Chapter 242
Tang Sheng watched Tang Xueyun’s fist whistle toward him and quickly shut his eyes in fear.
He felt the rush of air but no pain.
Peeking with one eye, he saw Tang Xueyun’s arm suspended in front of him—the terrifying iron fist had landed on the back of the sofa instead.
He let out a sigh of relief, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, and relaxed completely.
Yes, as An An had described, lying on the Purple-Red Sleep Pillow generated a protective barrier with the user’s height as its radius.
As long as someone remained within the barrier and was physically touching the user, they would be recognized as part of the user and receive protection.
This meant the sofa Tang Sheng was lying on was also protected by the barrier.
Tang Xueyun withdrew her fist and examined the unharmed sofa, which automatically returned to its original shape after she let go. She blinked in surprise.
Unconvinced, she stood up and punched the sofa again, this time with even greater force.
The powerful gust from her punch made Tang Sheng tense up again, afraid that even the slightest mistake might send that fist crashing into him.
After all, he had personally witnessed Tang Xueyun pulverize a mutated creature’s skull.
Back then, she was in poor condition, struggling with hunger and exhaustion. Now, after half a month of rest, she was full of energy and strength.
Even a glancing blow from her fist would be enough to fracture bones!
Tang Sheng remained rigid, watching Tang Xueyun throw punch after punch, switching stances as she struck the sofa repeatedly.
But no matter how much force she used, even after panting and breaking into a sweat, the sofa remained completely intact.
Tang Sheng gradually relaxed.
Tang Xueyun’s eyes, on the other hand, shone even brighter—she hadn’t felt this exhilarated in a long time!
Ever since awakening her strength ability, she had to control her power at all times to avoid unintentionally damaging her surroundings.
Perhaps due to natural talent, she had quickly mastered control, but restraining herself constantly left her feeling stifled.
Now, being able to unleash her full strength without holding back felt incredibly refreshing, as if even her power had grown.
This Purple-Red Sleep Pillow—even if not used as a defensive item in battle—could be an excellent training tool.
Tang Sheng lay peacefully on the sofa, only for Tang Xueyun to suddenly stop.
Thinking she had grown tired and needed a break, he was caught off guard when she asked, “Can I try punching you directly?”
Tang Sheng: “…”
He tried to sit up but was immediately pressed down by Tang Xueyun.
“An An said the protective barrier only works as long as you remain lying on the Purple-Red Sleep Pillow. No matter what happens during battle, you must not get up.”
Tang Sheng nodded.
Glancing at Tang Xueyun’s hand, he had just attempted to sit up with force but had been unable to budge.
Clearly, the Purple-Red Sleep Pillow only prevented damage—it didn’t negate the attacker’s strength.
Thinking for a moment, he said, “Can you try pulling me up?”
“Sure.”
Tang Xueyun effortlessly lifted him.
Tang Sheng frowned. “So, I still can’t let enemies get too close. If someone pulls me up, the barrier fails.”
Lying back down, he braced himself for her punch.
When it landed, he was stunned.
“I didn’t feel a thing,” Tang Sheng said in surprise.
“This gear’s effects are impressive, but the limitations are significant,” Tang Xueyun remarked.
It made sense, though—completely nullifying physical attacks, reducing 100% fire damage, and mitigating 70% of other elemental damage was absurdly overpowered.
Such restrictions were only natural.
The couple began strategizing.
“When the fight starts, wear an eye mask and earplugs. No matter what happens, don’t leave the Purple-Red Sleep Pillow,” Tang Xueyun instructed.
Lying down during a battle would be a huge test of mental fortitude.
Even knowing the barrier worked, instinct would push him to dodge rather than take a direct hit.
So, the best option was to block out all sensory input.
Tang Sheng opened his mouth but hesitated before nodding.
Clearly, he was the most suitable person for this role—at 1.76 meters tall, his barrier could give Tang Xueyun at least 3.5 meters of maneuvering space.
His abilities were primarily support-based. The real fighting would be up to Tang Xueyun.
As for their daughter, Tang Yuxin, they never considered letting her fight.
“I should secure the pillow to me somehow. That way, even if something unexpected happens, I won’t move out of position,” Tang Sheng suggested.
Tang Xueyun nodded. “Let’s design a way to keep the pillow fixed to the back of your head.”
Tang Yuxin, listening in, struggled to imagine what battle would look like with such an approach.
After further discussion, Tang Xueyun decided, “I’ll rest up first. Once I’ve recovered, we’ll deal with those two mutated creatures!”
