Chapter 109: A Brief Parting and the Call to Arms

Even though a full night had passed, Zheng Tian’s anxiety remained unshaken. Ever since Ren Zhong met with Yang Bingzhong yesterday and subsequently received a call from Lin Wang, the premonition that she was about to lose her “golden thigh”—her powerful benefactor—had been lingering in her mind.

At this moment, Ren Zhong was resting his eyes in the back seat of the Thunder Bolt vehicle. Wen Lei, Ou Youning, and Bai Feng were in the box truck behind them. Under normal circumstances, they would only need one vehicle to head out, but this morning, before they departed, Mr. Ren had insisted on taking both, though he gave no reason. Zheng Tian, plagued by worry, had turned around to ask several times, only to swallow her words each time. If Ren Zhong didn't volunteer the information, she didn't dare to pry.

Zheng Tian stole a glance at Chen Hanyu beside her. Hanyu was as calm as ever, head bowed, reading from her tablet. She envied Hanyu’s care-free, oblivious nature. *Hanyu, I understand the logic of what you’re saying, but Mr. Ren is clearly about to abandon us! Even if the sky were falling, you’d still act this composed. Could it be that his promise—that we are the only ones he trusts in the town—wasn't just empty words to comfort us?*

*That is only human nature, after all.* Even a fool could see the difference in future prospects between dragging a group of dead weight like them along and joining Lin Wang’s elite team. It was an opportunity that, even if it were her, she would find impossible to refuse. Given Mr. Ren’s current abilities... *Sigh, apart from you, who can perfectly dismantle even a Level 4 chip, we aren't worthy of being his teammates. The gap is just too vast.*

*But then again, Mr. Ren is truly different from ordinary Wastelanders. Even his farewells are so gentle. He truly cares about our feelings. It’s a pity we are too weak. Well, at least there is a silver lining. Fortunately, Hanyu, you are already tightly bound to Mr. Ren; we will always have a chance.* Zheng Tian sighed softly again.

Ren Zhong, though resting, was not asleep. He had heard every one of Zheng Tian’s sighs and murmurs clearly. He found himself feeling a mix of amusement and helplessness. He wasn't angry, though. This was just Zheng Tian. It would be strange if she were any other way. From the moment he first met her, he had seen through her. Perhaps it was this very utilitarian, upward-climbing drive that allowed her to hide in Spark Town with Chen Hanyu—who harbored a blood feud with Yang Bingzhong—walking on the edge of a blade and surviving until she finally encountered him.

"Zheng Tian, change direction."

"Huh? Where to?"

"Bone Valley."

"What! But... but the Demon Infant is in there! What if it wakes up completely?"

Ren Zhong smiled. "If a Level 6 Demon Infant truly wakes up, does it really matter if we are in Bone Valley or on the outskirts of Spark Town?"

"Uh... I suppose that’s true." Zheng Tian added, "But under normal circumstances, there are many Level 4 Ruin Beasts in Bone Valley."

"Exactly. I’m heading there specifically for those Level 4 Ruin Beasts."

"Huh?"

"Today, I am going to let all of you see my true height."

"Uh..."

...

On the return journey, everyone except Ren Zhong had heads ringing with exhaustion, Chen Hanyu included. It was a mix of shock and physical fatigue. Ren Zhong was indeed carrying them, but he did not do everything himself. He took on only the most difficult and dangerous tasks—the "hard bones"—while leaving the finishing blows, flank support, intercepting low-level beasts, keeping watch, and luring monsters to the others.

He was also deliberately training Zheng Tian. In the morning, Ren Zhong devised the battle plans, but for every arrangement he made, he would patiently explain his reasoning to her. At first, Zheng Tian was pleasantly surprised and excited, learning diligently. But by the afternoon, Ren Zhong suddenly stepped back, telling her: "Study these two Level 4 Ruin Beasts. I’ll give you half an hour to devise a plan. Here are the countermeasures I’ve prepared. Here are my current combat stats and parameters. By the way, my brain reaction index has reached the standard of a Level 3 fighter; my auditory nerve resonance is complete, and my visual nerve resonance has made initial progress. My reactions in critical states will be much faster than an ordinary Level 2 mecha fighter... In short, whether we are wiped out by these two Level 4 beasts this afternoon depends entirely on your performance."

"Eek! What!" Zheng Tian went from surprised to terrified.

Ren Zhong asked, "What? No confidence?"

Hearing this, Zheng Tian instinctively wanted to shake her head and decline, but seeing Ren Zhong’s stern expression, she suddenly realized: This was Mr. Ren’s test! He was forcing her to grow, forcing her to take responsibility, and most of all, he was teaching her!

