Counterattack of a White Lotus that was Reborn into an Apocalypse

Xia Zhi sat expressionless on the sofa, cradling Lian Yu, the little baby, in his arms. His second older brother, father, and Mother Xia all gathered around him, observing the baby as if he were a rare species. His grandfather and elder brother were absent; if they were here, there would be two more spectators.

“Son!” Mother Xia spoke up. “Is this really my grandson?” Mother Xia felt conflicted because she thought her son had brought his wife along, and she had assumed the wife was still pregnant. She hadn’t expected the grandson to be this big already. He didn’t look like a newborn at all! Could it be that the youngest son adopted him? But she truly desired a descendant carrying the Xia family bloodline.

“Mom,” Xia Zhi finally opened his mouth, understanding his mother’s longing to hold her grandson. “This is indeed your grandson, carrying the bloodline of our Xia family.” Xia Zhi calmly uttered these words and fell silent.

“Really?” Mother Xia suddenly became ecstatic. “That’s wonderful! Bless our ancestors! Come here, let me touch my adorable grandson.” Mother Xia squeezed next to Xia Zhi, gently patting the sleeping grandchild’s face. The little one was so cute when he slept. Knowing her son never lied, Mother Xia’s happiness filled the house with warmth, though Xia Zhi felt a slight headache coming on amidst the sudden commotion.

Father Xia and Xia Chu sat calmly on the side. The men of the Xia family knew how to control themselves well, though they also felt the urge to rush over like their wife and mother. But wouldn’t that be embarrassing in front of their son or younger brother? They had to keep their faces stern, but their eager eyes had already betrayed them. Xia Zhi rolled his eyes inwardly.

The touch of the hand patting on Lian Yu’s face woke him up, and he started crying loudly, not giving anyone any face.

Mother Xia felt sorry for him immediately. “Son, give me the grandson. You’re not holding him properly!” She took Lian Yu in her arms, and Xia Zhi reluctantly let go.

Once Mother Xia intervened, Lian Yu indeed stopped crying. He smiled happily and reached out his little hand to touch Mother Xia’s face. Her well-maintained face bloomed with joy. Father Xia and Xia Chu looked on with even greater longing. Mother Xia secretly chuckled to herself, thinking, “I won’t let you see it even if you pretend to be indifferent!”

Mother Xia walked around with her grandson in her arms in front of the two men. Lian Yu’s giggles tickled the hearts of the two men. He looked so adorable! They really wanted to hold him.

Mother Xia felt satisfied with the scene and called over the two big dogs. The dogs eagerly approached, showering Lian Yu’s little face with kisses and patting his tiny hands. Lian Yu, showing no mercy, playfully slapped each of the two men, leaving them laughing heartily.

“That’s the spirit of our Xia family!” Father Xia exclaimed proudly. Now, no one would dare to say that Xia Zheng didn’t have a grandson anymore. Ha-ha-ha!

“Old Xia, look at how much our grandson resembles Xiao Zhi when he was young,” Mother Xia sighed with emotion. With all three sons unwilling to marry, and the youngest son even preferring men, Mother Xia had been deeply concerned. Now, with the arrival of her grandson, she felt her life suddenly complete.

“By the way, Xia Zhi, where is the child’s mother? Although our family is considered prominent, we cannot engage in such irresponsible behavior.” Father Xia, having spent enough time with his grandson, spoke sternly, his face still marked with scratches from the little one’s playful antics.

“Dad, rest assured, the child’s mother sustained some injuries but is now recovering in a safe place. You can trust us,” Xia Zhi reassured.

“My dear, look, your parents are supporting us!” Lian Hua, hidden in Xia Zhi’s pocket, whispered excitedly.

“Shut up!” Xia Zhi huffed, and Lian Hua quickly sealed his lips shut, not wanting to annoy his spouse.

