novelraw Chapter 410: He Lost
Chapter 410: He Lost
Is it wrong to uphold principles and maintain order?
Is it right to have power like Su Zhan, to trample all rules?
How did this world... become like this?
He felt like a soldier who held his ground to the very end, only to discover the city he was defending had already fallen long ago, filled with an indescribable desolation.
"Haha... hahahaha..."
Qin Bai began to laugh softly, his laughter growing louder and more hysterical, echoing in the empty office, saturated with endless sorrow.
He had lost.
Not to Su Zhan, but to this world where right and wrong were inverted, where power reigned supreme!
Hadn't Qin Bai done enough for Daxia?
Risking his life infiltrating Aberrant nests, his body still bearing several corrosive scars that could never be healed...Tracking high-risk targets for months without sleep, finally personally eliminating them on the border lines...
Withstanding pressure from all sides, cracking several major, far-reaching covert Aberrant infiltration cases...
His hands were stained with the blood of countless Aberrants.
He also bore countless accusations and hatred.
But he had never regretted it.
Because he firmly believed he was protecting the foundation of Daxia and safeguarding the purity of humanity.
His merits and achievements, each and every one, were recorded in the files of the Aberrant Purge Division, bought with blood, sweat, and even the lives of his comrades.
But what about Su Zhan?
What has Su Zhan done?
Besides defeating a few young prodigies in the arena, besides displaying that fearsome power, besides saying a few pretty words, what tangible, concrete contributions has he actually made for Daxia?
How many powerful Aberrants threatening entire regions has he slain?
Which city on the brink of disaster has he protected?
Which conspiracy threatening Daxia's security has he unraveled?
None!
Not a single one!
A person with zero substantive contributions and a massive potential risk to his identity, how can he possibly be elevated above the merits Qin Bai accumulated over decades of life-and-death struggles?
How can he receive such favor from the higher-ups, who are even willing to suppress all doubts?
Qin Bai understood the nature of those higher-ups all too well.
Interests always came first.
Now, the "potential" and "symbolic significance" Su Zhan displayed brought far greater benefits than the value of Qin Bai, this mere "investigation tool".
A pawn to be sacrificed...
He knew he was finished.
To appease Su Zhan, to maintain this so-called "greater situation".
The higher-ups would absolutely not hesitate to discard Qin Bai as a sacrificial pawn!
All his past merits and hardships seemed so insignificant, so laughable in front of Su Zhan!
"Haha... hahahaha..."
Qin Bai laughed again, tears uncontrollably streaming down from the corners of his bloodshot eyes.
He had shed blood and sweat for Daxia, faithfully performed his duties, yet ended up like this in the end.
And Su Zhan, a monster of unknown origin, could ascend to the heavens in a single step, receiving all honors and favor.
How unjust this world is!
How ironic fate is!
Qin Bai clenched his fists tightly, letting his fingernails pierce his palms, blood dripping between his fingers, making soft sounds in the silent office.
...
Several hours were spent at the testing center, cooperating through all the tedious yet necessary procedures.
The final report, verified by a team of authoritative experts confirming Su Zhan was "unaffected by the curse", was formally sealed and submitted to the Supreme Council.
Su Zhan had successfully passed the official final verification.
Of course, it was with Su Zhan's cooperation that they checked; otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to find anything.
When the heavy doors of the testing center opened again.
Su Zhan walked out with calm, unhurried steps.
He took a deep breath of the fresh air outside. Although still inside the Lingxiao Pavilion, he felt as if an invisible shackle had been lifted.
The first thing Su Zhan did was take out his communicator and contact Mo Yuan: "Lord Mo, the inspection has been passed."
"Mm, as expected."
Mo Yuan's voice came through, flat and calm.
"Where is Qin Bai now?"
Su Zhan asked the question he was concerned about.
"He can't run. My people have been watching him."
Mo Yuan's tone was indifferent. "You've just been through a major storm. Go reunite with your teacher and friends first. They've been worried sick about you for years, not easy for them."
A warmth spread in Su Zhan's heart. He said sincerely, "Thank you, City Lord."
"Go on."
Ending the call.
Su Zhan put away his communicator and walked towards the exit of the Lingxiao Pavilion.
Stepping out of the gates symbolizing the highest authority.
He immediately spotted several familiar figures waiting not far away.
Wang Mingyuan, Feng Jue, Xu Hao, Liu Ziming.
They stood there, their gazes fixed eagerly on the entrance.
Seeing Su Zhan walk out safe and sound.
All four faces simultaneously broke into relieved, brilliant smiles as they quickly stepped forward to meet him.
There were no excessive words.
Wang Mingyuan was the first to step up, giving Su Zhan a strong hug, patting his back, his voice filled with barely contained excitement: "Good lad! It's good you're safe! It's good you're safe!"
Liu Ziming gave Su Zhan a bear hug with a grin: "Brother Su! Awesome! From now on, this buddy is following you!"
Xu Hao also stepped forward, hugging him, everything unsaid in that embrace.
Feng Jue's hug was no less forceful, whispering in his ear: "Congratulations."
Four hugs, carrying profound bonds of mentorship and brotherhood.
A genuine smile appeared on Su Zhan's face.
"Let's go,"
Wang Mingyuan put an arm around Su Zhan's shoulder, his tone full of gratification. "Let's head back, properly celebrate your return! This time, we won't stop until we're drunk!"
After experiencing countless storms and obstacles.
They were finally reunited.
And this time, Su Zhan would no longer walk alone.
The group left the solemn, imposing area of the Lingxiao Pavilion, and the atmosphere immediately became relaxed and lively.
Xu Hao nudged Liu Ziming beside him with his elbow, winking and saying, "Young Master Liu, our big boss Su has gone through eighty-one hardships this time, finally returning triumphant. For this welcome banquet, shouldn't you, Young Master Liu, show some appreciation? Must be the highest standard!"
"Do you even need to say that? Leave it to me! Old Su has earned plenty of face for our Vermilion Bird Academy and for us brothers this time! Must arrange it perfectly."
Liu Ziming immediately pulled out his phone, his fingers flying across the screen, muttering nonstop:
"For the venue... let's go to the most high-end hotel I have a stake in here in the Capital. Their roast duck is unparalleled, the chef's knife skills for slicing the duck are pure art. Must let Old Su taste authentic Capital flavor!
Drinks... let's get Maotai.
No, let's bring out those few bottles of thirty-year vintage my dad has been hoarding.
Today, we must let Old Su drink to his heart's content!
The atmosphere must be perfect! I'll have them clear out the biggest private room for us. That place is spacious."
Watching his extravagant yet genuinely happy-for-his-brother demeanor.
Everyone couldn't help but laugh.
Even Feng Jue's lips curled up slightly.
Teacher Wang Mingyuan also shook his head with a mix of helplessness and affection.
"Young Master Liu, making you spend so much."
Su Zhan said with a smile.
"Spend?"
Liu Ziming's eyes widened. "You're saying that to me? You coming back safe is better than anything.
Don't think about anything else today. Just focus on eating and drinking well, and listen to us tell you all the interesting stories from the academy these past few years."
Soon, a luxury car pulled up in front of the group.
It was the vehicle Liu Ziming had arranged.