Ark Chess Player.

"Lin Lu, let me remind you. Things aren't that simple, at least that's what I think. Even though the Lungmen Guard Bureau has been performing poorly, from a macro perspective... has Lungmen really suffered any losses?"

A glint of light flashed in Kal'tsit's eyes. Although she was not good at commanding battles, she had been in charge of Rhodes Island's trade economy and medical research, both in the past and present. Therefore, she was able to look at this matter from a business perspective.

From the moment the Reunion Movement launched its first attack, Lungmen suffered a nighttime assault. The result was merely the loss of some troops and facilities in the outer ring of Lungmen; at most, the administrative building was also destroyed. However, because the Guard Bureau had its main police force deployed to the affluent areas at the time, the profits it gained far outweighed the damage to the buildings.

On the third day following the night raid, the main fighting of the Reunion Movement took place in the Lungmen slums. The city of Lungmen suffered virtually no damage, and even the casualties among the Lungmen Guard Bureau officers were within a considerable range. Furthermore, the Alexander family, a thorn in the side of the Lungmen Guard Bureau, fell into decline, and Alexander Sodan, the only one capable of competing with Wei Yanwu for the position of Lungmen Governor, passed away.

The Lungmen mercenary organization and Silverwing Security Contractors are suspected of involvement in the mass disappearances and various shady cases in Lungmen, but the Guard Bureau is struggling to make arrests due to a lack of evidence. However, Silverwing Security Contractors are wiped out in a single day, and the related traitorous organization, Lungmen New Life, is also eradicated.

From a cost-benefit perspective, sacrificing the economically impoverished slums was a way to cleanse Longmen of its deep-seated problems. Eliminating all competitors and using others to do the dirty work meant that Wei Yanwu's words in Longmen became absolute commands.

Until now.

The Reunion Movement launched its largest attack to date.

They stormed the Guardian Tower, seized control of Lungmen's main hub, and summoned the Great Old One Amidala through a bloody ritual.

Just moments before, Lungmen seemed on the verge of destruction. Countless people who witnessed the bodies of the ancient gods lost their minds and went mad. The air was filled with high concentrations of Originium particles, and the Guardian Bureau building, the mythical protector of Lungmen, was destroyed without a trace.

The next second, Lin Lu descended like a divine warrior. He led Amidala from Lungmen city to the desert and slaughtered Nightmare. Even Mephisto, the leader of the Reunion Movement, was executed. The remaining rabble was no match for him. In a sense, Lungmen could declare a basic victory in this operation.

From Lungmen's perspective, what did they lose this time? And what did they gain?

Wei Yanwu may not have made a move, but did he also include Lin Lu in his calculations?

If so...

"Truly a businessman."

Lin Lu exclaimed in admiration, "Kal'tsit understands so quickly; she got it right away."

This is also true from Rhodes Island's perspective. Rhodes Island didn't lose a single operator throughout the entire operation, but several were injured. Fortunately, Rhodes Island is a pharmaceutical company with the best medical insurance services in all of Terra, so basically, anyone who wasn't killed could be saved. From the time Reunion launched their attack until now, the supplies Rhodes Island has obtained from Lungmen are enough to sail around Terra, which is far more practical than monetary transactions.

The relationship between Rhodes Island and Lungmen is that simple: mutually beneficial.

Aside from a few minor incidents, such as Lin Lu storming the Guard Bureau building and overturning Wei Yanwu's chessboard, etc.

Kal'tsit glanced up at Lin Lu, knowing him as she did, and knew he wouldn't swallow his anger so easily.

"Wait a moment, there is a communication."

Kal'tsit took out her mobile terminal, glanced at the contact, and answered the call directly.

"This is Kal'tsit."

"What? Amiya, where are you?"

Kal'tsit's expression gradually turned serious, and Lin Lu couldn't help but look at her.

"...There's a new passage at the bottom of the slums?" Kal'tsit glanced at Lin Lu, gleaned the key information from Amiya's conversation, and dictated it to Lin Lu. "People in black raincoats? The Yeti Squad has joined forces with the Reunion Movement members who fled into the slums...Those men in black are indiscriminately hunting down the Infected?!"

Lin Lu's expression changed. He wanted to reach out and take Kal'tsit's mobile terminal to communicate with Amiya, but the communicator suddenly emitted a violent explosion sound, mixed with the sounds of battle, and Amiya's communication was forced to stop.

Kal'tsit looked at the mobile terminal that had disconnected and said in a deep voice, "The worst has still happened."

"I'm going to find Amiya."

Lin Lu turned and walked towards the slums.

"and many more!"

Kal'tsit stopped Lin Lu, looking at his confused face and feeling a sense of powerlessness.

On one hand, there is Rhodes Island's conviction; on the other hand, there is the conflict with Lungmen and even Yan Kingdom.

Between reality and ideals, a choice must be made.

"Lin Lu, from this moment forward, are you willing to shoulder the responsibilities of Rhodes Island?"

Kal'tsit let out a deep breath, deciding to entrust this decision to Lin Lu.

