From the Abyss of Stars

108. Farewell

 

Seria is a tall woman, and her face fits the aesthetic of outsiders, slightly red, with round contours, like an apple—people outside like slightly dark and rosy faces because it indicates sufficient sunlight and nutrition, a sign of good health.

 

Ludvia and Anaerobic, these are two pioneers who have made significant contributions to the scavenger profession, Li Aozi thought, yes, that's it.

 

The Brotherhood of the Subway's affinity largely stems from their respect for others' identities and beliefs—except for the officials of the Four Kingdoms.

 

Li Aozi nodded and responded:

 

"Long live the allied brothers, comrades underground. This is Jane Neria, a warrior of Autumn Dawn and the Rose Army."

 

"Nice to meet you."

 

The members of the Brotherhood of the Subway have a good impression of the Rose Army, or rather all those who resist the Four Kingdoms. Seria immediately stepped forward, clasped Jane's hands with both of hers, and shook them sincerely, a genuine smile spreading across her face.

 

After some small talk, the two members of the Brotherhood of the Subway became familiar with each other, inevitably asking:

 

"In the recent battle, did you eliminate all those Law III agents?" Zhou Liefeng couldn't help but ask.

 

"I did it." Li Aozi nodded: "Those Law III scum deserved to die long ago."

 

"Well done, scavenger, truly refreshing. If not for the agreement above, we wouldn't want to deal with these bad guys."

 

Seria laughed:

 

"They still have a lot of supplies they haven't moved yet, piled on the train—come on, scavenger, take as much as you can, if not, we have a small cart here. Also, warriors of the Rose Army, you are in dire need of medicine, take more, our brothers and sisters on the front lines need it."

 

Jane nodded slightly in thanks.

 

Taking advantage of this, Li Aozi spoke:

 

"I'm not short of supplies; I have cleared out the Abyss Humanitarian Relief Organization. However, I just want to ask the comrades of the Brotherhood for a favor."

 

Zhou Liefeng was surprised:

 

"You actually took down the Abyss Humanitarian Relief Organization? That's great—just say it, as long as it's not excessive, we're happy to help."

 

Restricted by the collectivism of the Brotherhood of the Subway, they must be responsible for the collective and cannot act freely. Li Aozi's actions helped them vent their anger.

 

"It's like this."

 

Li Aozi pushed Qiu Ran forward:

 

"As you can see, this young lady is a victim of the Abyss Humanitarian Relief Organization—in fact, we haven't completely taken down the Abyss Humanitarian Relief Organization, there are still many victims and test subjects waiting for us to liberate, many of them children."

 

"I understand your meaning, you want to send them home?"

 

Zhou Liefeng understood, looking sympathetically at Qiu Ran, he said with concern:

 

"You've suffered, comrade. Where is your home? If it's nearby, we'll send you back, or... would you prefer to rest at our central station city first and organize a return trip when there are more people?"

 

"I... I live in Ligou Village, a rural town on the outskirts of a numbered city in the Frost-Plated Republic."

 

The enthusiasm of the Brotherhood of the Subway members contrasted sharply with the indifference of the Abyss doctors, leaving Qiu Ran at a loss for a moment. She hesitated and stammered.

 

"Well, sorry, this place is too small for me to find immediately."

 

Zhou Liefeng said regretfully.

 

Numbered cities have no designated names and are generally deployed on the way to the outside.

 

"In that case, we will send you back to the Frost-Plated Republic first. We'll give you some travel expenses, sorry we can't send you directly to the Four Kingdoms, please understand."

 

Seria suggested, affectionately saying:

 

"Don't worry, you'll be home soon."

 

Home.

 

Is this word too heavy?

 

No, maybe it's just a dream?

 

"Home?"

 

"Yes, we'll wait here until the other test subject victims are rescued."

 

Zhou Liefeng nodded:

 

"Some people may be homeless—it's okay, we can take them back to the central station, maybe the Brotherhood of the Subway can become their new home."

 

"Go... home."

 

Qiu Ran's eyes blurred, then she realized something, turned to look at Li Aozi, made up her mind, walked forward, and extended her hand:

 

"Mr. Li Aozi, as previously agreed, with Omega Energy—"

 

"You keep it."

 

Li Aozi interrupted her, holding his long knife, and turned to leave.

 

Qiu Ran was stunned, hurriedly shouted:

 

"But we agreed, you send me away, I give you this ability—"

 

"I'm not sending you away, don't misunderstand."