“Xiao Zhi!” Xia Chu turned around abruptly, his curiosity piqued. “Is the child’s mother a stunning beauty? She must have completely turned your head if she’s made you change your preferences.” Xia Chu slung his arm around Xia Zhi’s shoulder, his face full of gossip.

Xia Zhi shot him a sideways glance. “You better focus on yourself! I’ve sorted out my major life events, and even big brother has found a partner. It’s just you now.” Xia Zhi’s tone lacked any sarcasm, but it was enough to frustrate Xia Chu to no end.

“So, you think I, a handsome man like me, would have trouble finding someone? Hmph! Just you wait, I’ll bring your sister-in-law home for you to see in a few days,” Xia Chu fumed.

“Is that so?” Xia Zhi’s face displayed disbelief. His second brother had always struggled with relationships. From childhood to adulthood, the person he fancied always ended up with someone else. Xia Zhi felt he couldn’t revel in his brother’s misfortune.

Seeing Xia Zhi’s expression, Xia Chu’s anger intensified. “You just wait and see! You’ll have a sister-in-law soon enough!” Xia Chu’s foot had been stomped on, and he couldn’t contain his rage.

“By the way, how’s the situation in the base been lately?” Xia Zhi suddenly turned serious.

Xia Chu’s nonchalant expression faded, replaced by a more somber demeanor. “There haven’t been any major issues within the base. The list of spies you provided has been verified, and everyone is under tight surveillance. Rest assured, they won’t cause any trouble.”

“That’s good to hear,” Xia Zhi nodded. “And what about Da Bai?” Xia Zhi hadn’t seen Da Bai around; he had specifically left him at home to help out.

“Da Bai went to Jingcheng. There’s a national food reserve center in Jingcheng, and before this season’s new grain harvest, the base’s food reserves were running low. Kyoto has dispatched several mercenary teams to collect food, and Jingcheng is of great importance. Your big brother personally went there. It’s been over half a month now, so he should be returning soon.”

“Jingcheng?” Xia Zhi muttered to himself, feeling a sense of unease creeping in. As a cultivator now, he was particularly sensitive to the emotions among family members.

Xia Zhi glanced at his father and mother, who were playing with their grandson, then signaled for Xia Chu to step outside for a chat.

The Xia family was now primarily led by Xia Zhi’s branch. His elder brother had already been confirmed as the next family head. If any members of the collateral branches harbored any ulterior motives, they had to be cautious.

The Xia family has been a prominent military and political dynasty since the generation of Old Master Xia. After the apocalypse, Xia’s two major general brothers and the subordinates of the old master naturally became the military force of the Xia family. The descendants of the Xia family were also well taken care of by the old master Xia, and with a large amount of resources in their hands, they naturally attracted more people to join them. Xia Zhi was well aware of some restless elements within the clan, and he believed it was time for the Xia family to cleanse itself. However, the old master Xia was too soft-hearted and hesitated to take action. But Xia Zhi was different; he was willing to take decisive measures.

The old master Xia had only one son, Father Xia. However, the old master Xia had many siblings and numerous relatives who sought refuge with him after the apocalypse. He accommodated them all, but without granting them significant authority. Among these relatives, there were naturally those with ambitious aspirations. While Xia Zhi was ready to take immediate action, he still had to consider the feelings of the old master Xia.

The affairs of the Hope base were managed by Xia Zhi and his brothers together, as it was the foundation of the Xia family’s standing. Xia’s father and mother were not fully aware of the details; they only knew that their sons were involved in the affairs of the base. Ideally, all matters concerning the base were developed under the guidance of Xia Zhi, and trusted individuals were cultivated to handle them. The facilities of the base were believed to be comparable to those of the Kyoto base, but perhaps not publicly disclosed. In truth, Xia Zhi did not particularly value the Kyoto base; however, those with a modicum of power often regarded the Kyoto base as the orthodox choice, a view shared by the old master Xia. Nonetheless, it was expected that their perceptions would soon change.

