Suddenly, various thoughts constantly surfaced in her heart. But somehow, in the end, they could only linger on a phrase she kept replaying in her mind:

You damn old fool, don't you know to try a bit harder? At least, learn to be a bit more shameless!

However, just as Hua Qing's figure was about to disappear in the rearview mirror, and while his descendant stood respectfully ready to open the car door for their ancestor, a sudden, unexpected voice transmission shot directly into Hua Qing's mind, instantly thrilling him.

"However, if you haven't deceived me and there isn't some beauty hidden away at your home, then this time, we shall meet on the battlefield. As long as you're truly willing, and you kill a few more beasts as my dowry, in the future… I will be buried with you…"

Using beasts as a dowry was a favorite custom during a brief period in the dark years before the establishment of the Earth Federation. And if Hua Qing could return with Qing He to those days, Qing He was indeed a beauty who could have commanded a dowry of dozens of beasts; unfortunately, her bloom had now faded.

The crucial point was, when Qing He actually presented Hua Qing with such a choice, he agreed almost without any hesitation!

Because, to be buried together meant to rely on each other in life and death. This was the kind of love inherited by the Federation from ancient times, more ancient times, and even remote antiquity.

Therefore, Hua Qing immediately sent a voice transmission back to her.

"Fine! Then wait for me! This time, I will kill at least ten King-level beasts to ensure that you will forever be the flower with the most bountiful dowry during the dark years!"

Of course, as long as he could achieve it, then his "forever" would naturally be a true forever.

Because, the Federation of the dark years! Except for those few fortunate enough to have survived to this day, no one else knew. Before the glory of the Federation shone upon the lands of Earth, Earth itself possessed a period of history so profound it filled all who heard of or witnessed it with awe.

It was also because the light of the Federation began at that very moment.

Yet, at the same time, seeing his earnest, almost foolish expression stirred waves in Qing He's heart once more. For a moment, Qing He didn't know how to respond; she only wanted to call him a fool.

More than ten King-level beasts… Does he not want to live, planning to die right in front of me? If so, wouldn't I, Qing He, have to wait another ten years or so before I could join him?

After Qing He had conveyed her feelings to Hua Qing.

「Meanwhile.」

Li Er Gou, who was being relentlessly questioned by Zhang Ye, found the smile on his face finally vanishing, replaced by a degree of silence. He then simply watched the furious Zhang Ye, himself remaining quiet.

If I remember correctly, I was the one who orchestrated the crippling of Zhang Ye's hand, wasn't I? It was also for this reason that Zhang Ye had been reluctantly forced to leave the battlefield.

But who could have thought that even I, Li Er Gou, an undercover agent, would inevitably walk this same path one day?

Zhang Ye had lost a palm.

And I, Li Er Gou… Long, long ago, my once pure and flawless heart had already lost a piece!

If it hadn't been for the Federation's timely rescue, perhaps he would have truly died—died on the battlefield.

Of course, for Li Er Gou, perhaps such a glorious death was preferable to the current situation. At a critical moment when the Quan State crisis was imminent, the powerful martial artists in Quan State City were still engaged in internal strife. This was countless times worse.

Therefore, Li Er Gou remained silent, pondering for a long time before finally speaking softly.

"I have indeed made many mistakes in the past, and now, apart from death, there's no way to make amends. How about this: I will kill enemies on the battlefield, and you can watch me die. Consider it revenge for what happened to your brother back then. How does that sound?"

He wasn't trying to evade any responsibility; he just wanted to tell Zhang Ye, who stood before him, that he desperately wanted to step onto the battlefield again! The Federation's Quan State—Quan State of the past, Quan State of the present—all needed his support.

Of course, there was something Li Er Gou didn't say. Zhang Ye's brother had actually been an undercover agent for the Original Organization. It was because he was constantly leaking the genetic information and travel routes of migrating groups to the Original Organization that Li Er Gou had targeted him. As for whether the Original Organization had noticed Li Er Gou due to Zhang Ye's involvement and pursuit of revenge after this incident, Li Er Gou simply ignored the possibility.

So what if it was?

After all, Li Er Gou wasn't without his share of true wrongdoing. Killing fathers, sons, brothers—these profound human feuds, Li Er Gou had committed such acts more than once. Over his years of infiltration, Li Er Gou had thoroughly investigated several such cases. This was all because, in such a dangerous situation, for the Federation to be securely established, it had to make greater preparations and pay a higher price.

