Chapter 55: Red Thunder Martial Arts School, Zhao Honglei
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
This abnormal scene not only caught Lu Ming’s attention, but also drew the attention of Wang Xiong and Zhang Lixin.
Wang Xiong and Zhang Lixin arrived at the wall of the gathering place and looked down at the man carrying a spear on his back, walking quickly over from afar. Soon, the man arrived at the entrance of Guangping Street gathering place.
When they got closer, they could see the man’s face.
He was about 40 years old and was wearing a white training suit, with the words ‘Red Thunder Martial Arts School’ embroidered in red thread on his chest.
He had a short beard and a crew cut, with well-defined features and a sturdy figure, giving off a sense of familiarity.
After the man stood still, he cupped his fists at Wang Xiong and Zhang Lixin and said, “My name is Zhao Honglei, the curator of the Red Thunder Martial Arts School. I came here this time to ask if you’ve seen my daughter and my niece in this area?”
Wang Xiong suddenly realized and said, “Zhao Xiaohong and Zhao Shanshan?”
Zhao Honglei was overjoyed. “They are my niece and my daughter!”
With that, the conversation began.
Wang Xiong thought for a moment and was in no hurry to open the door. Instead, he asked, “I noticed that you didn’t attract the attention of the zombies along the way. How was that possible?”
Zhao Honglei replied, “This is my superpower.”
It made sense.
After all, Zhao Honglei did not look like a zombie.
After dispelling his worries, Zhang Lixin went down the wall and opened the small door for Zhao Honglei. Inside the door, Wang Xiong cupped his fists and said, “I’ll call Zhao Xiaohong and Zhao Shanshan now. Master Zhao, please wait a moment.”
He signaled Zhang Lixin with his eyes. Seeing this, Zhang Lixin led Zhao Honglei into the gathering place.
“Master Zhao, it wasn’t easy for you to find your way here, right?”
As they walked into the gathering place, Zhang Lixin chatted with Zhao Honglei.
As for Zhao Honglei, he suppressed the joy of being reunited with his daughter and replied politely, “It’s not difficult for me. Although my superpower doesn’t increase my combat power, it keeps me safe when I go out.”
Zhao Honglei briefly explained the effects of his superpower to Zhang Lixin.
Simply put, this superpower known as ‘Stealth’ could shield the zombies’ perception of the owner of the superpower.
The zombies would see Zhao Honglei as one of their own. Zhao Honglei would not trigger the zombies in daily life and during his advancement.
Although it did not enhance his combat strength, this superpower solved the major issue of venturing outside.
Zhang Lixin felt a little envious. But when he thought about how his superpower could support Lu Ming and how he had at least a third of the credit for killing the zombies that threatened Lu Ming’s life, his envy subsided.
The two of them chatted about other things.
On the other hand, Zhao Honglei’s interest seemed to grow more and more.
He abruptly said, “The development over here is really good.”
This was not flattery but a statement of fact.
Along the way, Zhao Honglci could see tall and sturdy walls, reasonably arranged defensive lines, and plots of cultivated vegetable fields. He also saw that there was absence of pessimism and despair on the faces of the survivors passing by.
Hearing Zhao Honglei’s words, Zhang Lixin felt a sense of pride—because he was responsible for the architectural layout and planning.
But outwardly, Zhang Lixin remained modest and said, “I can only say that it’s good enough.”
“No, it’s very good.”
With a serious expression, Zhao Honglei once again affirmed Zhang Lixin’s achievements, leaving Zhang Lixin unsure of how to respond.
At that moment, the two of them had already arrived at the central area of the gathering place.
Wang Xiong approached with Zhao Xiaohong and Zhao Shanshan.
Seeing each other, the three Zhao family members were momentarily stunned before their eyes turned red.
“Dad!”
Like a swallow returning to its nest, Zhao Shanshan cried and threw herself into Zhao Honglei’s embrace.
The grievances she had experienced during this period merged into tears, flowing incessantly…. Zhao Honglei choked and stroked Zhao Shanshan’s hair, saying softly, “It’s alright, it’s alright…”
The happy reunion between father and daughters lasted for about three minutes.
Once the emotions had settled, Zhao Xiaohong approached Zhao Honglci and whispered, “Master, I’m sorry….”
Zhao Honglei simply shook his head. “Let’s not talk about this anymore.”
Seeing this, Wang Xiong stepped forward, smiling to ease the atmosphere.
“Master Zhao, you may not know, but during the time they were here, Zhao Xiaohong and Zhao Shanshan kept talking about wanting to return to Red Thunder Martial Arts School. But there were too many zombies outside, and we were powerless to help. Now that Master Zhao is here, I’ll leave them in your care.”
The Guangping Street gathering place was a democratic community.
No one was restricted from leaving.
It was reasonable for Zhao Xiaohong and Zhao Shanshan to want to return home and reunite with their family. Now that Zhao Honglei had come to pick them up, it was best to let him take them away.
Hearing these words, Zhao Xiaohong and Zhao Shanshan felt relieved, as they could finally be reunited with their family.
Unexpectedly, Zhao Honglei’s expression became troubled.
He looked at his daughter and disciple, then glanced at the busy but content crowd around him and the secure Guangping Street gathering place.
After a moment of silence, Zhao Honglei cupped his fists and said, “Young brother.”
“My name is Wang Xiong.”
“Brother Wang Xiong, I actually have a presumptuous request.”
Wang Xiong was taken aback and replied, “Please go ahead and tell me.”
“Well, you see, I want my daughter and disciple to stay here…”
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Xiaohong and Zhao Shanshan looked at Zhao Honglei in disbelief. Before they could say anything, Zhao Honglei continued, “Not only that, I also want to relocate the Red Thunder Martial Arts School here. I hope Brother Wang can accommodate us.”
Towards the end of his words, Zhao Honglei began to feel a bit embarrassed.
But soon, he spoke again, “We currently have 23 people in our martial arts school, including 13 adult men who are skilled martial artists. I myself am a second-level Awakened, and my eldest son is also a first-level Awakened.”
By saying these things, Zhao Honglei wanted Wang Xiong to understand their value in being accommodated.
However, Wang Xiong hesitated for a moment and then said, “But according to what Zhao Xiaohong told me, it seems like things are going pretty well over there.”
There was an abundance of food, skilled fighters, and a strong defense line.
In short, during their previous conversations, Zhao Xiaohong had described Red Thunder Martial Arts School as an extraordinary place in the post-apocalyptic world, a paradise…
So why was their headmaster now seeking shelter here?
Something was wrong.
Upon hearing Wang Xiong’s words, Zhao Honglei let out a long sigh and had to speak the truth.
“We can’t survive well over there anymore.”
Good Hope Village had become an isolated island.
And on this isolated island, information flow was relatively restricted.
Lu Ming did not go out, and Wang Xiong and the others were also busy developing the gathering place. They were barely able to keep up with their own affairs, so they naturally rarely took the initiative to inquire about the situation outside.
To put it bluntly, they knew very little about the outside world.
In the living room of Wang Xiong’s house, as they all sat down, Zhao Honglei began to explain in detail, allowing Wang Xiong and the others to have a general understanding of the situation outside…