Chapter 47 – Fate (Bonus Chapter Seeking Favorites)

“Yangzi, how should we search?” Upon arriving at their destination, Yu Kai and the others faced their most pressing concern.

Cheng Yang pondered for a moment before replying, “Let’s use the simplest method – shouting. But before that, we need to clear out the demonized beasts in the area. Otherwise, we might attract a horde of monsters.”

Yu Kai was momentarily stunned before realizing the wisdom in this approach. “That’s actually a pretty good idea.”

“Let’s split up then,” Cheng Yang instructed. “Clear out all monsters within a 400-meter radius. It should take about ten minutes.”

The group immediately followed orders, dividing into teams. This time, Cheng Yang didn’t operate alone. He brought Yu Kai, Liu Hao, Li Wanshan, and Shu Yuan with him, while the rest formed three separate teams to clear different directions.

Cheng Yang’s arrangement served a dual purpose – to practice his Transference skill while maintaining overwhelming firepower. Their combined strength allowed them to quickly eliminate large groups of monsters.

The operation proceeded smoothly. Cheng Yang’s team specifically targeted groups of over fifty monsters. With Transference activated, they swept through like a tidal wave. Occasionally, they needed to meditate to recover magic energy, but with teammates guarding them, they rarely needed to use magic potions.

Within ten minutes, they had cleared eight monster groups within the 400-meter radius. The scattered monsters and smaller groups were handled by the other teams. In terms of gains, Cheng Yang’s team came out ahead, each member earning nearly 100 spirit energy points. While this wasn’t much faster than Cheng Yang operating alone, it was due to the lack of massive monster groups and their decision to conserve magic potions.

After the battles concluded, Shu Yuan began shouting for his parents. At just twenty-two years old and unmarried, his only family was his mother and father.

The group waited with bated breath, knowing that the outcome was already determined. They could only wait and hope. This was true not just for Shu Yuan’s family, but for their own as well.

Perhaps by divine providence, a weak voice responded from beneath the ruins. “Is that Xiao Yuan?” The voice trembled with emotion.

Shu Yuan’s body shook as the faint voice resonated deep within him. He immediately sprinted toward the source.

Cheng Yang and the others stayed behind, knowing the area within fifty meters had been cleared of danger.

Moments later, Shu Yuan returned with a group of people. He held hands with a man and woman – presumably his parents. The others following behind were likely survivors who had taken refuge with them.

Cheng Yang felt genuine joy for Shu Yuan’s fortune. In these apocalyptic times, family reunions were rare. Of the thirty-one people they had brought, less than half would likely find their loved ones. Some had already lost their families, while others simply couldn’t be located. Ultimately, it all came down to fate.

“Lord, these are my parents,” Shu Yuan said, his voice still trembling with emotion. “We’ll be moving to Phoenix Village. I hope you’ll allow it.” His use of “Lord” now carried genuine respect, not just survival instinct.

Cheng Yang smiled warmly. “You’re always welcome. Phoenix Village is your home. But what’s your plan now? Will you bring your parents with us, or wait here until we return?”

Shu Yuan glanced at his parents, then at the companions who had helped him search. “Lord, I want to continue with you. My parents can wait here, and we’ll bring them back to Phoenix Village later.”

Cheng Yang nodded approvingly. “I respect your decision. I believe you won’t regret it.”

Shu Yuan turned to his parents. “Mom, Dad, please wait here safely. We need to continue rescuing others. We’ll return this afternoon to take you with us. I was only able to save you thanks to the Lord and my companions. Now that I know you’re safe, I can’t selfishly stay behind. Please understand.”

Shu Yuan’s father, a reasonable man, replied, “Go ahead. The monsters around here are all dead. It’s only a few hours until evening. We’ll find a safe place to hide.”

With tears in his eyes, Shu Yuan exchanged a few more words with his mother before rejoining the group.

After ensuring Shu Yuan’s parents and their group were safely hidden, Cheng Yang’s team marked the location and continued their journey.

Their next destination was several kilometers away – the workplace of another warrior named Fang Lei’s wife.

Along the way, Cheng Yang rotated team members, keeping Yu Kai and two others with him while bringing in different warriors to practice Transference and clear monster hordes.

Nearly half an hour later, they reached their destination. After clearing the area, Fang Lei began calling for his wife.

But luck wasn’t on Fang Lei’s side. After a minute of shouting, there was no response. Anxiety began to creep into his heart.

Cheng Yang approached, placing a comforting hand on Fang Lei’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. Let’s search around. Maybe she’s too weak to respond.”

Fang Lei nodded gratefully, and the group began searching every possible hiding spot.

Halfway through their search, a voice called out from underground: “Friends above, are you here to rescue people?”

The group exchanged glances before Cheng Yang motioned for Fang Lei to handle the situation.

Fang Lei stepped forward. “We are rescuers. The monsters are gone. You can come out.”

A dozen people emerged from a hole about ten meters away. Though dirty, they appeared healthier than most refugees Cheng Yang had encountered.

“Are you all from this area?” Fang Lei asked.

The leader eyed Fang Lei cautiously. “We worked nearby. Who are you? How did you gain such power to kill those monsters so easily?”

Fang Lei, ever cautious, avoided the question. “That’s not important right now. Do you know a woman named Ruan Meng? About twenty-four or twenty-five?”

The leader nodded. “Yes, she was with us. But two days ago, a larger group passed by. She thought we were too few to be safe, so she went with them. They headed west. I’d recognize them if I saw them again.”

Fang Lei, overcome with concern, immediately looked to Cheng Yang. But Cheng Yang’s expression remained grim.

Without directly addressing Fang Lei, Cheng Yang ordered, “Separate them and question them individually. Ask whatever you need to.”

As Cheng Yang spoke, the leader’s face changed. Before he could protest, Cheng Yang’s staff flashed, and a magic missile reduced a nearby rock to dust – a clear warning.

The leader’s mouth hung open, words frozen in his throat.

Even Fang Lei, slow as he was, realized something was amiss. The warriors quickly separated the group, easily subduing any resistance.

With only a dozen people to question, not everyone needed to participate. Cheng Yang kept Fang Lei by his side.

“Are you wondering why I did that?” Cheng Yang asked calmly.

Fang Lei hesitated before nodding.

Cheng Yang explained, “Your observation skills need work. In this apocalypse, failing to notice details can be fatal. Did you see the malice in the leader’s eyes? How the others avoided our gaze? They didn’t respond when you called, but suddenly appeared during our search. None of this is normal.”

Fang Lei’s face paled. “Lord, are you saying they’re lying? But why would they?”

“Liars always have their reasons,” Cheng Yang replied. “We’ll know after the interrogations. Prepare yourself… let’s wait for the results.”

Deep down, Fang Lei already suspected the truth, though he desperately wanted to believe otherwise.

Several minutes later, the interrogations concluded. Some of the warriors looked troubled, suggesting the questioning hadn’t been gentle.

Cheng Yang showed no concern. In these chaotic times, excessive mercy could be deadly. Besides, his warriors’ methods were far from cruel.