Chapter Thirty: The Will of the People

Bazhahei could not even speak to ask the administrator to stop. Like a dead dog, he lay sprawled on the floor of the gravity chamber.

"Am I going to die? What will I say to my fellow mercenaries who died before me? Should I tell them I was crushed to death by air? That’s too ridiculous!"

"I cannot die. I haven't lived enough yet." Bazhahei felt deep regret now, desperately holding his breath.

In the command center, Shen Yi was somewhat moved as he watched. "He hasn't even called for a stop after all that—I respect you as a real man!"

Of course, Bazhahei was unaware of Shen Yi’s thoughts. If he knew, he would have been so furious he might have stopped breathing altogether. *I don’t want to stop? I’m being crushed by gravity so hard I can’t speak, you idiot!*

Thus, Bazhahei held his final breath. Time ticked away, second by second; every moment was torture for him.

Just then, two field medics wearing snow-white power armor finally arrived. Without a word, they fired two beams of white light at the prone Bazhahei. Under the influence of the light, his already fractured internal organs began to slowly heal. Though slow, it was enough to pull him back from the clutches of death.

Finally catching his breath, Bazhahei let out a long, weary sigh and used all his remaining strength to squeeze out a single word from his throat: "Stop."

The administrator immediately restored normal gravity at the doorway.

As the gravity vanished, Bazhahei did not stand up. He lay on the ground gasping for air, his eyes filled with lingering terror. At that moment, a layer of black sludge appeared on his exposed neck and wrists—impurities squeezed out from his body by the dual force of external pressure and internal power.

"How are you? Are you dead? Say something," Shen Yi asked, seeing him still on the ground and fearing something had gone wrong. "I hope his brain wasn't crushed. Aside from the head, there are other fragile areas... what if..."

With the help of the field medics, Bazhahei recovered and slowly stood up, bracing his hands on the ground. With a loud "Ah!" he let out a roar that shredded his shirt, revealing a dark, well-toned muscular torso.

"Thank you, sir, for your grace. I am now at level four!" Bazhahei said respectfully. However, he knew he would never dare to attempt such a breakthrough again; it was simply too painful.

"Very good. You will take charge here. Select promising children from the residents to study under you. I’m leaving now. Keep training hard!"

"Oh, right. There is an anti-gravity hovercar at the entrance. Use it for transport," the administrator said, before leading the two medics away.

"Wait," Bazhahei called out. "How does the Commander plan to deal with this upcoming crisis?"

The administrator didn't stop or turn back. "Even if I am defeated, I will find a way to evacuate the people of the city. Just focus on your own duties! If I hold the line, I hope that within my reach, there will be no slaves or slave owners, no imperial power—only equality for all and the rule of law. The law shall apply equally to the highest nobility and the poorest citizen."

"Understood," Bazhahei replied. He knew this was beyond the scope of the residents. He clenched his black iron fists until they rattled; the Commander intended to face this alone.

Indeed, these residents were not much in terms of combat power. Bazhahei silently made up his mind to train them well. After all, one who eats the king’s salary must solve the king’s worries.

Shen Yi knew exactly what Bazhahei was referring to. Recent satellite surveillance showed that orcs were gathering at the border again. It was as if they were experts at reproduction; finish one batch, and another emerges.

Compared to the orcs' posturing, the undead army was already on the march. A sea of white skeletons—large and small, fat and thin—stretched across the mountains and plains. The largest skeletons were the size of small hills, surging toward the Boundless Forest. A skeletal dragon circled in the sky, occasionally tilting its head to let out a long, chilling screech.

The sea of skeletons spanned over ten kilometers, and more continued to spill out from the mists of the Undead Empire behind them.

Even Shen Yi, far away in the Boundless Forest, felt his scalp tingle. He estimated they would be at the city gates in a few days.

Satellite imagery showed that the Saint Dragon Empire had no intention of sending troops; they were simply pulling back their lines, showing no desire to clash head-on with the Undead Empire. It was clear Shen Yi had been abandoned, or perhaps the Saint Dragon Empire hoped to reap the benefits as the third party.

They did not realize that everything was crystal clear under Shen Yi’s satellites.

The city residents knew nothing of this. However, once Bazhahei returned in the hovercar, the city was in an uproar. To them, the hovercar was a mysterious and powerful treasure.

When Bazhahei stepped out of the vehicle, he made quite an entrance. With his level four cultivation and the hovercar gifted by the Commander, he was the most dazzling person in the city.

The residents cheered for him as if welcoming a returning hero. Many young women cast frequent, suggestive glances at the dark giant, their intentions clear. Though Bazhahei enjoyed the attention, he didn't let it go to his head. He looked at the eyes fixed upon him—filled with envy, respect, and trust.

Bazhahei raised his hand to signal for silence, and the enthusiastic crowd quieted down, all looking at him with hopeful anticipation.

Bazhahei shouted, his resonant voice echoing through the district. "I hope you do not forget who gave you a warm home so you don't have to suffer the cold. Who gave you enough food so you don't have to suffer hunger. Who gave you a safe city so you don't have to fear the predation and oppression of other races or your own kind!"

After saying this, Bazhahei roared with all his might: "Tell me loudly, who is it!"

The eyes of the tens of thousands in the district turned red. Their blood seemed to boil as they shouted one name in unison: "Commander! Commander!"

The voices of tens of thousands surged through the city, reaching the clouds. They kept shouting without stopping. Some people’s throats grew hoarse, but they didn't care, continuing to roar with red-rimmed eyes.

Yes, they were the downtrodden poor who never dreamed they would end up in such a place. Those who hadn't experienced their suffering could never understand it. This place was worth defending with their lives. Even if they were weak, even if this city were to be destroyed tomorrow, these people would not run.

Because where could they run to? Even for the faintest flicker of light, they would give their lives to keep it burning.

Slowly, everyone grew too exhausted to shout, looking at Bazhahei with reddened eyes.

Bazhahei did not let them down. In his booming voice, he continued, "Do you know what the Commander told me today?"

He paused, letting the anticipation build. Facing tens of thousands of "red-eyed patients," the level four powerhouse didn't dare tease them for too long. He continued, "He said he hopes for a world without slaves, without slave owners, and without imperial power—only equality for all and the rule of law. The law shall apply equally to the highest nobility and the poorest citizen!"

As Bazhahei finished, he savored the words himself. They were shocking; no one had ever dared to utter such rebellious thoughts. Yet, they hit the very core of these people's hearts.

After all, who is born willing to be inferior? Who said imperial power is sacred and untouchable? What is the point of living as a human only to die in silent oppression?

The massive crowd in the district fell into an eerie silence. Everyone was processing the information Bazhahei had shared.

After the strange silence, someone began to cry. Then another. There was no sound of wailing, only tears falling to the ground. Soon, people began to kneel toward the direction of the Boundless Forest. Like a chain reaction, crowds of people fell to their knees, weeping. Some tried to hold back, but they couldn't.

Bazhahei was moved as well, kneeling toward the Boundless Forest.

In the command center, Shen Yi looked at them, feeling a touch of emotion. "I think I’ve found the meaning of coming to this world!" *Wait, why did I get sand in my eyes?*

Kneeling like this wasn't sustainable.

Shortly after, the Commander’s voice echoed over the city: "Residents of the City, I hope this kneeling is the last. Stand up. I hope that from now on, the residents of our city only kneel to the heavens, the earth, and their parents!"

As his voice faded, the residents stood up one by one. For them, today was a release, a transformation, and the beginning of a new goal.

No one spoke further as they returned to their homes, but a formless power had taken root in the hearts of the city's residents.