In fact, it wasn't just the Federation bearing the costs of the past. Even those who had once obeyed the Federation's junior council had been mired in guilt all these years. They had long felt that death would be a release. Indeed, for a very long time, they had wished for true death.

Because they were not born spies. What was hidden in their hearts was a longing for a good life; at most, they were merely good at managing their emotions.

Later, the Federal Parliament had made promises to them. They would be assigned places to retire in seclusion, places guaranteed to be free from trouble. The purpose was also to have these elders look after the Federation's newly established main cities. On the other hand, they also wished to care for the descendants of those who had died unjustly, so they eventually compromised and accepted the Federation's proposal. That was how they had managed to eke out an existence until then.

Unexpectedly, Quan State, the place Li Er Gou had chosen as his hometown, was also Zhang Ye's hometown. And as fate would have it, Zhang Ye was alive, and so was Li Er Gou. Naturally, it was time for Zhang Ye to come knocking, to demand that Li Er Gou settle his debts.

Therefore, Li Er Gou felt he wasn't wronged at all. He only hoped that before his death, he could contribute one last time to the Federation he had fought for his entire life. How others interpreted this was up to them.

After Li Er Gou finished speaking, Zhang Ye's body instantly stiffened, his gaze, sharp as electricity, bore down on Li Er Gou. Then, meeting Li Er Gou's steady, guilt-free eyes, Zhang Ye radiated killing intent.

But before he could make a move, familiar figures, already prepared to intervene, began to dissuade him. A gloom immediately settled in Zhang Ye's heart, and his steps seemed to grow heavy.

Therefore, after several silent breaths, Zhang Ye finally took a deep breath. Then, a cold laugh escaped him, the corners of his mouth lifting as he said, "Alright! Then I'll watch you die on the battlefield. If you still don't die after all that, I'll personally send you on your way!"

After all, Zhang Ye was not a reckless man. He knew very well why others were dissuading him: at this critical moment, with Quan State facing grave danger, an expert of the Martial King Realm could play an immense role.

Therefore, he considered Quan State—the city he had lived in for so many years and where he would eventually be laid to rest. He also thought of those who were now eying him like a tiger watching its prey. Although they wouldn't directly suppress him, they would certainly obstruct any attempt to kill Li Er Gou. Consequently, he ultimately chose to back down for the time being.

And if I happen to die on the battlefield, he could only think bitterly, then I might as well join my elder brother on the journey to the afterlife! Dust to dust, ashes to ashes!

Upon hearing Zhang Ye's words, laden with a certain ferocity, Li Er Gou understood Zhang Ye's intentions instantly. Zhang Ye still bore a grudge. However, with Quan State's fate on the line, there was no room for personal vendettas. Thus, Zhang Ye was letting Li Er Gou's fate be decided by life or death on the battlefield. If Li Er Gou didn't die, and Zhang Ye also survived, then it was highly likely Li Er Gou would still die at Zhang Ye's hands. If Li Er Gou didn't die, but Zhang Ye did, then Li Er Gou would be allowed to continue living, and all scores would be considered settled. Otherwise, given Zhang Ye's fiery temper, things definitely wouldn't end so easily.

The premise for all of this was simply the crisis that all the senior figures in Quan State could clearly see them facing.

Therefore, Li Er Gou smiled. "Alright!"

In the final analysis, at least in their attitude towards Quan State, they were, in essence, the same kind of people.

Perhaps this was the real reason Zhang Ye chose to temporarily cease hostilities. As for other reasons, Li Er Gou absolutely did not believe that Zhang Ye was so magnanimous as to choose to step back temporarily for any other motive.

However, what no one had anticipated was that during this coincidental mobilization of many senior figures, quite a few harbored new grievances and old hatreds, or past grudges and emotional entanglements. Yet, to everyone's surprise, when faced with this Beast Tide, they all, without prior consultation, chose the same objective, the same direction, and temporarily ignored all other distractions.

That was: to join hands!

To go to the battlefield!

And then, let the heads of beasts determine who the true heroes were.

After all, for those like them who had lived far too long, if they died, then so be it. One brings nothing into this life and takes nothing from it upon death. If they could still stay alive, then they could return to settle all the old scores from their youth.

Therefore, at this moment, throughout Quan State, all the influential figures, in their own quiet ways, maintained a profound, unspoken agreement.

In this instant, across all of Quan State, every warrior from bygone eras and every martial artist of the Federation age also shared a telepathic understanding, achieving an unprecedented unity of opinion!

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