Duty

The veil of the night crept stealthily over the town, engulfing it in a serene hush, as Li Mingze's eyes wandered over its vast expanse.

Perched atop the lofty Grand Tower in the middle of the town, Senior Li Mingze sat regally on a throne-like chair, his countenance calm and contemplative.

From his vantage point at the town's epicenter, he cast his gaze over the expanse below, his face supported by a thoughtful hand.

With a probing gaze that pierced through the enveloping mist, he surveyed the tranquil surroundings that lay before him.

Li Mingze's thoughts rang out, "Oh, seems like some pests have arrived. I trust that you will not falter here."

–

Having traversed the halls of the hotel, Luo Yin, Mu Kongdong and Jia Lin finally arrived at the Terrace, where Luo Yin took a moment to survey his surroundings.

"Such dense mist," Luo Yin remarked, his eyes gazing on the area shrouded in a thick veil of fog.

"Reminiscent of the mist that enshrouds the lake on which the Grand Pavilion from before was situated," Mu Kongdong interjected, his gaze fixed upon the surrounding mist.

"Indeed," Luo Yin concurred, casting his gaze upward to the inky blackness of the sky.

The thick mist had enveloped everything, rendering even the Starships of the Ink Dragon Fleet invisible to the naked eye. Nonetheless, Luo Yin could sense their lingering presence hovering in the skies above.

"This mist is impeding my vision considerably," Luo Yin mused, his brow furrowed as he peered into the opaque haze, unable to see more than a few hundreds of meters ahead.

"Even though I'm already at the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment Realm, my eyesight still fails me in front of this thick veil of mist." He pondered as he gazed into the skies.

Noticing Luo Yin's upward gaze, Mu Kongdong spoke up, "The crew has been instructed to keep the Starships afloat high above the town, awaiting Senior Li Mingze's preparation of a landing site."

Luo Yin remarked, "It must be quite arduous for the crew, waiting in the air for so long."

"Indeed," Mu Kongdong concurred, leaning against the railing as he surveyed the mist-shrouded town below.

"I wonder in which season we get to see such dense mist..." Jia Lin said as he looked around.

"Probably, the Fall or Winter season..." Luo Yin said.

The three of them ambled around the terrace, their eyes scanning the enigmatic surroundings. The thick mist obscured any view of the distance, leaving them with a palpable sense of uncertainty.

Some time passed before Luo Yin spoke up, "I must depart now. Will you be staying here a while longer?" he inquired.

"Well, yes. Why the rush? Join me here for a while," Mu Kongdong proposed with a genial smile.

"Unfortunately, I have no reason to prolong my stay," Luo Yin responded with a smile of his own, "You may either accompany me or stay here. Jia Lin is by your side in any case."

With that, Luo Yin turned around and began to make his way back, leaving Mu Kongdong and Jia Lin to bask in the eerie ambiance of the mist-wreathed terrace.

Mu Kongdong persisted, "I implore you to stay for a brief discussion. It won't take long, I assure you."

"If there's something you need to discuss, then there are more than enough opportunities for you to do so, why here of all places?" Luo Yin inquired, his curiosity piqued.

Mu Kongdong replied, "It is a matter that requires privacy. I cannot speak of it in the presence of others."

Luo Yin paused for a moment to consider Mu Kongdong's words, and then continued to speak, "Very well, proceed with your discussion."

Receiving the positive response, Mu Kongdong continued, "Luo Yin, I have studied a bit of history. And I learned that, in human society, there are two ways of thinking."

"There's the idea that there exists something more valuable than life. And the idea that nothing is more valuable than life."

"When people begin to fight; they claim the former, and when they stop, they claim the latter. This has been true for hundreds... No, thousands of centuries."

"Will it continue to be the case for thousands more?"

Luo Yin regarded Mu Kongdong, his curiosity piqued as he responded, "I believe that you know very well that it is a futile question. The world follows a constant cyclical pattern and change is inevitable."

"Indeed," Mu Kongdong said as he glanced at the vast expanse covered in the veil of night in front of him and continued, "Humanity as a whole doesn't matter to me. I just wonder if there's anything I can do that will make all the blood I've shed worthwhile."

"What is it? Are you pitying those Soldiers who gave their life to protect their nation and beliefs?" Luo Yin asked with a serious demeanor.

Mu Kongdong shifted his glance towards Luo Yin and regarded him as he continued, "Sorry... pay no attention to me." 

"No, it is alright," Luo Yin said, maintaining his serious demeanor as he continued, "I understand your point, Mu Kongdong. But, you should never pity a soldier who fights for his nation."

"They fought for their belief. It was simply what they were meant to do as enemies. Their situation and position mandated that they engage as foes."

"That is right, it was our duty. You have the right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of those duties. We were just doing what we were obligated to do as soldiers."

Luo Yin's statement left Mu Kongdong momentarily bewildered as he pondered its implications.

Luo Yin further added, "Although I do understand that you may feel a sense of responsibility for those who died, it is foolish to pity them as it is also equivalent to spitting on their belief, what they persevered for."

"Such an answer... Truly, this is not something that I could have ever come up with..." Mu Kongdong thought with his eyes wide open.

"These two are around the same age but still hold such deep understanding... Admirable," Jia Lin thought, he didn't wish to intervene.

After a brief pause, he smiled and responded, "That is certainly an unconventional perspective. Although I must admit, I have gained some valuable insight from your words."

"Why do I feel like he can perhaps do it? Is it about his thinking?" Mu Kongdong thought.