Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
When he was six, Andrew had attended his mother’s funeral. Before that, he had seen someone push his mother down the stairs and she fell into her own puddle of blood.
That day, her mother was wearing a cream cotton dress that the other nobles hated.
As the blood tainted her creamy dress, it made her look like a blooming rosebud. Eventually, her dress was dyed red, ultimately making her become one with her own puddle of blood.
“Andrew.” It sounded like she was calling him, yet her eyes were wide open and no words came out. What had she been thinking about right before her death?
Andrew had always pondered the question. The question eventually became about himself. What would he be thinking right before his death? What was going through his mind? Nothing.
All he saw was Tang Ling’s cold gaze at him. The pain from the punches no longer hurt him because he was numb.
Why is Tang Ling so powerful? What position is he in on the Horror Lullaby list?
“This punch is for Vian!” Under the rain, Tang Ling’s punches whipped up a gale, sweeping the rain away as the blows landed on Andrew’s chest.
Ptui!
Andrew spewed a mouthful of blood. Something inside him was damaged, but it no longer mattered.
He had given his best and did not violate his final battle because of the ending. Nonetheless, an unwinnable battle was an unwinnable battle. Not all things could be changed by willpower alone.
He wiped the blood from his mouth, barely swaying on his feet as he looked at Tang Ling with a broken smile.
Should he be grateful for Tang Ling? Was he giving him a relatively honorable death and not turn himself in just because he was forced? Or maybe he would be killed in a dark cell without anybody knowing.
“This is for Amir.” Tang Ling dashed forward to Andrew and aimed a punch at his chin. The crack of his lower jaw rang out loudly.
When Tang Ling uttered Amir’s name, his heart was wrenched a bit. After all that, he still wanted justice for Amir?
Huu!
It was getting more difficult for Andrew to breathe since his lower jaw was broken. If it had been Hank, given how he cared about his image, he would have rather died than suffer from a broken jaw.
Could he dodge this punch? Maybe.
“Ha!” Back then when they were four years old, Andrew had shouted and thrown a punch at Hank. He was serious back then about taking Hank down because he wanted to be the boss.
However, the crybaby Hank, who would always hide behind other noble children and weep, dodged his punch while sobbing.
Even though Hank was the one being bullied, Andrew was the one having a bad time because he did not even land a single punch on him. In the end, he got tired and stopped before walking away.
Hank followed Andrew without even cleaning his snot.
“Why are you following me?” Andrew had nowhere to go. He and his mother were not allowed to join the family gatherings and she was always sad about it. Right now, he did not want to see his mother’s puffy eyes back home.
“You are not going to hit me, are you?” Hank said cowardly. As the son of a small noble family, especially a new noble family whose father had to sacrifice for the title, being bullied was common. There was frequently a wall between him and the other noble children.
“Huh?!” It was not that he did not want to hit Hank, but he could not.
From that moment, Hank’s serious and helpless eyes moved Andrew. Andrew unconsciously reached out to his head and patted him. “Well, then you can follow me from now onwards, and I’ll treat you like my little brother.”
How long had it been since then? Andrew had lost count of the years.
Tang Ling grabbed him by the collar and landed another punch on his abdomen.
“This is for the Fierce Dragon Squad!” Sorrow rumbled in Tang Ling’s heart.
The Hope Barrier was just a little further away. Back then during a hot afternoon, all seven of them had stood at the edge of the Hope Barrier side by side. That scene was branded into his life and even his soul.
It was today that Tang Ling finally understood the meaning of youth. The irony was that his heart was shattered as high-spirited as they had been back then.
Similarly, Andrew’s sight was getting blurry by the second.
A punch for the Fierce Dragon Squad? Hmm, good, very good. I once had a squad myself, the best of the best, the Summit Squad.
“Andrew, I passed the exam! I got first place in the general results!” At the peak of the Cliff of Hope, Hank’s golden hair was glistening as shiny as the badge on his chest.
“Of course, you did.” Andrew smiled softly. After the two of them entered the First Reserved Camp, they would become Purple Moon Warriors in the future and their dream would finally come true.
If Andrew could become a powerful Purple Moon Warrior with Hank and other powerful teammates beside him, he could probably get away from the damned Agnes family.
“Yeap. I will always follow you.” Hank smiled while his pink lips and white teeth coupled with his emerald eyes looked alluring.
“Yeah, stay with me. Together we will rise to the top of the First Reserved Camp.” Andrew also smiled and hugged Hank tightly.
Their emotions had been high back then. After that, Dier, Emma, and many others joined them, eventually forming the Summit Squad.
Yet…
All this is coming to an end, isn’t it? Andrew felt that his life was fading, and he could no longer stop it. He had no idea how Amir held on for so long. When the warm life energy slipped away from the body, it was nothing but helpless and weak.
On top of that, there was also a sweet peace as his life faded as though the best memories of his life became clear and vivid, making him embrace death wholeheartedly. How tough was it to cling on to life then?
