In these recent days, Sun Muyang could be said to have been thoroughly intimidated by Xu Nuo. Now, facing him with full force, the other coldly spoke words that sent a shiver deep into his bones.
Moreover, he could keenly sense that those words were spoken from the very core of his being, meaning the person genuinely intended to transform him into the version Xu Nuo had described.
He was filled with regret now, wishing he had known about the apocalypse earlier, and had understood that after the disaster, Park Su would become an ability user. Had he known, he would have treated this person with greater kindness, at least to avoid the disdain the other now held for him.
Xu Nuo didn't want Park Su to witness this person playing the victim any longer. He feared that Park Su might lose his resolve, soften, and end up helping him despite everything.
Thus, after speaking, he immediately pulled Park Su away. Though Park Su was not in a good mood, he didn't look back at Sun Muyang even once.
The grudges and grievances from their past lives were now put to rest. As long as the other didn't provoke him in the future, he had no desire to cause any more trouble for this person.
Sun Muyang, lost in thought, watched their departing figures. A shadow of something unreadable flickered in his eyes, but he had no time to act, for soon he was once again surrounded by those who humiliated him.
Looking at Park Su's silent retreating form ahead, Xu Nuo couldn't help but sigh, saying, "If you're truly worried and wish to go back to help her, I won't stop you. I told you, I respect your decision."
Park Su shook his head. "You're overthinking. Though I'm soft-hearted, not everything is forgivable. It's just a bit of a shame.
The person he used to be would never have given up on life so easily, nor would he have been so subservient to others. It seems you were right—the apocalypse has truly changed many people.
Maybe he changed back then too, and I, in my naïveté, thought he never did. So when I finally realized he had, I couldn't accept it."
Xu Nuo smiled. "Don't worry, by your side, I will always be the Xu Nuo you know. As for him, perhaps he's not as fragile as you think. He's flexible, able to bend when necessary. He may not be as pitiable as you believe in this apocalypse. By letting him go, you should be more cautious, instead."
Park Su immediately caught the flaw in his words and asked, "So, when I'm not around, will you become a Xu Nuo I don't recognize?"
Caught off guard by Park Su's quick wit, Xu Nuo replied without hesitation, "The Xu Nuo you know is because I'm your man—that's the only reason you see me as I am.
I don't have that kind of relationship with them, so the version of me you see in front of them is naturally different. Don't worry, your man is definitely not a 'central air conditioner' who warms only one person."
Park Su's ears instantly turned red at Xu Nuo's words, and the previous melancholic thoughts were swiftly forgotten. He stood beside Xu Nuo and muttered, "A lifelong bachelor, huh? You're quite the expert at flirting."
As for Sun Muyang, any schemes and deceptions were paper tigers in the face of overwhelming strength. He was determined to cultivate power beyond compare—then no one would intimidate him.
Xu Nuo didn't respond to Park Su's words, but in his heart, he increasingly felt the urgency to accelerate his training. After all, he now had someone to protect.
Soon, the two of them arrived at the entrance of a small residential area in the heart of the civilian district. Xu Nuo came to a stop and said, "They live here."
Park Su, gazing at the old apartment complex that had been reinforced, couldn't help but feel a momentary daze.
He had already sensed the direction they were heading in was somewhat familiar, and when they stopped at the entrance of this neighborhood, he couldn't help but marvel. He had never expected that in this life, Lü Xia and her son would live in the same community he had lived in during his previous life.
This area housed many low-level ability users, and these ability users often had families to take care of. If they were single, they could easily afford to live in slightly better neighborhoods. However, when there were others to care for, life would be somewhat more strained, so they had to settle for a cheaper place that wasn't too far from the city center.
In his previous life, Park Su had also been one such ability user, which was why he had lived here as well. In fact, there were quite a few of Park Su's former friends living in this complex.
Looking at the time, it seemed that some of them had likely moved here as well. The only difference now was that Park Su knew them, but they didn't recognize him.
Xu Nuo, standing beside him, could clearly sense his partner's downcast mood and felt a bit puzzled. Shouldn't Park Su be happy to meet Lü Xia and her son? Why had he suddenly become so somber?
Could it be because of Sun Muyang? Xu Nuo frowned, regretting that he hadn't stepped in earlier to teach Sun Muyang a lesson. Letting that person go without a proper rebuke had certainly spoiled the mood. He really was a mood-killer.
Despite his thoughts, Xu Nuo still reached out and grabbed Park Su's hand, asking, "What's wrong? Why the sudden change in mood? Is it because of Sun Muyang? If so, I can go give him another lesson to relieve your frustration."
Park Su hadn't expected Xu Nuo to be so attentive, noticing even the slightest shift in his mood. He quickly grabbed Xu Nuo's hand and said, "It has nothing to do with Sun Muyang."