He was also making arrangements for his departure. If she refused, he might still take command this afternoon and let them earn a fortune, but there would likely be no future to speak of.

*Therefore...* In an instant, ten thousand thoughts flashed through Zheng Tian’s mind. She was both moved and anxious. After a long while, she gritted her teeth, turned, and looked at Wen Lei, Ou Youning, and Bai Feng. *Everyone’s future... whether we can continue to cling to Mr. Ren’s thigh and change our destiny depends on this moment!*

Zheng Tian’s eyes reddened slightly as she spoke slowly: "Mr. Ren, I... I can do it."

"Good. Then proceed with confidence. Bring out everyone’s full potential."

"Understood. But before that, let me discuss your equipment and your ideas for technical and tactical improvements."

...

After guiding Zheng Tian, Ren Zhong turned his attention to the others. During this brief half-hour break, he needed to break through the barriers for everyone. Although he was only a mecha fighter, he was far from ignorant about other professions. In the previous timeline, he had survived until the forty-fifth day. He had led them in high-intensity, continuous combat in the abandoned mine for fifteen days. During that half-month, everyone in the squad had undergone some form of transformation, which is why, in the final battle against Lin Wang, everyone had fought until their last drop of blood.

Ren Zhong had watched the entire process of their transformation. It wasn't an easy path; there were many near-death experiences and failed attempts. They constantly took detours, suffered losses, and then, after a day of hunting, gathered to summarize lessons and adjust their strategies. So, the advice he gave them now was essentially the precious experience gained from those fifteen days, distilled and injected into them ahead of time, telling each of them "what you were meant to become."

Looking at the long term, those experiences might not be the absolute truth, but at this moment, they were golden rules that could effectively accelerate everyone’s growth.

...

"Wen Lei, come here. Let’s talk about the specific usage of the new shield spikes on your shield. Also, I have some ideas for improving your Level 2 gear; you can take them into consideration."

"Ou Youning, you have a talent for being a 'cunning old fox,' but your true strength lies in controlling the detonation timing of your remote explosives."

"Bai Feng, the fusion gene of the Translucent Electric Eel is your best choice."

"Chen Hanyu, actually... well, you should practice with a rifle. There is no such thing as saturation for long-range attackers; the more, the better."

Chen Hanyu: "Understood."

"Wait, don't practice with heavy sniper rifles."

"Understood."

...

Three Level 4 Ruin Beasts neutralized, thirteen Level 3 Ruin Beasts hunted, forty-five Level 2 Ruin Beasts dealt with while they were caught in the crossfire. This was the total harvest for the day. Ren Zhong was driving the Thunder Bolt. Zheng Tian was collapsed in the back seat, pale, soaked in sweat, with beads of perspiration dripping from her feet. Her hands trembled; she couldn't even hold chopsticks, let alone a gun. Chen Hanyu, in the passenger seat, was in a similar state, her hair matted and her hands shaking.

The box truck was towed behind the Thunder Bolt. The truck's hover height was reduced to less than half of normal, only 0.8 meters. Wen Lei, the driver, had his hands limply on the steering wheel, barely able to turn it. Ou Youning and Bai Feng lay in the back like dead fish, shivering occasionally. They were exhausted beyond measure.

...

As the vehicles were about to enter the town, Ren Zhong stopped. Yu Jin, summoned by Ren Zhong, was waiting at the intersection on an electric motorcycle.

"I have something very important to tell you."

Behind the box truck, Yu Jin, Zheng Tian, Chen Hanyu, and the others stood in a line. Ren Zhong stood with his hands behind his back, looking at them. Everyone held their breath; the atmosphere was solemn and grave.

"Shut off your wrist devices." Everyone complied.

Ren Zhong: "I’ll ask you first: do you think your fate can be chosen?"

"No." The answer was unexpectedly unanimous.

Ren Zhong: "The seven of you here, excluding me, were all born as Wastelanders. You were born to suffer, to be enslaved, living in constant precariousness; every day is torture. This is the fate you had no choice in. But what did you do wrong?"

"We did nothing wrong."

"Then why did it end up like this?"

The answers began to diverge. Zheng Tian said, "Bad luck." Chen Hanyu remained silent. Ou Youning said, "I don't know." Bai Feng said, "I never thought about it." Wen Lei considered for a long time: "Actually, I think being alive is pretty good; there’s no real pain." Yu Jin said, "Please, Mr. Ren, tell me."

