Level 1 Little Zombie Doomsday Growth Diary - Chapter 28

Chapter 28

Cloud River Base didn’t research mutated plants, so this high-level mutant plant was likely being transported back to Sky Base.

They maintained good relations with Sky Base and often assisted with tasks, including capturing mutated plants.

In fact, most bases had positive relationships with Sky Base.

Wen Jue’s Precognition Ability was exceptionally unique and never used for personal gain. Instead, during the early days of the apocalypse, it had helped other bases weather numerous crises.

Gradually, his status among the Great Bases rose, and he became almost a prophet or guiding figure.

Many base leaders, facing dilemmas or indecision, would seek his counsel, even if they didn’t receive a definitive answer.

Only Black Ridge Mountain Base stood apart. Recruiting solely Ability Users and boasting the highest overall combat power, its operational style differed from other bases, seemingly rendering Wen Jue’s ability unnecessary.

The iron cage containing the mutated plant was sturdy and resistant to damage. Nevertheless, a subordinate retrieved a fresh tranquilizer dart and inserted it through a small opening in the cage.

Carrying the cage, he and a companion headed toward the rear vehicle.

This high-level mutant plant was likely an aggressive type, its aura growing intensely potent when agitated or threatened.

Fortunately, the plants in Qian Hui’s backpack were diligently concealing themselves, creating a delicate energy balance that allowed them to temporarily forgo using the disguise medicine.

Hearing the commotion from the iron cage, Qian Hui glanced sideways, his hand unconsciously tightening around Nan Tingjin’s.

Qi Yue quickly tidied the back seat and stepped back. “Please, gentlemen.”

The modified vehicle was quite tall, and Qian Hui, with his impaired vision, had to be helped inside by Nan Tingjin.

Once seated, he groped for a comfortable position and cradled his backpack in his arms.

Nan Tingjin sat beside him as the door closed. Moments later, the vehicle slowly turned around and began driving toward Black Ridge Mountain Base.

Qi Yue was the only one in the front seat, focused intently on driving without speaking.

A narrow gap in the window allowed a faint smell of fuel to linger, making Qian Hui slightly uncomfortable.

He quietly lowered his head, clutching a strap of his backpack.

With the high-level mutant plant present, they could save the disguise medicine for when they reached the base entrance, ensuring a safer approach.

But what would happen to it once it was captured and taken to the human base?

Inside the backpack, Sunflower emitted a faint glow as the plants communicated telepathically.

Carrot clenched the medicine bottle in its hand, seething. These despicable humans! They keep capturing mutated plants!

Potato, furious, began kneading bombs, itching to blow up all three vehicles immediately.

Chili Pepper and Carnivorous Flower remained mostly silent, while Corn vigorously punched the air with both fists.

Beat them! Beat them! Snatch that high-level mutant plant!

Mimosa, also in the backpack, pressed tightly against the back of Carnivorous Flower’s head, nervously twitching.

The plants were restless. Someone lightly bumped the backpack, and Qian Hui quickly pretended to adjust his clothes.

Qi Yue, walking ahead, remained impassive, likely unaware of their agitation.

The Sunflower’s light seeped through the zipper gap, touching Qian Hui’s fingertips and transmitting its emotions to him.

Qian Hui calmed the plants, urging them to be patient. He promised to find a way to help.

Having stumbled upon this situation, he couldn’t simply stand by and do nothing.

But how could they rescue the high-level mutant plant?

Qian Hui considered waiting until Qi Yue delivered them to Black Ridge Mountain Base. Then, as the modified vehicles returned to the base, the Plant Squad could secretly follow and ambush them along the way.

With three modified vehicles, the estimated number of human ability users shouldn’t pose a problem.

However, this plan would separate Qian Hui from the plants, potentially complicating matters later.

Qian Hui felt uneasy but couldn’t think of a better solution for now.

He turned his head. “Xiao Jin.”

The modified vehicle subtly lurched, but Qian Hui ignored it, reaching out to Nan Tingjin and whispering again, “Xiao Jin…”

Nan Tingjin responded softly and took Qian Hui’s hand.

