Mingchao: The Survival Journey of a Comedian

Chapter 89: Greed for Life

"Ji Yan... listen to what you're saying!"

"Our common enemy is right before us... and you want me to be stopped in my tracks by a rainstorm?!"

"But General... this rain came too suddenly..."

"The frequency fluctuations over Kitarokuno are completely different from what was detected a few days ago..."

"Not to mention that 80% of the army is made up of ordinary people... The constant fighting has already taken a toll on their bodies..."

"Enough! Is this why you want me to give up such a fantastic opportunity...?"

"Aside from some speculation, you have no evidence to support your conjecture..."

"How many of our comrades' lives has the Formless Lord taken over this long period of time... As a military medic, don't you know that?!"

"How many... how many night-returning soldiers died at his hands..."

"..."

"This is such a rare opportunity."

He heard that sigh, a sigh that suppressed an untold amount of pain and sorrow—a tone he rarely heard even himself.

"...General Geshu"

"A doctor, without a cure, can save lives."

"Martial artists are powerless to stop war."

"Sacrifice is unavoidable."

"If you were in my position, the choices you made wouldn't be much different from mine."

"If you don't have this resolve today..."

"Then let my superpower pave the way for everyone!"

"Judging from this situation..."

"I arrived at a pretty good time."

As he slowly approached, he heard two old acquaintances arguing. Even from a distance, he knew the situation was far from simple. To prevent things from getting out of control, he quickly interrupted the two who were already arguing heatedly.

"teacher?"

"Heh, that's quite a coincidence."

When Ge Shulin saw that the person he wanted to see had also arrived, he immediately ignored Ji Yan and focused his attention on the person in front of him.

You probably heard the conversation just now.

"You should know why I called you here..."

"Now, tell me what your choice is?"

Standing between the two, he slightly turned his head, his gaze briefly lingering on Geshulin, as if weighing something.

However, just seconds later, he resolutely turned around, walked firmly towards Ji Yan, and without hesitation shielded him behind him.

This move was undoubtedly like a thunderbolt in the eyes of the general who had assumed the other side would choose him.

"...This is your choice?!"

"Isn't it obvious?"

Of course, it wasn't just Ge Shulin who was shocked by Mo Wunian's decision. Ji Yan, looking at the person blocking his way, didn't immediately realize what was happening. He instinctively tried to back away, but the other person grabbed his hand.

"Geshulin, this is my choice."

"..."

"..."

A suffocating silence fell over the scene, as if an invisible pressure had solidified in the air. He could only sense the frequency fluctuations emanating from the person standing opposite him.

That restless feeling struggled like a caged wild beast, trying to break free of all restraints, but it could never be completely quelled.

"Good good..."

"I think we need to talk alone."

The laughter broke his thoughts, and he knew in his heart that his choice was indeed a huge blow to someone.

But this was the only way he could think of.

"……it is good"

Without asking any further questions, he released Ji Yan's hand and prepared to walk over, but this time it was that person who grabbed him.

"Mo Wunian..."

"Go back, it'll be fine."

Trust your choices

"..."

The hand that had been gripping him tightly gradually lost its strength, eventually slipping silently from his grasp and disappearing from his palm. Soon after, the familiar scent of that person also faded until he could no longer sense their presence at all.

Only he and one other person remained at the scene.

"...Mo Wunian"

"This is truly an unexpected choice."

"No one can interfere with your decision now."

I'll give you one more chance.

"Geshulin, no matter how many times I come here, my choice will always be the same one I just made."

"..."

Silence fell again. For a moment, he could only feel the pounding of his own heart and the heavy, suppressed breathing of the other person echoing in his ears.

"...Mo Wunian"

You've never chosen me even once.

Even just once

"..."

"You didn't actually believe that student, did you?"

"Based on a cold, hard statistic, you've decided to give up an opportunity that's within your grasp?"

"Can't you see how many people stayed on this land to end all of this!"

"...Oh, I forgot."

You really can't see it.

"..."

He lowered his head, unsure of what to say, unable even to utter a word of advice.

He certainly knew what was going to happen, but he had no evidence to prove it.

In the end, all I could do was respond to that person who had already descended into madness with silence.