Ren Zhong swept his gaze across them. "You did nothing wrong. And you made no choices. Before you were even born, someone else made those choices for you. In Spark Town, and across this wasteland, there are many, many others who share your fate."

"Before you were born, you had no choice. After you were born, you still have no choice. You think that because you know me now, you can sit back and relax? Wrong. That is absurdly wrong!"

"Zheng Tian, let me tell you something privately. If it weren't for me, Lin Wang would have killed all of you long ago. Think about it—why?"

Zheng Tian thought for a long time and asked cautiously: "Because our hunting yields were too low those days?"

Ren Zhong gave a cold smile. "Wrong! It’s because you were advancing, improving! You want to become stronger, to have a better life—that is your 'original sin'! You even developed the ability to become Level 2 professionals! But the three professional teams in Spark Town do not allow a fourth to emerge, not even the slightest possibility! And Lin Wang is the most selfish of all the captains. Also, Zheng Tian, you are smart, but Lin Wang doesn't like your intelligence. He doesn't need a reason to kill you. Just two words!"

Zheng Tian: "Which two words?"

"He wants to. Because in his eyes, you aren't human; you are no different from the chickens, ducks, pigs, and dogs in a slaughterhouse!"

"Now, guess what will happen between Lin Wang and me in the future? He can't even tolerate the threat you pose, so what about me?"

Zheng Tian: "Even though he invited you to join his team, if you grow too fast, he will also... he will never trust you unconditionally."

Ren Zhong: "Exactly. And if I die, as my direct subordinates, could you be spared? Do you understand what I'm trying to say now?"

Yu Jin suddenly stepped forward. "I understand, sir!"

"Speak."

"We had no choice in being born. We have no choice in life or death. The only thing we can choose is the *way* we live!"

Ren Zhong nodded. "And what is that way?"

"Fighting alongside Mr. Ren! Becoming stronger in battle! Until we are so strong that no one can easily strip away our right to live!"

Ren Zhong smiled with satisfaction.

"I am a member of Lin Wang’s team now. Starting tomorrow, I will no longer hunt with you. At the same time, because of me, he will not suppress you for the time being."

"Zheng Tian, our harvest today is worth 9,840 points. I’m leaving it all to you. Additionally, I’m giving each of you 8,000 points as starting capital. Here are the keys. In Garage 7 of the parking lot, there is an armed Qingfeng heavy truck; take it and use it."

"As for Yu Jin, I’ve transferred 2,000 points to you. I’ve already bought you a Fanged Heavy Sniper and a set of Level 3 combat gear from the store. Go get them. The Thunder Bolt is yours now."

"I have paved the way for you. I have only one expectation: in the coming month, unleash all your potential. As strong as you can be, get that strong."

"Zheng Tian, before I appeared, you were the best semi-professional captain in the mud pit of Spark Town."

"Now, you must show your true mettle. Let me see what the best captain looks like when free from suppression and backed by sufficient capital."

"Yu Jin, you are a lone wolf, a fierce one. You are the type who can create miracles. Now, I want to see what kind of miracles you can create for me in a month!"

"Whether you can fight with me in the future depends on the heights you reach this month. If your performance doesn't satisfy me, then this is the last help you’ll ever get from me."

"My true enemies are beyond your imagination. My requirements for comrades-in-arms are extremely harsh. Only true powerhouses have the qualifications to follow by my side. To fight shoulder-to-shoulder with me, you must show true resolve!"

"I want you to grow, but I will not be your nanny, nor do I have the time. Otherwise, I wouldn't be helping you; I would be pushing you into eternal pain and nightmares."

...

"Always remember: when you are with me, we are the best team in the world! This 'ragtag' team of Level 1 and 2 professionals can kill Level 4 professionals right now! We can kill two!"

"I’m done speaking. That is all. Dismissed!"

Ren Zhong didn't even offer a proper farewell. Once he finished, he activated his exoskeleton and strode into the town. Watching his back, everyone had different thoughts. But one thing was undeniable: this was not a final farewell. He had spent nearly a month transforming and helping them. Now, he was heading to a higher level, but he would still be waiting for them somewhere ahead.

They could hear his deep expectations for each of them through his stern words. They also sensed his loneliness. He was so strong, so gifted, yet so alone. He truly wanted to take them along to seize fate by the throat. No one knew who his true enemies were, but everyone wanted to follow him to see. Just like every day for the past month—as long as they stood behind him, even if a Level 4 Ruin Beast was ahead, they felt steady, safe, and finally felt what it meant to truly be alive.