The question was sudden and pointed, making Yang Jia subconsciously wary. After all, no one wanted their inner fears exposed so directly. But Li Bai's tone was calm, and Yang Jia felt a calming power in it.
Yang Jia knew she wasn't in the right state right now, and at this crucial moment, if she lost focus, it would undoubtedly affect the upcoming mission. Failure would have a devastating impact, so she was already feeling a lot of pressure. Li Bai's question gave her a feeling of grasping at straws. Li Bai had always been so perceptive, and Yang Jia didn't think she could hide it from him. Furthermore, she already had an inexplicable trust in him, so once her guard subsided, she felt it was okay to speak out.
At least, in this situation, Li Bai should know how to deal with it better than she did. Perhaps the answers to the questions that confused her heart could be found in Li Bai.
Thinking of this, her expression relaxed and she leaned against the wall. Instead of answering Li Bai's question, she asked, "Have you killed someone?"
Although Yang Jia herself had killed "people" in the "game," when she asked Li Bai about it, they both knew she wasn't referring to the game, but to the real world. As an excellent soldier, Li Bai must have killed people before. And probably quite a few.
Li Bai barely hesitated, her tone remaining perfectly calm as she answered. "Of course. Killing is my profession," she said. Expanding territory, defending the nation—all sounded grandiose, but when you peeled them apart, they were still essentially about killing.
But perhaps because she had already determined Li Bai's character and knew she wasn't a murderer, Yang Jia wasn't too scared, even though the words were a bit creepy. She asked, "So, how did you feel the first time you killed someone?"
"I don't feel anything," Li Bai said. "Everyone I kill, I know why I kill him."
"Is that it?" Yang Jia was stunned.
She had initially expected Li Bai to deliver a lengthy speech. But on second thought, she felt that this was just Li Bai. Long, soul-stirring speeches weren't for her. She was the type of person who prioritized action over thought, and as long as her thoughts guided her actions, there was no point in dwelling on anything else.
Perhaps it was because Li Bai's attitude was too nonchalant, which made Yang Jia feel that "it's nothing special" and he felt that he had overreacted just now.
Yes, she had just killed a man, but that was only because they were on different sides.
Yang Jia asked himself, why did I kill him?
Because I, Yang Jia, an NPC, suddenly developed a consciousness that I shouldn't have, and I clearly knew my current situation, so I wanted to change everything.
And in this process, fighting and killing are inevitable.
To gain the right to speak, one needs absolute strength. To gain strength, one needs to fight one's way out.
And now, it was just the beginning. What she was about to do was difficult, perhaps even beyond the imagination of all mankind. In this process, she would have to defeat not only others but also herself.
If Yang Jia can't bear it, then all her ideas will be nothing but fantasies.
Yang Jia didn't know how long she could hold on, but at least at this moment, she was unwilling to give up. So she could only accept Li Bai's theory, even if it sounded a bit self-deceptive.
Li Bai stood beside Yang Jia, not looking at her, and said, "In this world, no matter what species, besides being united against the outside world, there are bound to be many contradictions within. Humans are especially like this. Sometimes, the fights between the same kind are even more brutal. But it doesn't matter, there are people like you around you."
Yang Jia pondered for a moment before realizing what Li Bai meant. This kind of struggle was inevitable, and to be the winner, one had to be ruthless. Because there were people around you who stood on the same side as you, fighting and killing was not only for yourself, but also for these people.
Of course, after going through so many circles, what we actually want to achieve is to establish the awareness from the bottom of our hearts that "my killing is just". Once we have this awareness, it will become easier to adapt to it.
When people are alive, they are bound to betray some things and protect some things.
But this didn't make Yang Jia feel any easier. Not only was this a heavy topic in itself, but she also suddenly realized that her ultimate goal was actually diametrically opposed to Li Bai's. She was an NPC, protecting this world, while Li Bai sided with the players, so they were naturally in opposition.
They can still play games together intimately now because Yang Jia is still a "player" with the same stance as them. But if their goals no longer align, will there be a moment when they draw their swords against each other?
At that time, would Li Bai raise her knife to herself without hesitation in order to defend the justice in her heart? And would she be able to kill her without hesitation?
