Chapter 440: Promises and Lies

Infighting.

Ji Jue was bewildered for a moment.

As if in disbelief, not that he couldn't accept reality, but that he couldn't believe that such a grass-roots situation would appear...

In the face of such massive external pressure, in the face of the overwhelming power of the Church, the insignificant resisters actually started to fight among themselves?

Moreover, the sword point is directed at the strongest combat power currently in the camp...

No, what kind of team-leaving plot is this?

Is the brain okay?

"No, just... really infighting?"

He looked at Bao Dacai. Bao Dacai understood his eyes, and his expression became even more subtle, "Ah, this, probably... hmm, infighting."

The tone was so indifferent, as if this kind of thing was common.

Or, expected.

"Grass-roots is normal."

Bao Dacai lifted his hand, as if subconsciously adjusting his glasses, but didn't touch them, just rubbed his eye socket, a sigh: "After all, the current camp is just a few resistance teams hurriedly merged, the composition is relatively complex, and the time is too short... but..."

Speaking halfway, without beginning or end.

But sometimes, half is enough, Ji Jue understood.

———But at this juncture, Wen Wen suddenly made a decision, and then took the majority of the main force out, racking her brains, sparing no cost to break into the tight encirclement of the angels.

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

Heavy losses, and even implicated the entire camp in the risk of exposure.

"Oh, my pot."

Ji Jue realized, sighed.

To save himself, too many people were lost? To the extent that, unable to suppress the internal backlash and division...

Ji Jue realized, and sighed.

Until, everyone's voice, suddenly stopped.

In the building in the very center of the camp, the door of the conference room opened, and a slender figure walked out from the flickering lights, expressionless.

After a night without sleep, the expression seemed tired, but there was no panic or wavering at all. 【4

Inside the building at the very center of the camp, the door to the conference room swung wide open, and a slender figure walked out step by step from the flickering lights, expressionless.

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

She gazed calmly at everything before her.

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

A mere few words were enough to cause the crowd, which had been nearly boiling over, to fall into a standstill once again.

This level of prestige and the way the hearts of the people turned toward her were already beyond doubt.

It is a pity, however...

"In the end, you are still too soft-hearted, Sister Wen."

Ji Jue sighed lightly.

Admittedly, her open and honest style and her straightforward, decisive personality are also the qualities Ji Jue respects most about her; you never have to worry about her betraying you, never have to fret that she will waver, and she will always appear when you need her, yet she never brings you any trouble...

But unfortunately, such a person can turn the Beishan Group into a warm little nest, yet

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

If it were Ji Jue, why would there be any need to waste breath on such trash?

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

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

"A scene? Who is making a scene? Is it me?"

The man called Lu Ting was furious: "Is it my own stubbornness that caused the camp to lose half its manpower? The camp's most precious combat strength is either dead on the spot, requiring a long resurrection, or has been dragged off to the Rift Realm to suffer for eternity!

And what was the result? You brought back a cripple from who knows where! When it comes down to it, this was all caused by your arbitrary decisions, right?

Don't you think you owe everyone an explanation?!"

"Indeed."

Wen Wen did not waver, answering decisively: "But everyone's sacrifice was valuable."

"Ha! Even now you are unwilling to face reality, still spreading that kind of fairy-tale joke!"

Lu Ting roared, inciting even more righteous indignation among the people: "Linka's brain must be broken to believe you; do you think everyone will believe such an absurd claim!

When it comes down to it, is that a savior or your lover? Are you really treating everyone like fools!"

"Lu Ting————"

In that instant, Wen Wen's expression gradually turned icy: "Some words, once spoken, you should understand what the consequences will be, right?"

If she had previously endured out of guilt as a leader for the losses, now, her fist was clenched uncontrollably.

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

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

a sore spot? Want to make a move? When it comes down to it, besides making a move, you simply... simply have no leadership ability at all, 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 from the very beginning.

But immediately after, he froze in place.

In the sunlight just rising through the morning mist, 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 there were still cracks like stone fissures remaining on it, and the faint light within the cracks flickered, eerie and stern.

Like an idol of a god lowering its gaze from an altar.

Looking down with contempt.

In a moment of hair-raising terror, Lu Ting subconsciously took a step back: "Who are you!"

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

Like a dreamlike bubble.

"I am that cripple you were just talking about."

Ji Jue reached out, patted his shoulder, gently brushed away the non-existent dust for him, and then naturally stepped forward, gave Wen Wen a slight smile, and then 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 others have not seen me, but that doesn't matter."

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

loss and price, I am the only result brought back.

Regarding this point, I am full of gratitude. For everyone's sacrifice, I will likewise not turn a blind eye. That you all could risk life and limb for a stranger without ever having met, as the one being rescued, I am full of gratitude.

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

He paused for a moment 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 paused slightly, then changed, unable to hold back anger and doubt, but before that, they heard the voice from the highest point:

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

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

Immediately following that, 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, and noticing the gazes of those around her, all she could do was nod firmly.

Using her own observations and reputation to provide evidence for Ji Jue's words.

