7: Section 7

Charles stepped forward and asked, "What is your name?"

"Kalan."

"Was it you who reported Jing Yuan for criticizing the three great laws?"

"Yes!"

"Do you dare to swear an oath before the lord of light and shadow?"

"I swear before the lord of light and shadow that everything I say is the truth!"

"Then what did he say? Tell everyone exactly what happened!"

Kalan looked at Jing Yuan. Now, in front of the City Lord, he was acting with a touch of reckless madness.

"Jing Yuan said that emotion is the driving force of human progress, and that the reason the Lighthouse hasn't had any technological advancement for so many years is because it has imprisoned human emotions..."

"Hmph!" Hearing this, Jing Yuan couldn't help but sneer. "Humans have seven emotions and six desires. Liking is an emotion, loathing is an emotion, happiness is an emotion, and sadness is also an emotion! I was talking about emotions, so how does that involve the three great laws?"

The reason Jing Yuan dared to come before the City Lord for a confrontation was because he was certain he had never explicitly said anything that violated the three great laws.

He wasn't stupid; he knew what could and couldn't be said on the Lighthouse.

However, some statements were broad in scope, and if someone with an agenda chose to interpret them a certain way, they could form whatever viewpoint they wanted.

But if you can make things up, can't I?

"He also said that genetic selection shouldn't be divided into superior and inferior, but should maintain the diversity of genetic samples, which means..."

Jing Yuan wanted to explain further, but Morgan suddenly slapped the chair and said, "Is this the criticism you were talking about?"

Clearly, Morgan was very dissatisfied.

"No! There's more! He also said that if the lord of light and shadow really existed, why doesn't he send supplies directly to us? He... he questioned the lord of light and shadow!"

Charles's expression changed significantly upon hearing this, and he quickly shouted, "You actually dared to question the lord of light and shadow!"

Jing Yuan replied calmly, "Taken out of context! I only said that the Lighthouse's resources are gathered by the Wasteland Hunters. In terms of actual significance, the practical work done by the Wasteland Hunters exceeds that of the Light and Shadow Society! Furthermore, those remarks were only made because a classmate and I were discussing which department we wanted to join. I wanted to join the Wasteland Hunters, while he wanted to join the Light and Shadow Society, which led to that discussion!"

Jing Yuan suddenly raised his voice, putting on a look of sudden realization, and said, "I finally know why the Law Enforcement Office wanted to use severe torture on me. It wasn't because of criticizing the three great laws! It was because I said the Light and Shadow Society was inferior to the Wasteland Hunters! They were just unhappy!"

"You're talking nonsense..." Ned quickly said, "We didn't torture you at all!"

"If you didn't torture me, I would have been released after two days of solitary confinement. Why would I run? Don't I know that the crime of escape is even greater? Unless..."

"Enough!"

Morgan spoke up, his brow furrowed, "Charles!"

Charles stepped forward respectfully and bowed slightly.

"The Phage Beasts on The Surface are becoming increasingly difficult to deal with, and we need high-level combat talent! Do you understand what I mean?"

Charles's face changed!

"Ned!"

"Present!"

"Strip him of his position as Inspector and let him go back to reflect on his actions."

"Yes!" Ned could only accept it silently. He glanced at Charles, but Charles could barely protect himself right now.

"Handle the rest of the matters properly! I don't want to see anything like this happen again."

"Yes!"

With that, Morgan left the Council Hall.

Such a result was considered the best possible outcome.

There was no right or wrong.

If Morgan were forced to decide between right and wrong, would he punish his own son or an excellent warrior?

Jing Yuan followed Mark and left.

Once outside, Mark turned his back to Jing Yuan and asked, "Since you understand everything, why did you break out? If you had let them lock you up for two days, the impact of this matter would have been minimal."

Jing Yuan shook his head and said, "I had a reason why I had to come out."

"But by doing this, you've offended Charles..."

"Mark!" Jing Yuan interrupted him directly, without adding the respectful title of 'Captain'. "If I hadn't done this, would I not have offended Charles? Don't you understand what kind of person Charles is?"

Mark was startled; what he said made sense.

Mark shook his head and said, "In the future, stop saying things like the Wasteland Hunters do more than the Light and Shadow Society. Everyone is serving the Lighthouse."

"Captain Mark!" Jing Yuan said helplessly, "I was just stating the truth. I chose to join the Wasteland Hunters because I truly want to accomplish something."

Mark admired Jing Yuan's ambition, but he still advised him earnestly, "You're still young and there's much you don't understand. We just need to do our duty and not say anything unnecessary."

Jing Yuan looked at Mark, wanting to say something, but held back.

As a senior, Mark had already said 'not to say anything unnecessary,' so saying more would be impolite.

