Chapter 143: You’re Not the Ones Who Died

Chapter 143: Chapter 143: You’re Not the Ones Who Died

"These large mutant beasts might be this experimental base’s major offensive weapons."

Feng He’s brow furrowed as he spoke. "Are they planning to wipe us all out in one go?"

"Have those with low Spiritual Power Levels retreat first. They can’t withstand the attacks from these large mutant beasts."

Lin Jingjing, Gu Kaiwen, and Mo Xuan immediately sprang into action upon hearing this.

They ran toward the rear, shouting, "Anyone with a Spiritual Power Level below S, retreat at once!"

"The rest of you, stay behind and buy them time to escape!"

"Hurry!"

The large mutant beasts were already striding toward them, each step crushing the surrounding buildings to rubble.

They were enormous, seemingly about four meters tall. Their bodies looked like they were crudely patched together, resembling tattered dolls.

But no one dared to underestimate their power, because anyone foolish enough to do so would surely be killed.

"Help me—"

The soldiers who were too close and couldn’t materialize their spiritual power could only turn and run for their lives.

As Lin Jingjing and her three companions provided cover for the fleeing soldiers, others saw them and shouted, "Are you trying to desert?!"

"How can you retreat now, with the enemy right before us?"

"That’s right! Don’t you dare run!"

Lin Jingjing tried to ignore their words, but what she heard next made it impossible to stay silent.

A man in a black mask grabbed one of the fleeing soldiers. "Get back here! Take these bombs and charge! Make a path for the rest of us!"

’In that moment, so-called ’strong ones’ were nothing but bullshit!’

Lin Jingjing shot her fist into the man’s face. "Are you a fucking idiot? Their spiritual power hasn’t even materialized, and you want them to make a suicide run with bombs?"

"That’s just sending them to their deaths!"

The man she’d punched retorted, "They’re supposed to lay down their lives for us!"

"What good are they otherwise?!"

Lin Jingjing clenched her fists, her eyes filled with rage.

’These people are the real fucking idiots. Disregarding the lives of others... they deserve this.’

"Their lives are not your stepping stones." Lin Jingjing took a deep breath, yanked the man up by his collar, and said venomously.

"If you want someone to die, then you go die yourself."

With that, she slammed him to the ground.

They continued to cover the retreat of those with low Spiritual Power Levels, but after several trips back and forth, they realized it wasn’t enough.

Too many were still left. They didn’t deserve to die here.

Lin Jingjing looked at her own hands and took a deep breath. ’I hope my spiritual power is strong enough.’

’Strong enough to protect them. Strong enough to let them live.’

Lin Jingjing closed her eyes and entered her Spiritual World. Gazing upon the vibrant, spring-like landscape, she crouched down, stroked a blade of grass, and said, "I have to do something very important. It might require you to sacrifice your lives."

"I’m sorry."

The small blades of grass swayed their leaves in response to Lin Jingjing.

Go, Master. You don’t need to apologize to us.

"Thank you." Lin Jingjing said as she knelt and kissed them.

At her kiss, the small blades of grass shot up, growing exceptionally tall. They were overjoyed.

Master kissed us!

So happy!

The surrounding flowers, grasses, trees, and animals grew envious. They too began to shout wildly.

Master, we want one too!

We want a kiss too—

A kiss—

The voices of the plants and animals filled her ears. It was a cacophony, but Lin Jingjing simply smiled and told them, "Wait for me to come back."

Okay~

Master, we will watch over you~

We’ll miss you~

With their blessings echoing in her mind, Lin Jingjing returned to reality. Bolstered by their power, she unleashed her spiritual power.

This time, Lin Jingjing had learned. Instead of wrapping individuals in her spiritual power, she formed a large protective shield, enclosing everyone within it.

When those with low spiritual power saw the shield, their eyes were drawn to Lin Jingjing in the distance.

’Only the five members of this squad treated their lives as if they mattered.’

’Everyone else seemed to want them dead.’

Without a moment’s hesitation, they ran back under the cover of the shield.

They all knew that young woman was giving them a chance to escape. If they missed this opportunity, they would surely die here.

"Have you lost your mind? You’re encouraging them to desert!" Beisang rushed in front of Lin Jingjing, grabbing her by the collar and roaring.

"Heh." Lin Jingjing laughed coldly. "If they stay here, they’ll just die. Did you ever stop to think if they could even survive this?!"

"That huge mutant beast is almost on top of us! Can you guarantee they won’t be killed by it?!" Lin Jingjing demanded. "Their spiritual power hasn’t materialized yet! They can’t create a shield like I can!"

Beisang was stunned silent by Lin Jingjing’s outburst.

Technically, soldiers on the battlefield are forbidden from deserting. But Lin Jingjing’s words weren’t without reason.

This left Beisang completely torn.

"Human life is paramount!" Lin Jingjing pried Beisang’s hand from her collar and told her earnestly. "Even if the Empire’s population is severely overextended, our laws still tell us that human life is the most important thing!"

"We’re in a desert. Even if these mutant beasts get to the surface, it will take them time to reach the urban centers."

"And even if they do, are the people in the cities helpless? Won’t they fight back?"

"Isn’t the Empire’s King with the First Corps? Isn’t he the strongest being in the Empire? With him around, what are you afraid of? Why must you force these soldiers with no ability to protect themselves to stay here and die?"

Lin Jingjing spoke at length, and every word she said shook Beisang’s entire worldview to its core.

The Army Commanders from the other corps who had rushed over were rendered speechless. In the distance, General Zhang was also silent.

"Well said." Meng Shili applauded. "Chief Bei, you are truly fortunate to have such a fine soldier under your command."

Listening to Meng Shili, it was impossible to tell if he was being genuine or sarcastic.

Mo Xuan stepped forward and looked at them coldly. "My Sister Lin is right. The only reason you don’t want them to retreat is so you can use those who can’t defend themselves as cannon fodder for your own military merits."

His words immediately caused the faces of the various Army Commanders to darken, as Mo Xuan had just implied they’d climbed to their positions by sacrificing others.

"A cannon fodder’s life isn’t a life, is it?" Mo Xuan shrugged. "One death, two deaths, ten thousand deaths... it makes no difference to you."

"After all, you’re not the ones dying."