CHAPTER 115: CHAPTER 115: COMPLETING THE MISSION_1

Mingyue cast a deep look at Sun Kelan and then at the other five students whose eyes were also filled with determination. He turned around and left, leaving behind a cold statement that nevertheless carried some human touch in it.

"Wang Zhan is still the team leader of the Chu State Military Martial Academy Team. He’s currently on a Military Department mission. Once it’s over, he’ll return to the team!"

A hint of relief finally surfaced on everyone’s faces.

Song Dongming chuckled. "I knew it. That kid Wang Zhan is definitely stirring things up again. But I wonder how he got involved with the Military Department this time."

Huang Pufeng laughed offhandedly. "Well, that kid would never be the one to lose out anyway, so why bother? But when he returns, I’m going to stick by his side, or else I’d just be watching him show off, which can be unbearable."

"HAHAHAHA..."

With Mingyue revealing the news about Wang Zhan and the assurance of the Military Department, it felt as if the Chu State Military Martial Academy Team had retrieved their backbone, and they relaxed. There was no choice; even though their younger fellow student was sometimes stubborn and had a sharp tongue, it was only when he was present that the Chu State Military Martial Academy Team truly radiated their award-winning martial prowess at contests.

「Death Forest.」

"Run, why did you stop? Weren’t you happy when you were chasing me?" Wang Zhan said sarcastically, maneuvering through the dense forest with Yao Yao and kicking away the dumbfounded beasts, getting closer and closer to Yuan Shisan.

Yuan Shisan finally stopped and turned around, his icy gaze fixated on Wang Zhan and Yao Yao. Despite the dappled sunshine on his face, it could not hide the chill in his gloomy look.

"You’re so sure you’ve got me?" he sneered.

Wang Zhan shook his head. "No, I just feel that this is it."

"HAHAHAHA, why do you think I stopped? You bastard, dare you kill me? Shall I tell you that your mother has already entered the line of sight of our original organization?!"

While Yuan Shisan laughed wildly, Yao Yao’s palm clenched tightly as her anxious gaze remained on Wang Zhan. Wang Zhan lightly clenched his own hand and his heart fell, but his wits stayed sharp as he pondered the situation.

Fortunately, Li Chengyuan interjected, "Don’t worry, it’s true that members of the original organization have gone to Chu State City. But they’ll never know that in Chu State City’s territory, all they can do is hide like rats."

PHEW!

Relief swept over Wang Zhan’s face, and his hands were suddenly covered in a lot of cold sweat as he feared this threat becoming real. Then, a torrent of rage surged through him. They say not to harm a man’s family, but the actions of the original organization had already crossed Wang Zhan’s red line, the taboo in his heart.

CLANG! The Liyun Blade was unsheathed. Wang Zhan released Yao Yao’s hand, gripped his Liyun Blade with both hands, and pointed it at Yuan Shisan. The mottled sunlight washed over his face, revealing nothing but resolve and determination, without any hint of hesitation.

Feeling the crazed killing intent from Wang Zhan, Yuan Shisan backed away again, his face full of disbelief as he threatened, "You dare to kill me? Believe it or not, the moment I die, your mother will accompany me in death!"

His words did not shake Wang Zhan’s resolve. He steadily channeled all his Essence Energy and mental energy into the Liyun Blade, which, at that moment, appeared like a dazzling nebula. Its surface rippled with a magnificent sapphire hue, a product of the enthralling mental energy.

"No matter if what you said is true or not, if anything happens to my mom, I’ll make sure you all pay with your lives! Since you dare to threaten me, you must not really understand me. So, let’s just say I’ll collect a little interest from you first."

"Fatal---One Slash!"

Wang Zhan roared. A massive sword glow erupted from the Liyun Blade, reminiscent of condensed fireworks. It silently released its power, plowing a deep furrow into the ground and causing leaves and tree branches to fly.

Only Yuan Shisan, who had previously endured Wang Zhan’s Fatal One Slash seemingly unscathed, could truly appreciate its near-destructive power, even from a distance of over a hundred meters. He was incredulous and hysterical.

"Wang Zhan, you lowly piece of shit from the slums, you actually dare to kill me, you really dare to kill me! HEHEHE... MWAHAHAHA... Wait and see, I will come back──"

Before he could finish, THUD! Following two dull thuds, Yuan Shisan’s body, cleanly split in two from top to bottom, Xu Xu fell to the ground, becoming another wandering soul in the Death Forest.

"PHEW! That felt good."

Wang Zhan’s entire body weakened, and he collapsed on the ground, unable to muster the energy to sit. All he could do was smile.

