Chapter 421: Promises and Lies

Infighting.

Ji Jue was dazed for a moment.

It was as if he found it hard to believe—not that he couldn't accept reality, but that he couldn't believe such a makeshift situation would actually occur...

Facing such immense external pressure, in the face of the overwhelming power of the Cult, the insignificant rebels were actually starting to fight among themselves?

And the sword was pointed directly at the strongest combat power currently in the camp...

No, what kind of "kicked out of the party" plot is this?

Is their brain okay?

"No, really... is it really infighting?"

He looked at Bao Dacai. Bao Dacai understood his gaze, and his expression became even more subtle, "Ah, this, I suppose so... yes, infighting."

The tone was so indifferent, as if this sort of thing happened often.

Or perhaps, he had long expected it.

"A makeshift setup is normal."

Bao Dacai raised his hand, as if subconsciously adjusting his glasses, but didn't find them, so he could only rub his eye sockets with a soft sigh: "After all, the current camp is just a hasty merger of several resistance teams. The composition is complex, and the time has been too short... and Miss Wen acts most fairly, never hiding anything, and never keeping gains to herself, which is why she was elected as the leader.

If there had been more time, perhaps it could have stabilized, but unfortunately..."

He spoke only half a sentence, without beginning or end.

But sometimes, half was enough. Ji Jue understood.

—Unfortunately, at this critical juncture, Wen Wen suddenly made a decision on her own, and then took most of the main force out, painstakingly and at all costs, breaking into the angel's tight

encirclement.

As a result, they dug a crippled human-stick out of a meteorite that fell from the sky and returned in a sorry state.

The losses were heavy, and it even implicated the entire camp in the risk of exposure.

"Oh, my fault then."

Ji Jue realized and sighed.

Did they lose too many people to fish me out? To the point where she couldn't suppress the internal backlash and division...

At this moment, Ji Jue stood by the window, quietly watching face after face, distinguishing their expressions: the anger of losing loved ones, the hatred of betrayed trust, the dazed hesitation, and even more, the unease of not knowing the path ahead...

Until, everyone’s voices suddenly stalled.

In the building at the very center of the camp, the door to the conference room swung open, and a slender figure stepped out from the flickering lights, expressionless.

After a night without sleep, her expression seemed weary, yet there was no panic or wavering.

She gazed calmly at everything before her.

Finally, her gaze fell on the person at the very front of the crowd, the one standing at the highest point shouting, and she asked coldly: "Lu Ting, have you finished making a scene?"

Just a few words were enough to make the crowd, which had been almost boiling, fall into a standstill again.

This prestige and the direction of the people's hearts were already beyond doubt.

The pity is...

"Ultimately, she is still too soft-hearted, Sister Wen."

Ji Jue sighed softly.

Admittedly, her open and bright style and straightforward personality were also what Ji Jue respected most about her. You never have to worry about her betraying you, never have to worry about her wavering; she will always appear when you need her, yet she will never bring you any trouble...

But unfortunately, such a person can turn the North Mountain Group into a warm little nest, but

it is difficult to suppress the hearts of people wavering under the crisis of life and death.

If it were Ji Jue, why would he need to waste words with this kind of trash?

I thought it was a speed bump; Coastal Industry isn't easy either.

If you have something to say, go talk to my underground assembly line!

"Making a scene? Who is making a scene, me?"

The man called Lu Ting was furious: "Did I act on my own and lose half the camp's manpower? The camp's most precious combat power either died on the spot and needs a long time to regenerate, or was captured and taken to the Edge Prison to suffer for eternity!

And what was the result? You brought back a cripple from who knows where! Ultimately, this was all caused by your arbitrary actions, right?

Don't you think you should give everyone an explanation?!"

"Indeed."

Wen Wen didn't waver and answered decisively: "But everyone's sacrifice is valuable."

"Ha! Even now you still refuse to recognize reality, still spreading that kind of Arabian Nights joke!"