Her previous exertion had tired her out.
Tang Sheng nodded and got to work making the necessary gear. Their son had sent them plenty of fabric, which was now coming in handy.
As for needles and sewing machines, the magic tent already had them.
A small black sphere bounced toward Tang Sheng, hovering beside him while writing on a floating whiteboard:
[Dad, are you making clothes?]
“Thanks, Hei Tuantuan, but I can do it myself. Go supervise your sister’s homework.”
Since the name “Xinxin” had too many strokes, Tang Yuxin had Hei Tuantuan call her “Sister” instead—it was much simpler.
[Okay, Dad.]
The little black ball bounced away happily. Though it spent every day taking care of them, it seemed to enjoy itself and never got tired of the routine.
The next day, Tang Xueyun had fully recovered. After yesterday’s exertion, she felt even stronger.
“I need to train like that more often,” she said, clenching her fist.
Tang Sheng could only nod tearfully.
At the door, Tang Xueyun donned reinforced armor and sharp clawed gloves, while Tang Sheng… put on the Purple-Red Sleep Pillow.
Yes, he wore the pillow on his head.
He had sewn a pillowcase for it and attached it to a shirt.
Wearing the shirt, he adjusted the pillowcase so his eyes, nose, and mouth poked through cut-out holes.
Since the fabric was elastic, the pillow remained firmly fixed to the back of his head.
Unless someone tore the fabric apart, there was no way to separate him from the Purple-Red Sleep Pillow!
Tang Yuxin, who had been worried, stared at her father’s outfit and couldn’t help but twitch the corner of her mouth.
Her father had made two of these suits.
An An had mentioned having a super printer that could create fireproof, waterproof, and tear-resistant metal fabric.
Since their entire family now wore protective undergarments made from it, Tang Sheng sent a second suit to his son as a sample, hoping they could replicate it with metal fabric.
“Xinxin, stay inside the tent. No matter what happens, don’t come out,” Tang Sheng instructed.
Tang Yuxin looked at her father’s “Masked Pillowman” outfit.
It was ridiculous—but knowing her parents were heading out to fight those creatures, she couldn’t bring herself to laugh.
She held it in for a while before finally squeezing out a sentence, “Dad, you’ve worked hard. You both have to come back safely.”
How could Tang Sheng not know how strange his outfit looked? But this was indeed the safest option for now.
“Mm.” He nodded, reaching out to ruffle his daughter’s hair.
In the end, Tang Sheng chose not to wear earplugs.
He felt that his deception ability could still be useful in a critical moment, and this would also be a good way to train his mental fortitude.
At the entrance, he lifted the curtain and first checked the AI interface for updates on the two mutant creatures outside.
With the arrival of another mutant, they were now able to take turns resting, so Tang Sheng’s previous harassment tactics no longer had much effect.
At this moment, the two humanoid mutants were in a corner—one was lying on the ground, fast asleep, its stomach visibly swollen.
The other one sat beside it, eyes darting around vigilantly.
Under these circumstances, there was no way to recall the flying sickle that had been thrown out yesterday. But fortunately, aside from the Violet-Red Sleep Pillow, his son had also sent them Swift Feathers.
Tang Xueyun silently extended a hand. With a flick of her wrist, the Swift Feather in her grip shot out like a meteor.
Her strength was far beyond Tang Sheng’s.
Combined with the speed of the Swift Feather itself, the sitting mutant didn’t even have time to react before the feather pierced through its arm.
Tang Xueyun sighed inwardly—what a pity.
Her original target had been the mutant’s heart, but she had missed.
The moment her feather was released, Tang Sheng had already rushed out of the tent and immediately lay flat on the ground—
A transparent protective shield formed around him, centered on the Violet-Red Sleep Pillow, covering the entire gym, including the magic tent.
In the next instant, Tang Sheng raised his hand and summoned the flying sickle.
The sickle, embedded in the wall, detached itself and returned, landing firmly in his grasp.
There was no time to think. Tang Xueyun dashed forward, grabbing the sickle from Tang Sheng’s hand.
They were less than ten meters from the mutant. By the time she seized the weapon, the enraged creature had already charged at them.
It raised its massive hands and smashed them down toward Tang Xueyun and Tang Sheng.
Instinctively, Tang Xueyun lifted her arms to block.
However, when the mutant’s millstone-sized fists landed, she felt no weight at all—her body didn’t even sway.
“Ah Yun!”
Tang Sheng, gripping her ankle, looked at her with concern.
“I’m fine!”
