Chapter 42 – Separation

Volume 3

"My name is Wen Yu, Sequence 2. And seriously, one War God title gave you people this much to talk about? What, do you have an Azure Dragon and a Black Tortoise too…?"

After hearing Kuangliu's explanation, Wen Yu immediately started roasting him.

Kuangliu smiled at Wen Yu.

"Of course we do. But they can't be deployed lightly. In fact, they're even more special than the Vermilion Bird War God. Of course, if you join the Military, none of this will be a secret to you."

"Let's not talk about that for now."

Hearing Kuangliu try to recruit him again, Wen Yu shook his head, clearly intending to end the subject there.

Seeing Wen Yu's expression, Kuangliu instantly understood that he had no interest in the topic of joining the Military, and decisively dropped it.

"Let's go. We'll head back to the Settlement first."

Kuangliu gestured invitingly toward the military vehicle nearby.

Wen Yu nodded and got into the passenger seat first.

With the roar of the engine, the military vehicle sped toward the Yanjing Settlement at high speed.

…

The military vehicle was not slow, but it was definitely a bit slower than the three of them running at full speed. Maybe the Yanjing Settlement had certain regulations, or maybe there were other reasons. Wen Yu did not ask for details.

"By the way, how did the matter I entrusted to you go?"

Sitting in the passenger seat, Wen Yu asked while teasing One-Eye.

Kuangliu kept his eyes fixed on the road ahead and answered when he had a moment.

"Sun Xuewei is currently an officer in an all-female battle group. When I found her and told her the Military would provide her with protection, she refused."

Wen Yu nodded.

"Why?"

"She said she couldn't abandon the sisters in her combat team."

"Mm. As long as that's what she wants. Take me to see her first when we arrive. I'll give her a few things and say a few words to her. If this is her own decision, I'll respect her choice."

Wen Yu sighed softly as a few thoughts surfaced in his mind.

"That woman really is just like her old man…"

…

As the military vehicle drew closer and closer to Yanjing City, the full appearance of the Yanjing Settlement gradually unfolded before Wen Yu's eyes.

The city wall, already thirty meters tall, was still being widened and raised without pause. It was assembled entirely from alloy, and even from far away, he could sense how solid and menacing the wall was.

Seeing Wen Yu staring straight at the city wall in front of them, Kuangliu began to explain.

"After the Military learned of the Demon Race's existence, the High Command collectively decided to build this wall. The wall is very sturdy, and it also has some special functions."

"But by my estimate, this outer wall probably can't withstand attacks from level-six or higher powerhouses. So…"

Kuangliu shrugged at Wen Yu.

"Humans are always good at trapping themselves inside a wall, because it gives them a sense of security. That's what you're thinking, right?"

Hearing Wen Yu's answer, Kuangliu nodded.

"Of course, this wall isn't completely useless. As time passes, and as the Academy of Sciences develops new composite materials, the wall will definitely continue to be upgraded. By then, no one can say what role it might play."

"Besides, this is only the outer wall."

Wen Yu nodded.

That was more like it. The so-called purpose of a wall was to divide and isolate-whether it separated monsters from humans, or humans from other humans…

One had to understand that wherever there were people, there would be rivalries and factions. In the same way, classes would inevitably form.

"Let me give you a simple overview of the Yanjing Settlement."

"The entire Yanjing Settlement is divided into three zones."

"The first zone is the Outer City, separated off by the outer wall. Most of the people living there are refugees and laborers. Of course, a small number of hunting groups have also set up their Headquarters in the Outer City, though those are all relatively weak groups."

"The second zone inside it is the Inner City, separated by the inner wall. The Inner City is mainly made up of military camps and basic infrastructure, such as power stations and the like. The Academy of Sciences is also located in the Inner City, along with some powerful organizations. The requirements for living in the Inner City aren't particularly strict. As long as you have strength, you can enter."

"The third is the Central District…"

After Kuangliu said that, he fell silent for a long while before speaking again.

"The Central District is home to a group of people who held high positions before the Apocalypse-official clans, Aristocratic Families, and the like. Mm, they currently have a great deal of influence within the Military."

Hearing Kuangliu's words, Wen Yu immediately understood.

To put it bluntly, those "important people" living in the Central District were nothing more than a massive bunch of connected government bigwigs. Before the Apocalypse, these interest groups had controlled the Country's politics, Military, and economy. After the Apocalypse, their influence over the Military had not disappeared either.

They had formed a vast web of interests, and coupled with their connections inside the Military, they continued to enjoy privileges in the Apocalypse that ordinary people could never hope to reach.

Wen Yu nodded in understanding, while Kuangliu seemed to have no desire to continue the topic.

Xiao Xue, however, was indignant in the back seat.

"Those people are nothing but parasites! They demand the best of everything! If Commander Lin weren't worried that killing them would likely cause turmoil within the Military, they would have been wiped out long ago! The Central District? Pah!"

Looking at Xiao Xue's furious expression, Wen Yu burst out laughing.

"Don't tell me you people don't belong to that privileged class."

Kuangliu nodded.

"Of course we belong to that privileged class too. Lin Haifeng-Commander Lin-is my father. And someone who could sit in the position of commander before the Apocalypse was bound to have some ties with the big shots in Central City. In fact, my mother was from one of those Aristocratic Families. She just passed away when I was very young."

Kuangliu's expression was calm. Perhaps because he had lost his mother at an early age, he did not have many memories of her.

"Then from the sound of it, you still resent them quite a bit."

"Naturally. Because with them around, three-fifths of the Military's manpower belongs to the type who will accept assignments but not orders. That makes things very difficult for me and Commander Lin."

"They don't understand anything. They don't know how terrifying the Demon Race is. They don't know how insignificant we humans are. Day after day, all they do is cling to the fantasies of important people like themselves, constantly indulging in daydreams. Some of them even strongly support defecting to the Demon Race-as long as their interests can be preserved."

"There's a saying that the older a person gets, the more cowardly they become. That's even more true for these so-called important people who think they're several ranks above everyone else."

The dissatisfaction in Kuangliu's voice grew stronger and stronger.

"Those bastards have no idea how the world has changed. They're still clinging stubbornly to their old ways of thinking, believing that the Military's power is extremely strong, believing that nuclear weapons are the most terrifying thing in the world. Those idiots…"

Hearing Kuangliu vent, Wen Yu asked teasingly, "Aren't nuclear weapons the most terrifying thing?"

"They are right now. But in a few years, the most terrifying thing will be the Class Holder."

"Tsk, tsk. That, I agree with."

…

After they finished discussing those rather unpleasant topics, it took less than five minutes before the outer wall of the Yanjing Settlement appeared in the distance.

Outside the city wall forged from Steel, several squads of soldiers were guarding the gate.

When they saw the military vehicle's plate number, the soldiers immediately organized people to clear the area near the wall of Survivor personnel who were constantly entering and leaving.

Then, from afar, they saluted the military vehicle.

According to Kuangliu, this vehicle was his personal ride. Given Kuangliu's influence, these soldiers naturally recognized it.

Kuangliu did not slow down. He drove straight into the Yanjing Settlement through row after row of salutes.

Beside him, Wen Yu clicked his tongue.

"You were talking earlier like you hated the privileged class so much. But from the looks of it, this counts as privilege too, doesn't it?"

Kuangliu said calmly, "I've given so much for this place. Enjoying privilege is only right, and it's fair."

"The greater one's ability, the greater one's responsibility. At the same time, the benefits and authority one receives should naturally be greater as well."

"That's true."

Wen Yu nodded in agreement. At the same time, he gained a new understanding of the Military's way of thinking.