In those days of Plants vs. Zombies

Chapter 639 Unmasking

"you are?"

Simmons couldn't help but swallow hard, his gaze returning to Mo Chen's face.

"Mo Chen, owner of courtyard number 5905, it's a pleasure to meet you, Sergeant Simmons."

As he introduced himself to the plant spirit warriors before him, Mo Chen subtly observed Qian Ming and Shun Jue.

The two remained silent, like two motionless statues, but Mo Chen could clearly sense that they were watching him warily.

"So it's the homeowner. I've heard so much about you. On my way to this war garden, Sergeant Norman and the others mentioned you."

Simmons immediately straightened up and gave a standard military salute.

He subconsciously activated his plant-based spiritual power, using his ability to read people's expressions to try and analyze what the homeowner was thinking from Mo Chen's demeanor.

But Simmons's chosen one technique seemed to have failed, with no feedback reaching his mind.

"You came to see me, no, we, is there something you need?"

Looking at Simmons, who was trying to appear calm, Mo Chen narrowed his eyes slightly: "Of course, I've come to visit the new member and have a chat. After all, we'll be partners fighting side by side in the future."

"So... what would you like to talk to us about?"

Faced with this homeowner who suddenly showed up at their door, the three men's various contingency plans proved completely ineffective.

After all, they never expected that Mo Chen, the head of Courtyard No. 5905, would visit them so early, and even without any solid evidence (in the eyes of the three).

His insight was exceptionally sharp; he clearly sensed that something was amiss.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have been so direct.

Simmons's mind raced, but cold sweat broke out uncontrollably on his forehead.

He originally thought that with his background as a former federal soldier and the "seamless" disguise of his two companions, he would be able to get away with it.

Even with doubts about his identity, he could rely on Simmons's military rank and his status as a wanderer to survive in Courtyard 5905 for a while until the storm passed or he found a new way out.

But Mo Chen's reaction was so swift, like a sharp scalpel, that it precisely dissected their fragile defenses and shattered all their hopes.

"What should we talk about?"

Mo Chen chuckled softly, his gaze sharp as he stared intently at Simmons in front of him: "Why don't we start by talking about the basics? For example, why didn't the Qianming and Shunjue brothers participate in the medical center's routine physical examination for new members?"

Simmons' heart sank. He opened his mouth, but his throat was dry, and he could barely make a sound.

This question was exceptionally sharp, directly hitting their most fatal weakness.

Once Qianming and Shunjue go for the physical examination, their true race—zombie spirits—will inevitably be exposed.

In the eyes of the plant spirits in the war zone, aren't zombies just enemies?

On the terrace, Chiaki's body tensed almost imperceptibly, and his fingertips lightly touched the anti-materiel rifle placed beside him.

Shunjue stood at the door, his hands, which had been hanging by his sides, quietly clenched into fists, turning slightly white from the force.

"I...we..."

Simmons stammered, scratching his head, trying to find a plausible excuse.

But he was shocked to find that any lie was so pale and powerless in front of Mo Chen's eyes, which seemed to see through everything.

"What? Is it hard to answer?"

Mo Chen's tone remained gentle, yet it carried an invisible sense of oppression, like a large net gradually enveloping the three of them.

"Could it be that the Qianming and Shunjue brothers are plant spirits with unusual physical structures, which is why they can't go to the medical center for a physical examination?"

The air seemed to freeze at that moment, and the heavy pressure made it almost impossible for Simmons to breathe.

"Master, Qianming and Shunjue are just... just a little scared..."

After a moment, Simmons finally managed to squeeze out a sentence, his voice trembling slightly: "They've been wandering even longer than me, so it's normal for them to be a little resistant to this kind of formal medical examination after coming to the courtyard..."

"Fear?"

As if he had heard something funny, Mo Chen couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

"Is it really fear? Or is it...?"

His gaze passed over Simmons and landed on Qianming and Shunjue: "What you're afraid of isn't the physical exam, but being 'recognized'?"

Mo Chen emphasized the last three words, making them sound like a thunderclap in Qian Ming and Shun Jue's ears.

He took a step forward, his gaze level with Simmons', and questioned loudly, "Sergeant Simmons, you are a member of the Levi family, served in the 59th Army of the Federation, and are an excellent coconut sniper plant spirit. So, please tell me, why would a former Federation soldier with such an impressive resume be mixed up with a zombie spirit from the Imperial Army?"

Simmons' face turned deathly pale instantly, and he didn't know what to say for a moment.

Infiltrating the courtyard with the zombie spirits would easily earn one the label of "Federal traitor."

Ignoring Simmons' embarrassment, Mo Chen's gaze remained fixed on Qianming and Shunjue, his tone carrying a hint of amusement mixed with an almost imperceptible probing: "Qianming and Shunjue are not real names, but code names."

He raised his hand, first pointing to Qianming above, then to Shunjue in front, and said slowly, "You wrap your whole body up tightly to conceal your racial characteristics. You choose to live in a remote corner to reduce contact with others. You dare not participate in the physical examination because you know in your hearts that as long as you draw a tube of blood, we can find out whether you are plant spirits or zombie spirits."

Mo Chen's speech was not fast, but every word was piercing, slowly revealing the two people's pretense.

"If you are truly homeless, then there is only one possibility."

He took a deep breath, lowered his voice, and made sure his words reached the three men's ears clearly: "You are deserters, traitors to the Empire, am I right?"

The moment the words were spoken, the atmosphere froze completely.

Qianming on the terrace suddenly stood up straight, his hand already fully gripping the gun.

Shunjue also left the doorway and walked to Simmons' side. Behind his black contact lenses, a flash of scarlet light appeared.

"Hmm... judging from your reactions, I guessed right."

Mo Chen remained calm, not even taking a step back, simply watching the three of them as if scrutinizing three frightened wild beasts.

"So, Sergeant Simmons, tell me, were you with them, were you coerced, or was it for some other reason?"

Simmons' body trembled violently. He raised his head, his lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but he swallowed it back.

Qianming and Shunjue dared not move, but silently prepared for battle.

Ji Bing, holding the unsheathed ice and snow katana, quietly landed on the roof of the house.

Himiko, carrying her greatsword, slowly walked to a spot not far behind Mo Chen.

Amber removed the badge from her chest, switched it into a shield field generator, and placed it in her palm.

Odin moved his prosthetic limb, on which electromagnetic pulses could be faintly seen.

Mo Chen didn't urge him, but stood quietly in place, waiting for Simmons' reply.