Chapter 57: with translation of chapter title

【An avalanche, not a single snowflake innocent...】

【Numerous sparks form a prairie fire, igniting the torch...】

【The dawn's torch leads the lost through darkness, yet it burns the fierce fire into light...】

【Not afraid...】

【The fearful ones beside the supporters.】

【The leader of dawn.】

【After dawn, the perpetrator through and through.】

【For freedom, choose to break through.】

【That's right...】

【But I want to prove, prove that I am right.】

【So I was wrong, everything I did was denied.】

【------Observer (Recorded on Blue Star Memorial: 2541)】

。。。。。。。。。。。。

「How are we gathering again? 」

「The operation failed, I guess they want to explain. 」

「Many brothers have been lost.. 」

The crowd faintly spreads voices of resentment.

「This operation is basically suicidal! 」 said one holding a gun: 「See how many died on the street today? Because of this laughable raid, how many innocents were dragged in? Was the original intention just to protect a few? 」 The words got little support.

，walked two steps on the second-floor stairs, the noisy crowd below quickly fell silent, many pairs of eyes looking at the two.

「Everyone. 」 Li An's lazy voice sounded: 「How was the operation? Anyone want to say something? 」

The second leader has always been the most rational in the team; each operation considers many factors, yet this decision has left everyone disappointed, making us wonder why the second leader suddenly changed so much.

「Why raid Noah Manor? 」 the crowd shouted loudly: 「Brothers died in this meaningless raid! And yet nothing changed, a pointless sacrifice! 」

「We can't avoid casualties, we can't control them. 」 Li An said: 「But this operation also completely failed, a heavy turning point. Beside us, the new leader of the resistance. 」

The discussion below changed.

「Leader? What does that mean? 」

「Who? 」

「Looking at that pure and clean one, must be a high-ranking official, right? 」

Lu Ming looked around, discovered that everyone's gaze focused on him, the whole weight of the resistance rested on him.

「Just because he's the leader's son, the resistance should also let him lead. 」

【Main plot:】

As a high-ranking official of Dongsheng City and also the leader of the resistance, he believes Dongsheng City is a sick city that needs correction; it should be imprisoned in a steel cage to live freely! One should aspire to the vast blue sea!

Decided to establish the resistance, using his high-ranking position to overthrow the high-ranking; even if he fails, he will definitely continue to advance.

【Main progress: 45%】

【Hint: Already entered the resistance route!】

【Hint: Ending changed!】

【Hint: Evaluation criteria changed!】

Original Owner.. Changzhou's parents, just the resistance leader, compared to the luxurious comfortable closed life, they yearn more for freedom, so they chose to establish the resistance, to oppose the high-ranking who monopolize the sea, but, as the leader of freedom, where are they now?

Beside him, Li An stepped back a few steps: 「Then I'll hand this over to you, S Player. 」

Win-win...

Li An, representing the resistance, his ultimate goal is definitely to storm the inner city; while Changzhou, as the leader's son, can have an uplifting effect on the resistance, and Lu Ming can also obtain corresponding clues; looking at it, the resistance route is much harder than their route, but clues are few.

「S Player, your identity is actually...? 」 Yan Cheng said unexpectedly.

The platform became even more shocked; doubtful voices, questioning voices died away.

「Since you're the leader's son, please explain, what meaning does this operation have? 」

「Yes! 」

「……………」

The crowd, Lu Ming saw several who remained neutral from start to finish, those should be players.

Lu Ming raised his calm eyes: 「No meaning. 」

The chaotic crowd instantly hit pause, fell silent.

「What.. meaning? 」 a bewildered voice in the silence.

Since joining the resistance, I have always fought for a better life for the lower classes, yet now you say everything is meaningless?

「Why fight? 」 Lu Ming lowered his gaze, scanning the crowd below.

