Chapter 1101

He remained stiff in place.

Even with Lin An's resolve firm, hearing those words still jolted his heart.

Zhang Tie beside him instantly triggered his bear transformation, his whole body on the verge of roaring out.

Being able to speak while waiting for them—doesn't that mean our every move is under their watch?

Pat-pat.

Footsteps echoed in the empty interior of the cost, as if stepping on a heart, each step bringing immense pressure.

In the darkness, a middle-aged woman in ordinary clothes walked calmly; passing through the faint light seeping from the crack, she stood still in the dim glow, looking at Lin An.

You look quite surprised?

Lin An?

Her voice was relaxed, like a neighbor greeting in passing; the plain-looking woman resembled a housewife, with nothing special about her.

Besides, there was a hint of dark red in her eyes.

You're the Zombie Emperor... Do you know me?

Ready to strike at any moment, Lin An asked, his voice slightly hoarse. He was certain he had never seen this woman before.

She smiled, habitually brushing her hair, as if inviting a friend:

"Zombie Emperor? I don't like that title."

"I'm just... a person like you."

"As for you, I certainly know you. But are you sure we should talk here? How about we go inside for a cup of tea?"

With a gentle smile, the woman gestured for Lin An to follow, completely unaware that her back was exposed to his view.

"Captain Lin!? What do we do!?"

In his bear state, Zhang Tie stared fixedly at the woman's back, asking nervously. Although he didn't fully understand her meaning, at least he knew she admitted to being the Zombie Emperor.

"Should we kill her!?"

Following them inside, who knows if some conspiracy awaits them. It's too weird; clearly they were preparing for a big battle, yet it seemed as if a pause button had been pressed. This indescribable discomfort suffocated him.

Standing in place, a flicker of strange color flashed in Lin An's eyes; he unexpectedly understood the woman's subtext.

Someone just like me...!?

Suppressing the turmoil in his heart, Lin An silently clenched his fists, then took a deep breath:

"Follow..."

He wasn't sure if his guess was correct, but the Zombie Emperor's demeanor let him sense a hint of something unusual.

If they were setting an ambush, there'd be no need to come out now. He and Zhang Tie had already prepared to go in.

Then the only explanation is that the Zombie Emperor indeed wants to "chat" with me...

Passing through the corridor, a bright expanse filled his view.

Walking ahead, the woman led Lin An inside as if chatting about everyday matters.

"This place used to be a children's castle, where stage performances were held; my son... used to love watching them."

"Look, do you see that theater over there?"

"I haven't touched anything; I have people clean it every day."

Lin An remained silent, not responding. As the woman led them through the corridor, below was an open-air theater. Several dolls dressed in fairy-tale costumes swayed their bodies, as if performing on stage.

On the seats below, visitors, either accompanied by family or with children, were quietly watching.

But upon closer look, the crowd in the shadows were all zombies, their mouths wide open, emitting meaningless howls, staring blankly at everything.

Obviously, their existence serves to satisfy some perverse desire of the Zombie Emperor.

Along the way, listening to the woman's incessant explanation, Lin An could barely contain the oppression in his chest:

"What exactly do you want to say?"

He did not conceal his killing intent at all.

The Zombie Emperor must be killed; although the woman appears almost indistinguishable from a human, in Lin An's perception he could faintly sense what kind of horror lay beneath that fleshly body. A monster on the verge of the Fourth Stage—even if it looked like an infant, Lin An would without hesitation crush its skull!

"You seem eager to kill me..."

He sighed, ignoring that killing intent.

The woman turned her body, paused her steps, and gently shook her head.

Her gaze was calm, even carrying a hint of something unusual as she looked at Lin An:

"You want to kill me now, but you simply know too little."

"Later, you might not think so..."

With a light laugh, the woman finished speaking and continued leading the way; when Lin An was about to lose his restraint, she finally pushed open a door.

"Come in, I will tell you everything you're doubtful about."

As her words fell, Lin An's gaze suddenly sharpened.

Just inside the door was a room filled with a fairy-tale atmosphere, with many small toys scattered on the floor.

On the sofa, they sat facing each other.

She elegantly crossed her legs, and without waiting for Lin An to speak, she spoke first:

"Lin An, male, 24. A retired member of the Long'an Project, or rather, a defective product. Three years of military service, parents deceased."

"After retiring, he worked as security at a pharmaceutical company, and he has a fiancée."

"His strength is mid-Third Stage; his highest attribute is willpower, and his actual combat power nears the peak of Third Stage, possessing dual forms."

"Hmm... aberration and demon, right?"

"Oh, you also have a black dragon of imperial bloodline, but it seems to be just a little creature..."

As the information was reported quickly, Lin An's expression grew increasingly solemn, while Zhang Tie beside him was astonished, mouth agape.

He forcibly calmed his mind.

Lin An stared fixedly at that face, saying nothing for the moment.

Knowing his own information, he could barely understand.

After all, his information might be confidential to ordinary survivors, but not in the military's hands. If the Corpse Emperor had once captured military survivors, knowing these would not be strange.

It seemed he had seen through Lin An's thoughts, and the Corpse Emperor gave a light laugh.

"How, are you thinking I learned this from humans?"

"No, Lin An."

"I also know what equipment you have on you, even... your talent."

"Power Burst, Heavenly Human Form, Uninterrupted..."

"Causal Sequence, Death God's Mask, Cain's Blade..."

"Also... Apocalypse Ring..."

He listed them off like treasures.

In an instant, Lin An suddenly drew his sword backhand, and a surge of extreme killing intent exploded.

If the previous information could be found, then what the Corpse Emperor listed next absolutely could not be known by a second person! Even Zhang Tie might not know what his talent ability actually is!

"Who exactly are you!!"

A fierce shout.

Lin An no longer wanted to continue the conversation; after his rebirth, this was the second time he actually felt seen through.

Ignoring the sword tip pointing at his brow, the woman's expression remained calm as she slowly rose and lightly grasped the blade.

"Aren't you surprised I know these?"

"Very simple."

"Because in my eyes you..."

"Just an NPC."