129: Chapter 129 The Last Judge

Everything was over.

At least, that was how it appeared on the system panel.

[Main Mission: "Jinling Spark Project" completed.]

[Side Mission: "Evidence of Crimes" completed.]

Chen Xi leaned against the wall of his hideout; the cold touch of the bricks made him feel a sliver of reality.

In front of him lay the open diaries of Rabe and Vautrin, the words between the lines soaked in blood and tears, seemingly still warm.

In the system space, those film rolls and documents lay quietly, like volcanoes waiting to be detonated.

He had done it.

He had saved everyone on the list.

He had also obtained all the evidence needed to nail those demons to the pillar of shame.

A massive wave of exhaustion, almost enough to swallow him whole, surged over him.

He even wanted to just fall asleep and ignore everything.

The encrypted communication from the "Great Wall" Command Center rang at this opportune moment, carrying a hint of relief and joy.

It was Elder Qian's voice.

"Ghost, well done. The things you've brought back... their value is immeasurable. You have rendered an immortal service to this country and to history."

Immediately following was Elder Long's steady and powerful voice.

"Ghost, all missions are complete. Prepare for extraction immediately; we are planning the safest route for you. Your safety is now the top priority."

Extraction.

Right, it was time to leave.

To leave this living hell.

Chen Xi's body instinctively relaxed.

However, Elder Long's next sentence caused his just-relaxed nerves to instantly tense to the extreme.

"Additionally, we have just intercepted urgent intelligence. Due to the chaos caused by the 'Commander Assassination' incident, the Japanese Army high command has conducted personnel adjustments."

"The Sixth Division Division Commander, Tani Hisao, will depart Nanjing at 6:00 AM tomorrow morning on the transport ship 'Asahi Maru' to return to Japan for debriefing."

Return to Japan?

This news struck Chen Xi's mind like a bolt of black lightning.

That man.

That short, stout man with the toothbrush mustache, the man who ordered this city to be turned into a hell.

The demon he had brushed past in the office.

He was leaving?

Was he, after committing such monstrous crimes, going to return to his country safe and sound to receive promotions and commendations?

Countless images flashed frantically before Chen Xi's eyes.

Infants hoisted on bayonets in the mass graves.

The grinning faces of Mukai and Noda in photographs.

The tear-soaked accusation in Rabe's diary: 'These are not men, they are devils.'

Vautrin's blue eyes, filled with sorrow and despair.

And... the thick, nauseating scent, mixed with the smell of alcohol and blood, when he brushed past Tani Hisao behind the door.

"Boom!"

An irrepressible rage surged from Chen Xi's chest straight to his head.

In the "Great Wall" Command Center, Elder Long seemed to sense his emotional fluctuation and immediately said in a commanding tone.

"Ghost! Calm down! I know what you're thinking, but now is not the time!"

"Let him go! We already have ironclad proof; when the war is won, he will not escape the judgment of the international tribunal! Do not cause complications! Your mission is already complete!"

"Now, evacuate immediately! That is an order!"

Reason told him that Elder Long was right.

The mission was complete; leaving safely with these "sparks" and "evidence" was the optimal solution.

He shouldn't take any more risks.

But...

He couldn't forget those dead eyes that refused to close.

He couldn't forget the three hundred thousand wronged souls still wailing over this city.

Judgment by an international tribunal?

When would that happen?

Would judgment at that time even hold any meaning?

In the communication channel, Elder Long was still anxiously urging him.

"Ghost! Respond if you receive this! Execute the extraction order immediately!"

Chen Xi slowly raised his hand.

He did not answer.

Instead, in his consciousness, he calmly cut off the encrypted communication with the "Great Wall" Command Center.

Before his eyes, the green light representing the communication link flickered a few times, and finally, went out completely.

The world went silent in an instant.

Only the sound of his own heart beating violently remained.

The anger, struggle, and pain in his eyes all vanished at this moment.

Replacing them was a kind of absolute, dead silence, cold like an abyss.

He had made a decision that was not on any mission list, a decision that belonged entirely to him.

Since the future tribunal was too far away.

Then, the judgment would begin tonight.