Above Destiny

Chapter 588 'Hope' and 'Future'

Under the dim light of the sky, at the end of the cold rain, everything became so blurry.

Only a pair of eyes, filled with rage, remained so clear.

Like flames.

As if he had just completed a long journey, the man with the traditional Chinese beard was covered in mud, but his beard and mud splattered with traces of blood.

His expression was like that of a wild beast ready to devour its prey.

Just that one look left a sharp scratch on Sheikh's face.

The falling rain evaporated, unable to penetrate the gaze that had become fully tangible. With a crisp friction sound, two fingers of his right hand silently extended, like claws, slightly curled, ready to slit the throat of the uninvited guest at any moment.

“I remember saying—you’re not welcome here, Sheikhi.”

"We are all citizens of the White State, why be so distant, Lord Ni Lin?"

Under the tearing gaze of the blade, the bloodied and twisted face quickly healed again. Sheikh smiled, unconcerned: "Besides, I'm just teaching the children what happened in the past, what's happening now, and what will happen to them in the future... Did I say something wrong?"

Snapped!
In that instant, the Reverse Scale pierced through the air, its claw-like fingers piercing through Sheikh's throat and violently severing his blood vessels.

"I told you, shut up."

Ni Lin slowly tightened his fingers, crushing the bones.

"...Do you welcome yourself here?"

Sheikh's smile grew increasingly mocking: "To this day, aren't we all hidden threats to the world? Where do you get your sense of ownership? You're just being stubborn and hiding. Where can you possibly escape to?"

The torn flesh quickly healed, and Sheikhi soon returned to his original appearance. He simply smiled calmly and said, "What's the use of deceiving yourself all the time?"

The Federation and the Empire showed us no mercy, and there was no future for us…

Reverse Scale's blood-red eyes swept over him, unwavering: "Does that sneaky guy behind you have it? Or are you saying that by instigating your few remaining clansmen to sacrifice their lives to fulfill your pipe dream, by creating some bullshit terrorist organization, you think you have a future?"

Sheikh immediately became solemn: "At least we still have hope of reclaiming our homeland."

"recapture?"

Ni Lin was amused, but then flew into a rage, his blood-red eyes burning like fire: "How dare you say such nonsense in front of me? Sheikhi, do you really care about your so-called homeland? Where were you when the High Priest King was dying? Where were you when Bai Bang fell and fell apart?"
When everything is taken from us, where will you and your master be?

"It's just a temporary relocation and retreat. Otherwise, how could we have preserved this glimmer of hope? The young wolf lord has grown up. Ni Lin, everything left behind by the old wolf lord, will return... We will eventually reclaim everything we have lost."

"Or, burn to ashes in the fires of your and your master's ambition?"

Reverse Scale grinned, as if laughing, becoming increasingly ferocious and manic: "Sheikhi, just enduring breathing the same air as trash like you has already used up all my patience. Don't force me to eat you right now..."

Get out, Sheikh, get as far away as you can, I can barely contain myself!
"Why not save your own life for your master's grand ambitions?"

"You will eventually understand, Ni Lin. Our sacrifices and efforts will never be in vain."

Sheikhi took a step back, then another, and amidst the ravages of the storm, he suddenly collapsed. The flesh and blood beneath the bandages transformed into countless flying insects, and the bandages themselves fell into the mud and water, meandering away like snakes.

Disappeared.

In the midst of another raging storm, Ni Lin remained indifferent, coldly staring at the spot where he had disappeared. After a long while, he withdrew his gaze and looked at the stunned and terrified children.

"Don't believe that guy's nonsense. He just wants to use you, just like he used Bai Bang before..."

Without scolding or venting her anger, Ni Lin reached out and ruffled their hair: "The rain is still heavy, go back quickly and do your homework, okay?"

“But Uncle Inayat…”

The boy, soaked to the bone, looked up at him with a bewildered expression: "If Mr. Sheikh is wrong, then what should we do in the future?"

Inayat thought for a moment, then laughed, bent down, and tapped his shoulder: "That's for you to find. As men, you must find your own hope and future."

Hope and the future.

I watched as the children gradually headed towards the camp.

Only Inayat remained standing in the same spot.

The smile gradually melted away into exhaustion.

Hope and the future...

That kind of thing no longer exists.

Even after the calamity beast died, the torrential rain continued for three days.

Rather, it is the death of the calamity beasts that prevented the typhoon from growing further, causing it to completely dissipate and release all its remaining power.

Like an invisible corpse, it gradually rots, like a flood of blood and foul-smelling rain, slowly spreading.

