DPM Chapter 36-Hunting A Devil Part 3
Translated by Snowfall77
Wu Xingyun stayed in the underground command room. Although the isolating installations were quite good, he could still feel the ground quaking and the floor shaking. He didn’t have to look, he could imagine what was going on outside.
The Federation had fought against Mozun many times. Each time, facing the light cannons and the nuclear explosions, Mozun had emerged unscathed. Next, he’d use his masterstroke, gamma-rays. In a few seconds, with a possible killing range of ten light-years, an energy burst that no one could stop. It was arguably one the most dreadful forces in the universe. Only a black hole being born was a more formidable storm, ensuring the destruction of all nearby planets.
Who would win this time? The Federation or the Night Shard? Who could know?
Wu Xingyun certainly didn’t know. His head was dizzy. As the battle had raged on, he hadn’t been able to sleep for three or four days.
Mozun was under siege, unable to leave Liu-Mang-Xing, yet no one could kill him.
But, after all, Mozun was a man. When the day came that he was exhausted, would he die?
Afraid to think about it, Wu Xingyun’s heart throbbed in pain, especially when he recalled that he’d been the one to leak the information about Mozun.
He shouldn’t feel the way he did. He should be proud of successfully obtaining enemy intel. Instead, he only had guilt.
In the past days, Wu Xingyun had eaten one meal. The more he had no idea of the situation on the ground, the more all kinds of new emotions stormed in his heart.
On the fifth day, Shi Fei appeared in front of him with three Ghost soldiers.
“The Night Shard was cunning, he built fortifications that will take us a short time to remove. So we’ve decided to use Ghost soldiers. It takes a total of four Ghost soldiers to surround a target, but only three could get here……Wu Xingyun, are you ready to heed the Federation’s call, give her your full dedication?” Shi Fei’s expression was solemn, his burly figure looming like a mountain as he faced Wu Xingyun.
Wu Xingyun raised his head confusedly, eyeing the Marshal before him. The Marshal meant for Wu Xingyun to go lurk and shoot the Night Shard?
When Wu Xingyun comprehended, his body went ice-cold. He wasn’t ready. Would probably never be ready.
It was impossible, but Shi Fei kept talking: “We truly didn’t expect that the Night Demon would be able to fend us off to this extent. Clearly, he’s almost done for, but he’s still hanging in there. Well, we underestimated him. After all he lived through the Great Nirvana. If our ambush doesn’t work, and he runs away……The consequences will be grave, and I’m the person in charge. I’ll bear responsibility, but Wen Nuo will certainly be court-martialed. You……No matter if you’re married, the Night Shard will want your head on a platter. These soldiers with me aren’t afraid to sacrifice their lives, however the Federation will be done for. When he’s free and clear, the Night Shard will attack in a frenzy. Wu Xingyun, when you joined the army, do you remember what you swore?”
“The interests of the Federation are above all else,” Wu Xingyun subconsciously muttered, “At any time, we are ready to sacrifice all for the Federation.” Yet when Wu Xingyun said it, it was like being stabbed in the heart. Sacrifice everything, including his own insignificant, ambiguous feelings?
Shi Fei patted Wu Xingyun on the shoulder. “Wu Xingyun, I know it may be difficult for you, but……You’re the only Ghost soldier in Federation history who has successfully shot the Night Shard. You’re better than all three of them, with more combat experience. Rest assured, after you’ve eliminated the Night Shard, the Federation will bestow on you the highest honor, you……Will always be a hero.”
Biting his lip, Wu Xingyun said nothing. The thought of winning medals and honor no longer excited him at all. He only had the hollow sense that he didn’t deserve to be a good soldier.
He couldn’t refuse, but had no will to press forward. A sense of having lost everything filled him, not knowing what or who he was supposed to be.
The Night Shard’s ‘wife,’ or a Federation soldier?
