Chapter 22: A Hostage Bargain and a Prophetic Warning

After Shen Qing finished speaking, burly men emerged from the vehicles behind, their expressions hostile as they advanced towards me.

Gazing at their thick, muscular arms and then at my own slender ones, I knew I was no match for them.

Shen Qing’s sudden betrayal was something I had already anticipated.

Having directly rejected her, I surmised that in her eyes, I had become utterly useless.

Alas, I still wished to cling to my life.

As Shen Qing smiled at me, I, too, flashed a brilliant grin back at her.

While Shen Qing looked puzzled, I didn’t draw my blade. Instead, I moved in close, instantly appearing beside her. With a forceful grip, I locked my arm around her neck.

Simultaneously, I willed a small knife from my spatial storage into my hand. Gripping the hilt, I pressed the blade horizontally against Shen Qing’s throat.

The cold glint of the blade shimmered under the sun, freezing all of Shen Qing’s subordinates in place, none daring to move.

“Unfortunately, I have no desire for a deep conversation with zombies.”

“I didn’t expect you to be so bold!”

“It’s not boldness; I’ve simply been pushed to a dead end.”

“A dead end? I wouldn’t say that!”

Even while being held hostage, Shen Qing’s face betrayed no hint of panic. Instead, her smile remained unwavering as she continued to speak, her tone remarkably calm and composed.

No wonder this woman thrived in the apocalypse; with such audacious courage, she surpassed even men.

I found myself greatly admiring Shen Qing.

Provided, of course, that she didn’t endanger my life…

“The situation is urgent, so I’ll cut to the chase. Give me a car; I need to leave this place.”

“No problem.”

Given the recent impact of shattered glass and screams, nearby zombies were rapidly converging on our position. Had Shen Qing’s subordinates not been continuously clearing them, we would have been surrounded long ago.

Shen Qing readily agreed to my demand. Before long, one of the burly men drove a vehicle right up to me.

After receiving the thrown car keys, I slowly approached the car door, still holding Shen Qing captive.

If escape were possible, I preferred not to escalate the situation.

After all, Shen Qing possessed formidable abilities, making her an exceptionally tricky opponent, especially having thrived in this apocalypse. Only by eliminating this apocalyptic genius in her infancy could I truly avert future troubles.

However, upon envisioning the hordes of zombies and the daily hell people were forced to endure in this apocalypse, any thought of killing Shen Qing vanished completely.

Shen Qing’s abilities were better reserved for combating the zombies of this shattered world!

Having successfully reached the vehicle, I cautiously entered, inserted the key, and started the engine. With all preparations complete, I intended to release Shen Qing and swiftly depart.

Only…

I looked down at Shen Qing, whom I still held captive. Her beautiful face and fair complexion reminded me of something: even after her death, Shen Qing would remain beautiful, yet her skin would turn terribly pale.

She shouldn’t die at the hands of those petty individuals!

“Listen closely. I know you had a high fever before, and you might have noticed black spots on your neck… Don’t speak; just listen to me! Within a zombie’s head lies a crystal core. If you absorb it, you’ll awaken incredibly powerful abilities, allowing you to survive in this apocalypse.”

“Apocalypse? That’s quite an apt description. Why are you telling me all of this?”

“No particular reason, other than not wanting you to die prematurely.”

“Hmph, you’re quite an interesting person.”

Leaning closer, I whispered softly into Shen Qing’s ear.

Shen Qing’s rise was already a foregone conclusion; I was merely giving her a head start.

As for why I didn’t warn her about those insidious individuals, it was simply because this was the early stage of the apocalypse, and Shen Qing wouldn’t fall into their traps just yet.

Moreover, we were merely strangers whose paths had crossed; Shen Qing wouldn’t necessarily heed my words.

As Shen Qing replied, she showed no fear of the blade at her throat. Instead, she tilted her head and winked at me, a captivating gesture so potent it left me momentarily stunned.

Shen Qing was truly a mesmerizing temptress, a fact that explained why she was the goddess in the hearts of so many powerful individuals in the apocalypse.

Composing myself, I shrugged at Shen Qing, then withdrew the knife from her neck. Giving her a gentle push aside, I prepared to close the car door and leave.

“Wait,” she called out. “I know your name is Bai Han. Aren’t you curious about mine?”

Once free from my grasp, the group of burly men behind Shen Qing surged forward, undoubtedly intending to beat me severely.

Fortunately, Shen Qing extended her right hand, stopping all of them in their tracks.

Yet, at that moment, she gazed at me with an expression of intense curiosity, her words laced with genuine interest.

“No need,” I replied. “I already know your name is Shen Qing.”

I smiled at Shen Qing, then, disregarding her stunned expression, quickly closed the car door. Starting the engine, I drove away from that perilous location.