"I and my sister... were born in a subway station near Yanjiao."
"The food is mushrooms, which tastes like mud. The water source... is deep-seated soil water. Although it has been filtered, boiled, and condensed, there is still a strange taste when drinking it."
"That small subway tunnel, which was blocked at both ends by collapses, could only rely solely on an emergency fire exit to connect to the outside. Dozens of people were crammed inside, hiding from the relentless pursuit and attacks of the demons, day and night."
"However, in the end, we couldn't avoid it. Later, demons attacked the subway station, and most people died. My sister and I barely escaped. She said the imperial court is in the south, so we should head south, aiming to live a life without the constant fear and worry."
"The memories of that fleeing process, I can't quite recall anymore," Chu Debiao said, looking down at the two below. "Anyway, my sister tried to protect me during the last part of the journey. But she was bitten by a puppet demon while protecting me, and then we were intercepted at the quarantine station north of Jiankang."
"At that time, my younger sister had already started to run a high fever, and we were discovered by the guards, who attempted to kill us... However, by then I had begun to awaken my ability, so I manipulated the surrounding metal to resist... We were fortunately rescued by an officer of the Chu family who happened to be serving nearby."
This guy activated his powers directly without any algorithm? Cheng Jinyang was speechless when he heard this. These northern refugees are really fierce.
"Okay," Chu Qingqing sneered, "Chu family's descendants saved you, and this is how you repay the Chu family. It's truly eye-opening."
"Those early days when I first entered the clan were the happiest time of my life," Chu Debiao said sincerely. "Unlimited supply of food and water, spacious rooms with comfortable beds, and never having to worry about demon attacks."
"Lineage identification deemed me capable of advancing to the fourth grade, so the family treats me very well. Residence, luxury car... anything I want is readily available. I once forgot my humble origins as a northern refugee. I was proud of my noble lineage, believing that everything I have is what I deserve as someone of high birth."
"....until my sister's health deteriorated again."
He lowered his head, looking at Chu Qingqing and Cheng Jinyang, and continued:
"I can't save my younger sister, can you understand that feeling? Yes, I am a nobleman of the fourth-grade family, the Yangdi Chu Clan, with excellent talent to reach the fourth grade. I have a bright future. I live a financially independent life, can drive my sports car on the outer ring expressway of Jiankang every day, then dine at the family hotel in Wanli Ginza. The good wine in my residence fills an entire wall shelf, and all the watches are luxury brands. The different ones can be worn each month..."
"However, when I recklessly speed on the highway, elegantly dine in hotels, and leisurely indulge in fine wines and appreciate luxury watches at home..." His expression suddenly convulsed, as if a grimacing demon, his gaze piercingly fixed on Chu Qingqing.
"I always suddenly remember with horror that I have a younger sister, deep in the special care ward of a hospital in the city, suffering from the torment and torture of the puppet demon's poison." His voice was hoarse as if it had been sanded with sandpaper. "Those toxins are slowly killing her from the inside out, turning her into a non-human monster."
"She shouldn't have been like this. She's about the same age as you, Qingqing."
Chu Qingqing didn't reply, just coldly tilted her head back, her gaze firmly locked onto Chu Debiao.
"So, because of this, you hate me..." she slowly spoke.
"No, what I hate is myself," Chu Debiao replied with a sigh, "The self who has entered the ranks of the gentry and indulged in decadent living."
"Chu Debiao!" a furious roar came from afar. Chu Jiye had already led the family's secret guards into the factory area, where they joined Cheng Jinyang and Chu Qingqing, all of them warily eyeing Chu Debiao on the roof. "What are you doing?!"
"Uncle," Chu Debiao stood up at the edge of the roof, "I've actually been very confused, and I hope you can help me understand: the royal family, the court, the prominent families, as the ruling class of human society, what is their significance in this world?"
"Shut your mouth!"
"Are you guys ruling excellently?" Chu Debiao opened his arms, like a raging preacher, "Half of the country has fallen into ruin, lost to the hands of demons. The remaining tens of millions of people in the north are trembling in forts, tunnels, and caves, waiting for you to do your job as the ruling class, to launch a northern expedition to reclaim lost territories, and to save them from danger!"
"When my sister and I were struggling in the dark subway station, what were you all doing? While we were fleeing southward for our lives, surrounded and isolated by enemies, you simply stationed troops along the Yangtze River to maintain your own peace of mind, continuing your life of luxury and indulgence!"
"If you had launched the Northern Expedition earlier, my sister wouldn't be in such a state now! Countless deceased northerners could have survived instead of being hunted down like livestock by demons, trampled, and killed! They died without any dignity!"
He shouted hoarsely until he was out of breath, his shoulders drooping weakly.
"So when Lord Wang secretly approached me, I accepted his ideological imprint." Finally, Chu Debiao burst into laughter, trembling with amusement, "I gave him the secret technology of metal hydrogen, helped their people infiltrate the factory, and transported the reserved metal hydrogen back to Wuchang."
"The Duke of Wuchang will soon attack Jiankang, overthrowing the decayed Sima royal family, as well as you aristocrats... completely overturning them!" He shouted fervently again, "The political situation in Jiankang is diseased, with the noble families and the royal family wrestling with each other, forming a stalemate. The Duke of Wuchang will break this balance, incite a war, crush you rubbish thoroughly, then consolidate all the internal conflicts into a powerful force, forming a strong fist, and then launch a full-scale northern expedition!"
"Today, my death marks the beginning of this war!" Chu Debiao suddenly raised his arm, holding something resembling a remote control in his right hand. "I'll use the remaining metal hydrogen stored in the factory beneath my feet to detonate this first grand cannon..."
There was a gunshot, and his raised arm suddenly broke at the elbow. The severed limb fell to the ground behind him, while his body weakly slumped downward, crashing heavily onto the ground, a pool of blood slowly spreading.
Cheng Jinyang turned in shock to see Chu Qingqing raising her arm, the smoking barrel still in her hand.
"We cannot let him press the switch," Chu Qingqing holstered her gun, calmly explaining, "Otherwise, if a massive explosion occurs, even if there are no casualties, the family won't be able to keep this matter hidden from the outside world."
"But he must have said so on purpose in the end." Cheng Jinyang lowered his voice, frowned, and said, "Since your father came here, he suddenly adopted a cynical attitude, even intentionally mentioning the metal hydrogen bomb below. Clearly he was seeking death! He wanted to use you to commit suicide!"
"That's not important," Chu Qingqing said coldly. "Cheng Jinyang, thank you and Xing Yuanzhi for your help to the Chu family. Our contract with Tianluo... ends here, satisfactorily."