“I…” Qian Hui stammered, afraid Qi Yue in the front seat would overhear. He simply took Nan Tingjin’s hand and slowly wrote in his palm:

[ Wait a moment at the gate. ]

He needed time to let the plants in his backpack slip out and hide. At least the strongest fighters had to go first. The Carnivorous Flower could enter the base with them.

Worried Nan Tingjin might not understand, Qian Hui added: [ It’ll be quick, I think. ]

As he continued writing, Qian Hui hesitated, unsure whether to reveal his plan to Nan Tingjin.

Nan Tingjin had promised to take him to find a special-grade mutated plant—the one on Black Ridge Mountain, not any others. After all, Nan Tingjin was human, and humans were his true companions. He might not want the mutated plants captured by this squad to be released.

Just as Qian Hui was hesitating, the modified vehicle arrived at the entrance of the Black Ridge Mountain Base.

The guard on duty recognized the base insignia on the vehicle and approached to ask about their business. He was startled to see Nan Tingjin in the back seat.

“L-Leader?!” The guard was both shocked and overjoyed, immediately using his real-time communicator to alert everyone: “The Leader has returned!”

The heavy iron gate swung open, and the modified vehicle continued forward, traveling a considerable distance before finally reaching the base’s Inner Gate.

A group of subordinates, having received word of Nan Tingjin’s return, were already waiting at the entrance. They watched as he stepped out of the vehicle, appearing completely unharmed, as if he hadn’t been abducted by mutated plants and missing for several days.

As the subordinates moved forward to greet him, they saw Nan Tingjin turn back and help someone else out of the vehicle.

It was a young man, slender and frail, carrying a large backpack. His hair was an unusual color, and a strip of cloth covered his eyes, suggesting a visual impairment. His pale skin seemed almost bloodless.

Even so, it was clear that the young man possessed remarkable beauty.

Who is this?

Why have we never seen him before?

Especially considering Nan Tingjin’s unusually intimate demeanor toward him—this was highly irregular.

Since becoming Leader, and even long before that, Nan Tingjin had always remained aloof and solitary, as if he had purged himself of all emotion. He never allowed anyone to get close.

The subordinates’ hearts pounded with suspicion and confusion as they stared intently at Qian Hui, scrutinizing him.

Nan Tingjin, still supporting Qian Hui, swept his gaze across the crowd, his eyes flashing with warning and menace.

The subordinates immediately averted their eyes, not daring to look again.

Qian Hui paid no attention to the others, his mind still occupied by the mutated plant in the iron cage.

According to his plan, he should have unloaded the plants from his backpack at the first gate, but there was a second gate he hadn’t anticipated.

The armored vehicle stopped for too short a time, leaving him no chance to react.

Now that they were inside Black Ridge Mountain Base, surrounded by so many people, opening his backpack was out of the question.

Qian Hui frowned, his delicate eyebrows furrowing with worry.

Just then, Nan Tingjin leaned closer.

He bent slightly and whispered in Qian Hui’s ear, “Do you want the mutated plant?”

Qian Hui froze, then hope surged anew.

He nodded eagerly, “Yes.”

Qi Yue, having delivered the pair, was about to lead his team back.

He tactfully waited for Nan Tingjin and Qian Hui to finish their conversation, preparing to bid farewell.

“Captain Qi,” Nan Tingjin said, glancing at him, “why not stay until tomorrow morning? I have something I need you to take to Sky Base.”

Qi Yue was surprised but immediately agreed, “Of course, thank you, Leader Nan.”

Their plant-capturing expedition had indeed been exhausting, and they would have had to travel all night to return.

Staying overnight at Black Ridge Mountain Base was certainly welcome, especially since Nan Tingjin had personally invited them to stay. Qi Yue couldn’t possibly refuse.

Hearing this, Qi Yue’s subordinates immediately went to arrange rooms, while Qi Yue instructed his team to park the vehicles in the rear.

Qian Hui quietly observed as the iron cage from the vehicle was also brought out.