"Whether or not you become someone Rhodes Island operators can trust is up to you."

"Is there even a question?" Lin Lu thought Kal'tsit was going to say something, but it turned out to be just this. "There's only one answer."

Lin Lu's lips curled up slightly.

"I am a doctor from Rhodes Island."

Chapter 420 A Small Character (4K)

"Dragon, have you been beaten senseless by the Reunion Movement?"

Looking at Chen Huijie, who seemed to be questioning her life and looked like a wayward girl, Swire couldn't help but ask, "I think I saw the Doctor from Rhodes Island earlier. Did he take you to some unused restroom to do his business? You're a police superintendent, and you don't know how to keep yourself clean at all."

"Ha, a little girl with zero experience in dating, all she knows is telling dirty jokes all day long." Chen rolled his eyes at her.

"Oh? You're very brave! It seems our Commander Chen has seen a lot in battle."

Swire astutely found a flaw in Chen's language and retorted sarcastically.

Chen put his hands on his hips and said smugly, "I have Hoshiguma."

"……you win."

Shi Huaiya raised his hands in surrender.

Caught off guard, I was given a mouthful of Pelosi food.

"Alright, enough of that nonsense. What's the situation now? Mephisto, the Reunion Movement's cadre, has been executed on the spot. What are our police casualties? I need specific figures."

"look by youself."

Swire glanced at her, then took out a tablet and handed it to Chen.

Information about each squad is noted in the battle plan, including the assault team that was killed in the Guard Bureau building.

In the battle plan map, blue dots represent the Guard Bureau's squads distributed throughout the area, while red dots and circles with red circles represent the Reunion Movement remnants whose whereabouts have been confirmed, as well as areas where the enemy may be lying in ambush.

Swire pointed to the yellow dot icon on the battle map and reminded, "Guests have arrived from the Great Yan side. Commander Wei's order is not to interfere with their actions and to observe the situation."

Chen analyzed the scene and nodded: "As expected, the people over there will never let the Guard Bureau do it. It doesn't matter, just continue to do our own thing and drive the remnants of the Reunion Movement out of Lungmen."

"..."

Swire silently gazed at Chen Huijie.

Chen frowned, not understanding why he was being looked at like that.

“Is simply expelling them enough?” Swire retorted. “Those guys who blew up the streets of Lungmen into ruins, is simply expelling them enough? Do you remember that tea restaurant in Sheung Wan? The one with the crispy pork patties in the sandwiches, the pork patty buns that were the size of two palms, the one run by a kind old couple, the one we went to many times after get off work.”

"Of course I remember." Chen suddenly had a very bad feeling and quickly asked, "What happened to them?!"

Swire's face was grim. "The old lady had difficulty walking and missed the evacuation. The old man stayed behind to take care of her. When our team patrolled to Sheung Wan, the food street where the Liang Yin Tea Restaurant was located was burned down by the Reunification Movement. The old couple...did not survive."

"Asshole!!"

Chen couldn't help but roar, his surging aura creating a wave of waves, his killing intent chilling.

"Chen, listen carefully. If the infected from the Reunion Movement only destroy our cities, burn our houses, and loot our supplies, that's a minor matter. Houses can be rebuilt, cars can be bought again, but if our people die... they must be made to pay with their lives!"

Swire gazed into Chen's eyes, not wanting to see any more hesitation or confusion in them.

“This is a war to repel the invaders, not some small skirmish like before, just catching some cats and dogs.” Swire reached out and took back the tablet terminal. As if she had thought of something, she added, “There is another piece of news. My team members witnessed people wearing black raincoats appearing in various parts of Lungmen.”

Chen said coldly, "People from the Reunion Movement?"

“No, quite the opposite. Those people in black raincoats are hunting down Reunion. The traces we’ve found are all corpses of Reunion infected.” Swire paused, then said in a deep voice, “Those people kill infected people on sight, and even attack Rhodes Island people.”

"what?"

Chen turned his head and looked over. In the temporary medical tent set up by the Guard Bureau, Rhodes Island doctors were still helping to treat the injured Lungmen people.

—How ironic.

"Can we get in touch with the people at Rhodes Island?"

"About this point..."

Swire showed Chen the information on the tablet.

Chen slowly opened his eyes and murmured, "Has the cooperation between Lungmen and Rhodes Island ended?"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

In the Longmen slums, there is an abandoned and dilapidated residential building.

"We've driven back those guys in black raincoats and straw hats. Hurry up, let's get out of here while we can!"

The Yeti Squad members led the defeated Reunion soldiers toward the passage, all of them wounded and breathing heavily.

"……Thanks."

The Infected from the Reunion Movement were disheveled and exhausted. Of those who came to Lungmen this time, it would be a miracle if even one-tenth of them could return.

Tragically, the vast majority of Reunion Movement's infected members died at Mephisto's hands, becoming sacrifices.

Because of Talulah's speech, he was full of enthusiasm and wanted to seize a place for the infected to live, but he ended up being stabbed to death by traitors.

