Chapter 361 A Year of Abundant Harvest (1)

"Guardian Spirit in the Sky", P144, 4 lines.

The aircraft had just passed through the dark cirrocumulus clouds when an announcement was made inside the aircraft announcing the end of the turbulence. Passengers began to complain about their poor treatment, unaware that a great and malicious evil spirit lay in the wind, and it was too late for them to escape.

I tossed my staff aside and huddled against the cold iron. The headquarters' message crystal was still flickering, repeating the message from minutes ago. The situation was dire, but what was worse was that I couldn't bear to look the fool behind me in the eye.

"Guardian Spirit, we have to think of a solution quickly!" Balansay continued chattering, "I saw that thing, it's definitely awake! It can knock us down with just one slap. If this continues, everyone will die!"

"No, I won't die. I can fly." I said weakly.

"Tell jokes after we land!" Balansay hurriedly pulled me over, "Now—"

I shook his hand off.

"Listen, delivery man," I said as calmly as I could, "five minutes ago, we made an internal decision. We're temporarily quitting."

"What?"

I didn't want to look at that silly face; he looked so convinced. "We're quitting. The Guardian Spirit's work has cost too many lives, and our land has become barren. So... this deal is over. Today. Right now. I'm going back."

I showed him the flashing call sign, and it took Balansay a while to understand.

He stammered, "You...you all...are all going back?"

"Go to a secluded place like a paradise."

"What about the flying machine? Look at that monster! It's coming soon, and without you, everyone will die!"

"Then what can I do?" I said louder than he did. "This is the decision of the collective guardian spirits. I have no right to change anything!"

"But you can't do this! This is..." He racked his brains for words, "This is wrong!"

I grabbed him by the collar and said, "What right do you have to judge right from wrong? You're the one who's ignorant and yet enjoys protection! We never owe you anything, so why should I risk my life to protect you?!"

Obviously, he didn't know the answer to that question. And unfortunately, neither did I.

We stared at each other quietly before the approaching storm, an uneasy silence flowing in the sky.

·

Chu Hengkong put on the bookmark and put away the book he hadn't finished reading.

He'd read the book intermittently for almost two-thirds of the way through, and the more he read, the more he felt the plot resonated with the present. Perhaps the author, that shy young woman, had incorporated her own reflections on the situation in her hometown into her writing. But even her most pessimistic vision couldn't compare to the current state of the city-state.

The day after the vote results were announced, Jingsha, understandably, was in turmoil. Supporters of the bill, known as the "Independence Faction," and the pro-war faction exchanged barbs, and violence erupted. The peaceful city-state of just a month ago now seemed like an illusion.

Trek was called to a meeting early in the morning, while the shop owner and others went to contact their old comrades, using their influence to gather more signatures. Meanwhile, the Huilongcheng trio and Gulibo, led by Velvet, headed to the Fourth Vein to begin inciting rebellion against this separatist stronghold.

"I think we should think about the team name," Finder said seriously. "When the three of us were together before, it was simple: the Huilongcheng trio. Add Qingxia and the others and we'd be the Wilderness Resistance. Now your boss has joined us, so what should we call it?"

Chu Hengkong thought for a moment and said, "The four of us."

"I honestly have to say that your thinking ability has shown a significant decrease since your reunion with Velvet."

"How about an adventure team?"

"Dude, you'd better stop thinking." Fander turned his head in despair. "Captain Ji, do you have any opinions?"

Ji Huaisu said nothing, staring blankly at the sky outside the wind tunnel. Gulibo jumped over worriedly: "Didn't you have enough breakfast, Bo?"

Ji Huaisu shook it hard and said, "I'm depressed, do you think I'm hungry?"

Gulibo was dazed and fell on the seat cushion. Fander was shocked: "Oh! You can also be depressed!"

"It's really amazing that you guys are so heartless," Ji Huaisu sighed. "After I went home last night, I kept thinking about what Parriman said... I know he's a rotten person, using despicable means and having no moral bottom line that requires him to be overthrown, but from the perspective of a citizen of the city-state, his logic is actually... not 'wrong'."

She held her cheek in her hand, feeling gloomy. "Jingsha's current situation is perilous. Independence is detrimental to the overall situation, but theoretically beneficial to the city-state itself. Most citizens don't see any sense of justice; they simply seek peace. So what reason do we have to deprive them of this peaceful option and demand they continue to 'sacrifice' for the public good?"

This sentence pointed to the crux of their journey, leaving everyone speechless for a moment. Velvet looked up from the pile of documents and said, "Miss Ji has always been a very righteous person."

"Basically, I can say that I have always been fighting on the front lines against the outsiders!"

"The battle between good and evil, good and evil, is difficult but simple, because evil is always wrong. Most battles in the Shendong Realm fall into this category," Velvet said. "In our homeland, another kind of battle is more common. This kind of battle is not as difficult but more complicated, because both sides of the enemy are 'right.'"

Ji Huaisu frowned: "Civil war?"

"People on Earth call it various things, ideals, systems, change, justice... But by the standards of the Shendong Realm, it's all just internal struggle. Kong and I are both very good at this kind of fighting, because there is a constant trick."

Ji Huaisu looked at her expectantly, and Velvet smiled: "You will understand it in practice."

"You really have a bad personality! Ah Kong, tell me!"