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, only to find that it was like pushing against an iron block, bumping into an iron wall, with absolutely no reaction at all.

"Is playing with your tongue interesting!"

He raised his voice, interrupting Ji Jue, roaring: "It's all absurd lies anyway, it's all just bullshit, whether you killed it or Linka killed it, what's the difference?"

"There is, brother, there is."

Ji Jue was not offended, his smile remained, and even became a bit warmer. It was almost as if he were looking at a naughty child in a classroom, even faintly carrying a bit of doting.

You can actually still deliver yourself to the door to be a straight man for my jokes?

You are truly kind.

It's a pity, 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, pointed to the sky, and then swept across the faces in front of 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 death, a fight to the finish.

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

I promise, as long as you still have the courage to pick up a weapon, as long as you have not yet given up in your hearts, then victory will eventually belong to you!

It will belong to everyone who dares to draw a blade against the so-called gods!"

The resounding words echoed in the silence, reverberating back and forth, the tone so decisive, reaching everyone's ears, yet compared to the bizarre 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 one had truly seen the scene of an angel falling, and could truly touch such a future.

Although it is absurd, he seems to be saying it very seriously; what if it's true? What if...

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

Even the most steadfast person longs to believe in the existence of hope...

So-called faith.

Outside the crowd, Bao Dacai's expression was strange, wanting to speak but stopping: No, why is this routine of yours so familiar? Little brother, you seem to be playing the same routine as the other side...

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

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, felt no anger at her authority being infringed upon, but instead felt a faint sense of relief.

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

Just the Beishan area was enough to keep her overwhelmed, let alone leading all the rebels? If she hadn't had no choice before, she really wouldn't want to carry this burden.

When she stubbornly went to fish Ji Jue out, she had also had thoughts and plans of passing the buck.

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

It was as if, in just 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 his body.

"Fart, it's all fucking fart!!"

He roared hoarsely: "It's all fucking bullshit, that woman Wen Wen, and you, in order to hold onto power, you can say anything, no matter how shameless, even such absurd lies can be told, everyone don't be fooled by him————"

"Hmm, indeed."

Ji Jue nodded decisively, full of approval.

Causing him to 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, when it comes down to it, isn't it simple to verify whether it's true or not?"

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

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

Hesitating for a moment, stiffly.

"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 simply..."

Lu Ting subconsciously wanted to retort, 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 here representing everyone!"

"Then what are you waiting for?!"

Ji Jue grinned, gripped his hand, and issued an invitation with enthusiasm: "Since you are representing everyone, then 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 plaything in a few words, completely a straw bag, but besides this straw bag, where else can one find such a useful tool?

Fortunately, it is already enough.

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

That plain face suddenly grinned.

The palm hidden behind his back clenched silently.

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 shockwaves, countless fragments sprayed out like a storm.

In an instant, the square was filled with wailing; who knows how many people were lifted by the impact and fell, severed limbs and bones flying everywhere; even if it is a dream where death does not exist, the pain highlights its cruelty all the more.

Scarlet blood, minced meat, bones, and even heads fell like rain.

In an instant, the peaceful camp turned into hell!

At that very moment, Wen Wen's expression changed drastically.

Because in front of Ji Jue, the sluggish Lu Ting suddenly... began to swell up like a balloon, his face still retaining confusion and doubt, as if he didn't know what had happened at all.

Just like a balloon, he burst open.

Amidst the flying flesh and blood, a severed head was being 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, a strange smile appeared, and in the hollow pupils, brilliant golden light emerged.

"Bliss... bliss..."

Lu Ting's face murmured sluggishly, immersed in the wonderful heavenly kingdom he had once experienced, tentacles dancing in wild joy.

A faint halo rose from the top of his head.

So holy.

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

Unfortunately, it was already too late.

Because...

Ji Jue had already taken action himself.

Crack!

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

Under the entanglement of the tentacles, that face with cracks gradually curled into a smile, so happy.

Just in time...

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

It's just a pity that the occasion is wrong and the tools are too lacking; 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, intending to swallow Ji Jue completely into its belly, 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, at a speed visible to the naked eye, rapidly collapsing inward, as if a black hole had suddenly appeared in its body, devouring 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 the spiritual quality hand faintly revealed from the steel hand!

"Wha..."

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

The sudden explosion and attack didn't seem to shake his focus; in fact, the moment the explosion occurred, he skillfully tripped the bewildered Yu Shu to the ground to

prevent a flying brick from instantly blowing the head off Dr. Yu.

At this moment, he was focused entirely on all the changes in the field.

He could no longer care about anything else.

In his murky eyes, the changes in the bubbles that are hard for ordinary people to see were reflected, and all kinds of brilliant rainbow lights were wrapped around Ji Jue's hands, rising fiercely like flames!

At every moment, it was eroding this dream, rolling 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..."

Only a few short hours, no, even earlier!

If what Linka said was correct, from the moment he woke up less than ten minutes ago, he had already instinctively touched the crucial composition of this illusion, and even the core elements, without any hints or information...

—————【Awakening】!