Translator: CinderTL
In the video, Feng Qi saw himself standing on a massive circular execution platform, his hands and feet bound by heavy black chains. He was dressed in a striped prison uniform.
His skin was pale, his lips cracked, as if he hadn't seen sunlight in ages. His hair was disheveled, and he stood with his head bowed, looking gaunt and utterly defeated.
Behind him stood a stern-faced man in the uniform of the Star City Garrison, wielding a massive executioner's blade.
The execution was being broadcast live, allowing anyone to witness the grim spectacle online. The method chosen—beheading, a practice long abandoned in modern society—underscored the gravity of the situation.
This detail puzzled Feng Qi deeply.
Public executions were understandable, perhaps intended to deter potential troublemakers. But even Mu Qing, who had slaughtered entire cities, had her execution kept secret. What had he done to warrant such public condemnation?
Intrigued, he continued watching.
As time passed, the uniformed man behind him spoke:
"Feng Qi, do you have any final words before your death?"
At the question, the man in the video slowly raised his head, revealing a gaunt, haggard face. He opened his mouth and spoke:
"Do you all hate me so much?"
As he spoke, the video screen filled with a torrent of furious insults scrolling across the screen.
Even the Military Department officer standing behind him couldn't help but retort, "You betrayed us. Don't you deserve to be hated?"
The onlookers surrounding the execution ground began pelting him with stones.
Observing the seething crowd, the man in the video shook his head and chuckled softly. "You'll never truly understand me. If you tried to walk the path I've walked, you might not even have the courage to take the first step. The version of me you know is merely the tip of an iceberg, and your judgments of me capture less than one ten-thousandth of my true self."
Watching the endless stream of angry insults scrolling across the screen, Feng Qi clenched his fists.
He could only imagine the anguish his future self must have felt in that moment.
He had once selflessly sought to save the world, only to be met with the world's scorn and humiliation, branded as a traitor hindering the progress of Human Civilization.
He didn't hate the people, for they were merely blinded, unaware of the true reality.
Their anger stemmed from their love for this world, a sentiment he understood.
But he could never forgive the dark forces manipulating everything from behind the scenes, toying with the world.
The thought of destroying the Scarlet Research Institute burned even more urgently in his heart.
In the footage, after delivering that speech, he was escorted to the execution platform's central guillotine.
Just then, a commotion erupted in the crowd.
Military personnel surrounding the platform were shoved aside, and he saw a slender figure in a black robe step onto the platform.
Behind her, another black-robed figure followed closely, guarding her advance.
At the sight of this person and the emblem on their robe, no one dared to intervene.
When the hood was pulled back, he recognized the familiar face. It was Mu Qing.
"Feng Qi, I'm taking you back."
"I'm a criminal now. I can't leave." The Feng Qi in the footage lifted his head, smiled at Mu Qing.
"I don't believe it. The Feng Qi I know loves this world more than anyone." Mu Qing's eyes welled with tears as she gazed at his gaunt face.
"Don't make a mistake. You're the commander of the Top Domain Battle Group, an elite of humanity, with a bright future ahead. Don't let me drag you down."
Mu Qing didn't respond. Instead, she reached out and gripped the specially forged black iron chains. With a surge of immense force, the chains shattered inch by inch, the fragments clattering to the ground.
Seeing this, the Military Department soldier standing behind Feng Qi, his hand gripping a broadsword, paled visibly.
"Commander Mu, what are you doing? Is a traitor really worth this?"
Hearing this, Mu Qing's gaze snapped to the soldier, her eyes swirling with crimson light.
"He's not a traitor!"
Under her intense stare, the soldier stumbled back several steps, visibly intimidated.
Seeing this, Feng Qi in the holographic projection quickly intervened.
"Don't be foolish! This is the Military Department. Don't let me drag you down with me."
"I'm going to save you, and no one can stop me."
As Mu Qing moved to break Feng Qi out of the execution grounds, Feng Qi suddenly slapped her across the face. In the ensuing silence, he said:
"Calm down. Don't become a historical villain like me."
"How can I just stand by and watch you die?" Mu Qing's eyes welled with tears as she struggled to suppress her grief.
"Do you remember our promise under the willow tree? To fight for the future of humanity until our last breath? You've already achieved that by forming your own domain combat team. If you break me out today, you'll become a historical villain, and all your efforts will be for nothing."
"Then do you remember when you said you'd become my vice-commander?"
Hearing these words, the man on the screen visibly startled, then shook his head and sighed.
"I broke my promise."
"I brought enough people to ensure our safe escape from Star City..."
Mu Qing's words were cut off by his angry shout:
"Escape? To where? To live in hiding? Even if it's unbearable, you must endure it! Remember your mission. If I fall, you must carry on my dreams. Don't let me die with regrets."
Staring at Feng Qi's haggard face but unwavering gaze, Mu Qing remained silent for a long moment before asking, "Is death inevitable?"
"Yes, it is."
Hearing this, Mu Qing stomped her foot, causing cracks to radiate outward from her center across the execution platform.
"What if I insist on saving you?"
The surrounding Military Department personnel tensed to the breaking point.
"Don't make me spend the rest of my life struggling in agony. Give up."
A single crystalline tear slid down her cheek as she seemed to finally understand his resolve to die.
"I swear I will uncover the truth and avenge you!"
With those words, Mu Qing turned and led the other black-robed figures away, never looking back.
Watching them depart, the Military Department members at the execution ground, who had been on edge the entire time, visibly relaxed.
By this time, Mu Qing was already the group leader of the Top Domain Battle Group. Even the Military Department dared not provoke her easily, ultimately allowing her to leave. Her formidable influence was evident.
After Mu Qing's departure, the figure in the recording reappeared at the execution platform.
"Time's up. Leave your final words. It's time to go," the Military Department officer behind him said solemnly.
Hearing this, the figure nodded, then looked up and smiled.
"If you're watching this, don't feel guilty. For a failure like me, this is liberation. You're the one who must carry the burden and move forward. Pay no heed to the world's judgment!"
"Remember: My heart and actions are as clear as a mirror. All I've done is righteous. Let your conscience be your guide!"
As his words faded, the executioner's blade fell, and a crimson spray splattered across the screen.
Amidst the cheers in the recording, Feng Qi clenched his fist and slammed it heavily against the control panel.
You're the one who must carry the burden and move forward. The future you chose to sacrifice yourself not only for Mu Qing's sake but also for your own. Don't let him down.
"I will keep going! I will never give up!" Feng Qi vowed through gritted teeth, his eyes bloodshot.
(End of the Chapter)
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