I'd like to thank our new Patreon Diamond member, "melonpan," for recommending this novel for translation. I've read up to chapter 50, and it's a truly engaging read. It boasts a 4.4 rating on NovelUpdates. So you know it's going to be good.
Thank you again, Melonpan, for the sponsorship
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"Hey hey!" Tang Xuhai couldn't contain his joy. His left foot firmly planted on the ground, his right leg kicked three times in succession without any unusual feeling. "Hahaha!"
Standing upright, Tang Xuhai used his right leg as the center of gravity, leaping and performing a 180-degree aerial kick, landing steadily. Immediately afterward, he executed three consecutive backflips, a single-handed handstand leap, landed on his right leg's toes, and smoothly stood up.
The sequence of movements was swift and nimble. Tang Xuhai's body showed slight movements, filled with an eager impulse, itching to unleash a series of kicks on a sandbag, just as he used to, ending with a powerful strike to burst it.
Since injuring his right leg, he hadn't had such a satisfying activity.
Tang Xuhai's eyes gleamed brightly, as if ablaze with fire. He seemed like a lion awakening from a slumber.
That sense of despondency buried deep inside was finally swept away. He was once again the martial king!
Struggling to suppress the intense urge to engage in vigorous activity, Tang Xuhai cracked a smile, took a few deep breaths, and with a solid friction of his combat boots against the ground, darted forward like an arrow released from its string.
Tang Xuhai moved like a ghost, his actions elusive, lurking in every concealed corner of the city. He was akin to a dragon in the sea or a tiger in the jungle, hiding his presence in every breath.
Unlike Fu Shiwu, who moved cautiously but at a slow pace, Tang Xuhai was dashing ahead without making a sound.
His eyes scanned the chaotic streets; the sun positioned around 9 in the morning, the temperature not yet rising, the perfect time for activity.
His body's condition being excellent, he spontaneously altered his course, traversing through the old residential area toward the large supermarket.
Since Fu Shiwu had taken care of him so well, why not give him a reward?
Contemplating this, Tang Xuhai decided Fu Shiwu was being overly controlling with that pack of cigarettes; one stick a day was way too unsatisfactory.
The fate of the large supermarket hadn't escaped looting; all the glass doors and windows at the entrance had been shattered, presenting a dark and messy interior.
Treading over broken glass, Tang Xuhai stepped into the supermarket.
With no illumination inside, the daylight from the entrance made the interior appear dim.
However, Tang Xuhai wasn't afraid; this level of light was enough for him.
Inside the supermarket, chaos reigned: toppled shelves, scattered goods, broken glass cabinets with valuable items stolen.
Unfortunately, cigarettes were among the coveted items. Almost all the broken cabinets had been emptied, leaving behind a few boxes of a brand Tang Xuhai didn't prefer.
"Tsk!" Tang Xuhai grumbled discontentedly, picking up a box of cigarettes, muttering to himself, "Bandits, huh? They've scavenged it so thoroughly. And this stuff isn't edible!"
Despite his dissatisfaction, Tang Xuhai couldn't help but stash these few boxes of cigarettes into his backpack. Continuing onward, the food section had also fallen victim; it was as clean as if it had been licked over.
Since this wasn't his main goal, he moved to the adjacent beverage section; water, soft drinks, and liquor had all vanished.
This left Tang Xuhai speechless. Although he hadn't expected to find drinking water in this supermarket, couldn't there have been a glimmer of hope?
Heading to the second floor, unlike the plundered first floor, the second had relatively more intact items.
Considering Fu Shiwu's physique, Tang Xuhai picked out a shirt for him. For someone who cared so much about his appearance, enduring several days with just one shirt without complaint was commendable.
Fu Shiwu had spare clothes to change into, but they were covering Wen Zhaoming. Even though Wen Zhaoming was now covered in a blanket, due to his poor health, Fu Shiwu had used his clothes as an extra layer beneath him.
Browsing through the clothing section, Tang Xuhai didn't take much, just a few pieces for each person, stuffing them into his backpack.
Large supermarkets often had camping supplies, and that was Tang Xuhai's real target.
Although the camping area was small, the display was comprehensive.
Tents, chairs, sleeping bags, alcohol stoves, solid alcohol, double-layer lunch boxes, triple-layer multi-functional lunch boxes...
Tang Xuhai nodded in satisfaction upon seeing his targets.
The sleeping bag, a must-have—grab three. Solid alcohol, taken—multi-functional lunchbox, necessary.
Most importantly, replacing Fu Shiwu's pair of shoes!
Tang Xuhai stood beside the shelf, picking out a pair of camel-colored combat boots for him.
"He should wear size 41 shoes." Tang Xuhai recalled Fu Shiwu's bare feet he had seen earlier. Compared to his own, they were much smaller.
