Rebirth in the Apocalypse: Third Time's a Charm



"That's City A. They aren't going to let us in. It is better to go to one of the other safety zones," said Peng Yong Rui as he gently pulled on his daughter's arm.

"You're so silly, Daddy. Why wouldn't they let us in?" asked Wu Bai Hee with a kind smile as she obscurely brushed the man's hand off of her arm. She hated it when he put his dirty hands on her, but she knew that she had to act the part of the dutiful daughter.

She needed to set herself up as someone powerful. That was the only way to have Liu Wei and the other three at her beck and call. However, in order to do that, she needed a base of operations, and City A would be perfect for that.

She looked at the multiple checkpoints and the number of people begging to get inside the safe zone. No, this was the perfect place to set herself up. She just had to get through the six barriers and bring the rest of the rabble with her. She sneered over the fact that she couldn't just leave them to their own devices. No, they were her foundation, a way to spread her name and great deeds through the masses. 

They needed to come.

"Hello," she said, walking up to the first guard.

"Fuck off. Wait your turn in line like everyone else," said the guard, not bothering to look at her.

"Oh, I am so sorry. I just thought that you might be thirsty, standing here all day like you do," purred Wu Bai Hee as she held up an empty water container. "However, I can understand how an important man like yourself has not time for water. I'll just go back." She continued, letting her words seep into the man's skin.

It was not as effective doing it this way. After all, there is a reason why they say that eyes are the windows to the soul. However, just saying the words and letting them fall where they may work in about 70% of the situations.

"One sec," called the guard, and Wu Bai Hee spun around, her hair and skirt swirling around her like an angel.

"Yes? Oh, are you Xia Yung Zheng?" asked Wu Bai Hee, quickly reading his name tag. "I am Wu Bai Hee; I was your sister's roommate at university!" she continued, letting her words swirl around the man, planting suggestions into his mind. Now, if only he would look into her eyes, this would go so much easier.

"Wu Bai Hee?" repeated the man confused. "Oh… right… my sister's roommate at university…" he continued sleepily. There was a pause right before he started to shake his head vigorously. "But I don't have a sister," he said, looking at Wu Bai Hee.

"Of course you do," she smiled, staring at the man in his eyes. "Don't you remember Xia Fen Fang? My roommate, your sister?"

"Xia Fen Fang? My sister?" he asked, confused.

"That's right. I am her best friend. You have known me forever," continued Wu Bai Hee. "Here, have some water."

She watched with a smile on her face as the man brought the empty bottle to his lips and started to gulp down the non-existent water. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and returned the water bottle to her.

"Thanks, I really needed something to drink," he said with a smile, his eyes never leaving hers. "Since you are such a good friend of my sister, I'll let you in."

"Thank you so much for that," said Wu Bai Hee, pretending to breathe a sigh of relief. "You are such a lifesaver!"

The guard blushed and scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. "Is your father with you?"

"Yes, Daddy found me safe and sound after I left the university," nodded Wu Bai Hee, quickly manipulating the memories inside of Xia Yong Zheng to include his sister dying brutally in front of his eyes and asking him to look after Wu Bai Hee in the future.

"That is such a relief, especially after what happened to Fen Fang," said the guard as he motioned to one of his comrades. "I was so scared that I would never be able to fulfill her death wish to look after you."

"Well, now you don't have to worry. As long as Daddy and some of the others can come inside, you can look after me for the rest of your life," she smiled, locking the last bit of manipulation into his mind.

"I would love that," replied Xia Young Zheng with a smile on his face. "This is my sister's good friend, Wu Bai Hee. Can you bring her and her family into the city? If anyone asks, just tell them that they will all be listed under me."

"You have a sister? Why did you never mention a sister?" asked the second guard, confused.

"He hates talking about her after she died," cut in Wu Bai Hee as she looked at the new guard. A bead of sweat was starting to appear on her delicate face as she pushed her powers almost to their breaking point.

These two guards were not easy to manipulate; their minds and training were too rigid to allow for such a tactic. However, she was stronger than any other spirit user that she had come across, so if anyone could worm their way into City A, it would be her.

"You're right," nodded the second guard as he made eye contact with her. "He was always so protective of her. It was absolutely devastating to him not to be able to save her."

Wu Bai Hee simply hummed, a tired smile on her face. She would need to rest soon, or else she would burn out. And that was something she was not willing to chance.

"I'll go get your family and bring them in. How many are there?" asked the second guard with a smile on his face.

"About 25?" said Wu Bai Hee hesitantly. She tilted her head to the side and looked up at the man from beneath her lashes. She might not want to continue using her power, but that didn't mean she was completely powerless.

"No worries, I'll go get them. You say here and talk to Xia Young Zheng," replied the guard, his smile never dropping for a second.

"Thank you. Really, thank you," said Wu Bai Hee, looking up at the first guard, her voice weak and helpless.

"It is what I should do," reassured the guard as he wrapped an arm around her, holding her steady against him. "It is what I should do."