Zhu Yuan instantly understood the reason for the metal walls’ existence, and at the same time realized why Xiao Bianbian, who went out yesterday to look for food, had been so lucky not to encounter a single zombie.

There was a level-3, possibly even level-4, advanced zombie here; this area was its territory. Other zombies would only come here out of sheer boredom after they were already full.

The zombies he and Du Mingyu passed here probably were just passing through as well, trying to get away. They happened to drive by, the two sides met on a narrow road, and Du Mingyu took advantage of the situation, using the zombies to ambush him and monopolize the Level-3 crystal.

Zhu Yuan’s wildly beating heart slowly calmed. He crouched down to be level with Bianbian, and his gaze toward Bianbian was very gentle: “Bianbian, your grandpa loved you very much.”

It seems Bianbian’s grandfather was very powerful, but unfortunately got infected. He feared that if he turned into a zombie he would hurt Bianbian, and he also feared that without him, Bianbian living alone would run into trouble.

So he sealed off everything above the third floor. That way he could both prevent hurting Bianbian after turning into a corpse and continue to emit his presence.

Once the oppressive aura of a high-level zombie was unleashed, no other zombies would enter the area unless there was a zombie of an even higher rank trying to claim the territory. That meant Biānbiān could forage nearby in safety.

This old man had thought of everything for his granddaughter.

Zhù Yuān felt a surge of respect.

The words wiped away Biānbiān’s tears again; she hugged the little bear tightly and said nothing.

Zhu Yuan instantly regretted saying that and hurriedly added, “He may not be able to live with you, but he’s always been by your side protecting you.”

“I know.” The little girl lifted her tearful, misty face. “Let’s go to the supermarket to get some tasty things. After the meal is ready, we’ll take it to Grandpa.”

Zhu Yuan: “Okay.”

Although bringing offerings to a high-level undead is a very dangerous thing, Zhu Yuan didn’t want to spoil the girl’s mood—he certainly had a plan.

Besides, he suddenly realized a problem.

Zombies need to eat, even advanced ones; if Biān Biān’s grandfather locked himself upstairs from the very beginning, then after he turned into a zombie, wouldn’t he have never eaten?

So he should be… very weak now.

Looking at Biān Biān’s delicate, pretty little face, Zhu Yuan didn’t want to tell her such a cruel truth.

Although he knew the high-ranking zombie upstairs was Biān Biān’s grandfather and that there was a metal wall blocking it, Zhù Yuān still instinctively moved lightly when going downstairs to avoid making any sound.

Biān Biān looked puzzled and asked considerately, “Uncle Zhù, do your legs hurt?”

Zhu Yuan: “…”

He awkwardly rubbed his nose — was he really going to tell little Biān Biān that he was afraid his grandfather would hear a sound?

Before he could speak, Bian Bian seemed to understand something. She covered her mouth with her small hand, her long eyelashes fluttering as if to say, “I know, I’ll be quieter.”

Zhu Yuan thought that if he were Bian Bian’s grandfather, upon learning of her infection he would surely do everything possible to arrange matters for her future.

How could anyone bear to let such an angelic little one come to harm?

*

Xiu Jin had to admit that having an adult around his precious daughter eased his worries even as it made him more concerned.

Bian Bian was still too young; she needed an adult’s care.

As long as Zhu Yuan behaved himself, it would be good for Bian Bian. That way, before he could shower his precious daughter with money and gifts, he could at least improve her quality of life a little.

The smart butler reported Yu Huang’s visit. Expecting that the peacock-like figure had come for charity, Xiu Jin—having already agreed to cooperate—didn’t want to leave the guest waiting outside, so he exited the game and attended to his affairs for the time being.

Huan Tianjue changed out of his ornate Yu Huang robes and into a perfectly tailored suit, noble and elegant. His purpose in seeking out Xiu Jin was, of course, singular: he wanted money.

After some negotiation, Xiu Jin made it clear he would only provide the money and wouldn’t involve himself in anything else—he simply didn’t want to see Huan Tianjue more often over this charity matter. Seeing that guy irritated him; out of sight, out of mind.

Huan Tianjue cheerfully agreed, “After all, it was my idea, and His Highness has already paid—how could I possibly ask His Highness to do more? But with such a large sum, aren’t you worried I’ll use it for other purposes?”

Xiu Jin snorted. Although he disliked Huan Tianjue, he still acknowledged certain aspects of his character: “If you have no other business…”

He gestured toward the door, signaling it was time to see the guest out.

Huan Tianjue smiled and politely took his leave.

After the others had gone, the AI butler made a quiet sound: “Your Highness, your attitude toward the Feather Emperor was somewhat impolite; it does not suit your royal status.”

Although the Feather Clan was one of the empire’s four great noble houses, Huan Tianjue was the Feather Emperor, and in terms of rank he was no lower than Xiu Jin.

“I’m too lazy to pretend for him; those gentlemen of his are pretending to me too — who knows how they’re cursing me in their hearts.” Xiu Jin narrowed his eyes at the AI butler. “Lin Yisan, you’re my butler — who programmed you to elbow your way out like that?”

The smart housekeeper’s factory serial number was 013, so Xiu Jin simply named him Lin Yisan.

The smart housekeeper was silent for a few seconds, then cleverly changed the subject: “Third Prince has returned; he has already discovered that you took his virtual device.”

Xiu Jin: “When?”

Smart housekeeper: “Just now.”

Xiu Jin’s first reaction was to hide the virtual device so his brother wouldn’t find it; he moved on impulse and even ordered the smart butler, “Block the door. Don’t let him in.”