 

Li Aozi waved his hand without looking back, impatiently saying:

 

"The Brotherhood of the Subway is sending you away, thank them."

 

"But—"

 

"No buts, you're still far from home."

 

Li Aozi's response left Qiu Ran speechless for a moment, watching Li Aozi swagger away, she lowered her head and gratefully said:

 

"Li Aozi, you are the one who should be remembered."

 

"He can't hear you anymore."

 

Jane said lightly, turning to Zhou Liefeng and Seria, she said:

 

"Comrades of the Brotherhood of the Subway, I wonder if you are willing to take a commission later. I don't want those supplies, just treat it as payment."

 

"Of course, we're happy to help the warriors of the Rose Army." Zhou Liefeng nodded: "Besides, these supplies are precious, it's a good deal. Please, go ahead."

 

"The Rose Army has stationed troops at Algart and Xiwangbao stations, these should be the closest—about 600 kilometers. I hope you can go there, the Rose Army is willing to accept these liberated test subjects, their abilities, and their hatred for the Abyss need to be released."

 

Jane implied:

 

These people are already far from the Frost-Plated Republic, most are outsiders, they have been deprived of freedom for many years, and their past lives have been severed—joining the Rose Army could use their awakened Omega Energy in battle.

 

Zhou Liefeng didn't mind, the treatment of the Rose Army is better than wandering as drifters, there would definitely be arrangements.

 

"No problem." Seria also agreed: "But the distance is a bit far, we need to notify the committee."

 

"I'll discuss it with the military colleagues then."

 

Jane said:

 

"It might take a long time for a round trip, you can use the Rose Army's communication equipment to report to the headquarters."

 

"What else can I say, with your assurance, I believe the highest committee will agree to such a good deal."

 

"Thank you for understanding."

 

Jane nodded.

 

Qiu Ran glanced at her and suddenly said: "Aren't you going to help Li Aozi?"

 

"I have no obligation to help him, and I've already informed the Rose Army leadership, I'll act according to orders."

 

Jane said lightly.

 

"Are you kidding—Li Aozi saved your life! Is this how you treat him?"

 

Qiu Ran angrily questioned her.

 

"Our agreement was: give up Omega Energy, in exchange for my departure, and provide the location intelligence of the Abyss Humanitarian Relief Organization."

 

Jane's deep purple eyes were filled with cold rationality, she calmly said:

 

"This was just a transaction, lady."

 

"We saved you!" Qiu Ran's face turned pale with anger: "If it weren't for Li Aozi saving you, we would have left long ago!"

 

"Returning a favor with kindness is not good behavior—besides, the one you wanted to save was Nomi."

 

Jane pointed out:

 

"I have completed the transaction, Mr. Li Aozi has tacitly agreed that we are even."

 

"But what you say is too heartless..."

 

"No, for me, you are just strangers. Moreover, the one who truly needs to consider repaying the favor should be you, right?"

 

"I..." Qiu Ran was stunned.

 

"What is your relationship with Mr. Li Aozi?"

 

Jane asked:

 

"Friends? Lovers? One-night stand? Relatives? Colleagues?"

 

"None of them." Qiu Ran bit her lip and admitted: "We just traveled together."

 

"In that case, what right do you have to question me not helping?" Jane said harshly.

 

"I—" Qiu Ran was shaken.

 

"Do you think the Brotherhood of the Subway is a charity? They did this because Li Aozi gave up the supplies and attacked the Abyss Humanitarian Relief Organization. Otherwise—let me be blunt—what right does an ordinary rural female mechanic have to get a free ride home?"

 

Jane tilted her head slightly and said:

 

"I even suspect that Li Aozi had some extraordinary relationship with you, like exchanging Omega Energy for something—now it seems, he really did a charity."

 

"And charity never exists in the outside world."

 

"Do you understand, Miss Qiu Ran?"

 

Qiu Ran was silent for a while, then turned to the Brotherhood of the Subway members and said:

 

"Can I make a call to my family?"

 

"Law III cooperates with us, but they might track us."

 

Seria took out an old-fashioned flip phone from her pocket and handed it over:

 

"Use mine."

 

"Thank you."

 

Qiu Ran thanked her, took the phone, flipped it open, quickly dialed a few numbers, and then put it to her ear:

 

"…Hello?"

 

"It's me, Qiu Ran."

 

"Are you all okay?"