Lu Ting roared, inciting more people to indignation: "Linka’s brain must be broken to believe you. Do you think everyone will believe such an absurd statement!

Ultimately, is that a savior or your lover? Are you really treating everyone like fools!"

"Lu Ting—"

At that moment, Wen Wen’s expression gradually turned cold: "Some words, once spoken, you should understand what the consequences will be, right?"

If before, she had endured as a leader out of guilt for the losses, now, her fists were clenched uncontrollably.

A shattering sound rang out, as if the air were wailing.

Lu Ting subconsciously took a step back, then his expression turned mocking: "What's wrong, did I hit

your sore spot? Want to make a move? Ultimately, aside from making a move, you have absolutely... absolutely no leadership ability, right? Others might be stupid enough to... fear you, but I... but I... what the hell are you doing?! Stop patting!"

Lu Ting turned his head in annoyance, glaring at the figure who had been patting his shoulder non-stop since the beginning.

But immediately after, he froze in place.

In the sunlight just rising in the dawn, a pitch-black shadow loomed over his head.

The newcomer’s body was towering, like a mountain range.

That handsome face was so young, yet on the face remained cracks like stone seams, the faint light within the cracks flickering, eerie and solemn.

Like a god’s idol looking down from the altar.

Looking down with contempt.

In the instant of hair-raising horror, Lu Ting subconsciously took a step back: "Who are you!"

Then, he saw the smile on that face, so warm, so gentle.

Like a dream bubble.

"I am that cripple you just mentioned."

Ji Jue reached out, patted his shoulder, gently brushed off the non-existent dust for him, and then naturally stepped forward. After smiling slightly at Wen Wen, he stepped up the stairs, replacing Lu Ting’s position.

Standing in front of everyone.

He turned back and looked at those unfamiliar faces.

He grinned.

"Hello everyone, I am Ji Jue. Perhaps some of you have heard of me, and many haven't seen me, but that doesn't matter."

He said slowly: "Yes, that's right, just as you know, the only result brought back after paying such a heavy

loss and price.

Regarding this, I am grateful. I will not turn a blind eye to everyone’s sacrifice either. That you all could risk your lives for a stranger without ever having met, as the one being rescued, I am grateful.

However, before that, I must clarify one point—"

He paused and said solemnly and straightforwardly: "The rumors in the camp are actually wrong. I have never killed any angel."

In the brief silence, everyone’s expressions stalled slightly, then changed, unable to hold back anger and questioning, but before that, they heard the voice from the highest point:

"Because the one who truly made the move was not me. The one who truly pulled the trigger on the angel, the one who truly killed the angel, was Linka."

The roar at the end of the dead silence didn't even have time to rise before it was suppressed again by those gentle words.

Immediately after, there was uncontrollable whispering, suspicion, confusion, and even scrutiny.

In the crowd, Linka’s face flushed with excitement. She wanted to speak but couldn't. Noticing the gazes of those around her, all she could do was nod firmly.

Providing evidence for Ji Jue’s words with her own observations and reputation.

Face after face changed slightly, not noticing that the focus had quietly shifted from the losses brought by Wen Wen to whether or not the angel had died.

Only Lu Ting was furious, struggling to push Ji Jue away, but found that it was like pushing against an iron block, hitting an iron wall, with absolutely no reaction at all.

"Is playing with words interesting!"

He raised his voice, interrupting Ji Jue, roaring: "Both are absurd lies, it’s all just bullshit anyway. Whether you killed it or Linka killed it, what’s the difference?"

"There is, brother, there is."

Ji Jue didn't take offense, his smile remained, even becoming a bit warmer. It was as if he were looking at a naughty child in class, even carrying a hint of doting.

You can actually deliver yourself to be a straight man?

You are really good.

Unfortunately, this brain can basically say goodbye to rebellion; he is purely a tool man.

"This can only prove one thing."

Ji Jue raised a finger, pointing to the sky, then swept across the faces before him: "I can make Linka do it, and likewise, I can make anyone here do it, no matter who it is—you, you, or you...

