CHAPTER 209: CHAPTER 209: RETURN BENEATH CLOUDED SKIES

Lang Yao walked through the quiet forest, his steps steady but his chest heavy with unspoken thoughts. The woods had lost their sound long ago. There was no usual sound of the forest’s beasts or insects, as most of them had already been killed by scouting teams on the outskirts of the forest.

Only the soft sound of his boots pressing against the damp earth accompanied him. The low branches brushed against his sleeves as if trying to hold him back, but he kept moving, pretending the cold mist curling around his neck did not bother him.

He did not hurry. There was no need to rush. He already knew what would be waiting for him when he returned to the East River Base.

The large outer wall of the East River Base slowly appeared through the fog, its stone surface stained from a year of battles and the smoke that often clung to the air. The sky above him was still covered in thick gray clouds that refused to move, leaving the day feeling dull and heavy.

Lang Yao’s steps slowed as he approached the gate, his fingers brushing lightly over the old scar near his ribs, which had started to ache again during his long journey back. The wound had already healed, but it throbbed as if to remind him of his failure.

He stood quietly in front of the gate, lowering his head just a little, and lifted one hand to signal the guards.

The guards stationed there narrowed their eyes when they first saw him. One of them took a step forward, his hand resting near his weapon, as if unsure whether Lang Yao should be welcomed or kept out. But when they recognized him clearly, their faces slowly relaxed, though they still looked cautious. One guard’s voice broke the silence, low and careful.

"You came back alone."

Lang Yao kept his voice calm and steady as he replied, "I have urgent news for Lord Xun."

That short answer was enough.

The heavy gate creaked open, its iron hinges groaning under the weight. Lang Yao stepped inside without hesitation, his eyes quickly taking in the familiar sights. The base had not changed in his absence.

Smoke still drifted lazily from the old, cracked furnaces. The people moved quietly between worn buildings, their faces pale and thin, their shoulders slightly hunched from the cold. They had learned to keep their heads down, to speak less, and to survive without asking questions. A year of hunger and punishment had taught them this silence.

Lang Yao walked directly to the residence of the base lord, ignoring the curious glances from those he passed. He did not stop, nor did he explain anything.

When he entered the hall, Lord Xun was already seated on the tall, raised platform at the end of the room. The warlord’s broad back was half-turned, his left hand resting lazily near the handle of his jagged blade that never left his side. The air inside the chamber was cold, heavy with the sharp scent of metal and faint traces of burnt oil. A brazier sat in the corner, but its flame was small and weak, barely giving off any warmth.

"You failed."

Lord Xun’s voice was the first sound that greeted him. The tone was dry and distant, offering no kindness.

Lang Yao lowered his gaze and stood still. "I was betrayed."

The words hung quietly in the air. It was not a protest, nor was it an excuse. It was a simple truth—or at least, it was the truth Lang Yao had chosen to present.

The silence that followed was not permission to continue. It was a warning. Lord Xun was waiting, but not patiently.

Lang Yao let the pause hang for just a breath before he carefully began to speak, his words flowing at a steady pace, quiet but firm. "There was another man among us. Jin Song. I trusted him to guard our plans, but I was wrong. He turned against me. He pretended to be loyal, but in secret, he betrayed everything. He leaked our mission to the Dawn Base. He sold himself to them for warm food, soft shelter, and a place to rest his head."

Lang Yao’s throat tightened, but he pushed forward calmly. "I was thrown out because of his actions. I barely escaped with my life. I had no choice but to return."

His voice stayed low and respectful, without rushing to defend himself.

Lord Xun watched him closely but did not speak yet. His silence did not mean belief, nor did it mean doubt. He was simply listening.

Lang Yao continued slowly. "Before I left their base... I saw things. I heard things. The Dawn Base is not what we imagined. It is not a weak, broken place full of starving survivors. It is something else."

This time, Lord Xun’s fingers, which had been resting quietly, began to tap the armrest of his chair. A small movement, but it showed that he was listening more carefully now.

Lang Yao’s voice became a little softer, as if sharing something that should not be spoken too loudly. "They have electricity, my lord. Not just for lighting the streets, but for heating rooms. They have working fans. They have machines that operate normally, even in this broken world."

He paused for a moment to let that thought settle before he spoke again. "They eat good food, and not spoiled rations or boiled weeds. They have proper meals that contain fresh meat, clean vegetables, and full bowls of white rice or white flour buns. Everyone in the base eats this, and not just the strong ones or the important ones. Even the ordinary survivors and small children eat two full meals every single day."

Lang Yao slowly raised his eyes, carefully watching his lord’s reaction. He saw a flicker of interest, a quiet hunger that had begun to stir beneath the surface.

"They have clean water," Lang Yao added, his voice steady. "Their buildings are tall and well-built, and even their roads are smooth. The people walk with confidence. They live comfortably, without fear of starving tomorrow. Their leader does not rule with terror, and yet, they follow her willingly."

Lord Xun’s lips tightened, but his gaze remained fixed on Lang Yao, silently urging him to go on.

"The leader of the Dawn Base," Lang Yao continued, "is not a man of power. She is a woman. She is young, beautiful, and far too soft-hearted to hold that base together alone. She is kind to them. She trusts too easily. She is not someone who can stop us."

Lang Yao paused briefly and then spoke again, his words carefully selected. "There are fewer than five hundred people in the entire base, and that includes old men, sick people, and children. Their guards are newly trained, and while they do have some awakened individuals, none of them have seen true war. Their original lord was always missing, and this woman has been running the base by herself. She is just a beautiful woman with big breasts, a substitute for the lord."

After completing his words, he bowed his head again, but a slow, cruel smile appeared on his face as he remembered Liora and her beautiful smile. All he wanted now was to ruin that bitch.