Ark Chess Player.

Lin Lu stated the conclusion on behalf of Amiya.

He looked directly at the bewildered little leader who was bombarded with information. The human rights issues of Oripathy patients had been entrenched in Terra for centuries. Was there really no one who could come to a conclusion?

No, it's just that most people are unwilling to think about it in detail.

This world can no longer live without Originium.

There's some truth to the saying that in Terra, you can smell the fragrance of Originium even when you breathe.

Originium is the stone of life; in the absence of other alternative energy sources, it determines the survival of a nation. Even if Rhodes Island were to develop a cure for Oripathy... things wouldn't turn out as simply as they imagine.

If Oripathy were merely a disease with a 100% fatality rate, then even if the nations of Terra couldn't set aside their differences and join forces to develop a vaccine, they would still do their utmost within their capabilities to find a solution. But unfortunately, Oripathy turns a living person into Originium, into… a form of energy.

Why are the Originium mines in the northern Ursus region never depleted?

It's very simple. The Ursus government put infected people who weren't wearing Oripathy protective gear into mines with high levels of Originium radiation, forcing them to mine day and night, putting all their energy and strength into labor, leaving them no room for thought.

These Oripathy-infected individuals had to work at least sixteen hours a day in the mines, all of it high-intensity physical labor. They also had to endure verbal abuse, beatings, and personal degradation from the Ursus military governors. The governors feared that if these Oripathy-infected individuals had any free time, they would start to question whether their lives were wrong, whether their existence was reasonable, and why their fate was no longer in their own hands after contracting Oripathy.

It's as if Oripathy is a sin, and sinners are destined to suffer, starve, and be in unbearable pain.

These patients with Oripathy would have their thinking abilities ruthlessly stripped away by the warlords, and would be treated like livestock, painfully and numbly performing heavy and arduous labor under the whip and insults.

Even if there are doubts, they cannot be resolved; even if there is unease, they cannot be comforted; even if there are thoughts of suicide, they cannot be relieved.

In the end, the infected, deep within the stench of decaying corpses, touched the cold, lifeless bodies of their comrades, turning into Originium sculptures. If they were still conscious, they would probably have watched helplessly as the next infected was kicked down the mine shaft by the Ursus overseer. The sight of an infected, without even a mask, their face contorted with despair and tears, swinging a pickaxe at themselves.

It's hard to imagine what the various nations of Terra would do to Rhodes Island in order to ensure a continuous supply of cheap, one-off labor from those infected with Oripathy, driven by their own selfish desires and a desire to monopolize this miraculous drug that could shake the world.

Generally speaking, one gains more from those who trust by betraying them than from other sources. The vast majority of the public is gullible. Even if a few may have doubts, they dare not speak out. There is never a shortage of people who will be deceived. Those who possess intelligence essentially control the world situation, which is why official intelligence must maintain a clear stance.

In retrospect, Rhodes Island is like living a nearly impossible dream in a cruel world.

Once Rhodes Island announces to the world the successful development of a drug for Oripathy, that will be the day Rhodes Island is destroyed.

"Fine, let's make the medicine to cure Oripathy first..."

Lin Lu thought to himself, he hadn't really considered that much, nor had he thought about going that far. With Rhodes Island's strength, let alone contending with a nation, even taking on a mobile city would be a stretch. If he personally commanded the operation, using infiltration and guerrilla warfare to destroy the mobile city's defenses, seize its central core, and carry out a decapitation strike, then there would still be a chance.

Of course, this was the initial idea.

Lin Lu now has an extra trump card in his hand.

An army without borders.

This is a gift left by his past self, entrusted to his present self.

Lin Lu thus conceived a bold idea, but it wasn't feasible yet; he needed more time.

Both he and Rhodes Island need time.

"Amiya, listen."

Life mentor, Lawyer Dad's mini-class is now open!

“Everyone must bear the consequences of their choices. Whether they are infected or not makes no difference.” Lin Lu gently patted Amiya’s back, his voice steady, as if he were stating something perfectly normal. “The riotous organizations of Lungmen will naturally be punished for their morally corrupt acts, and Lungmen will never tolerate this.”

"It's not just Lungmen, it's the same with Reunion. If these infected people with nowhere to go are willing to listen to us and choose another path, then we can do everything we can to help them. But if they refuse to listen to any voices, give up on themselves in despair, and choose to dedicate the rest of their lives to madness... then don't hesitate."

A hint of determination flashed in Lin Lu's eyes. He thought of a madman, or rather, the real madman of the Reunion Movement.

