Chapter 75 Stop overthinking

Xie Shenhong had already arrived, specifically to address the matter of Squad 99’s establishment.

If the true situation involved a conspiracy to destabilize the kingdom, Xie Shenhong would, of course, never stand idly by.

Yet, from every angle, it seemed the truth was far from that.

“Lyte, I truly believe they aren’t malicious.”

“What makes you say that?”

“Over the past fortnight, they’ve had numerous chances to strike at us, yet they’ve refrained from doing so.”

This line of reasoning, in fact, held significant weight.

The Vermillion Kingdom fundamentally owed its existence to Saintess Hai Zhu.

Setting Wendy aside for a moment, this single fact alone sufficed to attest to Li Tianming’s partial innocence.

Had his true intention been the kingdom’s downfall, he could have easily moved against Xie Shenhong long ago.

Furthermore, unlike previous instances, even when Xie Shenhong presented a stance of utter exhaustion, he still refrained from any provocative actions.

Moreover, the notion of him exploiting Xie Shenhong for his own ends clashed directly with his strenuous efforts to keep Xie Shenhong from engaging in perilous endeavors.

Following this rigorous elimination process, Li Tianming’s position now appeared, at the very least, to be a nuanced shade of off-white, far from outright villainy.

Naturally, this was Xie Shenhong’s assessment, predicated on his understanding that he was, in essence, Xie Hai Zhu.

Lyte, however, remained unaware of this crucial detail.

On the surface, Xie Shenhong’s own standing and significance, when weighed against the monumental task of overthrowing a kingdom, seemed utterly negligible.

“I see,” Lyte said. “So, what do you believe he truly intends?”

Xie Shenhong paused for a moment, a faint surprise on his face, before letting out a soft sigh.

“Lyte,” he began, “you place far too much trust in me. My reasoning just now, in truth, is somewhat tenuous.”

“From my perspective, that may indeed be true,” Lyte replied, a gentle smile gracing his lips. “But for you, Shenhong, to arrive at such a conclusion, it suggests you already possess ample evidence, doesn’t it? I trust you implicitly.”

“It is entirely possible that I am mistaken,” Xie Shenhong murmured, subtly lowering his gaze to conceal the burgeoning smile that threatened to betray his composure, a direct result of such profound trust.

“I know,” Lyte responded, his voice unwavering. “But you already have a plan for the next step of verification, don’t you? What, then, should I do to assist you?”

[Honestly, so obedient. Aren’t you afraid I’ll sell you out?] Xie Shenhong grumbled internally, a theatrical pout forming in his mind, before his face, unable to mask his profound delight, brightened as he outlined the tasks for Lyte.

“That’s certainly feasible,” Lyte acknowledged, a flicker of apprehension in his eyes. “But will that truly be enough?” he asked, his voice laced with concern.

“It’s more than enough, Lyte,” she assured him. “You’ve already provided me with an immeasurable amount of help. In the past, I would never have been able to maintain such composure.”

This was not a mere platitude, nor the customary deflection born from a sense of burdening Lyte and feeling inwardly apologetic for his extensive assistance.

On the contrary, she longed to impose on Lyte further, to seek out more opportunities for interaction, to exchange just a few more words with him.

Yet, this time, she knew she could not indulge that desire.

As she had confessed, in times past, facing adversity would invariably lead her to narrow her focus inward, spiraling into feelings of inferiority, shame, and profound despondency.

But now, her world, bathed in the radiant glow of a particular individual, had expanded and brightened considerably.

Consequently, she found herself noticing countless nuances and details she had previously overlooked.

She understood what she needed to do.

And what she was capable of doing.

****

Memory

As a resident of the eastern border of Silesia Province, Wendy harbored no unfamiliarity with the Sakura Nation.

Her mother’s ancestral home lay within the Sakura Nation, which contributed to this familiarity.

Furthermore, the school she attended was situated directly on the border, allowing children from both nations to share a classroom.

Being a rural schoolhouse, students of varying ages were often crammed into a single classroom.

Consequently, she had many friends from the Sakura Nation.

This even included Sakura Nation soldiers who, following the outbreak of war, abruptly transformed into adversaries.

As the Sakura Nation suffered continuous defeats and retreated.

Her dearest friends perished.

Not merely one, but many.

It wasn’t just ordinary citizens.

