Apocalypse Forecast

Chapter 522 - 451 Traveler_1

The deep, tide-like echoes mingled with the crackling sounds of burning firewood.

Huai Shi woke from a long nightmare. He opened his eyes and saw the cliff edge close at hand, and the turbid, rushing river below it.

The rain had stopped, but no stars were visible.

He lay on a rock that protruded from the flood, his head pillowed on his saddlebag, with a burning fire nearby.

He tried to move his limbs but felt pain all over his body, rendering him almost immobile.

Hearing his moan, the gaunt figure in front of the fire turned around, reached out, and removed the gas mask from her face, revealing mottled gray hair and an old, unfamiliar face.

"You're awake?"

She grinned, a creepy and sinister smile spreading across her face. She looked down happily and patted the surgery kit beside her, "The sex change operation was very successful, HEHEHE, from now on you're a pretty little girl..."

Huai Shi couldn't help but roll his eyes and sighed softly, "Don't scare me, Senior Sister."

"Hm?"

The raspy, deep voice paused for a moment, then subtly changed, becoming gentle and pleasant. "Did you guess?"

With those words, the 'old woman' raised her hand and peeled off another thin mask from her face, revealing the familiar visage hidden beneath as long hair cascaded down her shoulders like water.

Luo Xian smiled cheerfully, her eyes squinting slightly like crescent moons.

"How did you find out?"

"Didn't you give me a heads-up before?" Huai Shi strained to sit up and shook his head. "I was still somewhat conscious then."

"No wonder you slept so soundly; nothing could wake you."

Luo Xian propped her chin on her hand and studied him with interest. "I waited so long, and I kept thinking... if he doesn't open his eyes, maybe I should quietly break his neck. I hesitated for a long time."

"..."

Huai Shi smiled helplessly. "Should I thank you for sparing my life then?"

"No need," Luo Xian shook her head. "I couldn't resist, so I crushed all your toes."

Huai Shi was so frightened he almost leaped to his feet, but then he saw Luo Xian's triumphant, mischievous smile. "I'm just kidding... Did you think I was some kind of monster?"

"No... it's just..." Huai Shi thought for a long time, scratching his head. "I just didn't expect to see you so soon."

"That's what makes it a serendipitous encounter, right?"

Luo Xian reached out, helped Huai Shi up, propped him comfortably, and then stuffed a plastic bowl into his hands. The steaming curry rice emitted an enchanting aroma.

"Here, it's just done. Eat."

"Thanks..."

Huai Shi subconsciously picked up the spoon and began to thank her, then suddenly felt something was off. As he came to his senses and looked into the bowl of curry, his face turned as green as the curry itself.

The rice smelled delicious, but eating it... could it be deadly?

"..."

Luo Xian tilted her head to look at him, took a spoonful from his bowl, and stuffed it directly into his mouth. "Frozen food. I just heated it up; surely it won't harm you, right?"

Huai Shi chewed. He was surprised to find himself still alive, and the taste wasn't bad either. He couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

But for some reason, the flavor seemed off. Especially as he chewed, the curry in his mouth grew increasingly sour.

Too sour! Why was it so sour?!

His face contorted.

"Ah, so sour!"

After taking a bite herself, Luo Xian finally realized and shook her head regretfully. "Maybe it's expired?"

"...Uh."

Huai Shi looked at the spoon in her hand. He wanted to say something but stopped himself, then hesitated again—that spoon had been in his mouth just a moment ago.

Luo Xian looked puzzled. "Don't like it?"

"No, not at all, I'm quite used to it!" Huai Shi's head shook back and forth like a rattle drum. He lowered his head, took a big bite, and frowned.

This time it was bitter. So bitter, unbearably bitter... Eating it filled his heart with a sour, bitter ache.

Yet, after two more bites, that bitterness quickly vanished, leaving only the ordinary taste of the curry.

After finishing, Luo Xian took out a packet of wet wipes from her pocket, came over to him, and wiped the residual sauce from the corners of his mouth.

Her slender, cool fingers pressed against his face, and he couldn't help but blink.

"Don't be shy. You just have severe muscle strains. Think of yourself as a patient," Luo Xian tossed the wipe into the fire and smiled. "Get a good night's sleep, and you'll be better tomorrow."

Huai Shi moved his fingers with difficulty, feeling waves of soreness.

As he consciously adjusted, the ecosystem within him transformed again. The robust Mountain Ghost Stigma rapidly spread throughout his body, focusing all its power on regeneration.

He had a few cracked bones, minor internal organ ruptures, a concussion, and lightning burns... but none were life-threatening injuries. A little rest would be enough, and it wouldn't affect his overall condition.

But he needed to drink more water.

Then, a huge water tank was placed in front of him.

"Please, Your Honor Judge," Luo Xian said with a smile, "specially prepared for you."

She had prepared for everything.

"Uh... why so much?"

Huai Shi stared in disbelief. He could sense that the water contained no radiation; it was pure, natural, clean water.

Luo Xian pointed to the shovel next to her backpack. "Find the right spot, dig down a bit, and there you have it. The underground aquifers around here are quite rich; just find the right spot, punch the ground a few times, and the water will gush out on its own."