"Abandon illusions and prepare for struggle."

"..."

Amiya tilted her head back, sorting through her complex thoughts. She didn't answer immediately, because she couldn't decide her future path so quickly. She knew the Doctor was right, and she knew he meant well, but…

“I don’t know.” Amiya’s long eyelashes drooped as she murmured, “I’ve always felt that we have a responsibility. We have far more resources than other Oripathy patients, we have better conditions, and we should help those who deserve help. But this time… I’m very disappointed in Lungmen. I have no good feelings towards Lungmen.”

Ultimately, Amiya is still a minor, and her thoughts are relatively simple and straightforward.

Adults talk about interests, kids talk about feelings.

Amiya clenched her tiny fist.

Rhodes Island's operators fought fiercely in the night raid, sustaining numerous wounds. The members of Operations Reserve Group A1 experienced an unprecedented battle, and even the Doctor, despite serious injuries, stayed behind at the Lungmen Administrative Office to deal with the Abyss Monsters alone.

After the raid on Lungmen Administrative Office, the Doctor disappeared for two whole days! During these two days, the Guard Bureau seemed to have never sent anyone to investigate the missing persons case. Whenever Rhodes Island sent an official document to inquire about the progress of the case, the Guard Bureau would just give a perfunctory response, and would not even reply with a copy-pasted template of an official document.

Add to that the Guard Bureau's repeated arrogant attitude...

This is why Amiya later acted so impulsively.

Lin Lu originally wanted to say that he was the same, but after thinking about it, he realized that he couldn't appear so vulgar in front of his daughter.

"Since Lungmen has chosen to do this, it must bear the consequences. No one has the right to stop Lungmen, nor does anyone have the right to blame it. Lungmen will pay the price for its actions. In the end, Lungmen is nothing more than a mobile city. Those who stand at the highest position think they can strategize and control everything, but the higher they stand, the harder they fall."

When Lin Lu said those words, he looked out the car window at the steel city in the distance.

"Heh." Lin Lu let out a disdainful sneer. Only he knew the true state of things in Lungmen. He had witnessed quite a lot that day. Especially the gains of the Silverwing Security contractor, combined with what he saw and heard at the Guard Bureau building, he already had a guess in his mind.

Longmen Pills.

Even without the Reunion Movement's attack, Lungmen would have crumbled sooner or later due to internal conflicts. Lin Lu's intervention this time, in a sense, did Wei Yanwu a great favor by eliminating Alexander Sodan, a cancerous growth. But he knew that Wei Yanwu would never be grateful to him; this seemingly righteous leader would only regard Lin Lu as an enemy even more troublesome than Alexander.

Coincidentally, Lin Lu didn't mind being Wei Yanwu's enemy.

Anyone who tries to target him will be broken along with their spear.

"Doctor, um, what you said before, is it true?" Amiya asked cautiously, even lowering her voice as if to save face for Lin Lu. "Um, the termination of the cooperation between Rhodes Island and Lungmen doesn't require Rhodes Island to pay any breach of contract fees... and, in fact, Lungmen will be the one to pay the compensation?"

"What's the big deal?" Lin Lu chuckled, ruffled Amiya's hair, and smiled. "I told you, I'd share the consequences with you. Don't I know you? If you were the kind of person who would sacrifice Rhodes Island operators and innocent patients like Misha for the sake of the bigger picture, you wouldn't be the Amiya I know. It's because of you that I have the confidence to do things that might enrage Kal'tsit."

"Hehehe, Doctor..."

Amiya first squinted her eyes comfortably as Lin Lu rubbed her head, then felt shy because of the Doctor's approval, and then her rabbit ears perked up as soon as she heard Dr. Kal'tsit's name.

"Dr. Bo, Dr. Bo, Dr. Kal'tsit will be furious! What do we do?!"

Amiya belatedly realized that Dr. Kal'tsit had been working tirelessly for Rhodes Island and Lungmen to prepare for this collaboration. Now, BoTu and his companion had turned against Lungmen without a word, completely thwarting all of Kal'tsit's efforts.

Rhodes Island's rescue operation in Chernobog had already significantly reduced medical drug orders between Rhodes Island and various city-states in Ursus, making Lungmen the most suitable buyer. This is why Lungmen was so emboldened; Rhodes Island, a small and insignificant company, was desperately hoping to cooperate with Lungmen, especially since it was on the verge of collapse.

Kal'tsit had prepared for the worst.

