The Fengmen Zombie ignored the paper figure's question. Its mind was flooded with images flashing by like a slideshow at five times the speed. The sheer speed, coupled with the throbbing in its head, made it impossible to see clearly, its memories hazy.
Meanwhile.
The paper figure grew anxious. Seeing the Fengmen Zombie still clutching its head, even with its vast experience, this was the first time it had witnessed such a situation.
"Zombie, can you hear me? Have you been poisoned?"
As it spoke, the paper figure forced an antidote pill into the Fengmen Zombie's mouth. It was through the pain-relieving effect of the antidote that, by chance, the Fengmen Zombie's headache began to ease, and the fleeting images in its memory slowed down.
It was at this moment.
The Fengmen Zombie could finally see some of the memory fragments clearly, a light flickering in its zombie eyes.
"Are you alright, Zombie?"
"I... I think I know who I am."
In response to the paper figure's inquiry, the Fengmen Zombie mumbled, still holding its head.
The paper figure looked surprised, almost thinking it had misheard.
"Huh? What? What do you mean? Aren't you just a zombie... Wait, have you recovered your memory?"
The paper figure trailed off, only then grasping the Fengmen Zombie's meaning. Its face lit up with surprise, but it quickly followed up with another question.
"Are you sure that's your memory, and not a hallucination caused by poisoning?"
"It shouldn't be a hallucination."
The Fengmen Zombie's voice gained a hint of conviction as it spoke, recalling the fragmented images that had appeared. It was gradually becoming certain that these were indeed memories, not the result of poisoning.
At the same time.
It also vaguely began to understand why its memory had suddenly returned.
"If your memory has returned, that's best. Are you sure you weren't poisoned in the Yunnan Worm Valley? Or bitten by some蛊虫 (gu worm)? If so, I'll contact the insects now. You know it's a worm spirit, it can identify the蛊虫 (gu worm) poison you might have."
The paper figure's voice followed closely.
The Fengmen Zombie shook its head lightly.
"I might have been poisoned, but it shouldn't be harmful to me. It might have been the corpse tide mist released by the Hanba. I inhaled the Hanba's corpse energy, and that corpse energy would normally cause zombies to lose control and become violent, affecting my brain and triggering the memories within."
The paper figure nodded.
"Corpse tide mist, I heard you mention it earlier. I didn't expect you to have encountered the legendary Hanba. If it was the Hanba's doing, it's not impossible. That is a legendary zombie."
"Then what memories have you recovered now?"
"I remember who I am."
"Oh? Who?"
"Zhang Zhan."
The Fengmen Zombie said no more, its eyes flashing as it responded with absolute certainty.
So, my name is Zhang Zhan.
Zhang Wei, my descendant. I remember my name now. My name is Zhang Zhan. So... has my family truly declined? The Dragon Locking Well, it's all the Dragon Locking Well's fault!
Memories echoed in its mind, and the Fengmen Zombie's eyes turned frantic, even bordering on hysterical.
The paper figure noticed the change.
"I feel like when we get back, I'll have Embroidered Shoes take a look at you. The corpse tide mist might have affected you. Your eyes look like you want to kill someone. It's likely your sanity has been affected by the corpse tide mist. Don't let it leave any lingering issues, after all, that's the corpse energy from the corpse tide mist."
In the paper figure's view, the Fengmen Zombie's fierce eyes looked exactly like it had inhaled the corpse tide mist and become violent and irrational, as the Fengmen Zombie had previously described.
Speaking of which.
It subconsciously took a few steps back. It didn't want to return with the Fengmen Zombie, only to have it turn into a zombie midway and attack it.
Regarding this.
The Fengmen Zombie understood the paper figure's thoughts but didn't intend to explain further, nor did it plan to tell the Senluo Division about its recovered memories. After all, its descendant, Zhang Wei, had a feud with the Senluo Division.
"Perhaps, I can use the matter of my recovered memories to confuse and delay Senluo's Dragon Locking Well plan, and help Zhang Wei a little."
"Hmm? Zombie, what did you say?"
"Nothing, I just said that when we get back, I'll have Embroidered Shoes check if I'm poisoned, and also inform Senluo. I think he'll be interested in my memories."
"Haha, no need for you to say it, I'm already notifying Senluo."
The paper figure shook its phone.
Upon closer inspection.
Its phone screen was on the message sending interface. As soon as the paper figure learned that the Fengmen Zombie's memory had recovered, it immediately sent a message to Senluo. After all, the Fengmen Zombie came from the Dragon Locking Well, and now the Dragon Locking Well plan was nearing completion, about to enter the Dragon Locking Well.
And the recovered part of the Fengmen Zombie's memory might be helpful in entering the Dragon Locking Well.
Suddenly.
The paper figure looked at the Fengmen Zombie, thought for a moment, then moved closer and lowered its voice.
"Zombie, tell me, what memories have you recovered?"
The Fengmen Zombie glanced at the paper figure upon hearing this, then slowly uttered a sentence.
"The Dragon Locking Chronicle... is what my family guarded."
"Huh?! What?!"
The paper figure's pupils contracted, and it was momentarily stunned. When it came to its senses, its face was filled with shock.
Meanwhile.
The Fengmen Zombie paid no attention to the paper figure's reaction, having expected it. It didn't intend to say anything more, its attention mostly immersed in the recovered memories.
In the memory scenes...
At that time, the Fengmen Zombie was still young, only about five or six years old. It was held by its father and mother as they arrived at a large hall in the backyard of their home.
The hall was simple. On the walls hung murals carved from stone, along with some tables and chairs.
It recalled.
The Fengmen Zombie pointed to the murals on the wall and said to its father and mother.
"Daddy, Mommy, what are these? What are these people in the paintings doing? Why are they moving stones?"
It could be seen.
The murals it pointed to were carved with many people. These people were carrying stones in their backs, heading in one direction, towards an underground cave in the distance.
"Little Zhan, these people are digging a well. And you can't call these people 'these people.' These are our ancestors, our elders."
"Oh, so it's the ancestors digging a well. Are they thirsty?"
"Hahaha."
The father burst into hearty laughter at this, ruffling the young Fengmen Zombie's hair. He said gently.
"Little Zhan, the wells our ancestors dug are not for drinking water."
"Ah? Digging wells isn't for drinking water? Then what is it for? Mommy told me digging wells is for drinking water."
"Wells are indeed for drinking water, and our ancestors' wells can also be used for drinking, but they have other purposes."
"What purpose?"
"You'll know in the future."
The father's gaze was not on the Fengmen Zombie, but fixed on the excavated opening in the mural, and he said leisurely.
"Little Zhan, all you need to remember now is that this well was dug by our ancestors with great effort. We must cherish it, and... guard it well."
The naive Fengmen Zombie, being too young, didn't understand the meaning of these words. It just nodded vaguely, holding a grasshopper woven from bamboo leaves, and then nodded.
"Okay, Daddy, I remember."
...