Su Ming intended to give Zheng Xian a chance to step down. Let's forget about him stalking me, at least he has a bit of a conscience and came out to help.
Zheng Xian, having lived for hundreds of years, is also a shrewd person. Once there was a topic, he began to tell Deathstroke about all sorts of zombie matters.
This was indeed fresh; Su Ming really didn't know what Divine Spear was usually busy with. The two listened to the opera in the darkness while moving closer to the Blood Race.
"You have no idea, back in '53 there was a Drought Fiend in the southern region. Killing it wasn't hard, but the changes in the world caused by a zombie of that level's emergence were the real bothersome part. The Yangtze River Basin was dry and rainless, and it finally improved by the end of last year. Three whole years, really."
Zheng Xian began to complain bitterly. The Drought Fiend appeared, leaving barren lands for thousands of miles, persisting for three years, just like the ancient records said.
Su Ming tilted his head, lowered his voice: "Aren't you curious how a Drought Fiend suddenly appeared?"
"It's those local scholars, digging everywhere and waking up that mummy." Zheng Xian said helplessly. He had, of course, investigated the cause, but the situation seemed logical.
Tomb Raiders went to dig up the ancestors' graves, how can the one in the coffin not be angry?
"This matter is peculiar. I do understand a bit about zombies, but besides early literature like 'Classic of Mountains and Seas' and 'Divine Marvelous Scripture' that depicted them as divine, descriptions of Drought Fiends after the Han Dynasty always have one condition—'new corpse for a hundred days,' meaning that only bodies that haven't decayed within a hundred days after death might become Drought Fiends. The moment a corpse transforms, the zombie will come out to drink blood. Here's the problem: if Tomb Raiders caused this, how could there be a new body in an ancient tomb?"
Su Ming had heard about the severe drought of the '50s in his previous life, almost spanning from '53 to '61, implying the matter clearly wasn't over.
Zheng Xian's expression turned serious. He narrowed his eyes and thought, shouldering his Divine Gun: "You're suggesting someone's behind this?"
"I'm not sure, but zombies are just the Dead. Using them as tools... isn't difficult, is it?"
Su Ming patted Zheng Xian's shoulder. They were getting closer to the Blood Race, and vampires have good hearing, so no discussing further matters here.
Zheng Xian clearly understood this logic and nodded solemnly: "Thanks for the reminder, younger brother. I will investigate thoroughly after I go back. As for these vampires, leave them to me."
Su Ming smiled. Now he was calling him younger brother; he liked how genuine Zheng Xian was.
He put away his weapon and took out a few bottles of strong liquor from his pouch, handing them to Old Zheng: "Just buy me some time. By the way, I didn't know you had connections in the Bear Blood Race circles, or should I say ghost connections?"
"We're neighboring countries, after all. Sometimes you have to show your signboard." Zheng Xian spread his hands, finding the term 'ghost connections' too awkward: "In the Jianghu, you can't just rely on virtue, right? Old Russians are straightforward. They don't understand concepts like benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trust. They just need to know how sharp the Divine Gun is."
"Alright, then. Maybe this strong liquor will come in handy for you. I'm about to enter the Dark Dimension, and if I don't return for over a decade, take care of Kama Taiji for me."
"Don't say that. Kama Taiji should take care of me. You go with peace of mind. I don't quite understand your magic and whatnot, but I have people who understand 'Immortal Technique.' If things don't work out, find a way to send a word back, and I'll find someone to rescue you."
The two exchanged smiles, filled with mutual understanding.
It was actually just probing. Su Ming had the Time Gem, so even if he spent a thousand years with Dormammu and came back, he could find the same time point. He was just testing if Zheng Xian was scheming against Kama Taiji.
And Zheng Xian wasn't foolish at all, indicating he meant no harm. He even offered to help with Immortal Technique, a gesture of goodwill.
Since there was no conflict between them, they continued to be good friends.
They walked shoulder to shoulder like close brothers to the Blood Race, bypassing the tree-like black cloud jet to meet Duke Tatus and his courtiers.
At this time, not only the Duke but also other nobles were all immersed in the beautiful music with their eyes closed. The aria was too splendid, especially when sung by the Blood Race.
Su Ming and Zheng Xian exchanged glances, both a little helpless.
Zheng Xian tilted his head slightly toward the smoking black hole on the ground, signaling Su Ming to handle his business while he held this side.
He had the Divine Gun in hand, and in the sky several kilometers away, he had brought an airship carrying an elite combat team 'Dynasty' and many special agents as support, so he was completely unfazed.
Earlier, when Deathstroke wanted to exchange for rubles, Zheng Xian knew a winter vacation to the Fur Bear Country must be a trip to Sochi, so the Divine Spear Agent infiltrating Leviathan started paying attention to Deathstroke's vacation movements.
Zheng Xian had been waiting here for Su Ming for several days. He knew that with the appearance of Element Zero, Deathstroke wouldn't miss it, and you can't just ditch the person providing the intel, right?
He was waiting here to latch onto a big shot. Last time, blackmailing the Holy Shield Brotherhood was incredibly satisfying, and he loved that delightful feeling.
Not acting solo initially was also because if you want to continue cooperating in the future, it's best to make it seem like a 'coincidental encounter.'
But who would have expected, Deathstroke was really too elusive. Before the informant in Sochi could send back any details, things here already blew up.