When Amiya convened a vote among Rhodes Island's elite operators and key personnel to decide whether to launch a rescue operation in the volatile Chernobog region, nearly half voted against it, deeming it unwise. Rhodes Island's current conditions couldn't withstand further turmoil; if the rescue team were to be wiped out, Rhodes Island would be in dire straits. Strictly speaking, this vote determined the very survival of Rhodes Island.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Kal'tsit chose to abstain.

Ultimately, Amiya's rescue faction prevailed, while the conservatives chose to remain silent.

Although Kal'tsit abstained from voting, she didn't stand idly by like the other opposition members. Kal'tsit and Amiya devised a detailed rescue plan for Chernobog, and Kal'tsit's knowledge of the sarcophagus greatly increased the chances of success. While most of her memories of the city were from three years ago, a border city wouldn't change its appearance in just three short years.

If the rescue operation fails, the casualty rate exceeds 50%, or the Doctor loses vital signs and fails to return... then Rhodes Island can only choose to become an affiliated company of a country or city, and lose its freedom.

Kal'tsit had to consider the people who remained on Rhodes Island, no matter how unwilling she was.

When the rescue plan was first implemented, Kal'tsit was supposed to go to Lungmen for negotiations, but she stayed behind by some strange twist of fate.

Kal'tsit knew that Chernobog was being invaded by Reunion infected, and she knew how dangerous the place was. Even she couldn't guarantee her own safety... But she still drove the Noah heavy machine all the way to the center of the battlefield to bring back Lin Lu, who had returned to the battlefield without hesitation to save the Kingkiller.

Because Kal'tsit overheard what Lin Lu said to the Rhodes Island members through the communicator.

Regardless of whether Lin Lu has lost his memory, he remains as protective as ever... to the point of being both laughable and exasperating.

This reminded Kal'tsit of the first time they met, when she was trying to protect a reconnaissance operator who was deemed unfit for rescue and had to be abandoned in a dangerous ancient ruin... Lin Lu immediately borrowed the Originium Arts trigger devices from several caster operators, then charged in alone, eventually carrying the person out of the ruin on his back, barely alive.

Whether it's the past him or the present him, he's still the same person. This makes Kal'tsit both love and hate him; she doesn't understand why Lin Lu, in this state, would have done that thing back then...

"It's alright, Amiya."

Lin Lu turned to look at the approaching Lotte State in the fifth district of the outer ring of Lungmen. He sensed the presence of Rhodes Island ships through his data-driven spiritual domain and determined that there were no traces of Reunion soldiers nearby. He breathed a slight sigh of relief.

"I have a backup plan in place to avoid angering Kal'tsit... at least not to the point of making her hang me from the bridge."

"Doctor, if you're going to be hung on the bridge this time, I'll go with you."

Amiya said seriously that she was already thinking about whether she should wear safety shorts to avoid any accidental exposure.

If I can spend more time with my PhD student, then it wouldn't hurt to study at Bridge University together.

Lin Lu couldn't help but chuckle, agreeing verbally with "okay, okay," but in his heart, he was thinking about how to trick his fellow alumna, Warfarin, into coming along as well. The thought of three high-ranking Rhodes Island leaders chatting and laughing on the bridge was simply wonderful.

"Doctor, Amiya, watch out for the bumps."

Scout, the driver who served as a backdrop throughout the journey, reminded everyone that as the off-road vehicle climbed the ramp of the outer ring road, they had their identities verified by the Guard Bureau officers stationed at the checkpoint. After being granted permission to pass, they successfully returned to the country from the desert area.

"I thought Lungmen would revoke Rhodes Island's entry permit."

Gavial, the second figure in the background, spoke softly. She slowly opened her eyes and gazed at the ever-flowing scenery outside the window. Although she didn't speak throughout, she had been silently watching the screen, listening to the conversation between the Doctor and Amiya.

Gavial has her own opinions and views, and all she can say is, well done.

No matter what the issue is, if it involves matters of principle, then there is no need to abandon one's dignity for temporary gains.

If Lungmen views Rhodes Island as a sycophantic lapdog eager to fawn over them, then why should Rhodes Island maintain cooperation with such an ally? With every choice comes the responsibility to bear its consequences.

The off-road vehicle drove smoothly to the Rhodes Island ship's No. 13 passage. The heavy isolation door was raised, and the vehicle was cleaned in a disinfection channel to prevent Originium impurities from entering the ship before docking in a spacious parking lot.

"Get out of the car."

Lin Lu then gently shook the King Killer's shoulder, intending to wake her up, but his hand suddenly stopped, his expression stiffening.

"...Doctor, your pants are wet."

