From a very young age, Yin Que knew this was a cruel world.
The education he received since childhood told him that in the ongoing, relentless battle against the Abnormal Species, countless lives were lost.
Among them were high-ranking Sentinels and Guides, as well as powerless elders and children.
This land was stained with the blood of many, and the soil of the 472nd District was even a deep crimson.
Every year, he would pay respects to the fallen.
At first, he was led by the elders at home; later, by the teachers at the Sentinel Academy.
Then, after becoming a Commander himself, he led his subordinates to the public cemetery to honor the departed.
He transformed from one who was led, to one who leads.
Yin Que let out a light chuckle, his eyes distant.
“What do you think kind of person he was?”
Ning Li hadn’t expected such a question.
Yet, considering that the other was a devoted fan of the Former Commander, she somewhat understood why he asked.
Perhaps he sought some affirmation from her, or maybe he just wanted to ask.
For Yin Que, this was a novel experience.
Five years after his death, in the role of an observer, he was inquiring about how others viewed him.
In his lifetime, this was probably the most interesting and meaningful experience he would ever have.
Ning Li’s knowledge of Yin Que came entirely from others’ descriptions.
In an age where no photos of Yin Que could be found online, only sparse mentions existed—some positive, some negative, but all brief.
Based on what little she knew, Ning Li gave a straightforward answer: “He was a good man.”
“Too bad—good men don’t live long.”
There were all kinds of people in this world.
To Ning Li, some valued their own safety above all, like herself.
Others, like the Former Commander, placed others’ safety first.
Some cared only for petty personal affairs, while others like the Former Commander cared for grander matters.
As a Guide who had crossed over, she at least received several months of State Support after graduation, so she would serve one year in the 191st District.
After that, she’d likely live a stable and low-profile life.
Yin Que repeated the word “good man,” then asked, “What time the day after tomorrow morning?”
Ning Li replied, “I’ll call you then.”
After this conversation, Ning Li returned to her room and began examining the pearl that Xiao Hei had newly picked up.
This pearl was different from the “Pearl Bullets” shot by the Clam Abnormal Species.
The “Pearl Bullets” had spikes on the surface, wrapped in black mist, appearing deadly.
But this pearl was round, smooth, large, pure, and elegant.
Even someone unfamiliar with gems like Ning Li recognized it as a rare treasure.
It was a collector’s item of immense value—about the size of her fist.
She held the pearl under the light, noticing a flowing shimmer across its surface, like water quietly moving.
“Where did this come from?”
Xiao Hei leaned close, admiring it alongside Ning Li.
“Picked up.”
“I mean, where did you pick it up?”
“Dropped from a big clam.”
A pearl dropped from a Guardian?
If that was the case, this pearl might be more than just for show.
Unfortunately, despite much research, Ning Li couldn’t determine its use and decided to keep it for now.
The next day was Saturday, and there were no classes.
In the morning, Ning Li went to the canteen and packed breakfast for three people.
Yuan Zi looked at the large amount she packed with a puzzled expression.
“So much food. Can you finish it all?”
Ning Li mumbled, “Yes, many people at home.”
Yuan Zi assumed she meant pets like cats and dogs, and didn’t think much of it.
The last time she teased her about a “wild man” was just a joke; she never expected a second person living in Ning Li’s dorm.
With her careful observation, she hadn’t found any signs of another person.
After breakfast back at the dorm, Ning Li and her new teammates appeared in the bustling streets.
Tomorrow was the day of tomb-sweeping; how could they not prepare a few bouquets?
As the Former Commander’s death anniversary approached, nearby flower shops were packed.
Chrysanthemums, lilies, pine, and cypress branches were in short supply.
Residents of the 191st District seemed eager to spend money, jostling to pay, boosting business for the shops around the flower stores.
The crowd was dense, bodies pressed together with no gaps.
Just standing nearby, Ning Li and her teammates were pushed aside by flower buyers.
“Don’t just stand there if you’re not buying.”
Ning Li said, “Who said we’re not buying?”
The person at the front of the push shouted to the flower shop owner without turning back, “Boss, one bouquet of chrysanthemums!”
The shop owner was so busy she barely had time to answer, “Wait a moment!”
Ning Li and her teammates were squeezed out in a sorry state.
Neither was good at this kind of thing, and after just a few minutes at the flower shop entrance, her teammate’s shoes had been stepped on multiple times, her short sleeves tugged crooked, but the baseball cap and sun-protective mask stayed firmly in place.
Ning Li said, “The Former Commander is really popular.”
The Former Commander, embarrassed from being pushed around: ……
Just then, a child selling flowers nearby had a basket of fresh-looking chrysanthemums.
Ning Li asked, “How many blossoms?”
“Twenty!”
“So expensive?”
The child smiled proudly, “At this price, they’re still in high demand!”
At the flower shop, one chrysanthemum cost 8 universal currency; here it was more than double.
Ning Li bought two flowers, spending 40 universal currency—one for herself and one for her teammate.
On the day of the Former Commander’s death anniversary, Ning Li was woken early by Yuan Zi.
She took the prepared stones and went with Yuan Zi to eat breakfast in the canteen, then hurried to the classroom for the gathering.
There were pastries in the dorm from yesterday, so no need to bring lunch for the new teammates.
Once all 26 classmates were present, their homeroom teacher led them on foot to the nearby public cemetery.
Along the way, they met many others, all carrying bouquets and carefully prepared gifts, all headed to the same destination.
The cemetery near the Peripheral Guide Academy held tens of thousands of fallen heroes.
Almost daily, local residents came to wipe tombstones with cloths and buckets, clearing weeds nearby.
The sky was overcast, looking ready to rain but still dry.
Spirits were low.
Ning Li’s new teammates trailed far behind but did not fall behind.
