Chapter 185: So-Called Holy (2.5 in 1)
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“Fei Long is the traitor.”
That was the first thing Aber uttered and his words echoed throughout the entire Hope Barrier. All the warriors in line heard him. The Purple Moon Warriors had a skill called ‘Warcry’ which Aber used to give his speech.
Right after his words subsided, a bolt of lightning flashed across the dark sky, followed by a deafening thunderclap. No one spoke. The abrupt news was as shocking as the lightning and thunder in the sky. Everyone was frightened to the core and could not even react properly.
However, Aber did not plan to give the warriors time to digest the news as he continued, “And it’s more than just Fei Long. Safety Sector No. 17 has rotted to its core for a long time. Even if the castellan is back, there’s no stopping the corrupted plague from spreading further. That is what caused the battle today, the Underground race, who we have suppressed with countless lives of our own warriors, launched an invasion at us, breaking the balance that we’ve maintained for so long.
“They have broken through the underground defense line that we’ve put up for many years. They sent their troops to the surface and want to invade Safety Sector No. 17. They desire to take the Universal Source Rock for themselves.
“I’m not joking. What do you think the Purple Moon Warriors are doing? Why are they not on the battlefield? It’s because they are underground, defending a very important underground pa.s.s.
“It has all come down to this and there’s no reason for me to keep the secret anymore. The underground pa.s.s that they are stationed in is right under the crevice in front of the Hope Barrier. It is known as Sector R and is as big as a human village, a safety village to be exact.
“Our troops actually have the advantage to defeat them and force them back, but Sector R has three important war pa.s.sages that connect to other bigger sectors. We dared not risk breaking the balance. All we’ve done is station Purple Moon Warriors in all three pa.s.sages and try our best to contain the situation.
“It has almost been a hundred years since the Purple Moon Warriors have been stationed there. Minor conflicts that have happened at times cost us the lives of the Purple Moon Warriors, but because of their sacrifice, we are able to build the Hope Barrier and provide the safety sector with a stable source of food. The population of the safety sector grew bigger and stronger, eventually becoming a qualified shelter in this dangerous era.
“However, there is someone who isn’t moved by the sacrifices made. He’s betrayed us. No, to be more precise, he and the organization behind him that is greedy for benefits have betrayed us. I can only reveal so much: Fei Long is the one tasked with the mission last month. He was supposed to be on duty at the pa.s.sages, but somehow he lost one of the pa.s.sages to the Underground race. A dozen more Purple Moon Warriors who should’ve guarded the pa.s.sages with their lives fled, and Fei Long himself…Hmph! The general captain of the Purple Moon Warriors was held captive by the Underground!” Aber finally stopped. There was sadness on his face together with a withered sense of justice. He glanced over every warrior in the Patrol Ground in distress.
Kakrooom!
The thunder got louder and the rain got heavier. The atmosphere was so dense that it almost blurred out everyone’s sight.
No one said a word. What should they say? Fei Long, a traitor? How could they accept such a claim?
Fei Long was once known as the living prodigy of Safety Sector No. 17, the youngest Purple Moon captain and the brightest gem when he was young. He put his life on the line countless times for the safety sector. He was kind and never aggrandize himself, yet he was being called a traitor?
The news was utter despair to the people. It was more devastating than knowing that the Underground race had invaded the safety sector.
If Fei Long really was a traitor, what else could the people believe? The b.l.o.o.d.y battle that the warriors fought on the battlefield started to become a joke filled with irony.
Aber grinned coldly as if he was sneering at the other traitors who looked up to Fei Long as their leader. Tang Ling also revealed an ironic grin. Who else was a better actor than Aber? Every gaze, every expression, and every action that he made was filled with professionalism.
Aber was the one who allied his family with the Underground race, yet he was labeling the innocent Fei Long as a traitor.
I bet the Agnes family’s reputation will soar to the peak after this. What else can Aber say? Bunch of bulls.h.i.+t…Fei Long…
Fei Long had always been kind to Tang Ling, so the slander of his name today was not a joke. Tang Ling wondered how Fei Long was doing. He looked at Yang Kong, hoping for a hint.