Before entering the Outer Gate, Qi Yue had explained the energy source within the vehicle. Now, he personally carried the iron cage, following Nan Tingjin through the Inner Gate.

Once they passed through the Inner Gate, further inspections were unlikely, saving them the need for the disguise medicine for the time being.

Inside the backpack, Carrot remained clutching the medicine bottle, ready for any emergency.

Qian Hui, unable to see, was led slowly by Nan Tingjin, feeling numerous probing gazes directed at it.

Restrained by Nan Tingjin’s presence, the human ability users suppressed their curiosity, cautiously observing with fleeting glances.

Before coming here, Chili Pepper had warned Qian Hui that the humans at Black Ridge Mountain Base were not to be trifled with, particularly fierce, and urged it to remain vigilant.

Qian Hui was indeed tense, but the current situation seemed somewhat better than it had anticipated.

Apart from the occasional “Leader” called out along the way, no one spoke, and the atmosphere remained relatively calm.

After Qi Yue and his team were led to their prepared guest rooms, a subordinate approached Nan Tingjin hesitantly. “Leader, should we also arrange for…?”

“No,” Nan Tingjin replied.

This meant Qian Hui would be taken to his own quarters first.

The subordinate withdrew with a nod. Nan Tingjin led Qian Hui forward, navigating several turns until the surroundings grew increasingly quiet.

Upon reaching the Leader’s low-rise residence, Nan Tingjin immediately scooped Qian Hui into his arms, carrying him up a long flight of stairs before taking his hand to continue deeper into the building.

The two-story structure remained intact. The lower floor housed the council chamber and living room, while the upper floor contained the bedrooms. Whenever they encountered stairs, Qian Hui was once again carried.

Clinging to Nan Tingjin’s neck, Qian Hui murmured, “I could have walked myself…”

It would have been slower, certainly. While he had practiced walking blindfolded, he had never attempted stairs.

Nan Tingjin remained silent. Qian Hui quietly asked, “Is anyone else here?”

After a moment, he was set down. “No,” Nan Tingjin replied.

Qian Hui carefully pulled the blindfold aside a fraction. As expected, only he and Nan Tingjin remained.

He removed the blindfold, curiously surveying his surroundings before being led into a room.

Taking advantage of the privacy, he unzipped his backpack from the inside, and the plants that had been cooped up the entire journey eagerly poked their heads out.

Carrot, the boldest of the group, hopped to the ground, glancing left and right. Corn and Chili Pepper followed closely behind.

Qian Hui cautioned them to be careful, then asked Nan Tingjin, “Where did they take the imprisoned plant?”

Nan Tingjin pointed in a direction outside the window. “Follow the small path to the tallest building.”

That area was usually used for storing miscellaneous items, with only two or three rooms remaining empty. This was the only available guest room.

Carrot jumped onto the windowsill, carefully observing and memorizing the route.

Seeing its eagerness to set off immediately, Nan Tingjin added, “Not yet. Wait until nightfall.”

The small path had no streetlights, making it easier to conceal their movements under the cover of darkness.

Carrot reluctantly agreed, returning to Qian Hui’s side.

Qian Hui placed the backpack on the coffee table, and the plants began discussing how to steal the caged mutated plant.

They agreed to bring the disguise medicine as a backup. Corn reminded Qian Hui that he could buy the Sleep Spray, just like when they stole Mimosa. It should be simple.

But the real challenge would come after rescuing the plant. They were unfamiliar with this high-level mutant plant and if it proved uncooperative or made a commotion, things could quickly go wrong.

Corn waved its fist, assuring them not to worry—if all else failed, it would just knock the high-level mutant plant unconscious.

Qian Hui didn’t join the plants’ discussion. Instead, he wandered around the room, reaching out to touch the coffee table and curtains.

This was the first time he had seen a human’s proper living space. Unlike the Plant Little Courtyard, where rooms were used for storage and sleeping was done under the trees in the Back Courtyard, this place felt entirely different.

He had visited Nan Tingjin’s stone cabin in the forest a few times before, but the space there was cramped and nothing like this.

