This time I chose Paladin.

Chapter 184 Departure

How many will survive this battle?
This problem has persisted for thousands of years across China.

Throughout humanity's long history of warfare, countless people have asked this question, and now, humans who have come to another world have raised it again.

as always.

No one could answer.

……

The rally is a good tradition. It is a spiritual mobilization, which aims to transform rational goals into emotional collective beliefs through a solemn ceremony, thereby unifying thoughts, rallying people's hearts, and inspiring fighting spirit, injecting spiritual motivation for the tasks ahead, and transforming people from "knowing what to do" to "desiring and firmly believing that they can win".

"Our mission!" He Kang shouted, "is to destroy the target and clear obstacles along the way!"

Dark clouds loomed over the sky, and among the serious faces on and off the stage, Liang Zhenduan's haggard appearance was particularly striking. He had been dealing with far too many things lately, and also had to find time to communicate with Ping Xingdou in prison; this life was truly exhausting.

Nie Weiyang stood next to He Kang, his dazzling silver armor constantly drawing hatred. He carried a sword and a shield, yet his eyes remained unobstructed, which erased his natural affability and transformed it into a reassuring reliability and a terrifying deterrent.

"On this path, any obstacle will surely be shattered!" He Kang's voice was loud and powerful. "No enemy can stop the People's Army from advancing!"

Nie Weiyang's gaze seemed to be fixed on the front, but in fact he was staring at a point in the air.

A multitude of emotions surged within his senses, none of them truly his own. Lead-black clouds rolled in like mountains, muffled thunder rumbled overhead, and a heavy, oppressive moisture permeated the warm air… No, was it really the moisture that made him feel so heavy?

Nie Weiyang looked ahead. He saw an endless expanse of people, all looking up at him, at this man who held no official position.

He stands here, but he has no identity; he is just an ordinary person.

This is actually against the rules.

But no one raised any objections, no one expressed any doubts, because he was the strongest.

This is a bizarre era, an era where the strength of an individual speaks volumes. Humanity's traditional ways of acting have been amplified by bestiality and power, and if we look at the world, we see a catastrophic arena.

Whether it's twenty years from now or now, Nie Weiyang hopes to end it as soon as possible.

As for why?
Because he wanted world peace.

For some reason, he recalled the investigation results of the biological mutation incident in Tokuno Ward, which also led to the No. 1 Biological Laboratory in the old city. The coordinates that were left for Nie Weiyang to see might be the purpose of the previous civilization's repeated attempts to communicate with him.

But both events leading to the biological laboratory are shrouded in the lingering illusion of a pre-existing civilization…

Whether it exploits the Mother Goddess Cult or the Returning Sect, which previously served as a stepping stone for the Mother Goddess Cult, it is essentially exploiting the lives of contemporary Homo sapiens.

Perhaps both were Homo sapiens, but in Nie Weiyang’s view, the pre-civilization and the visitors from Earth probably cannot be considered to be the same species.

Whether it's the fact that the previous civilization clearly experienced extermination more than once in history, and that their population underwent genetic modification, or that the highest percentage of humans among the Earth's visitors is only 50%, all of this suggests that the two sides may still be 'not of our kind'. But now, they're expected to exploit and help each other...?
But if that's the case, what exactly are the permissions of the 'Second Administrator'?

If the previous civilization was indeed not of our kind, why would they grant the Second Administrator access to the Heart Sea? If the Second Administrator's becoming the Heart Sea Administrator was also due to the visitors from Earth... then at this point in time, although he is now the Heart Sea Administrator, the number of visitors from Earth who have died is probably just a drop in the ocean for the complete Heart Sea.

Nie Weiyang stared into the distance.

Regardless, the current target is those sects.

Whether it's their inherent hostility towards normal people or their behavior of concealing human resources and devouring resources, they are destined to become the most widespread enemy.

not to mention……

Previously, when Nie Weiyang put the Golden Gift into his backpack and killed the golden bird, he said something to it.

"Just think that after so many people have died, people like you—people who harm society, destroy the environment, spread parasites, kill tens of thousands of ordinary people, murder innocent children, and trick a sister into killing her younger siblings—are also human beings, with breath, heartbeats, life, and love and hate."

"If you leave here, you might still receive respect and worship because of your abilities, and you will remain hidden among the people, letting your religion parasitize their flesh and blood..."

“…I feel pain.” Nie Weiyang moved his hand on the hilt of the sword, slowly stroking the scabbard.

—Just think that those damned people are still alive, and perhaps some will live to see twenty years from now... Just look at Yi Jian now, and think about Yi Jian from last time, and think about when he personally executed Yi Jian in the end.

The murderous intent that had been churning within him was now boiling uncontrollably!

……

Before the army set off, Nie Weiyang had one last talk with Liang Zhenduan.

"You need to take care of your health," the tall paladin said with a frown. "I can feel that your blood and spirit are withering away."

"Can a paladin sense changes in blood?" Liang Zhenduan asked with a chuckle.

Nie Weiyang bared his teeth, the sharp fangs gleaming coldly in the shadows.

“You know perfectly well what I am,” he said. “I’m not kidding.”

“Okay…” Liang Zhenduan was intimidated by those eyes, and he rubbed his forehead. “I’ll be careful.”

“A lie,” Nie Weiyang said coldly.

"Don't expose me—Old Nie, don't you think your personality has changed a bit these past few days?"

"You're changing the subject."

“Alright.” Liang Zhenduan’s expression turned serious. “I’ll be careful. And, Lao Nie, I know you need to start making people afraid and obey, but don’t you really need a title? A name for giving orders?”

“No need,” Nie Weiyang said. “Our organization is not an official one. Just consider this a temporary cooperation. Leave the emergency response in battle to me, and leave the overall situation to you.”

Liang Zhenduan was stunned for a moment, speechless: "You really want to call me that?"

"Any problems?" Nie Weiyang shrugged, the shoulder armor and arm armor clattering together. "One more thing: be careful of the Star God Cult. This cult's relationship with the Returning Cult is a little too good."

These two sects have deep cooperation in various places. Last week, some people suspected that it was actually a glove of the Returning Sect, or that there was some deeper connection between the two, or that they were also backed by the Transcendent Demon? But no one could find any evidence.

"Understood." Liang Zhenduan nodded solemnly. "By the way, in the past two months, we have mobilized the entire Central Plains and added 10 new linked shelters."

"This number may seem small, but on average it's one per week. What do you think of the efficiency?"

"Very good," Nie Weiyang said. "Did you try sending a message to Administrator Number Two?"

"Not yet. We're unsure what the second administrator's stance will be. Those literary scholars are carefully considering their words."

"I see." Nie Weiyang nodded.

He looked into the distance and saw that the Taoist Xuan Yun was leading two young Taoists to listen to his teachings with their heads bowed. The old Taoist Bi Xu was earnestly instructing him on some principles, and although the faint blue light in his eyes was thin, it was still there.

These days, the blue light gradually dissipated from the old Taoist priest, which reminded Nie Weiyang of last week's events... When he met the old Taoist priest that night, the blue light had already completely disappeared.

Perhaps that's why there's still a chance for the religious street to be relocated.

It's likely that the old Taoist priest was nearing the end of his life, hence his dull eyes and slow reactions, which is why he was startled.

What did he say when faced with criticism back then?
"I'm sorry, I'll leave right away."

Nie Weiyang withdrew his gaze.

“We’re leaving right away,” he said. “We don’t know when we’ll be back. If anything happens, contact me through Phantom Spirit.”

Inside his neck brace, a strange white orb of light lay quietly in the corner, gleaming faintly.

(End of this chapter)