Shi Fei didn’t try to persuade Wu Xingyun any further. He simply sighed and took the other three Ghost soldiers out.
Outside the door, Wen Nuo was waiting, still trying to request more Ghost soldiers from the higher-ups. Ghost soldiers were rare, however, and most of them were already on duty. Never mind the long interstellar voyage that would prevent them from quickly arriving at Liu-Mang-Xing.
“I think he’s emotionally unstable,” Shi Fei told Wen Nuo, “He’s probably confused by the Night Demon. Why don’t we let him be? The boy has a simple heart, it’s cruel to make him go to war.” The Marshal, although big, uncouth, and fond of cursing, could also be easily tenderhearted on occasion.
Wen Nuo didn’t agree, though. After doing some quick mental analyzation, he said: “No, if Wu Xingyun joins the battle, our likelihood of winning increases by twenty percent. We can’t possibly give away our victory because of certain personal feelings. He’s a good soldier. In these past four days, we’ve sacrificed thousands of soldiers. If he gives up because of his private sentiments, isn’t he letting down the dead? Can you let our fallen comrades down? What do we tell their families? Besides, if the Night Shard escapes now, he’ll certainly find a way to kill Wu Xingyun. I want a greater chance of victory, and I won’t allow unfavorable rumors about Wu Xingyun to be spread in the future. If anyone said we were defeated because Wu Xingyun didn’t do his duty, how would he live in the Federation then? He’d suffer ostracization for the rest of his life. If the Night Shard doesn’t die, the second half of Wu Xingyun’s life will be very painful. This……It’s also for his good.”
Thinking to himself, Wen Nuo admitted that, yes, what they were asking of Wu Xingyun was cruel. Nevertheless……The pain would soon be forgotten. Over time, Wu Xingyun would slowly forget the whole matter. He’d be a hero, admired by all, with honor and glory. And with Wen Nuo offering comfort, Wu Xingyun would be happy in the end.
Lingering on that particular thought, Wen Nuo took a deep breath. “I’ll persuade him. He’ll agree, I’m certain.”
Wen Nuo opened the door and went into the command room. Watching Wen Nuo’s retreating back, Shi Fei’s heart had a fit of melancholy.
Shi Fei had personally overseen Wen Nuo’s promotions, but suddenly Shi Fei dimly felt that Wen Nuo was rather dreadful. Disregarding anyone’s feelings, Wen Nuo was ruthless enough, callous enough, to unscrupulously do whatever it took to win.
When Wu Xingyun heard footsteps, he knew it was Wen Nuo. Not looking up, Wu Xingyun sat beneath the table, his hands on his knees, motionless. As if by squeezing himself into a small space, everything would magically be fine. Nothing was going to happen.
Wen Nuo walked around in a circle, before finding Wu Xingyun under the table.
He saw that Wu Xingyun was crying.
It was the second time Wen Nuo had seen Wu Xingyun cry.
The first time had been after Wu Xingyun’s initial kill on the battlefield. At the time, Wu Xingyun was apparently oblivious to the fact that all his training centered on the lethal elimination of the enemy. Then he’d fought on a certain planet and killed an ordinary human of the Demon Army face to face, and it had traumatized him.
When Wu Xingyun had returned, he’d cried for a month.
It was Wen Nuo who’d been with Wu Xingyun at that point, constantly mollifying and talking Wu Xingyun around. Once Wu Xingyun got better, he was particularly attached to Wen Nuo, thinking of Wen Nuo as a close relative, an elder brother, and something even closer.
Now, when Wu Xingyun saw Wen Nuo squatting next to himself, Wu Xingyun couldn’t help but shrink a little inside, feeling afraid of the rapidly changing officer.
Like usual, Wen Nuo’s tone was calm and gentle: “Wu Xingyun……I know you’re sad. But……What can we do? It’s who we were born to be. This is our destiny.”
