As Tony Stark gave the order, Frank raised his M16 and began walking toward the enemy's temporary base. He turned to Tony and Qin Li, saying, "Leave this side to me. You two are better suited for rescuing people."
Qin Li nodded and then said to Tony, "I'll check inside the houses for survivors. Tony, you handle the small fries along the way. Oh, and Frank, do you still have that premium HP potion from last time?"
Tony replied, "Got it," before flying off in his suit to begin an aerial assault. Frank nodded silently and continued toward the enemy's stronghold. After watching the two leave, Qin Li turned to face the family behind him. Since they didn't speak the same language, Qin Li had to rely on hand gestures and drawings on the ground to explain his intentions.
Eventually, the man and the woman holding their child began following Qin Li. They trailed behind him as he checked houses along the path cleared by Tony. Thanks to their explanations to others along the way, some lucky survivors joined the group. Tragically, most of what they found were lifeless bodies sprawled on the ground.
For the injured survivors who clung to life, Qin Li used his HP potion, sprinkling it directly on their wounds to rapidly heal them. The miraculous recovery left the people following him in awe. Some fell to their knees, muttering words Qin Li couldn't understand, worshipping him as though he were a divine savior.
Annoyed, Qin Li gestured for them to get up, but the language barrier persisted. A young girl stepped forward and said in English, "They think you're a messenger of salvation. They're begging you to resurrect their loved ones."
"You speak English? Tell them to stand up. There might still be people alive ahead. I can't bring the dead back to life," Qin Li replied in relief, grateful for her help in the tense situation.
The girl explained to the group, and many stood, ready to follow Qin Li. However, a few remained kneeling, clinging to the girl's robe, pleading. After another explanation, these individuals continued their worship, refusing to leave.
"They won't believe me," the girl said helplessly to Qin Li. "They think their devotion isn't sincere enough, and that's why you won't resurrect their loved ones."
"If they want to waste their lives kneeling, let them. There are more people waiting for us to save. Tell the others that if they want to live, they need to follow me and keep searching for survivors," Qin Li snapped, frustration clear in his tone.
The girl conveyed Qin Li's words, and while most followed, those kneeling reluctantly stood and joined the group. With the issue resolved, Qin Li pressed forward, instructing the girl as he walked: "Organize the younger, able-bodied people to search the houses ahead. Bring out anyone alive. If they find injured survivors, have them come to me immediately for treatment. Got it?"
"Yes, sir," the girl replied. After a brief pause, she hesitated and asked, "What should we call you? You look like a priest. Are you one?"
"Call me Father Li," Qin Li said with a wry smile, resigned to the label. His usual attire, courtesy of Jessica, consisted mainly of black and white priest robes. Even though he had asked her for casual clothes, they never seemed to materialize.
"Thank you, Father Li," the girl said, clasping her hands in gratitude. She relayed his instructions to the group, and several young men and middle-aged individuals began systematically searching houses. Along the way, they encountered heartbreaking scenes: corpses of loved ones, mourners sobbing over lifeless bodies, and people silently closing the eyes of the dead.
As the group grew larger, their search efforts became faster. Before long, they reached the area near the enemy's stronghold, where Tony and Frank were already engaged. Gunfire erupted ahead, and the crowd instinctively crouched, shielding their heads, except for Qin Li, who stared forward toward the chaos.
"Tell them to stay here and take cover. I'll deal with what's up ahead and come back for them," Qin Li instructed the girl without looking back.
"Understood, Father Li," she said, nodding. She explained the situation to the group, who dispersed into nearby buildings for safety. Once Qin Li ensured everyone was hidden, he ran toward the source of the gunfire.
"Move faster! Load the women into the trucks! Stack the weapons over here! Round up the prisoners!" The warlord, the same man who once captured Tony Stark but narrowly escaped death, stood in the middle of the base barking orders. Frustrated by the slow pace, he slapped one of his men carrying weapons.
Spotting a man attempting to shield his wife and children, the warlord roared, "Grab him! Take him to the side and shoot him!" The man's wife wailed, pleading for mercy, her sobs choking her words.
The man was dragged away, and as he knelt on the ground, he resigned himself to this being his final moment. Despite his fear of death, his priority was ensuring his family survived.
Suddenly, his son broke free from his crying mother and ran toward him, shouting, "Dad!" The man, ignoring the armed soldiers, embraced his son tightly, shielding him with his body.
"What's going on here?" the warlord shouted angrily, striding over and snatching the boy from his father. He handed the boy to another soldier and barked, "Shoot him! You're all useless. Can't even guard a single prisoner!"
The soldier dragged the man to his feet and pointed a gun at his head. Terrified, the man raised his hands in surrender, tears streaming down his face. The soldier yelled, "Turn your head away! Look away!" Hoping to ease his conscience, the soldier repeated his command, louder this time.
Just as the trigger was about to be pulled, a thunderous roar pierced the air—a sound like a jet streaking overhead at supersonic speed. Everyone froze, their eyes drawn to the sky.