Most people on the Douluo Continent had no idea what a zombie really was—but Tang San did. Deep in his heart, he knew: zombies were creatures that drank human blood.
Alarmed, Tang San immediately channeled all his internal energy, twisted his body sharply, and slipped out of Jiang Chen's grasp like a fish, darting to his father's side in a few steps.
Jiang Chen was speechless. Tang San, are you serious? All he did was bare his teeth, and the kid nearly had a panic attack.
But then again…
"That kid's neck actually smelled… really nice." Jiang Chen unconsciously licked his lips. He had never drunk human blood before—but when he got close to Tang San just now, a strange, instinctual hunger surged through him. Tang San's neck had looked exactly like a juicy drumstick.
He quickly shook his head to banish the thought, suppressing the sudden craving, and jogged to catch up with Tang Hao and Tang San.
Still, the invitation puzzled him.
Why did Tang Hao suddenly ask me over? Is he trying to set up a friendship between me and Tang San? Maybe he's seen my unmatched talent and wants to form an alliance? Jiang Chen speculated in his mind.
As they walked past the crowd of villagers, Jiang Chen noticed the panic-stricken looks on their faces. If people used to avoid getting within five meters of him, now they wouldn't even get within fifty.
"Look, Tang Hao's crazy! Isn't he afraid of dying?"
"Right? He's still hanging out with that cursed kid? Forget it, we'll have to find someone else to make our farm tools from now on."
"Yeah, and I've already told my kids to stay far away from Tang San too."
…
Unfazed by the gossip, Tang Hao continued leading the boys toward their modest home.
Tang San kept glancing back nervously—peeking at Jiang Chen from behind his father's back, like a wary little animal. He was still deeply worried Jiang Chen might lose control and hurt Tang Hao.
He even began mentally reviewing methods to neutralize corpse poison.
Though he'd never encountered zombie venom in his past life, he'd read about it in the Compendium of a Hundred Poisons. According to the text, low-grade corpse poison wasn't hard to handle—sticky rice could counteract it.
Thank goodness we still have some glutinous rice at home, Tang San thought with a sigh of relief.
Arriving at the house, Tang Hao gave a friendly smile. "Xiaochen, make yourself comfortable. Sit wherever you like. Don't be shy."
Jiang Chen smiled and sat down without hesitation.
But then Tang Hao realized—he had invited a guest over, yet had nothing to serve.
"Ahem… Little San, come with me," he called as he headed into the back room.
Tang San followed him quickly. "Dad, what is it?"
Tang Hao hushed him with a finger to his lips. "You know how to catch fish, right?"
Tang San nodded, confused. He didn't have much experience fishing, but with his hidden weapon skills, catching a few was no big deal.
"Well… we've got a guest, right? Go grab two fish and cook them up." Tang Hao scratched his head, a little embarrassed. His weathered face even turned slightly red.
Tang San finally understood and gave his father a strange look. What's gotten into him today?
Still, as odd as it was, the feeling wasn't unpleasant. He hadn't seen his father act this lively in years.
Maybe I should thank Jiang Chen, Tang San thought as he walked back out.
As he passed Jiang Chen, he leaned in and whispered, "Don't hurt my dad. Got it?"
Jiang Chen nodded, looking aggrieved. "Relax—I'm a good guy."
Tang San shot him one last warning look before leaving.
Jiang Chen just sighed in his heart. Your dad's a hidden boss—how could I dare bite him? That'd be suicide.
Tang San was fast. In no time, he returned with two fish in hand.
Jiang Chen raised his eyebrows in surprise. So that's where he ran off to—fishing?
But when he looked closer at the two fish, he was startled. There were two precise, tiny holes in the heads—like something had pierced them clean through.
Hidden weapons, Jiang Chen thought, secretly impressed.
He watched Tang San clumsily try to gut the fish, sweat beading on his forehead, hands fumbling with the knife.
Jiang Chen strolled over casually, startling Tang San out of his concentration.
Seeing how awkward Tang San was with a kitchen knife—he looked like a pig trying to dance—Jiang Chen burst out laughing.
"Here, let me." He snatched the knife and took over.
In just a few smooth movements, Jiang Chen scraped off the scales, slit open the belly, cleaned out the guts and gills, and washed the fish sparkling clean.
Tang San stared in shock, utterly dumbfounded.
"You're stunned, huh?" Jiang Chen grinned proudly.
Tang San nodded involuntarily… then quickly shook his head, pouting. What's so amazing about that? Hmph.
"Leave the rest to me. You go grab the ingredients—onion, ginger, garlic, chili, wine, soy sauce," Jiang Chen ordered like a professional chef.
Tang San didn't move. "That many? Can't we just boil them and eat them?"
"What do you think this is—pig slop? Hurry up and get them!" Jiang Chen barked. One glance was all it took to tell Tang San wasn't used to proper food. If Tang San did the cooking, even the dog would turn its nose up at it.
Tang Hao stood to the side, silently watching the two boys bicker and bustle about. His usually dull eyes were now filled with quiet amusement, and a faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
(End of chapter)
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