“I think eldest brother might be in trouble,” Xia Zhi stated directly as they walked out onto the balcony.

“What should we do? Should we go and assist our eldest brother?” The National Material Reserve Center in Jingcheng Base was established by their Xia family before the apocalypse, and its secrecy was naturally high, unless there was an insider.

“Yes, arrange the Espers immediately. Not too many, and no military units. We’ll go light, aiming to arrive as soon as possible,” Xia Zhi nodded.

“Damn it, don’t let me find out who it is!” Xia Chu slammed his fist against the wall, leaving spiderweb-like cracks.¹

“If I’m not mistaken, there are probably others moving in that direction as well. Whoever gets hold of that batch of supplies will have the first say,” Xia Zhi added, immediately beginning to arrange the next steps.

Xia’s father and mother were both ordinary people. The Spring of Life water Xia Zhi possessed could only ensure their health and longevity. This was especially true for Xia’s elderly father. As they grew older, Xia Zhi and his siblings took over the authority from their father, allowing him to enjoy the blessings of his grandchildren. Therefore, Xia Zhi didn’t intend to let the old folks know about this matter.

After receiving the news at Hope Base, Xia Xingwen immediately organized a group of Ability Users. These Ability Users were all recruited by Xia Zhi, either along the way or selected at Hope Base, and their loyalty was quite high.

Lian Hua timidly hid behind Xia Zhi, only spared from being thrown into the space at his strong insistence. Hearing his wife’s concern about his elder brother, he felt a bit uneasy. However, Lian Hua also understood that this was a major matter for the Xia family and wouldn’t want to cause trouble for his wife.

Lian Hua struggled hard to recall the plot in his mind. Was there a part where his elder brother was in danger? The plot had already become like a wild horse running unrestrained, and he had no idea where it had gone. Lian Hua couldn’t remember, considering the development of the real world was vastly different. He even began to doubt if there was a mole at all, or if it was the result of the “rebirth” and “transmigration” craze in this world. Take the situation with the Bai family, for instance? Lian Hua had no idea what was going on; he had been surviving in the wilderness for too long and was becoming disconnected from reality.

Having been here for quite some time now, the plot seemed to be influenced by the butterfly effect. At the very least, Lian Hua knew that Xia Zhi definitely hadn’t reached Foundation Establishment at this time; he hadn’t even completed the YN² side quest. His adoptive father’s collection hadn’t even been acquired, and yet his wife had already reached Foundation Establishment.

Thinking about the two pieces of jade marrow still left in the stronghold, Lian Hua felt a pang of regret. Last time, it was after absorbing one piece of jade marrow that Lian Hua woke up from his slumber. Lian Hua’s heart skipped a beat; perhaps the jade marrow could replenish his essence, and maybe even help Lian Hua regain consciousness. Lian Hua began to contemplate that once he saved his elder brother, he would send his wife on a trip to the YN Province.

Suddenly, Lian Hua was startled. In his past life, he remembered encountering his second uncle in the book, but he never saw his elder uncle, did he? Could it be that his elder uncle had truly been sacrificed in this operation? That would be quite distressing. Lian Hua decided to be patient and not bother his wife. He watched as he busily went about his tasks, barely even having time to sit down for a meal after returning home before she was off again, flying on her sword.

The dishes prepared by his mother-in-law were still neatly arranged on the table! Lian Hua also felt hungry, but he was just a mushroom now and couldn’t eat at all, not even catch a whiff of the aroma. Lian Hua left the care of the baby, Lian Yu, to Mother Xia. Security at the Xia household was tight, with many soldiers and supernaturals on duty. Lian Yu would be safe here, at least spared from the clumsy care of his grandma.

With caution, Xia Zhi took Lian Hua out of the base, without drawing any attention. Xia Chu intended to stay behind and hold the fort. This rescue operation would be led solely by Xia Zhi and his team of Ability users.

