Chapter 641: A Critical Choice in the Shadow of Betrayal

The room was dead silent.

Perhaps the mention of ten years had awakened Blood Nightingale’s deepest, most painful memories. In an instant, her face turned ashen as inner turmoil surged.

Ten years ago, her parents were gravely injured in a brutal battle with the enemy—and after fleeing to the Bloodshadow Safe Zone, they were betrayed and slain by Yinglong!

On that bloody night, all she could do was helplessly watch as her family perished, and everything that was hers was ripped away.

She swore she’d never have to endure such soul-crushing pain and despair again in her lifetime!

Now’s the chance—while Yenir’s opponents still remained unaware—to slip away from the Border with all the Safe Zone supplies and your loyal aides.

Lin Rou and the Military’s stance made it clear: they were ready to go all in, even if it meant leaving nothing but ruins behind.

“Blood Nightingale, I don’t want to give up Blood Shadow either! But sometimes, we have to make tough choices!”

“Stop deluding yourself with the idea that Yenir’s side still offers miracles! Remember when you told me that, as a Breeder, you came into contact with that faction of the Military?”

“I suspect that the mysterious high command that existed even before the cataclysm are Yenir’s real enemies. You know their tactics better than I do—we have no choice but to plan for the worst!”

Few know that among the Breeders on the run from the Military, their most frequent deals are with the Military itself.

Among the top Breeders Blood Nightingale encountered, she even witnessed a group of high-ranking figures bearing old-era Military insignia secretly striking deals! These Military operatives are immensely powerful—their influence reaches across all of China!

By trading with Farming Teams for outrageous profits—and even orchestrating their raids on resource hubs across various factions—who knows just how much ‘wealth’ they’ve accumulated over the years!

In the realm of brutality and darkness, the Breeders are nothing more than small fry in comparison!

Those monsters even have the audacity to wipe out entire cities!

One can only imagine just how terrifying the power of this Military faction has become!

“Blood Nightingale!”

Seeing that Blood Nightingale still hesitated, Ye Xue couldn’t help but interject with mounting urgency.

To her, she felt no loyalty toward either the Military or Yenir. Deep down, Yenir’s only impression was that of a complete bastard!

Her focus was solely on Blood Nightingale. After a brief moment of clear-headed analysis, she realized that they couldn’t just sit and wait to be slaughtered—escaping now, laden with supplies, was a viable option.

Even if their judgment proved wrong, they could always come back and offer their apologies later! She was convinced that whether it was the Military or Yenir, Blood Nightingale would ultimately need to control the Safe Zone.

Of course…

“Blood Nightingale, the best move is to outright betray Yenir!”

“We should proactively reach out to that faction of the Military and ally with them. Even if you’re reluctant to truly defect, we can use this opportunity to play both sides—reclaiming some command while keeping a close watch!”

“After all, we essentially represent the interests of the North Awakener. If Yenir’s side crumbles, we can seamlessly join the enemy camp and serve as their Northern Border representatives!”

“And if Yenir isn’t dead, then we’re just acting in self-preservation—the worst we face is what’s happening right now!”

As soon as Ye Xue finished speaking, Blood Nightingale’s fists clenched even tighter in her struggle.

To Ye Xue’s surprise, at that very moment, Blood Nightingale took a deep breath and fixed her gaze on her with steely determination:

“I would never betray!”

“Ye Xue! You haven’t met him! If you’d dealt with Yenir, you’d know exactly what kind of person he is!”

“That guy is far more ruthless than you can imagine! If he truly survived, it would be us who die. Even if he wipes out all of Blood Shadow, he won’t relent! We can’t afford to take that risk!”

“And besides, what if he wins…!”

“Boom!!!”

Before Blood Nightingale could finish her sentence, six successive Third-Stage spirit energy waves surged into the room, closing in like an inescapable trap.

Walls collapsed and glass shattered!

Somehow, Lin Rou—who had been secretly mobilizing troops outside—burst in with a cold, steely expression, accompanied by a Military Third-Stage Awakener.

Her murderous intent was unmistakable, as if she were about to kill Blood Nightingale the very instant.

“You should be glad you didn’t do anything foolish,” she stated coldly.

Their eyes locked as Lin Rou spoke, her tone as icy as the short dagger pressed against Blood Nightingale’s neck.

“Were you eavesdropping on us?!”

“Is this some kind of test? Has Yenir already contacted you?!”

Blood Nightingale, though shocked and enraged, kept her composure as the realization hit—someone had been listening in, and their covert operation might have been nothing more than a setup!

Contrary to her assumptions, Lin Rou merely shook her head slightly:

“No. We don’t know what’s happening in the Capital, but isn’t eavesdropping quite the norm?”

Without another word, Lin Rou slowly lowered the dagger and signaled the Military Third-Stage Awakener to detain Ye Xue.

The surveillance had been arranged in secret. Ever since Yenir handed over control here to her and the Border Troops, she couldn’t afford even a hint of internal error with the former elites of Blood Shadow. No matter Blood Nightingale’s ties with Yenir, nothing could go wrong from within!

Fortunately, Blood Nightingale ultimately refused; otherwise, a single misstep would have led to a beheading!

Meanwhile, as Ye Xue saw her comrades about to be restrained, panic overtook her, leaving her face ashen.

“It’s not Blood Nightingale’s fault! It was all my idea! If you want to kill someone, then kill me!”

“Lin Rou! Don’t you think this test is just deception? We’re not the Military—we just want to survive! With what you’re doing, every Awakener in the Bloodshadow Safe Zone is terrified!”

“At this point, I won’t argue any further. I just want to ask: can you be sure that Yenir is still alive?!”

“If the forces behind you are defeated, what we’re doing is simply preserving our strength! While nothing has gone awry yet, shouldn’t we plan for the worst?”

As her words died away, the Military Third-Stage Awakener present stood dumbfounded in silence.

Indeed, although they belonged to Li Xuanguo’s faction of the Military, unlike Ye Xue’s mere guesses, they knew all too well the might of the old Military forces—further stoking their unease!

The power of the old forces completely dwarfs that of the current Military!

Frankly, they dare not reveal the internal truth, even if it means crushing morale!

Just as Lin Rou was about to speak amid the silence, a cold system alert suddenly echoed throughout the Huaxia Battle Zone, resounding in every survivor’s mind.

‘Beep: Awakener A, Li Xuanguo, has used full Battle Zone announcement privileges.’

“Zzzzz-”

“Attention all survivors of the Huaxia Battle Zone, fellow citizens.”

“This is the Capital Zone—speaking on behalf of the Central Command, the Central Political Department, the highest survivors of Huaxia’s armed forces, and the Central Office.”

“I am Li Xuanguo, Prime Minister of the Huaxia Battle Zone.”

“Let us now extend our heartfelt congratulations to Comrade Yenir for achieving a major victory in the Huaxia Battle Zone, clinching first place in this national war!”

“In recognition and to bolster national pride and confidence, it has been decided to confer the following honors upon Comrade Yenir.”

…

The solemn, commanding voice resounded instantly throughout the Huaxia Battle Zone.

At that moment, countless survivors across the Battle Zone listened in awe to every word of the announcement.

Meanwhile, in the Tianfeng Security Zone…

Liao Hai, who had been locked in a fierce argument with Commander Chen and others, now stood frozen in place, his heart pounding wildly.

“Prime Minister… Is this your first speech?!”

“All for Yenir alone…? Are they alright?!”

“So…!?”