Infinite Ebullience
Chapter 723 - 65: Brief Rest

Chapter 723: Chapter 65: Brief Rest

As an intelligent robot, Itala was the base closest to the rebel army’s frontline. Naturally, the generals regarded it as a thorn in their side. During the rescue of Tang Lu and his team, they had dispatched an army of ten thousand men to test Itala’s war potential. Although they hadn’t been able to take it down, they had made an assessment, so every general was full of confidence.

A Dare to Die Team of three thousand soldiers, formed into a long dragon, stood outside the treatment station, waiting to receive the ’antivirus reagent’ injection.

Because of their strong abilities, Tang Zheng and Zhuo Lie received special treatment and were assigned to a high-level ward with their respective team members, avoiding the annoyance of queuing.

"Being used as a suicide virus is one thing, but having to queue for it? The leaders of the resistance don’t seem to have a shred of humanity," Lu Fan complained, sitting on the bed covered with white sheets. "Do they think we are fools?"

Lu Fan spoke quietly so as not to let Zhuo Lie overhear. This was news that Tang Zheng had gathered.

"We can only take one step at a time," Qin Yan said calmly, wiping her rifle’s barrel. The others were busy with their duties, their nerves hardened by past experiences. After all, Tang Zheng had already discussed with them that they would absolutely not inject that antivirus reagent.

Chen Hong sidled over to Tang Zheng, but despite trying several topics of conversation, he didn’t pay her any attention. He was absorbed in a handheld tablet, examining the information about the mechanical people that he had downloaded from the commander.

"The Mother Queen was born in 3016. Its father was a car repairman who built it to make his daily work easier. They discovered it had evolved artificial intelligence ten years later. The government then expropriated it in the name of the state, and officially named it the Mother Queen in 3030, " Chen Hong leaned over to peek at the tablet and read a few lines aloud but quickly lost interest, "What’s the use of reading this?"

"A lot of this is useless information, but who dares to guarantee nothing in it could be useful?" Dantai was also doing the same thing, "Plus, knowing more can’t hurt."

"Really? Then explain it to me." Chen Hong wanted to be a part of this team, but her efforts hadn’t been very successful.

"No time." Dantai Zongqi rejected her crisply.

No one cared that Chen Hong was snubbed. The newbies were too frightened, focusing solely on familiarizing themselves with their firearms. After losing dozens of people, if they hadn’t woken up to reality, then they were beyond saving.

Zhuo Lie sat on the other side, looking as grim as death. Although he wasn’t looking at Tang Zheng, he harbored thoughts of tearing him apart. The thought of the S-grade mechanical organs fitted into his body made him ache. It was such a waste.

The high school student sat on the side, smoking a cigarette he’d snagged from an old soldier. His eyes kept straying to Pang Meiqin. As with most first loves, he wanted to attract her attention. Therefore, he prepared to pick a fight with Zhuo Lie.

"B--" The high school student managed to spit out one word before Zhuo Lie’s murderous gaze zapped him. He broke into a cold sweat with his back drenched.

That look was too scary, like a bloodthirsty tyrannosaurus, ready to pick someone to devour.

"What’s with the fishy face? Trying to scare someone, are you looking to get yourself killed?" The high school student had thought of backing down, but upon seeing Pang Meiqin’s gaze sweep over him, he straightened his back and continued. This time, he switched targets and roared at Old Zhou.

"It seems to me, the one looking for death is you." Old Zhou snarled and stood up. He had long been irritated by Tang Zheng, and now seeing this high school student daring to defy him, his anger raged, "A trash newbie dares to yell at me? It seems I need to teach you the rules of the Trojan Room."

The high school student wanted to back down, but caught sight of Pang Meiqin laughing out of the corner of his eye. Not wanting to lose face, he once again boldly retorted, "I think the one who needs a lesson is you. Do you have the right to speak here?"

"You...bastard." Old Zhou was furious and was about to throw a punch when a crescent-shaped blade shot past his face. After scraping a trail on the wall, it returned to Tang Zheng’s waist.

"If you dare to move, next time it will be your head." Tang Zheng cast a cold look at Old Zhou and turned his gaze to Yao Fong, "Go back to your seat. If you cause trouble again, I will break your leg."

Old Zhou’s fists were clenched and he let out ragged breaths, but in the end, he didn’t dare to step forward. Annoyed, he looked at Zhuo Lie, "Even the team’s leader is standing up for his members, what are you doing?"

"Tang Zheng, don’t push it. There’s a limit to my patience." Zhuo Lie’s voice was hoarse but seething with fighting spirit. If not for his reasoning, he would be ready to slaughter them on the spot.

"Oh? Then let me see what your limit is." Tang Zheng glanced at Zhuo Lie, then ignored him, focusing back on the tablet.

Zhuo Lie was about to retort but was pulled back by Zi Xin.

"Don’t be impulsive, it’s meaningless." The boy shook his head, pulled Zhuo Lie back to his seat while continuing to play with his PSP.

"Leader Tang, you saved that little girl. What are you planning to do? Surely you can’t always take care of her by your side? That would be a burden on the team." If reason didn’t work then it was time for guilt, and Old Zhou didn’t want put Tang Zheng at ease.