.…..

Jiang Siyu followed Xia Zhi’s squad to Hope Base. Currently, Hope Base hadn’t gained much recognition, and many people overlooked this small base. But Jiang Siyu knew that in a year or two, this base would become a super base that countless people would flock to. The base had abundant food supplies, strict security measures, and anyone who qualified to enter, even ordinary people, could live comfortably. However, the base wouldn’t accept outsiders in the later stages.

What drove people crazy about this base was its sale of a zombie vaccine. Injected within half an hour of being scratched by a zombie, it prevented infection by the zombie virus. Even supernaturals could only be immune to viruses with lower immunity levels than their own. The appearance of this drug was like a thunderbolt that shook the entire world.

Jiang Siyu joined Xia Zhi’s team with the intention of winning his favor while he was still weak and insignificant. She planned to use her beauty to gain his affection, and even if she couldn’t become the city lord’s wife, she could still secure a good position. But little did she know that her biggest secret would be discovered by someone.

Jiang Siyu lightly touched the jade bracelet on her left wrist. Who would have thought that this bracelet, which she had worn since childhood, was actually a plantable storage space? It was a keepsake from her mother! Her dear sister had no idea about the bracelet’s function, and her protective older brother was already gone. Of course, Jiang Siyu was unaware that her mother had obtained the bracelet through deception from another man. Otherwise, why would the space not be larger, or contain magical treasures and cultivation techniques?

Jiang Siyu sneered mockingly, “Dear brother An, looks like you’ve been used as a stepping stone by our dear sister.”

Having her secret exposed, she couldn’t afford to let anyone live for her own safety. After all, the items in her space were incredibly precious, with the spiritual spring water even aiding her in cultivating her abilities!

Indeed, while she eliminated the threat, things changed drastically afterward. The way people in Xia Zhi’s team looked at her shifted, especially that stubborn old man. Since discovering her lack of compassion, he treated her even more poorly. Among the logistics team members who accompanied her, some were just ordinary people, yet they now held higher positions within the base, and she even had to salute them! The rules in Hope Base were the strictest, and a small mistake could lead to permanent expulsion from the city.

Furthermore, those who once admired her distanced themselves one by one, leaving her only with a few undesirable characters. How could she even consider associating with such individuals? As a noble esper, she found herself sinking lower than ordinary people, and she couldn’t help but wish ill upon that stubborn old man surnamed Li.

“Jiang Siyu, have you ensured an adequate water supply today? The enforcement team is going on a mission, and we need to treat them well today,”the woman in professional attire asked, her tone assertive as she flipped through the open folder without bothering to lift her head.

Jiang Siyu felt a surge of frustration and anger bubbling within her. Liu Lili, her former comrade in the logistics team, had now ascended to the role of a team leader, managing a group of over a dozen individuals, one of whom happened to be Jiang Siyu herself! Meanwhile, she remained relegated to her position as a mere member of the logistics team.

Liu Lili furrowed her brows. Jiang Siyu, as an esper, never seemed to take things seriously. “Jiang Siyu, since you’re in the logistics team, please focus on your assigned tasks. The team leaders are busy and working hard. It’s our responsibility to ensure their comfort. Matters like water supply shouldn’t need reminding, especially for someone with your abilities. While you may be an esper, you belong to the logistics team, not the combat or enforcement teams. Please focus on your assigned tasks.”

“Understood, Leader Liu,”Jiang Siyu squeezed out the words through gritted teeth before promptly leaving.

Liu Lili watched her retreating figure and sighed. Despite numerous attempts to communicate and guide Jiang Siyu, it seemed that her efforts fell on deaf ears. Jiang Siyu remained stubborn, refusing to acknowledge the realities of her position within the base. Why couldn’t she reflect on her own issues?

Shaking her head, Liu Lili realized her work for the day wasn’t finished yet. She still had to count the game brought back by the hunting team.

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