73: Chapter 73 Test of Loyalty

In the early morning, the light of the blood moon seemed a few shades dimmer than usual.

The central square of the Underworld Fortress was packed with people. Except for essential sentries and core combat personnel, nearly all non-combatants and low-level guards had been gathered here. A restless unease permeated the air; people whispered amongst themselves, their gazes shifting toward the high platform from time to time with fear, suspicion, and a faint, barely perceptible... anticipation? Perhaps they anticipated a turning point, or perhaps they anticipated an escape.

Lin Chen stood atop the high platform, still clad in his black robes. His face appeared even paler than usual (faked, of course), and his eyes held a perfectly calibrated sense of "fatigue" and "heaviness." Su Qingyu and Zhang Hao stood on either side behind him; Su Qingyu was expressionless, while Zhang Hao kept his head slightly bowed, his eyes flickering as if lost in thought.

Around the square, the number of Ghost Soldiers responsible for maintaining order seemed to have decreased significantly, and their soul-light was dim, adding to the oppressive feeling of an impending storm.

Lin Chen raised his hand and pressed down slightly.

The noise in the square gradually died down, and everyone's eyes focused on him.

"I have gathered everyone here to make an announcement," Lin Chen began, his voice carrying through the square via amplification runes, imbued with a deliberately crafted raspiness and weakness. "I'm sure many of you have noticed over the past few days. The Fortress's resources... especially the energy required to maintain defenses and basic survival, are on the verge of exhaustion."

Although rumors had been circulating for some time, hearing it directly from Lin Chen's mouth still caused a significant stir among the crowd. Panic spread like ripples across a pond.

"Building the soul suppressing pagoda, upgrading the Ghost Soldiers, and dealing with the constant stream of enemies... we have consumed too much." Lin Chen's tone carried a "heavy" sense of self-reflection. "I underestimated the cruelty of the apocalypse and overestimated our reserves."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the faces below—some terrified, some despairing, some wavering.

"The Fortress may no longer be able to protect everyone as it did before."

These words were like a final death knell, causing many faces to turn instantly pale.

"However," Lin Chen's tone shifted, his voice rising with a desperate "resolve," "I, Lin Chen, will not abandon any brother who is willing to fight by my side and weather these hardships together!"

His gaze grew sharp, as if trying to pierce through everyone's hearts.

"Now, I give you two choices."

He held up one finger: "First, stay! Those who stay will live or die with the Fortress! We will share the last compressed biscuit and drink the last drop of clean water! The road ahead may be perilous, with only a slim chance of survival, but as long as I, Lin Chen, have a single breath left, I will never abandon a comrade! Those willing to stay, stand on the left side of the square!"

He held up a second finger: "Second, leave! I understand everyone's desire to survive; I won't force you. Those who choose to leave can go to Su Qingyu on the right and receive a 'severance package'—three days' worth of food and water, along with a basic Exorcism Talisman. From then on, you will have no further connection to the Fortress. Whether you live or die will be up to fate!"

Two choices were laid bare before everyone.

To stay and gamble on a slim hope, living or dying with this seemingly sinking giant ship?

Or to leave, taking meager supplies to fight for a chance at life in the peril-filled outside world?

The square fell into a deathly silence. Everyone was engaged in a fierce internal struggle.

Su Qingyu stepped forward at the right moment. Behind her, several logistics personnel brought out boxes containing pre-portioned food, water, and Exorcism Talismans. Those meager supplies seemed so thin in the apocalypse, yet so tempting.

After a brief silence, the crowd began to move.

The first to walk to the right was Fatty Wang from the logistics team. With his head bowed, not daring to meet anyone's gaze, he quickly ran to Su Qingyu, collected his supplies, and dashed toward the Fortress gates without looking back, as if afraid he'd be kept behind if he were a step too slow.

Once there was a first, there was a second, a third...

Like a flood breaking through a dam, more and more people surged toward the right! Most were survivors who had joined later, but there were also some original ordinary staff members of the Fortress, and even... a few low-level guards!

Their faces showed shame, but even more so, a desperate desire to survive. Stay and wait for death? They couldn't do it!

Standing behind Lin Chen, Zhang Hao watched those who scrambled to receive their "severance package" and flee. His teeth ground together, his fists clenched, and his eyes were filled with anger and contempt. This bunch of ungrateful, white-eyed wolves!

Su Qingyu distributed the supplies and recorded names expressionlessly, but her slightly trembling fingers betrayed her internal unrest.

On the high platform, Lin Chen watched everything quietly, his face devoid of expression, like a cold observation machine. His gaze occasionally swept over those who chose to stay—those standing in place, hesitating, struggling, or those with determined eyes.

Soon, the crowd in the square was split into two distinct groups.

On the right, those who had taken their supplies and were preparing to leave were densely packed, accounting for more than two-thirds of the total population! They gathered together like a torrent eager to escape.

On the left, those who chose to stay were sparse, numbering less than a third. Most were the old-timers who had followed Lin Chen from the beginning, people whose lives Lin Chen had saved, and a few newcomers with stubbornness and a gambler's glint in their eyes.

Looking at the sparse line on the left, Zhang Hao's heart sank. He stole a glance at Lin Chen and found his master still expressionless, which made him even more apprehensive.

Just as those preparing to leave began to grow restless, wanting to rush out of the Fortress gates...

Lin Chen suddenly moved.

He took a step forward.

Just one step.

The "fatigue" and "weakness" he had deliberately faked instantly vanished without a trace! In its place was a terrifying aura—vast, profound, and unfathomable—like a slumbering dragon awakening!

The originally dim sky seemed to brighten suddenly because of his aura! The "dim" soul-light of the Ghost Soldiers around the square flared up with a "whoosh," burning more solidly and fiercely than ever before! A murderous aura soared into the sky, enveloping the entire square!

This sudden turn of events left everyone stunned!

Those who were about to leave froze in their tracks, turning back in shock.

Those who chose to stay also widened their eyes, looking at Lin Chen on the high platform in disbelief, as if he had transformed into a different person in an instant.

The "heaviness" and "fatigue" on Lin Chen's face had disappeared, replaced by a coldness and majesty that looked down upon all living things and controlled everything.

He slowly raised his hand, pointing at the "escapees" who had taken their "severance package" and were now frozen in place. His voice was cold, like a judgment from the Nine Underworlds:

"Now, I announce."

"The distribution of severance packages is complete."

"The Fortress's resources are still abundant."

"The Ghost Soldier Legion's battle intent is at its peak."

"And I..."

His gaze, like a cold blade, swept over the deathly pale "escapees" and finally landed on the pitiful supplies in their hands. The corners of his mouth curled into a supremely mocking arc.

"...was just playing a little joke on you."

"Unfortunately, you seem to have... taken it seriously."