Chapter 387: Facing the Harsh Reality


    Two dayster, Zhang Yi received another message from Yangsheng Base. This time, it wasn’t a call request but a video.


    He and Yang Xinxin were the first to view it.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    As the video yed, a grim and oppressive scene unfolded.


    The backdrop was arge factory’s iron framework amidst swirling snow and wind. Hanging from the structure were a dozen cold, severed heads suspended by ropes.


    Standing at the execution tform, Xiao Honglian stared directly into the camera with an icy gaze, her tone equally chilling:


    “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Zhang Yi, this is only the beginning. Soon, your head and those of your friends will hang here on the execution tform of Yangsheng Base!”


    The video ended abruptly.


    Though itsted only a minute, the message was unmistakably clear—<strong>deration of war.</strong>Xiao Honglian had beheaded all the students as a ceremonial gesture, announcing the start of the conflict.


    After watching the video, Zhang Yi remained silent for a moment before casually picking up his cup of hot coffee and taking a sip.


    “They’re finally dead. It’s clean and done,” he remarked nonchntly.


    Yang Xinxin, however, sighed softly. “So, it came to this in the end.”


    Zhang Yi nced at her and asked with a smile, “Didn’t you hate those people the most? Now that they’re gone, shouldn’t you be happy?”


    Yang Xinxin shook her head.


    “It’s not about happiness or sadness. I really did hate them and wished they’d disappear from the world sooner.”


    “But… seeing them all dead now, I can’t help feeling a little sorrowful.”


    Lowering her head, her pale hands clenched tightly together in anxiety.


    “I’m afraid that one day my own head might be hung up like that.”


    A flicker of surprise crossed Zhang Yi’s face, but he quickly understood.


    No matter how cunning or sharp Yang Xinxin was, she was still an 18-year-old girl. Witnessing the brutal deaths of peers she’d known for years would naturally evoke fear.


    Zhang Yi leaned closer and wrapped her in his strong arms.


    “Don’t worry. As long as I’m here, nothing will happen to you. I won’t let you die.”


    “And because I won’t die, you’ll definitely live a good life too.”


    Yang Xinxin was a crucial part of his logistics and support team. Zhang Yi had every intention of protecting her and ensuring her safety.


    Feeling the warmth of his embrace, Yang Xinxin’s body began to regain some of its lost warmth.


    cing her hands on his back, her eyes gradually welled up with tears.


    “It’s so good to have you, Brother!”


    “I’ll make sure I never drag you down. I’ll be someone you can rely on! So, no matter what, please don’t abandon me, okay? If I ever be a burden, I’ll take care of myself.”


    Afterforting Yang Xinxin, Zhang Yi decided to make the video public. He wanted everyone—especially Liang Yue—to see it firsthand.


    He knew that Liang Yue needed to confront the truth and let go of her obsessionpletely.


    “Seeing this might break her,” Yang Xinxin warned. “You should be prepared for that.”


    “I’ve already prepared both mentally and practically,” Zhang Yi assured her.


    If Liang Yue truly lost control and tried to charge off to Yangsheng Base, Zhang Yi would restrain her immediately and sedate her so she could rest at home for a while.


    “All acts of sacrificee from impulse,” he exined.


    “No matter how noble or grand the ideals, they can be changed.”


    “In the end, she needs to understand one thing: living is everything. The purpose of life is simply to live—it doesn’t need any additional justification.”


    Yang Xinxin nodded. “We’ll do our best to help persuade her.”


    Zhang Yi pulled a small bag of medication from his pocket and handed it to Yang Xinxin.


    “Put this in her coffee and make sure she drinks it.”


    Yang Xinxin took the bag, her expression curious. “What is it?”


    “A sedative,” Zhang Yi replied.


    Following his instructions, Yang Xinxin prepared coffee for Liang Yue, who drank it without any suspicion.


    Once Zhang Yi confirmed the medication had taken effect, he gathered everyone to watch the video.


    Before starting, he reminded the group, “The contents of this video are graphic. I hope everyone is mentally prepared and avoids overreacting.”


    Liang Yue felt a slight unease in her heart at Zhang Yi’s warning.


    The video came from Yangsheng Base, so… could it involve her students?


    Zhang Yi cast a deep look at Liang Yue before ying the video.


    The screen immediately disyed the sight of a dozen severed heads hanging high in the snowstorm.


    At first nce, Liang Yue felt as though something had exploded in her mind. Her brain went nk as her entire world spun out of control.


    Her students… they were all dead?


    In an instant, Liang Yue felt the world turn upside down. Her legs wobbled, and faint voices echoed in her ears.


    “Liang Yue, are you okay?”


    “What’s wrong?!”


    Before she could process anything, her vision darkened, and she copsed to the floor.


    Lu Keran rushed to her side, panicked. “Liang Yue, are you all right?”


    Zhang Yi walked over calmly and said, “She’s fine. I gave her a sedative. She just needs rest.”


    Uncle You shook his head and sighed.


    “Liang Yue is such a dedicated and responsible teacher. This must be a heavy blow for her. Let’s hope she can move past it and not get stuck in despair.”


    “Time and care will heal the pain,” Zhang Yi remarked as he carried Liang Yue to her room andid her on the bed.


    Turning to Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran, he instructed, “Take good care of her for the next couple of days and help her process her emotions.”


    He also addressed Zhou Ke’er, saying, “Administer tranquilizers if necessary. If she bes uncontroble, increase the dosage. I’d rather have her bedbound for a few days than let her act recklessly.”


    Zhou Ke’er nodded. “Understood.”


    With Liang Yue settled, everyone returned to the living room, and Zhang Yi began discussing their preparations for the impending battle.


    “A conflict with Yangsheng Base is unavoidable. Chaoyu Base might join them, too.”


    “Facing two major bases simultaneously will put considerable pressure on our defenses.”


    “We’ll stick to the original n: rely on the first line of defense and retreat to the shelter if it’s breached.”


    “However, unlike Xishan Base, I haven’t killed many of their people. They have no reason to fight us to the death. Once they suffer significant casualties, they’ll likely retreat.”


    “This battle won’t be too difficult. Plus, our armaments have improved significantly since then.”


    This was why Zhang Yi remained unfazed.


    He had no deep enmity with Yangsheng or Chaoyu Base.


    Even though he had killed Xiao Honglian’s cousin and Wei Dinghai’s confidant, these deaths weren’t enough to escte the situation to a life-or-death grudge.


    This war was ultimately about territorial disputes.


    If you’re strong, they’ll respect and fear you.


    If you’re weak, they’ll destroy and kill you.


    What Zhang Yi needed to do was prove his strength and ensure that no other organization in Tianhai City dared to challenge him.


    Author''s Note