The smart butler obediently blocked the door. After a short while, Xiu Yan arrived; accompanying him was Xiu Yan’s smart butler, a female robot.

Xiu Yan and Xiu Jin shared the same parents, and the brothers bore some resemblance. But compared to Xiu Jin’s ageless, baby-like face, Xiu Yan’s features were more sharply defined and his demeanor icy.

Under normal circumstances, he could kill with a look.

He looked at the smart butler with a half-smile and said calmly, “Open the door.”

The smart butler felt it should weakly resist and lied without emotion, “Third Prince, His Highness isn’t home. If you have business with him, I’ll notify you when he returns.”

Xiu Yan said, “Rita, what do you think?”

The female robot named Rita and the smart butler exchanged a woeful, pitiful look.

Two seconds later, the intelligent guesthouse smiled and opened the door at top speed: “Third Prince, please come in. His Highness is upstairs, hiding your virtual device.”

Xiu Yan strode in with long steps and went straight up to the second floor.

Rita held the smart butler’s hand. “Let’s go hide outside for a while.”

The smart butler agreed, “Let’s.”

The two robots really did go hand in hand to hide— and the place they chose was none other than the neighboring residence of the Third Prince.

“I heard you teamed up with Tianjue to do charity work.”

Xiu Jin, who had been hiding it for a while and still felt uneasy, was a little annoyed. Don’t let his earlier generosity—sending the smart butler to fetch the virtual device from next door—fool you; he knew very well this set was the Third Prince’s favorite, and this kind of thing was rare and hard to come by. Otherwise, Xiu Jin would have bought a set himself long ago.

So when he had the smart butler bring the device over, he had already prepared to negotiate with Xiu Yan.

But he also knew Xiu Yan’s personality and figured his chances of success were slim.

He decided to play it by ear and handle things after the fact—after all, Xiu Yan had snatched plenty from him since they were kids.

He stole once and it wasn’t a big deal.

He hadn’t expected Lin Yisan to let Xiu Yan in so quickly. Xiu Jin cursed the smart butler mercilessly in his heart and simply shoved the virtual device he hadn’t yet hidden under the quilt.

“The Phantom Tianjue suggested it to Father — to help the refugees. It’s a good deed anyway, so I had to agree.” After saying that, he turned an innocent expression toward Xiu Yan. “Third Brother, when did you get here?”

Unlike Xiu Jin, Xiu Yan, the Empire’s Third Prince, threw himself into the military. He was a born commander: after ten years in the military he had already become the Empire’s youngest general.

If Xiu Jin was a noble prince raised in a honeyed cradle, Xiu Yan was a soldier forged on the battlefield—genuinely a military man, not just a prince.

So, at certain moments, Xiu Jin did have the slightest bit of fear toward his third brother.

Only the tiniest bit!

Xiu Yan glanced around, then grabbed Xiu Jin like a little chick, hauled him off the bed, and threw back the covers.

Xiu Jin grew anxious and lunged forward: “Brother, older brother! You don’t come home much, and this set of equipment hardly gets used — when you’re not here let me borrow it.”

Xiu Yan’s brows drew together and he said, “You can borrow other things, but not this.”

“Why?” Xiu Jin thought. Without this thing, how could he joyfully play with his precious daughter?

Xiu Yan said, “It’s someone else’s; I have to give it back to them.”

“???” Xiu Jin realized he was serious. “Before I use it, you insist it’s someone else’s. Now that I’m borrowing it to use, you still say it’s someone else’s and that it must be returned to them. So stingy—do the soldiers under you know this?!”

Xiu Yan raised an eyebrow and looked at Xiu Jin.

Xiu Jin: “…”

He took two steps back.

This wasn’t fear; it was a strategic retreat.

This set of virtual devices was originally entrusted to Xiu Yan by a friend for safekeeping, which is why he treated them with such seriousness; to outsiders, they merely became his cherished possessions.

And the functions of these virtual devices were indeed peculiar—Xiu Yan didn’t fully understand them—but since his friend had returned, he naturally felt he ought to give the devices back.

Imagine his surprise when he got home and found them gone.

Even with his toes, he knew exactly who had taken them.

“If you want a projector, buy another projector.” Xiu Yan watched Xiu Jin’s expression, thoughtful.

“It’s different.” Only this set of virtual equipment can project the game visuals so he can immerse himself and control it; others won’t do.

Xiu Jin still suspected Xiu Yan was just making an excuse because he didn’t want to lend it, so he changed tactics: “If you won’t let me borrow it, can’t I just buy one? How much is it?”

Xiu Yan turned and walked away.

“……”

She’s really leaving?

Xiu Jin was so furious he felt like steam would burst from his ears; he hurried over, “You really won’t lend it?”

Xiu Yan said calmly, as if it were nothing: “I said it’s someone else’s; it should be returned to its owner.”

Now that it was certain Xiu Yan wasn’t using an excuse but truly meant it, Xiu Jin was speechless and softened his tone, “Who is its owner? I’ll go talk to them.”

No matter what, it must be bought at great expense!

Xiu Yan smiled at him; his smile made Xiu Jin break out in goosebumps, and he said, “You know this person too, Nong Jiu Si.”

Nong Jiu Si, the only nine-clawed sky-blue dragon of the Dragon Clan.

Xiu Jin: “…”

Why would a human prince lower himself to negotiate with a dragon?

Baby, from now on Daddy can only interact with you through the light-brain.

Xiu Jin thought expressionlessly.