The Max-Level Boss Just Wants to Be a Slacker [Apocalypse] – CH53

Chapter 53: Doubts

Mo Qi knew that there were no cultivators here, much less demonic cultivators like himself who understood how to control demonic energy. So Meng Zhen’s current state was most likely caused by that so-called serum.

Realizing this, the man’s heart sank.

If that were the case, then the serum could hardly be considered a truly practical medicine. Not only might it fail to become a cure for the apocalypse—it might even turn into a poison that made zombies stronger.

He clearly understood the purpose of Mo Xiu’s mission this time. But given the current situation, his future dao companion would probably be disappointed.

Thinking of this, Mo Qi’s expression grew solemn. However, considering the situation they were in, he did not voice these thoughts aloud.

He only felt a bit helpless when he saw Cheng Cheng sitting in the back seat, looking foolishly happy.

If that kid found out the truth, he would probably be terribly disappointed.

Because Cheng Cheng was quite talkative, they chatted a lot on the way back. Through him, Mo Xiu and Mo Qi indirectly learned many things about the professor and Meng Zhen.

It turned out that Meng Zhen was also an ability user, possessing a fire-type offensive ability. His power had now reached the peak of Level Three, making him extremely strong.

Since the mission’s objective had been achieved, after locating the professor and successfully rescuing him, the team immediately rushed back toward Shanhe Base. For safety’s sake, they barely stopped along the way.

When they arrived at the entrance of Shanhe Base, the base commander, Xiong Mingyuan, immediately came out to greet them. Seeing that his younger brother was unharmed and that they had truly brought Professor Frank back, he was overjoyed.

Right away, he led people to Professor Frank and began introducing himself.

As for the next matters, Mo Xiu had no intention of getting actively involved. After traveling for so long, he was tired and only wanted to go back and rest.

In any case, the professor was already in the base now. It would be much easier to learn about his research progress later.

Lu Pingwan and Xie Wu had received the news early and had also come to the base entrance to welcome them.

The most excited person, surprisingly, was the usually calm Xie Wu.

As soon as he saw them, Xie Wu rushed forward and hugged Cheng Cheng. He carefully checked him over and only relaxed after confirming that there were no injuries on his body.

Mo Xiu watched quietly from the side. He could tell that Xie Wu’s concern for Cheng Cheng was genuine.

Although this person had joined their team, Mo Xiu had always felt that Xie Wu was too scheming and had remained somewhat wary of him.

But seeing how he treated Cheng Cheng now, it seemed that for Cheng Cheng’s sake, he would feel a stronger sense of belonging to the team. That was a good thing.

After returning to their apartment, eating their fill, and getting some proper rest, it was late at night when Cheng Cheng and the others returned to their own place.

Only then did Mo Qi tell Mo Xiu about the abnormality he had sensed in Meng Zhen earlier that day.

“You’re saying the zombie virus in Meng Zhen’s body hasn’t actually been removed, but has just been compressed into a corner of his body, ready to erupt at any moment?

“And once it erupts, it might even be worse than normal mutation—he could directly become a high-level zombie?” Mo Xiu asked with a grave expression.

Mo Qi nodded.

He worried that talking about demonic energy would only confuse Mo Xiu, so he simply continued using the explanation of a virus.

Mo Xiu knew very well that Mo Qi possessed many special abilities. Therefore, he trusted his judgment.

But even though he believed him, disappointment inevitably filled his heart.

He had once thought the apocalypse might end earlier than expected.

Now it seemed that the situation was far less optimistic.

But that wasn’t the main issue.

The real question was: if the serum carried such hidden dangers, should they still allow that professor to remain?

And what about Meng Zhen? He could turn into a high-level zombie at any moment. Allowing him to stay inside the base was clearly a massive risk.

Thinking of this, Mo Xiu stood up and said to Mo Qi, “This won’t do. Meng Zhen’s condition is too dangerous. Even if we don’t immediately drive him out of the base, he has to be quarantined.

“Otherwise, if he turns into a zombie and bites someone else, the consequences will be hard to control.”

Mo Qi, however, still looked relatively calm and reassured him.

“Don’t worry. It won’t happen that quickly. He shouldn’t mutate in the short term.”

Earlier he had used his spiritual sense to examine the man’s condition. Although he hadn’t yet fully understood the principle behind the isolating membrane, it looked like it could hold for a month or two without issue.

But Mo Xiu’s concern was reasonable—they should indeed take precautions.

So after seeing the young man’s expression relax slightly, Mo Qi still accompanied him outside.

Before leaving, they had already discussed what they would say.

They would simply tell Xiong Mingyuan that Mo Qi had awakened a mental-type ability that allowed him to detect things others could not.

Then they would inform him of Meng Zhen’s real condition so he could prepare early.

However, something unexpected happened.

Just as Mo Xiu and Mo Qi arrived at the base commander’s residence, they heard commotion coming from inside.

The two exchanged glances and immediately rushed in.