What would Li Bai think if he knew at that time that it was she who pushed him forward and gave him the opportunity to grow?
At this moment, Yang Jia felt that he was despicable.
She's like a villain deliberately hiding in the good side of the story, using the power of the faction to enrich herself while using the information she's gained to attack the good side, paving the way for her own goals. She calls others brothers and sisters, but in her heart she's constantly plotting how to scheme against them.
Although objectively speaking, the players are the invaders, and as a native of this world, she has no choice but to fight them in order to survive. But if you think about it more deeply, the purpose of designing this game world is to allow players to play and develop within it. Without players, it would not exist at all.
Yang Jia stopped thinking. If he continued thinking, he would be faced with those profound philosophical questions that would never have answers.
From their own perspectives, they are both right. But if a war really comes to an end, what will the scene be like?
Yang Jia thought for a moment and asked Li Bai, "Did you ever hesitate when you killed someone?"
"Why hesitate?"
Perhaps it was because Li Bai's tone was so calm and firm that Yang Jia felt that to her, everything was black and white. So she couldn't help but want to make things difficult for her, "If the person who fought alongside you today betrayed their current position one day, would you also attack her?"
"Of course." Li Bai answered without hesitation.
At that moment, Yang Jia couldn't tell what he felt in his heart.
But she finally understood more clearly: this is Li Bai.
She was called a "humanoid weapon" for a reason, not just because of her immense fighting power, but also because of her unwavering resolve, seemingly unmoved no matter what happened. It was precisely because of this that she was Li Bai, and not just anyone else.
Yang Jia knew that he was ready to adapt to this reality and take responsibility for his own choices.
She exhaled slowly and stood up straight again.
Perhaps, she thought at this moment, if one day the two of them really stood on opposite sides, the only thing she could do was to give it her all. If she lost, dying under Li Bai's sword, for her, perhaps it would be a good destination.
She suppressed the myriad thoughts in her mind, then turned to Li Bai and smiled, "Actually, you're really not good at comforting people."
"Let's go." Li Bai didn't answer her question, but said, "If we're any later, we won't be able to catch up with them."
The two walked forward for a while, and just as they were about to catch up with the small group ahead, Li Bai suddenly said, "There isn't always a single solution to a problem. Prepare for the worst-case scenario, and then work hard to make it work out for the best. No matter what the outcome, you can accept it calmly."
Yang Jia was slightly startled. Li Bai had already walked forward and joined the other members of the squad. Then the other members turned around and looked at her.
In that instant, a multitude of thoughts raced through Yang Jia's mind, complex and swirling, but she grasped only a few of them—what was the worst-case scenario? Death at Li Bai's hands, given their identities and positions, would be a fitting outcome. And what was the best-case scenario? Perhaps players and NPCs could achieve harmonious coexistence and common development, living peacefully on this continent and gradually establishing a new order.
She accepted the worst and the best.
"Captain, why are you standing there? We are leaving!" Xia Hanhai, who seemed to be full of energy and enthusiasm at any time and anywhere, called her.
Only then did Yang Jia notice that the second location had also been inspected and the team was heading towards the third location.
She hurriedly followed. She didn't know what the future would hold; the only thing she could do was to do everything well. She'd start with this one.
The second location was the mayor's study. If the office was where he discussed government matters with all the city officials, then the study was where he discussed matters with his confidants. It was more private and contained more things.
Liu Chang found a safe here, which contained a lot of important documents, so his expression looked much better now.
The third location to visit was the City Lord's bedroom. According to everyone's speculation, the key to controlling Phoenix City should also be hidden there.
From the study to the bedroom, one has to pass through a small square. This place is very strange. Apart from a sculpture in the middle of the square, there is nothing else. As Yang Jia walked around the relief, he couldn't help but take a few more glances. "What is this?"
Bai Ting glanced at it and said casually, "Chicken? Or bird?"
The sculpture's lines were so crude that it was impossible to discern its true form. It lacked beauty or artistry, like a child's crude work or a half-finished rough block.
Why is there such a sculpture in the City Lord's Mansion?
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