Chapter Twenty-Six: Uncle Fusheng

Stepping out of Room 01, I couldn’t help but marvel at the air-raid shelter, a true feat of human ingenuity. In the shadow of the apocalypse, humanity’s potential had been thoroughly awakened. What was once just a basic shelter had been expanded and rebuilt with remarkable skill—many areas had been widened and reinforced.

Humming an old tune from the previous era, hands in my pockets, I swaggered toward Room 66 with a charming step.

I’ve drunk the wind and swallowed sand, a penniless wanderer unable to frequent taverns.
I’ve drunk the wind and swallowed sand, roaming the earth beneath drifting clouds.

…

When I returned to the room, I saw Han Shuqing tidying up, accompanied by a delicate little girl, perhaps eight or nine years old. I had to admit, she’d inherited at least eighty percent of her mother’s beauty.

Han Shuqing, flustered, stood up and held her daughter close, her eyes flickering with panic as she looked at me. Was I some kind of monster to make her so nervous?

“Hello, Uncle…” the little girl blinked bright, clear eyes at me.

I grinned, walked over, and tousled her hair. “Hello to you too, little one. What’s your name?”

“Woof, woof…” Four-Lord muttered.

The girl stroked Four-Lord’s head, and the dog looked utterly enchanted. Traitor! How shameless.

“My name is Chen Yunyun. What about you, Uncle?” she asked without a trace of wariness. Such pure eyes were rare these days—perhaps only children could still look like that.

“I’m Cao Fusheng. You can call me Uncle Cao,” I said, trying to make my smile look as gentle as possible.

“Can I call you Uncle Fusheng instead?”

“Why Uncle Fusheng?”

“Because Uncle Fusheng sounds nicer than Uncle Cao.”

Well, I was momentarily lost for words. No point arguing with a child—she was rather endearing.

It would be a shame to toss her out to feed the dead.

Alas, Brother Chen He, your wife and daughter I will care for, at least for now.

Luckily, though the mid-level rooms weren’t as luxurious as those above, they were still around seventy square meters, with a small bedroom partitioned off—just enough for Han Shuqing and the little girl.

I turned to Han Shuqing. “How’s the packing going?”

“It’s almost done. We didn’t have much to begin with—just clothes and… thank you.” She gazed at me earnestly.

I waved it off. “We’re helping each other. No need for such formalities. At least while I’m here, you’re safe—so long as you do your part.”

At the mention of ‘your part,’ a blush spread across Han Shuqing’s mature face. “I’ll do my best.”

Little Yunyun quietly watched us, then lowered her head, lost in thought. She might not be as naive as she appeared. In these times, early maturity was a matter of survival.

“If there’s nothing else, let’s take a walk. Bring the little one, and Four-Lord too. Let’s go.”

So three people and a dog stepped out, strolling through the community—not spacious, but not cramped either.

We reached the open area, where shops clustered together. Everything here was bought with contribution points—the local currency. Prices were set personally by Huo Tian to ensure that those in the lower section could at least earn enough not to starve through their labor.

“You must be that outsider, Cao Fusheng, who saved Little Bing?”

A young man blocked my path, dressed in scavenger’s rags. He was sharp-featured and not bad-looking, but he wore an expression of arrogance. I couldn’t recall having offended him.

“That’s me. What do you want?” I replied, my tone cold.

Two others stood behind him, also scavengers by their attire. The young man sneered at Han Shuqing. “So it’s true, you’re nothing but a whore. Chen He’s barely cold in his grave, and you’re already sleeping with someone else.”

Han Shuqing dropped her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. The little girl clung to her mother, glaring furiously at the young man.

There’s a saying: You should gauge the owner before you beat the dog. To insult someone in front of me—clearly, he was itching for trouble.

“Who do you think you are, blocking my way? At least weigh your own worth,” I said, face dark.

“These are our scavenger team’s vice-captain, Shen Dong! And you, an outsider, think you’re so tough? I heard you killed a third-level corpse barehanded—I bet you’re just full of it.” His lackey’s words dripped with provocation.

Fine, I’d satisfy his curiosity.

Crack!

I kicked the man’s thigh, and the sound of bone snapping filled the air. He collapsed, howling, eyes burning with hatred.

Shen Dong’s face turned ashen, though he didn’t react at once. My kick had caught him off guard. If he wanted a fight, he’d have to think it through.

“I’ve heard some unpleasant rumors—you want to be our scavenger captain? And Little Bing even asked you to be her personal bodyguard?” Shen Dong stepped forward, cold-eyed.

So that’s what this was about. No wonder he’d come looking for trouble. He must have thought that with Tong Jiayi dead, the captain’s position would fall to him—and no doubt, he had his eye on Huo Bing. Now I was a thorn in his side.

Rumors had twisted the truth, but I couldn’t be bothered to explain. In every era, there’s always someone who can’t read the room.

“Shen Dong!”

Huo Tian arrived with the rest of the scavenger team. Someone behind carried a long box.

Huo Tian’s expression was dark as he looked at Shen Dong. He must have heard about the incident but asked no questions.

“Since everyone’s here, I have an announcement. As for the selection of our new scavenger captain, I regret Captain Tong’s sacrifice, but our team can’t go leaderless. Anyone wishing to volunteer, step forward. I’ll explain the next steps.”

As soon as Huo Tian finished, Shen Dong strode forward, head held high. He glanced around at the others—none moved to join him. Either he was well-liked, or else others feared to compete with him.

Huo Bing followed behind Huo Tian, her gaze flicking to where I stood with Han Shuqing. She frowned ever so slightly, clearly displeased.

What’s with this girl? Don’t tell me she’s taken a liking to me? Unfortunately, I have no interest in girls barely grown.

“By the way, this is a melee weapon I commissioned from a lab in the old era. Whoever becomes captain will not only enjoy upper-section privileges but also receive this. I’m really splurging this time.” Huo Tian smiled and took the long box, opening it.

A dazzling, cold gleam burst forth. It was a blade—its center hollowed out and filled with an advanced composite. The edges were made of some material that shimmered with a blue glow.

Neither in appearance nor sharpness could my shattered Tang sword compare to this one.