Chapter 29: Clamor

Under the occasional glances from Seito, Jiang Yi finished another serving of jade-fat meat. Mmm, braised flavor, with a rich, savory sauce...

Once full, they headed toward the fourth floor, with Seito’s stomach still rumbling. Seito’s right hand rested firmly on the hilt of the white blade at his waist, his sharp aura kept in check. It echoed the black blade at Jiang Yi’s left hand, forming a striking contrast.

As Jiang Yi followed him upstairs, he felt the entire stadium was eerily silent. Because both were nursing injuries, the stairs they would usually climb with ease now made every step a painful tug on their wounds.

According to Seito, the stadium complex, including the underground pool, spanned five floors. Since it had only recently opened, the building still looked brand new. It housed a swimming pool, indoor basketball courts, volleyball courts, and training facilities. Additionally, the university had allocated two floors for various student clubs to use for training and practice, including the Taekwondo club, the Kendo club, and the Archery team.

Due to friction between the various clubs, they had spontaneously divided themselves: the foreign sports clubs were stationed on the second floor, while the local Chinese martial arts clubs were on the fourth. Because of their mutual disdain, Seito knew a thing or two about Guo Hanxue, the president of the Chinese Archery Club. However, because Seito was a year younger than Jiang Yi and his group, he had only just joined the Kendo club and lacked the standing to represent it, despite his skill level far exceeding that of his club president. Conversely, Guo Hanxue had already become president by her sophomore year. There wasn't a single sports club in the university that didn't know her name.

Seito’s words cheered Jiang Yi up. He hadn't realized Guo Hanxue was so impressive! Knowing that such a remarkable person was now his own team member made Jiang Yi feel a surge of pride.

Steadying Jiang Yi, who had lost his footing, Seito looked troubled. "Jiang Yi, maybe we should rest for a while. Your wounds are too severe; you can't keep pushing yourself like this."

Jiang Yi gripped the handrail, panting heavily. "Don't worry, we're already at the third floor. Let’s rest once we reach the top."

A flicker of hesitation crossed Seito’s eyes, but he kept his thoughts to himself. By the time they supported each other to the third floor, they looked up to see that the hallway had been blocked off by a barrier made of various miscellaneous racks. As Jiang Yi reached out to touch the obstacle, a wooden staff suddenly shot out from a gap, aiming straight for his chest!

Before Jiang Yi could react, Seito stepped in front of him, catching the staff—which was as thick as a mop handle—firmly in his palm. The person on the other side clearly hadn't expected someone to catch their weapon and shouted, "Let go!" But Seito was not so easily swayed. A flash of anger in his eyes, he held the staff with one hand, refusing to let the other person pull it away. Both sides exerted force, the wood rattling and slamming against the barrier with a loud clatter.

Suddenly, a second staff lunged out, aimed at Seito’s head. Seito retracted his hand, and the first staff snapped back. A chaotic noise erupted from the other side; the person on the other end, who had been pulling with all their might, clearly hadn't expected Seito to let go, and the outcome was predictable. Seito dodged the second staff as well.

"Who are you people! Are you here to cause trouble?" The voice from the other side was thick with fury. Jiang Yi narrowed his eyes; it seemed getting inside wouldn't be simple. After a moment of thought, he spoke. "I'm here to find someone. Please let us pass."

There appeared to be two or three people on the other side. Upon hearing Jiang Yi, they retorted with disdain, "The person you're looking for isn't here. Get lost! Or don't blame us for being unfriendly!"

Jiang Yi frowned but continued, "The person I'm looking for is named Guo Hanxue! She should have arrived here two days ago." The group fell silent at the mention of the name. Then, the same person asked, "What are you to President Guo?"

It seemed Guo Hanxue had arrived safely. Jiang Yi felt a weight lift and smiled. "We’re classmates. We came here together the day before yesterday, but we got separated when we ran into zombies. We agreed to meet here."

After some murmuring inside, someone reluctantly shouted, "Stay there and wait! I’m going in to ask!"

Though the start was unpleasant, Jiang Yi didn't mind their hostility as long as he could reach the fourth floor. After all, it was the apocalypse; anyone who survived this long wasn't a fool—they were bound to be wary of strangers. He didn't have to wait long. Five minutes later, the barrier shifted. To their surprise, three figures nimbly vaulted over the top and landed in front of them.

Jiang Yi appraised the trio. One held a camphor wood staff similar to his height, while another carried a long wooden bow and wore a small quiver at his waist, just like Guo Hanxue.

But it was the man in the center who demanded attention. He was pitch-black in complexion, burly, and nearly two meters tall. His frame seemed twice as thick as an ordinary person's, and his arms looked thicker than Jiang Yi's thighs. Seeing him, Seito instinctively tightened his grip on his sword hilt, sensing danger.