Anyone here, from now on, will be able to pick up a weapon and truly fight their enemies to the end, a life-and-death struggle.

I will bring a turning point, I will bring real change—

I guarantee, as long as you still have the courage to pick up a weapon, as long as you haven't given up in your hearts, then victory will eventually belong to you!

Belong to everyone who dares to draw their blades against the so-called gods!"

The resounding words echoed in the silence, reverberating back and forth. The tone was so decisive, reaching everyone’s ears, yet compared to the inconceivable descriptions in the rumors, it was completely different.

When looking at that face with a gentle smile, one inexplicably felt an unprecedented sense of peace and stability, as if they had really seen the scene of an angel falling, and could really touch that kind of future.

Although it was absurd, he seemed to be saying it very seriously. What if it were true? What if...

Longing to believe, longing for release, longing for the long suffering to have an end.

Even the most determined people long to believe in the existence of hope...

So-called faith.

Outside the crowd, Bao Dacai’s expression was strange, stopping mid-sentence: No, why is this set of yours so familiar? Little brother, you seem to be playing the same set as the other side...

But what does it matter if it's the same set?

As long as it works!

At this moment, when the focus of the crowd shifted to Ji Jue, listening to that absurd and bizarre promise, Wen Wen, as the leader, had no anger at her authority being infringed upon; instead, she felt a faint sense of relief.

If the scene weren't inappropriate, she would immediately call for someone to bring the yellow clothes up to drape over Mr. Ji.

Just the North Mountain area was enough to give her a headache, let alone leading all the rebels? If she hadn't had no choice before, she really didn't want to carry this burden.

When she acted on her own to fish Ji Jue out, she hadn't lacked the thought and plan of passing the buck.

Amidst the fluttering whispers, only Lu Ting looked around in astonishment, finally feeling that something was wrong.

It was as if, just in a blink of an eye, he had fallen into some trap... and when those eyes containing a smile looked at him, he couldn't help but feel a chill all over.

"Fart, it’s all fucking fart!!"

He roared hoarsely: "It’s all just bullshit. That woman Wen Wen, and you, in order to hold onto power, can say anything shameless. Even such absurd lies can be told. Everyone, don't be fooled by him—"

"Hmm, indeed."

Ji Jue nodded decisively, full of approval.

Making him freeze in place once again, dumbfounded.

"From the perspective of others, this suspicion and possibility cannot be ruled out. After all, if it were someone else, having caused such heavy losses, in order to protect the power in their hands, perhaps even more exaggerated and outrageous things could be done."

Ji Jue sighed: "However, ultimately, isn't it very simple to verify whether it's true or not?"

He paused, looking at the rare talent delivered to his door, and suddenly suggested: "As long as you go with me to slaughter a so-called 'angel', won't that be it?"

Lu Ting was sluggish, as if he hadn't reacted.

He hesitated for a moment, stiff.

"Don't look back."

Ji Jue reminded him considerately: "At this time, absolutely do not look back. If you let everyone discover who you are looking at, wouldn't that just show that you are just a rotten pawn pushed to the front?"

"You fart, I didn't..."

Lu Ting subconsciously wanted to refute, but was coldly interrupted by Ji Jue: "It’s a pity, in my opinion... with your intelligence, you haven't reached the level of being able to contact all the dissatisfied people overnight while the camp is suffering losses, and then incite everyone."

Lu Ting roared: "I am representing everyone here!"

"Then what are you waiting for?!"

Ji Jue grinned, gripped his hand tightly, and issued an invitation with enthusiasm: "Since you are representing everyone, what is there to hesitate about?

—Now, immediately, right away, let’s set off!"

Lu Ting’s neck couldn't help but want to turn back.

Unfortunately, he only saw a cold face in the crowd.

A silent sigh.

A useless thing, manipulated into a toy in just a few words, completely a straw bag, but aside from this straw bag, where else can I find such an easy-to-use tool?