The next moment, he felt a powerful force slam him against the wall. The sudden pain snapped him out of his daze, and he tried to struggle but couldn't muster any strength at all.

"...Mo Wunian, no war is without casualties."

"It's time to wake up from this pipe dream of saving everyone."

"This battle is a must, whether it's guided by the horn... or my own judgment."

"Three years...three more years..."

"If we don't fight this war, do you think Ima Province can hold out until that person arrives in three years?!"

"!!!"

Startled awake by those words, countless blood-red characters instantly flooded his dark world, densely filling his entire field of vision.

What was the significance of this recapture battle...? Ah, so that's it...

He knew... he understood...

No wonder... no wonder...

[A discarded pawn, he's a discarded pawn!]

"...Mo Wunian, I don't believe it."

"I am unwilling to entrust the future of Imaizu to an unknown entity three years from now."

"The opportunity is perfect right now, so why are you so sure that only that person can defeat Narushiki!"

"Then what about all the people who have died here over the years!"

"What have we been holding out for so long for?!"

"As long as we win this battle... Jinzhou will enjoy peace for at least ten years, and at most a hundred years..."

"To achieve this goal, we are all willing to sacrifice..."

"All are tools"

The rain pattered mournfully on the scorched earth around them. The man's hot breath brushed against his neck, bringing a burning sensation that barely restored a sliver of clarity.

"...but unfortunately..."

"You are not a tool, and neither is he."

"None of them are."

"Everyone standing here is a life that still has a home to return to."

"..."

Ge Shulin was stunned. Looking at the person in front of him, he didn't know what to say for a moment. He could only watch as the person continued to speak, almost helplessly.

"Perhaps you're right, this war is unavoidable."

"For everything we want to protect, everyone must be prepared to sacrifice..."

"But is such a large-scale sacrifice necessary?"

"Putting aside their identity as soldiers... they are just ordinary people."

"He could be a father, a child, or someone's lover..."

"They still have people they want to respond to, and people they want to hear their response from."

"...Geshulin"

"The consequences of failure are too great; I dare not gamble."

"Just consider me a coward who's afraid of dying."

【Mo Wunian... save me...】

I don't want to die... I want to go home...

My daughter is only a month old... She can't live without her father...

I miss my mom... I'm sorry...

There's no going back.

……

A jumble of voices echoed repeatedly in his mind: countless people pleading for hope, yet no one noticed whether this burden had exceeded his limits. Like a curse from the abyss, it allowed him neither rest nor a moment of peace, slowly eroding his will.

Until he responded to those voices, until he was overwhelmed by them, until he forgot himself.

He didn't know how much time had passed when a hand gently brushed past the corner of his eye. The cool touch gradually brought him back to his senses. After a moment of stunned silence, he suddenly realized something—

He cried.

"..."

Unaware of anything, he had no idea when he started crying; tears had silently streamed down his face, soaking his cheeks without him even noticing.

He lowered his head helplessly, trying to hold back the tears that welled up, only to find that all his efforts were in vain: he had lost even the ability to control his crying.

Why should he cry? What right does he have to cry?

"……well"

"You're still the same at heart..."

I will hand over command to you before I leave.

"If you insist on staying on the front lines, I won't try to persuade you any further."

"Sending someone as blind as you to the front...it was indeed my fault."

Looking at Mo Wunian, who was pinned against the wall and still somewhat dazed from crying, Ge Shulin ultimately gave up on his choice.

He lowered his gaze, no longer looking directly at the other person: he had just been stunned by the despair and pain that had surged within them in that instant.

A profound and intense, almost heart-stopping sense of powerlessness—even he... had never experienced such a powerful impact.

"..."

The oppressive feeling gradually receded like the tide, but he remained pressed against the cold wall, his body stiff as if he had lost all feeling.

A deathly silence fell over the surroundings. He didn't know how much time had passed before he gradually came to his senses, but by then he could no longer sense anyone.

"...I am indeed a coward who fears death."

"Yes...I'm scared..."

"If...if I really can't do anything..."

"If even I can't save you now..."

"What should I do now..."

He's a coward, a coward who's afraid of death.

