Even though she quickly awakened her abilities and brought her parents into a safe base, in such a harsh environment, they were soon infected by the virus.
To avoid turning into those grotesque zombies in front of their daughter, they chose, during a zombie siege, to embrace each other and leap from the towering city wall. In an instant, they were torn into pieces by countless zombies.
From that day on, she cried until her tears ran dry. She had no family left. Apart from speaking occasionally with teammates during missions, she often sat alone in silence, doing nothing.
She never expected that after transmigrating, the original owner not only had such a soft and gentle younger sister, but also, it was said, two older brothers. At this moment, they were imprisoned together with her father, General Ren.
That wouldn’t do.
Since she had taken over this body, then the original owner’s family was now her family. Her father and brothers were now her father and brothers.
It seemed she had to think of a way to help them.
“But, Elder Sister, we see each other every day—how come I never heard that you trained such powerful martial skills?”
Ren Jingyan was extremely puzzled. Clinging to her sister’s arm, she felt content, yet everything still seemed unreal, like a dream.
“It’s mainly because of my master. She’s like an immortal hermit, but her temperament is very strange. She always warned me not to reveal that I know martial arts, saying it might save my life at a critical moment.”
Ren Jingshu smiled and gave the excuse she had long prepared.
“Thank the heavens… it’s lucky you secretly learned martial arts, Elder Sister. Otherwise…”
Otherwise what? She didn’t say it aloud, but both sisters understood.
Otherwise, they would have had no way to survive.
The two sisters leaned against each other, chatting softly as they sat on the hillside.
“Miss, the meal is ready.”
Zhang Shitou came trotting over, wearing a fawning smile as he looked at Ren Jingshu.
“Elder Sister…”
Ren Jingyan tugged at her sleeve, fear still lingering in her eyes.
“Don’t be afraid. I’m here.”
Ren Jingshu comforted her gently, then lifted her head and glared coldly at Zhang Shitou.
“Don’t you have any sense? Get lost!”
Her expression shifted seamlessly.
“Y-yes… I’ll leave right away…”
Zhang Shitou shuddered and hurriedly retreated, afraid she might attack him—but he was too late.
A round stone flew up and struck his back.
“Ah!”
He cried out as he was knocked face-first to the ground.
“See, little sister? You don’t have to be afraid anymore. These people are like ants in front of me. If you don’t like them, I can kill them all for you.”
Ren Jingshu took her sister’s hand and led her to the trembling Zhang Shitou.
“Spare me, Misses, spare me!”
His face drained of color. He immediately knelt, ignoring the blood flowing from his scraped face, and kowtowed repeatedly.
“F-forget it…”
Ren Jingyan endured her discomfort and tugged at her sister again.
“We can’t kill them all. Otherwise, how will we get to Lingnan? And if we don’t reach Lingnan, how will we find Father and the brothers?”
On the day their residence was confiscated, she had heard the soldiers say that their father and brothers were imprisoned and would only be sent to exile after interrogation.
“Second Miss is right.”
Zhang Shitou hurriedly added what he knew.
“The men of the Ren family will soon be escorted out of the capital. Without us, even if you reach Lingnan, no one will receive you—you’ll become vagrants.”
“You’re overthinking it. If I really killed all of you, why would we even go to Lingnan?”
Ren Jingshu’s eyes lit up—this actually seemed like a good idea. They could find a peaceful place and live quietly as a family.
“This must never be done!”
Zhang Shitou was horrified, sensing his life hanging by a thread.
“If you do that, your entire family will become fugitives. Not only will it implicate your relatives, but you’ll never be able to appear openly again—you’ll live in hiding forever.”
Seeing her frown, unsure if she was convinced, he pressed further.
“Miss, even if you’re not afraid, you must think of General Ren and the two young masters…”
His words carried some weight. Ren Jingshu waved her hand impatiently.
“Fine. Get lost. I’ll spare your life for now. Whether you live or die depends on your future behavior.”
“Thank you, Miss!”
Zhang Shitou was overjoyed, kowtowing repeatedly before scrambling to get up.
“Wait.”
He froze, thinking she had changed her mind.
“If your ears don’t work, I can cut them off for you.”
Ren Jingshu looked at him coldly.
“I said roll—so you roll. Understand?”
“Y-yes! I understand!”
Gritting his teeth, Zhang Shitou hugged his head and began rolling down the slope, tumbling a long distance.
Seeing his miserable state, Ren Jingyan finally relaxed and laughed—only to pull at her wounds, making her hiss in pain.
“Let’s go take a look too.”
Ren Jingshu held her sister’s hand and led her down the hill.
“Hello, young ladies. Have you eaten? We made vegetable porridge—would you like some?”
As they passed another group, an old woman greeted them.
“Thank you, Granny, but we’re not hungry.”
Ren Jingshu remained silent, her face cold. Ren Jingyan quickly responded awkwardly and pulled her sister away.
“Hmph! Acting all high and mighty. If it weren’t for her strength, I wouldn’t bother being nice—just hoping she might help us on the road.”
The old woman muttered unhappily.
A younger woman tugged at her sleeve.
“Mother, please stop. Our family can’t afford any more trouble…”
The old woman shot her a glare.
“Who are you to lecture me?”