「For a better life. 」

「Home, for home! 」

「Just want to fill my stomach.. 」

「Sick of those high‑layer bastards! 」

「Live! If we live, who will till the land? 1」 The crowd chattered, seemingly each reason for joining the resistance differed. 【What exactly did we do wrong?】

【... Once lived on the land】

【The sea‑wall fortress has already become a cage.】

…………

【Sensing the god of death approaching, I will seek a quiet corner to die】

………………

【The body is like a container, external shackles can never imprison the soul】

……………………….

【Grandma said, to be born free…】

In a moment, Lu Ming's mind flashed several scenes: a lonely drifter dying in the corner, a girl defying fate, Lu Ming even knew her name.

"Freedom..." Lu Ming said: "The ultimate goal is to change the stronghold, let the family bask in the sunlight of freedom; pioneers, even if they cannot reach the end, it's fine, the darkness needs the torch to lead, pioneers fear hardship, pioneers will surely see the dawn."

"To save, from all separation, oneself."

"Perhaps we will fail, perhaps everything we do will ultimately become meaningless, but so what? Everyone, torch, pioneers, pioneers of Freedom Road, imagine a truly free environment where hunger and oppression will return, and the descendants will again be confused by life."

"For such a future, let us all strive, please everyone, die meaninglessly!"

In the whole factory, besides the heavy breathing, its voice could be heard.

"Pa…"

"PaPa.."

Soon, applause echoed through the factory.

Yan Cheng looked at Lu Ming's side profile, the light flickering like a spotlight.

Li An's lazy eyes showed a hint of strange expression, simultaneously fervent and icy, like looking at prey.

............ ……………

After the gathering, Yan Cheng took Lu Ming to the arranged room.

"S Player, a pyramid scheme head..." Yan Cheng hesitated for a long time before speaking: "Although saying it to those NPCs, but I feel…"

"Stop saying it to NPCs, players too."

The night in the refugee district was dark; only weak light from outside the wall shone into the factory, stretching the two shadows long.

Lu Ming heard sparse footsteps, walking three in the darkness.

"... Is it S Player then?" a female student asked excitedly.

Yan Cheng had great brotherly demeanor, he shielded Lu Ming and asked: "What do you want to do?"

"Don't misunderstand, no ill intent." The male on the left waved his hand: "I just want to meet S Player."

"Yes yes, at the morning gathering, I had wanted to meet S Player, just kept looking for an opportunity…" another male said, scratching his head.

"S Player, is that your name?" The female took two steps, her gaze fixed on Lu Ming's face: "The Live Broadcast Room's audience"

The audience also greeted..

"Just like it then." Lu Ming said coldly.

The female happily laughed, chanting Lu Ming's name several times in one breath, as if deliberately speaking to the Live Broadcast Room's audience.

The two males behind looked with helpless gazes.

The roughly formed team, all three likely new players, Lu Ming sensed hostility, just an ordinary player.

"S Player, want to team up?" the female asked Lu Ming.

"No, no plans for now."

The female grabbed Lu Ming's hand: "Let's team up then?"

His brow furrowed slightly, Lu Ming pulled back his hand: "Your identity is rather dangerous; if you want a higher score, it's best to team up."

Frankly, upon learning his identity was both high-ranking and tied to the resistance, Lu Ming knew the difficulty of this instance was destined to be low.

Of course, this also included Lu Ming's own desire to team up.

The three are strong; in any battle, they need not worry, Lu Ming hopes each team member can play a certain role, at least to put minds at ease.

Returning to the room, Lu Ming placed a shadow to guard the door, confirmed safety, then opened the panel.

【Current Instance: Sea Barrier】

【Remaining Rooms: 10】

【Player: Lu Ming】

【ID: 94968】

【HP: 94/100】

【MP: 64/100】

【Skills: Phantom Shadow Lv. 2, Heavy Strike Lv1】

【Achievements: Decisive Slaughter, Manager's Recognition, Rescue and Heal I】

【Inventory: Type 92 Semi-automatic Pistol】

【Prompt: Thirty skill points, upgrade skill?】

Lu Ming opened the skill panel, only two skills; Heavy Strike can randomly multiply the skill's damage by 2 to 5 times, enough for now, tentatively considering.