If they can't even trust the Reunion Movement, then what can these Oripathy infected people, who have nowhere else to go, trust?

"If you survive, you can thank me another time. Now, go quickly."

The Yeti team members said calmly, "They're not much better off."

After parting ways with Lin Lu in the ruined city, Frostnova led the Yeti Squad to Lungmen. Upon arrival, they encountered Mephisto using Lungmen as an altar to conduct a Holy Grail ritual, offering up Reunion Movement members and Lungmen's infected as sacrificial offerings. This forced the Yeti Squad to change their plans from a decapitation strike to a rescue operation, focusing their efforts on saving the innocent infected.

When those people in black raincoats appeared, the Yeti team faced even greater pressure and nearly got killed at Lungmen.

That's definitely not the level of the Lungmen Royal Guard. Their combat skills are so refined that their patterns of action are unpredictable, and their equipment is all-standard – something a trading city like Lungmen could never achieve. It would require at least an industrial-scale mobile city-state, comparable to the Ursus Emperor's Imperial Guard!

If Frostnova hadn't unleashed a spell powerful enough to destroy Lungmen's foundations and repel them, let alone evacuate the Reunion members, her own survival would have been in question.

"check in."

The phantom crossbowmen, leading a squad of Reunion soldiers, arrived at the evacuation tunnel, staggering as they walked, leaving a trail of blood on the ground.

The Yeti Squad looked at the battered Phantom Crossbowmen. They had led the survivors all the way from Lungmen City to the slums. This was the last team of the Reunion Movement. The others... were all left in Lungmen, some turned to dust, and others became cold corpses.

"Ahem... I remember you, you were Faust's teachers."

Froststar clutched her chest, a sharp pain shooting through her heart—a sign of the backlash from Originium Arts.

"And Faust?"

The Phantom Crossbowmen were silent for a moment. They clutched their camouflage uniforms, which had lost their concealment effect, and sighed, "Faust, in order for us and the others to retreat safely, he... went to stop Mephisto, who had turned into a monster. He said that he would never stop Originium Arts before he died."

Froststar understood what he meant. She had also learned about the current situation of Lungmen from other people and knew about Mephisto's actions.

When exactly did it all begin...? That little boy who shivered in the snow, bravely raising his wooden bow to protect those around him, and that brat who couldn't fall asleep without her lullabies—why did they all turn out like this?

Where exactly did we go wrong?

“Faust, perhaps he wasn’t a good captain, but he was certainly a good soldier,” Frostnova said softly. She quickly rallied and shouted, “From now on, you will follow my orders and fight alongside us! We must ensure the safety of our remaining comrades. This is an innocent disaster, and we cannot afford to lose another one. Go to the sniper positions and wait for orders. Take care of your injuries; we need time.”

"As ordered!"

The Phantom Crossbowmen did not complain about being forced into battle; instead, their fighting spirit was ignited.

This is the kind of battle they want: to protect their fellow countrymen, to safeguard someone, not to die needlessly for Mephisto's selfish desires.

"Notify the infected in Lungmen who have been hunted that there is a way out. We will ensure the safety of our route and will not stand idly by while our compatriots die at the hands of those in black raincoats," Froststar commanded calmly. She had personally witnessed those men in black relentlessly hunting down the residents of the slums, leaping from the ruins to lasso the heads of the infected and pluck them off like fruit.

"Yes!"

Those Reunion survivors who were still able to fight joined in, letting the wounded go first.

If Mephistopheles were present, he would have unhesitatingly used the wounded as shepherds to cover the rear, preserving more manpower.

From a commander's perspective, this was for the sake of the bigger picture. From another perspective... wasn't Mephisto the key factor that led to the Reunion Movement's defeat? What right does he have to command the Reunion Movement's infected?

Compared to dying like a child's play at Mephisto's hands, these Reunion soldiers had more faith in Frostnova's orders.

Protecting their fellow citizens, even those as small as fireflies, they can still shine and give warmth.

“Those people in raincoats are just like the Ursus soldiers…” The Reunion fighters stood guard outside the passage, still shaken. “When I was in the city, I saw civilians from Lungmen come out of a strange white house, and those people in raincoats just killed them. It’s like civilians aren’t obstacles to them, but rather the same targets. I know that Ursus soldiers dare to use naval guns to bombard the upper city!”

“Rather than saying they’re like Ursus, I have a feeling that these people in black raincoats must have a commander very similar to Mephisto. It’s that commander who ordered them to kill anyone they see. To make them obey orders, to slowly wear down their rebellious spirit.” The Yeti squad member standing next to him said in a low voice, because he had watched those people in black raincoats go from hesitant at the beginning to killing without hesitation.

"Whatever, who cares? Isn't this how we all got through it?"

The Reunion warrior looked at the horrifying gash in his breastplate, traced it with his finger, and his fingertip was stained with his comrade's blood.

Those men in black raincoats were incredibly strong; their weapons pierced through his comrades and nearly pinned him to death.

“Those infected people from Lungmen are also in a terrible state. If it weren’t for them, we could be leaving now,” he said softly.