C19 Truth

Jiang Feng was acutely aware that many things were shifting around him. The ripple effects of the butterfly phenomenon were already in motion. The most striking transformation was in Urendir. In the future, she would be known as the God Sniper, a shadowy hunter. Her abilities weren't particularly remarkable, focusing mainly on long-range sniping for assassinations and support tasks.

Yet, in the present, Urendir's powers were extraordinary, defying the norms of the time. Despite her natural aptitude for shooting, her formidable strength was pushing her towards close-quarters combat, which meant her development wouldn't be confined to sniping alone. But becoming a jack-of-all-trades could lead to mediocrity; true excellence comes from mastering a single skill. Nevertheless, Urendir was excelling in both melee and ranged combat, a true prodigy of warfare.

Jiang Feng had initially intended to hone his own melee skills while Urendir perfected her sniping to provide him with support, specializing in assassinations. But now, Urendir's prowess in hand-to-hand combat had not only eclipsed Jiang Feng's but had also surpassed that of animal-type Espers.

As a pivotal member of their team, it was best for Urendir to grow stronger. However, Jiang Feng harbored a deep concern, stemming from Su Kouye's ominous words that Urendir would inevitably leave him.

With the day's events weighing heavily, Jiang Feng suspected that Urendir was also grappling with unresolved feelings. Perhaps it was time to share his concerns with her, to allow her to make her own choices and provide him with some clarity.

"Jiang Feng, what's on your mind? You seem distracted," Urendir observed, sensing his restlessness.

"It's nothing," he replied.

"Then why aren't you asleep?"

"I... I'll get some sleep soon. Maybe you should go ahead, I need a moment to myself," Jiang Feng reasoned, deciding he needed to organize his thoughts and strategize for the future.

Urendir, however, remained seated, still and silent, her gaze lowered.

"Is there something you want to say?" Jiang Feng inquired.

"Yes," Urendir lifted her head, her face etched with complexity.

"Go ahead, speak your mind."

"Jiang Feng, why won't you ever listen to me? I've told you over and over that we can't keep Su Kouye around, but you never take my advice."

"So you're really upset?"

"Yeah, somewhat," Urendir sighed.

"Is it because I don't take your advice, or because I didn't kill Su Kouye earlier?"

"Both, actually."

"Urendir, for you, taking a life is easy. Before the apocalypse, you took more lives than you could count on your fingers."

"And? I only killed enemies or criminals."

"Enemies, maybe, due to differing views—not necessarily evil people. Criminals, perhaps, due to circumstances—forced into desperate situations with no other choice. But for you, there's no need to overthink it. A single bullet from you ends all contemplation, swiftly and neatly."

"What are you getting at? What are you trying to say?" Urendir felt confused.

"I've never actively sought to kill anyone because I haven't encountered someone truly deserving of death."

"What are you implying? That I kill indiscriminately? That Su Kouye didn't deserve to die?" Urendir was visibly upset, rising to her feet and fixing Jiang Feng with a look of hurt in her eyes.

For Urendir, the concept was simple: protect Jiang Feng and remove any potential threats. Yet now, Jiang Feng seemed to be criticizing her. How could she not feel aggrieved?

"Urendir, please don't get me wrong. I know you better than anyone. You have a pure heart and good intentions. You're just not one to ponder the repercussions. You don't realize how the life or death of one person can ripple through many other lives. Take Su Kouye, for instance. He's a formidable figure, one who could even alter the course of history. Killing him now could have far-reaching effects."

"He's betrayed you, and you still defend him?" Urendir raised her voice.

"I'm not defending him; I'm being realistic. I understand people like him, and perhaps I'm the only one who can. If I'm not mistaken, we'll be crossing paths with him again soon."

"Fine. Next time I see him, he's a dead man," Urendir declared, seething.

"Urendir, why are you so intent on ensuring his death?"

"What did I do wrong? He's our enemy," Urendir exclaimed.

"If he's our enemy, why didn't he kill me, or Jiang Wei? Why did he know you wanted to kill him and yet never planned to harm us?"

"What are you saying? He knew I wanted to kill him? Since when?"

"Ever since we first tested him with parts of the post-apocalyptic strategy. Your murderous intent was too obvious, and he picked up on it right away. He's been aware of your intentions all along, but he never once thought to hurt us."

"That's because he's afraid!"

"We've been with him for over 20 days; he's had countless opportunities to harm us. The easiest would have been to poison our food. Remember, he's the one who's been cooking most of our meals."

"So what? I just don't like the guy. If you keep defending him, believe me, I won't hesitate to throw you out the window!" Urendir was truly enraged. She had been wholeheartedly defending Jiang Feng, yet he continued to stand up for Su Kouye.

Jiang Feng let out a resigned sigh. "Why do you always react like this? You get so angry over nothing, completely disregarding my feelings."

"Feelings? Are your feelings really that important? Don't forget, you're much weaker than me, and you're also quite naive, not even seeing Su Kouye's betrayal."

Jiang Feng gave a wry smile. "Yes, I'm not as strong as I should be—I acknowledge that. But I'm not naive. It's precisely because I'm not that I'm in such agony. I sometimes wish I could be blissfully ignorant."

"What's that supposed to mean? Are you calling me stupid?"

"Don't overthink it. Let me be clear with you, Urendir."

With that, Jiang Feng began an extensive explanation...

The scene shifts back to the morning, to the moment Urendir and Su Kouye set out to find the mutated dog separately.

