Chapter 47: Song Lufeng, Your Life is Important—Don’t Do This Again!

The warriors dragged the corpses of the three Beast Kings and hauled back an abundance of crystal cores as they returned to the city.

“Casualties from this operation: 58 dead, 347 injured. Harvest: 3 Beast King corpses, 3 eighth-tier crystal cores, 97 seventh-tier crystal cores, 4,356 sixth-tier crystal cores, 10,000 fourth-tier crystal cores!”

“The City Lord single-handedly took on the entire Bright Group, eliminating 547 mutants, 4,234 chimeric beast-hybrids, capturing an S-class evolutionary scientist, and rescuing 3,245 civilians!”

The base’s loudspeakers continuously broadcasted their victory.

Everyone was excited, their faces beaming with joy.

A grand victory!

The greatest triumph in Xuanwu Base’s past century!

“Look, they’re back!”

The city gates opened, allowing the war vehicles to enter.

Three heavily armored trucks dragged the massive bodies of the Beast Kings, their crystal cores gleaming brightly.

There were also several corpses of seventh-tier beasts, valuable resources in themselves.

As soon as the warriors arrived, steaming hot, thick porridge was brought to them, with large chunks of meat and vegetables mixed in.

Women carried water over, children brought towels.

Bundles of warm winter clothing were pressed into their arms.

Song Lufeng stood up.

His voice echoed across every corner of the base.

“All returning warriors will be rewarded with 100 pounds of rice, 100 pounds of flour, 40 pounds of meat, 40 pounds of vegetables, and a box of assorted food supplies!”

“In addition to a standard set of winter clothing, each warrior may apply for an extra set!”

“Injured soldiers will receive free medical treatment and an additional reward—one chicken per person!”

“For the families of fallen warriors, they will receive two sets of winter clothing and a lifetime supply of rice and flour!”

“The Savior has delivered nuclear energy at a critical moment. Starting today, every household will have heating at night and three hours of electricity!”

The warriors beamed with joy.

Returning victorious was one thing, but receiving food, meat, and winter clothing was beyond their expectations.

Their families were filled with pride!

Those who hadn’t gone on the expedition regretted it deeply, determined to join the next battle.

A thunderous cheer erupted, a sea of celebration:

“This is amazing! We have heat! We have electricity!”

“The Savior has brought us resources—we won’t have to freeze anymore!”

“Long live the Savior! The Savior is incredible!”

Some wept, wiping their tears away with their sleeves.

Life was finally good.

They had defeated the beasts, repelled the Beast King, and secured peace for the base for a long time.

With the Bright Group eradicated, they no longer had to live in fear.

Food, water, warm clothes, and now—nuclear energy.

Such a life… they had never dared to dream of it before!

Song Lufeng watched as smiles bloomed on once-apathetic faces.

People who had been reduced to skin and bones from hunger were now regaining strength and vitality.

The sight filled his heart with gratitude.

Gratitude toward Gu Man.

At the most critical moment, her delivery of seawater had been nothing short of a miracle.

It had shaken him to the core.

“My Savior… how can I ever repay you…”

He would give up everything for her—if she wished, if she wanted.

The nuclear energy system activated, connecting to the heating network, filling Xuanwu City with warmth.

This was the first time in fifty years that large-scale heating had been possible.

Even with only three hours of lighting, everyone was satisfied. Homes lit up.

People sat by the warmth, sipping porridge, eating meat.

Strength returned to their bodies, color to their faces.

Their hearts were full of joy.

Song Lufeng returned to his room.

He was exhausted.

But inside, his emotions surged as he stared at the water in the bathtub.

It had been filtered and purified, crystal clear.

His face reddened slightly as he peeled off his battle-worn, tattered combat uniform…

After bathing, he donned a white sweater and put on his glasses.

Then, Gu Man’s words reached him—one word at a time.

“Song Lufeng, are you treating your life like it’s worthless again?”

Earlier, amidst the celebrations, she had held back for his sake.

Now, with no one else around, her voice carried anger and deep concern.

“Good for you, Song Lufeng. You’ve got guts.”

“Very impressive. Very capable. Did my words mean nothing to you?”

Song Lufeng immediately felt guilty, his face turning bright red.

He fidgeted awkwardly.

The man who ruled Xuanwu City with absolute authority now looked like a scolded child.

“…Savior, I’m sorry.”

His voice was weak.

Gu Man was even more frustrated.

“What’s with that quiet voice? Where’s the bravery you had when you took on the entire Bright Group alone?”

Song Lufeng shrank further.

“I just…”

He just didn’t want her to see the horrors of the Bright Group.

Didn’t want that place to taint her vision.

Even if they were desperate and battered, he wanted her to see something good.

“And you went after the Beast King too, didn’t you?”

“…I’m sorry, Savior. I worried you.”

Song Lufeng lowered his head, the light shining on his soft, fluffy hair.

Dressed in his white sweater, he looked especially obedient.

Gu Man found herself unable to continue scolding him.

She had once raised a white cat—one that was incredibly intelligent and mischievous.

Whenever it got into trouble and was scolded, it would act just like this.

“Song Lufeng, listen to me. I’ll say this once, and only once.”

“Your life is more important than you realize. Don’t ever do this again.”

“If something happens to you… I won’t forgive you.”

It wasn’t just about the 300,000 lives in Xuanwu Base.

It was about him.

He was incredibly important to her.

With him here, her life had meaning.

Caring for Xuanwu Base gave her purpose and motivation.

His presence had rescued her from a directionless existence.

Otherwise, she would just be someone with immense wealth but no sense of purpose.

Song Lufeng trembled at her words.

So… the Savior really did care about him.

He had never thought of himself as valuable beyond his responsibilities.

All his life, he had been the pillar for others to rely on.

But who could he rely on?

Who was his anchor?

His mission and duty had been inherited from the Song family, passed down from his ancestors.

He upheld it out of pride in his surname.

But no one had ever told him…

That he, himself, was important.

“Song Lufeng, listen. I want you to hear the ocean.”

Gu Man stood by the sea.

The wind carried the sound of waves crashing against the shore.

The tide rolled forward, lapping at her toes.

There was no ocean in the apocalypse.

She wanted him to hear the sound of the sea.

At this moment, across time and space, they listened to the same ocean.

Swish, swish…