Yang Kong, however, lowered his head, s.h.i.+elding his face from the people. Still, Tang Ling somehow knew that Yang Kong was calm even after Aber slandered Fei Long. As the closest person to Fei Long, Yang Kong must have known something to be able to remain this calm.
Unfortunately, Tang Ling could not voice his question out loud.
Everyone else in the Fierce Dragon Squad looked at Tang Ling worriedly. Everyone in the Hope Barrier, or at least the First Reserved Camp, knew that Tang Ling was under Fei Long’s protection. What would happen to Tang Ling? If Aber labeled Tang Ling as a traitor, none of the Fierce Dragon Squad would believe such a claim.
The rain wetted the brim of his cap. He was very calm at the moment. He even sensed the anxious gaze from Vian, so he replied to her with a warm smile.
This would be the end. Regardless of how it would eventually turn out, after the farce ended, the close relations.h.i.+p between Tang Ling and his friends would come to an end after today, would it not?
Tang Ling glanced over at the left forest. He had a feeling that he would miss the forest a lot after today.
As the rain continued its downpour, Castellan Worf placed his hands on the window. His eyes glanced over the entire battlefield and eventually stopped at the right forest.
With his strength, Fei Long must have gone through the forest by now. The forest should be temporarily safe, but the Herrocky Mountains were dangerous. His best chance of survival would be carving a b.l.o.o.d.y path through the mountain ridges and safely reaching the Darkness Port.
From there on, would he discard his ident.i.ty as Fei Long, change his name, and become a real Dark Freeman? Or would he brand the insult he received today and return to Safety Sector No. 17 with a vengeance in his own name to clear his reputation with the wrath of blood and fire?
It would be all up to him.
“Castellan, so is this your choice?” Zorwen sounded a little shaken. He and the castellan, his friend and his brother-in-arms for more than 40 years, had just been through the most insulting negotiation ever.
They acknowledged Fei Long as the traitor, and in exchange for his reputation, those despicable b.a.s.t.a.r.ds would spare Fei Long that day.
Worf had agreed to the terms.
The castellan was a man with dignity and strong manners, yet after those despicable b.a.s.t.a.r.ds left, he looked 10 years older and thoroughly exhausted. He said to Zorwen, “Throughout history, someone has to play the role of a target, taking all the insults. I’m the target now, old friend. Can you understand what I’m doing? I’m a man that needs a goal and a vision in everything I do. I can take all the insults, but I cannot go against my beliefs, and I found that my belief is to protect. I am protecting him. Can you understand?”
Zorwen understood the castellan’s bitterness. It was the castellan’s own choice after all.
******
Fei Long was sprinting madly in the rainy right forest. He did not have his glorious Purple Moon armor with him, not even the signature purple uniform. He was only wearing a normal battle uniform.
He wept. How many years had it been? Fei Long started to forget how it was like to cry. He should not be crying though, especially today, yet he could not control his tears.
It must be the rain.
Further away at the Hope Barrier, Aber was using his Warcry, which was unique to the Purple Moon Warriors, to give his speech and Fei Long heard what he said, on and off.
Fei Long hated himself for having such impeccable hearing. He once took pride in his outstanding senses, yet he hated them more than ever now.
“Fei Long is a traitor.”
“…there is someone who isn’t moved by the sacrifices made. He betrayed us…”
Ugh! Helpless and painful whimpers came from Fei Long’s tightly clenched mouth.
G.o.dd.a.m.nit, didn’t I promise myself to not cry?
“We’ve been adopted by Safety Sector No. 17.” Anxiety had been apparent on Yang Kong’s face back then.
“Safety Sector No. 17? What is that? Is that a good place?” Fei Long had been a bold child, and all he thought about was finally getting a place to settle down.
“I don’t know, but Mother Muen wouldn’t lie to us. She will find a warm place for us where we can live a good life.” Yang Kong had hugged his knees. He was not exactly speaking to Fei Long. Instead, it had been self-comfort talking. A warm place? Yeah, a warm place.
Castellan Worf had still been young while Safety Sector No.17 back then had been filled with hope and laughter.