Little did Yuan Shisan know, Wang Zhan’s mother was a tough woman who’d confront bullies with a butcher knife in tow, and his sister was the kind of girl who’d raise her fists to defend her brother and pave a way for him. Therefore, they definitely wouldn’t get hurt. Even if something happened to Wang Zhan, they would be fine. In their family, it was Wang Zhan who needed protection. As for Wang Zhan, being responsible for making trouble and being naughty was already enough.

「A day later.」

A group of three people arrived in front of a towering city wall, dozens of meters high, covered in pits and bloodstains both old and new. Dried chunks of flesh were even attached to it, making it look like a worn-out cloth that had been through the ages, barely struggling to exist in this world, as if disdaining even a simple cleaning.

This is the Eastern Battlefield, one of the four great Human Race Giant Cities in the Death Battlefield.

Looking at the Giant City, Li Chengyuan resumed his solemn expression. "You have no choice, so, think about what I’ve said. Farewell!"

He came with both sleeves flapping in the wind and left without hesitation. Full of integrity and with a solemn expression—this was the impression Li Chengyuan left on Wang Zhan. This was what a truly powerful human soldier should look like.

Wang Zhan squinted, and the complications of taking the Blood Essence Pill crossed his mind. He knew I would be paralyzed in a wheelchair for a week, yet he gave me that damn thing to eat. What’s even more hateful is, who carries a wheelchair wherever they go?

I wonder how she’s doing now? Wang Zhan’s thoughts drifted.

Yao Yao, who was pushing the wheelchair, squinted and flashed a crescent smile. "Actually, you look quite handsome sitting in a wheelchair, looking weak and scholarly like a student."

Wang Zhan gave a wry smile and held Yao Yao’s hand. "Well, I am a student. But since you admit I’m handsome, why don’t you stay and take care of me for a few more days?"

"What the hell are you thinking! It’s just me who thinks you’re handsome..."

SMACK!

"Eastern Battlefield... Camp Commander Lu Fengshun, under orders to welcome you! Student Wang Zhan, please follow me!"

A stalwart soldier, leading a team of soldiers, brought the two through almost impregnable checkpoints and safely escorted them into the Giant City.

The layout here was similar to Chu State City and also divided into several Safe Zones. In the outermost Safe Zone, the mottled, old buildings, the casually hung clothes, and the mountainous garbage that could be seen on the ground from time to time gave the feeling of being back home.

What truly made him realize that this was the Eastern Battlefield Giant City were those figures sticking out from the buildings of long corridors—some with intact bodies and IV drips, some with ashen faces, missing an arm, a leg, a nose, or an eye. But those pairs of bright and firm eyes were Xu Xu watching the young boy in the wheelchair as he drew closer.

"Stand to attention!"

A loud and rough command seemed to awaken the entire city, rousing the sleeping lion.

BANG!

Looking at the thousands of bodies standing upright, gazes unwavering, fixed on him, an indescribable feeling began to grow in the depths of Wang Zhan’s heart.

So, even though he was now paralyzed and could only sit in a wheelchair, though he could speak, and even his eating was impaired, Wang Zhan managed to straighten his back after a spasm across his face, raising his head and chest to look straight ahead.

"Salute!"

BANG!

Another resounding command rang out, and countless hands were raised in a solemn and tranquil manner, expressing their respect to Wang Zhan, who had managed to deliver the map to the Giant City. They were showing their respect for a hero.

SMACK!

Wang Zhan responded with an impeccable, though not perfect, salute to everyone. This was thanks to his mentor. He suddenly thought of Duan Kun, wondering if Duan Kun, who had been forced to leave the army despite being part of it, had also felt endless pain and loss at some point.

This is the front line of the Human Race’s battle against beasts, and the ultimate defense ensuring humanity’s peaceful existence. If one had to describe it with a phrase, it might be: where there is peace, it’s because someone else is bearing the burden for you.

Yao Yao, who had been taking care of Wang Zhan these days, also felt the inexplicable sentiment pervading the air that came across like a celebration of manhood and a soldier’s final honors. So, she had to slowly pause in place, stubbornly raising her head, not letting those readily shed, soft tears ruin the passion and majesty before her.

Just then, a middle-aged man wearing a general’s uniform, short in stature with white hair, walked up to Wang Zhan. Watching the tears well up in Wang Zhan’s eyes, he gently patted his shoulder, then took the wheelchair from Yao Yao with his rough hand.

"This is your honor, and the only thing they can give to you. So, don’t reject it, don’t be sad, just enjoy the gift they are giving you."

He walked with Wang Zhan through the streets, witnessing the scenes of respect, revisiting the brutal cycles of war.

Until they reached a small bungalow and were finally alone, he lowered his head, no longer hiding the weariness and loss on his face. He whispered softly, "Student Wang Zhan, can you tell me how my son died?"

As a general, and a father, he couldn’t even avenge his own son. How sorrowful that was.