Chapter Twenty-Four: We're in a Fight, and You're Losing Your Mind?

"Damn! You brat, are you out of your mind with longing for women?" Wang Ping'an's mouth hung open in shock, his heart pounding wildly. Gu Lang might not know it, but Wang Ping'an had been lingering here for several days, sending people to attack the Zombie Queen multiple times. He had already learned from experience.

This Zombie Queen retained a sliver of sanity. She couldn't communicate, but she could understand human speech. Gu Lang, isn't this just flirting? We're all fighting for our lives, and here you are acting crazy! If you want to die, don't drag us down with you!

Wang Ping'an instinctively wanted to run—he knew all too well the consequences of the Zombie Queen's wrath. However, at some point, zombies had appeared behind them, crowding the already narrow hospital corridor and completely sealing the way out.

"Hell! Where did these zombies come from?"

"Boss! There are zombies in the side emergency exit too—we're surrounded!"

"What now? Are we really going to die here?"

A group of bronze-ranked subordinates panicked, none of them willing to meet their end in this place. Wang Ping'an gritted his teeth, forcing himself to remain calm.

"What are you afraid of? Aren't we allies here? Fight!"

Wang Ping'an knew that Gu Lang and his companions were also Chosen Ones. Maybe, if they fought together, they could win. The key was that Gu Lang had already drawn the fire—the Zombie Queen would prioritize attacking him. All they had to do was hunker down behind and deal with the ordinary zombies.

Beside him, Gu Lang's wives sprang into action. The little girl stood at the entrance, fully focused on controlling the zombies.

That's right—all the zombies in their group were on their side! Their purpose was to trap Wang Ping'an and his men inside.

The battle was now confined to the hospital lobby, tension ready to snap at any moment. Only Gu Lang remained rooted in place, his expression calm. In his mind, a voice slowly echoed.

[Host, you're incredible! You just hit on the Zombie Queen! This system truly admires you. Mission perfectly accomplished! Congratulations, Host!]

[Mission reward: 20 free attribute points!]

[New mission issued. The Zombie Queen is indeed powerful, but beauty belongs only to the strong. The Queen must test you! Defeat her in battle, and you will win her heart! Now, fight the Zombie Queen!]

What?

Damn it! You damn system, you tricked me! Weren't you supposed to reward me with her favor just for flirting? Why do I have to fight her now?

Gu Lang's plan had been to charm the Zombie Queen and, in the process, deal with Wang Ping'an and the others.

He never expected the Queen to be immune to his tactics. Instead, his attempt at flirting only drew her wrath. The girl lifted her head, her eyes a deep, eerie green. Her cheeks were pale, her features striking, an air of haughtiness about her.

The Zombie Queen fixed her gaze on Gu Lang, her nails lengthening by the second. Moments later, she lunged at him with astonishing speed.

"Damn it! What are you waiting for? Stop hiding and fight!" At the command, the Li sisters sprang into action. Li Xiaoxiao activated her skill, blinking to Gu Lang's side and drawing a steel blade, blocking a blow from the Zombie Queen.

Both moved with blinding speed, sparks flying as they clashed.

Meanwhile, Li Muwan conjured ice spikes between her hands—her target was not the Queen, but Wang Ping'an!

"Are you crazy? Instead of fighting zombies, you're aiming at me?" Wang Ping'an was furious; Gu Lang's betrayal was outrageous enough, and now, in the midst of disaster, these people were turning on each other?

Still, Wang Ping'an also saw an opportunity to kill them during the chaos. As for the Zombie Queen, she wouldn't be subdued so easily anyway. Roaring, he charged at Li Muwan, his body erupting in flames, transforming him into a man of fire. Fireballs coalesced above his head, hurtling toward the ice spikes.

Wang Ping'an laughed. "Little girl, I'm a silver rank, and fire beats ice! You're courting death!"

But in the next instant, fire and ice collided and cancelled each other out. "What?!" Wang Ping'an's eyes widened in shock—only now did he realize these women were not bronze rank at all.

"Silver! Boss, this girl is silver rank too!" one of his men screamed, his neck broken by a single punch from Yu Qiuchi. At the same time, Julie let out a low cry, and a wave of buffs radiated outward. Gu Lang and his teammates instantly gained twenty points in speed and strength!

Li Muwan sent another ice spike flying, its force even greater than before.

Wang Ping'an's jaw dropped as he watched his men fall one after another. Only then did he finally understand—these people were all silver rank! He was the clown being used all along.

But it was already too late. The Zombie Queen flashed forward, slicing Wang Ping'an in two. Gu Lang dodged desperately among the cascade of blades and light, but the ill-fated Wang Ping'an couldn't escape.

Soon, only Gu Lang and his group remained in the field, along with hordes of zombies under control.

"No good, we have to retreat! We can't win this!" Gu Lang knew his limits—there was nothing to do now but run! Immediately, a swarm of zombies were sent charging at the Zombie Queen. She cut through them like wheat before a scythe, her nails like steel blades, swift and deadly. She was faster than Gu Lang and his companions. In mere moments, all forty zombies were slain.

But Gu Lang and his wives had already escaped the asylum. The moment they stepped outside, a piercing shriek rang out from within, shattering the glass and stunning the remaining bandits stationed outside.

"Lord Gu Lang? Where's Lord Wang Ping'an?" one of the underlings asked.

Gu Lang ignored them, fleeing as fast as he could. The hapless underlings were promptly slaughtered by the pursuing Zombie Queen.

Moments later, Gu Lang and the others, fleeing for their lives, realized that the Queen was still hot on their trail!

"Lord Gu Lang! Wang Ping'an and his men were useless—they didn't hold her off for even a minute!" Li Muwan gritted her teeth, flinging ice spikes behind her as she ran. But even for a zombie, her stamina was running out.

Gu Lang had gravely underestimated the Queen's strength—and it was all the damn system's fault. To win the Queen's heart, he had to defeat her in battle. If I could beat her, why would I even need to win her over?

Just as despair was closing in, a group of a dozen men wielding machetes and torches came racing toward them. Leading them was none other than Zhang Long of the Zhang clan, the very man who had been hunting Gu Lang.

"Hurry! That brat didn't get far! It's him—kill him, brothers!"

None of them noticed the Zombie Queen, predatory and menacing, right behind Gu Lang. They charged forward without hesitation.

To Gu Lang, they were a godsend.

"Hell yes, fortune favors the bold! Come on, brothers, over here!"

Gu Lang's strange behavior gave Zhang Long pause, but then he saw her—the ghostly young woman behind Gu Lang, streaking toward them with terrifying speed.

His Adam's apple bobbed, eyes bulging.

"Holy hell! The Zombie Queen?"