Chapter 541

Inside the hall at this moment.

Dense gunfire and various roars echoed.

As the City Lord Mo Gen stumbled and fell, the City Defense Army Commander responsible for hall protection, who at first glance looked like a loyalist, Wei Ke Duo, immediately drew his pistol from its holster and pulled the trigger at Sui Yang, who had killed Cha Er Si.

The remaining twenty City Defense Army soldiers, as well as the two heavy tri‑bodies, all raised their weapons and launched an attack on Sui Yang and Sui Yue.

Ma Ke, in the first instant, extended his right arm, grabbed the somewhat dazed Ran Bing with one hand, and quickly pulled her out of the firefight range.

Jing Nan and the other management and research personnel also all lay on the ground to avoid being accidentally injured by the City Defense Army.

"Sect Leader!! Heretic! I will make you pay with your life!!"

Moreover, the Senior Light Shadow Cultist (Light Bearer Fan Di) who had come to the hall together with Cha Er Si, wearing a special mask and a slit cheongsam, heedlessly charged at Sui Yang like a madman.

But…

More than twenty carried out concentrated fire, yet it was utterly ineffective against these two, who were only equipped with simple armor and not yet qualified to wear tungsten steel armor or wield Thor's hammer—Astate recruits.

Because the live‑ammunition weapons on the lighthouse, even if they were three or four times the speed of sound, still lay within the Astate's reaction and perception range.

Furthermore, within just a few seconds, if even one‑tenth of the hundreds of bullets fired managed to hit Sui Yang and Sui Yue, it would already be a relief.

And of that one‑tenth, the vast majority were blocked or neutralized by the simple armor; the small portion that did manage to pierce the training uniform could not penetrate or pierce the recruits' "hard skin".

The current G gland, after research and analysis by Umbrella and the plague doctor on Kryptonians, also "stored" information on reacting to a yellow dwarf star.

From qualifying candidate, to completing the G gland implantation, to finishing the full modification surgery and becoming a quasi‑reserve recruit, this process takes three years.

Three years.

As they developed and grew, the recruits stationed at Luna Base could obtain ample radiation from the sun, thereby also gaining preliminary "steel‑reinforced bones" and "hard skin".

Therefore, as previously stated, only a 12mm caliber Gauss magnetic nail bullet or larger caliber can pierce an Astate's skin.

Among the many weapons possessed by the lighthouse, the strategic‑level electromagnetic cannon it owns is enough to instantly kill Sui Yang and Sui Yue, who lack tungsten steel armor.

But where would an electromagnetic cannon be found in the command hall?

So, including the two heavy tri‑bodies each wielding a handheld 20mm machine cannon, nobody present can break through the defense!

In contrast, Sui Yang and Sui Yue, who were ready to forcibly launch the "reform" and directly seize control of the lighthouse, were not going to sit and wait for death.

Although the Assaulters are of Huaxia style and Huaxia origin, what annoys them most is the "pedantic scholar" creed—'do no harm unless harmed,' or 'a gentleman speaks but does not act'—which simply does not apply.

Only then did these twin brothers instantly turn into a blur, and then…

"Pfft!"

"Sizzle!"

Wei Ke Duo and the arms of twenty City Defense Army soldiers were directly torn apart and severed, blood flying everywhere.

Even those two heavy tri‑bodies were smashed to pieces, and the limbs of the City Defense Army personnel operating them also suffered comminuted fractures from the violent dismantling.

One City Defense Army driver's left arm still had skin and tendons attached, but the forearm had been broken into two pieces.

"Ah…! Save me…"

"I don't want to die… Dr. Jia Li, save me…"

In a brief moment, wails rose from all sides inside the hall.

The City Defense Army driver lying in the heavy tri‑body wreckage, his forearm broken into two pieces, painfully turned his head toward the female doctor lying on the ground, wearing a white lab coat, with black short hair, about fifty or sixty years old, who kept pleading for help.

The female doctor named Jia Li, her eyes filled with either fear or excitement, tried to catch sight of Sui Yang and Sui Yue as they reappeared in her visual field.

It seemed…

It was the extraordinary combat power displayed by the Astate that reminded her of something.

Indeed, scientists hover on the brink between genius and madness.

As for Cha Er Si's loyal hound, with a well‑toned physique, even wearing a mask it was easy to guess that beneath it lay a handsome face of the Light Bearer, yet he received the Astate's "equal treatment".

Sui Yang did not feel pity for the Light Bearer's feminine appearance; he directly extended the double‑bladed wrist blade sheathed on his left arm and whittled her into a human‑stick shape.

