Chapter 53: The Corpse Shepherd |
Lin Xian’s gaze swept across the scene. Most vehicles indeed bore splashes of color, though it was unclear if the markings were paint or blood.
Human civilization as a species was peculiar: when order collapses, it has a way of spontaneously generating new forms of order. In the darkness, these fragile systems of order, like flickering flames, quickly drew the scattered remnants of humanity together.
In an environment full of unknowns, anyone attempting to plunder others had to be prepared to be plundered in return. Convoys like the Oasis Convoy, which immediately resorted to roadside ambushes, were quickly branded as bandits—disruptors of this fragile new order.
“Doesn’t gathering so many people in one place attract monsters?” Lin Xian asked tentatively.
“Oh, you’re talking about the Soul Wave Detectors, huh? Those things are tricky. They require the power of red beans, and they’re consumables. The Phoenix Federation previously shared blueprints for a simplified harmonic detection device that survivors could build to improve their survival chances. Some skilled mechanics among the survivors managed to make a few. Our Chasing Wind Convoy has one—it cost us dearly.”
At this, Kiki turned to Lin Xian, her eyes sparkling. She nudged him with her elbow.
“Hey, hey~”
Lin Xian’s heart stirred as he exchanged a glance with Kiki. Of course, he understood her message.
Mechanical manufacturing?
“So, these detectors can be traded too?” Lin Xian inquired.
“Of course!” the young man exclaimed, his eyes wide. “They’re highly sought after, practically priceless. Unless you’re near a large city or a major survivor hub, where are you going to find a genius mechanic building detectors in the wilderness?
“Plus, it’s not just about the devices. Supplies are scarce, the cold is biting, and resources like heating systems, water purifiers, radios, and medicine are in high demand. Even rainwater under the Dark Tides is lethal to drink!”
“And the temperature keeps dropping. At this rate, we’ll freeze to death even if the zombies don’t get us.”
The young man’s chatter continued as they trudged through the snow until they arrived at the factory gates.
“Here we are. Brother Yun is inside. You can talk to him—I need to go back on watch.” He pointed into the factory.
The once-functional workshops were now ruins. In the center, someone had lit a bonfire, casting a warm orange glow over the wreckage. Shadows from a dozen figures danced in the firelight.
The group, men and women of various ages, turned to look as Lin Xian and Kiki approached. Some stood, others sat on the ground or on rubble, while one person swigged from a bottle.
Among them, Jiang Yun spotted Lin Xian and smiled. “Over here. How should I address you?”
“Lin Xian, Kiki,” he replied.
“Got it. And your convoy?” Jiang Yun asked, seemingly referring to their convoy’s name.
After a moment’s thought, Lin Xian answered, “Infinite Convoy.”
An Infinite Convoy that runs on a train…
“Okay.” Jiang Yun gestured for Lin Xian and Kiki to join the group. “Relax, there aren’t many rules here. Just say what you need, and if others are interested, they’ll trade with you. Of course, others might compete for the same item, but the choice is yours.
“Besides that, gatherings like these are rare. It’s a chance to share recent events, dangers, or intel. If we cross paths in the future, it’s better to be acquainted.”
“For example, if you’re taking the Jiangyu Line to Yubei City, some here travel that route. Others head toward Feng City or Xing City. While we’re all moving east, the routes differ.”
Lin Xian nodded.
“I heard you’re running a train?” Jiang Yun said, and before Lin Xian could respond, a short-haired woman in her thirties spoke up.
“Shu Qin, from the Bigfoot Convoy,” she introduced herself before continuing, “No offense, but we saw a federal train transporting heavy equipment near Mount Daluo a few days ago. It looked like they were headed to deal with an Eerie Zone or a major Eerie Entity. If you’re traveling the Jiangyu Line, you might pass through that area, so take care.”
Lin Xian’s expression shifted slightly. “Got it. Thanks.”
Shu Qin’s warning made him lower his guard toward the bonfire group. He also felt a touch of goodwill toward her.
“Alright, let’s continue.” Jiang Yun’s tone grew serious as he addressed Lin Xian. “Since we have a new face here, I’ll repeat some critical information. These updates could be the difference between life and death. They’re the reason we risk gathering like this.”
“Besides Shu Qin’s intel, there are two major updates.
“First, there’s been an Eerie 1542 Frequency reported around Ping’a Lake, the mountains, Beiwang, and Mount Daluo. Three convoys here received it at night, and there have been reports of people going missing. We suspect it’s tied to the Eerie Zone Shu Qin mentioned.”
“Missing people?”
“You mean the radios modified with those red beans?” Kiki asked, her curiosity piqued.
Jiang Yun nodded. “Exactly. You should get one. Without it, you’ll miss critical warnings and intel from other convoys or the authorities. If you want red beans, many here have them. Trade for one later.”
“And the second piece of intel?” Lin Xian prompted.
Jiang Yun exhaled deeply, fixing Lin Xian with a grim look. “There have been sightings of Corpse Shepherds in the Polar Night within Abyss Zone No. 3.”
The temperature seemed to drop a degree as the words left his mouth. Though the other convoy leaders had already heard this, their faces darkened again.
“Corpse Shepherds?” Lin Xian frowned, an inexplicable chill running down his spine.
“Yeah.”
“Are they human?” Kiki asked, her brows furrowed.
Jiang Yun shook his head. “No one knows. All reports come from the black frequency channels, transmitted from nearby areas.”
He gestured toward a middle-aged man across the fire.
“Our Chasing Wind Convoy and their Black Sword Riders just escaped the Polar Night. We confirmed hearing the Federation’s description of those hellish wails on the black frequency—it’s said to herald the arrival of a Corpse Shepherd...”
Hellish wails?!
Lin Xian’s heart skipped a beat. He recalled the eerie, bone-chilling cries he’d heard when they killed the crimson centipede near the black mist. He’d brushed it off at the time, but Jiang Yun’s words brought it flooding back.
“The Corpse Shepherds are said to be an eldritch spawn of the Abyss. They didn’t appear during the first Polar Night but started emerging in the second. Areas near the Abyss have seen numerous reports. Once, a heavily armed Iron Guard Brigade with drones, armor, and kinetic weapons tried to scout the Abyss. They were annihilated. All that came back were those hellish wails broadcast over the black frequencies. Survivors claim the Shepherds resemble humanoid creatures, but it’s unverified. The Phoenix calls them Corpse Shepherds...”
“Whoa, that terrifying? Even mechs are useless?” Kiki exclaimed.
“Little girl, if mechs worked, do you think we’d still be running?” A burly, bearded man chuckled bitterly. “The Phoenix doesn’t even know what’s truly out there in the Polar Night. Reports of sightings and attacks flood the frequencies daily. Ever seen a jellyfish?”
“What’s so scary about a jellyfish?” Kiki frowned.
“I mean one the size of a mountain,” the man said gravely, pointing upward.
“And it’s in the sky!”
“Survivors near Ping’a Lake have reportedly seen it,” Shu Qin added, her face pale. “It’s horrifying...”
Lin Xian’s expression darkened. “A mountain-sized jellyfish? Is that what you call a Major Eerie Entity?”
“Yes,” Jiang Yun confirmed grimly. “The darkness hides all manner of horrors. Bugs and monsters are one thing—the real threat is the indescribable ones.”
“Indescribable?”
The group’s attention turned to Lin Xian, their gazes heavy with unease. Jiang Yun responded in a low voice:
“Like... ghosts.”
A sudden chill swept through the area. The bonfire flickered, its flames shrinking, and the darkness pressed in around them, smothering the air with an oppressive silence.