance over their shoulders.

"Little Yuan, did you miss me?" Li Qing asks as he hugs Huo Zaiyuan's arm tightly, sparkling eyes filled with anticipation.

"No, I didn't."

Carelessly throwing down these three words is like dumping a large bucket of ice water on Li Qing's head, extinguishing the fiery enthusiasm in the mechanic's heart.

"Wuwuafter locking yourself up in that space, you've become even more annoying." Covering his face with both hands, Li Qing's slender shoulders tremble, as though he is weeping pitifully.

"Thank you for the compliment. Haven't met for a year and you've become more shameless, even knowing how to shed crocodile tears. Who are you bluffing, huh?" Huo Zaiyuan sniffs in mock-disdain, then tugs on Long Zhanye's hand and enters the building.

~~~

As it's still early in the morning, not everyone has arrived. After Long Zhanye settles in his designated seat, the few present also seats themselves to his left and right.

"The meeting this time seems rather special. Did something major happen?" Huo Zaiyuan asks from his position at Long Zhanye's side.

Ever since hearing Long Zhanye mention the military conference where Qin Jun will represent the medics at and Li Qing will represent the mechanics, his heart is already filled with doubts.

"Hehehlittle Yuan is still really perspective after his year-long isolation." Long Zhanye chuckles softly, reaching out to stroke his hair. "Indeed, this conference is a special one as it is connected to the assignments that will be handed out in the near future."

"Missions?"

"You saw it just now, right? A's safe zone has already expanded to encompass the entire city. That is why today's conference is held in order to discuss the matter of joining hands with other safe zones and transforming this place into a secure urban district," Li Qing pipes up.

"You want to gather every single survivor out there and have them all enter A City?!" Huo Zaiyuan stiffens, completely blindsided by this answer.

From what he remembers, the cities able to establish a safe zone on time are A, B, C, D, E, M, O, R, U, V, X, and Y, these twelve. If one wishes to bring such a vast number of survivors into A City, it will require a lot of time and effort. Don't say the close cities like B, C, D and E. It will already be pretty troublesome to try transport everyone from X and Y, these two furthermost places all the way up here.

"We have no choice but to do so. Because the power of this Sorcerers cult has slowly expanded. While they have laid low during this past year, their influence has grown to the point of nearly seizing control of E City's safe zone and under. In addition, the slogan of "Followers profit, kill opposers" is being promoted quite readily. J, K, P, S and W City's various insurgents have already joined their ranks." Long Zhanye's eyebrows draw together in distaste. It is clear to see that the existence of this cult is an acknowledged threat to the remaining safe zones.

"Do we know the identity of the cult's leader?" Towards this Sorcerer's cult, Huo Zaiyuan harbours some anxiety and quite a bit of unease.

In his previous life, the world six months into the apocalypse is a sore-ridden, poisonous swamp-infested place. This time around, even after a year of isolation, the safe zone flourished and expanded. Even the dreaded poisonous swamps are not spreading so widely thanks to the priests within the School of Taoism sealing them away as soon as they are discovered. Everything has deviated so far away from what he remembers. As for this Sorcerer's cult, he wonders if their existence is to do what the poisonous swamps should have done. Given rise to destroy most of humanity in this apocalypse.

"We haven't." Qin Jun shakes his head. "This organisation is extremely shady and mysterious. During this past year, we followed eldest brother Long on more than a few missions beyond the walls. Each time we come close to pinning down the leader's identity, something bad will occur, like a horde of zombies suddenly sieging E's safe zone, Elder priest grandfather being attacked, etc."

"Elder priest grandfather was attacked?!"

"Relax, little Yuan. Elder Taoist priest is fine," Long Zhanye says as he pats Huo Zaiyuan's hand in comfort.

"That's good. So, how do you plan to migrate all the survivors? It's not going to be easy to provide transport for them all, especially those from distant places."

"This matter is another issue we will address later on when the meeting is underway." Long Zhanye nods before turning to look at Huo Zaiyuan. "When you were still in isolation, I thought "if I leave the safe zone and you can't find me when you come out, what should be done?" Now, I've finally found a solution."

When the scheduled time for the meeting to begin approaches, the others trickle in one after another. Grandfather Long Haotian and Head priest both express their joy and astoundment in equal measures.

Because vital issues will be discussed during this particular conference, not only the higher-ups of A City are required to be present. B, C, D and E's higher-ups are also here, as well as the captains of various famous mercenary squads. This one meeting goes on for three hours, with select tasks and assignments being allocated at the end of it.

"This is the final decision. A safe zone's Long Yuan squad will be in responsible for X and Y City, B safe zone's Fan Lian[1] squad will be responsible for U and V City. O and R City will fall to C safe zone's Shan Mao[1] squad and D safe zone's Kuang Feng[1] squad will be responsible for M City. Every available mercenary squad and ability user in E safe zone will be assigned to clear all obstacles on the roads leading to those places!" The highest ranking person in the army, Commander-in-chief Long Haotian eventually issues this order.

