Chapter Thirteen: How Could There Be Such a Kind-hearted General Ji Yun!

“Don’t blame yourself for not knowing; most people wouldn’t.” Lingyue Nangong chuckled softly before explaining, “Military Base 3176 is a highly classified facility in our Dragon Nation’s Eastern Theater Command. It was established shortly after the eerie invasion began to focus on research into a new concept weapon. However, once it was confirmed that this weapon was ineffective against the strange creatures, the base was disbanded and soon swallowed by the black mist.”

“How do you even know about such a top-secret place?” Ling Ji asked instinctively.

Lingyue Nangong’s face showed a flicker of unease before she hurriedly said, “I—I’m a battlefield reporter for Qingyun Platform! I once interviewed there!”

Ling Ji did not doubt her much. Looking at the still largely intact military base before him, his eyes gleamed with joy.

After all, the original 200,000-strong force had dwindled to just 100,000. These survivors had been fighting intensely for over two months without proper rest. Now, to find an abandoned base with such complete infrastructure meant the brothers could finally get some much-needed respite and recuperation.

“All hands, listen up!” General Lin shouted, his eyes shining with unrestrained joy as he pointed toward the abandoned base not far ahead. “The black mist has retreated somewhat. I order you to immediately seize that abandoned military base ahead and use it as a rest area!”

“You’ve all worked hard during this time! We don’t even know if we can survive this black mist, but even if we die, we’ll die with honor!”

“Everyone, on my command! Charge!!!”

The soldiers erupted with excitement and surged forward in a frenzy toward the base.

The word “seize” was already an overstatement for an empty, deserted base.

In under ten minutes, the soldiers had thoroughly inspected every corner of the facility.

“Report!” The quartermaster came running up, holding a notebook.

“Go ahead,” General Lin waved his hand.

“Yes, sir!” The quartermaster nodded briskly. “After inventory, there are seven barracks with a total of 630 rooms for rest, providing 5,040 bunk beds altogether!”

“The total building area covers four hectares. Even without beds, it’s spacious enough to accommodate everyone for rest.”

“Excellent!” General Lin nodded immediately. “Those 5,000 beds will be prioritized for the wounded according to the severity of their injuries. The lightly wounded and uninjured will sleep outside.”

“Although the black mist has receded somewhat, it could strike back at any time. Each company must assign thirty soldiers to patrol in shifts, changing every four hours!”

“What about the cooks? Check our remaining rations!”

The quartermaster promptly replied, “Report! During the inventory, we found about four tons of rations in storage, over ten thousand cans of various preserved foods, plus unopened military field rations and compressed dry food!”

“A rough estimate is that it can sustain us for a week!”

Hearing this, General Xu beside them could not help but laugh joyfully.

“Good! Who’s in command of 3176? When I get out of this black mist, I’ll personally thank them! To have left us such a stockpile before abandoning the base—ha ha ha!”

General Lin then looked at Ji Ling and said, “We owe thanks! I think we should first thank this young comrade, Ji Ling!”

“If he hadn’t taken command in the crisis, summoned the Yinglong, and awakened twenty-seven deities of the Dragon Nation, how could we have found 3176? Without this base, even if we fought, we’d starve to death out here!”

Upon hearing General Lin’s words, the soldiers immediately cheered and rushed toward Ji Ling.

Ji Ling’s eyes widened in surprise. He knew all too well how soldiers celebrated.

Before he could even react, he was lifted high into the air by a group of soldiers, thrown up and caught repeatedly.

Tossed about wildly in midair, Ji Ling was dazed, while below, the soldiers expressed their gratitude and celebrated the lifesaving favor he had done them.

The two generals watched the lively scene with genuine smiles. Amidst the shroud of the black mist, this small, secluded corner was filled with happiness. Everyone rejoiced simply at being alive.

And all were thankful for Ji Ling’s contribution.

…

At the same time, inside the military broadcast hall.

The faces of the Ji family were increasingly grim.

Ji Tianxing and Ji Yun exchanged a look, both gritting their teeth.

Why did Ji Ling have such incredible luck?

Why hadn’t he died even in such desperate circumstances?

Now, he had become a great hero.

However, the clueless onlookers in the comment section were thoroughly brainwashed by the Ji father and son.

“Damn! This is disgusting!”

“Ji Ling really shamelessly took all the credit for himself, huh?”

“He stole Major General Ji’s notebook and awakened so many deities—that’s how he survived! He owes Major General Ji a big bow!”

“Major General Ji is a genius—not only has he distinguished himself repeatedly in the Southwest Theater Command but he’s also made such achievements in deity identification!”

“Yeah! That thief Ji Ling used Major General Ji’s notebook to summon the deities, and his success rate was 100%!”

Seeing the people in the comments completely brainwashed, Ji Yun finally relaxed and softly said, “I hope everyone won’t be so resentful. Regardless of whether my brother stole my research, the most important thing is that our soldiers survived.”

“My goodness, Major General Ji Yun is so kind!”

“Even after Ji Ling stole such a huge credit, he still thinks like this!”

“How can there be someone as good-hearted as Major General Ji Yun in this world!”

“That’s a true soldier! Salute to you, Major General Ji Yun!”

“Salute!”

Ji Yun reveled in the unearned praise and felt deeply satisfied.

Meanwhile, the host immediately turned to Ji Tianxing and asked, “General Ji, now that the Eastern Theater Command’s situation has eased, can the military consider sending reinforcements?”

“The quartermaster just said the rations can only sustain the remaining troops for a week. The situation is still very precarious,” Ji Tianxing said.

At the mention of reinforcements, Ji Tianxing’s heart turned cold.

No reinforcements must be sent!

If reinforcements came, those people would survive.

Including Ji Ling—he would survive too!

He absolutely could not allow Ji Ling to come out of the black mist alive!

Ji Ling had to die within the black mist!

Even if it meant sacrificing the remaining 100,000 innocent soldiers as his companions in death!