Chapter 1926: with translation of chapter title

Vietnam war zone.

"Father-in-law, rest assured, even if those Third Rank come attacking, I have enough strength to deal with them."

"I, Zhuang Lin, have absolute confidence in protecting our homeland!"

"My wedding with Ruan Yan, please trouble you two to take care of it."

Inside the clean and prosperous Safe Zone, a youth wearing a new wedding suit is full of confidence; as he speaks, he often looks affectionately at the girl beside him.

Completely different from the chaos in various countries, this small border town close to China's border, with low population density, appears so tranquil.

The surrounding guests, hearing the youth's confident promise, couldn't help but clap in unison, praising his sense of responsibility.

"Truly, you are accomplished at a young age, Lord Zhuang Lin; if it weren't for you, we would really be worried sick and unable to sleep. The world is too chaotic; if it weren't for your connection with the Hua Guo military, we really wouldn't dare stay here!"

"Yes, Lord Zhuang Lin, your strength is strong, your background is formidable, and you are so responsible. Having such a future leader is truly our fortune in Kim Bian..."

Zhuang Lin listened to everyone's praise with a faint smile, unfazed by honor or disgrace. But when his gaze swept over his father-in-law, that middle-aged man who exuded authority without anger, his smile turned somewhat unnatural.

He is called Zhuang Lin, a Hua Guo survivor. After the Apocalypse broke out, he remained stranded in the Vietnam war zone, possessing Third Rank peak strength; in this Vietnam war zone, his strength is among the top tier.

With claims of Hua Guo military background and even connections to the high level of the Faction: Long An in external propaganda, he here is like a legend, deeply beloved by the Safe Zone survivors.

His story of how he came here is also being passed around by the people of the Safe Zone as an inspirational tale.

But Zhuang Lin himself knows, all of this is...

"Zhuang Lin, treat my daughter well. Remember every word you said today."

Without waiting for the youth to skillfully network with the high-level figures present, the middle-aged man who had remained silent throughout the engagement ceremony, also the true leader of this Safe Zone, slowly spoke.

Only see Ruan Hongtian deeply glance at the youth whose expression slightly changed, then turn to look at his daughter's protruding belly; in that gaze, it seemed as if too much remained unsaid.

Noticing the hidden meaning in Ruan Hongtian's words, Zhuang Lin's heart jolted; after regaining his composure, he hastily spoke:

"Father-in-law! Rest assured, I, Zhuang Lin, will remember what I said today even if I die! I swear, I will not only protect Ruan Yan with my life, but also safeguard everything we possess! Please entrust it to me!"

"That's good; I hope you follow through on your words."

Ruan Hongtian slightly nodded, forcing a smile onto his stern face, which could be considered approval.

But before he could say anything else, a piercing sound of breaking air suddenly rang out from above the wedding:

"Leader! Not good! A large batch of Third Rank are coming to kill! It's General Ying Bang's gang! They are looting the entire war zone!!"

"Whoosh—Boom!!"

In an instant, almost as this Third Rank desperately flew into the sky, a red light column suddenly shot out from behind him.

With a "Bang," the messenger Third Rank was blown to pieces.

Blood rain mixed with hot innards fell, instantly dyeing the entire wedding scene crimson.

Only see in the distant heavens, four Third Rank peak Awakened Ones, under the leadership of a Fourth Stage, violently charging forth.

"Kill them all!"

"Run! Hurry and run!!"

"Stop!!!"

"Boom! Boom boom! Boom! Boom!"

The violent spiritual energy explosion sounded like simultaneous cannon fire; the originally beautiful wedding scene instantly turned into a hell of flesh and blood.

People scattered and fled, avoiding the army's bombardment; in midair, four figures collided like lightning, emitting piercing cries.

Two versus two, among the attacking army, the Fourth Stage named Ying Bang seemed indifferent to this battle, merely leaving it to his subordinates to resolve.

It is obvious in his eyes that in this Safe Zone, nobody needs him to intervene.

The battle was fierce, and the combat of Third Rank peaks was so fast that victory could be decided in seconds.

In less than ten seconds, a figure instantly had his sword-wielding right hand shattered, falling like a cannonball from the sky. Immediately afterward, another Kim Bian Third Rank let out a miserable cry and exploded in midair.

Not a match! Absolutely not a match!

In the deep pit on the ground, Ruan Hongtian struggled to rise, his heart filled with sorrow. However, before he could angrily gaze upon the ravaged Safe Zone and prepare to charge again desperately,

A figure came running toward him while crying out, instantly causing his face to change dramatically.

That was his daughter, Ruan Yan.

"Run! Daughter, run quickly! Where is Zhuang Lin?! Didn't I tell Zhuang Lin to take you away?!"

"Dad... sob... Zhuang Lin is missing, everyone's dead, Mom too...! I don't want to leave, I want to stay with you...!"

Watching his daughter break down in tears and lunge at him, the man trembled all over, unable to hold back a heaven‑shaking roar; he never imagined that the thing he most dreaded would actually happen!

"Zhuang Lin!!!"

"Don't look back.. I can't look back..!"

In the chaotic Safe Zone, Zhuang Lin fled madly, his face deathly pale; his whole body trembled, and the waves of wailing behind him made his legs feel weak.

He heard people desperately shouting his name, even heard Ruan Hongtian's grief‑filled roar. Everyone was calling him; with his Faction: Long An background, he seemed like the last hope, the one who could stop this crowd!

However, for Zhuang Lin, all of this is fake!

Yes, he doesn't even know the high level of the Faction: Long An, nor is he the strongman who supposedly fought his way up from the bottom in the external propaganda!

He is a liar, a liar whose innate ability can disguise him as a high rank! Not to mention Third Rank peak, his true combat strength is even inferior to Second Level!

He knew that Ruan Hongtian must have long seen through him, but that middle‑aged man, for his daughter's happiness, chose not to expose him. That silent middle‑aged man regarded him as his own son, and everyone, in his lies, satisfied his every demand.

He had thought this lie could go on forever, but he never expected it to shatter so quickly!

"I'm sorry... I can't save you... I really can't save you..."

"I'm trash..! I really have been striving to become stronger, but I can't, I can't!!"