Infinite Ebullience
Chapter 501 - 46: Decisiveness

Chapter 501: Chapter 46: Decisiveness

"If all the human leaders are killed, would that also be considered completing the mission?" The moment this thought flashed across his mind, even Tang Zheng was taken aback. If he eliminates all of them at such a critical juncture, the humans, now scattered like sand, would surely be wiped out by the Beastmen.

"However, given the Silver Trojan’s twisted nature, that might be possible." Tang Zheng felt cornered. He understood what the Lieutenant General intended by pulling him in; having lost so many trusted men, he needed a new, strong enforcer.

"I want to negotiate with them!" A hint of helplessness flitted across the Lieutenant General’s eyes. If the negotiation fails, they would have no choice but to fight.

"This conflict has no winners." Upon seeing Tang Zheng’s silence, the Lieutenant General sighed. Regardless of the outcome, it would inevitably shake the stability of the base.

As a thin strip of dawn broke, two Hummers running at full speed and three armored vehicles arrived at the base. With the Beastman’s Frog Jump tactics successfully applied, the base, previously filled with joy and laughter, had been completely submerged in the gloom of war due to the declining Japanese population.

Barbed wires, trenches, landmines, not a single soldier was on duty outside. Even the massive steel main gate was shut tight. The walls and watchtowers, over twenty meters high, were filled with fully armed soldiers. Their faces were painted with solemnity and tension. When the Hummer appeared on the horizon, they reacted as if facing a formidable enemy. Various alarm sounds echoed and numerous turrets turned towards them.

"Damn, they’re not really mistaking us for Beastmen, right?" Gao Yu cursed under his breath. It’s no wonder the native soldiers were so flustered since there were three Beastman armored vehicles in the fleet.

"They’re about to collapse mentally before the battle has even begun." With a frown, the Lieutenant General sent out his unique identification signal through the radio. Being a Lieutenant General for over a decade, he still held a few trump cards. However, the soldiers’ performance did not sit well with him.

Anyone would be frustrated and upset when faced with the barrel of the crowd’s guns. However, the Lieutenant General noticed that Tang Zheng had no facial expression and was even leisurely munching on chocolate.

"Don’t worry, they wouldn’t dare to shoot a Lieutenant General in broad daylight." Tang Zheng reassured the Lieutenant General, almost making him cough up blood.

"Wouldn’t it be easy to condemn me as a deserter? Besides, very few civilians have seen me." The Lieutenant General tried to take a jab at Tang Zheng but was immediately met with a comeback.

"So, you should go out and scold them. Point out their mistakes and let them recognize your identity. Once they’re aware they’re in a dilemma, we’ll be safe." Seeing the Lieutenant General’s face turn slightly green and his adjutant beside him fuming with rage, Tang Zheng could not help but snort, "Do you really think the three admirals are fools? As far as I can tell, your subordinates in the base must have been swayed and divided by them a long time ago."

The Lieutenant General reluctantly followed Tang Zheng’s advice, letting the adjutant shout a few phrases. As expected, the turrets moved away. A small door on the city walls could only be opened after a five-minute wait.

"Lieutenant General, it’s wonderful that you’re back to take control." A colonel, along with his armed men, was waiting outside. Seeing the Lieutenant General emerge from the armored vehicle, he immediately saluted with respect, his face full of surprise.

"Not bad. Where are those three old fools?" The Lieutenant General patiently patted the colonel’s shoulder, then asked about the three admirals’ status, as he couldn’t wait a moment longer.

"They are inspecting the dockyards, the defense line’s readiness, and the living conditions of the civilians." The colonel gestured for the Lieutenant General to proceed and led him to a luxurious military vehicle.

"It’s still morning. Where did those admirals find the heart to get out of their warm beds, where they might have been hiding mistresses, to do inspections?" Gao Yu was skeptical.

At this moment, the civilians had started their work with groups of people everywhere. If they don’t work, they don’t eat.

"Halt, submit to inspection." A senior adjutant stopped Tang Zheng and sternly ordered them to submit to an inspection, extending his right arm covered with a white glove.

The nearby soldiers pointed their weapons at them.

"I told you that these people can’t be trusted." Li Muqing mumbled and hid behind Tang Zheng.

Tang Zheng had long asked Qin Yan to put away their weapons. They even temporarily placed the space backpack into the wristwatch to put the other party off guard and reduce unnecessary trouble, but it seemed like they couldn’t avoid it.

"Xiao Zhang, they’re the new recruits I enlisted. They’re harmless." The Lieutenant General stopped, stared into the colonel’s eyes as he explained, and his face immediately lit up with a smile. Saying it was a misunderstanding, he ordered the adjutant to step back, his demeanor deeply respectful.

"Something feels off." Pang Meiqin grabbed Tang Zheng’s sleeve and discreetly pushed Li Meilian away.

"Only the Lieutenant General, still immersed in his former authority, hasn’t noticed." Lu Fan pouted, itching to pull out the Silver Revolver and shoot the colonel. She despised such two-faced individuals the most.

"General, it’s still early, let’s have breakfast first." The colonel glanced at his watch and without waiting for the Lieutenant General’s response, waved his hand, setting their course on his own accord.

