Chapter 96: Lord Of Light And Shadow’s Protection!
Beacon Execution Platform.
“Former Scavenger Commander Hong Kou, along with Warrior Po Xiao, openly defied the Beacon’s Survival Law and engaged in illegal intimate contact. By law, the two are sentenced to burning at the stake, to be publicly executed as a warning to others!”
City Defense Force Captain Senge loudly declared the verdict.
Hong Kou and Po Xiao, who had just been chatting and laughing with the Pioneer Squad moments ago, were now standing chained on an execution platform.
“It’s not just intimate contact, and they’re burning them for that? That’s way too ridiculous!” March 7th could hardly believe her ears.
She thought Hong Kou had committed some major crime, but it was just this?
“So this is your former Scavenger Commander? Your Beacon’s efficiency is pretty fast.” Meng Huaifeng sneered.
“Intimate contact isn’t the point. The point is openly defying the rule, which has a bad influence on others.” Jing Nan said in a slightly subdued tone.
“With Hong Kou’s abilities and status, I think it’s just a warning to them and a reminder to others not to break the rules… they wouldn’t really carry out the burning, right?” Welt said uncertainly.
“What are you talking about? People like this obviously need to be burned, must be burned!” A blond little boy nearby interjected aggressively.
“Charles, shut up.” Jing Nan pulled the boy over.
“Hey, kid, if you don’t understand, don’t talk nonsense. Why must it be burning?” March 7th waved her fist menacingly at the blond kid.
“How don’t I understand? I’m the one chosen by the Lord of Light and Shadow, the man who will save the world in the future.” Charles said arrogantly.
“Hong Kou risked her life to collect so many resources from the ground for your Beacon and made so many contributions. She’ll definitely be fine.” March 7th said confidently.
She agreed with Uncle Yang’s view—Hong Kou was one of the Beacon’s top combat powers. In the apocalypse, what was most important? Talent, of course.
For such a small issue, how could they execute their own top combat power?
Anyway, March 7th had never seen such a stupid force.
If the Beacon really did that, it would deserve to be doomed.
“What does collecting materials have to do with her?” Charles asked.
March 7th widened her eyes in disbelief. Was this kid an idiot?
“If it has nothing to do with her, who does it have to do with? You?”
“This is all the protection of the Lord of Light and Shadow. Because the Lord of Light and Shadow blesses them, they can safely collect so many materials and return safely. Anyone else would be the same; it has nothing to do with her.” Charles said.
Her fist clenched hard—March 7th’s fist clenched hard. If he weren’t just a kid, she definitely would have punched him.
Meng Huaifeng couldn’t stand it anymore and flicked his finger, giving Charles a sharp knuckle rap on the forehead.
“Bang.”
The crisp sound was pleasing—a good head.
Charles’s forehead visibly reddened, swelling into a big bump.
“Wah~! You… you’re bullying me! I’m telling my dad!” Charles lost all his previous arrogance, clutching his forehead and bawling loudly.
March 7th put her hands on her hips and said, “Bullying a kid is wrong, but Huai Feng, this time this lady supports you—it was so satisfying.”
“Didn’t they say to abandon old world family ties? This kid says he’s going to find his dad, openly violating the Beacon’s Survival Law. I suggest sending him to the execution platform.” Meng Huaifeng said expressionlessly.
“As annoying as this kid is, the execution platform is too much, right?” March 7th said in shock.
“Just scaring him.” Meng Huaifeng replied in a low voice.
Charles abruptly shut his mouth with a ‘gah’, looking at Meng Huaifeng with teary eyes, a hint of fear in his pupils.
Jing Nan pulled Charles behind her and said apologetically, “Sorry, but kids say things without thinking. Please don’t take it to heart.”
Meng Huaifeng fell silent, feeling a sense of déjà vu like ‘he’s still just a child’. What to do—he wanted to discipline this little brat again.
On the other side.
“Oil pump activated, high temperature ready.” Senge’s voice was booming.
Flames began sporadically flickering around the execution platform, looking terrifying.
“Doesn’t the Beacon lack resources? Burning people with oil—isn’t that wasteful?” Meng Huaifeng asked in a displeased tone.
Jing Nan lowered her head deeply.
“So Uncle Yang was right—it’s just for show?” March 7th confirmed.
“Electric Halberds in position.”
Two Observer Gravity Bodies holding Electric Halberds walked over and inserted them into the pillars around the execution platform.
Instantly, electricity arced everywhere, forming red electric arcs in the air.
The scene grew even more shocking.
The other onlookers—Upper Citizens and Dust Citizens alike—were all silent as mice, while the Pioneer Squad, except for Meng Huaifeng who relaxed even more, remained composed.
City Defense Force overall commander Victor walked to the front of the execution platform.