Urendir was diligently searching the third floor for the mutated dog. Meanwhile, Su Kouye only pretended to look for a few minutes on the second floor before stealthily making his way up. His real goal was Jiang Feng's suite on the 27th floor, aiming to steal the post-apocalyptic strategy while everyone else was away.

To Su Kouye's astonishment, when he reached Jiang Feng's suite, someone was unexpectedly standing at the door.

It was Jiang Feng himself.

"Hello, Su Kouye," Jiang Feng called out in greeting.

"How can this be? Why are you here?" Su Kouye exclaimed in disbelief.

"Why don't we start with you telling me why you're here?"

"No, I'm at a loss here. You go first—how can you possibly be here? Is there another Jiang Feng?"

"Don't be ridiculous. There can't be two of me. I came up from the first floor. You were wandering the second floor for a few minutes, and that's when I made my way up."

"You were tracking me?"

"Not exactly tracking, more like predicting your movements."

"So, all that earlier grouping—was that all an act?"

"Even Urendir could tell you were up to no good. How could I be oblivious? Your eagerness to form groups definitely had an ulterior motive."

"So you set a trap to draw me out?" Su Kouye felt a chill run down his spine, realizing he had been outmaneuvered by Jiang Feng.

"Something like that."

"But what about the mutated dog? Weren't you concerned about leaving Jiang Wei and Chen Ming on the first floor?"

"Speak of the devil, and he shall appear," Jiang Feng said with a smirk.

Just then, Jiang Wei and Chen Ming emerged from a concealed spot behind Su Kouye. Jiang Wei's hands were enveloped in a swirl of heat, seemingly ready to unleash flames at any moment.

"Are you trying to box me in?" Su Kouye glanced at Jiang Wei before turning back to Jiang Feng.

"How could we? Even combined, we'd struggle to take on your complete form. I'd much rather we have a proper conversation."

"What is it you want to discuss?"

"Let's start with you telling me why you're here. I have my suspicions, but I want to hear it straight from you."

Realizing there was no way out, Su Kouye came clean.

"I came to steal the complete apocalypse survival guide. Once I had it, I planned to leave and start my own faction."

"I knew I couldn't keep it from you. You must've figured out that the guide I gave you was incomplete."

"Well, since you've kept things from me, you're in no position to demand my undying loyalty."

"It's not about hiding anything from you. I've given you the complete guide to surviving the apocalypse. It's simply a question of timing. Why this urgency?"

"I can't bear being at the mercy of someone weaker than myself. I aim to rule as king, or at the very least, stand as your equal," Su Kouye confessed his ambition.

"Su Kouye, enough with the cunning. Sure, you may surpass me in strength, but when it comes to speed, you're well aware I'm faster. However, this isn't the moment to dwell on such details. What I'm saying is, my future accomplishments will exceed your wildest dreams, and I'll even acquire the flame paranormal power. To put it bluntly, I'm the powerhouse you'd do well to ally with."

Realizing his excuses wouldn't hold, Su Kouye admitted, "I'm aware of the great things you're destined for, but I can't accept being just another one of your followers. I aspire to more; I too want to wear the crown."

"Your greed blinds you, Su Kouye. You might rule over some small domain, but you'll never be the king of humanity. A true king isn't just about brute strength; he's supported by a fiercely loyal and formidable team."

"If you're aware of my greed, why keep me around?"

"I'm offering you a chance, hoping to steer you right. Grasp this principle, and you're on your way to becoming a marshal with boundless prospects. You may not be the sage advisor in times of peace, but in chaos, you're a formidable warlord. I mastermind strategies behind the scenes, and you clinch victories from afar. Together, what's to stop us from uniting the world under one banner?"

Jiang Feng's impassioned words deeply stirred Su Kouye. The idea of orchestrating grand strategies and securing victories from a distance, the prospect of unifying the world—it was all incredibly compelling.

"Jiang Feng, I..." Su Kouye's voice trailed off as he bowed his head.

"Are you beginning to see the light?"

"I apologize, Jiang Feng. I was mistaken."

"Su Kouye, building a team is no small feat. Both you and Urendir are dear to me, but I have reasons to keep Urendir close. You, on the other hand, I see leading armies, achieving great deeds. In a way, I hold you in higher regard than Urendir. It's by my side that you'll find what you truly seek."

Su Kouye's subtle machinations were effortlessly exposed by Jiang Feng, yet Jiang Feng bore no grudge. Moved by this gesture, Su Kouye suddenly dropped to one knee and said, "Jiang Feng, thank you for giving me this opportunity. I am ready to stand by your side."

Jiang Feng gently lifted Su Kouye to his feet, his actions revealing a deep appreciation for Su Kouye's talents.

"Jiang Feng, we should hurry and find Urendir. I actually took care of the mutated dog yesterday. Let's not have her searching needlessly."

"I had a hunch you'd already dealt with it," Jiang Feng replied. "Regarding Urendir, I've got a different strategy in mind."

"What are you thinking?"

"You're aware of Urendir's strength, but she lacks communication skills. I'm fond of her straightforwardness, yet it's not sustainable. If it were just Urendir and me, I wouldn't care if she berated or disrespected me in private. However, with the team expanding, Urendir needs to learn how to articulate herself properly."

"I agree. Her dismissive attitude and public disrespect could undermine your authority over time."

"True, she may be dismissive, but at heart, she means well. I need her to grasp the gravity of her actions and adjust her communication style."

"So, what's your plan?"

"I need you to join me in staging a little drama."

"What do you mean by that?" Su Kouye asked, intrigued.