Tossing away the shoebox, tying the shoelaces, stuffing a few pairs of socks inside the shoes, he slung the shoes over his shoulder—done!
"I'm just too kind-hearted," Tang Xuhai complimented himself harshly, satisfied and ready to head back home.
Descending from the out-of-service elevator, his combat boots stepping on the metal steps emitted a faint "clang" sound.
The first floor of the supermarket was quiet, amplifying this slight noise. Squinting, Tang Xuhai calmly swung his backpack to the side.
As he reached the beverage area, an alien creature knocked over a shelf, screeching as it lunged toward him.
"Haha, perfect timing!" Tang Xuhai, unfazed but delighted, discarded his backpack, drew his military knife, and met the creature head-on.
His right leg's recovery made him even more agile. He dodged the creature's two tentacle attacks, then lifted his leg and kicked toward its chest.
"Hiss—" The creature, forcefully kicked in the chest, suddenly struggled for breath, crashing into a nearby shelf.
The shelf collapsed, and several cans of beer rolled out.
Some slipped through the cracks!
Tang Xuhai's eyes scanned the area. Just then, another creature pounced from his left. With a sharp gaze, Tang Xuhai threw the military knife in his hand.
"Thunk!" A muffled sound echoed as the knife hit the creature's forehead.
Similarly, another creature circled around behind Tang Xuhai!
"Tsk!" Tong Xuhai clicked his tongue. Stepping forward, he hurried to the struggling creature, raised his long leg, and delivered a kick.
"Crack!!" The sound of bones breaking, and the creature's head exploded like a watermelon!
Somewhat surprised by the result, Tang Xuhai didn't dwell on it. Swiftly turning around, he grabbed a section of the supermarket's dropped ceiling suspension and hurled it at the creature.
The creature reacted swiftly, dodging the projectile. But by then, Tang Xuhai was already leaping toward it.
The creature frantically swung its tentacles towards him.
Not daring to let those tentacles entangle him, Tang Xuhai used his boot-clad foot to kick. Although the creature's tentacles were pushed away, the hooks on them snagged the side of his shoe, almost throwing Tang Xuhai off balance.
Pulling his leg back forcefully, Tang Xuhai charged into the open arms of the creature, delivering about ten heavy punches to its chest. Finally, he viciously uppercut the creature, sending it flying.
"Awesome!" Tang Xuhai yelled, feeling thoroughly refreshed.
The creature was left with ruptured viscera, blood spraying from its mouth, before collapsing and twitching motionlessly on the ground.
Feeling thoroughly invigorated after this bout of physical exertion, Tang Xuhai, unperturbed by the shameless surprise attacks by the three creatures, retrieved his military knife, sheathed it, slung his backpack, and, recalling how he almost lost his balance earlier, picked up the steel frame from the ceiling.
Close combat wasn't suitable against these creatures. He needed a handy tool.
With three creatures unexpectedly present in the supermarket, Tang Xuhai found it suspicious. Instead of immediately leaving with his findings, he inspected the surroundings inside and outside the supermarket and found the reason at the delivery entrance of the supermarket.
Lying haphazardly were over a dozen corpses, their heads cracked open and empty.
Even though he had heard Fu Shiwu mention it, seeing it with his own eyes, Tang Xuhai couldn't help but furrow his brow.
Then, beside these bodies, he found something that shouldn't have been there—a handgun!
How did these people have guns? Tang Xuhai puzzled over it. He picked up the gun, checked the magazine—half-empty, with six bullets remaining.
However, regardless of how it ended up here, the gun now belonged to him!
Tucking the gun behind his back, Tang Xuhai strode confidently on his way home.
Bring it on, damn creatures, I ain't afraid!
Those three creatures were probably all there was in this vicinity. Tang Xuhai swaggered back without encountering another one, feeling somewhat disappointed.
By the time he returned to the air-raid shelter, the sun had risen, approaching noon.
Just like presenting treasures, Tang Xuhai exhibited everything he found to Fu Shiwu one by one.
"Look, a sleeping bag! With this, you won't feel cold anymore." Tang Xuhai pulled out three sleeping bags. "And this, a multi-functional lunchbox, three layers, with a handle on each layer. Look, flip the iron ring attached to it, and it won't scald you." He opened the lunchbox, displaying the three metal basin-like compartments to Fu Shiwu.
"Also, these shoes for you." Tang Xuhai grabbed a shoe with one hand and offered it to Fu Shiwu. "Your leather shoes won't be comfortable when running or climbing. They're prone to slip. Don't mind the heat, just wear these; there are socks inside."
"I also found some clothes for you and Wen Zhaoming." Tang Xuhai took out the clothes. Lastly, he produced four bottles of beer. "Surprise! Beer!"
Fu Shiwu looked shocked as Tang Xuhai presented each item to him.
This version of Tang Xuhai was just not normal!
Radiating with joy? Overflowing with energy? In short, he was overexcited!
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