Gavial glanced at the spot where the Kingslayer had previously lain, and his gaze toward Lin changed slightly.

"While I understand that Miss Kingslayer is very charming, with her superior looks and figure, and that exquisite, slender tail that makes one's mind wander... could you at least refrain from leaking your genetic material in front of Amiya? She's still a child; she hasn't even had a single health class on Rhodes Island!"

Lin Lu angrily exclaimed, "This is the saliva of a regicide!!"

Gavial tilted his head: "Isn't that even worse?"

Lin Lu was speechless. After thinking for a moment, he silently covered his face.

"really."

Chapter 349 Dragon and Tiger (4K)

Lungmen City, Imperial Guard Building.

After receiving basic first aid from medical staff, Chen Huijie returned to her post carrying a bag of canned black coffee. Her steps were not as confident as before; in fact, she walked unsteadily, needing to hold onto tables along the way.

She wasn't sure if she should call it luck, but at this hour, most of the Guardians had already gone home and finished work, so no one noticed how exhausted she looked. What frustrated her was that, given all that had happened today, wasn't anyone willing to work overtime?

Although Superintendent Chan is jokingly called the Iron Lady of Lungmen, she is not actually made of iron.

That annoying Rhodes Island doctor may have a foul mouth, but his tactical foresight is genuine.

During the process of escorting the drive key from the Chernobog core city back to the Guard Bureau building, Chen Huijie was first attacked by the Reunion Movement. After finally resolving the situation, she encountered an armed attack suspected to be from a foreign force. The off-road vehicle was overturned by an explosion caused by crude Originium explosives. After finally calming down the situation, she only brought back a few prisoners to hand over to the interrogation room.

These battles compounded Commander Chen's injuries. Besides not having a chance to eat a meal all day, the reason she felt mentally exhausted was that she had never received any support from the Guard Bureau.

Chen Huijie was unable to maintain communication with the various teams, and even her intelligence channels were cut off.

On the front lines where the situation was changing rapidly, Superintendent Chan, as the leader of the Special Inspectorate, felt that she was just a sword holder, with command authority but no soldiers to command.

Who exactly is the mascot of Longmen?

"...Hey, isn't this our Dragon Gate War God? Why do you look like a little girl who was dragged into an alley and dragged around for three days and three nights before finally crawling out? Oh, I was talking about playing Gwent, don't get the wrong idea."

Chen Gang put the bag on his workstation and then heard a soft laugh behind him.

"Miss Shi, if you left your lipstick in the office, I hope you can just pack your things and leave. Don't stay here and get in the way. It's late, my dear, you can't stay out so late, understand? Hurry up and go home, hug your kitten plush toy, tell her what happened at school today, and have a good night's sleep."

"*Lungmen swear words*! I'll say it again, my surname isn't Shi! Listen carefully, my code name is Swire, or call me Officer Beatrice Swire, understand?" Swire stared at Chen Huijie's back with some displeasure. If looks could kill, Chen would have already been betrayed by her in a righteous act.

"Your rules are against my *dragon gate swearing*. Who among ordinary people would know the difference between your code name and surname? Listen up, I have neither the time nor the mood to deal with you right now. Go find something to do, okay?"

Superintendent Chen took a can of black coffee from the bag, produced by Swire Group. She pulled the tab, but she didn't expect that such a small action would tear open the wound on her finger, and blood gradually stained the bandage. Chen couldn't help but let out a self-deprecating laugh. She should have bought bottled coffee, but bottled coffee always felt soulless.

"Hey Chen, this is the job I asked you to do. Now see if you're being obedient!"

Swire mistakenly thought Chen was mocking her, so she angrily grabbed a stack of files and slammed them onto Chen's desk, kicking up a few specks of dust. For the past ten days, Chen had been busy directing operations on the front lines, unlike the others who were sitting in their offices. She had also given prior instructions that no one was allowed to move her seat, and she even cleaned her office herself.

Chen Huijie's gaze shifted from the thick file to Swire.

She paused, even stopping the coffee can she was holding to her lips.

"What happened to all these injuries?" Chen asked, frowning.

Chen only began to notice Swire's appearance from the moment she entered the office until now.

Swire had a bandage on her cheek and her head was wrapped in bandages. Underneath her dark cloak, she wasn't wearing her usual tight-fitting Guardian uniform, but rather slightly loose casual clothes that clung to her body, creating an odd silhouette. Chen Huijie glanced at her and knew that Swire's condition wasn't much better than hers; in fact, judging from their physical constitutions, this tigress might be in worse shape.

"Isn't it perfectly normal to get injured while on duty?"