Rebirth of MC Chpt 1 - 101 (unedited translation)

Chapter 55: Commence departure

Retrieving a quilt from his space, Huo Zaiyuan flicks it open and covers the two men with it as they don't seem capable of getting up anytime soon. That done, he turns around to stare at the quietly smiling soldier.

"Older brother Long, you seem to have gone too overboard with this 'training'."

"Heheh." Long Zhanye chuckles lightly, walking over to stand beside Huo Zaiyuan, then reaches out to rest a hand on his shoulder. "Not overboard. Definitely not overboard. Little Yuan knows me best, right? Anyway, how was your 'closed-door cultivation'? Did it go well?"

"Un, it was all right. I managed to break through the second level. Now I'm starting on the third level." Huo Zaiyuan nods his head as he answers. "Older brother Long, did you discuss any plans with them? When will we be leaving this place?"

"Hmm...we're still following our previous plan. Only these two brats are dog-tired. Let them rest for a day, then we'll get everything together and depart." Long Zhanye glances down at the two men. "As of today, it has already been more than twenty days since the start of the apocalypse. We've got no idea what the other cities have become."

"Un." Huo Zaiyuan grunts, closing his eyes.

In his previous life, experiencing the apocalypse for half a year, he remembers swamps spawning everywhere, swarms of red devil ants enveloping the landscape, zombies going on rampages and hunting down humans as though the surface world has become Purgatory. After rebirth, Judgement Day came earlier than expected. Doesn't that mean Earth's descent into Purgatory will also come earlier?

Huo Zaiyuan's face falls a little as the thought surfaces in his mind, then pales.

"Little Yuan, don't dwell on groundless thoughts. Even if it's the apocalypse, this Earth will continue spinning on its axis, we will still continue to survive. Don't give up hope. There's no need to be worried over something beyond your control." Moving his hand from Huo Zaiyuan's shoulder to his head, Long Zhanye rubs it in comfort.

Hearing those reassuring words, Huo Zaiyuan nods his head in agreement. The warm and gentle rubs of a larger hand on his head is extremely soothing, prompting him to close his eyes in contentment, an expression of pleasure on his face like that of a cat enjoying being stroked.

~~~

The one happiest about Huo Zaiyuan finally emerging from his 'closed-door cultivation' is Li Qing. After suffering under Long Zhanye in the name of 'special training', he is a hundred times more exhausted than Qin Jun since the latter has always liked exercising, and occasionally goes to the local boxing club to spar with fellow club members. On the other hand, Li Qing spends most of his time simply gaming. Long Zhanye's fist is merciless and quick. Although he is aware the other is holding back quite a lot, it still feels as he was hit by a steel hammer. The pain he underwent is indescribable.

However, he didn't suffer in vain for the past few days. His reaction speed and dodging ability have improved a lot, to the point that he is capable of defending himself out in that hostile environment.

Seeing the shocking smattering of blue and purple bruises littering Li Qing and Qin Jun's body, Huo Zaiyuan merely raises an eyebrow and rummages through his space for a while before finding a medicine box. Opening it, he hands over some ointment.

"We'll leave tomorrow. Today will be for putting everything in order and we'll turn in early tonight." Huo Zaiyuan states, gaze landing on Li Qing, who is currently having medical ointment applied on his arm by Qin Jun. Since this is Li Qing's birth mother's house, this sentence is mostly aimed at him.