""
His voice hoarse, Wu Xingyun said: “I betrayed him……I……He just came over to have dinner with me, and he helped my mother wash the dishes, and mopped the floor……I shouldn’t have let him stay in my house. I……I should have called him as soon as I got downstairs, and I……I’m not a good person……”
Wen Nuo sighed, saying after a while: “Don’t be too sad. I heard that after a person dies, their soul lives on. They reincarnate, forgetting everything before, becoming a completely new person.”
Wu Xingyun stopped crying, his tearful face slightly raised: “I don’t believe.”
Getting under the table and sitting beside Wu Xingyun, Wen Nuo replied in a somewhat faint voice: “I know what you’re thinking, but you need to be clear on this. You and he are impossible. You’re enemies. He’s lived for more than two thousand years, I think he must have a lot of scars on his heart. Death might be a relief for him. He can forget all that should be forgotten and start fresh.”
Wu Xingyun didn’t speak. He didn’t believe it one bit.
Wen Nuo got out from under the table. “Wu Xingyun, no matter what the future holds, you’re still a Federation soldier. If you take the badge off your shoulder and announce your secession from the Federation, I won’t force you to do anything. You……Can go wherever you want. However, if you can’t do that, pick up your gun and do what a Federation soldier should do!”
Wen Nuo waited, standing straight, observing Wu Xingyun incessantly trembling on the floor.
Finally, Wu Xingyun climbed out from under the table.
Wu Xingyun stood in front of Wen Nuo, his hand shaking as he slowly touched his collar insignia.
Despair filled Wen Nuo’s heart. Without Wu Xingyun, the success rate of the Federation ambush would drop by at least twenty percentage points.
Yet after Wu Xingyun clasped his insignia for a minute, he summoned up his discipline, wiped the tears off his face, stood at attention and saluted: “Ghost soldier, Second-Class Sergeant Wu Xingyun, standing by.”
Saying nothing else, Wen Nuo returned Wu Xingyun’s salute, then turned and walked out of the room.
Moments later, another soldier bought Wu Xingyun a Ghost combat suit. Wu Xingyun numbly put it on, checked his equipment and weapons according to standard procedure, and marched out to the hall.
Waiting there were the other three Ghost soldiers on standby.
With the addition of Wu Xingyun, all the pertinent personnel was present, so Shi Fei gave them their combat mission.
A large electronic screen appeared in front of them, with a red dot indicting the possible positions of the Night Shard.
Over to the side, Shi Fei explained the combat situation on the ground.
The first day of the siege, the Night Shard had been at a disadvantage, and everyone had thought the battle might be won that quickly. Unfortunately, the Night Shard’s skill at spotting danger and his will to live were surprisingly strong.
Four days and five hours had now passed since the fighting had begun, and the Night Shard’s four potential hiding places had been locked onto from all directions.
It was just that no one could get near, while if the Night Shard was wounded was unknown. Therefore, the Ghost soldiers would approach from four separate points.
The Night Shard’s perception abilities were not as sharp as before. Hence, the four Ghost soldiers had a high probability of closing in to thirty meters without being detected.
If they found the Night Shard, they were to shoot to kill immediately.
After the target was down, regular forces would advance forward to provide an immediate response.
If the Ghost soldiers needed assistance, they could call for support.
The four were assigned their respective locations, and would be sent off simultaneously. Preferably they would reach the ambush site at the same time, in order to avoid alarming the Night Shard.
Wu Xingyun examined the whole combat layout, numb to the core.
His customary fighting spirit had left him, along the calm and clear-headedness of previous ambushes.
There was only one thought in Wu Xingyun’s mind. He didn’t want honor, he didn’t want a medal……Wu Xingyun only hoped that when he killed Mozun, Mozun would kill him too. Maybe there really was an afterlife, where hopefully Mozun and Wu Xingyun didn’t become enemies again. Perhaps there’d be a place without war, without memories, where they wouldn’t know each other. That wouldn’t be so difficult to bear.
