Chapter Seventy-Three: Guardian of the Sacred Land

Wu Jue laughed heartily, saying, “Breaking through my defense won’t be easy!” He turned and shoved a row of seats, blocking the main door securely, then ascended the stairs to the second floor, heading for the balcony to battle the zombies on the rooftop in a fierce clash.

Huron shouted after him, “Wu Jue, catch! Give them a proper welcome for me.” He tossed up a shotgun, and Wu Jue glanced back at Shauna sitting in the seats, who winked at him, as if thanking him.

Wu Jue laughed again, “Don’t worry, leave it to me!” Swiftly, he climbed to the rooftop, locked the door behind him, and faced four or five formidable zombies. Without uttering a word, he fired his weapon.

The violent recoil sent one creature tumbling down to the lower floor. The remaining four lunged at him, but Wu Jue swung the shotgun without mercy, smashing the jaw of the nearest one with the butt of the gun.

He followed with a powerful kick, landing squarely on another zombie’s chest. The impact forced it backward, blocking its two companions behind, and none advanced further.

Wu Jue sneered coldly, “Farewell, monsters!” He shoved the shotgun into the creature’s mouth and pulled the trigger, blasting away most of its head.

Yet, the damned thing still wouldn’t fall, grabbing the barrel in an attempt to wrest it away. Wu Jue released his grip, planted his foot firmly, and vaulted onto the monster’s back.

With both palms he struck out, sending a gust of force that staggered the two zombies behind. Then, locking his legs around the creature’s neck, he twisted fiercely—there was a sharp crack, and its neck snapped completely.

Instantly, its body twisted grotesquely, upper and lower halves misaligned. Wu Jue leaped off, pivoted, and kicked the zombie, sending it flying over the wall, where it crashed down below and was smashed to pieces.

Wu Jue then displayed remarkable prowess, swiftly dispatching four or five zombies and clearing the rooftop of foes. He turned to survey the situation below.

More zombies seemed to be converging, some even squeezing through the restroom window.

Wu Jue suddenly received Huron’s telepathic warning: zombies were breaking in downstairs and needed immediate rescue.

He locked the door, spun around, and rushed back toward the cinema.

Below, Huron was anxiously guarding Shauna. At the restroom door, restless noises signaled the approach of intruders.

Without hesitation, Wu Jue charged in, swiftly dealing with the uninvited guests. Time and again, he repelled the zombies’ attacks, barely pausing to catch his breath.

On the giant screen, a fierce battle played out—the film’s protagonist locked in a fateful struggle.

Wu Jue stole a glance in the midst of the chaos. The monks of Shaolin Temple were resisting relentless slaughter, much like his own fight at that moment.

He exchanged a look with Huron, who gave him a thumbs-up. Wu Jue smiled, wiped sweat from his brow, and fired back at a zombie climbing through the window.

The battle raged on...

No one could say how long it lasted, but at last the zombies quieted. Outside, only a few lingered stubbornly, but for a good while, no new assault came.

Wu Jue slumped against a chair by the door, sitting on the ground, carefully loading the bullets Huron had gathered for him, one by one into the chamber, ready for the next fight.

“How are you holding up? Must be tough,” Huron said. “Take a break, I’ll take over.”

Wu Jue waved him off, “How can I let these creatures ruin your date? The heavy lifting should be handled by me, the monk.”

He took a deep breath, adjusting his inner energy. The mystical power bestowed by Old Master Ma allowed Wu Jue to recover strength quickly, and his insights into the Bone-Easy Sutra brought him closer to breaking through its fifth level.

A bit more training, especially in life-and-death situations like this, would push his body beyond its limits.

Suddenly, Huron turned to Shauna, asking, “What? What are you trying to say? I can’t sense it.”

Shauna’s condition seemed dire. Huron leaned close to her chest, but couldn’t hear her voice.

Wu Jue approached anxiously, witnessing Huron gently lift Shauna, cradling her in his arms, pressing his hand to her forehead to sense her state. Suddenly, he said, “So, you’re leaving? So soon? What about your body?”

“You say you don’t want to leave regrets behind in this world, that you wish to merge with me—how can I allow that?”

A trace of sorrow appeared on Huron’s face, but Shauna’s body had already changed. Her limp flesh slowly parted, and from her abdomen emerged a green sphere of light, which flashed once and burrowed into Huron’s forehead, vanishing.

In that instant, Huron’s body transformed—swelling slightly, his form altered. Mouth agape, he pressed his hand to Shauna’s lifeless body, absorbing it bit by bit into his palm.

At last, Shauna disappeared entirely. Huron’s raised palm now bore a black hole at its center, capable of absorbing anything.

Huron did not speak aloud, but his voice sounded in Wu Jue’s mind: “Thank you for staying by my side to the end. As my final gift, I bestow all my abilities to you, so you may use them to defeat the Heavenly Punishers.”

At that moment, Huron possessed the power of telepathy, a perfect fusion with Shauna.

Wu Jue gazed at Huron, deeply moved, uncertain what to say. Outside, zombies battered the door, breaking through the barricade and storming inside.

Without hesitation, and in honor of Shauna, Wu Jue turned and greeted the intruders with his shotgun, letting bullets express his feelings.

After countless blasts, waves of zombies fell. Huron’s voice appeared in his mind again: “Let’s fight side by side, old friend!”

This time, the two worked together seamlessly, bravely fending off those who threatened Huron and Shauna.

The battle continued for over half an hour, ending in an undisputed victory for Wu Jue’s side.

Surveying the heap of bodies near the cinema and listening to the film’s closing theme, Wu Jue stared blankly at Huron. “Is it over?”

Huron looked skyward and replied, “It’s over for now, but our fight against the Heavenly Punishers is just beginning.”

“Then let’s gather our comrades and press on bravely,” Wu Jue encouraged, patting Huron on the shoulder.

But Huron shook his head. “I must stay here for a while, in memory of Shauna’s death. I need to clear out the zombies and discover why the Heavenly Punishers hunted Shauna. There’s more to it than meets the eye.”

“Alright, then we part ways here. We’ll meet again in City C,” Wu Jue agreed, not trying to stop him. After settling their plans, Huron guided Wu Jue out of town toward the highway to City C.

Along the way, Huron found a car for Wu Jue. Though Wu Jue had no driver’s license, he had picked up some basics from Xiao Han and the others. With the highway deserted, he could drive recklessly without anyone to interfere.

Taking a risk, Wu Jue drove off, bidding farewell to Huron and embarking on the journey to City C.

Who knows which companion he will meet next?

End of Chapter 73 – Sanctuary of the Apocalypse.