Dark clouds spread, covering thousands of miles. From satellite cloud images, they looked like a gradually bursting abscess that could not be dispersed even after the rain had stopped.

A dark haze hung over the sky, obscuring the sunlight.

Even at noon, it was still gloomy.

Outside the brightly lit city, the slums were deathly silent; not even the sound of crying could be heard.

Their former homes have now become a den of iniquity that refugees avoid at all costs, and they dare not even approach it... Not only the floods that have not yet completely receded, but also the groups of scavengers carrying weapons who rummage through the ruins for valuable items right after the wave of disaster.

But what valuable things could possibly remain in a place that was originally a slum?
A piece of clothing, a car, a few parts, two bites of food, or even a living person still breathing...

Armed beasts have begun to fight for things that are commonplace and even disregarded elsewhere.

In these ruins where there is absolutely no order, who knows what will appear around the next corner?
In the sweltering and humid weather, corpses rotted rapidly. Before the rain had even stopped, countless snakes, insects, and rodents emerged. Carrion-eating birds rose and fell like clouds amidst the intermittent gunfire. Each time they took flight, it signified the start of a battle, and each time they landed, it meant the birth of fresh corpses.

Desperate refugees, besides gathering on the surrounding highlands to await their deaths, could only linger around the city, waiting for aid or garbage trucks...

Some even took the risk of turning their attention to the industrial area on the high ground outside the city, where people were repeatedly shot dead by guards while trying to climb over the walls.

"The situation is terrible."

After Elder Long returned once again, his expression became increasingly numb.

"Didn't we just organize relief?" Ji Jue, who had just returned from a charity event with an award from the provisional government, was taken aback.

“Is it useful? It’s not enough at all.” Long sighed wearily. “The relief donated by those big corporations was sold on the black market by the provisional government before it even reached the warehouses. Not even expired food and medicine were spared…”

Ji Jue wasn't surprised: "Giving it to the provisional government would be like throwing good money after bad, it wouldn't really benefit them... But, with such a good opportunity to show their face, why didn't anyone come to the cult?"

"They gave it away, incredibly generously... but there are very few I dare to accept."

Long smiled bitterly: "Everyone expects this old man to vouch for their own morality, but if they are truly innocent, why do they need me?"
I'm willing to swallow my pride, but I'm afraid some people might try to use the cult for their own purposes.

"Don't worry, Xinquan can send over some more."

Ji Jue comforted him, saying that he had asked Yu Shu to prepare as soon as he received the disaster warning, and that Yu Shu was already on his way: "If it's not enough, I'll think of something else for you."

“That’s enough, Mr. Ji.”

Long gave a strained smile: "Just hold on for these few days. The headquarters is still mobilizing supplies to be sent over, and they will arrive soon... However, apart from the free medals, we have nothing left to repay you with."

“I love medals. Give me a few more; it’ll make me look good.” Ji Jue raised an eyebrow and smiled slightly: “It’s settled then.”

After exchanging a few words, he got up to say goodbye.

There are too many things going on.

The makeshift offices were simply partitions made of sheet metal in the factory building, and the entire coastal factory area was already overcrowded.

There weren't enough makeshift beds on the ground, and many people were sleeping directly on the ground. The pungent smell of disinfectant filled the air, masking the strong odor from not being able to shower for many days.

Even with the ventilation system running at full capacity 24 hours a day, it is still difficult to alleviate the humidity in the air.

Everyone was disheveled and their expressions were gloomy, but at least a glimmer of light remained in their eyes... Having long been accustomed to numerous disasters and hardships, a flood was not enough to make them despondent. Compared to their compatriots who wandered in the wilderness to fend for themselves, they were already lucky enough.

There was rudimentary medical care, a roof over one's head, and expired compressed biscuits soaked in hot water to eat.

There was no gun pointed at his head forcing them to get out.

Compared to the hell outside, it's practically heaven.

"Hello, Mr. Ji."

Good morning, Director Ji.

"Good day, sir."

Greetings in various dialects or broken federal language came in an endless stream.

Ji Jue nodded calmly, walked through the crowd without glancing to the side, ignoring the gratitude and thanks, and even offering no response, nor being able to respond.

It would be better to put on a stern face and use it as a deterrent; at least that would help stabilize the little remaining rules and order.

Besides, what did he actually do? At most, he provided an unused factory and a batch of cheap, soon-to-expire goods.

Even so, countless people have already taken it as pretentious and affected.

Some even suggested: "These are all free, high-quality laborers, don't be too greedy, leave some for everyone to eat together..."