DPM Chapter 36-Hunting A Devil Part 3
Translated by Snowfall77
Wu Xingyun stayed in the underground command room. Although the isolating installations were quite good, he could still feel the ground quaking and the floor shaking. He didn’t have to look, he could imagine what was going on outside.
The Federation had fought against Mozun many times. Each time, facing the light cannons and the nuclear explosions, Mozun had emerged unscathed. Next, he’d use his masterstroke, gamma-rays. In a few seconds, with a possible killing range of ten light-years, an energy burst that no one could stop. It was arguably one the most dreadful forces in the universe. Only a black hole being born was a more formidable storm, ensuring the destruction of all nearby planets.
Who would win this time? The Federation or the Night Shard? Who could know?
Wu Xingyun certainly didn’t know. His head was dizzy. As the battle had raged on, he hadn’t been able to sleep for three or four days.
Mozun was under siege, unable to leave Liu-Mang-Xing, yet no one could kill him.
But, after all, Mozun was a man. When the day came that he was exhausted, would he die?
Afraid to think about it, Wu Xingyun’s heart throbbed in pain, especially when he recalled that he’d been the one to leak the information about Mozun.
He shouldn’t feel the way he did. He should be proud of successfully obtaining enemy intel. Instead, he only had guilt.
In the past days, Wu Xingyun had eaten one meal. The more he had no idea of the situation on the ground, the more all kinds of new emotions stormed in his heart.
On the fifth day, Shi Fei appeared in front of him with three Ghost soldiers.
“The Night Shard was cunning, he built fortifications that will take us a short time to remove. So we’ve decided to use Ghost soldiers. It takes a total of four Ghost soldiers to surround a target, but only three could get here……Wu Xingyun, are you ready to heed the Federation’s call, give her your full dedication?” Shi Fei’s expression was solemn, his burly figure looming like a mountain as he faced Wu Xingyun.
Wu Xingyun raised his head confusedly, eyeing the Marshal before him. The Marshal meant for Wu Xingyun to go lurk and shoot the Night Shard?
When Wu Xingyun comprehended, his body went ice-cold. He wasn’t ready. Would probably never be ready.
It was impossible, but Shi Fei kept talking: “We truly didn’t expect that the Night Demon would be able to fend us off to this extent. Clearly, he’s almost done for, but he’s still hanging in there. Well, we underestimated him. After all he lived through the Great Nirvana. If our ambush doesn’t work, and he runs away……The consequences will be grave, and I’m the person in charge. I’ll bear responsibility, but Wen Nuo will certainly be court-martialed. You……No matter if you’re married, the Night Shard will want your head on a platter. These soldiers with me aren’t afraid to sacrifice their lives, however the Federation will be done for. When he’s free and clear, the Night Shard will attack in a frenzy. Wu Xingyun, when you joined the army, do you remember what you swore?”
“The interests of the Federation are above all else,” Wu Xingyun subconsciously muttered, “At any time, we are ready to sacrifice all for the Federation.” Yet when Wu Xingyun said it, it was like being stabbed in the heart. Sacrifice everything, including his own insignificant, ambiguous feelings?
Shi Fei patted Wu Xingyun on the shoulder. “Wu Xingyun, I know it may be difficult for you, but……You’re the only Ghost soldier in Federation history who has successfully shot the Night Shard. You’re better than all three of them, with more combat experience. Rest assured, after you’ve eliminated the Night Shard, the Federation will bestow on you the highest honor, you……Will always be a hero.”
Biting his lip, Wu Xingyun said nothing. The thought of winning medals and honor no longer excited him at all. He only had the hollow sense that he didn’t deserve to be a good soldier.
He couldn’t refuse, but had no will to press forward. A sense of having lost everything filled him, not knowing what or who he was supposed to be.
The Night Shard’s ‘wife,’ or a Federation soldier?