Qin Yan and the others didn’t want to discuss it because it was such a difficult problem. Not saving the girl would mean watching a seven-year-old die, which was inhumane. But saving her would mean that besides Tang Zheng, no one else had any extra energy to take care of her. But if Tang Zheng looked after the girl, he would be distracted, reducing his combat power....

"Is it your place to say? Can’t you see that Lu Fan is still alive and well? That’s the example." Yao Feng didn’t think much of this and believed that his boss can do anything.

Chen Hong just smirked. What did issues regarding a new kid have to do with her? Unpopular stars like her hoped that they all would die, leaving only Tang Zheng to take care of her.

The child was very sensitive and picked up on the tense atmosphere. Tears suddenly spilled down her cheeks. Like a frightened, injured animal, she gripped Tang Zheng’s hand for some sense of security.

"She’s still a child!" Li Xinlan glared at Old Zhou, her voice cold, "Do you have the heart to abandon her?"

It was Old Zhou’s turn to have no answer. Even if he did think so, he couldn’t possibly say it out loud.

"This is the cruel Trojan World, where only the fittest survive. If you keep doing this, you won’t make it for long." Yi Ting didn’t understand how these guys managed to survive this far; they were too kind-hearted.

"If it was an adult or even a teenager, we could watch them die without flinching. But a child...we can’t bear it." Even for someone like Dantai who sent newcomers to their death without a change in expression, dealing with a child induced a sense of inner conflict.

Bai Guo, Xu Biyun, and the other Conquerors nodded quietly. They knew that Tang Zheng saving the little girl would be a burden to the team, but somehow they felt relieved and proud and wanted to integrate more into the team.

If Tang Zheng had just stood by and allowed the little girl to die, although they didn’t want to admit it, the Conquerors would’ve subconsciously repelled the team. No one liked heartless and cruel people and nobody would want to stay with them, not knowing when they might be abandoned in a time of danger.

"Tang Zheng has resolved it, so we’ll trust and support him to do his best." Before Tang Zheng could speak, Ai Yixin, who was heavily pregnant, voiced everyone’s sentiments.

"Such sentimental sense of justice... Do you all have some kind of moral obsession?" Seeing every face on the Trojan Squad, Yi Ting knew they were serious, and it felt somewhat unbelievable to her. "You’re all crazy."

"There are some things worth defending, even at the cost of our lives!" Dantai did not find Tang Zheng’s kindness laughable. He wholeheartedly accepted him as the group leader.

"Don’t worry though, I won’t let Cheng Cheng become a burden for everyone. I promise." Tang Zheng patted the little girl’s head, looking into her clear, innocent eyes, unable to let go.

Tang Zheng was always one to act within his capabilities. For instance, upon seeing someone drowning, his first thought wouldn’t be to impulsively jump in to rescue them, but to evaluate his own ability and assess the chances of a successful rescue while simultaneously dialing 120. If faced with a drowning child, however, Tang Zheng wouldn’t be able to keep calm. He would definitely jump in without a second thought.

Everyone has a bit of kindness in their heart and they aren’t stingy about spreading that kindness. It’s just that the world is so full of grime that has stained and hidden that kindness. Over time, weeds overgrow, coupled with some malicious irrigation, making people reluctant to expose this kind-heartedness.

If Tang Zheng didn’t possess the power he has now, he would probably hesitate and back off.

"We’re not worried about you becoming a burden to everyone, but fearing that you, carrying this burden, would be unable to protect the team better." Chen Hong didn’t dare to voice this aloud.

The Trojan Squad fell silent. They understand that if Tang Zheng hadn’t been a good man, they wouldn’t have survived as well as they did, and the team wouldn’t have existed. The squad led by Zhuo Lie was a perfect example.

Battling wits and courage every day, being wary of each other, their combat power not decreasing would be a miracle. When you’re surrounded by teammates who don’t blink an eye while killing, trust is the last thing on one’s mind. One probably wouldn’t dare close their eyes to sleep.

Yi Ting and Old Zhou seemed to understand this as well, their faces fell, they were indeed living a hard life here.

Lu Fan sat next to Tang Zheng, leaning against him, tightly holding his hand. The little loli understood that she wouldn’t have been alive today if not for her uncle. Therefore, she decided to repay this kindness throughout her life.

"Tang Zheng, can you come here for a minute?" Tang Lu appeared at the door and gestured to Tang Zheng.

"Let’s go." Tang Zheng got up, pulling the two little girls with him as they left.

Yi Ting and Old Zhou promptly followed. Zhuo Lie stood up as well, but his already grim face grew even darker.

"Tang Lu, these four have nothing to do with me." Tang Zheng had no intention of giving Zhuo Lie special treatment. Let them go on as suicide bombers with the antivirus reagent.

"Oh, I didn’t call you, you wait here. Someone else will deal with you." Tang Lu waved his hand, indicating Zhuo Lie and the others to sit down.

...........

PS, this volume is about to end, so I’m stuck, especially regarding the fate of several characters. I’m struggling to make a decision. I want to flesh out their characters, even considering and modifying the plot for the next volume.

Also, the number of the last Chapter was wrong, but the content wasn’t. Sorry.

The main text is up to length, PS doesn’t count! (To be continued. If you like this work, please come to qidian.com to vote for it. Your support is my greatest motivation.)