The standoff was tense and agonizingly long, with every passing second tightening the soldiers' nerves as the air grew thick with the smell of smoke and gunpowder. They knew that any accidental discharge at this moment would escalate the local conflict into a full-blown firefight, making it impossible for them or the two military districts to settle the matter.
Akabane Tsubaki's condition was at its absolute worst; the speed of her wound healing was slowing down significantly, and her consciousness hovered on the razor's edge between unconsciousness and total collapse.
The skin on her face was turning white—a translucent, pale shade that emitted a faint glow—as a layer of cocoon-like white silk began to emerge, covering her body. With her eyes half-closed and her vital signs dropped to their lowest point, she entered a state akin to hibernation.
In this moment, she was like a mirror covered in fine cracks, her life clearly on the verge of shattering.
The standoff continued until the morning sun rose, hours slipping away in the silence.
Rather than a standoff between the Devil City military district and the Mirage City military district, it was a confrontation between two family heads: the city commanding officer in charge of coordinating the Devil City military district and the head of the Chi family, who also served as the commander-in-chief of the Chi military department.
Chi Qiu did not represent only himself; he also represented the interest groups led by the Chi family and the military's top brass, meaning his every move was scrutinized and constrained by the powers behind him.
"Snow Crow Ji, you can see my sister's situation for yourself," Chi Qiu said coldly. "You had better give me an explanation for this afterward."
Chi Qiu's gaze remained fixed on the real-time feed. When he saw the girl's translucent, fragile face, his lips thinned slightly, but his expression remained unchanged.
"What exactly are you waiting for? You know that with just one word from you, Tsubaki could be out of danger."
Chi Qiu remained silent.
"This is absolute nonsense."
At that moment, a commotion broke out behind him as several guards failed to stop an elderly man. The once-placid face of the old man was now clouded with a hint of anger, and the majesty radiating from his marshal's uniform caused the guards to step aside, bowing their heads in silence.
"Do you think this is still outside the city, like some petty squabble with the underworld?"
Hearing the familiar tone, Chi Qiu's gaze steadied, and his pursed lips relaxed.
"Teacher." Seeing the old man, Chi Qiu respectfully approached him and lowered his head.
"Cough, cough."
Due to his agitation, the old man struggled to catch his breath and began to cough. After dismissing the guards from the room, his majestic aura softened, revealing a touch of frailty.
"Your health?"
"It is nothing."
The old man waved it off, his back ramrod straight. The military uniform accentuated his tall frame, and his thick, short beard and aged face only made him look more determined.
The old man was the former commander-in-chief of the Chi military department and the current Chi army marshal. Chi Qiu gave him the utmost respect, not only because he was his mentor, but because of the immense contributions the man had made to Red Heaven on the battlefield.
"I am aware of the situation."
"Then, Teacher..."
"What are your thoughts on this?" the old man asked, looking at Chi Qiu.
"My sister committed an error and must bear the responsibility. Moreover, she was on the battlefield; if she truly loses the capacity for self-control..."
"Spare me the official rhetoric. There are only two of us here. I want to hear your real thoughts."
Chi Qiu opened his mouth but found himself unable to speak for a moment. After a brief hesitation, he made up his mind and spoke slowly.
"If it is absolutely necessary, Tsubaki can die here."
Hearing Chi Qiu's almost heartless words, the old man nodded.
"What happened to her will have a great impact on you. There was already plenty of dissatisfaction with you within the military, and with unstable factors like the Syndicate, they will likely use this incident against you."
"However, I want to take on those responsibilities," Chi Qiu said suddenly.
The old man seemed a bit surprised and took a long look at the young man.
"Tsubaki's performance tonight proves that she might be able to find the Syndicate. She can connect with the consciousness of the Swarm, something that Chihong could never do regardless of the circumstances," Chi Qiu explained.
"If we can utilize this, we could establish a new department centered on Tsubaki's ability, specifically to purge the Syndicate from within the military and the Five Great Families. We could even use this department to extend our reach further. The current situation has always felt a bit... difficult to handle."
"I understand your thinking. I can understand your desire to have men centered around you, and I know your wings are fully fledged enough to let you change things. But it is an undeniable fact that she is an unstable factor. This ability is like a miracle."
"It is a double-edged sword," Chi Qiu whispered.
"Your sister lost control tonight. Even if she can maintain her sanity during normal times, can you guarantee she won't lose control again and become the next member of the Syndicate?"
"If she becomes part of the Syndicate, you know the hidden dangers better than anyone."
"Thank you for your guidance, Teacher."
"I am not guiding you. I am old, and my health declines day by day. Perhaps one day my mind will go and I will make mistakes. I am merely giving you a suggestion; the choice is yours. Do not lose your own perspective."
"You always give the right advice," Chi Qiu said.
The old man smiled.
"Even the wise make a mistake in a thousand thoughts, and even a fool may have a single insight in a thousand."
"An old horse knows the way, yet the foal must still explore for itself. To become a qualified leader, you must first learn to make mistakes, to be reckless, and to be impulsive, rather than weighing and re-weighing, constantly wondering what a wise man would do, only to end up accomplishing nothing."
"The ways of the world are ever-changing; no one can find an absolute balance in this."
"Make your choice and let this farce end quickly."
Hearing this, Chi Qiu focused his gaze on the screen.
The spider abdomen melted into bloody water, revealing the girl's original legs. The sharp scales that had sprouted gradually receded, leaving the skin beneath her combat uniform pale and sickly.
Under the scarlet morning sun, Snow Crow Ji gently slipped her arms under Akabane Tsubaki's legs and leaned over to pick her up, letting the girl's dust-covered face rest against her chest. Tsubaki's long red hair fell slowly, as unremarkable as entropic fire, yet it captured the gaze of thousands.
Walking before the war machines with countless barrels aimed at her, Snow Crow Ji deactivated her divine endowment. She walked between the two armies without any protection, looking out at the sky that had been dyed red by smoke and war.
"I am Snow Crow Ji, the current head of the Snow family and the commanding officer of the Devil City military district. I am taking her away from here. Whether it be a trial by a military court or a subsequent internal investigation by the Five Great Families, I will accept it all. But if you try to stop me now, then try firing at me."
"The consequences are yours to bear."
The woman's voice was not loud, but it was exceptionally clear and powerful, piercing into everyone's hearts.
The battlefield of tens of thousands fell deathly silent, and the air above remained still. No one spoke, and no one dared to break the silence. The soldiers of the Liberation Wings looked grave as they awaited final orders from their superiors; at a time like this, they did not dare move recklessly.
Chi Qiu watched the woman's silhouette as she walked away into the morning sun. He narrowed his eyes slightly, knowing that after tonight, he and his sister would become strangers to each other. He would walk a lonely path, with no more family ties in this world to hold him back.
He was destined to carry the weight and misunderstanding of countless people until he reached the end of that path.
The young man's command finally came through the communication channel.
"Let them go."
The ten thousand-strong army opened a path.
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