Shi Fei didn’t try to persuade Wu Xingyun any further. He simply sighed and took the other three Ghost soldiers out.
Outside the door, Wen Nuo was waiting, still trying to request more Ghost soldiers from the higher-ups. Ghost soldiers were rare, however, and most of them were already on duty. Never mind the long interstellar voyage that would prevent them from quickly arriving at Liu-Mang-Xing.
“I think he’s emotionally unstable,” Shi Fei told Wen Nuo, “He’s probably confused by the Night Demon. Why don’t we let him be? The boy has a simple heart, it’s cruel to make him go to war.” The Marshal, although big, uncouth, and fond of cursing, could also be easily tenderhearted on occasion.
Wen Nuo didn’t agree, though. After doing some quick mental analyzation, he said: “No, if Wu Xingyun joins the battle, our likelihood of winning increases by twenty percent. We can’t possibly give away our victory because of certain personal feelings. He’s a good soldier. In these past four days, we’ve sacrificed thousands of soldiers. If he gives up because of his private sentiments, isn’t he letting down the dead? Can you let our fallen comrades down? What do we tell their families? Besides, if the Night Shard escapes now, he’ll certainly find a way to kill Wu Xingyun. I want a greater chance of victory, and I won’t allow unfavorable rumors about Wu Xingyun to be spread in the future. If anyone said we were defeated because Wu Xingyun didn’t do his duty, how would he live in the Federation then? He’d suffer ostracization for the rest of his life. If the Night Shard doesn’t die, the second half of Wu Xingyun’s life will be very painful. This……It’s also for his good.”
Thinking to himself, Wen Nuo admitted that, yes, what they were asking of Wu Xingyun was cruel. Nevertheless……The pain would soon be forgotten. Over time, Wu Xingyun would slowly forget the whole matter. He’d be a hero, admired by all, with honor and glory. And with Wen Nuo offering comfort, Wu Xingyun would be happy in the end.
Lingering on that particular thought, Wen Nuo took a deep breath. “I’ll persuade him. He’ll agree, I’m certain.”
Wen Nuo opened the door and went into the command room. Watching Wen Nuo’s retreating back, Shi Fei’s heart had a fit of melancholy.
Shi Fei had personally overseen Wen Nuo’s promotions, but suddenly Shi Fei dimly felt that Wen Nuo was rather dreadful. Disregarding anyone’s feelings, Wen Nuo was ruthless enough, callous enough, to unscrupulously do whatever it took to win.
When Wu Xingyun heard footsteps, he knew it was Wen Nuo. Not looking up, Wu Xingyun sat beneath the table, his hands on his knees, motionless. As if by squeezing himself into a small space, everything would magically be fine. Nothing was going to happen.
Wen Nuo walked around in a circle, before finding Wu Xingyun under the table.
He saw that Wu Xingyun was crying.
It was the second time Wen Nuo had seen Wu Xingyun cry.
The first time had been after Wu Xingyun’s initial kill on the battlefield. At the time, Wu Xingyun was apparently oblivious to the fact that all his training centered on the lethal elimination of the enemy. Then he’d fought on a certain planet and killed an ordinary human of the Demon Army face to face, and it had traumatized him.
When Wu Xingyun had returned, he’d cried for a month.
It was Wen Nuo who’d been with Wu Xingyun at that point, constantly mollifying and talking Wu Xingyun around. Once Wu Xingyun got better, he was particularly attached to Wen Nuo, thinking of Wen Nuo as a close relative, an elder brother, and something even closer.
Now, when Wu Xingyun saw Wen Nuo squatting next to himself, Wu Xingyun couldn’t help but shrink a little inside, feeling afraid of the rapidly changing officer.
Like usual, Wen Nuo’s tone was calm and gentle: “Wu Xingyun……I know you’re sad. But……What can we do? It’s who we were born to be. This is our destiny.”