Tang Xueyun let out a low shout and easily shoved away the massive fists above her head.
If this had been a regular mutant, it would have been sent flying by now. But this one only staggered back a few steps before steadying itself.
Her heart tensed, but her hands didn’t stop moving—she swiftly pulled out two more Swift Feathers and hurled them forward.
One pierced through the mutant’s arm, stopping after lodging into its torso.
The other embedded itself in the creature’s shoulder, wedged into the bone.
Thick, sticky, dark green fluid splattered everywhere, filling the gym with a nauseating stench.
While the mutant hesitated in pain, Tang Xueyun stepped forward with her left foot and swung the flying sickle with full force.
“Swish!”
A flash of light streaked through the air, and the sickle’s arc landed precisely on the mutant’s neck.
With a fierce shout, Tang Xueyun drove the blade deeper—
And with a sickening crack, the mutant’s neck was severed!
With a dull rolling sound, its massive head tumbled to the floor, followed by its towering body collapsing with a heavy thud.
Tang Sheng stood there in shock, awed by the sheer power of the scene.
But then, noticing something, he quickly shouted: “Ah Yun, watch out!”
The mutant that had been lying in the corner suddenly opened its mouth and spewed out a spray of corrosive, foul-smelling slime.
Tang Xueyun instinctively stepped back, but the slime never reached them—it was blocked by an invisible shield.
Even so, the overpowering stench still reached her, and soon, red, inflamed patches appeared on her exposed skin, burning painfully.
Fortunately, the pain was still manageable.
So this mutant had some kind of psychic-based attack? That’s why the shield had blocked most of it, leaving only 30% of the effect?
Tang Xueyun had no time to think further. She threw her remaining three Swift Feathers and hurled the flying sickle.
Caught off guard by its failed attack, the mutant didn’t even attempt to dodge and was skewered through by the Swift Feathers.
Then, the flying sickle cleaved its body in half.
The grotesque, bloated corpse crashed to the floor. From its ruptured abdomen, dozens of half-formed parasitic eggs spilled out.
“Swish—”
With a flick of her fingers, Tang Xueyun recalled the flying sickle to her hand.
The corrosive slime had already dripped to the floor, revealing clusters of fist-sized eggs squirming in the mess. The sight made her scalp tingle.
These mutants may have once been human, but they were no longer anything close to it.
They were extraterrestrial parasites that had taken over human bodies. Their method of reproduction was entirely alien.
“Ah Yun, are you okay?”
Tang Sheng’s voice pulled her back to the present.
She checked herself—aside from the burning rash on her skin, she was fine.
Of course, the foul-smelling mucus had splattered all over them. Who knew if it was toxic?
“I’m okay,” she murmured.
Tang Sheng let out a breath of relief. “So, what’s next?”
“We should leave.” Tang Xueyun thought for a moment before deciding.
More mutants probably wouldn’t show up immediately, but staying near the corpses of two dead ones was far from ideal.
Besides, their goal in fighting had always been to escape.
Tang Sheng nodded, then glanced at the writhing eggs in the pool of slime. His expression darkened.
“Let’s get rid of these before we go.”
“Agreed.”
Tang Xueyun tried to store the magic tent in her spatial pouch but found she couldn’t—
Because Tang Yuxin was still inside. No matter how strong she was, she couldn’t move the tent while someone was inside.
This battle had made one thing clear to her: her strength was still not enough.
Without their son’s gear, they would have been trapped in that tent, waiting for the mutants to reproduce. Then, escape would have been impossible.
They needed to get stronger.
Tang Sheng called for his daughter to step out of the tent, then stored it away.
Meanwhile, Tang Xueyun found two sandbags in the gym and used sand to create a firebreak. Only then did she pour fuel over the eggs.
“Be careful with that! Okay, okay, that’s enough! Don’t waste it all…”
Tang Sheng winced as he watched the fuel spill. It had been so difficult to find a fuel truck before.
Once she was done, he struck a match and tossed it onto the soaked eggs.
With a whoosh, flames roared to life.
They watched as the eggs and mutant corpses were reduced to ashes, finally breathing a sigh of relief.
When the fire began climbing the walls, they extinguished it with a fire extinguisher.
Once the last ember died out, the family of three stepped outside.
It had been over half a month since they had last seen sunlight or felt the fresh air.
Although the streets remained desolate and hidden dangers lurked, the three of them couldn’t help but take a deep breath.
Indeed, humans still need some outdoor activity—staying indoors all the time could easily lead to psychological issues.