“Hong Kou, Po Xiao, though you betrayed the Beacon, you did fight for it. If you publicly admit your crimes today and promise never to repeat them, the Beacon can spare your lives.” Victor turned to face the countless people on the Beacon and said loudly.
“As expected, just scaring them. But it’s just dating—does it have to be made so serious?” March 7th finally relaxed completely.
But could emotions really be suppressed? Meng Huaifeng sighed.
Hong Kou and Po Xiao remained silent for a long time.
Victor approached them and said in a low voice, “At a time like this, don’t be stupid—quickly apologize to the City Lord.”
“Hong Kou, is there anything more important than staying alive?” Victor’s expression was anxious and full of confusion.
A breeze blew, gently stirring Hong Kou’s red hair.
“I’m a warrior. What I fear is not death, but…”
Hong Kou turned her head, locking eyes with Po Xiao. Po Xiao gazed at Hong Kou with eyes full of tenderness, without a trace of regret.
“Not truly living.” Hong Kou said slowly.
What is love in this world? It makes people pledge life and death to each other.
“Why did they refuse? They could apologize first and secretly be together later, right? What happens next?” March 7th asked anxiously. She understood love a little, but not much.
“Prepare to rescue them.” Welt said helplessly, already ready to break ties with the Beacon.
Meng Huaifeng drafted a message in his mind and sent it to Himeko.
『Breeze in Embrace: Himeko sis, we might be about to stir up trouble. You should pack up and prepare to leave too.』
『Galaxy Traveler: ??? What are you planning?』
『Breeze in Embrace: Rescue people.』
『Galaxy Traveler: Rescuing people? That’s not stirring up trouble. Go ahead boldly.』
Hong Kou and Po Xiao clasped hands tightly. Victor sighed and turned helplessly to walk off the execution platform.
City Lord Morgan glanced at Senge and also turned away.
“Prepare for execution!” Senge shouted upon receiving the signal.
“They’re really going to burn Sister Hong Kou? No way, this lady can’t watch anymore! I hate the Beacon.” March 7th couldn’t hold back and was about to rush forward.
“Don’t rush.” Meng Huaifeng held back March 7th and gave a look to the Trailblazer: “Trailblazer!”
“Watch me!” Trailblazer took out the Flame Spear, Power of Preservation surging.
“Ignite!”
With Senge’s order, raging flames erupted on the execution platform.
Realizing death was inevitable, Hong Kou and Po Xiao could no longer suppress years of pent-up emotions and kissed deeply.
A long time later…
Hong Kou and Po Xiao parted lips, their eyes full of bewilderment.
What was going on? The flames had been burning so long—why were they still alive?
And there was no pain, not even any heat?
“Hong Kou and Po Xiao seem fine.”
“How is that possible? How can people be unharmed in fierce flames?”
“But this ridiculous thing happened right in front of everyone!”
Everyone was incredulous, buzzing with discussion.
City Lord Morgan, who had been leaving, stopped and looked back at the two faint figures in the flames.
Senge’s eyes widened in disbelief as he shouted, “Impossible! Increase the firepower!”
The flames instantly surged three or four meters higher, the terrifying heat wave forcing nearby people to retreat.
Yet the two at the center of the flames remained completely unharmed!
“Impossible, this is impossible…” Senge muttered, utterly unable to comprehend.
“What’s impossible about it? They’re unharmed in the flames, which means they’re protected by the Lord of Light and Shadow. Don’t you believe in the Lord of Light and Shadow? The Lord has personally manifested—why not release them quickly?” Meng Huaifeng’s voice rang out across the scene.
“Yeah, it must be the Lord of Light and Shadow protecting them.”
“Who else but the Lord of Light and Shadow could do that?”
“But didn’t they break the rules? Why would the Lord protect them?”
“Does that mean the Lord of Light and Shadow doesn’t recognize the three Survival Laws?”
The Dust Citizens buzzed with discussion. Morgan overheard, his face turning ashen—this was shaking the Beacon’s foundation of survival!
Senge’s face twisted ferociously toward the source of the voice, spotting Meng Huaifeng and the others. His expression instantly calmed: “You did this?”
“Don’t talk nonsense. How could we do that? It was the Lord of Light and Shadow.” Meng Huaifeng denied flatly.
“Hey, why is the execution platform still burning? Isn’t that wasting oil?” Trailblazer reminded.
“In the apocalypse, they don’t even know to conserve resources. I see this Beacon is doomed sooner or later.” Meng Huaifeng shook his head regretfully.
Morgan waved to stop the execution platform. The flames gradually died down, allowing everyone to see the Power of Preservation flames enveloping the two, similar in color to the execution flames.
Morgan slowly walked toward Meng Huaifeng and the others, his mind racing.