Today, the number of victims in the coastal factory area has increased more than tenfold compared to the initial number brought by the church, and is almost at its limit.

We really can't afford any more mistakes or turmoil.

Compared to the provisional government's relief wards, which had almost become dens of iniquity, this place was a relatively peaceful and stable haven. He didn't care about reputation or personal gain; he only wanted a peaceful end, which would be good for himself, others, and everyone else.

Those who are allowed to enter here have already been screened.

In contrast to concentration camps that only accepted young and middle-aged laborers, the coastal factories did not discriminate based on age or gender, as long as the workers held the good deeds badge of the Chongguang Church and matched the list in the church.

This cheap stuff can be obtained by doing more than five hours of volunteer service at the church.

Moreover, the conditions are extremely lenient; responding to the call of the religious order to maintain one's own roof can be included, as can cooking large pots of food at the canteen that provides assistance.

To receive such a badge, one must at least have offered a helping hand to someone in some small way.

Now, it can also benefit relatives, up to three people.

Even with all his current strength, Ji Jue can only do so much; compared to the massive number of refugees outside, it's a drop in the ocean.

Naturally, public security deteriorated rapidly.

Although the city remained peaceful and prosperous despite the layers of guard posts and barbed wire, there were always some who managed to slip through and ruin the gentlemen's mood for enjoying the flowers and the moon.

Even with constant vigilance, numerous serious incidents still occur frequently.

The aftereffects began to appear.

As the typhoon monster dies, the pollution it leaves behind is continuously injected into this land, which is filled with a foul aura, and is beginning to subtly distort the environment.

In the days to come, even a worm that crawls out of the ground here could become a mutant... not to mention the many mutated wild beasts and even calamity beasts.

Under extreme circumstances, those who have nowhere else to turn, besides fighting to the death, have no choice but to explode together with everyone else.

The broadcasts also revealed that attacks by extremists were becoming increasingly frequent.

Even the central police station in Tacheng was attacked by a mail bomb, and the demand for security and stability rose to an unprecedented level.

As a result, by a twist of fate... the police version of the riot cat became a huge hit and appeared on the streets.

Whether those fancy gadgets like bomb-sniffing dogs and drones are actually useful or not, you'll know once you've actually used them.

After experiencing the sense of security brought by intelligent riot control robots that are on alert for all dangers 24 hours a day, the patrol officers can no longer go back.

After all, few people can stand the days when someone randomly robs or shoots while they're out walking, or someone pulls a fuse and self-destructs.

Haichao Military Industry, which did nothing, inexplicably became the biggest winner of this disaster.

Driven by numerous demands, Lao Gou went from being an unknown figure to a highly sought-after individual, with dignitaries lining up to place orders.

More than a hundred units were purchased in one go in the makeshift presidential palace, which was just for show. Faced with the terrifyingly inflated price of the military procurement, they not only did not bargain, but also found ways to add money!

They were probably genuinely frightened.

On television and radio, His Excellency the President is reportedly working tirelessly day and night, worrying about the country and its people, to the point of becoming seriously ill. Whether the situation has improved is another matter entirely.

The more chaotic the area outside the city, the more solemn the area inside.

As a result, there was a sentry every three steps and a checkpoint every five steps.

Even the police, who used to be lazy and incompetent, are now working around the clock under orders and reprimands from their superiors, dealing with the bloody cases that keep happening in the city.

Just two days later, less than one-fifth of the backlog of cases had been entered.

There are so many troublesome things to deal with, but we still have to keep going.

After receiving a call from a neighbor, a rookie police officer who hadn't had a good night's sleep in days went to the crime scene. He pinched his nose and took a few random photos in the stench-filled detached villa before completing the formalities and recording it as a family annihilation case.

A real investigation and search is still a long way off.

Throughout the entire ordeal, the riot cat, who had been providing support from behind, stood in a corner, silently gazing at the bloody mess, the warning lights flashing silently.

Through the modified camera, the aura of the Lord of the Flies' plague gradually appeared, its dense, pitch-black staining layer upon layer covering the area around the scene.

[Observation protocol triggered startup]

[Status entry complete]

[Upload started - Upload complete -]

[Analysis and comparison of spiritual samples concluded]

[Target identified, emergency sequence triggered, system-wide warm-up initiated]

At that moment, Ji Jue, who was adjusting Zhanlu in the workshop, paused for a second, and the screen of his mobile phone on the table next to him suddenly lit up.

The boy who cried wolf.

(End of this chapter)