Zhao Sanyan’s Eschatological Philosophy

“Many people now only see the apocalypse. They think it’s terrifying, that the world is ending, that humanity is going extinct.”

“But let me tell you this: humanity will absolutely stand at the top of the pyramid once again. Apocalypse, extinction—it’s all bullshit.”

“The way I see it, this is an opportunity, a great reshuffling.”

“Zombies can’t reproduce, can’t develop. For every one that dies, there’s one less.”

“And what about us humans? Our population will grow again, our society’s development won’t stagnate.”

“To humanity, brainless things like zombies and mutated beasts are nothing. Who knows, maybe in the future they’ll be protected and put in zoos for people to see, just like those endangered species from before.”

“And we, the Awakened of this apocalypse, are heaven’s favored children. We’ve been given a golden opportunity to become the upper class of the post-apocalyptic world.”

“Social order will be rebuilt with our help, and it will absolutely be rebuilt under the leadership of the currently powerful government military. At that time, we will be the new elite, not some commoners at the bottom!”

“But Ren Anhua, going it alone has no future. In my opinion, those people who go out to fight on their own, who refuse the government’s recruitment, are all fools.”

“They might feel free and easy for a while, but no matter how many powerful monsters they kill, it won’t be recorded as military merit.

There will be no place for them in the future reunification.”

“Even now, they’re missing out on the military’s generous benefits because of their choices.”

“You’re confident in the strength of your ability, and of course, you are indeed among the top tier of combatants right now.”

“But do you have any idea what kind of treatment the military would give you if you joined?”

“Let me put it this way. Currently, Awakened are rated up to a maximum of Level Three based on the intensity of their energy flow, and that includes you.”

“But did you know that the military is now secretly using crystal cores to raise the energy flow levels of the Awakened, and the first Level Four Awakened has already appeared?”

“Level Four. That’s a qualitative leap. You have no idea what that person is capable of.”

“The energy fluctuations can already begin to generate an anti-gravity field, and that’s not even an inherent part of his ability.”

“When that power is combined with his ability’s unique properties… the sheer force of it, tsk tsk tsk. I can tell you, even you wouldn’t be able to withstand it.”

“So join us, Ren Anhua. Join the army.”

“Come and stand with me. Your ability is incredibly powerful; your future achievements will definitely surpass mine.”

“If you join now, you’ll be on equal footing with my direct superior at the very least, and that’s no exaggeration!”

Zhao Sanyan extended a hand to Ren Anhua, offering his invitation.

“Heh, so after all that talk, it was all just to invite me to join the military.”

Ren Anhua ignored her old friend’s invitation and waved her hand dismissively.

“You lackey, you actually tried to play me.”

“I’m not like you. I still have so many brothers to look after. Isn’t the car I called for here yet? I think I should get going.”

Zhao Sanyan didn’t mind Ren Anhua calling him a lackey.

He wouldn’t get worked up over that level of banter; he knew Ren Anhua was just angry that he had tried to scheme against her.

“Of course, I know you can’t let go of your brothers. But you shouldn’t let these people become your burden.”

“In the beginning, it was just the four of us. I only consider you my brother, and of course, Old Hou.”

“I’ll never forget what I owe Old Hou. I’ve already arranged for them to have a place in the military district.”

“As for those other people, they only joined your faction later because they were relying on your power. They aren’t worth you cherishing so much, Ren Anhua.”

“You should trust me, the military is absolutely worthy of your trust.”

“It would be best if you settled things on your end when you go back this time, then come and join us. The military would welcome you with open arms…”

Zhao Sanyan seemed to have much more to say, but his speech was cut short by the arrival of a rather high-end SUV.

“Didn’t I tell you two to drive slower? Honestly, what’s the hurry?” Zhao Sanyan chided the two young beauties who got out of the car.

“But Captain, we were already driving as slow as we could,” the two young women said, looking a little wronged.

“Alright, you drove plenty slow. Any slower and I probably wouldn’t have time to head back today.”

“And you, Sanyan, get a grip. ‘Captain’? Showing off to me? Don’t you think that sounds awkward? It’s giving me goosebumps.”

Ren Anhua gestured for the two sisters to step aside.

The twin sisters were clearly not expecting a cute little loli in a school swimsuit to come to their defense, and for a moment, they were at a loss.

“Alright, she said to move, so just move. My big brother here needs to go back and take care of his family business.”

Zhao Sanyan waved his hand, signaling for them to obey, then unbuttoned his military jacket and draped it over Ren Anhua’s shoulders.

“Brother Anhua, if you’re really unwilling to join the army, at least don’t become its enemy.”

“That’s the last piece of advice I can give you. Take care.”

Watching the SUV drive off into the distance, Zhao Sanyan’s serious expression gradually softened.

He was almost one hundred percent certain now that the girl in the school swimsuit was his old big brother.

Even that unreasonable stubbornness was so familiar.

Ren Anhua was the type who couldn’t be reasoned with, whether through soft or hard means.

If you told him he was wrong, he would say ‘what the hell do you know.’

If you told him he was right, he would only praise you for being sensible.

Once he set his mind on something, he rarely changed it.

If he said he wouldn’t join the army, then he would stubbornly refuse to join for no good reason, unless… unless he encountered some serious incident that made him change his mind on his own.

For example… being unable to continue leading his own brothers.

Zhao Sanyan took out his walkie-talkie and contacted his superior.

“Reporting, sir. The plan has been executed.”

“Excellent. What are the chances he’ll join us?”

“Forty percent. If nothing goes wrong, maybe fifty,” Zhao Sanyan continued. “Also, I’m requesting a new officer’s jacket. Mine probably won’t survive the night. It’ll most likely get burned.”

The person on the other end was silent for a moment.

“Mm, very good. You’ve done well.”

The voice paused, then continued.

“A uniform holds extraordinary significance for a soldier. You were told this from the beginning. There will be a corresponding punishment issued. I hope you will not do something like this again in the future.”

Zhao Sanyan was a smart man.

He certainly understood the reasoning, but if he didn’t gift away the honor he wore on his back, how could he show the weight of their friendship?

The seed had been planted in Ren Anhua’s heart.

As long as it was nourished by a suitable thunderstorm of anger and disappointment, it would naturally sprout.

When that time came, Zhao Sanyan believed Ren Anhua would let go of her stubbornness.

Although this “persuasion” was a pre-arranged plan, much of what Zhao Sanyan said came from the heart.

For this brother with whom he had weathered so many hardships, Zhao Sanyan genuinely hoped he would choose the right path in life.

But what he didn’t know was that Ren Anhua had already found another spiritual anchor before this—that RV team that made her feel the warmth of a family.

All of the military’s efforts had inadvertently paved the way for someone else.

‘Take care, Brother Anhua.’

Thinking about what Ren Anhua might soon face, Zhao Sanyan’s heart grew heavy.

Although what his side had done was merely a small push, it still left him with a considerable sense of guilt.

He could only hope that Anhua would forgive him when she learned the truth in the future.

Or better yet, that she would never find out the truth at all.