Fortunately, it’s already enough.

As a smokescreen, gathering so many people here, and even drawing out that guy...

That ordinary face suddenly grinned.

The palm hidden behind his back gripped tightly.

In an instant, the earth shook, a roar erupted, and around the square, a shed erupted in flames without warning. Amidst the explosion, flames, and air waves, countless fragments sprayed out like a storm.

In an instant, the square was filled with wailing. I don't know how many people were lifted by the impact and fell. Severed limbs and broken bones flew everywhere. Even if it were a dream where death didn't exist, the pain made its cruelty even more prominent.

Scarlet blood, broken flesh, bones, and even heads fell like rain.

In an instant, the peaceful camp turned into hell!

At that moment, Wen Wen’s expression changed drastically.

Because in front of Ji Jue, the sluggish Lu Ting suddenly... expanded like a balloon. His face still retained confusion and doubt, as if he didn't know what had happened at all.

Like a balloon, he burst open.

Amidst the flying flesh and blood, a severed head was pulled by eerie tentacles, as if some monster had hatched inside the body, mutating rapidly.

Eerie tentacles like those of a squid suddenly spread out, entangling Ji Jue’s body, tightening rapidly, revealing the ferocious mouthparts in the center.

Yet, on that mutated head, an eerie smile appeared, and bright golden light emerged in the hollow pupils.

"Bliss... Bliss..."

Lu Ting’s face murmured sluggishly, immersed in the beautiful heaven he had once experienced, tentacles dancing in ecstasy.

A faint halo rose from the top of his head.

So divine.

Wen Wen’s expression changed drastically, and she rushed forward.

Unfortunately, it was too late.

Because...

Ji Jue had already made a move himself.

Click!

A tooth-aching sound of metal friction emerged from Ji Jue’s body, sparks flying, as if it had bitten into an iron lump, almost breaking a mouthful of teeth.

Entangled by tentacles, that face with cracks gradually curled into a smile, so pleasant.

Just in time...

The preciousness of the material has now increased by so much!

It’s just a pity that the occasion is wrong, and the tools are too few. In any case, let’s try it first, those things I felt before, and the techniques I realized because of them...

Boom!

The massive monster suddenly expanded, reversed, and its mouthparts expanded, wanting to swallow Ji Jue completely, but before that, its movements suddenly stiffened.

As if frozen, and then, it was as if it had been gripped by an invisible palm!

It twisted rapidly, collapsing inward at a speed visible to the naked eye, as if a black hole had suddenly appeared in its body, eating its body from the inside out.

No matter how it struggled.

Unfortunately, there was no black hole.

But there was something more terrifying than a black hole pressing on its body—an extended steel mechanical arm, and even a hand of spiritual quality faintly appearing from the steel hand!

"Wha..."

Outside the chaotic crowd, the old man watching quietly from afar, the craftsman who called himself Bao Dacai, widened his eyes at that moment.

The sudden explosion and attack didn't seem to shake his focus. Even at the moment the explosion occurred, he skillfully threw and tripped the dumbfounded Yu Shu to the ground to

prevent a flying brick from blowing the doctor's head off instantly.

At this moment, he was fully focused, watching every change in the field.

He couldn't care about anything else.

In his muddy eyes, the changes in the bubbles that were hard for ordinary people to see were reflected, and various brilliant rainbow lights were entangled on Ji Jue’s hands, rising like flames!

Constantly eroding this dream, rolling and expanding outward, devouring everything.

No, it wasn't being devoured, it was being covered!

Covered over reality.

No matter how dim his old eyes were, it was impossible not to distinguish the difference.

Precisely because of this, he was so uncomposed.

"Truly terrifying, this talent..."

It had only been a few hours, no, even earlier!

If what Linka said was correct, within ten minutes of waking up, without any hints or information, he had instinctively touched the crucial composition of this illusion, and even the core elements...

———【Awakening】!