Through the window, he could see the outside world at a glance. Occasionally, human figures passed in the distance. Afraid of being spotted, Qian Hui quickly moved away from the window, not lingering too long.

He then approached Nan Tingjin. “Thank you,” he said.

If Nan Tingjin hadn’t asked Qi Yue to stay, they might not have been able to rescue the high-level mutant plant.

Qian Hui’s eyes sparkled as he couldn’t resist reaching out to hug Nan Tingjin.

Nan Tingjin glanced at the plants on the coffee table and gently stroked Qian Hui’s hair. “Are you hungry? I’ll have dinner sent over.”

It was nearly seven in the evening, and the sky outside was gradually darkening.

Qian Hui had never experienced a human “dinner” before. Intrigued, he nodded. “Mm.”

A communicator sat on the low cabinet by the wall. Nan Tingjin contacted his subordinates, and within just over ten minutes, an entire box of meals arrived.

Qian Hui re-tied his cloth strip and sat at the table, his backpack resting quietly on the coffee table.

Two people brought dinner. After setting down the trays, one of them lingered.

Leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed, he asked, “Leader, what exactly happened in the safe zone that night?”

His name was Yuan Ji, one of the base’s main captains. With formidable overall combat power and a high-ranking position, he was more at ease speaking with Nan Tingjin than most other subordinates.

Nan Tingjin sat beside Qian Hui, acting as if he hadn’t heard.

He was serving Qian Hui, using the thoughtfully provided spoon to scoop up rice. Qian Hui slowly ate each spoonful, waiting for Nan Tingjin to place food on top before swallowing it whole.

He carefully savored the flavors, wondering if his non-human nature made the food taste bland.

Driven by curiosity, Qian Hui took a few more bites.

Yuan Ji watched Nan Tingjin’s actions from the doorway.

He suppressed his impatience, but finally couldn’t hold back. “Leader…”

Nan Tingjin glanced up coldly before answering the earlier question. “Nothing. After leaving the safe zone, the mutated plants gradually fled.”

This aligned with the base’s initial speculation. Given Nan Tingjin’s strength, it was unlikely he would have been easily controlled by a few mutated plants.

Even with the rumored special Chili Pepper, a charged attack couldn’t be sustained indefinitely.

What they couldn’t understand was why Nan Tingjin had disappeared for so long if he was unharmed.

But now, it seemed they might have found the answer.

Yuan Ji scrutinized Qian Hui, genuinely astonished despite having heard about him beforehand.

He nearly blurted out, “Has Nan Tingjin been possessed? Is there someone else inside that shell?” but dared not voice the thought.

Kidnapped by a mutated plant, went on a trip, and suddenly changed his personality?

Yuan Ji chuckled, probing, “And this is…?”

Qian Hui quickly set down his spoon and lifted his head, “looking” toward the doorway. “H-hello, my name is Qian Hui.”

He seemed nervous. Nan Tingjin interjected, “His ability is in his eyes, making it difficult for him to see.”

Black Ridge Mountain Base housed only Ability Users. Since Qian Hui had been brought in, regardless of his relationship with Nan Tingjin, he must also be an Ability User.

“An eye-based ability?” Yuan Ji’s interest piqued. “What kind? Is it powerful?”

Qian Hui struggled to formulate a suitable response when Nan Tingjin spoke up from beside him. “I encountered a Zombie Horde outside.”

Leaning back in his chair, Nan Tingjin lowered his gaze and continued, “He saved me.”

His expression remained calm, his tone as casual as discussing the day’s weather.

Qian Hui gasped softly, burying his head and daring not to speak.

Yuan Ji curled his lip, not believing a word.

But even if the story was utterly implausible, Nan Tingjin’s willingness to take the time to fabricate it proved Qian Hui’s importance. No one else could dare question it.

Yuan Ji nodded. “Very well, I understand.”

He excused himself from Nan Tingjin, turned, and left, closing the door behind him.

Hearing the footsteps descend the stairs, Qian Hui exhaled in relief.

He removed the blindfold and looked at Nan Tingjin, his words catching in his throat.

At that moment, several plants darted out of the backpack and leaped onto the table.