Jing Yuan smiled and asked, "Captain Mark, can you take me with you on the next Wasteland Hunters mission?"

Chapter 7: Jing Yuan's Request

Mark hesitated slightly, "But you aren't a member of the Wasteland Hunters yet."

Jing Yuan said, "Back at the academy, all my training results were excellent, and I also know how to pilot a gravity body. I won't hold you back."

It was true that Jing Yuan's training results were excellent, which Instructor Elon had mentioned more than once. Furthermore, Jing Yuan had repeatedly expressed his desire to join the Wasteland Hunters. Mark also wanted to cultivate him as a capable subordinate, so taking him to The Surface early wouldn't be a problem.

Mark smiled, "There will be plenty of opportunities to go to The Surface in the future; there's no need to rush. The Surface is not a playground."

"I never thought of The Surface as a playground. I just want to experience actual combat. Captain Mark, if the next mission isn't too dangerous, please take me along!"

Mark couldn't withstand the persistent pestering and finally nodded, saying, "Alright!"

Jing Yuan was all smiles as he said to Mark, "Captain Mark, I'll be heading back first."

Looking at Jing Yuan's departing figure, Mark felt gratified. He was very happy that such a junior existed on the Lighthouse!

However, the reason Jing Yuan wanted to go to The Surface for combat wasn't to achieve great things, but because he needed Phage Beasts.

Since awakening the system three years ago and working hard for so long, he simply wanted to become stronger.

Now, his talent was finally unlocked.

However, the talent wasn't as strong as Jing Yuan had imagined, but it wasn't weak either.

Along with the unlocked talent, a piece of information was also revealed.

[Telekinesis talent unlocked. Telekinesis is an extension of Mental Power, allowing for the manipulation of objects from a distance. Regular training can strengthen Telekinesis. Slaying Phage Beasts and obtaining their life source essence can also strengthen Telekinesis.]

It was precisely because of this information that Jing Yuan was in a hurry to go to The Surface.

With his current strength, it was hard to say if his physical body could stand up to a Phage Beast, but when combined with a gravity body, slaying a Phage Beast should not be a problem.

The system's requirement to slay Phage Beasts to increase his strength felt somewhat bitter to Jing Yuan, but he also felt relieved.

The bitterness came from the fact that after three years of hard work, his strength had not reached invincibility.

The relief was because there was still room for improvement.

Although Jing Yuan was an Upper Citizen, he was only at the bottom tier of them, living in a four-person dormitory room.

His roommates were very surprised to see Jing Yuan return.

Everyone knew that during the day, the Law Enforcement Office and the City Defense Force had conducted a massive search for Jing Yuan.

His roommate Chu Feng was the first to approach and quickly asked, "Jing Yuan, what's going on? The Law Enforcement Office and the City Defense Force were both searching for you. What happened?"

Jing Yuan just smiled and said, "It's nothing, just a misunderstanding!"

His roommate Mo Dong also came over and said, "Something's definitely up. What exactly happened?"

His roommate Neil also said, "We went to find Instructor Elon, but he wouldn't tell us either. Is it something serious?"

Jing Yuan felt helpless. He had grown up with his three roommates, and they were all people he could trust. He just didn't want them to get involved. But since they kept asking, it wouldn't be right not to say anything.

So, Jing Yuan explained the whole story to his roommates.

"That bastard Kalan actually went to snitch?"

Previously, Jing Yuan had been chatting with his roommates about whether to join the Wasteland Hunters or another department.

Jing Yuan and Mo Dong had clearly stated they wanted to join the Wasteland Hunters, while Chu Feng and Neil were still considering.

Neil wanted to join the City Guard or the Law Enforcement Office, thinking it would be safer on the Lighthouse.

After hearing the story, Neil said with a bitter smile, "Based on what you're saying, if I joined the Law Enforcement Office or the City Guard, would they... because of our relationship..."

Mo Dong grumbled, "I told you those guys in the Law Enforcement Office and the City Guard were no good. You're better off coming with us to the Wasteland Hunters. In my opinion, there are more upright people in the Wasteland Hunters."

Jing Yuan smiled and said, "It's precisely because everyone is upright that they're willing to go down to The Surface and risk their lives!" Jing Yuan looked at Neil and said, "Neil, your personality is quite soft. The Law Enforcement Office and the City Guard are all about bullying the weak; they aren't suitable for you."

Chu Feng hesitated for a moment and then said, "Then I'll still go and take the exam for the Wasteland Hunters with you guys!"

"That's the spirit!" Mo Dong patted Chu Feng and then looked at Neil.

Jing Yuan also looked at Neil and said, "Neil, you have a lot of talent for piloting a gravity body. You can only realize your value by joining the Wasteland Hunters. Don't let that talent go to waste!"