Apocalyptic Reincarnation: Start with a 30-million Bonus

Edge of Rao City.

After leaving Hang City, Xu Chengcai and his son arrived here after several days of traveling.

With the warming weather, their days became much more manageable.

In the mountain forest, under decaying trees, they found mushrooms, newly sprouted edible wild vegetables, and some earthworms.

They even found some kudzu roots.

These sustained their bodies and maintained their physical fitness.

They didn't take the pre-Doomsday highways, as in such places, it was easy to encounter robbers.

Although Xu Chengcai's leg wound had improved a lot in the past two days, he considered that with his son, it was too risky to take chances.

In contrast, by traversing the forests and dirt roads, they encountered fewer people and equally fewer Zombies.

The roads were just rugged and not easy to walk.

At the foot of Sanqing Mountain.

Xu Chengcai whispered to Xiao Yong next to him: "Wait for me here, don't leave, I'll be back soon."

Xiao Yong quickly gripped his father's arm, not wanting him to leave.

Xu Chengcai patted his son's head, handed him a dagger, and gently said, "If anyone or a Zombie comes, use the dagger to stab them!"

Xiao Yong was a little scared, but he pressed his lips together, his thin lips showing determination.

After all, he was just a child under ten years old.

Xu Chengcai looked at him, patted his shoulder again, and slowly left this wooden hut.

He had just seen a bird's nest outside the hut and wanted to climb up and take a look.

After leaving the wooden hut, Xiao Yong quickly went to the window of the hut, watching his father outside.

Xu Chengcai focused his gaze on a bird's nest ten meters away on a big tree.

He walked over.

This big tree was still alive, reaching over twenty meters high.

The bird's nest was positioned at about eighteen meters high.

Xu Chengcai had just seen two birds flying into the nest.

Perhaps there were eggs inside, he licked his lips and tucked another dagger into the strap on his back.

"Hey!" Xu Chengcai hugged the big tree with both hands, then spread his legs to grip it.

With force, he moved his hands upward, his legs helping him climb up.

Using his legs, he slightly frowned as the tree touched his wound, but he ignored it and continued climbing.

He wasn't slow, having climbed about seven to eight meters in ten seconds.

He didn't look down; at seven to eight meters, the tree had some branches stretching out, making climbing easier.

He couldn't help but reminisce about the time he followed the team leader on missions in Southeast Asia, frequently climbing trees; back then, only the leader climbed faster than him.

If not for his leg injury now and some hunger, with his physical condition severely declining, he estimated he would have already reached the top.

Just a brief reflection, he continued climbing.

Soon, he reached about a meter below the bird's nest.

Just then, two birds flew out of the nest.

Apparently, the two magpies discovered him. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

The magpies, flapping their wings, tried to stop him from approaching the nest.

Xu Chengcai hesitated briefly upon seeing the magpies, but only for a second.

Somewhat apologetically, he said, "Sorry, my son is hungry, I hope you can forgive me."

It's as if the magpies were angered by his words, instantly charging at him, trying to peck him with their sharp beaks.

Xu Chengcai focused, exerting force with his legs, and swiftly drew a dagger from his back.

A flash of cold light.

One of the magpies had its neck cut by the dagger, falling limp to the ground.

The magpies were a pair, and the other magpie mourned as it saw Xu Chengcai kill its mate.

It flew to the ground, checking the fallen magpie.

Xu Chengcai's knife skills were excellent; with just that move, the magpie had been killed.

The surviving female magpie used its claws to nudge the male magpie continuously, but the male magpie showed no reaction.

Its body lay limp on the ground.

The female magpie sensed the male magpie's death.

It wailed again.

Xu Chengcai watched this scene, feeling a bit touched, but he just glanced and continued climbing up.

When the female magpie noticed Xu Chengcai approaching the nest once more, it flapped its wings again, flying upwards.

But as it flew into the air, looking at the male magpie on the ground, it seemed to hesitate.

In mid-air, it fluttered a couple of times, and upon seeing Xu Chengcai about to reach into the nest, quickly flew toward him.

Xu Chengcai stretched a hand into the nest, feeling only a few warm, fluffy creatures instead of eggs.

A tender beak of a chick pecked his palm.

It didn't hurt but tickled a bit.

He felt somewhat joyful, four chicks!

But the next moment, he felt some sorrow, as birds too are creatures that protect their young regardless of the cost.

And wasn't he doing the same?

At that moment, the female magpie flew up, fiercely calling out, aiming for Xu Chengcai's eyes.

Swish!

Xu Chengcai waited for the bird to approach, using his legs to stabilize, hugging the tree with one hand, while the other, holding the dagger, sharply and precisely stabbed the magpie's belly.

He retrieved the dagger with the magpie impaled on it, then put the female magpie into his bag.

His expression was somewhat solemn, but he still packed the few nestlings into the bag as well.

He touched the somewhat dry bird's nest, deciding to dismantle it as kindling material.

And threw it to the ground; it could later be used to ignite a fire.