Ch. 48 - No Compromise

After hearing Ling Feng's words, Tianyang's expression remained unchanged. "I have to go, Director Ling."

Ling Feng seemed to have anticipated this response and didn't react much. However, Cang Du, the man with a ponytail, had a change in his expression and seemed ready to scold Tianyang for his apparent stubbornness.

On the other hand, Han Shu raised his hand and shook his head, restraining the ponytailed young man's about-to-be-uttered words. Cang Du reluctantly held back his words.

Ling Feng lightly adjusted his glasses and began to speak slowly. "Do you know what I’ll do? Allow me to extrapolate the likely course of events for you. If I allow you to go, you will face an ambush by eight experienced Prospectors. They are all seasoned professionals who have no qualms about killing. Even if you can get past them, you will encounter a level-3 Ascender."

"A level-3 Ascender may not be invincible, but they are not pushovers either. They may not have an overwhelmingly advantageous position, but they still pose a significant threat to you."

"But the danger doesn't stop there. Qin Jie is the head of the Third Security Division. If I were him, I could easily use my authority to mobilize personnel from the Security Division. While they don't have Ascenders, they are well-equipped, with over 30 members in their team. When you're exhausted, they can easily take you out on the spot."

Ling Feng continued, observing the young man's expression. He found that Tianyang remained unfazed.

Furthermore, Ling Feng said, "Even if you manage to defeat Qin Jie under these harsh conditions, what's next? You would have openly attacked a Fortress official in the Upper City. Even if Qin Jie provoked you first, according to Fortress laws, you would still face consequences. Of course, no matter what, the Night Walkers would have your back. But do you know what kind of price we would have to pay, especially with the growing voices against us within the Fortress?"

Ling Feng paused and then said in a serious tone, "Even with all of this in mind, are you still determined to go?"

Tianyang lowered his gaze, showing a contemplative expression. After a moment, he unslung his assault rifle and started removing his defensive armor. "I must go, but tonight, I am not a member of the Night Walkers. I am just an ordinary Fortress citizen from the Lower City."

"Nonsense!" Ling Feng naturally understood that Tianyang's actions were his way of taking personal responsibility and not dragging the Night Walkers into this. However, he had said so much not to dissociate the young man from the Night Walkers.

"Tianyang, why must it come to this? Just give us one more week, no, just three days! With three days, I can guarantee that Qin Jie will end up in prison, spending the rest of his life in the Black Mine. For him, that would be even worse than death."

"So, you see, he's not worth what you're doing."

Tianyang stopped all his actions and looked at Ling Feng. "But for me, I just want him dead. Besides, Director Ling, it's not a matter of worth. It's a matter of necessity."

"My mother was an ordinary woman. Do you understand how difficult it was for an ordinary woman to live in the Lower City, especially when she's principled?"

"But it's this ordinary woman who raised me for seventeen years! Seventeen years! Can you comprehend how hard her life has been? She gave me everything, her youth, her time, everything. But I couldn't even provide her with a decent meal. Now, this is the only thing I can do for her."

"So, no matter what, I have to do this."

Ling Feng suddenly felt a sense of frustration. He had always believed in his predictions and in the idea that every action had an equivalent value. But now, the young man in front of him was overturning what he believed in.

And he couldn't find a solution!

Behind him, Han Shu and the others were deep in thought, and Tianyang's words had a profound impact on them. The young man didn't have many big words or considered gains and losses like Ling Feng. He was simply doing something very straightforward, which had almost been forgotten at this age.

This was an age of transactions where almost nothing was beyond measurement and compromise. Yet this young man, even though he knew that his journey could exact a heavy price even if he succeeded, refused to compromise.

Perhaps to many, his approach might seem too reckless, even foolish. But when did we become so concerned about being clever in everything we do?

At this moment, Ling Feng's communicator buzzed, and then a hoarse voice said, "Let him through."

With just this sentence, the communication signal disappeared.

Ling Feng's mind went blank for a few seconds, then he shook his head. "Bring your armor and the Assault rifle with you. Otherwise, you're not going for revenge; you're going to your death!"

Tianyang was somewhat surprised and looked at Ling Feng.

Ling Feng took a step back, giving Tianyang space, and said, "The Ascender hired by Qin Jie is named Qu Gao, a Hunter, a level-3 master sniper. Don't expect him to engage you in a fair duel. That guy has a terrible reputation and is capable of anything. He will definitely make a move from the shadows, either the moment you step into Qin's residence or during your struggle with the Prospectors. If you want revenge, don't let him take you out."

After re-donning his armor, Tianyang removed the knife that Kaidi had given him from his back and tossed it to Cang Du. "Keep this for now, and I'll swap it when I return."

With the knife secured, Tianyang started his motorcycle and passed by them. He switched to autopilot mode and let the EM carry him to the Qin Residence.

Cang Du held the knife in his hands, expressing a sense of disdain. "Who cares about your piece of junk?!"

*EM- Electromagnetic Motorcycle

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