Demon Cultivator in Abyssal Era

Looking at the people below, the King of Slaughter continued, ”I might as well tell you all, there is more than one Outer Realm Demon.”

”In the future, we will face more and increasingly difficult battles!”

”So, I am here to offer you two choices.”

”One, continue to stay and fight alongside me. In the face of formidable enemies, use our blood and courage to defend our homeland and our people! Two, take your reward and leave. Rest assured, you are still heroes of Huaxia; you will just be moving from the dangerous front line to the rear.”

”No matter what you choose, the country will not forget your contributions. You will always be part of the army!”

”Now, please contemplate what exactly you are fighting for! Is that which you fight for worth the price of your life?”

...

After speaking, the King of Slaughter stepped away.

Leaving the bewildered crowd behind, whispering among themselves.

Ten minutes later, the banquet dispersed, and everyone returned to their lodgings. They needed to submit their final responses within three days.

”Qingshan, what do you plan to do?”

Next to Zhang Qingshan, a short-statured young man asked. He was Zhang Qingshan’s classmate and had been his loyal sidekick since they entered high school.

”A-de, what about you?”

”Me?” Chen Youde chuckled bitterly, lifting his severed left arm, ”Like this, even if I stay in the army, what use would I be?”

”Besides...”

”I miss home.”

Chen Youde’s words left Zhang Qingshan silent. He turned his head to the other side, and Chu Qin happened to be looking at him. In that moment of eye contact, the tacit understanding gained through countless life-and-death situations rendered words unnecessary; they understood each other’s thoughts.

”I miss home too. If I die, my parents would be really heartbroken,” Zhang Qingshan said softly.

Chen Youde sighed, ”Qingshan, I understand you. Who among us, entering this unit, is afraid of death? But... who doesn’t have people to worry about? We cannot fail them!”

”Look at those hiding in shelters, blending in with civilians, always staying at the rear, the Awakened, whether strong or weak, aren’t they all living quite well now? Our fallen comrades, undoubtedly glorious, but how do you face their loved ones’ questions?”

”I’ve come to realize, sometimes perhaps being a bit selfish might help us live better.”

”Qingshan, Qi, I’m sorry, I’ve decided to go back,” Chen Youde said softly.

”Don’t say that,” Zhang Qingshan patted his shoulder, ”You haven’t wronged anyone; you are a rightful hero.”

Chen Youde’s eyes became moist. He moved his lips, seemingly wanting to say something, but in the end, he held back, only heavily patting Zhang Qingshan’s shoulder.

”Think it over well yourselves.”

With that, he turned and left, but his back seemed to have suddenly lost some of its sharpness.

”So...”

Chu Qin took Zhang Qingshan’s hand, ”Qingshan, what do you want to do?”

”No matter what you choose, I will support you.”

”I.....” Zhang Qingshan opened his mouth but couldn’t say a single word.

How could he bear to let Chu Qin accompany him at such risk? How could he endure making his parents constantly worry about his safety?

But to leave the army now, when the country and people need him the most, he couldn’t bring himself to make that decision!

Just as he was indecisive, a voice suddenly sounded behind the two of them.

”Go back.”

The two were startled, turned to look, and saw a figure wearing a mask, dressed in a trench coat, slowly emerging from the shadows.