Every military personnel within the room immediately rises to their feet, heels clicking together sharply and saluting in unison. This spectacle is as impressive as one can get.

Meeting adjourned, everyone begins to disperse. Li Qing is called over by General Long and Qin Jun follows after bidding his friends a brief goodbye. Finally, the only ones left in this spacious room is Huo Zaiyuan, Long Zhanye and the two elders.

"Child, it has already been a year. Zhanye told me you went into 'close-door cultivation', but I didn't even catch a glimpse of your person this entire time and thought something must have happened to you. That child wouldn't tell me more, making this old man worry to death." Long Haotian addresses Huo Zaiyuan, a kind, gentle smile on his face. Evidently, seeing Huo Zaiyuan here and unharmed makes him extremely happy.

"Grandfather, I am sorry. I've caused you worry, but I am fine." Huo Zaiyuan strides over to Long Haotian, covering those wrinkled hands with his own, trying to convey as much warmth and earnestness as possible through the contact.

In the span of a year, the once spirited and energetic elderly has been greatly burdened by the responsibilities of his station, causing him considerable mental and physical strain. Looking at him now, the Commander-in-chief's face and bearing displays his years.

Long Haotian reminds Huo Zaiyuan of his own grandfather, who always gazed at him with a soft, gentle smile. He still vividly remembers the wrinkled hands arranging his small fingers to hold a calligraphy brush, guiding him patiently through each stroke and slash.

"Old friend, your treasured grandson did not lie to you. After a year of isolation, little Yuan's cultivation level has progressed significantly ah. Un, un. Not bad, not bad at all," The Elder Taoist priest comments from the side as he strokes his long, white beard. Respect to Huo Zaiyuan shines in his eyes, nodding his head with a small smile.

For a Taoist practitioner, a year doesn't count as a long period of time. However, being able to reach Huo Zaiyuan's level at his age is something only a rare few can achieve.

"Thanking master for your praise." Huo Zaiyuan is especially cheerful after obtaining the Elder's approval.

The four of them chat for quite a period of time. Meanwhile, outside the command centre

A youth sporting a calm and tranquil expression walks unhurriedly towards the front gates of the command centre, frail frame clad in a white knitted top and grey trousers. His eyes rove around ceaselessly, as though searching for something. His way is instantly barred by the gate guards the moment he gets too close.

"This is the military command centre. If you are not familiar with anyone here, you may not enter."

"I apologise, I only"

"Lian Xiang." An authoritative voice rings out and a tall man emerges from the building, heading directly for the youth.

This man has quite a reputation within the safe zone, for he is B base's number one mercenary team Fan Lian squad's captain, Mo Junfan. As these two guards are no strangers to accepting missions outside the safe zone, they naturally recognise Mo Junfan on sight. Seeing as this youth is apparently on friendly terms with the squad captain, they immediately step back, allowing Lian Xiang to pass.

"Why did you come here?" Mo Junfan asks softly as he drapes an arm over Lian Xiang's shoulders.

This person has always been calm and quiet, obediently waiting in the car for him to finish his affairs in A's safe zone whenever the pair travels here, passing the time by meditating. The fact that Lian Xiang ran all the way to this command centre is unusual.

"It's nothing. I just felt 'his' energy, which is why I came over." Lian Xiang shakes his head, gaze reverting back to his typical blank look as he sweeps the surrounding area once more. "Onlyhe has apparently become even more remarkable. His skill in controlling his inner spiritual energy has grown a lot." A faint smile curves his lips as he says this.

Mo Junfan's brow wrinkles in displeasure. This normally expressionless youth will always smile softly whenever he talks about that mysterious person he has never met. Why?

"Did you say this before? That the person is not in A City? You must have made a mistake since everyone who came to the meeting today are people you've met before."

"If that's the case, I must have made a mistake. Stillit has been several thousand years since we last met" Lian Xiang murmurs lowly, as though these words are meant for his ears alone.

"Don't you always say to let fate run its course? Perhaps the time is not right, which is why the Heavens refuse to let you find him. When destiny finally decide it is time, you will naturally meet even if you stop searching." A dazzling smile appears on Mo Junfan's face. "Come on, let's head back. We have a mission tomorrow."

"Un."

Just as Mo Junfan and Lian Xiang disappear into the distance, another two figure strolls leisurely out of the building. Huo Zaiyuan abruptly breaks off halfway through the conversation, subconsciously raising his head to stare in that direction.

"Little Yuan, what is it?" Long Zhanye's glances towards where the other man is looking.

He doesn't see anything out of the norm.

"Noit's just for some reason, I sensed something rather strange."

Footnotes:

[1] Fan Lian () = Individually, "Fan" means "complicated" and "Lian" is "Lotus", but this name is the joining of two person's names, Mo Junfan and Lian Xiang. Like Long Yuan squad.

Shan Mao () = Bobcat/Lynx rufus

Kuang Feng () = Gale/Galestorm