THIP Chapter 43 V1

After leaving Zhu’an Base, on their way to Central Base, besides killing zombies, Jieyin also awakened two more abilities: one that allowed her to enter dreams, and another that gave her control over lightning.

By the time they arrived at Central Base, Mu Liuyin was already close to breaking through to the late stage of Tier 3, and Jieyin had reached the same level.

It had to be said — Jieyin’s ability was terrifying. The more and stronger abilities she stripped from others, the faster her power grew.

Central Base, being a large base, had no shortage of people who were late-stage Tier 3. Word had it that a few days ago, Duan Qi — the top ability user at Central Base — had broken through to the mid-stage of Tier 4.

Because of that, the two of them didn’t draw much attention.

After registering their identities and paying the crystal core fee for lodging, they drove into the base.

Once they had settled their things in the house they had arranged, Mu Liuyin and Jieyin went out to explore the base and get familiar with the surroundings.

The system at Central Base was much more developed than Zhu’an Base. Directly across the main square stood the Mercenary Guild, where one could register as a mercenary by paying ten Tier 1 crystal cores, accept missions from the guild, and earn rewards upon completion.

There was also a free-trade area consisting of two long streets where anyone could buy, sell, or trade goods freely. Central Base even had a few restaurants and bars, though the prices were many times higher than they were before the apocalypse.

The authorities of Central Base were divided into two main factions: the military and several influential families. Duan Qi was the heir to one of these families.

Jieyin also overheard quite a bit of gossip about Zhuo Yan — unsurprisingly, given that she was now a highly sought-after figure thanks to her rare Tier 3 healing ability.

For example, it was said that Zhuo Yan had many admirers, including Duan Qi, the top ability user at Central Base, who was also pursuing her. It was also said that their old squad had registered at the Mercenary Guild under the name “Radiance Mercenary Group,” with Zhuo Yan as the leader, though she rarely went out on missions herself.

However, there was no news about Xu Chi.

Jieyin lowered her eyes, her expression unreadable.

Still, hearing that her enemy was living so well now, Jieyin certainly couldn’t have been pleased.

Knowing that Jieyin wanted to gather information about Zhuo Yan and her group to take revenge later, Mu Liuyin pretended to be very interested and casually struck up a conversation with a few young ability users who were sitting idly at a stall, chatting because they had no customers.

“Hey, man, we’re new here and don’t know much yet,” Mu Liuyin said. “Is that Zhuo Yan you mentioned that strong?”

The young men were initially startled at the sight of the masked Mu Liuyin, but when they heard him ask about Zhuo Yan, they eagerly started rambling.

They said Zhuo Yan wasn’t just powerful — her ability was extremely rare — and she was beautiful too. One of the guys even sneaked a glance at Jieyin standing nearby and muttered, “But she’s not as pretty as your girlfriend.”

Mu Liuyin didn’t react to the “girlfriend” comment, but Jieyin’s heart gave a small, involuntary thump.

The guy continued, saying that Zhuo Yan had supposedly rejected Duan Qi’s advances because she couldn’t forget her scumbag ex-boyfriend — very devoted of her.

Mu Liuyin: “…”

Jieyin: “…”

But when Jieyin heard the words “scumbag ex-boyfriend,” her brows furrowed. She asked, “What was Zhuo Yan’s boyfriend’s name?”

“I think it was Xu… Xu Chi,” the guy said.

“Is Xu Chi not at Central Base?” Jieyin asked.

The young man gave her a curious look. “Miss, you don’t know Xu Chi personally, do you?” he asked, then added, “From what I heard, when they were traveling, before Zhuo Yan made it here, Xu Chi abandoned her to the zombies, kicked her out of the car, and drove off with all their supplies. It was a miracle she made it to Central Base alive.”

“I’m telling you, if that bastard Xu Chi ever shows his face around here, Duan Qi would tear him apart first.”

Mu Liuyin: “…”

Bro, I’m about to tear you apart first.

Jieyin stayed silent, stunned that Xu Chi hadn’t ended up with Zhuo Yan after all. Instead, Zhuo Yan had completely ruined his reputation here.

Not that either of them was any good anyway.

The guy still wanted to keep chatting, but before Mu Liuyin lost his temper, he quickly handed over a few crystal cores in exchange for some goods and dragged Jieyin back to their place.

At dinner, Mu Liuyin kept sneaking glances at Jieyin’s blank expression, unsure what she was thinking about Xu Chi. Carefully, he probed, “You… don’t know Xu Chi and Zhuo Yan, do you?”

Jieyin hummed in agreement and said simply, “A pair of scumbags.”

Seeing Mu Liuyin looking at her with wide, hopeful eyes, Jieyin smirked faintly and teased, “What, are you worried I’m interested in Zhuo Yan?”

“Of course not!” Mu Liuyin denied immediately. “If anything, you’re the one interested in Xu Chi!”

“Are you jealous?” Jieyin suddenly asked with a laugh.

Mu Liuyin was a little dumbfounded. Jealous? Of that bastard?

Jieyin slowly explained, “Xu Chi was my ex-boyfriend. Later, he betrayed me and got together with Zhuo Yan.”

Mu Liuyin blinked, then couldn’t help but ask, “Are you planning to take revenge on them?”

“Of course,” Jieyin said with a soft, chilling laugh. “Neither of them will get away with it.”

The only problem was — where exactly was Xu Chi now?

Mu Liuyin: trembling.JPG

“So, you don’t need to be jealous,” Jieyin added.

Mu Liuyin looked confused. “I’m not jealous.”

Jieyin: “…”

After a moment of silence, Jieyin asked, “Don’t you like me?”

Mu Liuyin said, “Nope. I don’t want to be your boyfriend either.”

Jieyin: “…”