Chapter Fifteen: Photographic Memory, Martial Arts Zombies—Who Can Stand Against Them!

The moon was cool and clear as water. The sky was adorned with countless dazzling stars. In the city, the streetlights cast a dim and lonely glow.

Guided by Mu Ruxue, Qin Feng, accompanied by seven zombies, arrived outside a courtyard. The courtyard sat solitary at the foot of a mountain within the city. It was not very large, covering just over a hundred square meters. Above the gate hung a plaque inscribed with the three characters: "White Cloud Temple."

This was not the main temple but a branch established in the city to guard the mountain. As a native of Songshan City, Qin Feng had heard the legends surrounding this mountain and the temple.

Twenty years ago, the city planned to develop this mountain. However, during excavation, the mountain seemed to bleed, and numerous serpent nests were uncovered. Among them was a giant snake over twenty meters long, bearing horns on its head. Those involved in the excavation and those who saw the snake all died mysteriously the next night.

Simultaneously, a plague swept through Songshan City. Some said this mountain was the city’s feng shui mountain and must not be disturbed. As long as the mountain stood, the city would enjoy favorable weather and the people would live in peace and prosperity. Disturbing it would invite calamity.

Despite warnings, the authorities continued to excavate. More deaths followed. Ultimately, they sought help from a wandering Taoist priest, who happened to be the head of the White Cloud Temple. He ordered the construction of the White Cloud Temple at the foot of the mountain.

Strangely, during the temple’s construction, nineteen rainbows appeared in the sky, and the building process proceeded unusually smoothly. After completion, the plague inexplicably vanished. The temple leader declared that as long as the temple stood, Songshan City would remain peaceful. Should it fall or be destroyed, disaster would befall the city.

Of course, this was just hearsay Qin Feng had heard in his lifetime; he wasn't sure of the truth. Still, the mountain was indeed peculiar. While the surrounding mountains had long been leveled for urban development, this one remained standing, despite its prime location in the city. If there were no secrets, it would have been flattened long ago.

Mu Ruxue leapt down from Qin Feng’s outstretched hands and produced a key to unlock the vermilion gate of the courtyard.

“Feng’er, come in,” she said softly, standing at the gate and gazing kindly at Qin Feng.

“All right, Auntie,” Qin Feng replied.

Qin Feng jumped into the courtyard with the seven zombies and immediately felt uneasy. It was as if countless terrifying eyes watched him from the shadows, ready to strike a fatal blow at any moment.

Moreover, a disquieting aura emanated faintly from the depths of the courtyard.

“Feng’er, now that you are a zombie, this courtyard serves as a seal used by Master to suppress the mountain. Deep inside, there are many talismanic formations and statues of the Three Pure Ones. You might find it uncomfortable and even dangerous to stay there. But as long as you avoid the inner courtyard, you will be fine. Choose any two rooms outside — one for yourself, one for your zombie subordinates. Also, remember to seal all doors and windows tightly so no sunlight can enter. The courtyard faces the sun, so it must be sealed completely,” Mu Ruxue said solemnly.

This was a matter of life and death; there was no room for carelessness.

“Understood,” Qin Feng nodded calmly. He picked two rooms at random, then used bedding and pillows to block and seal the windows completely. Although he was not afraid of talismans, sunlight was still somewhat harmful. If only he weren’t afraid of sunlight—it would be incredible for a zombie to roam freely in daylight. He planned to test his sunlight tolerance at dawn.

“You seven, without my order, stay quietly in your rooms. Do not go anywhere,” Qin Feng commanded after settling the seven zombies.

“Hoo!” The seven zombies exhaled a breath of corpse breath in unison.

Soon after, Qin Feng returned to his room. Moments later, Mu Ruxue entered, dressed in clean, tidy white sportswear that tightly wrapped her fiery figure. Her waist-length hair was tied back with a rubber band, with a lock of hair falling seductively by her temple. Especially when she brushed the lock behind her ear, it looked very alluring.

“Feng’er, since you have some free time now, let me teach you a set of boxing techniques. You can practice them at dawn to pass the time. Once you master the punches, I will teach you other skills. Watch carefully how I throw the punches,” Mu Ruxue said, assuming her stance and beginning to throw slow punches.

When she finished, she looked at Qin Feng and asked, “Feng’er, how much did you remember?”

“Well…” Qin Feng scratched his head with sharp nails out of habit.

“It’s okay if you don’t remember. You have no martial arts foundation, so I’ll demonstrate a few more times,” Mu Ruxue said gently, smiling like a blooming flower.

“It’s not that, Auntie. I’ve remembered it all,” Qin Feng declared.

He truly had remembered everything. He hesitated earlier because he was stunned at how sharp his memory had become. Such a complicated and intricate boxing style was imprinted clearly in his mind after just one viewing.

“You remembered it all? Feng’er, you’re amazing! Your memory has improved so much since becoming a zombie?” Mu Ruxue looked at him delightedly. “Quick, show Auntie your demonstration.”

“All right!” Qin Feng clenched his fists and launched the punches at full speed. The shadow of his fists overlapped in seamless succession.

“Feng’er, not only did you remember it, you’ve mastered it skillfully. I didn’t expect you to be a martial arts prodigy, learning it in one glance!” Mu Ruxue was astonished, her lips slightly parted, revealing her immaculate white teeth.

“I didn’t expect my memory and learning ability to improve so much either,” Qin Feng said.

“It seems you’re even more formidable than I imagined. Not only are you immune to talismans, but you also possess a photographic memory. That’s good; I can teach you even more skills now. The more skills you master, the greater your chance of survival,” she said.

...

From then on, Mu Ruxue devoted herself to teaching Qin Feng various techniques: Demon-Subduing Fist, Yin-Yang Eighteen Claws, Overlapping Wave Palm, the Twelve-Route Elastic Fist, and even a sword technique called Infinite Swordplay. Qin Feng memorized all of them at a glance and became proficient after just one practice. Compared with before, he felt his strength had improved considerably.

If he encountered Taoist priests, he would shock them profoundly. Who could withstand a zombie skilled in martial arts? Unfortunately, his legs could not move yet; otherwise, he would learn some footwork and formations to rise even further in skill.

“Feng’er, how about learning some Taoist hand seals? Once you master those, I can teach you spell incantations. With your memory and hand dexterity, it would be a waste not to learn,” Mu Ruxue suddenly thought aloud.

Though zombies cannot cast spells, learning would not hurt. The more skills he acquired, the better. Unfortunately, her own abilities were limited, and she could not teach Feng’er powerful techniques. If only he could receive the true teachings of the temple master, with Feng’er’s talent, he would surely master them all.

Then, Yin-Yang Five Elements, Feng Shui destiny, dragon vein searching, celestial astrology... Feng’er would become an all-around zombie.

But these were just thoughts. If they tried to act on it, Feng’er would likely be killed by the temple master before even setting foot inside the White Cloud Temple.