Since they weren’t in a hurry to find a shelter or gather supplies, the family’s movements became much more relaxed.
Tang Sheng released the AI drone, letting it record footage and generate a map.
This was a method he had recently figured out. While not as precise as a satellite map, it provided a general reference, sparing them from aimlessly wandering as before.
Tang Yuxin watched as the AI drone flew away and asked, “Dad, do you think the drone my brother gave us can connect to satellite signals?”
“Well… I’m not really sure,” Tang Sheng admitted.
After all, he was just a small convenience store owner—how would he know such things?
“We’ll check it out later,” he added.
When the AI drone returned, their personal devices synchronized and displayed a map covering a radius of about 500 meters.
It wasn’t highly detailed, but it outlined streets, shops, and even marked vehicles along the way, including their approximate types.
Tang Sheng was beyond thrilled.
If only he had discovered this function earlier, he wouldn’t have struggled so much before!
“Let’s go find a truck,” he said.
Placing their magical tent inside a vehicle would allow them to remain mobile and hidden, avoiding detection from potential threats.
Before long, they spotted an abandoned cargo truck by the roadside.
The truck’s back door was open, its contents already looted, leaving behind only a few empty cardboard boxes and broken furniture. It seemed like the owner had run out of gas and abandoned the vehicle.
Tang Sheng lifted his daughter into the truck bed before climbing in with Tang Xueyun.
None of them noticed the pair of eyes lurking in the shadows, watching them.
Once the three were inside, a figure emerged from the corner.
“Hui, what are you looking at?” someone beside him asked.
“I just… I just saw three people get into that truck,” Lin Hui replied. “They had a little girl with them.”
“Did they have supplies?”
“Can’t tell, but…” Lin Hui hesitated. “That little girl—her clothes were clean, she looked well-fed, and she had obviously just bathed.”
His companion’s eyes gleamed.
“Should we check it out?”
Lin Hui hesitated. “That man and woman didn’t look easy to deal with. The woman was carrying a long scythe, and the man…”
He trailed off.
“The man what?”
“He… he had his face covered, but it looked like… he had a pillow on his head.”
“Huh? What did you just say?”
“…Forget it.”
Inside the truck, unaware of this conversation, Tang Sheng only shut the door halfway. He placed the magical tent among the discarded boxes.
Once his wife and daughter entered the tent, he followed and activated its camouflage mode.
Tang Xueyun, now inside, stripped off her clothes but still couldn’t rid herself of the lingering stench. She rushed into the shower.
Tang Sheng, meanwhile, finally removed the purple-red sleep pillow and his shirt.
Since he had been covered up, his skin didn’t develop as many rashes as Tang Xueyun’s—except…
His exposed eyes, nose, and mouth.
“Dad, you—hahaha! You look… hahaha…”
Tang Yuxin burst into laughter, struggling to speak.
Tang Sheng sighed, “Go ahead and laugh.”
Tang Yuxin couldn’t hold it in anymore. She clutched her stomach, laughing uncontrollably.
Tang Sheng glared at her but soon found himself laughing too.
Fortunately, everything had gone smoothly.
*
Plane MR176349.
Tang Yu’an had also used an accelerator to retrieve the latest drifting bottle sent by his family.
Since he hadn’t gone out recently, no books were included this time—only food items handmade by Tang Sheng and Tang Xueyun.
Just in time, as his previous stock had run out. Now, he had fresh supplies to store in his personal warehouse, keeping them in perfect condition.
This way, he could continue enjoying meals made by his parents every day!
Hearing that his parents were going out to fight monsters, he was worried but reassured knowing they had the purple-red sleep pillow.
That artifact was quite powerful. Their world had only been in the apocalypse for a few months, so the monsters likely weren’t too strong yet.
As for his father’s request…
Although the clothing sample he received was quite bizarre—he couldn’t imagine what it would look like when worn—since it was a request from his dad, they had to take it seriously.
Zhou Qi immediately took out the printer and began researching how to create elastic metal fabric.
Meanwhile, Tang Yu’an sat in the driver’s seat, monitoring the RV’s progress.
Unlocking the RV’s auto-pilot mode hadn’t come cheap—costing a total of 380,000 points to reach its highest upgrade.
But it was money well spent.
The RV’s navigation system was directly linked to the system map.
Even better, when the RV was in auto-pilot mode, it automatically cleared the map’s fog within a one-kilometer radius!
With the fog cleared, terrain, buildings, and even markers for plants, animals, and customers became clearly visible—no more wandering around just to unlock the map!
