Translator: CinderTL
Faced with the hope of bringing his sister back to life, Lu Changkong ultimately couldn't escape his inner turmoil and chose to bow his head in compromise.
The black shadow did not disappoint him.
The next morning, as sunlight streamed through the hospital window onto his sister's face, she slowly opened her eyes.
At that moment, Lu Changkong hugged his sister and wept tears of joy.
He understood that he had embarked on a path of no return. Even if not for himself, he would continue down this path for his sister's sake.
Before departing, the black shadow had said, "Your sister's fate is not in my hands, but in yours."
The threat in those words was unmistakable.
From then on, Lu Changkong, who had always fought on the front lines, disappeared, replaced by Lu Changkong of the Wolf Pack Battle Group under the Technology Research Institute.
Over the years, the black shadow had kept its promises.
It had secured his sister's admission to Future City's sole Spirit Medicine Academy, where she was now nearing graduation.
The black shadow had also guaranteed her a position at the Spirit Medicine Research Institute upon graduation.
Seeing his sister's dream about to come true filled Lu Changkong's heart with relief.
Over the years, his hands had been stained with the blood of countless fellow humans.
From initial guilt, his heart had gradually turned cold.
He vividly remembered the incredulous looks in their eyes and the searing heat of their blood splattering across his face.
But after so many experiences, his heart had long since grown numb.
The shared ideal future of humanity no longer concerned him; he only desired the future he craved for himself.
In truth, he knew the black shadow saw him as nothing more than a dog—a hunting dog to be commanded at will.
Yet he felt no regret.
What was wrong with being a dog? At least as a dog, he could protect his loved ones.
As for the future of all humanity, what did it matter to him?
This path, condemned as wrong by all humanity, felt utterly right to him.
With this conviction, Lu Changkong had been tirelessly pursuing this path for years.
The Wolf Pack Battle Group he had personally founded had successfully ascended to become the third combat legion under the Technology Research Institute.
After successfully advancing to the second echelon of the core circle, he witnessed the formidable power of the Black Shadow Faction.
His unwavering faith in following them only grew stronger.
Perhaps his ultimate fate would be abandonment, but he had long prepared himself for that.
At least he could be certain that the Black Shadow Faction would never harm his sister; they adhered to their own principles.
Lost in thought, the battle group charged across a hundred miles, finally arriving at the Beast Heart Domain Field.
Without hesitation, Lu Changkong led the charge into the crimson domain field.
A desolate scene stretched before them, the path littered with corpses. Orc skulls, impaled on spears, lined the roadside, the air thick with the stench of slaughter.
Lu Changkong, long accustomed to such carnage, showed no reaction. With a wave of his hand, he signaled the battle group to advance.
The reconnaissance drone, controlled by support personnel in the rear, sped ahead, scanning the terrain for any sign of the target battle group.
After hours of relentless travel, Lu Changkong signaled another halt.
During the brief rest, the Wolf Pack Battle Group consumed compressed energy pills to replenish their strength before resuming their advance at an accelerated pace.
Before initiating the operation, Lu Changkong had meticulously reviewed the number of battle groups currently deployed in the Beast Heart Domain Field, as well as those stationed in the surrounding areas.
He knew that only two battle groups were currently on missions within the Beast Heart Domain Field, one of which was their target.
For this operation, he had deliberately avoided the main routes, instead leading his forces through treacherous mountain passes and rugged terrain.
This ensured that the Wolf Pack Battle Group's movements would remain undetected.
Moreover, even if their operation were exposed, the Technology Research Institute behind them would provide a perfectly plausible explanation to the outside world.
Before setting out, Lu Changkong meticulously reviewed the authorization documents provided by his lord, gaining a clear understanding of the target battle group's operational area.
With no need for detours, he led his forces directly toward their objective.
As they drew closer to the target location, Lu Changkong began to slow the battle group's advance, mentally preparing for combat.
But just then, a reconnaissance drone transmitted a video feed.
The footage showed a girl, roughly thirteen or fourteen years old, blocking the battle group's path.
Lu Changkong's mind filled with confusion.
He couldn't fathom the girl's origins or purpose.
Yet he had no intention of stopping.
When slaughter becomes habit, the heart grows numb. Lu Changkong found that he no longer felt any remorse. If she stood in his way, she would be killed.
He pressed on, and the girl blocking their path came into view.
She had long, jet-black hair, a petite frame, and delicate features. Dressed in a black martial arts uniform, she stood there with serene composure, utterly out of place in the desolate surroundings.
"Kill her!" Lu Changkong commanded in a low voice.
The drones in the sky fired several spirit energy lasers at the loli girl.
With a series of deafening explosions, billowing smoke and dust obscured the view ahead.
But Lu Changkong's brow furrowed.
His night vision goggles also had thermal imaging capabilities, allowing him to clearly see the loli girl standing there, completely unmoved by the spirit energy lasers' power.
A gust of wind swept through, clearing the smoke and dust. Lu Changkong discovered that not even the girl's clothes were torn. Instead, a semi-transparent, jade-colored mist now enveloped her body.
"Lu Changkong, I'm curious. Why did you betray humanity?" the girl asked.
Hearing this, Lu Changkong immediately realized the situation was dire.
Her clear knowledge of his origins proved she had come prepared.
Years of frontline experience instantly triggered his instinct to retreat.
Since the loli girl standing nearby knew his background, she couldn't have foolishly come to die. She had clearly cornered him.
"Do you regret it?" the girl pressed.
"No regrets!" Lu Changkong replied coldly, slowly backing away as he spoke.
"I want to know why."
"Because they gave me the future I wanted."
After a brief silence, Mu Qing replied, "I've reviewed your records. You were an exceptional frontline soldier. You shouldn't have chosen this path. What exactly do you mean by 'the future'?"
"I chose this path myself. I owe you no explanation."
"Does it have something to do with your sister?" Mu Qing pressed.
"None of your business!" Lu Changkong snapped, waving his hand to signal the warriors behind him to attack Mu Qing.
"It seems Feng Qi was right. Based on your records, it must be related to your sister's severe illness."
Mu Qing sighed, recalling Feng Qi's words when he assigned her this mission:
"Lu Changkong is a pitiful man, yet utterly detestable. Wanting his loved ones to live is understandable, but did he ever consider the sacrifices the martyrs made so he and his sister could live peacefully in Future City? If they had chosen as he did, perhaps none of us would exist today."
"Living for oneself isn't wrong, but he chose the wrong path. Perhaps that's why he refuses to tell his sister the truth. I've reviewed her records—she's sworn to fight for humanity's rise. She would be ashamed of him..."
Her gaze hardened.
Jade-colored mist swirled around her, transforming her into a phantom as she slipped through the charging figures.
Before Lu Changkong's disbelieving eyes, she materialized before him.
A scorching fist slammed down with unstoppable momentum.
(End of the Chapter)
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