Compared to Heavy Strike, Lu Ming was more curious about Phantom Shadow's effect; thirty skill points to let Phantom Shadow evolve one more effect.

Thinking so, Lu Ming poured all skill points into Phantom Shadow.

【Phantom Shadow Lv. 2 ===> Phantom Shadow Lv. 3】

【Advanced: Player makes the split shadow possess independent consciousness (an independent-consciousness shadow has no effect on the main body)】

If it has no effect on the main body yet can act autonomously, isn't that essentially another?

Lu Ming suddenly felt his skill seemed to have many uses.

Immediately used Phantom Shadow.

Only saw a mass of black shadow split from Lu Ming's shadow, gather and gradually form a shape.

"Good." Lu Ming tried to greet the shadow.

The shadow Lu Ming looked at the main body, nodded: "Good."

"Who?" Lu Ming began to test the shadow's self-awareness, seeing how far it could go.

"Yeah." The shadow said: "Lu Ming, C Country, and also… S Player?"

"Do you know your own shadow?" Lu Ming continued to ask.

"Know." The shadow froze a bit, saying: "Rest assured, absolute obedience, no need to worry about betrayal or such, and besides, it doesn't have that ability."

The shadow knows itself well, basically saying it's another Lu Ming.

Impressive...

Lu Ming examined the shadow, and the appearance of Chang Qinglan, while the true appearance of Lu Ming.

Looking at oneself from another angle, feeling inexplicably strange.

Self-awareness, and moreover can imitate other appearances…

Lu Ming was glad he hadn't opened the live broadcast room yet; this kind of skill would surely let those keyboard warriors have a field day analyzing it.

Lu Ming looked at the shadow: "Can you turn into that appearance?"

The shadow didn't hesitate, immediately saying: "Who do you want me to turn into?"

Lu Ming thought for a moment, and Li An suddenly appeared in his mind.

"I understand." The shadow closed its eyes, its body began to turn into shadow, like being shrouded in a black veil.

In an instant, "Li An" appeared before Lu Ming.

"Appeared?" Lu Ming asked.

"Li An." The shadow said: "It will change temperament with the transformation, no need to worry, absolute obedience."

The shadow paused, then continued: "The heart, the hostility toward the target is strong; I can feel it, and now I really want to kill."

The shadow honestly expressed its feelings, but with a lazy gaze and tone, even Lu Ming couldn't tell if it was genuine.

"Alright, let's go." Lu Ming said.

"Use it as a guard?" The shadow looked at Lu Ming with Li An's lazy eyes.

"Used it."

If others see "Li An" appear, it would be troublesome; changing appearance also consumes some blue energy, and Lu Ming began to consume it.

"Okay." The shadow nodded: "S Player, keep it in mind."

Lu Ming froze for a moment, feeling the killing intent transmitted from the shadow; it seems "Li An" indeed has strong hostility toward him.

After the shadow disappeared, Lu Ming checked his backpack again, making sure he had supplies for danger and healing medicine.

Next, he organized the goal clues once more.

First, the main quest: need to find the legend of the New Continent, and the goal clues all point to the lost "Noah's Ark"; perhaps finding the Noah's Ark will lead to clues about the New Continent.

... Since it's a salvation-class ark, why has it been lost to history?

If it's a salvation-class ark, where is it now?

Lu Ming recalled those adventurers at the banquet; the overseas seas have been explored, but there's been little progress.

Beyond the known world map, there is only a vaster expanse of sea, with no trace of land, nor any clues to the Noah's Ark.

The rebel route is the safest, but certainly the fastest; Lu Ming plans to wander the rebel army's territory, which should yield more clues.

Of course, since joining the rebel army, storming the inner city is also part of the main quest, and it's unavoidable to encounter Chang Qinglan.

Chang Qinglan is the biggest variable; joining the rebel army means standing on the opposing side; moreover, the original owner also has a chronic illness, and without medicine, Lu Ming knows how long his body can last.

Therefore, the attack can only be carried out.