Fei Long grew up there. He became what the people called a genius. He protected the safety sector with his initial hope and ideals.
Unfortunately, things started to change. When did it start? Since when did he learn how to compromise and forget himself, forget what he held in his heart from the very start?
Was it karma that struck him? Being labeled as the traitor of Safety Sector No.17 in a day filled with insults and irony, he was now running away for his life in the ugliest way possible.
Did he expect such a day back then when things had not been as bleak?
“Aaaargh!” Fei Long punched a Level 1 mutated beast that jumped on him, smas.h.i.+ng it to bits. The blood splashed all over him together with the rain, but it was not enough to vent his emotions. His tears were weak. He was weak to the point that he hated himself!
Yang Kong, you have to live on in the safety sector, and Thuja, and the others…All the orphans who were left in the safety sector back then…
Will all of you believe me?
The more the thoughts came into his mind, the fiercer he cried.
Fei Long ran even faster. He still had not forgotten who he really was. He thought he was compromising to protect his initial beliefs, but it was not that. There was no such thing as compromising in this era, only the iron-blooded will that would never yield!
Yang Kong…Yang Kong! You must, you must*, stay in the safety sector. Don’t forget about Tang Ling. Even though there’s only one in ten-thousandth of a chance, don’t forget about him!*
That was it, Tang Ling! Fei Long wiped his tears away as the name lit an ember of hope in his heart.
It was not one in ten-thousandth of a chance. It was a hundred percent!
Because that man had once been known as Tang Feng!
******
“Tang Ling.” Yang Kong lifted his head up and saw the smile Tang Ling was showing Vian.
What a wonderful kid. He always calms people down and reminds me of that man…How can I not?
It’s actually very arrogant of that man, isn’t it? I mean he didn’t even change his surname, Tang, so he must be the man’s son, isn’t he? It’s just that everyone’s unease stopped them from thinking in that direction.
Yang Kong glanced over at the right forest after he muttered the kid’s name in his heart, and felt peace.
Aber’s insolent performance was still going on. Coupled with his powerful ‘Warcry’, the provocative speech continued to invoke different thoughts in people.
“Safety Sector No. 17 is facing its greatest danger yet. Indeed, it is rotten to the core because of some maggots, but there are some who are unwilling to give up just yet! It is us, the Agnes family, and you, every one of you who is present today!
“The purge is happening in the safety sector to remove all the potential alliance of the traitor. We, the Agnes family, rise in the face of danger and ought to return its clarity!
“As for the Hope Barrier? Behold, the leader of the Agnes family, Clyne Agnes! I believe every one of you has seen him before, or at least, has heard of him. He once again dons the armor of the Purple Moon despite being 90 years old, and now, we have come back, with Purple Moon Warriors!
“I will entrust the battle on the surface to all of you while we go down to the underground and put a stop to their invasion. I, Aber Agnes, will lead the Purple Moon Warriors and the First Reserved Camp underground to seal off the main pa.s.sages. Today, we, Safety Sector No. 17 will win this war!” Aber raised his hand in the end as his emotions surged. His voice was loud and almost fanatical as he boosted the spirit of the warriors.
His high tension together with his Warcry aroused the battle intent in everyone. All the other warriors started to resonate in their own battle cry. “The safety sector must win!”
While the surge of emotions infected everyone like endless waves, Yang Kong reacted sourly. He ran into a command tent in the Patrol Ground to get a loudspeaker. He then shouted with all his might, “Lord Aber, I have a question. Why is the First Reserved Camp tasked to follow you into Sector R? They aren’t…”
Yang Kong was taking a huge risk with his loud question because everyone knew he and Fei Long were close. Even if he was right, what he said at the moment would attract doubt and hatred.
Aber remained as he was. He did not say anything to pressure Yang Kong just because the latter was close to Fei Long. With a glum expression, Aber studied Yang Kong before he glanced at the other warriors and said, “I, for one, do not want the First Reserved Camp to be on this mission, but under current circ.u.mstances, there are no other independent elite warriors or even a squadron stronger than the First Reserved Camp, other than the Purple Moon Warriors. There are three pa.s.sages waiting for us to seal underground and half of the Purple Moon Warriors are still stationed in Safety Sector No. 17.