Carrot buried its head in the plate of food, sniffing intently, and reached out to grab a piece to taste. Qian Hui stopped it.

He also restrained Corn, who was fidgeting beside it, whispering, “We’re in someone else’s home. We can’t do that here.”

Forbidding them from moving, Qian Hui picked up his spoon and began feeding them one by one.

Potato squatted before a plate of potato chips, pondering, then pointed and declared, I want this.

Dinner had been prepared for two, with generous portions. As Qian Hui fed the plants, Nan Tingjin ate some as well.

Next door were two more rooms: a study for storing items and a bathroom.

Qian Hui encountered something he had never seen before—a faucet.

He leaned over the sink, playing with the water stream for a long while. Afraid of wasting too much, he quickly turned it off.

Meanwhile, outside, the plants had finalized their plan to steal the high-level mutant plant.

The team consisted of Carrot, Corn, Chili Pepper, Potato, and Little Bamboo Shoot, who had eagerly volunteered.

To minimize search time, they brought Mimosa along.

Qian Hui purchased another bottle of Sleep Spray, identical to the last one, along with disguise medicine. After confirming the plan, Carrot led the squad out.

The disguise medicine remained a backup. If they were discovered, it could at least conceal them from detection by instruments.

Under the cover of night, the plants climbed onto the windowsill one by one.

Qian Hui, anxious, repeatedly urged them, “Be careful and come back as soon as possible.”

Corn gave a reassuring thumbs-up before leaping to the ground last.

The surroundings were quiet and deserted. No one would suspect that mutated plants had infiltrated the base.

The Plant Squad moved smoothly along the path to the guest rooms, guided by Mimosa to a window.

Corn peered inside. The room was dark, with a figure lying on the bed.

To capture the high-level mutant plant none of them had slept for three days, and they had all retired early after dinner.

Chili Pepper repeated its earlier trick, quietly opening the window and slipping the Sleep Spray inside.

The figure inside was likely Captain Qi Yue, the strongest of them all. To be safe, Chili Pepper emptied the entire bottle of spray.

After waiting a while, the plants slipped inside.

The iron cage holding the plant sat on the table, the key lying nearby.

Potato swiftly unlocked the cage door and leaned in to peer inside.

It greeted the occupant softly, “Woo?”

The ventilation holes in the cage were too small, preventing much of the Sleep Spray from entering.

In the pitch-black shadows, a pair of eyes slowly opened, emitting a low, menacing growl.

Just as I suspected… it’s not being cooperative, Corn muttered, shoving Potato aside. He prepared to punch the plant inside, intending to quickly subdue it and get out.

Just as Corn raised its fist, a round object suddenly rolled out of the cage and collided with it.

Corn quickly dodged, and the round object rolled off the table and fell to the ground.

Chili Pepper immediately jumped down to examine the plant.

It was plump and round, seemingly wrapped in something like tin foil, with only its leaves, limbs, and eyes visible. Its species was impossible to determine.

Carrot leaned in for a closer look, worried that the wrapping might be some kind of restraint causing the plant pain. It reached out and tore at it forcefully.

With a rip, a faint, peculiar aroma wafted out.

Carrot sniffed the air and sneezed.

At that moment, sensing the loosening of its restraints, the high-level mutant plant’s eyes widened, and it twisted its body, testing its newfound freedom.

Its gaze remained wary as it glared at the other plants, letting out another angry, threatening hiss, ready to attack.

Just as Corn was about to punch it, the high-level mutant plant suddenly burst free from its tin foil wrapping, revealing a body covered in sharp spikes, and lunged at Corn.

It was a… Durian!

Caught off guard, Corn was pricked several times and stumbled backward, clutching its chest.

Chili Pepper tried to approach, but was pricked as well.

The Durian, small in size, curled up and rolled back and forth on the ground, indiscriminately attacking the surrounding plants.

Even Carrot was pricked. It let out two “woo woo” sounds, trying to explain, but the Durian was in a frenzy and wouldn’t listen.