Chu Hengkong quickly stood up and looked out the window: "Hey, the fourth pulse sequence has arrived! It looks quite lively..."

"Don't change the subject!"

Gulibo rushed to the window and said excitedly, "It's been a long time since I went back to my hometown, Bo!"

The wind tunnel gradually descended, revealing a golden field before them. Rich ears of wheat formed waves, and towering trees bore plump fruits. Country roads crisscrossed like leaf veins, connecting to farms, wineries, and simple villages.

This is the fourth order "Harvest Field", the home of animal husbandry and agriculture, the producer of grain, meat, fruit and fine wine, and the world's largest farm, home to more than 500 million citizens.

·

"Welcome to the Fourth Vein!" A shepherd gave them a basket of fruit. "Please accept this gift from the fields. Our farm gives it to you for free. No charge!"

Chu Hengkong thanked the gift and took a bite of the golden fruit. The fruit had a crisp texture, and the juices splashed in his mouth. It was like biting into the sweet vitality, even better than the fruits he had tasted in the swamp.

This basket of fruit alone would be a luxury item in Huilong City, but in the fields, it was simply a free gift. Shepherds gathered around the cable car, handing out fruit to every visitor to the fields. Their faces were beaming with joy, a world away from the boisterous Third Vein Order.

Fander couldn't help but ask, "Has Tian Ye always been so generous?"

A sturdy voice came from afar, answering for the little shepherd: "In the past, we often recommended that guests buy some fruit to taste. But today is different. The bill has finally passed. Good days without hunger are coming, and the sacred tree will never be harmed again! Such a grand event, how can we not celebrate it with great fanfare!"

The voice was rough and heavy, like that of a casual country boy. Ji Huaisu looked over and was stunned: "What race is this?"

A giant ball of white fur flew through the crowd, heading straight for them. It was almost as big as two sumo wrestlers, its shadow looming over the crowd like a miniature cloud. Its fur was as white as snow, and on top of it were two coal-like eyes. Below that, a slightly protruding, round red sphere, judging by its layout, might be... a nose?

The more they looked, the more familiar it seemed, and the more startled they became. Chu Hengkong quickly lowered his head to look at Gulibo, relying on his experience to confirm the final conclusion. The facial features and fur color of the two creatures were exactly the same. This huge flying sphere might very well be...

The Gubo tribe!

Gulibo screamed, "Could you be! That farmer Bo!"

"That's right. Guests from Huilong City and the Dustless Land, welcome to the Harvest Fields. I'm the local council representative, and president of the Fourth Vein Agricultural Association, Fifede..."

It took a deep breath and uttered a powerful and emphatic "Bo!"

·

Farmer Fifield is a very prestigious farmer and entrepreneur in the local area, and can be regarded as a leader of the fourth lineage.

It first rose to prominence twenty years ago, shortly after the last battle. At that time, the city-state of Jingsha was severely weakened, and excessive consumption of resources had once caused even the city-state's granary to face a food shortage. It was then that Fifeide, still a farmer, led the people to rally their forces, using the crops he had personally improved to help Jingsha overcome the food crisis.

Fifede became famous because of this, and it earned its first pot of gold in the post-war reconstruction activities, thus embarking on the road of entrepreneurship. Knowing the suffering of the war, it hit it off with Parriman, who also made a fortune after the war, and transformed itself into an advocate of Parrimanism.

It is one of Speaker Parriman's strongest supporters and, rightfully so... one of the bill's most loyal advocates.

"Everyone supports the Speaker's policies," Fifeyd said gruffly. "War is so hard! No one understands the suffering of war better than farmers and soldiers."

Its voice was proportional to its weight, and when it spoke, it shook Gulbo from side to side. Gulbo whispered to Fander, "Don't trust its words. Fifid is the most terrifying of the Gulbo tribe. It's cold-blooded, ruthless, and rarely uses a "bobo" when it speaks!"

"We all got the last bit right," said Vander. "Thank you for the treat. The milk is really good."

Fifede was handing them cups of fresh milk. This burly, burly Gumbo, professing his hospitality, was showing them around the nearest farm. The farmers and gardeners greeted them warmly, and both sides were enjoying themselves, a peaceful and tranquil time.

"You're welcome. You've come from far away, and we never treat our guests unfairly!"

Fifid took a big sip himself, wiped his mouth, and threw away the big cup that could hold three Gulbos. The two shepherds hurriedly caught it and carried it away.

"I'm a rough guy with little education, so let's get straight to the point." Fifeide slammed the table. "The Fourth Order, from top to bottom, is a staunch supporter of the bill. The captain of the Fourth Team shares my opinion.

Now that the matter is settled, we don't want to cause any more trouble. If you don't mention politics, we will certainly treat you warmly and ensure that you have a great time in the field. If you are determined to do something like re-vote, then you are not welcome in the field!

Velvet gave Chu Hengkong a look, and the latter understood and knocked Fander on the table.

Fander said seriously, "If we are here for political reasons, what will the farmer do?"

Fifeide shook his head. "You're all reasonable people, but are you really determined to go against the bill?"

"I'm afraid so."

"Oh well."

Feifeide took out a small whistle and blew it. "Chu Hengkong and five other anti-bill elements are currently active in the fields. The order of the Fourth Vein is threatened. I request the Jingsha Sacred Tree to sanction them."

【license】

A dark green pillar of divine light descended from the sky.

(End of this chapter)