This move confirmed their extraordinary strength. Conflict was impossible, but he couldn’t let people truly believe it was the Lord of Light and Shadow’s protection, or the Beacon’s order would collapse again.
“No need to fool us. The supernatural ability protecting Hong Kou and them is yours, right? Impressive indeed.” Morgan chose to openly acknowledge the existence of supernatural abilities, complimenting them.
This time, Meng Huaifeng didn’t deny it.
“It’s just dating. If you don’t approve, fine—but do you have to burn them to death?” March 7th asked full of resentment.
“They openly violated the Beacon’s three most critical Survival Laws. If not punished, others would follow suit in secret—how would the Beacon be managed? If it attracts Devouring Beasts, the consequences would be unimaginable!” Morgan explained.
“Is it only this kind of emotion that attracts Devouring Beasts? Since the Beacon bans these emotions, I think your faith in the Lord of Light and Shadow is also an emotion—why not ban that too?” Meng Huaifeng said with a half-smile.
“Faith in the Lord of Light and Shadow doesn’t count, of course. The Lord protects us and won’t attract Devouring Beasts!” Charles jumped out to retort.
Seeing his dad Morgan there, little Charles regained his arrogance.
“I don’t believe it.” Meng Huaifeng said.
“You… If you don’t believe, we have Light Shadow detection equipment that can measure emotion danger levels.” Charles said.
“When you pray, do you test your emotion levels?” Meng Huaifeng asked curiously.
“We haven’t tested, but I believe it absolutely doesn’t exceed the danger level!” Charles said confidently.
“Oh, so it seems your faith in the Lord of Light and Shadow isn’t devout enough.” Meng Huaifeng said.
“No, our faith in the Lord of Light and Shadow is extremely devout.” Charles hurriedly said.
“Then it definitely exceeds the danger level. I suggest dragging all the very devout believers to the execution platform and burning them to avoid attracting Devouring Beasts.” Meng Huaifeng said offhandedly.
“I… No, Light Shadow Society believers don’t need to go to the ground—how could they attract Devouring Beasts?” Charles panicked a bit.
“Turns out they’re a bunch of parasites who do nothing— even more reason to burn them.” Meng Huaifeng said disdainfully.
“How could we do nothing! The Light Shadow Society maintains the Beacon’s order and prays for the ground Scavengers. Because of our prayers, the Lord of Light and Shadow protects the Scavengers to return safely every time!” Charles retorted loudly.
“I hate the Beacon even more now.” March 7th said quietly.
Morgan let Charles and Meng Huaifeng argue, needing time to figure out how to handle this.
Pardoning Hong Kou and them was absolutely impossible. When the three Survival Laws were issued, countless died at the Beacon. Pardoning them would undermine the Beacon’s laws.
And would a pardoned Hong Kou and Po Xiao really cut ties? Highly unlikely. As long as they stayed on the Beacon one more day, hearts would stir again, and who knows how many more would die to settle it.
His authority as City Lord would also be shaken.
But they were too strong—conflict was out of the question.
When little Charles couldn’t hold up, Morgan finally spoke: “I’ll give you all face and give them one more chance. If they’re willing to cut ties, I can let them go.”
Everyone looked at the couple walking down hand-in-hand from the execution platform.
Hong Kou and Po Xiao answered with silence, silently rejecting Morgan’s proposal.
“You all saw it—they’re obstinate. If we let them go, how do we manage the others?” Morgan said helplessly: “So…”
A chill emanated from March 7th, and a baseball bat appeared in Trailblazer’s hand, eager to act.
Morgan quickly changed tack: “How about this—I’ll give you all more face. We won’t execute them, but since they refuse to cut ties, they absolutely can’t stay on the Beacon. I’ll exile them to the ground; whether they survive is up to them.”
“Exile to the ground? That’s no different from death—just a matter of time.”
“Captain Hong Kou is so strong; maybe she can survive on the ground…”
“Don’t be naive. Do you think exile comes with Gravity Bodies? No Gravity Body, no matter how strong, can beat Devouring Beasts.”
“The three Survival Laws absolutely cannot be violated.”
The surrounding people whispered.
“Benefactors, thank you. This is enough. Staying on the Beacon would indeed have a bad influence. Being able to be together with Po Xiao without restraint for a few days before death—we’re already satisfied.” Hong Kou held Po Xiao’s hand, smiling at the Pioneer Squad.
Indeed, leaving the Beacon alive was the best outcome for them. Otherwise, once the Train Crew left, as long as they were together, they’d eventually be settled.
They could no longer stand on the Beacon.
“Alright, then.” Meng Huaifeng said. No conflict had arisen, which was beyond his expectations.
“Let’s go too. I don’t like it here.” March 7th said quietly.