He feared death and worried about his powerlessness.

But what he feared most was the departure of others.

The panic is nothing more than knowing the future, yet still being able to watch helplessly as that person disappears at the end of fate.

Walking towards his destined end

After calming himself down a bit, he struggled to his feet and started walking back. He had only taken a few steps out of the room when he heard an even more dissatisfied voice.

"Mo Wunian! You actually rejected General Geshu!"

"What's going on now?! Can't you tell what's important?!"

"...the sunset glow?"

The shout instantly cleared his slightly muddled mind. Forgive him, his thoughts were currently in complete disarray; he simply couldn't understand what his rejection of that person's offer had to do with the person in front of him.

"it's me"

"Is there a problem?"

"What else could it be!"

"Why should we reject the general's offer!"

"?"

Sensing that the person in front of him was acting strangely, he quickly took a few steps back, but this gesture, on a certain delusional person, would naturally be interpreted as a sign of guilt.

"How long have we been locked in this standoff with that beast!"

"You're giving up such a great opportunity just because you're afraid?"

"Do you live up to the general's expectations of you?!"

"..."

What qualifications do you think you have to meet the general?

A nobody soldier... who only takes up the general's time...

【…】

[...Your meeting request has been approved by the general.]

You'd better not waste your time on the general.

"...Heh, isn't this the same as Ji Yan? They're both thinking of retreating..."

But there's no turning back... The general's decision must be the best... It will surely lead us to victory...

……

He seemed to hear a multi-layered voice emanating from the other person, and scenes flashed before his eyes: time and again, that person blocked his way at the door, preventing his actions.

Rejected, denied, ridiculed... he failed time and time again, yet he started over time and time again.

I just wanted to stop it all from happening.

"Enough with the sunset glow!"

"Everyone has their own choices, and the teacher has his own plans!"

"He shouldn't have had to shoulder such a heavy responsibility..."

"Don't impose other people's expectations on him!"

This time, he was shielded behind someone else, helplessly clutching Ji Yan's clothes, his head hanging low. He had just experienced a rare feeling of fear: the kind that was etched into his very bones.

For the first time, the thought of running away crossed my mind, and I never looked back.

Seeing her good time being interrupted, Xia Cai, who already disliked Ji Yan, felt even more disgusted.

"Did I said wrong thing?"

"He's a complete coward; it's all an act..."

"...Xia Cai, I know you've always believed the General's words."

"But even generals can make mistakes in judgment."

"Excessive trust will only lead to disastrous consequences."

"and……"

"How could someone who has charged ahead countless times, but chose to stay behind this time, be afraid of dying!"

"Xia Cai, sometimes you can't just stand on the sidelines and watch others."

Your prejudice is too great.

Ji Yan has a good temper, but hearing someone say that about someone who is full of brokenness... anyone would find it hard to stand!

"Ha, I've been by the general's side for so many years, and that man's judgment has never been wrong..."

Do you think I'd trust a greenhorn or a victorious general?

"And how many times has the general personally invited him?! I've never seen the general treat anyone like that before..."

"...Ah, that's true."

"He's your teacher, arguing with him is pointless."

"But until that day comes, I will steadfastly follow behind that person!"

"I will never leave!"

"..."

Ji Yan watched as the other person launched into a tirade and then tried to leave. Just as he was about to pull the person back for a proper argument, he was instead held firmly in place by someone else.

Turning around, I saw the other person shaking their head, almost trembling, stopping themselves.

“…No need.”

What she said is indeed correct.

"I really am a coward."

"Mo Wunian!!!"

Ji Yan was stunned for a moment upon hearing this, but then he remembered what kind of personality his teacher had, and suddenly he wasn't surprised at all.

"There's no need to explain; I know exactly what kind of person I am."

"Ji Yan, you are a very good person."

"You are all very good people."

So... I don't want to see you leave.

"After that rain, the rest is up to you."

"..."

"Mo Wunian, what exactly have you been through?"

"What exactly is she enduring..."

"...Why can't you tell me?"

As expected, he received no response from that person. He silently watched as the person gradually tightened their grip on his clothes, and finally shook their head.

"All of this is only for me."

Only I, and only I, can bear all of this.