Andrew strenuously lifted his eyelids. Tang Ling’s face was blurry. With his black hair, black eyes and clean appearance, it was as though he always had a tinge of shyness mixed with a sense of depression. Other than that, he also had the power that would make one submit to his charms as people would trust him wholeheartedly.
It was difficult for Andrew to believe that such a feeling could be portrayed on such a face. His eyes turned red and teary as he was going to cry.
“The next one is for myself. You’ve destroyed my dream that I intended to keep for the next ten years.” Tang Ling lifted up the weak Andrew and kneed him in the groin.
Yeah, this is the end.
At that moment, the last bit of life welcomed a windy pair of hands, carrying away his warm life energy.
Andrew’s gaze dissipated and Tang Ling’s sight started to turn blurry.
“Andrew, what do you think we will become in ten years’ time?” Hank asked as he lay down on the grassy field under the sun.
“Ten years? Of course, we will be Purple Moon Warriors,” Andrew answered determinedly.
“I’m not talking about that. I mean, will you get a wife or have a kid?”
In this era, even nobles had to bear the responsibility to increase the human population. Getting married late or not at all was an inappropriate thing to do for a noble.
“I don’t know. Maybe. What about you?” Andrew barely had any interest in that.
“Me? Nah.” Hank looked up seriously with a tinge of shyness to say, “I believe the reason for me being alive is to be with you, watching you go to the peak and reach your goal. I’ll treat your wife as my sister and your son as my own.”
As he spoke, Hank looked at Andrew and smiled. Behind him was the morning sun. No wonder it was warmer.
“Hmph? What the hell are you talking about?” Andrew grunted weakly. Only he knew what he was trying to say, but it no longer mattered. He felt like his mother was beside him, welcoming him to her world.
“Come here, Andrew. Look at you. Why are you so dirty? You are bleeding. Did you get into a fight again?”
“Mother.” Andrew curled his lips into a smile.
“You naughty fella. Come on. Let’s go home. I’ve prepared stewed meat today.”
“Yeah, let’s go home.” The last breath escaped Andrew’s mouth as he jumped into his mother’s embrace. Behind him was Hank leaving.
I don’t have to turn around anymore. Just let him forget me.
“Aaaaaargh!” Tang Ling shouted at the drizzling sky as he held Andrew’s dead body in his arms. In his ears, the song that he could not forget echoed repeatedly.
“I will not forget the promise I made at the end of summer, and the dreams and wishes in the future…”
As his sight became blur, he curled his hands around Andrew’s neck.
Snap!
No matter the reasons or regrets, nothing could be exchanged for what was lost like Vian’s life.
Andrew’s body did not get the respect he deserved since his head must be used as a tribute for Vian.
“I believe that we will meet again ten years later at the end of summer. The best memories will linger within us.”
Thud.
Andrew’s head was placed beside Vian who lay peacefully as if she could open her eyes any moment now and sing in her sweet voice.
“Meeting you is a thoughtless but precious moment.”
The rain slowly got silent. Christina squatted down, hugging Andy as she wept, her eyes were numb by the tears.
Andy helplessly looked at Tang Ling, he wanted to ask Tang Ling whether he could bring them back to life.
Orston sat there dully with Amir’s cold body beside him. Regardless of what he did, he eventually shut Amir’s eyes.
Yu stood there silently as though his ability to speak properly had gone away again, Would he stutter again in the future?
The crowd was silent.
Had the challenge ended on such a bleak note? Did the rascal of the First Reserved Camp play the sorrowful requiem for his deceased friend in front of everybody?
“Ah, the fireworks that bloomed in the night sky felt sad. Ah, the wind flows along with time.”
No one could go back in time. It was indeed a little sad.
“Do you still want to continue the challenge?” A Purple Moon Warrior who had lost his patience looked at Tang Ling whose eyes were red.
Tang Ling looked at Andrew’s head and softly shook his head.
The Purple Moon Warrior stepped into the ring as he announced Tang Ling’s crime, “Then, I hereby declare that Tang Ling is officially arrested. He is suspected of theft of precious resources of the safety sector, namely the high cell regeneration serum.”
It was at that moment that the silent Yu jumped in and stood in front of Tang Ling, followed by Orston, Christina and Andy.
“Who dares lay a finger on him? Whoever wants to arrest Tang Ling today will have to cross my dead body. I’m Yu of the Yufeng family.” It was shameless to use his family name in this kind of situation, but so what?
Tang Ling had gone to this extent for a dead friend, so what excuse did Yu have not to stand by his side?
“I’m Orston of the Gordin family. I won’t go away either.” Orston stood by Yu and in front of Tang Ling.
“I’m Christina of the Braid family. Don’t even think of taking my friend away.” Christina was to Tang Ling’s left.
“I’m Andy and I’m no noble, but I have one life to protect my friend.” Andy was on Tang Ling’s right.
Every one of them surrounded Tang Ling, protecting him.
Meanwhile, a group of men and women shuffled towards the ring silently and anxiously.
