Yang Fei’s eyes widened at the words.
“You mean Governor Tekerang is dead? How is that possible? There’s been no news released!”
Yang Fei exclaimed, his eyes flickering. He couldn’t help but blurt out, “Could it be… Liu Zhihuan did it?”
“Heh, he has many things he wants to do, but this time he’s learned to be discreet. That’s a good thing. It seems his main body isn’t as crazy as I thought. Perhaps the situation can still change. It would be best if I didn’t have to act myself!”
Ling Feng’s tone remained as calm and detached as ever, a smile even gracing his face.
Yang Fei, however, was filled with an indescribable dread. He cautiously asked Ling Feng, “Heavenly Venerate, are you suggesting Liu Zhihuan might want to cooperate with us?”
“It’s just a possibility. It depends on how much sincerity he shows. Also, he’ll definitely have to reveal his research. He’ll likely refuse these conditions, but if he agrees, then these matters might be negotiable!”
Ling Feng said casually. Before Yang Fei could show any more signs of shock, he shook his head and said, “Whatever you’ve heard, keep it to yourself. Don’t mention it to anyone. Also, let’s not discuss this further. Let’s go see how the construction of the全民修真道馆 (Quanmin Xiuzhen Daoguan) is progressing!”
Yang Fei’s heart trembled, and he quickly responded respectfully, “Yes! Heavenly Venerate!”
The 修真武道馆 (Xiuzhen Wudaoguan) had already replaced the original 全民武道馆 (Quanmin Wudaoguan). Construction was relatively easy, requiring only minor modifications to the previous dojos.
Many people were willing to fund the construction, and the morale of the populace had soared to unprecedented heights.
The Ling Tian War God had displayed terrifying power that surpassed all other strong individuals in the world.
He had even demonstrated strength comparable to deities.
All of this told everyone that Da Hua, with its mysterious Eastern cultivation heritage, was not comparable to ordinary gene-enhancing serums!
Everywhere, it felt like a festive occasion.
“Heh, it’s quite lively, almost like a festival is about to begin.”
Ling Feng’s smile widened after his tour.
Yang Fei quickly nodded in agreement, “Yes, it truly feels like a festival. Oh, right, the New Year is only six days away.”
Ling Feng blinked in surprise, “The New Year is only six days away?”
“Heh, yes, Heavenly Venerate, it’s really only six days until the New Year. You’ve been too busy to notice these things, haven’t you?” Yang Fei said with a smile.
He understood Ling Feng’s surprised expression upon hearing the news.
“Heh, yes, it’s almost the New Year. Well, it’s time to visit my old comrades. Yang Fei, let’s go today!”
The smile on Ling Feng’s face began to fade.
Yang Fei’s smile also vanished immediately. He knew who Ling Feng’s “old comrades” were!
The dead.
Kyoto, Martyrs’ Cemetery.
Yang Fei, holding a large pile of flowers, followed behind Ling Feng, placing a single bloom before each grave.
Ling Feng, with a towel in hand, meticulously wiped each tombstone, as if washing their faces and tidying their appearance.
Ling Feng remained silent, but Yang Fei knew that Ling Feng had countless words unspoken in his heart.
Those words were all kept within.
Yang Fei felt the same.
Many of the people buried here were Yang Fei’s seniors, soldiers who had fought alongside Ling Feng before Yang Fei had even joined him. They were true combat heroes, and being buried here was their honor.
The day passed quickly. As the sun began to set, Ling Feng sat by a tombstone, took a swig of wine, and then smiled at Yang Fei, saying, “When I first entered the war zone and fought my first battle, I was so scared in the trenches that I almost wet myself. It was this old squad leader who gave me a drink. He was from Jiang Province and had brought some mare’s milk wine. I almost spat it out, but after drinking it, my head got hot, and I wasn’t afraid of death anymore!”
Yang Fei listened quietly and then placed a cup of strong liquor before the old squad leader’s grave.
Ling Feng continued to pour himself drinks.
“Back then, I was also very confused. What were we fighting for? Da Hua seemed so prosperous. Couldn’t those border skirmishes be resolved through negotiation? The answer was disheartening. We couldn’t negotiate, not because of unmet interests, but because of blood feuds and irreconcilable grievances.”
This time, Yang Fei nodded in agreement, “Yes, we have to fight, otherwise, the prosperous cities of Da Hua would turn to dust in an instant!”
“Heh, you’re right. It’s all to protect this prosperity. It was the same before, and it’s the same now. To protect all this, many have fallen here. If there is reincarnation, I hope they never have to fight again in this life. I hope they can stay in the prosperous cities, and let others protect them!”
Ling Feng spoke word by word, his eyes reddening.
Yang Fei was also deeply moved, and he said to Ling Feng, word by word, “I will protect them forever, until the day I die!”
“There will be many more battles ahead, and people might still die. But I hope it won’t be between humans, but rather the struggle and slaughter between humans and monsters!”
Ling Feng’s expression turned serious. He looked back at Yang Fei and said, “Zhou Jin has already investigated. The situation will worsen significantly in the next two years. Monsters are evolving rapidly. He mentioned some radioactive substances underground that they are absorbing for energy, thus accelerating their evolution. Do you know what that means?”
Yang Fei gasped in shock. These were matters he shouldn’t normally be privy to. The fact that Ling Feng was telling him this meant his current position was sufficient to access such information.
However, Yang Fei was so stunned by the news that he couldn’t immediately think of how to answer Ling Feng, nor did he understand what these “radioactive substances” were!
“Could it be related to the intense seismic activity of the past three years?”
Yang Fei finally managed to squeeze out a sentence.
Ling Feng, however, smiled wryly and shook his head before taking another drink.
At this moment, Yang Fei looked at Ling Feng not just with awe, reverence, and admiration.
He felt a pang of sympathy for Ling Feng.
As Ling Feng’s closest confidant, Yang Fei knew very well the immense pressure Ling Feng was bearing.
Indeed, he was an extraordinary being, a true superhuman.
But even superhumans get tired!
Moreover, Ling Feng carried so many burdens in his heart and had to deal with all sorts of unforeseen events.
Initially, it was just about protecting Da Hua.
But now, all of humanity faced a crisis, and Ling Feng had to protect them all. Yet, humans were still killing each other, which was truly exhausting.
Mentally exhausting!
After a long period of silence, Ling Feng finally said to Yang Fei, “It’s the spiritual energy resurgence. The crustal activity underground is due to the proliferation of spirit ore veins. These spirit ore veins are born because of the sheer number of monsters. They reproduce, die, decay, and release energy, like recharging a depleted Earth!”
Yang Fei’s eyes widened, “So, that’s why you’re so eager for the era of全民修真 (Quanmin Xiuzhen) to arrive?!”