At the cemetery, Ning Li and others learned that the Commander had also come.
Since the recent shrinking of the safe zone, Qi Sigui had remained in the 191st District.
After the students at the Peripheral Guide Academy were attacked by Abnormal Species, he had a one-sided video call with the Guides.
In the call, he mourned those who had died in the field and offered words of encouragement to the surviving Guides.
Today was probably the first time the Commander had appeared publicly since arriving in the 191st District.
“Is the Commander here to pay respects to the Former Commander too?”
“The Commander has been in the 191st District all this time?”
“Where is the Commander? Will he speak to us?”
Nearby Guides chattered excitedly about the Commander’s presence at the cemetery.
Suddenly, the crowd fell silent.
A Wavebreaker Megalodon spirit entity flew into the air, its enormous body buzzing ominously, announcing the Commander’s arrival to all.
Ning Li had seen the Wavebreaker Megalodon’s figure from afar in the field before, but the environment had been dark and filled with fire and smoke, making it hard to see clearly.
Today was different.
Though the sky was gloomy, it was daytime, and the light was sufficient to clearly see the Wavebreaker Megalodon’s appearance.
This was a massive spirit entity.
Its body was mainly gray, with a silvery-white belly.
What was most striking were its sharp teeth, densely packed and clearly capable of a powerful bite.
A raised platform had appeared nearby, with the Empire’s flag fluttering in the wind.
Qi Sigui stood on it, finally appearing before everyone.
Behind him stood his Vice Commander, the Personal Guard Captain, and his brother-in-law, Xi Yan.
Xi Yan’s appearance did not match his name.
Judging by the name, one might think he was a stern man, but in truth, his eyes often held a smile, gazing affectionately at everyone.
Today, he wore the First Guide Academy uniform—a sharp blue-and-white suit that accentuated his upright posture.
The Personal Guard Captain and Vice Commander both wore sky-blue uniforms.
The Vice Commander was petite and sweet-faced, but her spirit entity, the Wavebreaker Megalodon, was the ruler of the sea—a striking contrast.
The Personal Guard Captain bore a scar on his face and looked fierce, but he stayed behind Qi Sigui like a well-behaved kitten.
Yuan Zi said the Personal Guard Captain’s spirit entity was the Great Wall—one of the rarest spirit entities.
Extremely adept at defense, this unique spirit entity allowed him to stand out among the elites, becoming the last barrier protecting the Commander.
Qi Sigui himself stood at the front, about 1.85 meters tall, wearing the Commander’s exclusive uniform.
The outfit was mainly black and gray, solemn and dignified, buttoned all the way to the top, exuding meticulousness.
He was 32 years old, possessing the maturity of a man in his prime and the steadiness befitting a superior.
In terms of looks, he wasn’t as handsome as his brother-in-law or Ning Li’s new teammate, but his overall presence was affable.
The wrinkles at the corners of his eyes added a mature charm.
“I came to lay flowers for him, then I will leave,” his voice carried through the microphones to every corner of the cemetery.
Whether near or far, everyone put down their tasks and listened.
Qi Sigui’s voice cracked slightly, “It’s been five years…I miss him.”
He paused, bowing his forehead, his fringe hiding the emotions beneath his eyes.
He steadied himself, controlling the overwhelming sadness.
Half a minute later, in the silence so profound one could hear a pin drop, he spoke again.
“Although he is no longer here, his spirit lives on.”
“We must continue to carry forward the Sentinel Spirit he advocated—bravery in dedication, courage in struggle!”
At his words, countless hands applauded, the applause ringing out passionately.
Amidst the resounding claps, Qi Sigui placed a slightly curled yellow-white chrysanthemum on the ground.
This was the temporary memorial for the Former Commander.
There was no tombstone yet, so this simple tribute was all they could offer.
After this, Qi Sigui strode toward his exclusive vehicle, unwilling to linger in this sorrowful place.
Xi Yan’s eyes darkened as they swept over the yellow-white chrysanthemum.
Many years ago, he had thought Yin Que would become his brother-in-law.
Yin Que’s world was vast enough to hold millions of citizens, yet small enough to barely hold those close to him.
Every day, he had too many worries and concerns, so many he had no time to devote to matters he deemed less important.
Hence, he never noticed the thoughts of those around him.
But that didn’t matter.
When he came of age, he would eventually marry.
The most suitable match was his elder sister, a top Guide.
His sister had long eagerly awaited that day.
But unfortunately, Yin Que died.
Five years had passed.
He had grown from a 20-year-old youth into a 25-year-old man.
Now, he was one year older than Yin Que had ever been.
If Yin Que had come back to life, would he address him as younger brother, or call him “older brother”?
Thinking of this, Xi Yan gave a self-mocking smile.
Sadly, he wouldn’t live to find out.
Even after his death, all Yin Que received was a chrysanthemum no longer fresh.
No dewdrops glistened on it, its stem no longer green, its petals slightly withered—though not obvious at first glance.
That chrysanthemum had been placed there for two days.
He wanted to ask, “Yin Que, was it worth it?”
To give his life for a hundred thousand citizens, was it worth it?
But he didn’t need to ask to know the answer.
It was worth it.
Anything done for millions of citizens was worth it.
Yin Que was such a man—one with great love.
When he first became Commander, a desperate person once rushed at him, cursing him, saying life was too hard to bear and questioned why he lived so well.
Despite being harshly scolded, Yin Que never got angry.
Instead, he felt sad.
He said, “It’s not their fault.”
Then whose fault was it?
It couldn’t be Yin Que’s fault, right?
But he bore all the pressure on his shoulders.
Xi Yan once admired Yin Que immensely, looked up to him, and aspired to be like him.
But after Yin Que’s death, Xi Yan resolved never to have such a short life.