Chapter Twenty-Nine: Finally Taking the Stage

007 was stunned by Xu Nuo’s words, momentarily speechless, and a wave of aggrieved bitterness surged in its heart. The host had clearly treated the targets as mere pawns too, never once showing genuine feeling…

“Aren’t those just a city full of zombies? That’s easy enough to handle,” Xu Nuo remarked lightly. “Just wipe them all out, problem solved.”

Such an audacious statement left not only the system but also the viewers in the live broadcast room dumbfounded.

007 tentatively asked, “...Dear host, are you serious?”

“I am.” Xu Nuo closed her eyes, leaving the system stewing in its doubts.

“But host, I really don’t think this is reliable…” 007 wanted to say more, but found the host had already drifted into a deep sleep.

Gu Xingze silently dropped from the tree, gently draping his outer coat over Xu Nuo.

“Xu Nuo, whatever you choose to do, I’ll support you.”

.

“What? You’re asking the exact time the zombies will enter the city?” Lin Qisheng was wrestling with a spatula, and upon hearing Xu Nuo’s question, answered without much thought, “Didn’t I tell you before? About ten days from now.”

Xu Nuo: “The exact time.”

“How long are you planning to stall before leaving?” Lin Qisheng scooped an unidentifiable item from the pot and deftly placed it in front of Xu Nuo.

“I’m not leaving.” This time, Xu Nuo’s answer was clear.

Clang—Lin Qisheng’s plate nearly slipped from his hands, teetering precariously on the table.

“What did you say?” He could hardly believe his ears.

“I won’t leave with you,” Xu Nuo said. “I’m staying here.”

“Miss Xu, Lady Xu, what are you thinking?” Lin Qisheng was at a loss. “This isn’t the time for stubbornness. Are you serious?”

Xu Nuo’s expression was earnest. “Of course.”

Lin Qisheng forced himself to remain calm. “Why?”

A slight smile played on Xu Nuo’s lips. “Because I want to.”

“Do you realize you’ll be facing not just hordes of zombies, but also missiles and artillery from the army? Even with powers, you’d still be doomed.”

Lin Qisheng tried desperately to persuade her. “Don’t be reckless. I know you’re strong, possessing abilities none of us understand, but this isn’t something one person can handle alone.”

His words had no effect on Xu Nuo, who seemed as oblivious and willful as a pampered heiress. No matter how much Lin Qisheng argued, she remained unmoved.

[If I didn’t know what kind of person Empress Xu was, I’d almost be moved by this undying, life-or-death devotion.]

[Let’s set aside talk of love—what do you all think she’s planning this time?]

[Didn’t Empress Xu already say she’s going to wipe out all the zombies?]

[Wait, she’s joking, right? That’s not the kind of boast you just make lightly.]

[I don’t think she’s bluffing.]

.

Lin Qisheng’s persistence was rare. Having decided to win Xu Nuo over with his cooking, he practiced tirelessly, undeterred by failure. Likewise, when he set his mind on persuading the heroine to leave, he didn’t stop, regardless of her attitude.

“Lin Qisheng has a kind of unshakable confidence that’s hard to find,” Xu Nuo commented.

007 replied, “Yeah, he still thinks he can win over our dear host. I almost feel sorry for him. What about you, host?”

“I think…” Xu Nuo said, “he’s not my concern to pity.”

“Truly cold and heartless,” 007 remarked.

In the end, everyone else at the camp chose to follow the military south to the safe base. Hearing this place would be destroyed, not one of them believed Xu Nuo and Gu Xingze could hold it alone.

After all, that would mean facing an endless tide of zombies and the combined assault of devastating weapons.

By dawn, everyone had left. The camp had grown eerily quiet, the vegetable patches and animal pens abandoned.

Xu Nuo picked up a rabbit still nibbling the grass. “Eat well and grow strong.”

Lin Qisheng stood over her, looking down at Xu Nuo who seemed entirely at ease. “The operation begins as early as tomorrow morning. Are you really staying?”

Xu Nuo nodded. “Yes.”

Lin Qisheng truly couldn’t fathom where her confidence came from. In all his years, he’d never met anyone whose self-assurance rivaled his own.

“Brother Gu,” Lin Qisheng, unable to sway Xu Nuo, nudged Gu Xingze. “What about you? Are you really going along with her madness?”

Gu Xingze’s tone was calm but unwavering. “Whatever Xu Nuo decides, I’ll follow.”

“What’s wrong with you two?” Lin Qisheng kicked a stone in frustration. “I’m going to rest.”

The next day.

The morning was bustling. After washing up, Xu Nuo saw even the slow-moving Lin Qisheng appear.

She glanced at the backpack on his shoulders. “Leaving now?”

“No,” Lin Qisheng replied. “I’m coming with you.”

Xu Nuo sounded puzzled. “Oh?” But her expression showed no surprise.

“I’ll go with you this time,” Lin Qisheng said, stretching.

“No breakfast? Fine, let’s hurry up and try to be back in time for lunch.” Xu Nuo struck a dashing pose, pointing grandly toward the door.

[Let’s go! Raise the banners for our Empress Xu!]

[Roar! Roar! Roar!]

The livestream comments were ablaze with excitement, as if fueled by adrenaline.

Meanwhile, on Xu Nuo’s side, Lin Qisheng grinned like he was waiting for a show, Gu Xingze’s face was expressionless, and 007 had simply gone silent, feigning death and giving up all attempts to intervene.

Xu Nuo herself couldn’t help but feel a rush of adrenaline as she rallied, “Let’s charge, my friends!”

Lin Qisheng rolled his eyes, muttering under his breath, “What a nutcase.”

The camp sat on the city’s outskirts, where zombies were rare. But after descending the mountain, they were met by a vast, endless horde surging toward them.

Even Lin Qisheng, usually so brash and carefree, felt the suffocating pressure.

He looked meaningfully at Xu Nuo. “You really intend to go?”

Xu Nuo smiled. “Let’s go.”

In the blink of an eye, Xu Nuo’s attire transformed into an ornate black ensemble. Her aura changed dramatically—her eyes sharp, her presence thorny and formidable, like a beautiful but perilous flower.

“You…” Lin Qisheng was stunned by her instant transformation.

[Whoa! Empress Xu is finally making her move!]

[Cheer for Empress Xu!]

[According to the setting, there are over a hundred thousand zombies in this wave.]

[Can the streamer really do it?]

[That transformation was flashy, but what about her actual strength?]

[Ha! As if our Empress Xu is some pushover.]

[No fear! If we lose, we can always try again.]

The audience was wild with excitement, not all out of genuine admiration—many were just here for the spectacle, calling her “Empress Xu” with gleeful anticipation.