Apocalypse: Master of Soul Beasts

”So, back to the topic, the war between desire and human nature, who do you think will win?”

Who will lose, who will win?

Fran already has the answer in his heart.

”Alas...”

Although Lin Haifeng’s words were somewhat piercing, Fran couldn’t find any room to refute—having lived so many years, with legendary life experiences, he had nothing to say on the discussion about human nature and desire...

In fact, humans are not as beautiful, great, or advanced as they imagined themselves to be!

When mutant beasts have gained intelligence, who dares to beat their chest and guarantee they’re smarter than a pig?

Furthermore, human nature is far less resilient than humans imagined.

In the end, the basis of human nature is the indoctrination under the old social system, moral ”brainwashing”, and the apocalypse destroyed the existing civilization, naturally also destroying the foundation of morality—compared to the most basic survival instinct, who dares to say things like human nature and morality are more important than their lives?

Thinking this, Fran sighed again, looked at Lin Haifeng who seemed at ease, and asked bitterly.

”What do we do?”

”Ah?”

Lin Haifeng raised his eyebrows.

”I mean, how do we solve the problem of Tang Haofei’s second personality?”

Upon hearing Fran’s question, Lin Haifeng put down the teacup, looking at Fran with a face full of surprise, as if meeting this incredibly refined old man for the first time.

”Solve? Tang Haofei’s second personality? What are you talking about?”

Fran was instantly dumbfounded, stammering: ”But... but...”

”Why don’t you first tell me why we need to solve Tang Haofei’s second personality issue?”

Fran felt his eyes darken, his mind spinning quickly, and after a long while, stammeringly forced out a sentence: ”If Tang Haofei’s second personality takes over the body, things... things... no, he... he’ll seize your rights!”

Perhaps the reasoning was so weak that even Fran himself couldn’t convince himself. After saying this sentence, Fran seemed dejected, shoulders drooped.

”Fran, my good old friend, you really underestimate me!”

Lin Haifeng immediately laughed and shook his head.

...

”Authority is truly a poison, no, it’s an addictive drug; it indulges people.”

”But...”

”I am Lin Haifeng!”

”Powerful experts control authority to achieve their goals, while the weak are dominated by power and become its puppet. My goal has never changed, so fearing the seizure of authority, fearing the loss of current position, should I fight Tang Haofei, the mortal god, causing unimaginable suffering for Human Race... Fran, am I really that low level?”

”Don’t you realize this world needs the strength of such powerful experts like Tang Haofei and Wen Yu! But note, it’s the strength that is needed, not the individual Tang Haofei! Even if Tang Haofei Two’s character is vile, he is a person, and his purpose is no different from mine and the original Tang Haofei—all for Earth’s survival! It’s just the method of doing things differs.”

”But think, what does Tang Haofei want to do? Leaving the top Esoteric Level skill like Life and Death Battle Execution unused, just because he fears the cost of power, letting his strength stagnate, even wanting to purge this skill!”

”For him, it’s reasonable, but he forgot... he is Sequence Number 1, the Protector God of Human Race! He chose to bear responsibility, Human Race, the world, cannot possibly agree to him quitting halfway! Haven’t you noticed? The world craves Tang Haofei’s divine-like power! Not the name of Tang Haofei!”

Fran had no words.

”You’ve seen Tang Haofei’s performance just now, that’s absolutely invincible. Even if I expose the foundation of the Yanjing Assembly Site, it’s impossible to suppress Tang Haofei!”

”Currently, I am the nominal supreme leader of Yanjing, but in reality, we both know this can change. If Tang Haofei wants this position, he can simply tell me, and I would grant it to him! For humanity, for my ideals! What’s the loss of this status? However, based on my capability and identity, as long as he doesn’t act foolish, he won’t do anything to harm me! In other words, he still can’t do without me, my status essentially shifts from leader to second-in-command, which in reality, changes nothing for me.”

”I’ll still manage the humans of the entire Yanjing, and even the world, continuing to handle endless official duties every day.”

”As for Tang Haofei, nothing seems to change—he remains the high and mighty Sequence Number 1, still gazing over the world like Divine Beings, it’s just changed from human to god—but in essence, this is just a change of title, whoever has his strength qualifies to be a god, he simply found his right place, claimed what’s due.”

”As for Human Race, nothing has changed! They wouldn’t even know if there’s a change with that person! Yes, regardless of who controls that body, nothing radically changes.”

”Looking from an outsider’s perspective, the one at fault instead is Tang Haofei himself.”

”It’s he who cannot tolerate having another himself, it’s he who constantly suppresses his desire and beastly nature with humanity, it’s he who wants to stir trouble, destroy his desires, it’s he who wants to abandon the power of unparalleled invincibility!”

”And this! Could lead to Human Race disintegrating and collapsing! The destruction of the whole world! With Tang Haofei’s current strength and Life and Death Battle Execution skill’s potential, this is no exaggeration!”

”Of course, speaking without considering Tang Haofei’s perspective indeed seems shameless, but considering the entire situation, this is the essence of the matter.”

”Did you know, after understanding the nature of the cost of power deeply, I found... if the cost of power truly cannot be reversed, the situation may not be as bad as we imagined...”

”Or put another way, letting Tang Haofei’s second personality take charge, fully unleashing the power of Life and Death Battle Execution, might even be more beneficial to Human Race than Tang Haofei desperately suppressing his power!”

Fran was dumbfounded.

After a long while, Fran breathed deeply, and then hesitantly asked: ”Did Tang Two communicate with you?”

”Heh heh.”

Lin Haifeng laughed and shook his head: ”Whether we communicated doesn’t matter, do you remember what I said to you? The topic about my ideals...”

”I said, in my life, I strive for the rise of Human Race, for its ups and downs, in my lifetime, I hope to establish a heart for the world, a mandate for the people, to usher everlasting peace, reviving Human Race’s bright future!”

”And to achieve these things, it’s not something that can be done by merely making a vow.”

”In some people’s eyes, I’m heartless, cunning, but you understand me, I’m just an old man who wants to do something for the world.”

”Friendship, emotions, these things are too heavy for me. Regardless of whether Tang One or Tang Two is in charge, I can only consider this—who’s character aligns more with Human Race’s future strategy, who can contribute more to Human Race’s future, I support them!”

”So the most interesting point emerges, the power struggle between these two brothers, in the end, is in my hands, ha ha, what an irony...”

...

After a lengthy silence, Fran seemingly calm on the surface asked: ”Who do you support now?”

Lin Haifeng held the teacup, walked to Fran, showing no trace of thought on his face.

”Take a guess...”

Fran took two heavy breaths.

”Tang Haofei…cough, cough, I meant Tang Haofei’s primary personality, he is your friend...”

Lin Haifeng merely smiled.

”What I just said, didn’t you understand?”

”Friendship is too heavy...”

”So I don’t need friends, nor will I have friends!”

”Fran, I know you, you share a common ideal with me... perhaps my style isn’t pleasing, but along the way, you’ve seen what I’ve done for Human Race!”

”Regarding this matter, don’t interfere, I’ll bear all the consequences, all for Human Race, is that alright?”

Fran remained silent, until he gently nodded.

”Go and do what needs to be done.”