The Great Worm Lich

There were more than 100 steel giants lying in the night sky.

After hovering on the blob of white light for a while, the Steel Warriors suddenly spouted hot white flames from their backs, setting off huge gust of wind as they descended, before flying away and disappearing without a trace in an instant.

When Zhang Lisheng noticed that the position where the Steel Warriors appeared must be at the military base that was almost integrated with the new New York port, and the direction of where they were heading was towards Shrimp B1 Island, Zhang Lisheng could not help but feel a jolt in his heart.

“Those things in the sky look like Steel Warriors! Why are there so many of these big fellas near New York City?” Lili was also distracted by the sudden glare of light, she looked up into the sky in surprise and by the time she turned her head to look back at her son, she realized that the young man’s expression had already turned dignified. “Baby, you… what’s wrong with you?”

“It’s nothing, mom! Let us go into the house,” Zhang Lisheng hesitated and shook his head as he said.

“Alright, let’s go into the house. I thought I’d be eating alone tonight so I only made apple and vegetable salad. But there are ready-made steaks in the refrigerator and they can be eaten after a quick fry.” Lili took her son’s arm happily. Like leading a child, she led him into the house and brought him to sit at the dining chair before starting to get busy.

Zhang Lisheng watched his mother opening the refrigerator to take out four to five thick meat chops to thaw them in a microwave oven and take out the frying pan to wash it before putting it on the gas stove to open the fire. As she was busying around, he casually remarked, “Mom, now that Gill and Harry have gone to college, and Uncle Lavin is always so busy, you should go out and walk more often after work. Didn’t you often participate in the community family gatherings last year? There’s also Aunt Rachel so you can go out shopping with her on weekends and stroll around to relax yourself. Don’t just stay at home like that!”

“Baby, the community family gatherings don’t take place every day. Besides, I don’t wanna listen to those young mothers complaining about how obedient or disobedient their little kids are! As for your Aunt Rachel, she’s currently in a process of getting a divorce. Because of a young man of 30 years old from Puerto Rico, she sacrificed a marriage of 11 years… Haah, every time when she sees me now, she’d always complain about the difficulty of divorce and the sweetness of love. She’s completely crazy now!”

“That’s really unfortunate.” Zhang Lisheng shrugged and pondered for a while before adding, “I can see that your life is a bit too boring now. How about setting up a ‘Children’s Charity Foundation, Mom? You’re a child education expert so you know which child needs help. Besides, hosting a charity fund can let you pass time and can even re-enrich your life.”

“Baby, I’m very proud that you have such a thought! However, helping others is not a pastime,” Lili placed the thawed meat into the preheated oil pan and turned to stare at her son seriously.

“Oh of course, Mom! Let me apologize to those who need help but what do you think of my idea?”

“Your idea is good, baby! But, wanting to help others does not necessarily mean that the best way is to donate a lot of money to set up a charity fund. How about this, I’m planning to write a book about the mental health research of immigrant families in the US. After I’ve completed it, you can help me publish it and give it to every immigrant family with children in New York City. Can you do that?”

“Of course, Mom! You won’t be so bored when you start writing books again. I’m very willing to!”

“You don’t have to worry about me getting bored, baby. I’ll start collecting information tomorrow.” Lili knew that Zhang Lisheng liked to eat a medium steak that still had some slight blood in it. When she saw that it had already reached the medium stage, she quickly transferred the steak into the plate. Then, she added on some special sauce, a few large pieces of lettuce and cut tomatoes before giving it to his son. “Your steak is done. Hurry up and eat it.”

The young man, who played the role of a cruel god who would not even frown when he beheaded tens of thousands of natives in the foreign world, had a ‘clean’ smile on his face. “It looks delicious, thank you Mom.”

“Oh baby! You’re the sweetest boy I’ve ever met! Unfortunately, you’re a little cold towards others but even so, you’re perfect! Go do whatever you want to do after finishing the steak. Don’t worry about me, I can be well by myself. Besides, your Uncle Lavin is here to accompany me too.”

“Mom, I have nothing that I want to do. Well, if I really have to say it, then it’d be accompanying you for the coming two weeks…” Zhang Lisheng was stunned and quickly concealed it.

“Don’t lie to me. From the time you saw the Steel Warriors appearing in the air, I can tell that something is wrong from your expression. I can also see that the direction those Steel Warriors are heading towards is at the direction of Shrimp B1 Island. The focus of all of your scientific research that you have done during this time are on the island so how could you not be worried if something happened there? Go take a look at the situation after you’re full. Promise me, you have to be careful! Don’t take any risk!”

Zhang Lisheng was dumbfounded for a moment and then nodded silently. Chewing lowly under the watchful eyes of his mother, he finished the steak mouthful by mouthful and finally, he whispered, “I’m sorry, Mom. I just came back…”

“You’re my pride. I’ve always been proud of you…” Lili stroked her son’s face and interrupted him. “Go! Be careful.”

