Resurrection Empire

Even though he knew he was someone despised, placed on a list for potential elimination at any time, when Zheng Tian ordered him to lead the way or bring up the rear, he never hesitated, nor did he complain.

Within the team, he always scrambled to do all the dirty, tiring, and difficult tasks.

Because he knew that only by doing so could a mediocre Heavy Equipment Warrior like him have hope to climb upward.

Zheng Tian had her own survival philosophy, and Wen Lei had his own philosophy too.

Perhaps he might never become a Citizen in his entire life, but as long as he could live, see the harvest every day, he believed life still had hope and meaning.

Now, the greatest meaning in his life was destroyed.

Ren Zhong patted his shoulder but didn't say anything.

It's somewhat cruel to say, but for these wasteland people, it was supposed to be a common occurrence.

They must, and can only, endure it.

Wen Lei finally spoke, "Ren, you just said she is likely in the management of the mining factory?"

"Yes."

"I know her. She's a very kind person. She must be living unhappily."

Ren Zhong was slightly taken aback, then nodded, "I understand."

Wen Lei: "Will we avenge everyone?"

Ren Zhong: "Of course!"

"Should I destroy this photo? I'm afraid if I die, losing this will cause trouble for everyone."

"No need. You won't die. And it won't take long. Just put it in your pocket watch, beneath another photo."

"Okay."

...

At six in the evening, under the eyes of the crowd, Ma Xiaoling of the Silver Armor Long Spear stood with hands behind her back on top of the south gate of Starfire Town.

Her expression was solemn, her face like frost.

She clenched her jaws, her right hand gripping the long spear so tightly that the knuckles turned white.

Many wasteland people were watching nearby, full of interest.

Some were unaware of the situation, while others were happily sharing gossip about Captain Ren with those around them.

Upon hearing, everyone was instantly energized.

A chaotic scene like this was, of course, a show the wastelanders loved to hear and see.

Witnessing it firsthand was far more thrilling than watching drama on television.

Yet there were those truly worried for Ren Zhong.

People nearby comforted them, saying even if things got awkward, both parties had feelings for each other before; they could simply part amicably. Besides, Captain Ren is now a favorite of President Yang, has killed Lin Wang, and is a decent person—his reputation among wastelanders is quite good."

"Though Captain Ma is somewhat fierce, she's quite kind too. Except for having a few more girlfriends, Captain Ren is an excellent person in every other way. So at most, he'll be beaten up, but nothing serious will happen."

"That's what you say, but you haven't seen Captain Ma lose her temper. It's terrifying!"

"Lower your voice, lower your voice."

"Oh, here they come, here they come!"

All the speculations and discussions halted abruptly as two Qingfeng Heavy Trucks returned to the town gate.

Ma Xiaoling leaped from the city gate, landing right in front of the first Qingfeng Heavy Truck.

Swish!

The long spear in her hand pointed straight at Ren Zhong sitting in the passenger seat, "Scumbag! Get out and die!"

Ren Zhong got out of the vehicle with a pained expression, "Let me explain."

"I don't want to hear it! And don't say I, Ma Xiaoling, bully people. Today, I'll limit my armor power to 300 kW, not much more than yours. I won't use Fourth Level ammunition either, only this Big Gun against you. As for you, use whatever means you wish. Anyway, your scrap metal ammunition can't penetrate my armor's defenses. I've given you a chance to live; whether you survive depends on your own fate!"

The next second, without regard for the surrounding crowd, nor the Qingfeng Heavy Trucks nearby, Ma Xiaoling charged madly.

Even though she lowered her armor's power, the Big Gun in her hand still wielded with impressive momentum.

Ren Zhong retreated rapidly while quickly drawing his dual guns to barely parry.

He was somewhat cunning.

He immediately turned on the amplifier, pulling his power up to 1100 kW.

He first used the power advantage of enhanced Strength to deflect Ma Xiaoling's long spear, then swiftly widened the gap, retreating to over 200 meters outside Starfire Town's walls, away from the onlookers.

Of course, having higher power didn't necessarily mean he had the advantage.

Ma Xiaoling's armor and weapon materials were far superior to his; even in strength-favored collisions, after just two encounters, his Short Gun was already deformed, with the Energy Weapons modules inside mostly damaged.

Meanwhile, his various mid- and short-range weapons, while flooding out like a tide, with some successfully hitting Ma Xiaoling, were completely ineffective against her.