Chapter 96 of 100
Chapter 96
17 min read4,199 words
Whether it was Zhao Hao, Zhao Ling'er, or Lei Dong, and even all the members of the Power Gang, they all knew that the essence of the "Heavenly Demon Sound" created by Zhao Hao and the "Ninefold Thunder Sound" later improved by Lei Dong had never changed.
This was a technique that sent people to their deaths.
It consumed one's essence, energy, and spirit, burning one's life force, affecting everyone within the range of the attack.
It made people start to go berserk, become irritable, bloodthirsty, and fight.
That's why Zhao Hao called it "Demon Sound."
This technique, in a one-on-one battle, could hardly be used to its full potential.
It only unleashed its terrifying power on the battlefield.
But it had a fatal flaw—it did not distinguish between friend and foe.
On the battlefield, amidst the chaos of two armies clashing, a large-scale sound technique could not possibly distinguish between enemies and allies.
Unless it was the legendary Sage Emperor Fuxi playing the Fuxi zither, perhaps he could achieve this.
However, Zhao Hao was not Fuxi, and neither was Lei Dong.
So they could only go this far.
Therefore, every time Zhao Hao faced Lei Dong, his feelings were very complex.
One could say that from the moment Lei Dong perfected the "Ninefold Thunder Sound," his fate was sealed for death.
The only difference was when and where he would die.
And now, Lei Dong had stepped forward.
Clearly, he had made up his mind.
The disciples of the Power Gang also understood this, but what made Zhao Hao feel both comforted and moved was that most of them did not retreat because of this. Instead, they were even more eager to accompany Zhao Ling'er.
Within the Power Gang, there were both good and bad elements, not everyone was loyal to the country.
But at least ninety percent of the people were prepared to die in battle.
This was what Zhao Hao was most proud of and most moved by.
"Tomorrow, the Mongol army will attack the city, and it will be a fight to the death. Most of the brothers will remain in Xiangyang. I only need a thousand people. Those who are the only sons in their families, those whose parents are still alive, and those who have wives and children should stay behind," Zhao Ling'er said.
Even so, nearly three thousand Power Gang disciples expressed their willingness to go with Zhao Ling'er.
"The best in light and martial arts, a thousand of you step forward. Brothers, there's no need to fight for it. The brothers who stay behind have an even greater responsibility. If the brothers who follow Ling'er are sacrificed, we must fulfill their families' wishes and complete their unfinished tasks. Death is a kind of courage, and living is also a kind of responsibility," Zhao Hao looked around and said solemnly.
Hearing Zhao Hao's words, they no longer fought for it, and nearly a thousand people silently stepped forward.
Choosing to face death was not easy, but those who lived might make even greater sacrifices.
When Zhao Ling'er had selected a thousand Power Gang disciples, Qiu Shenjie and Xuan'er came to Zhao Ling'er's side.
Zhao Hao took a deep breath and said, "Brothers, you have one more choice."
Everyone's eyes were on Zhao Hao.
"Mr. Qiu and Xuan'er have developed a pill, which I asked them to create, and I named it 'Opium.'"
"Opium is a rare poison. You may not have heard of it, but anyone who has taken opium will feel invigorated and as if they are floating in the clouds. Of course, this comes at a price. It can be fatal at any time."
"The pill developed by Mr. Qiu and Xuan'er is even more powerful than opium. Those who take this pill can often perform at twice their usual strength in battle, but the price is that their tendons and meridians will be severed within a day, and if they are unlucky, they will suffer from a mental breakdown."
"A total of two thousand of these pills have been made. Those who want them can come and take them." Zhao Hao's voice was calm but filled with unspeakable sorrow.
For any person with a conscience, watching their own people go to their deaths, or even pushing them into the fire, was a pain that far exceeded being cut by a knife or an axe.
But there were always people who had to make sacrifices, including Zhao Hao himself.
He did not regret it, but he did not feel happy either.
In the end, the two thousand pills were all taken. The thousand "suicide squad" members selected by Zhao Ling'er each had one.
The remaining thousand pills almost caused a fight.
Everyone understood that taking this pill would ruin their lives.
But they also understood that while they might normally only kill two Mongol soldiers, after taking the pill, they could likely kill five.
It was worth it.
Mr. Qiu and Xuan'er's bodies were trembling, and by the end, they were in tears.
They could not become poison doctors who treated human lives as grass.
Creating such a pill was not what they wanted, but it was what the situation demanded.
Drinking poison to quench thirst, but it did quench the thirst.
But for them, it was too cruel.
"Mr. Qiu, don't be sad for us. All the brothers are grateful for your great kindness."
"Miss Xuan'er, I used to be a bit afraid of you, but I probably won't be after today. I often offended you, I'm sorry."
Xuan'er finally couldn't hold back and ran out of the door, and Qiu Shenjie also covered his face and left.
They were not combatants, and their value did not lie in direct fighting.
Even if they wanted to go, Zhao Hao and Zhao Ling'er would not agree.
Zhao Hao came to Zhao Ling'er's side, gently hugged her, and whispered, "Ling'er, come back alive."
"Of course, take care of yourself, brother." Zhao Ling'er said softly.
"Everyone, take care." Zhao Hao bowed.
"Take care, leader."
...
As night fell, on the city wall of Xiangyang, Zhao Hao stood in the wind, with Qiu Shenjie and Xuan'er by his side.
Below the city wall, the drawbridge slowly lowered, and a thousand people walked out of the city gate.
There was no noise, it was almost completely silent.
The night was as dark as ink, and boundless darkness enveloped the earth.
"Will they come back?" Xuan'er suddenly asked.
Zhao Hao did not speak.
Some answers, he understood, but did not want to understand.
"I really regret joining the Power Gang," Qiu Shenjie said.
"A life of walking like a zombie and the joy of fully utilizing one's skills, Mr. Qiu, your choice was very correct," Zhao Hao said.
"Alas." Qiu Shenjie shook his head and sighed deeply.
"We are guilty," Xuan'er said.
"If what you have done is considered a sin, then let me bear the greatest sin," Zhao Hao said.
Killing is a sin, but Zhao Hao had no choice but to have blood on his hands.
"Let's go, they have their battle, and we have ours." Zhao Hao turned and left.
Outside Xiangyang, the figures of the thousand Power Gang disciples gradually faded into the distance.
They walked further and further away.
They left only their backs.
Not heroic, not tragic, just a row of straight backs.
Many never returned.
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