“I’m not a professional soldier so there’s nothing for you to be worried of, Mom!” Zhang Lisheng stood up and forced a smile as he waved to her. Turning around, he walked out of the house without turning his head back anymore.

At that instant he left the house, the young man’s face turned grave right away. He walked lightly towards an inconspicuous corner in between two wooden houses in the dim community street, and stripped before holding his clothes in his hands.

After that, the water vapor contained in the air of the Lowbige community began to turn into faint white mist as they floated and gathered around Zhang Lisheng, forming a small thick cloud that wrapped around him and brought him into the sky.

When that cloud charged upwards into the night sky, more water vapor from the surroundings attached to it, causing it to become bigger in size. By the time he flew above the clouds, it had already become a huge cloud that drifted towards the direction of the new New York port in the outskirts.

It was just natural that coursing on the flying clouds would result in great speed. Within seven to eight minutes, Zhang Lisheng had already arrived in the air above the new port.

Looking through the clouds towards the distant ocean, he could vaguely see flashes of lightning and thunder and hear the resonation of the intense explosions.

“Sh*t! There really is a war on Shrimp B1 Island…” Zhang Lisheng, who was in the cloud, was struck dumb as he muttered to himself. Right now, he had two choices: One, fly straight to Shrimp B1 Island in this confused and uninformed state to check out what was actually happening, especially the situation of the Tudenan tribe who believed in himself; Two, first understand the ins and outs of the matter, and only make up his mind after getting his hands on the detailed information.

After pondering about it, Zhang Lisheng decided to take the second option. Lowering his head, he watched the ant-like ceaseless stream of crowds at the port and then commanded the wind to drift towards a dark wilderness by the side to lower himself down. After putting on his clothes, he strode up the road.

Right now, all of the giant entrances of the new New York port had already been fully blocked by news cars of various colors. Several dozens of live news anchors were carrying out live broadcasts with solemn and distressed expressions under the illumination of reflectors and simple lighting.

“According to official reliable information, the sudden attack of the Shrimp B1 Island’s indigenous people have caused about 2,530 deaths of ‘new immigrants’ and travelers, with more than 7000 people being heavily injured. This is the most terrible terrorist attack in the US country since ‘911’. On top of that, the attackers are actually the foreign world’s indigenous people whom we have been treating equally… I’m sorry, please forgive me for my lack of professionalism for choking on my sobs right now. It’s because my son is one of the ‘new immigrants’ and right now, I don’t even know whether he’s alive or dead… Let us pray to God in this painful moment that more wounded people will be saved and no new victims will appear, Amen. This is brought to you by NTT news report. I’m Charles Horton.” A handsome man ranging between middle age and old age with neatly combed silver short hair, who was wearing a straight brown suit, was holding a mic and was talking in a very magnetic voice. After he had broadcasted the news, at the instant the camera moved away, he suddenly lost his control and crouched down on the ground, sobbing his heart out.

When a sweet-looking young female broadcaster wearing a dark gray professional suit not far away heard the sobbing sound, her eyes were suddenly brimming with tears in the midst of the live broadcast. With an unusually sad tone, she said, “I believe that it’s not only the Shrimp B1 Island’s ‘new immigrants’ who have yet to be evacuated to the safe zone who bear this painful heavy suffering brought by this terrifying unexpected event but every US citizen are bearing the pain right now too. Just a few seconds ago, after fulfilling his work with due diligence, a very respected colleague of mine has just burst into tears for his child whose safety is still unknown on Shrimp B1 Island. Right now at this moment, in front of the new New York port, I can clearly feel the atmosphere of sorrow and despair at the scene. But, I always believe that God is watching over the United States and all heavy sufferings will eventually pass. Not only that, no matter who is the one bringing us such terrible suffering, the United States will let him know that he has to pay a price that is absolutely unbearable! This is brought to you live from the new New York port scene. I’m Gillian Gina from ERT.”

After finishing saying so, the broadcaster maintained a firm expression until the camera was switched off. Then, hastily, she asked the cameraman, “Colile, how was my performance?”

“You’re completely photogenic but your input of personal feelings is too intense. It’s a little unprofessional from the perspective of journalists.”

“Hah but the audience loves his kind of unprofessional report. They like to listen to the broadcaster who has a strong personality and who uses harsh words. As long as I’m photogenic, it’s already good enough! What’s important is that we have to grasp the audience’s attention.” The female broadcaster took the coffee handed over by her assistant and said with a wave of her hand in an unconcerned attitude.

The bearded cameraman shrugged and stopped talking. Carrying out his duty, he checked the stand of the camera and then took out a cigarette. Just as he was inhaling, he heard somebody asking in a low voice from behind, “Mr. Reporter, can you please tell me what happened on Shrimp B1 Island?”