Chapter 195: Accidental Killing

Professor Jing Shiheng's visit dispersed the last lingering shadows in Qin Feng's heart, caused by the domestic turmoil; a single conversation with a wise man strengthened his resolve and revealed the true nature of those obstructing him—mere components of the old era's vast body, twitching in fear.

His focus returned entirely to the final sprint of the "Lingxiao" platform and the revised planning of the "Civilization Tombstone" exploration mission.

Yet, when the tree wishes for stillness, the wind does not cease; just before the "Lingxiao" platform completed all system integration and prepared for its first joint ground test, an urgent communication from the "Zhu Long" Base delivered a shocking and heavy message.

The call came directly from Gao Yuan; his voice carried a faint huskiness—and… guilt.

"Leader, 'Zhu Long' Phase Two member, codename 'Qingluan,' encountered an accident during an overseas 'Cleanup' mission…"

The "Cleanup" mission was a preemptive elimination of small armed factions or intelligence outposts on the periphery marked by the 【Wealth Prediction】 as potential threats to the "New Era," typically carried out by Phase Two members as training.

"What kind of accident?" Qin Feng frowned slightly. With the current strength and equipment of "Zhu Long" members, such accidents should not occur against such minor foes.

Gao Yuan fell silent for a moment, as if organizing his words, then finally forced out two syllables:

"Accidental killing."

"Accidental killing?" Qin Feng's gaze sharpened. "Explain."

"The target was a small drug cartel armed group entrenched in the Golden Triangle, linked to an international middleman who had repeatedly probed for 'New Era' intelligence," Gao Yuan reported quickly. "'Qingluan's' team executed the planned nighttime infiltration and elimination. But during the operation, 'Qingluan'… she locked onto the target's leader when his eight-year-old daughter suddenly ran out from the adjacent room and stood in front of him."

Gao Yuan's voice sank lower: "'Qingluan's' attack had already been launched… it was a High-frequency Blade throw… too late to recall… the girl… died on the spot."

The office fell into a brief, dead silence.

Accidental killing… an eight-year-old girl…

Even Qin Feng felt his heart clench as if gripped by an invisible hand at the news.

He had seen rivers of blood and personally caused countless killings, but involving innocent children—especially through such an "accidental killing"—still induced a visceral unease.

This was not the "Cleanup" he wanted.

"How is 'Qingluan' now?" Qin Feng suppressed his inner turmoil and asked in a low voice.

"Her emotions are extremely unstable; she has sunk into deep self-blame and collapse. She has been forcibly restrained by other team members and is en route back to the Base," Gao Yuan reported, his tone filled with concern. "Leader, this is the first such… serious error since 'Zhu Long's' founding. I bear irrevocable command responsibility; please punish me, Leader!"

Qin Feng did not speak immediately.

He understood Gao Yuan's plea for punishment. A unit striving for absolute elite status and perfection, committing such an accidental killing—especially against a child—would deal a massive blow to morale. For the operator, "Qingluan," it could cause permanent psychological trauma.

But was this merely an "error"?

Qin Feng's gaze grew profound.

Behind it, perhaps lay a latent flaw in "Zhu Long's" current training system—overemphasis on efficiency, precision, and coldness, while lacking adequate response to complex human situations and reverence for the boundaries of power.

The members had been forged into perfect weapons, but weapons have no self-moral judgment.

When mission objectives clash with human instinct, ingrained combat training may override that moment of hesitation, birthing tragedy.

"Punishment can wait," Qin Feng said slowly. "Right now, the priority is handling 'Qingluan's' psychological condition—ensure she does not completely break down. The Base's psychological intervention team must intervene immediately."

"Yes!" Gao Yuan replied.

"Also," Qin Feng paused, his tone carrying a chill, "eradicate that drug cartel completely. I do not wish to hear another word about them."

"Understood!" Gao Yuan knew this was the Leader's rage—and an indirect form of… support for "Qingluan." Since the tragedy had already occurred, let the root cause vanish entirely.

"One more thing," Qin Feng added, his voice quiet yet decisive, "notify all 'Zhu Long' members: suspend all external 'Cleanup' missions."

Gao Yuan blinked in surprise: "Leader, what about those potential threats…"

"Suspend them for now," Qin Feng cut in. "I need to reassess our operational criteria."

"The use of power is not merely to remove obstacles—it must also understand why we remove them, and… where the boundaries of power lie."

"Transmit my order: effective immediately, incorporate 'Extreme Situation Ethical Judgment,' 'Non-combatant Identification and Protection,' and 'Mission Abort Conditions' into 'Zhu Long's' daily training, along with psychological conditioning. You will oversee this personally; I will have the Science Council recommend suitable psychologists and ethicists to assist."

Gao Yuan responded solemnly: "Yes, Leader! I will arrange it immediately!"

After ending the call, Qin Feng stood alone before the office's floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at the distant horizon where sea met sky, yet his heart was anything but calm.

"Accidental killing…"

Those two words were a thorn lodged deep in his heart.

He had devoted himself to forging the strongest force, yet neglected the "heart" that must wield such power.

Power is a double-edged sword—it can expand territory and protect what one holds dear, but even a slight misstep may cause irreversible pain.

This incident had sounded an alarm for him.

"Zhu Long" cannot be merely a mindless blade.

It must possess its own will, its own principles, its own… soul.

He sought to build a guardian force capable of discerning right from wrong, knowing when to advance and when to retreat—not a legion of killing machines.

Thinking of this, he contacted Su Wenqian.

"Sister Su, establish a 'War-Time Civilian Relief Fund' in the name of the 'New Era,' under my authority. Initial funding: ten billion U. S. dollars. Solely for aiding innocent civilians worldwide harmed by conflicts and upheavals, especially women and children."

Though confused, Su Wenqian immediately complied: "Yes, sir."

This could not restore the lost child's life, but it was Qin Feng's stance on such events—and a guide and constraint for "Zhu Long's" future conduct.

Having done this, Qin Feng took a deep breath and temporarily suppressed the weight.

"Accidental killing" was a tragedy, a lesson.

But tragedies and lessons must not halt progress.

He needed greater power—and a more refined heart to control it.

His gaze returned to the vessel about to set sail: "Lingxiao."

Exploring the unknown, breaking limits—perhaps he could find… a way to prevent such tragedies from recurring.

Like more precise detection technology? Like weapons that subdue instantly rather than destroy? Like… secrets beyond life and death?

The road ahead is long.

But the direction must not stray.