""
His voice hoarse, Wu Xingyun said: “I betrayed him……I……He just came over to have dinner with me, and he helped my mother wash the dishes, and mopped the floor……I shouldn’t have let him stay in my house. I……I should have called him as soon as I got downstairs, and I……I’m not a good person……”
Wen Nuo sighed, saying after a while: “Don’t be too sad. I heard that after a person dies, their soul lives on. They reincarnate, forgetting everything before, becoming a completely new person.”
Wu Xingyun stopped crying, his tearful face slightly raised: “I don’t believe.”
Getting under the table and sitting beside Wu Xingyun, Wen Nuo replied in a somewhat faint voice: “I know what you’re thinking, but you need to be clear on this. You and he are impossible. You’re enemies. He’s lived for more than two thousand years, I think he must have a lot of scars on his heart. Death might be a relief for him. He can forget all that should be forgotten and start fresh.”
Wu Xingyun didn’t speak. He didn’t believe it one bit.
Wen Nuo got out from under the table. “Wu Xingyun, no matter what the future holds, you’re still a Federation soldier. If you take the badge off your shoulder and announce your secession from the Federation, I won’t force you to do anything. You……Can go wherever you want. However, if you can’t do that, pick up your gun and do what a Federation soldier should do!”
Wen Nuo waited, standing straight, observing Wu Xingyun incessantly trembling on the floor.
Finally, Wu Xingyun climbed out from under the table.
Wu Xingyun stood in front of Wen Nuo, his hand shaking as he slowly touched his collar insignia.
Despair filled Wen Nuo’s heart. Without Wu Xingyun, the success rate of the Federation ambush would drop by at least twenty percentage points.
Yet after Wu Xingyun clasped his insignia for a minute, he summoned up his discipline, wiped the tears off his face, stood at attention and saluted: “Ghost soldier, Second-Class Sergeant Wu Xingyun, standing by.”
Saying nothing else, Wen Nuo returned Wu Xingyun’s salute, then turned and walked out of the room.
Moments later, another soldier bought Wu Xingyun a Ghost combat suit. Wu Xingyun numbly put it on, checked his equipment and weapons according to standard procedure, and marched out to the hall.
Waiting there were the other three Ghost soldiers on standby.
With the addition of Wu Xingyun, all the pertinent personnel was present, so Shi Fei gave them their combat mission.
A large electronic screen appeared in front of them, with a red dot indicting the possible positions of the Night Shard.
Over to the side, Shi Fei explained the combat situation on the ground.
The first day of the siege, the Night Shard had been at a disadvantage, and everyone had thought the battle might be won that quickly. Unfortunately, the Night Shard’s skill at spotting danger and his will to live were surprisingly strong.
Four days and five hours had now passed since the fighting had begun, and the Night Shard’s four potential hiding places had been locked onto from all directions.
It was just that no one could get near, while if the Night Shard was wounded was unknown. Therefore, the Ghost soldiers would approach from four separate points.
The Night Shard’s perception abilities were not as sharp as before. Hence, the four Ghost soldiers had a high probability of closing in to thirty meters without being detected.
If they found the Night Shard, they were to shoot to kill immediately.
After the target was down, regular forces would advance forward to provide an immediate response.
If the Ghost soldiers needed assistance, they could call for support.
The four were assigned their respective locations, and would be sent off simultaneously. Preferably they would reach the ambush site at the same time, in order to avoid alarming the Night Shard.
Wu Xingyun examined the whole combat layout, numb to the core.
His customary fighting spirit had left him, along the calm and clear-headedness of previous ambushes.
There was only one thought in Wu Xingyun’s mind. He didn’t want honor, he didn’t want a medal……Wu Xingyun only hoped that when he killed Mozun, Mozun would kill him too. Maybe there really was an afterlife, where hopefully Mozun and Wu Xingyun didn’t become enemies again. Perhaps there’d be a place without war, without memories, where they wouldn’t know each other. That wouldn’t be so difficult to bear.
