The standoff was tense and protracted, with every second ticking by. The soldiers' nerves were taut, and the air was thick with the sll of gunpowder. They knew that any accidental discharge at this mont would escalate the localized conflict to a full-blown exchange of fire, making it difficult for either them or the two military districts to manage the aftermath.
Chichu Chun's condition was deteriorating to its worst point; her wounds were healing ever more slowly, and her consciousness was on the brink of collapsing into unconsciousness.
Her facial skin gradually turned pale, almost transparent, emitting a faint glow. A cocoon-like layer of white silk enveloped her body, her eyes half-closed, with all life signs reduced to the bare minimum, as if she had entered a hibernation-like state.
At this mont, she resembled a mirror etched with myriad tiny cracks, her life precariously teetering on the edge of shattering.
The standoff persisted until the sun rose, and a few more hours passed in a flash.
Rather than a standoff between Nightmare City district and Mirage City district, it was more a confrontation between two patriarchs: the commander-in-chief of Nightmare City district and the Patriarch Chichu, who is also the commander-in-chief of the Chichu Family Army.
Chichu Qiu not only represented himself but also the interest group led by the Chichu Family and the military's high ranks, his every move watched and constrained by the backing group.
"Chichu Qiu, you've seen your sister's condition yourself," Thistle Xuedong said coldly, "You better have an explanation for afterward."
Chichu Qiu focused on the real-ti footage, his gaze unmoving. When he saw the girl's fragile, transparent face, he pressed his lips together slightly, maintaining his usual expression.
"What exactly are you waiting for? Clearly, with just a word from you, Xiaochun could be out of danger."
Chichu Qiu remained silent.
"This is utter madness."
Then, noises ca from behind him. Several guards failed to stop an elder who had a trace of anger on his usually composed face. The elderly man's marshal uniform exuded an authority that made the guards step aside and lower their heads in silence.
"Do you think this is outside the city, like a trivial fight with the underworld?"
Hearing the familiar tone, Chichu Qiu steadied his gaze, his pressed lips relaxing.
"Teacher." Seeing it was the elder, he respectfully approached the elder and lowered his head.
"Cough, cough."
Due to his agitation, the elder's breath was unsteady, and he began to cough, dismissing the guards in the room. His imposing deanor eased, revealing a hint of frailty.
"How's your health?"
"No problem."
The elder waved his hand, standing tall, his military uniform accentuating his large fra. His face, lined with age, made him seem more resolute.
The elder was the forr commander-in-chief of the Chichu Family Army, now serving as the Chichu Army Marshal. Chichu Qiu gave him respect not only because the elder was his ntor but also due to the contributions the elder made on the battlefield for Chichu Heaven.
"I know the situation."
"Then, teacher…"
"What do you think about it?" The elder looked at Chichu Qiu and asked.
"My sister made a mistake, and she should take responsibility for it, especially since it happened on the battlefield. If she indeed lost control over her actions."
"Don't give these official statents. It's just the two of us here. I want to hear your thoughts."
Chichu Qiu opened his mouth but couldn't speak. After a mont, he made up his mind and slowly said:
"If absolutely necessary, Xiaochun can die here."
Upon hearing Chichu Qiu's almost ruthless words, the elder nodded.
"Her issue will significantly impact you. The military is already quite dissatisfied with you, and coupled with the Syndicate's instability, they might seize this opportunity to make a fuss."
"But, I want to bear this responsibility," Chichu Qiu suddenly said.
The elder looked sowhat surprised, giving the young man a deep look.
"Xiaochun's actions tonight suggest she may be able to pinpoint the Syndicate. She can connect with hive minds, sothing Hong could never achieve," Chichu Qiu stated,
"If we can utilize this, we could establish a new departnt around Xiaochun's ability, focusing on purging the Syndicate within the military and the five families. We could use this departnt to extend our reach. Right now, the situation is rather... perplexing to tackle."
"I understand your intentions. I can see you want to gather your own core group, and I know your wings are now fully grown, enabling you to make so changes. But she's an unstable factor, an undeniable fact, and such an ability is like a miracle."
"Possessing dual nature," Chichu Qiu murmured.
"Your sister lost control tonight. Even if she normally acts rationally, can you ensure she won't lose control again and beco the next Syndicate?"
"If she becos the Syndicate, you're more aware than anyone else of the risk involved."
"You're teaching , teacher," Chichu Qiu said.
"I'm not instructing you. I'm rely offering advice. I'm getting old, my health declining day by day, and soon, I might make mistakes myself. I'm just giving you counsel. The choice is yours to make, don't beco opinionated."
"You've always given the right advice," Chichu Qiu remarked.
The elder smiled.
"Even the wisest is prone to err, while even the foolhardy might find truth."
"An old horse knows the way, yet the young colt still needs to explore on its own. To beco an adept leader, you must first learn to make mistakes, to be reckless, impulsive, rather than constantly weighing your options, wondering what a sage would do, ultimately achieving nothing."
"In this ever-changing world, no one can find absolute equilibrium."
"Make your choice, and let this farce end soon."
Being thus told, Chichu Qiu focused his gaze on the scene unfolding.
The spider abdon dissolved into a pool of blood, revealing the girl's original legs. The newly-ford scales slowly receded, and the skin beneath the combat suit appeared disturbingly pale.
In the blood-red dawn, Thistle Xuedong gently lifted Chichu Chun's legs, bending down to hold her, letting her dust-covered face lean against her chest. Her long red hair fell slowly, unnoticed like a flickering torch, yet it attracted countless eyes.
She walked toward the war machines; countless cannon muzzles targeted her as Thistle Xuedong lifted the Divine Gift, walking toward the frontlines with no defenses. Looking around, the smoke and flas had already painted the heavens red.
"I am the current patriarch of the Xuedong Family, Thistle Xuedong, and the command commander of the Nightmare City military zone. I will be taking her away now. Any military tribunal's judgnt or subsequent internal investigation of the five families will proceed as usual. But if you try to stop now, then try firing on ."
"At your own risk."
The woman's voice wasn't loud, yet it was exceptionally clear and powerful, piercing into everyone's hearts.
The battlefield, with tens of thousands of soldiers, fell into silence, the skies above swirling in quietude. No one spoke, nor did anyone attempt to break the silence. The soldiers of the Wings of Liberation maintained serious expressions, waiting for the final command from their superiors. In such a mont, they dared not act rashly.
Chichu Qiu watched as the woman walked away slowly in the dawn, his eyes downcast, realizing that after tonight, he would beco estranged from his sister, embarking alone on a solitary path, with no family left to worry about.
He was destined to bear the misunderstanding and weight from countless people, walking this path to its end.
The communication channel transmitted the young man's command.
"Let them leave."
Troops cleared the way.
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