While Aber and Clyne grinned evilly, the strongest men of the group pushed the crowd aside and appeared in the ring with transient steps.
One of them grabbed Yu’s shoulder and said loudly, “Yu, from today onwards, as the family’s decision, you are cast out of the First Reserved Camp.”
“Orston, the Hope Barrier isn’t your playground to throw a tantrum. You don’t belong here. Follow me back. This is the family’s order.” Another man also stepped into the ring, his neck displaying the signature black sun tattoo of the Gordin family.
“Tina, Grandfather asked me to bring you back. He thinks a girl like you shouldn’t be growing up in a military camp.” A third man entered the ring and held Christina by the hand.
Andy felt lost when he saw his mother coming over anxiously. “Andy, come down now! I want you to go back with us. Let’s just be normal workers. Stop becoming a warrior!”
“No, Uncle!” Yu wanted to struggle, but he was pinned down by the man he called uncle.
“Big Brother, are you mocking me now? You are insulting me!” Orston fired back at the man he called his big brother, but he was punched to the ground.
“I beg you, Cousin, please. Can you just…” Christina was begging the man in tears, but the man she called cousin shook his head silently.
“Mother, please go back. Go back!” Andy was on his knees, sobbing.
“I beg of you, Andy, please come back.” Andy’s mother was also on her knees outside the ring because she was too weak to enter the ring.
All of them had been notified at the last minute to come by. The very scene seemed to silently declare who was the real owner of Safety Sector No. 17.
Everyone in the Fierce Dragon Squad was close to Tang Ling but not their respective families. The families had to live and survive, so they could not risk everything to go against the Agnes family just because of Tang Ling.
Clyne whispered into Aber’s ears, “See, you don’t have to do everything yourself. This is the benefit of power! You must know how to utilize it. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Grandfather.” As though Aber had forgotten the insult from earlier, an elegant smile appeared on his face again. Even if everyone knew he was behind all this, so what? No one would dare to oppose him or even stop him.
Tang Ling did not say anything. That song he could not forget was still playing in his mind. He put his hand on Yu’s shoulder and looked at Vian’s body. “Let’s say goodbye before we leave.”
“Tang Ling…” Yu turned around, then everyone followed suit. They looked at Tang Ling in disbelief.
Tang Ling inhaled deeply and looked at the Purple Moon Warrior arresting him. “Can I say my last goodbye to my friend? I’ll go with you after that.”
Tang Ling was not concerned at all since being arrested was within his expectations. However, he still was not done with venting his grudges and hatred, so how could he simply leave?
“Tang Ling!” Orston shouted.
“Listen to me!” Tang Ling helped Andy up and said, “We will not bid farewell to Vian.”
Everyone in the Fierce Dragon Squad went silent. They could tell Tang Ling was determined. Maybe because of their unyielding determination, the respective family members let go of the Fierce Dragon Squad. Even Andy’s mother stood up in tears.
Under the rain, the five of them stood in a row. It felt a little strange since two of them were missing, but it did not matter. Christine then softly continued the song, “I believe that we will meet again ten years later at the end of summer. We hold our tears and smile brightly during the farewell. It will be a little sad, but the memories will be the best.”
According to Safety Sector No. 17’s tradition, life in this era was already tough enough and happiness was far beyond one’s reach, so whenever a person died, a kind song would be sung during their farewell. Even if one did not know how to sing, he would hum along softly.
What song was more appropriate than the one that Vian had sung when she was still alive?
For Vian and, even though regretful, for Amir too.
The song slowly ended and the five of them bowed together. “Goodbye, Vian. Goodbye, Amir.”
Tang Ling straightened his body and looked at his friends. “Give them a proper burial. I will come to visit them in ten years.”
“You…” the four of them said together.
“Don’t forget.” Tang Ling did not look back as he said that. He walked towards the Purple Moon Warrior and put his hands forward. A cuff that had been prepared a while ago was handed to the Purple Moon Warrior and he cuffed Tang Ling without any emotions.
Tang Ling walked out of the ring, but he quickly grabbed the loudspeaker on the floor and shouted at Aber, “Are you sure you won’t regret arresting me, Aber?”
“Nah, I don’t think you will because you were a goddamned asshole from the start! You lost in your little match with Andrew, so what do you have against me?”
“If I were from the Agnes family, I’d have selected Andrew to inherit the family, not you, asshole! You failed to clean your shit up and had to ask for your family’s help. Too bad Andrew is dead since I killed him myself,” Tang Ling spoke quickly but the crowd heard him clearly. Hearing him call Aber asshole a few times felt funny to the crowd.
Aber gave his best effort to rein his emotions in, but in the end, he shouted, “Bring this thief away!”
Tang Ling chuckled as he followed the Purple Moon Warrior away. He unintentionally glanced at the Cliff of Hope when he left.
Further away on a hill beyond the battlefield, Su Yao stretched his body and switched off the communication device. He told the man beside him, “Let’s go. The show’s over. It’s time to work tonight.