Little Bamboo Shoot’s shell was relatively hard, so the pricks didn’t hurt much. It tried to stop the Durian with its bamboo blade, but failed.

The plants couldn’t truly fight it, so they surrounded the Durian in a tense standoff.

Potato gritted its teeth, wanting to kick it hard, but when it saw the rolling spikes, it quickly retreated.

As the commotion grew louder and the last drop of Sleep Spray was used, Carrot grew anxious about being discovered by humans. In desperation, it pulled out the disguise medicine.

It twisted open the cap, gulped down the potion, and tried to transform into a Carnivorous Flower.

Carnivorous Flowers had thick, tough skin—immune to pricks!

But as it watched the Durian roll toward it, Carrot’s mind was filled with nothing but Durian…

Two seconds later, with a poof, Carrot’s figure vanished, replaced by another Durian.

The Durian froze upon seeing Durian No. 2.

It stopped attacking, leaned in for a closer sniff, and its eyes gradually cleared.

On the other side, Qian Hui waited anxiously until he finally saw the Plant Squad returning.

The plants crept along furtively, their pace fluctuating between quick bursts and slow, cautious steps. Instead of scaling walls or climbing through windows, they used the stairs.

When Qian Hui opened the door, he froze in surprise.

Chili Pepper, Potato, Corn, and Little Bamboo Shoot were all present. Mimosa clung quietly to Chili Pepper’s head.

But Carrot was missing, leaving only two yellow durians behind.

The two durians huddled close together, but upon closer inspection, one was pressed tightly against the other.

Durian No. 2 stood stiffly, sighed, and patted the durian beside it reassuringly before leading it into the room.

Qian Hui nearly thought Carrot hadn’t returned until Sunflower explained that Durian No. 2 was actually Carrot transformed.

Potato vividly described the ordeal to Qian Hui, showing off the puncture marks on its body with an almost excited demeanor.

Durians seemed to have a natural affinity for their own species. Upon seeing Durian No. 2, who was actually Carrot, the captured durian immediately became docile, making its subsequent retrieval remarkably smooth.

Chili Pepper carefully inspected the room, restoring the iron cage to its original state.

Durian, now calm, finally understood that they were rescuing it. It had even shed an identical outer shell, which they wrapped in tin foil and placed back in the cage.

The shell would retain Durian’s scent. As long as the cage remained quiet, Qi Yue wouldn’t order the Plant Squad to administer a sedative.

By the time they returned to the base, they would discover Durian had already escaped.

As a high-level mutant plant Durian possessed exceptional control over its bodily scent, ensuring it wouldn’t inadvertently release any odor.

Overall, the operation had proceeded smoothly.

Qian Hui praised each of the plants individually. Durian, still wary of him, shrank behind Durian No. 2, refusing to approach.

It seemed to trust only Durian No. 2, remaining equally guarded toward the other plants.

Its condition was poor, and it desperately needed rest.

Qian Hui purchased some food and pills, entrusting them to Durian No. 2 for temporary care.

Durian No. 2 accepted the supplies and led Durian to the adjacent study, where it instructed Durian to take the medicine and rest in a secluded corner.

Several curious plants followed them, peeking through the door crack.

Qian Hui also watched quietly as Durian, soothed by Durian No. 2, ate the food and pill before closing its eyes to sleep.

Finally relieved, he turned and returned to the bedroom.

Nan Tingjin stood by the door, taking Qian Hui’s hand. “Happy now?”

Qian Hui nodded. “Mm-hmm!”

Rescuing this high-level mutant plant had gone smoother than expected. If possible, keeping it by his side would be ideal.

By working to increase the Loyalty of Durian and Mimosa, he would move closer to completing his Mission.

Nan Tingjin’s lips curved into a smile as he pulled Qian Hui into his arms, lowering his head to kiss his cheek.

Compared to their previous kiss outside the base, this one was noticeably more forceful, causing Qian Hui to instinctively flinch.

“What are you afraid of?” Nan Tingjin murmured, sensing his slight hesitation. “Aren’t I your boyfriend?”

Qian Hui’s eyelashes fluttered as he whispered, “Yes…”