Even so, the Lotus-light one still struggled and writhed, moving toward Charles's corpse.

Seeing this scene, Sui Yang also couldn't help but feel a hint of respect, after all, in this apocalypse, it's truly rare for a scoundrel to have such a loyal hound; thus he swung his double-edged wrist blade again, easily severing the Lotus-light one's neck.

Gender equality.

You should know that in the main universe, there is no such situation on the Zero Five Universe's internet where various 'schools' mock each other, nor any covert instigation by different powers.

Since the Lotus-light one was willing to be loyal to its master, Sui Yang obliged, and in the Astate's values, this is the utmost respect shown to an opponent.

The conflict, from start to finish, lasted only about six seconds.

If it weren't for fear that explosive shells would damage this command hall and cause the lighthouse to malfunction, this 'reform' conflict would have ended even faster.

Now, the hall is filled with the smell of blood and the wails of the city defense forces.

Mark, Ran Bing, Jing Nan, Jia Li, plus the white-haired, full-bearded, stoutly built hunting wilderness instructor Elon, and the fiery-bodied, wine-red-haired mechanic Jessica……

These mainstays of the lighthouse suffered no friendly fire from the city defense forces, nor were they purged by Sui Yang and Sui Yue.

But there was one that seemed not yet dealt with.

"Who the hell are you two!!"

All that could be heard was Morgan's weak, exhausted roar, as if he had instantly aged greatly, echoing throughout the entire hall.

Upon hearing that, Sui Yue, who had retracted his telescoping spear and picked up his plasma cannon again, replied displeasedly: "I've told you before, old thing! We are the Imperial…"

"Alright."

Sui Yang, likewise lowering his double-edged wrist blade with a slight motion of his left hand, signaled his brother not to voice any opinion, ignored Morgan's words, turned to face each survivor with complex, troubled expressions.

Finally, he fixed his gaze on Mark, whose eyes were bewildered, right hand already having drawn his personal pistol but still not raising the barrel at the two brothers, and he raised his voice, solemnly asking everyone present:

"Everyone, the lighthouse has been seized by our assault troops; if anyone has any objections, please immediately resort to verbal or armed resistance—we welcome the challenge."

"..."

As his words fell, all the lighthouse's mainstays likewise rose to their feet.

But at this moment, everyone was in a state of shock and bewilderment, their minds blank, no one uttering a word, let alone raising an objection.

Then Sui Yang directly announced: "Very well, then from now on, the lighthouse belongs to the Human Empire; as for the position of city lord, it will be temporarily held by Mark, captain of the Hunters."

Mark as city lord?

Upon hearing these words, the people present felt their hostility toward Sui Yang and Sui Yue greatly diminish.

But Sui Yang's following words again made everyone furrow their brows, only to hear:

There are also the following main points:

First, immediately disband the Light Shadow Church, eliminating the so-called Light Shadow Lord's erosion of the lighthouse populace.

Second, suspend all activities in the Dawn Hall (when Sui Yang and Mark talked, they learned of this activity of the lighthouse).

Third, take stock of all remaining supplies, especially daily necessities, and distribute to all lighthouse residents food exceeding the usual amount by 20%, ensuring the populace has sufficient strength and energy.

Sui Yang did not directly abolish the distinction between commoners and elites, for he feared it would cause turmoil in the lighthouse.

After all, the elites hold the armed forces; if their power were abruptly cancelled, or if commoners were given equal treatment, it would surely provoke strong dissatisfaction.

Must we kill all those who rebel?

It's not impossible, but the elites would suffer too great a loss, affecting the lighthouse's normal operation; after all, commoners lack the qualifications to study, so they naturally cannot serve in management.

Moreover, along the way, Sui Yang observed that Mark's prestige is extremely high, among both commoners and elites.

Therefore, pushing Mark to the forefront is the best solution to stabilize the current situation.

"I have no objection." As deputy, Ran Bing was the first to express support.

Charles's head exploded?

She wished that blond fool would die; the only thing troubling her was that Victor, commander of the Hunters on good terms with them, was also targeted by the Astate.

…

But after the words fell silent, the hall was utterly quiet, causing Ran Bing to involuntarily shrink her neck.

"Sui Yang, Sui Yue." Fortunately, Mark spoke up in time to relieve Ran Bing, saying: "I thank you both for your assistance, and I thank you for being willing to entrust the lighthouse to me."