The Beacon wasn’t that big; they’d learned most of it in one day. No point staying longer.
Welt pondered briefly and nodded: “In that case, City Lord Morgan, we’ll take our leave too.”
“Not staying a few more days?” Morgan tried to retain them.
“No.” Welt shook his head.
Morgan fell into thought.
No conflict—good.
The research room reported that the Power and Energy System optimization design was complete, and Gene Enhancement Fluid data obtained. Even if they had better technology, they probably wouldn’t share it with the Beacon.
Let them go—better that way, saves him the anxiety of them staying.
“It’s late now—why not leave tomorrow? And Hong Kou and Po Xiao.” Morgan showed a final bit of mercy to the two.
“Fine, some things left to do.” Welt agreed.
If Morgan hadn’t said that, Welt really planned to leave immediately.
Since there was still some humanity, he’d teach the life energy cultivation method before leaving.
Not for the Beacon, but for the survivors on it.
“Thank you, City Lord.” Hong Kou and Po Xiao said.
The onlookers gradually dispersed.
“Sis, you’re okay— that’s great!” Little Mark ran over and hugged Hong Kou, crying his eyes out.
“Didn’t you say you wanted to be the boss of the Scavengers? Bosses can’t cry.” Hong Kou squatted down, gently wiping tears from Mark’s face.
“I… I don’t want to be Scavenger boss anymore. I want to go with you.” Mark said choking up.
“Don’t fool around. Stay on the Beacon properly. Your sister and I will be fine on the ground.” Po Xiao ruffled Mark’s hair.
“Be good. Your sister and Po Xiao are so strong—they’ll be fine on the ground. You going down would just be baggage.” Hong Kou pinched Mark’s cheek.
“Are you lying to me?” Mark said skeptically.
“Of course not. As long as you’re safe and sound, we’ll definitely meet again.” Hong Kou promised solemnly.
Little Mark’s emotions fluctuated wildly—no telling if any Devouring Beasts on the ground sensed it. Soon he was exhausted and fell asleep.
“What are your plans next?” Meng Huaifeng asked.
Hong Kou and Po Xiao exchanged a glance. Hong Kou looked toward the desolate Gobi in the distant darkness, somewhat lost: “We don’t know. Almost no living people on the ground anymore. We’ll take it one step at a time.”
“If the benefactors don’t mind, we’d like to follow you and join your settlement.” Hong Kou looked at them expectantly.
Meng Huaifeng, March 7th, Trailblazer, and Zhu Zhuqing all looked to Welt.
Welt didn’t hesitate—with their strength, they’d face death on the ground in days.
So he said, “Sure. When we reach a safe place, you can choose to get off.”
The safe place Welt meant included other planets, but Hong Kou and Po Xiao thought only of other survivor settlements.
“Thank you. For the life-saving grace, we have nothing to repay.” Hong Kou and Po Xiao slowly knelt to the Pioneer Squad, grateful.
“No need.” Welt pulled them up.
Welt created three bottles of Gene Enhancement Fluid and handed them over.
“Inject one for your brother. You two inject the remaining two tonight. By morning, enhancement complete—you’ll be safer on the ground.”
They naturally knew what it was, looking gratefully at Welt.
Hong Kou injected the sleeping Mark, carried him back to his room, then returned with Po Xiao to their rooms to pack memorable items before injecting the Gene Enhancement Fluid themselves.
The Pioneer Squad was led by Jing Nan to their resting place.
『Breeze in Embrace: …』
『Galaxy Traveler: Huai Feng, what’s up?』
『Breeze in Embrace: Well, no trouble stirred up. Old man Morgan has a pretty good temper.』
『Galaxy Traveler: Don’t use dirty words. I’ve already said goodbye to the researchers here…』
『Breeze in Embrace: No worries. Uncle Yang decided to leave tomorrow morning anyway—asked me to notify you.』
『Galaxy Traveler: That’s fine then. Still some time—I’ll clear up their doubts. Their advancement knowledge is a total mess. No idea how they’ve kept the Beacon running.』
『Breeze in Embrace: It’s been over thirty years since the catastrophe. Those researchers were probably only in their twenties or thirties then—no conditions to continue learning after. It’s impressive they have any improvements now.』
『Galaxy Traveler: Well said. Once this generation of researchers dies, forget improvements—they’ll be lucky to maintain the equipment.』
『Breeze in Embrace: With us here, the apocalypse will definitely be over by then.』
The original plot was written a bit more detailed for readers who haven’t seen Ling Cage. Please forgive those who have—many unsubscribed because they haven’t seen Ling Cage. If not written clearly, even those who haven’t seen it but keep reading might leave, causing more unsubscriptions. Sorry, sorry.