Not only did soldiers fall, but also countless civilians.

Miraculously, she and her immediate family remained safe and unharmed.

Her mother’s extended family, however, did not share the same fortune.

War, in its essence, was an act of unfathomable cruelty.

It was at this precise moment that members of the Shogunate faction arrived in her village.

“It was the Vermillion Kingdom that instigated this war,” they declared.

“Remember your loved ones, your kin and friends—now, take up your arms!”

Owing to the village’s unique circumstances, a considerable number of its inhabitants were easily swayed by these impassioned calls.

Even twelve-year-old Wendy, swept up in a surge of youthful fervor, impulsively joined the Shogunate faction.

Yet, ironically, she would later come to deeply regret that decision.

Whether one chose to label her as callous or cold-hearted, it mattered little.

In a mere month, the burning hatred within her heart had already begun to wane.

While memories of her friends still brought a pang of sadness, it was akin to how childhood friendships, if left uncultivated over a single summer, would quickly fade into distant acquaintances.

She had grown accustomed to a life without their presence.

As for her mother’s relatives, their loss held even less tangible reality for her.

However, the nature of illegal organizations meant that once one joined, extrication became an almost insurmountable challenge.

Compounding this, she was merely a child at the time, possessing little understanding of the world’s complexities.

A little coaxing, a hint of petty gain, and she was persuaded to remain, blissfully indulging in the resources provided by the Shogunate faction.

Naturally, the Shogunate faction operated in the shadows, so outwardly, she continued to live the life of an ordinary child.

Later, she enrolled in junior high school in the county town, like any other student, diligently acquiring knowledge.

She was ordinarily swept up by the kingdom’s technological wave, developing an interest in computers, eventually owning one, and acquiring a mobile phone.

She came to understand, quite plainly, the profound truth that ‘knowledge broadens horizons’.

She began to grasp the truly despicable nature of the Shogunate faction.

She started to fully comprehend the extent of her own foolishness.

A profound, ceaseless regret began to consume her.

Yet, she found herself utterly powerless.

The Shogunate faction’s unwavering support, provided over many years, had now become her greatest vulnerability.

Then there was the constant reminder—

“Think of your family,” they would whisper.

She thought of a future where the Vermillion Kingdom would no longer need to be at odds with the Shogunate faction’s domain.

She recalled her parents’ initial admonitions, urging her to avoid excessive contact with anyone affiliated with the Shogunate faction.

She remembered her parents’ delight in the subtle shifts of their lives over the years, and their hopeful aspirations for the future.

A sense of utter despair began to creep over her.

Fortunately, the Shogunate faction, when compared to the Western faction, was considered relatively temperate in its methods.

For years, they had merely lain dormant, rarely instigating any overt actions.

However, just as the memories of her involvement began to fade into the recesses of her mind, a new directive arrived—

“Listen closely,” the order commanded. “Approach Crimson Hawk and devise a means to earn his trust.”

“What comes next? For now, that is not your concern. However, you must be ready to strike when the time comes.”

“Remember your family,” the voice continued, a chilling undertone. “Recall the immense resources the organization has painstakingly invested in your cultivation over these many years… Every single expenditure is meticulously documented!”

“Now…”

“In truth, Xie Shenhong is the genuine Crimson Hawk. I am merely a decoy and a pawn, put forward by the kingdom’s high command to safeguard her life.”

At the moment those words registered, Wendy was utterly dumbfounded.

Yet, what followed proved even more incredulous.

“I have already joined forces with Mr. Hijikata,” the voice continued. “From this point forward, I shall be the one issuing your commands.”

Wendy, in a desperate flurry, rushed to verify this startling claim.

However, she received only an unequivocal affirmation.

Turning to her new superior, she cast a frantic, pleading gaze upon them.

Yet, in their eyes, she found not the slightest glimmer of compassion.

“He must trust you implicitly by now, mustn’t he?”

Her entire being stiffened, yet she found herself capable of nothing more than a numb nod.

“Strike now.”

She felt as though she had plunged into an icy abyss.

“You have already betrayed the kingdom. Do you truly wish to sever yet another path for yourself?”

Despair utterly consumed her.

What she did not know, however, was that no sooner had she departed than the one who gave the order immediately drafted a message to her intended target:

[Beware, Wendy is a remnant of the Sakura Nation!]