“Please be understanding, the purge is nothing but pain. If there isn’t a strong defense force stationed in the safety sector, the very place that we vowed to protect will be toppled over from the inside out. We need manpower, we need brave and capable manpower. Do you understand that, Yang Kong?” Aber even showed a helpless and impatient expression at the end.
At that very moment, Andrew stepped up and said loudly, “The Summit Squad of the First Reserved Camp is willing and ready to follow the Purple Moon Warriors into Sector R.”
With Andrew taking a side, all the other squadrons of the First Reserved Camp started to follow.
Tang Ling remained calm as always, but Amir stepped up amidst the situation. He said loudly, “The Fierce Dragon Squad of the First Reserved Camp is willing and ready to follow the Purple Moon Warriors into Sector R.”
“Amir?” Christina was shocked as she turned to Amir. She was also aroused by the hot-blooded speech even though she did not believe that Fei Long was the traitor. However, she was surprised as to why Amir would be the one who stepped up to take a side? Was Tang Ling not the leader of the squad?
Amir was calm and steady as he looked at everyone else and said, “Captain Fei Long’s matters aside, I’m just thinking that we needed more credits, especially Tang Ling.”
“Amir, you…” Christina grabbed Amir’s sleeve gratefully. He looked down awkwardly.
Amir’s action reminded everyone that rather than being worried about Tang Ling and doing nothing to help him, they might as well follow the majority and fight for war credits. It might be enough to protect Tang Ling.
Tang Ling slightly heaved a breath of relief as he was moved. He looked at Amir with a grateful gaze. “Thank you. I thought…”
“I never disliked you, not even once. I mean what I said.” Amir looked at Tang Ling with a serious gaze before he added, “Remember what I said.”
“Yeah, I got that.” Tang Ling nodded.
He once suspected Amir, but he was unwilling to go with the idea. It would be much more painful to think that way than know that he himself was targeted by the conspiracy behind all this because he viewed Amir as a friend, as one of the Fierce Dragon Squad.
It was nothing but bad news all day. Only Amir’s comforting words eased the lousy day slightly for Tang Ling.
“Thank you, thank you, young New Moon Warriors!” Aber was moved by the reaction. He then added loudly, “New Moon Warriors are our hope. Their hot-blooded spirit has ushered them to stand up bravely. We Purple Moon Warriors must do something in return!”
As he spoke, Aber unlocked a buckle at his waist.
Pak!
The tactical movement disk that he was carrying was removed.
“First, Second, and Third Purple Moon Units, remove your tactical movement disks,” Aber said loudly.
All the Purple Moon Warriors followed his orders and removed the tactical movements disks on them.
“As you all know, the most important equipment of a Purple Moon Warrior, the tactical movement disk, is considered a precious resource in Safety Sector No. 17. Due to its expensive cost and limited amount, a new disk is only made whenever a new Purple Moon Warrior appears.
“We really can’t fork out more of the tactical movement disks right now, but it’s still a piece of crucial lifesaving equipment and is the best support in our battle. Now, the tactical movement disks of the Purple Moon Warriors are handed to the New Moon Warriors because all of you are the hope of Safety Sector No. 17!” The moment Aber’s words subsided, the whole Hope Barrier was flooded with thunderous applause.
Aber continued, “Purple Moon Warriors, disengage the voice lock of your disks. Let it register a second voice to aid the New Moon Warriors in battle. New Moon Warriors of the First Reserved Camp, listen up! Leaders of the respective squadrons, please come forward and take the tactical movement disks for your squad.”
“Yes, Sir!” Everyone in the First Reserved Camp replied in unison.
Andrew lowered his head slightly as a maniacal smile flashed over his face before he recovered and showed a solemn look as he walked forward to take the disks. All the other leaders, including Amir, followed Andrew to take the so-called holy tactical movement disks.
Tang Ling watched over everything with a cold gaze.
Going underground? Was it another part of the conspiracy or scheme? Or was it a show?
With limited information at hand, he failed to provide an accurate answer at the moment.