Supreme Zombie Across Worlds

Chapter 10: The Heath Caravan

Possessing a high-level tier-nine magical pet and easily defeating a Greatsword Master, Yoshua Brave instantly became an object of admiration. The bosses of the various caravans all came to thank him and offered gifts, which Yoshua accepted without hesitation. Drinking with Fire Hawk, teasing Lan Ya and Hong, Yoshua felt that coming to this world was truly the happiest thing that had ever happened to him.

Around noon, everyone found shade under some trees and made camp. Big Head ran out to hunt on his own initiative. With his rich experience, Fire Hawk estimated they would reach the Imperial Capital by noon the next day. It wasn’t long before Big Head returned carrying a wild boar. And what a boar—it had to be over two hundred jin. This wasn’t an ordinary boar; it was a tier-five mid-rank Rampaging Tusked Boar, Big Head’s favorite prey back in the Dark Forest.

After cleaning the boar, because it was so heavy, they cut it into four pieces for roasting. The two tusks were extremely sharp, so Yoshua kept them, and gifted the tier-five earth-attribute magic crystal to Fire Hawk. As they cooked and chatted, a massive caravan suddenly appeared from the direction they had come from.

How massive? Well, their current caravan was already a combined group of a dozen smaller ones with over forty wagons, but compared to this incoming caravan, they were insignificant. From the imposing aura and equipment of the guards, they certainly didn’t look any weaker than an imperial military unit.

At the front carriage flew a large banner with the words: Heath Merchant Group.

Everyone gasped in surprise—everyone except Yoshua, who, clueless as ever, had no idea why the Heath Merchant Group was special enough to make them react like this. Hong smiled at Lan Ya and said, “Lan Ya, this is Sister Selena’s family’s caravan! I wonder if she’s with them this time.”

Yoshua asked blankly, “Lan Ya, is this Heath Merchant Group really famous?”

His question immediately earned a chorus of disdainful stares.

Lan Ya laughed lightly and said, “There are five major merchant groups on the continent, controlling one-third of all trade. Heath is ranked third. They mainly deal in magic crystals, magical hides, grain, weapons, taverns, inns—everything. They’re enormous.”

The Heath caravan halted across from them and began setting up camp. Among the group, a luxurious carriage drew everyone’s attention. It was pulled by two snow-white stallions of extraordinary spirit; the carriage itself was wide, crafted from cool, fragrant pearwood, carved with elegant patterns. The curtains were lifted slightly, revealing a stunningly beautiful young lady inside.

Hong exclaimed in delight, “Lan Ya, look! Sister Selena really is here! Selena!” She called out while pulling Lan Ya toward the carriage.

Yoshua shouted irritably after them, “Hey, you brat, the roast is almost done! Are you eating or not?”

Without looking back, Hong responded, “Not eating! You eat it yourself!”

Yoshua almost exploded. Ungrateful! Backstabbing! Bird-shooting-bow-discarding! He sliced off a piece and handed it to Fire Hawk, then stored the rest in his spatial pocket.

Extinguishing the fire, he said to Fire Hawk, “Brother Fire Hawk, I’m going to rest for a bit. Call me when we leave.”

Fire Hawk nodded, barely holding in his laughter. Yoshua put the miniature Big Head on his shoulder and disappeared behind a tree in the forest.

The three girls happily reunited, chatting nonstop, forgetting all about hunger. Soon, the Heath caravan’s cooks brought out roasted meat. Selena said with a smile, “Please, sisters, eat. I remember you two loved Uncle Rake’s roast. It’s been so long—aren’t you craving it? Go on.” She picked up a piece gracefully and began eating.

Selena was even more beautiful than Lan Ya and Hong, elegant in every gesture—even the way she ate was refined.

Lan Ya and Hong looked at the roasted meat on the plate, then thought of Yoshua’s roast. The difference was instant and brutal. Before eating Yoshua’s cooking, they would have thought Uncle Rake’s roast tasty; but after experiencing Yoshua’s roasting… eating this again was almost impossible.

And Hong’s earlier declaration—“I’m not eating! Let him eat it himself!”—now came back to bite them hard. They exchanged helpless smiles. They had definitely offended him. While Yoshua was generous most of the time, he could be extremely petty at others.

Selena noticed their hesitation. “What’s wrong? Why aren’t you eating?”

Hong grimaced and said, “Sister Selena, don’t be mad… but Uncle Rake’s roast tastes really bad to us now.”

Selena froze. “W-what did you say?”

Lan Ya quickly added, “Please don’t get angry. Let me explain.” She told the entire story. “So that’s how it is. After eating his roast, this just tastes awful.”

Selena instantly became interested in Yoshua Brave. Easily defeating a Greatsword Master, owning a tier-nine advanced magical beast, and being an amazing cook—what an intriguing person. She asked, “I didn’t expect you two to have run into the Snow Wolf Bandits, let alone defeated them. Can you introduce this Yoshua Brave to me? I’d love to meet him.”

Hong blushed. “I ran over in such a hurry to see you that I ended up offending that petty guy. He probably won’t want to see me now…”

Selena laughed. “Then why don’t you take me to him? I’ll speak to him myself.”

“All right, but be mentally prepared—he’s a total rascal!”

Selena laughed again.

The three girls returned to where Yoshua had been roasting meat, only to find Fire Hawk still eating and drinking alone. Not seeing Yoshua, Hong asked, “Brother Fire Hawk, where did that guy Yoshua go?”

Holding back laughter, Fire Hawk said, “He said he was going to rest. He walked into the woods, went behind a tree, and disappeared. Why are you looking for him?”

Hong stammered, “Oh… nothing. Just wanted to introduce someone to him. Brother Fire Hawk, this is the young lady of the Heath Merchant Group, Selena. Sister, this is Fire Hawk—he and I fought Scarface together.”

Fire Hawk quickly gave a mercenary salute. “An honor to meet you, noble lady.”

Selena returned a graceful curtsey. “A pleasure to meet you as well, brave and strong mercenary.”

Hong searched the woods and, finding nothing, stomped her foot and shouted, “Yoshua! You petty brat, get out here!” Her frustration made the three others laugh.

Selena couldn’t help glancing repeatedly at the roast in Fire Hawk’s hand. The color and aroma alone were shocking. She felt certain that once she tried Yoshua’s cooking, she too would never again want Uncle Rake’s roast. She was growing truly impatient—she needed to meet Yoshua and taste that magical flavor.

Suddenly, Yoshua dropped from the air behind Hong without making the slightest sound. She frowned, puzzled that the other three were staring wide-eyed behind her. When she turned, a monstrous mask appeared inches from her face. She screamed and leapt several meters away.

Only then did she realize it was Yoshua wearing a horrifying mask.

Seeing Hong trembling in shock, Yoshua burst into triumphant laughter.

“You jerk! How dare you mess with me! I’ll teach you a lesson!” Hong charged forward and tried to twist his ear—a move she’d perfected over the past two days. Yoshua yelped and dodged behind Lan Ya.

Lan Ya held Hong back. “Enough, stop. Yoshua, let me introduce you. This is the young lady of the Heath Merchant Group and our close friend—Selena.”

Yoshua was just about to greet her when a voice suddenly sounded:

“Miss Selena, hello.”

It was Cecil.

Selena turned at once.