Something suddenly fell from the staircase railing on the second floor and landed right in front of them.

Looking closer, they saw that it was Meng Zhen’s corpse.

Dark red blood seeped from his body. His face was twisted, his eyes bloodshot, looking as though he had died with grievances unresolved.

Strange black patterns covered his face, and his fingernails had turned gray-black and sharp.

It was obvious—they had arrived too late.

Meng Zhen had already turned into a zombie and had just been killed when they arrived.

“How could it be so fast…”

Mo Qi muttered to himself.

He quickly used his spiritual sense to examine the corpse.

Demonic energy had already spread throughout the man’s entire body. He was now completely a zombie.

No—perhaps that wasn’t quite accurate.

More precisely, the state of this corpse before death had already been that of a zombie.

But how could this have happened?

Mo Qi had always trusted his own judgment. The speed of Meng Zhen’s mutation had far exceeded his expectations.

He didn’t believe his earlier examination had been wrong.

Something must have happened while they were gone—something that had accelerated the demonic energy within Meng Zhen’s body.

There was a large bloody hole in the man’s head.

Mo Qi looked up and saw Xiong Mingyuan standing upstairs with an extremely grim expression, still holding a black pistol in his hand.

Standing beside the base commander, Xiong Gangyong also looked frightened.

If his big brother hadn’t reacted quickly, once a Level Three zombie had fully mutated, everyone in this room might have died.

“Brother Mo, Brother Qi, why are you here too? Brother Qi, you didn’t see how dangerous it was just now!

“He—he suddenly turned into a zombie for some reason. Luckily my big brother had a gun!”

Xiong Gangyong kept talking nervously.

Mo Xiu didn’t respond.

He left Meng Zhen’s corpse downstairs for others to handle and pulled Mo Qi upstairs.

Seeing the table filled with food and wine, it seemed that everyone had been having a dinner gathering before everything happened. The incident must have occurred very suddenly.

“Oh my God, oh my God, how could this happen!

“Mont still turned into a zombie. This is my mistake in research. I thought the serum suppressing the zombie virus had worked, but I didn’t realize it only delayed the spread of the virus!”

Professor Frank looked deeply remorseful.

The old man clutched at his already thinning hair, appearing extremely distressed.

Mo Xiu only frowned slightly and said nothing.

The base commander, having recovered somewhat, felt uncomfortable but still spoke to comfort him.

“No matter what, Mont was scratched by a zombie several days ago. The fact that he lasted this long before mutating shows that the serum still has some effect.

“Professor Frank, don’t lose heart. You must continue your research.”

Professor Frank nodded and sat down in a nearby chair, still looking depressed.

Xiong Mingyuan then turned to Mo Xiu with an apologetic expression.

“Brother Mo, it’s not that I don’t want to host you, but as you can see, things are a bit chaotic right now.

“This mission succeeded thanks to you. Another day, I’ll definitely invite you over properly and treat you well.”

Since Meng Zhen was already dead, the warning they had intended to give was no longer necessary.

So Mo Xiu didn’t stay any longer and left with Mo Qi.

In the days that followed, both Mo Xiu and Mo Qi seemed to have a vague premonition that something was about to happen.

So although they still appeared quite relaxed on the surface, behind the scenes both of them began cultivating much more diligently.

Mo Xiu focused on improving his abilities, while Mo Qi trained his body and practiced cultivation techniques.

The two of them understood each other without words.

They also told Cheng Cheng and the others next door that it would be best to make some preparations.

As a result, everyone in the team entered something close to closed-door training.

Unless absolutely necessary, they rarely left their homes, concentrating all their energy on strengthening themselves.

Thanks to Mo Xiu’s guidance, Cheng Cheng and Lu Pingwan’s abilities steadily improved.

Even Xie Wu gained a new skill under Mo Qi’s “guidance”—learning to draw talismans.

After all, it was far too troublesome for Mo Qi alone to draw all the different talismans.

Wasn’t the point of recruiting subordinates so that he could do nothing and let others handle the work?

So after realizing this, Mo Qi told Mo Xiu about his plan.

At first, Mo Xiu disagreed, worried that if this secret leaked out, someone might harm Mo Qi.

Only after Mo Qi reluctantly demonstrated his spiritual imprint—showing that he had a way to ensure Xie Wu could never reveal the secret—did Mo Xiu relax.

“Besides,” Mo Qi added, “Xie Wu is actually quite suitable for drawing talismans. His innate constitution is better.

“Do you remember that book I found from him?

“If someone in my ancestors once had immortal fate, that influence would definitely affect him too. I already felt back then that his cultivation potential was better.

“Don’t worry. I think Xie Wu is someone we can trust.”

Hearing this, Mo Xiu slowly nodded.

But then he suddenly realized something was wrong.

He abruptly turned his head and asked the man beside him,

“Wait a minute! What do you mean you already discovered his cultivation potential back then?

“All those abilities you have—drawing talismans and setting up formations—didn’t you learn them from that book?”

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