Zombie Bodyguard

Chapter 1892 - 1889: Prophecy

Before, Zhang Ruyan had intended to overpower Lin Tian to verify if the Demon Star Embryo would be conceived, thus avenging her clan members. So, when she offered to help, Lin Tian thought she was also seeking revenge against the family.

But Zhang Ruyan replied coldly, "I’m not here for revenge; I’m saving them."

"Saving them?" Lin Tian and Xu Feibai were both taken aback, unclear about the meaning of her words. How could stealing Jiang Chen’s Body be saving the clan?

It should be called biting the hand that feeds you. Well, that phrase is somewhat harsh, Lin Tian thought to himself.

"They are hateful, and I don’t like them, but Zhang Family blood runs through my veins. I don’t want to see the family’s thousand-year foundation destroyed at their hands. I hate those stubborn elders, but I don’t want Lingyu, that girl, to be without a home, nor do I want the clan my master painstakingly maintained to be ruined by them."

Zhang Ruyan spoke resolutely, revealing her true self. Her previous madness was merely a façade to protect her wounded heart.

Lin Tian was slightly surprised and deeply puzzled, "Isn’t it a bit alarmist to say the Zhang Family’s thousand-year foundation will be destroyed? After all, Zhang Family is a pillar in the Demon Exorcism World."

With an unchanged expression, Zhang Ruyan replied blandly, "The Barrier of the ancient mighty ones has been broken; do you think the Zhang Family can suppress Jiang Chen’s Body?"

"That’s different. The Barrier of the ancient mighty ones was broken due to celestial phenomena, namely the influence of the Blood Moon," Lin Tian retorted.

Zhang Ruyan tilted her head to glance at Lin Tian, revealing a peculiar smile, "Heh, you’re a zombie, yet you know nothing about zombies. How did you become a zombie?"

Since becoming a zombie, it was the first time Lin Tian was questioned about how he became one, especially by a beautiful Demon Exorcist. This bizarreness left him speechless.

Should a zombie be knowledgeable, cultured, aspirational, and moral? Lin Tian thought helplessly. However, Zhang Ruyan was correct about one thing: he was indeed not well-versed in matters of zombies.

"The four ancient Zombie Ancestors—Jiang Chen, Nu Ba, Houqing, Ying Gou—each possess different innate powers. It’s hard to say who is superior, but there’s one thing they differ in, and that’s the strength of their corporeal bodies," Zhang Ruyan explained.

"Why?" Lin Tian asked curiously, as he couldn’t gauge who had a stronger body between him and Xu Feibai.

"It relates to their origins. The way the four Zombie Ancestors were born is subjected to various theories, but one can deduce that Jiang Chen’s corporeal body is the strongest. Legend has it that his body fused with a piece of Divine Wood and the flesh of Hou..." Zhang Ruyan answered patiently.

At this point, Lin Tian interrupted her, "What is this Divine Wood? Also, what is Hou?"

"It’s a legend; who knows what kind of Divine Wood it was? Nobody has lived long enough except zombies, who could know about Ancient Times? As for Hou..."

Zhang Ruyan paused, her expression becoming solemn, "Hou is a fierce beast, more terrifying than zombies. Its existence predates the Zombie Ancestors. Since we can’t verify the origin of zombies, Hou’s origin is even less traceable."

"During Ancient Times, life was tough for the Human Clan because there were numerous exotic beasts, such as the Black Water King Snake, which is a mutant breed, very formidable. But before Hou, the Black Water King Snake is nothing but dust."

"Jiang Chen’s body is too powerful; it can only be divided and sealed. Yet even fragmented, the body is an indestructible existence, unable to be completely destroyed."

Upon hearing this, Lin Tian turned to look at Xu Feibai across from him. Xu Feibai was a zombie from Jiang Chen’s lineage and had the most authority on the subject, but during Zhang Ruyan’s explanation, he remained silent, evidently agreeing with her words.

"Even though his body is strong, it is currently fragmented and incomplete, how could it threaten the Zhang Family’s thousand-year foundation? The Zhang Family is a family of Demon Exorcists; it should prevent Jiang Chen from being resurrected, right?" Lin Tian asked, puzzled.

From Lin Tian’s perspective, a resurrected Jiang Chen would be the biggest threat to the Zhang Family.

Zhang Ruyan shook her head and sighed, "You share the same thought as them, thinking Jiang Chen’s resurrection is the biggest threat, but none of you understand that Jiang Chen’s resurrection is inevitable. My master saw a prophetic manuscript suggesting not only Jiang Chen but all four zombies would resurrect and break their seals to emerge."

"Isn’t your appearance already a sign of resurrection?" Zhang Ruyan said, with an indistinct tone.

Lin Tian and Xu Feibai exchanged a glance without speaking, because he realized this was not just a sign, but a fact, as Nu Ba had already resurrected and emerged from her seal.

"Leaving Jiang Chen in the Zhang Family merely plants an unforeseen hazard, plus Jiang Chen’s Body would absorb the Zhang Family’s Barrier strength, which is a destructive affair. Tell me, is there any reason I shouldn’t help you?" Zhang Ruyan stared at Xu Feibai opposite, but Xu Feibai still remained silent.

Whether this silence was from feigned coolness or some other reason, only he knew.

With Xu Feibai silent, Lin Tian had no choice but to speak, "Still absorbing strength? That’s insane. Did you tell the clan members this? Why do they still keep such an insane object in the Zhang Family?"

"I’ve been stripped of my successor status. Do you think they would believe what I say? Many words were merely mentioned by my master before he passed. That manuscript is long gone. Why would those stubborn elders believe what I say? In their eyes, I’m just a mad woman, nothing more," Zhang Ruyan said, somewhat forlorn.

"Okay, I now believe you genuinely want to help us, but such actions are intolerable to the family. Aren’t you worried that if the elders find out, they’ll angrily expel you? Also, if Jiang Chen resurrects and targets the Zhang Family, won’t you become a traitor to the family?" Lin Tian asked.

Zhang Ruyan’s eyes flickered, finally settling on Xu Feibai, "Let them expel me; I have nothing to hold me back anyway..."

As she spoke these words, she stared intently into Xu Feibai’s eyes, but unfortunately, she found nothing in Xu Feibai’s gaze. Her eyes dimmed once again.

"As for what happens after Jiang Chen’s resurrection, let’s leave that for later. The revival of the four Zombie Ancestors signals impending doom, and by then, there will be those destined to confront them," Zhang Ruyan said calmly.

"When do we start?" Xu Feibai suddenly said, being quite direct.

"We’ll start immediately. I’ll go prepare some things, meet me at the cabin in two hours," Zhang Ruyan stood up, not even glancing at Xu Feibai, turning towards the door and casually dismantling the Barrier.

Just as she was about to exit, Lin Tian stood up and called her, "Wait, I have a question. Besides you, can other Demon Exorcists recognize my innate power?"