The skinny, small boy, as Ji Shiyou had predicted, was indeed a zombie, and a high-level one capable of evolving into a zombie king.
The apocalypse had only just begun, merely two days old, and all zombies were a result of the virus infection.
They moved slowly, lacked thought, and besides instinctively attacking ordinary humans, they would also slaughter each other.
Such zombies were easy to eliminate; even ordinary people could manage it.
However, after about a week, through mutual consumption, the surviving zombies would evolve into Level 1 zombies.
This was the first round of selection in the apocalypse, where zombies would eliminate ordinary people unfit to survive, and simultaneously, non-evolving zombies would be culled.
Level 1 zombies were much more agile, could dodge attacks, possessed rudimentary consciousness, and their heads would contain crystal cores of different attributes.
As they evolved and leveled up, the higher their level, the more human-like their appearance would become.
Upon reaching Level 8, they would be indistinguishable from humans to the naked eye.
These were all facts Ji Shiyou had compiled from extensive research.
He had noticed earlier that the boy, while appearing like a human child, had revealed fangs when calling Mingyue "Mama."
Moreover, his complexion was greenish, leading Ji Shiyou to suspect he was a high-level zombie, Level 6 or above, but likely not yet Level 8, otherwise, he wouldn't have been discernible by sight alone.
"Don't be rash, he means me no harm."
Just as Ji Shiyou raised the dagger he had condensed, preparing to charge at the boy, Mingyue grabbed him. This was because Mingyue sensed the little zombie possessed the bloodline of the Wu clan.
"You don't want to hurt me, do you? Why do you call me Mama?"
Approaching the zombie, Mingyue squatted down and looked at the boy.
Even though he wasn't human, the Wu clan bloodline within him made Mingyue feel a sense of closeness, as if she had found a relative.
"Taste."
Seeing Mingyue approach, the little zombie was happy, but he couldn't smile. He merely parted his lips, intending to hug Mingyue.
However, after the previous incident, it seemed "Mama" didn't like being hugged, so he lowered his arms and uttered two words awkwardly.
"That's not right. Even if they evolve into zombie kings, zombies shouldn't have emotions.
And he's just a high-level zombie, not even Level 8. How can he call you Mama and not attack you?"
Having confirmed the little zombie posed no threat, Ji Shiyou circled him, muttering incessantly. This contradicted the theories he knew.
"Are you hungry? Want to eat with us?"
Mingyue understood what the little zombie meant by "taste." It wasn't about flavor, but bloodline.
She was formed from Pangu's last drop of essence blood and was an Ancestral Witch in the Wu clan. The little zombie carried the Wu clan's bloodline.
This gave him a natural affinity towards her. Children perceive those closest to them as their mothers.
Thus, in Mingyue's heart, the little zombie before her was not a monster, but one of her kin, a relative with the same bloodline.
"You're still going to let him eat with us? That's not right. Besides, zombies don't eat hot food; they're only interested in fresh flesh and blood.
You're actually eating? This is unscientific. Hey, leave some for me."
Looking at the little zombie devouring food on the table, Ji Shiyou began to doubt the accuracy of his compiled apocalypse knowledge.
But seeing the food dwindling, he couldn't afford to overthink and rushed over to grab his share.
"Do you have a name? How old are you?"
The three of them wolfed down the food on the table, then each held a bottle of drink, slumping onto their chairs. Mingyue softly asked the little zombie.
"Eight~nine."
The little zombie seemed confused, thinking hard for a long time before uttering two words.
He was a zombie; after the mutation, he could no longer recall his past.
He vaguely remembered being around eight or nine years old, but his name was completely lost to him.
"Is it eight years old, or nine years old?"
Finishing his drink, Ji Shiyou stood up and examined the little zombie's body. He was too thin.
He wasn't tall either, appearing only five or six years old, not at all like an eight or nine-year-old.
"Eight~nine, eight~nine."
The little zombie repeated the two words, seeming a little angry, and his fangs reappeared.
"Alright, alright, eight-nine. Either eight or nine years old. You're getting agitated.
Since you like saying those two words so much, let's call you Bajiu from now on. Is that okay, Bajiu?"
Seeing the little zombie getting agitated, Ji Shiyou quickly raised his hands in surrender and, with ill intentions, gave him a name.
The little zombie didn't object to such a casual name. Instead, he looked at Mingyue, as if seeking her approval.
"Bajiu. That's nice. Shall we call you Bajiu then?
You'll stay with me from now on, but don't call me Mama anymore. Call me Sister. You're my little brother from now on."
Hugging Bajiu, Mingyue said affectionately. She didn't understand the apocalypse and didn't find zombies dangerous. She only knew she had gained a brother with the same bloodline.
"What? You want to keep him? No, I absolutely object.
Mingyue, listen to me. Zombies are dangerous.
Even if he's not aggressive now, do you know when he might go berserk?
Besides, if people find out we're harboring a zombie, it will bring us a lot of trouble."
Upon hearing Mingyue wanted to keep Bajiu, Ji Shiyou exploded, vehemently objecting.
"If you don't want Bajiu to stay, you can leave. You have your powers now, enough to protect yourself. You don't need to follow me anymore."
Ignoring Ji Shiyou's outburst, Mingyue searched for clothes in her spatial storage. Bajiu's clothes were tattered.
They were covered in dirt and bloodstains and already smelled. They needed to be replaced with clean ones.
"I... you're fickle. You're abandoning me for him?"
Like an abandoned, resentful woman, Ji Shiyou clutched his chest and said mournfully.
He never expected to be so quickly out of favor, and to lose to a zombie. At the same time, he shot a resentful glare at the little zombie, who was watching the scene unfold with amusement.
"Leave or stay?"
Without even looking at Ji Shiyou's heartbroken and resentful performance, Mingyue held up the clothes she had found, comparing them against Bajiu.
She had no experience raising children and feared choosing the wrong size, making Bajiu uncomfortable.
"I... I accept Bajiu. I won't reject him. I'll stay. I won't leave.
Mingyue, I will always follow you, never to be separated. I am yours in life, and yours in death."
Seeing Mingyue was determined to keep Bajiu, Ji Shiyou quickly feigned weakness and declared his loyalty, afraid of being abandoned.
He knew clearly that the apocalypse had just begun. His powers could ensure his survival, but as zombies evolved and the environment worsened,
no matter how powerful an individual was, survival in the apocalypse would be difficult. Only a team could sustain them, and following Mingyue was the best option.
"Then let's go home and sleep. I still need to bathe Bajiu, and I need to rest too."
Hearing Ji Shiyou's declaration, Mingyue smiled and pushed him out.
With a triumphant look at Ji Shiyou, Bajiu, who was in her arms, went to the bathroom. The child was too dirty and needed a thorough wash.
Just then, the lights in the room went out, and when she turned on the faucet, the water supply had also stopped.
Her phone showed no signal.
The room plunged into darkness. Mingyue was about to take Bajiu to her spatial storage to bathe when there was a knock at the door.