Apocalypse Gachapon

"What gives you the right to replace me!" Chen Ning shot to his feet, glaring at Ye Zhongming.

As a clan leader himself, he commanded considerable prestige. Otherwise, he would not have been chosen as commander of the Second Regiment. Cheng Liujin, being a Star-Eye Clan member, had been made commander of the First Regiment, and Chen Ning was next in line—this indicated his standing within the small clan alliance.

To suddenly hear such a proposal from a Bronze Order Leader of the Star-Eye Clan filled him with shock and fury. Even if it was Ye Zhongming, it was unacceptable!

If the person standing before him had been from the Huo'er Star, Leina Star, Gurui Star Race, or Talos Red Dwarves, Ye Zhongming might have been more cautious. But a small race from Dark Strip City? He did not take it seriously at all.

"What gives me the right? Your vainglory and disregard for the lives of the warriors under your command! Your pursuit of personal fame and profit at the expense of sound tactics, stubbornly resorting to brute force without regard for casualties! Your refusal to acknowledge such grave errors and your indifferent, dismissive attitude!"

Ye Zhongming shot back without hesitation, his words coming so fast that Chen Ning had no time to react.

"Your errors go far beyond this. Their root lies in your mindset. In your consciousness, you do not regard the lives of ordinary warriors as lives. You believe that as long as it serves profit, development, your goals, and everything you stand for, ordinary warriors or ordinary clansmen are expendable. You think they ought to sacrifice for you, without complaint. When they die, you might even adopt a condescending air when offering compensation."

"Do you know? It is because of people like you that small clans grow weaker and weaker. You people, for the sake of the so-called 'greater good,' the so-called 'future,' the so-called 'higher cause,' send ordinary warriors to pointless deaths, even burdening them with things they should not bear. Sometimes, I really want to ask: when you speak of the greater good, the future, and the higher cause, why don't you send your own blood relatives to die? Why don't you sacrifice yourself? If you truly were such a person, I would respect you. But you are not—at least, Chen Ning, you are not. Because when the record keeper read out the casualty figures, I saw no trace of pity or sorrow in your eyes, let alone remorse or guilt. All I saw was indifference!"

"A person like you absolutely cannot remain in a command position. Otherwise, after fifty days, how many will be left of the Second Regiment? Eight thousand? Five thousand? Are these backbone warriors of various clans meant to be squandered by you like this?"

"These people are the hope for Dark Strip City's revival and the shield that will protect all our lives in the future. They can die, but their deaths must have meaning—not like this, dying in a foreign land for your petty ambitions!"

"I propose that Chen Ning be relieved of his command of the Second Regiment!"

Ye Zhongming spoke these words a second time. Compared to the first, the effect was entirely different.

……………………

"You brat. You go out for a while, come back with great gains, and even get rid of one of the four regimental commanders. You're practically becoming a legend."

White Robe patted Ye Zhongming on the shoulder, laughing heartily.

"Just say I'm a jinx and be done with it."

"What's a jinx?"

"Someone like you."

"…"

White Robe was speechless for a moment. Then he said, "Instead of assigning me to the regiment, you have me keep some people behind to intensify formation training. What's the idea?"

Ye Zhongming tilted his chin toward the Half-Abyss Demon Cave.

"You want to go down and scout?"

Ye Zhongming nodded. "How can I be at ease without checking it out? It will take considerable time to deal with Zimu. If something happens here while we're away, that would be a real joke."

White Robe also furrowed his brow.

The Half-Abyss Demon Cave was indeed deeply unsettling. In previous observations of this planet, parasites had appeared there. But ever since they landed and established the base, it had been as silent as a lifeless cave—eerily quiet.

Had something happened inside? Or were those parasites waiting for something?

"When do you plan to go?"

White Robe asked calmly.

Ye Zhongming thought for a moment. "Let's wait a few more days. See how things develop."

White Robe nodded. Then he said, "Could we… send some people down first to scout?"

The suggestion tempted Ye Zhongming greatly, but he also knew that great danger might lurk within. Those who entered would be risking their lives, with a seventy or eighty percent chance of not returning. To order people to go down like that would be truly cruel.

"I know you hate to send warriors to their deaths. But some things must be done. Their sacrifice may buy the survival of many more comrades. This is different from when you rebuked Chen Ning," White Robe persuaded.

Having spent time with Ye Zhongming, everyone knew he valued his subordinates' lives above all else. This was a good habit and something that moved people. But sometimes, sacrifices were inevitable.

Ye Zhongming hesitated for a moment. "Alright, send some people down to scout. But they must not go too deep. First, investigate the nearby areas. Ensure they are fully equipped with gear and supplies. If they encounter danger, they must retreat immediately."

……………………

Chen Ning's dismissal caused an uproar within the small clan alliance. Regardless, he held considerable prestige, and he had been appointed commander by the Star-Eye Clan just days ago during the reorganization. Now, in a matter of days, he was removed—what was going on?

But as the reasons for his dismissal and the words Ye Zhongming had spoken in the command post gradually spread, many began to understand. The ordinary warriors, in particular, felt deeply grateful to Ye Zhongming.

They understood clearly that because of this incident, commanders would likely pay more attention to their lives in the future.

At the same time, the members of the First Battalion, First Regiment, also spoke of the various benefits Ye Zhongming had given them, as well as his post-transformation ability resembling that of a top-tier expert. These stories began circulating within the camp, and even the Su Clan caught wind of them.

Though these accounts were exaggerated, they elevated Ye Zhongming's stature considerably. With the added details from Star-Eye Clan warriors, his image became even more heroic.

Everyone was sensible. With a little thought, they understood that Ye Zhongming was the key figure in the Star-Eye Clan's revival.

Previously, only clan leaders and high-ranking members had such a clear understanding. Now, it was common knowledge.

In an instant, Ye Zhongming's prestige rose to a level even higher than that of the two Lords.

Amid this favorable reputation, news spread among the warriors still at camp.

Ye Zhongming… was recruiting volunteers for a suicidal mission.