CHAPTER 44: CHAPTER 44: DEFEAT! ESCAPE, ESCAPE, ESCAPE

[In the moment your minds falter, a woman’s angry shout awakens you, "Run quickly, I’ll hold him off. Escape as far as you can, and never return."]

[The voice belongs to the girl clad in blood-red armor, but her appearance has dramatically changed. Her exposed body is now fully covered by the blood-glowing armor, and she wields a long red sword with an unknown flame in her right hand.]

[The man initially suppressed by Xia Qingxue’s aura reacts with a mocking rage upon hearing the girl’s shout, "Hongkai’Er, I think you’ve gone mad."]

[The man maneuvers the mecha to sidestep Xia Qingxue, and swings a giant long blade intending to cleave through the girl in red armor. Despite the vast difference in their sizes, her small blood-colored sword stands its ground against the massive blade.]

[With no time to focus on the battle, you pull Xia Qingxue along, fleeing to the distance. In the last flash of your vision, you see the girl in red armor climbing the giant mecha’s body, dodging mechanical arm attacks, aiming to seize the operator in the cockpit.]

[You and Xia Qingxue run for your lives until you reach the secret passage, where you finally breathe a sigh of relief.]

[The escape route is perilous, with mechanical legions swarming the streets. If not for the timely appearance of Black Demon One, diverting most of the enemy’s firepower, reaching this point would have been nearly impossible, as your potions proved ineffective against the mechanical soldiers.]

[Looking at the now unmasked secret passage, Xia Qingxue hesitates. She says she doesn’t want to run anymore, as continuing to flee will mean more people dying because of her—her childhood friends, your pet, the kind noodle shop elder, and others caught in the crossfire.]

[Your life is at a crossroads, be cautious with your decision.]

[Option A: Agree with her decision and return to the battlefield with her. Even knowing death awaits, I will face it with a grin, challenging, "Hurry, take my life, you scum."]

[Option B: Scold her and reveal the cruel truth—that those who stayed behind to cover for you have no chance of survival. Only by escaping can you honor their sacrifice.]

Chen Pingchuan feels a tightness in his chest,

Logically, being angry over a scene that hasn’t played out isn’t worth it, as he can change his life’s course through actions in reality.]

But sometimes, emotions disregard logic.]

His internal anger creates a tense and oppressive atmosphere, even affecting the air in the rented room.]

The previously sleeping Black Demon One is also woken, unaware of its owner’s anger. It silently lies down near Chen Pingchuan’s right foot, nuzzling his trousers with its smooth black fur.]

The gesture of Black Demon One brings Chen Pingchuan a bit of sanity,]

"I must calm down; the weak vent emotions, the strong control them. I need to use wisdom to change the future."]

"Humans aren’t animals or machines; I should develop my brain to compensate for my shortcomings."]

"Thus, Option B is the optimal solution, as returning now only leads to meaningless sacrifice with no benefit."]

Having made his decision, Chen Pingchuan still wears a wry smile, muttering,]

"Ah, women, the root of calamities; men, thinking with their lower halves, a perfect match indeed."]

Then he glances again at Black Demon One, unfazed by its blood-red eyes. Instead, he feels a sense of closeness and affectionately strokes its fur, encouraging:]

"Good boy, you need to grow up quickly. Otherwise, every time you cover for me, you end up getting beaten like a fool, and it pains my heart to see it."]

Without further hesitation, Chen Pingchuan makes a resolute decision.]

"Choose Option B."]

[You and Xia Qingxue escape to the outer districts, though the situation there isn’t much better. The scale of battle isn’t as grand as in the City of No Night, but mechanical creatures swarm the streets, relentlessly slaughtering regular people detected by infrared scans.]

[The mechanical beings in the outer districts differ from those in the City of No Night. They shine with a bronze-black metallic luster, their eyes cold electronic lights, moving clumsily yet with determination, clearly lacking in combat prowess.]

[Though the outer district’s mechanical creatures massacre powerless civilians well enough, they fail to harm you, who has been through phase enhancement. Using your speed and high-strength attributes, you and Xia Qingxue break through the encirclement.]

[You arrive at your small courtyard in the outer district and try to escape using your battle-tested off-road vehicle.]

[A thunderous sound comes from the sky as the protective shield of the City of No Night is fully breached, allowing you a glimpse of the scene above the city.]

[A tiny black speck is torn apart, and the once-resilient Genetic Warrior unit falters instantly, scattering in all directions.]

[Your pupils contract as you realize time is running out. If your predictions are correct, the City Lord or the strongest force inside the City of No Night must have fallen, explaining the sudden retreat.]

[Before you and Xia Qingxue can board the off-road vehicle, the wall of your courtyard is smashed again—an attack you’re starting to get used to.]

[The uninvited guest’s appearance aligns with the aesthetics of the Mechanical City, their body clad in azure mechanical armor. Despite the vibrant color, it exudes a cold-blooded, sinister vibe.]

[Xia Qingxue whispers quietly in your ear, briefly explaining the newcomer’s background. He’s a member of the Celestial Palace’s Hidden Guard, known as the fiercest hound within the elite ranks, and one of the four leaders of the Hidden Guard. His name and title are the same—Blue Demon.]

[Xia Qingxue’s face turns sorrowful again as she tells you she loves you, asking you to forget her, then walks towards the opponent.]

[Just as you prepare to fight to the death, Blue Demon unexpectedly refrains from immediate attack, addressing Xia Qingxue with these words.]

[Do you want to display the dialogue content?]

"Display!"]

[Oh, who do I see here, isn’t it the young lady.]

[I must have the worst luck, running into you of all people.]

[The one next to you must be your Heaven’s Chosen.]

[I can’t afford to provoke the Grand Palace Master, nor you, so tell me, what should I do?]

[No choice but to kill him, for only then will you experience the most extreme, fiery emotions, and when you ascend as a ruler, perhaps you’ll suppress the era, just as the Grand Palace Master does.]

[No need to thank me or feel moved, it’s simply what I must do.]