He looked up at the vast complex that could house three thousand people, letting out a long sigh. "Actually, this is the place I lived in during my previous life. Many of my friends and people I helped used to live here.
Unfortunately, in this life, I recognize them, but they don't recognize me. Back then, they were just as financially strained as I was, yet they helped me. I never had the chance to repay them, and I feel like I've failed them."
Xu Nuo, seeing the self-reproach in Park Su's expression, reached out and gently ruffled his hair, saying, "If it's just about the debt of gratitude you feel from your past life, then this life, I'll help you settle it."
He paused and then added, "Tell me who helped you back then. We'll invite them to join our team, go hunting together, and give them a large share of the resources we gather.
In this way, you'll not only repay their kindness from back then, but with time spent together, you'll have the chance to reconnect with them, or even choose to become friends again. How does that sound?"
Park Su had never expected Xu Nuo to be so generous. In the past, many had wanted to form a team with Xu Nuo, but he had rarely opened a team.
Each time he did, the standards for his team members were incredibly high. Yet, despite this, a large number of high-level ability users still sought to join his team.
The reason was simple: every mission his team undertook had a notably high survival rate, and the amount of resources, including zombie cores, they gathered was far superior to any other team's.
As time passed, Xu Nuo became known as the most sought-after team leader.
Now, however, for Park Su's sake, Xu Nuo was willing to bring together low-level ability users from this area, a group not particularly strong, and lead them on resource-gathering missions. Essentially, this meant Xu Nuo would be carrying the entire burden, with the main force depending almost entirely on him alone.
Park Su wasn't worried about Xu Nuo's ability to keep everyone safe. He trusted him completely. If Xu Nuo made a promise, he would ensure everyone's survival.
Moreover, with Xu Nuo's Taoist techniques, even dealing with third-tier zombies wasn't an issue. Given that it had only been less than three months since the apocalypse began, the highest-ranking zombies would likely only be third-tier.
Should they encounter a fourth-tier zombie, he and Xu Nuo, working together, might not be able to kill it, but at least they could escape its grasp. As long as their teammates didn't cause trouble, they could ensure everyone's safety and return alive. And of course, he believed they would return with plenty of valuable supplies.
If they brought back a large amount of resources, those who had helped him in the past would at least have enough to live comfortably for a long time, thus repaying their kindness to him.
He couldn't help but look at Xu Nuo with a touched expression. "Thank you for considering me like this, but I'm worried that leading such a team might hurt you, or be too difficult for you…"
Xu Nuo, uncomfortable with Park Su's gratitude and concern, quickly stopped him. "Park Su, you don't need to thank me. I don't want you to owe anyone anything. The only debt you owe is to me.
When you feel like you can't repay it, be ready to spend your entire life doing so. And if this lifetime isn't enough, you can carry it over to the next one, or the one after that."
As for my safety, while you rest, I'm already a mid-tier third-level control ability user. I've been using energy stones consistently, so my Taoist techniques are already stable at the ninth tier.
I'm not saying we'll set out immediately. We'll take a break first, and I'll train you to be my capable assistant. So, don't slack off!"
Park Su felt deeply moved by Xu Nuo's words. Looking at his tall, upright figure, he silently thought, The debt I owe you... can never be repaid in this lifetime.
However, on the surface, he still put on a brave face and promised, "I'll study Taoist techniques seriously!"
Xu Nuo, caught off guard by Park Su's grateful gaze, felt a little embarrassed. He pulled Park Su into his arms and patted his head. "Since you're not opposed, it's decided then. Now, are you ready to smile? We're going to see Lü Xia and her son. If you keep that serious face, they might think you don't want to see them. They've been looking forward to this meeting, you know!"
Park Su immediately composed himself and flashed a bright smile as he followed Xu Nuo. They reached the entrance of an apartment building, and Xu Nuo knocked on the door. It was quickly opened, and Lü Xia looked at the two of them in surprise, her gaze settling on Park Su.
"You're awake! You've finally woken up! That's wonderful! Come in, quickly, quickly!"
As she ushered them inside, she called toward the interior, "Jing Xuan, come quickly, look who's here to see you!"
Chen Jingxuan rushed out of the room and, upon seeing Park Su, immediately beamed with joy. He sprinted toward him and cried, "Brother Park Su, you finally came to see me! I've been waiting for you for so long!"
Before the words were fully out, he launched himself like a little cannonball straight into Park Su's arms. Park Su quickly reached out to catch him, gently patting his head with a warm smile. "I told you I'd come see you, and I'm always true to my word. But I wasn't feeling well before, so I needed a bit more rest. Don't be upset with me, Jingxuan."