But, your violent seizure of power, I…

"Agree, and the lighthouse's people will live." However, Sui Yang directly cut off Mark's next words: "Refuse, then we will immediately withdraw from the lighthouse; as long as no one tries to block our departure, we will not use violence against our compatriots again."

However, Captain Mark, you must think clearly: once we withdraw from the lighthouse, it will mean you reject Human Empire rule, and whether you live or die will be your own responsibility.

Put simply, we will completely abandon you.

Moreover, when the Human Empire's influence reaches this Earth, you will not be allowed to trade; this means you will continue to live a scrappy, unjust, unfair wasteland life.

…

Having heard these words, which were not a threat to Sui Yang and Sui Yue but a matter of life and death for Mark, Ran Bing, and others, the hall's atmosphere fell silent once again.

But soon.

"Hahaha~!" At this moment, the Elon instructor, whose hair and beard were both white, let out a hearty laugh.

Then, while drawing everyone's gaze, Elon quickly came to Mark's side, extended his left arm to embrace Mark's shoulder, and said to Sui Yang with a smile:

"Mark is merely unaccustomed to the title of city lord; his skin is still thin. Rest assured, as an instructor of the Hunters, I will surely assist Mark, this new city lord."

"Teacher…?" Mark looked bewildered.

"You idiot!" Elon hurriedly whispered: "You've put all your skill points into your body; is your brain really not growing at all? If you don't want the lighthouse people to eat dirt, quickly tell me 'yes'!"

"This…" Seeing his most trusted and respected teacher say that, Mark finally replied: "Alright, Sui Yang, the city lord position will be temporarily held by me, Mark."

Seeing this, Sui Yang nodded lightly, paid no heed to Elon's words, and directly said:

"Very well, then the lighthouse needs a sweeping reform; please everyone exert 100% of your energy to support City Lord Mark, and await the Human Empire's intervention on this Earth."

Immediately after, Sui Yang briefly explained the remaining plans to Mark, then assigned Ran Bing to lead him and Sui Yue in finding lodging.

After all, they were unsure when their father would open the Space Gate, so they had to prepare for long-term residence; otherwise they would disdain to meddle in lighthouse affairs.

However, before departing, Sui Yang specifically instructed Mark to interrogate Morgan, who had instantaneously become the former city lord.

Because Spiritual Perception informed Sui Yang that this two-faced Morgan hides many secrets, but he and Sui Yue are too lazy to continue interfering.

As for Morgan…

He was crawling toward Charles's headless corpse, his mental state seemingly on the brink of collapse, staring blankly without uttering a sound.

In response, the newly empowered Mark ordered Elon and Jiali to gather personnel to transfer the violently dismembered Victor and the entire City Defense Army to the medical area, and to collect the corpses of Charles and the Lotus Light Ones.

Jessica was responsible for the repair and upgrade of the heavy three-dimensional structure.

As for Mark himself, he will personally escort Morgan back to the city lord's resting chamber with Jingnan, and conduct negotiations.

——————

…

In the next twelve hours.

The lighthouse, originally content with the status quo, suddenly shifted like swapping an old steam locomotive for a high-speed rail, now operating at breakneck speed.

All departments are rushing to fulfill the new city lord's orders, in order to ensure the upcoming hunting mission.

Although most people felt regret over Charles's violent death and Morgan city lord's sudden 'voluntary' abdication, thinking that the new city lord is Mark, they no longer complained or harbored suspicions.

Mainly, Mark has the people's hearts.

Conversely, the forced dissolution of the Light Shadow Church left many feeling astonished, but due to the deterrence of the Hunters and the City Defense Army, they hid their confusion in their hearts.

However, the remnants of Charles's faction led by the Shalif brothers allied with City Defense Army captain Seng, and at dawn at the end of the twelve hours, they seized the opportunity to launch a rebellion.

(In the story, the elder Shalif brother was beaten up by Mark; the younger brother is the masked man of Dawn Hall; Seng had arrested both Red Lotus and Dawn Break, as well as Mark and Ran Bing.)

And the rebellion's result was quite 'smooth'.

But this smoothness was not for the rebels; it was for Mark's new lighthouse command system.

What's more, those dissatisfied and plotting covert sabotage trembled with fear, as the over two hundred rebels were all dealt with single-handedly by Sui Yue.

You should know that even at dawn, many commoners had already risen to air out, wash up, and work, naturally witnessing the suppression of the rebellion unfolding in the central square…

Or rather, it was a slaughter carried out solely by Sui Yue.

From then on, no one in the lighthouse dared to question the strength of those two giants, nor did anyone dare to harbor any ulterior thoughts.

(End of chapter)