The man, shaped like a black tower, stood at the top of the stairs, eyeing Jiang Yi and Seito with cold contempt. "So, you’re the ones? Looking for President Guo?"

Jiang Yi didn't know the man, but his sheer presence told him he wasn't to be trifled with. "Yes. We’re her classmates. We fled from the dorms together. I’m just checking if she’s here."

Li Gang sneered, his eyes full of disdain. "More losers trying to tail the President! Honestly, do you two have any shame?"

Jiang Yi blinked, and Seito stepped forward. "What did you say?" Having always been a standout among his peers, he had never been called a loser.

The towering Li Gang didn't seem to recognize Seito, merely looking down at the 170-centimeter-tall boy. "And who are you, little shrimp?"

Suddenly, Li Gang’s pupils constricted. He scrutinized Seito’s attire, then shifted his gaze to the weapons at their waists. His expression changed, and his tone became impatient. "Are you two little traitors from the Kendo club? What are you doing here? Get lost! We don't welcome you. Go back to your basement." The three of them burst into laughter.

Listening to their insulting tone, Seito grew furious. Even with his injured left hand, his right hand moved with lightning speed toward his white blade...

But Jiang Yi pressed his hand down, and the newly drawn sword slid back into its scabbard. Jiang Yi looked up, showing no anger. Instead, he smiled. "My friend, I’m not sure who you are, but are you authorized to turn people away on behalf of President Guo? I made an appointment to meet her here, yet you’re blocking our way... Could it be that you’re holding her against her will?"

Jiang Yi’s gaze sharpened. "I wasn't aware that in this school district, some people have become so brazen."

After killing hundreds of zombies since the apocalypse began, Jiang Yi’s killing intent was well-honed. As he released the aura of an Awakened, it pressed outward, causing even Seito to look at him in shock. Li Gang and his two companions visibly recoiled, instinctively intimidated by the question.

Li Gang frowned. "What are you babbling about? Do you think this is a gang? I just don't like you fake 'devils'! You have perfectly good Chinese martial arts to practice, but you run off to learn that flowery Japanese swordplay! That stuff is garbage. Is it as strong as the martial arts our ancestors passed down? Every time we meet, you guys end up crying for your mothers!"

Jiang Yi scoffed and raised his black blade, waving it before him. "Who told you I was practicing foreign Kendo? You have the nerve to claim you practice Chinese martial arts! Are you blind? You can't even distinguish an ancient Chinese Tang sword, and you have the gall to look down on others?"

"You!" Li Gang’s face darkened further. He stepped forward in a rage, his massive hands balling into fists.

Jiang Yi didn't flinch, staring him down coldly. "What? Does this student want to see if your fists are stronger or if my blade is sharper?"

Li Gang held his breath, his chest heaving. Just as everyone thought he would attack, he suddenly relaxed his fists, glaring at Jiang Yi with a sour expression. "I can't out-talk you, but don't get cocky. Getting in here isn't just about having a sharp tongue! You want in? Fine! But you must follow our rules, or don't blame me when I throw you off the fourth floor!" With that, he turned and climbed back up.

Despite his size, he moved with the agility of an ape; his heavy frame didn't hinder him in the slightest. Watching the three of them leave, Jiang Yi finally relaxed. Though he had appeared unfazed by Li Gang, his back was soaked in cold sweat. He was the only one who had realized the man was an Awakened with immense strength. With both him and Seito severely injured, a fight would have been disastrous.

Jiang Yi’s eyes flickered. It was clear the other man had also sensed his aura as an Awakened, or he wouldn't have backed down.

However, the two of them were soon stumped, staring at the barrier that nearly reached the ceiling. Thinking of their injuries, they looked at each other and offered a bitter smile.

Li Gang, who had already vaulted over, waited impatiently for a while. Seeing they hadn't followed, he roared through a gap, "Hurry up! I’ve got plenty of other things to do!"

He then noticed their bandaged arms and let out a curse of annoyance. He grabbed a crate at the base of the barrier and easily pulled it out. Jiang Yi blinked; he hadn't realized that while the crate was at the bottom, the space above it was empty. Once moved, it revealed a small opening just big enough for them to crawl through.

Jiang Yi hadn't expected such a thoughtful design. After he and Seito crawled through, Li Gang sullenly replaced the heavy crate and clapped his hands. "Useless. Acting so tough, and it turns out you’re just a couple of cripples. Let me tell you, we don't have medicine or doctors here. And whatever caused those wounds, I don't care, but you’re going into quarantine. If you turn into zombies after getting infected, don't blame me for leaving you where you fall."

Without waiting for a response, he headed upstairs.