Apocalypse: Master of Soul Beasts

Chapter 611: Chapter 175: A City’s Carnival, A Person’s Loneliness (End of Volume 4)_1

After giving instructions to Shadow, Lin Haifeng brewed himself a cup of aromatic tea.

The steam rose, wreathing Lin Haifeng’s face, lending it an indescribable haziness.

After a while, perhaps feeling the tea had cooled enough to drink, Lin Haifeng picked up the cup and walked to the window.

Outside, countless military personnel bustled about, preparing for another alliance ceremony to be held in three days—a ceremony of a larger scale but with stronger safety measures.

Busy, yet full of vitality.

Urgent, yet not chaotic.

Vast in number, and incredibly capable.

This was the cornerstone of the Yanjing Assembly Site! This was the cornerstone of the Human Race! This was the future!

Observing this scene, Lin Haifeng’s gaze seemed somewhat vacant.

Everything—everything since the apocalypse began, until now, until this very day! All the efforts he had made, all the prices he had paid, had finally yielded the rewards he sought! The Yanjing Assembly Site—the capital of Cathay before the apocalypse and the center for humanity after it—was finally on the right track.

What is achievement? This is achievement! All that he had done, what was it for? For this very scene before him! This is what he had strived for!

Thinking this, Lin Haifeng took a light sip of his tea.

But... when? When exactly had he become this kind of ruthless person? Become someone even he did not recognize?

...

”The farmer’s child, so stupid and slow.”

”Right, I heard his dad’s a farmer. Has that earthy smell all over him. I really don’t understand why his mother fell for his dad.”

”Who knows? I heard Old Master Wang was furious about it for several years, even kicked the family of three out of the main compound. They were only allowed back last year...”

”No wonder the child looks so grimy...”

No, it wasn’t because of this.

...

”Haifeng, you’re joining the army tomorrow. In the military, listen to your superiors and obey orders.”

”I know, Mom, don’t worry.”

”It’s not that I don’t trust you, my Haifeng is sensible, Mom knows that. I just worry you’ll be bullied out there.”

”I won’t be, Mom.”

”Sigh, Mom put some hard-boiled eggs in your pack. Don’t forget to eat them on the journey...”

Three years later, Lin Haifeng, covered in glory, returned only to receive the news of his mother’s death.

The cause of death: overwork...

The third daughter of the Wang Family, dead from overwork. What an irony.

Seeing the perfunctory attitude of his relatives, seeing Old Master Wang’s cold, heartless face...

No! It wasn’t because of this either!

...

”Old Leader, this matter, how could we...”

”Haifeng, this was personally ordered by Old Master Fang.”

”But that’s hundreds of lives!”

”But those aren’t our lives, Haifeng. You came to me about this, but Old Master Fang’s influence is immense right now. Even though you’re Old Master Wang’s grandson, you know your standing in the Wang Family. An arm can’t overpower a thigh.”

”I...”

No, it wasn’t because of this either.

...

”Haifeng, when I retire, the position of Supreme Commander of this military zone will be yours.”

”Leader, you’re still hale and hearty.”

”Ah, enough with the flattery at a time like this. I came today to discuss something with you.”

”The Fang Family has sent word. Once you take your position, you’ll have to ’clean up’ the Wang Family. Look, you understand how the Wang Family has treated you. Now that you’ve aligned with the Fang Family, some things are simply unavoidable.”

”Rest assured, Leader, I know what to do!”

”Good. You’ve matured...”

So, this was what they called maturity...

That was what Lin Haifeng had thought at the time.

It seemed it wasn’t because of this either.

...

Then what, exactly, was the reason?

In a short span, Lin Haifeng reviewed his entire life.

Then, Lin Haifeng chuckled softly.

He had found the reason.

The higher his position, the more distasteful things he had to do.

Was this his true intention? No! It wasn’t!

No one is born to revel in plots and schemes!

But for status, for power, even to ensure the safety of himself and his family, these things became necessary, and he grew increasingly adept at them!

Even now, having become the supreme leader of the Human Race, he still couldn’t escape this vicious cycle.

Is this what they call maturity? Bullshit!

Lin Haifeng sneered inwardly.

These were just distasteful things that had to be done, that’s all.

Thinking of this, Lin Haifeng drained the tea from his cup, turned, and walked back to his desk.

Leaning back in his chair, Lin Haifeng’s thoughts drifted...

If he could live again, would he still become this kind of person?

After a moment, Lin Haifeng had his answer in his heart...

If he could live again, rather than dominion, he would want a full family and to enjoy the happiness of family life.

But unfortunately, some things must be done by someone.

Perhaps his destiny had been sealed the moment he led the soldiers of the military district to Yanjing at the onset of the apocalypse...

A lifetime of toil, exhaustion, and insidious scheming, criticized by others, perhaps never knowing when death would come at the hands of someone he had wronged.

But some things! Someone has to do them! Some infamy, someone has to bear! Some sins, someone has to carry! Some responsibilities, someone has to shoulder!

Lost in thought, Lin Haifeng leaned back in his chair, his gaze gradually growing distant.