The chief lieutenant looked displeased, but his objections were silenced.

"Your subordinates are all injured, and need treatment and rest. Pushing them further might lead to prolonged complications." The colonel replied humbly, "I’ve assigned someone to watch the admiral. As soon as there’s a gap, I’ll immediately notify you."

The Lieutenant General looked at Tang Zheng. He wanted to get him on his side and contribute more, so he agreed with the proposal.

"Damn it, he’s too easily swayed. If he doesn’t seize the opportunity to make a move, it’ll be too late once the opponents collect themselves and make preparations." Dantai shook his head, pessimistic about the prospect of the operation’s success. "We should try our best to stay alive."

While breakfast was abundant, everyone opted for safety and decided to consume Tang Zheng’s military rations. In the morning, a major arrived with several surgeons to perform surgery on Gao Yu, Li Meilian and the big-breasted sister. This left everyone puzzled.

"Why are we not taken to an operating room? What if we get infected here?" Gao Yu yelled in frustration. This annoyed the doctors and they hastily wrapped up the wound.

"We can’t get out. Many soldiers are guarding the main entrance. Judging by their uniforms and badges, they seem to be elite special forces. Lu Fan tried to leave the building to gather information, but she was caught before getting out. She tried escaping, but the security was exceptionally tight."

Tang Zheng attempted to meet the Lieutenant General, but was informed that he was unavailable and that Tang was not permitted to leave the building.

"What do we do? We’re under house arrest." Li Muqing, frightened, turned pale and cowered in a corner, looking panicked and helpless.

"We’ve got food and drink and we’re not on the front line serving as cannon fodder. Be content." Chu Baichuan was actually quite satisfied with their current situation. He came asking Tang Zheng for food as Ai Yixin needed to replenish her nutrients.

"But we could be killed at any time! The outside is full of soldiers." Li Muqing disliked Chu Baichuan’s attitude. He only cared about his wife and no one else. If it were not for Tang Zheng, he would have been dead by now. Who did he think he was, acting so bravely?

"You mean they’re here to die." Because he possessed the seed ability, Chu Baichuan was not afraid of them. After grabbing some food, he left to return to his room.

"I can’t swallow this insult. I’ll go out and take another look." Little Lolita punched the bed and sprinted out like the wind. Qin Yan gave Tang Zheng a reassuring look and followed her.

"I’ll go scout for information as well." Pang Meiqin glanced at Li Meilian who had lost an arm, as well as at the anxious Li Muqing. She snorted in disdain. After kissing Tang Zheng and leaving him, she didn’t feel the need to use her body to appeal to him anymore, as this would merely decrease her value. The long-legged stewardess knew how to make herself stand out.

"Even if I offer myself, Tang Zheng probably wouldn’t agree." Though Pang Meiqin had a good impression of Tang Zheng, it wasn’t yet love.

"I’ll go take a shower. You guys rest first." Their rooms were adjacent. If anything happened, everyone could be on the scene quickly.

Ever since entering the game, they had been on the run. Tang Zheng hadn’t even had a chance to shower. He was dirty from head to toe. He stepped into the bathroom, turned on the showerhead, and let the steamy hot water wash over him. A sense of comfort instantly spread throughout his entire body.

Looking at the mirror above the washbasin, Tang Zheng noticed that his hair had grown to the length of his eyebrows. He began to formulate his survival plan.

Follow the Lieutenant General into a death trap? When he first heard the Lieutenant General’s call to arms, he was moved by his righteousness and passion. But after quiet contemplation, he knew he wouldn’t be foolish enough to serve as a foot soldier. Getting close to the lieutenant general meant getting close to the admiral. Should he perfectly demonstrate his abilities, even if the admiral was blind, he’d be eager to recruit capable men who could stand against mad female orcs.

"I’m rubbing shoulders with those who hold the highest power in the planet. Even with the slightest sign of danger, I can escape with their protection. A million people are probably going to die in the Yim energy base explosion. What does that have to do with me? At worst, I would just feel guilty for a while." Tang realized he had taken the concern of others too much at heart. The most crucial task was to ensure everyone survived. That was what a competent group leader ought to do. The rest would just follow the victors of the battle.

"I should have volunteered in the first place, instead of waiting until An Ping’s brother lay dead." Tang punched the wall. The cracked patterns immediately spread out. His own mercifulness was his downfall.

Just as Tang finished his self-reflection, he heard a faint footstep in his room. The intruder even closed the door. He had intentionally left the door open in case of emergencies, as it would take some time to break the door.

"Tang Zheng, it’s me." Li Muqing trembled as she spoke. "The others have returned to their rooms. I’m scared. Can I stay with you?"

"Sure." Tang Zhu put away his rifle. He didn’t have the special ability to recognize people just by the sound of their footsteps. He had planned to let her sit for a while, but Li Muqing opened the bathroom door and walked straight in.

...

"Life shouldn’t be like this." Li Meilian, huddling in a corner, wept bitterly. She should have been the center of attention under a bright spotlight as a beauty pageant winner, not running for her life like a spineless animal due to the Trojan Horse Game.