I'm Sorry

Who are you, you hunky guy?

Before he could even voice his surprise, Ian realized who the newcomer was.

That tone, that voice, that appearance, and the surging, boiling flame of life perceived by the divine sense.

This allowed Ian Crook to instantly recognize the other person's identity.

He was Kang De.

They are the China who manipulated his body and ruined his life.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

He let out a roar unlike any human's, throwing Arthur, whose body had been pierced, far away. Raising his greatsword high, he moved with the speed of a streak of light, accompanied by a deafening sonic boom, and slashed at Kang De!

"Oh, this soaring resentment! Do we have a grudge?"

Kang De, clad in golden armor and radiant wings, picked his nose, and a sharp gust of wind swept in.

The greatsword slashed down from above, but a dark streak of light shot out from the side. Quilion thrust forward with his spear, stepping to the side to block the incoming greatsword. The sword and spear collided, producing a dull thud.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!"

Ian swung his sword fiercely, and Quilion met him with his spear. The two fought fiercely like a storm, stirring up dust and smoke. Arthur, lying in the ruins, coughed up blood. His life was like a candle in the wind, about to be extinguished. Watching the fierce battle, he subconsciously turned his head to look around.

The Hand of Glory has vanished.

Ah, I see.

But it's already very good.

Finally, they've given the China Kang De some trouble.

The master had other plans; at least, the Hand of Glory was saved.

No one knows the secret of the Round Table, no one knows what happened tonight.

A smile appeared on Arthur's face.

Tonight, the Round Table suffered a devastating blow; tonight, they perished here.

But the Round Table will not perish... Arthur's death is merely the beginning of the next cycle; as long as the Lady of the Lake remains, the Round Table will one day be rebuilt.

He murmured, "Long-live-the..."

The last word was barely audible, and the light in his eyes faded.

Meanwhile, the storm-like clashes yielded a result.

Ian's slashing attack was thwarted, while the elven commander was forced back by the impact. However, even though they were at a disadvantage in terms of pure strength, their combat skills were worlds apart. As Quilion retreated, he shifted his stance and turned sideways, his body completing a semi-circle. In an instant, earth magic patterns appeared on his spear, increasing its weight and momentum, and he swept it out. Ian reacted extremely quickly, immediately blocking with his sword, but with a loud bang, he was knocked away along with his sword!

While in mid-air, the four champion archers drew their bows and released a barrage of explosive arrows, causing Ian to be struck by flashes of blood and splattering fluids. The bloodthirsty demon roared madly, slashed with his greatsword, landed with the momentum, and then, using the recoil, charged towards Kang De with a roar!

Kan Fantian a clanging and banging sound, and flung his junk-like accessories around his neck, Kan Fantian strode out, spat on his hands, and drew his massive machete from behind him. "Come on, Blood Tofu, I'll chop you to death with one blow!"

Ian was furious. Seeing the huge green guy wielding a massive and bizarre assembled machete blocking his way, he didn't care what the guy was; anyone who stood in his way was going to die!

He roared as he adjusted his direction and gripped his greatsword, preparing to cleave the green-skinned creature in two. He saw the green-skinned creature also raise its large blade—then let's fight head-on!

The two clashed, and in an instant, the distance between them was less than three meters; the confrontation was imminent.

Just before the collision of heaven and earth, Kan Fantian in to dodge Ian's sword strike, his greatsword flipping and shooting skyward, its gleaming muzzle aimed at the Avenger in mid-air, grinning cunningly.

A burst of intense flame erupted from the hilt of the greatsword, and something resembling a rocket shot out, striking Ian squarely in the body. The powerful shockwave and eerie impact sent the skeletal monster, suspended in mid-air, flying Kan Fantian. With a powerful leap, the greenskin soared into the air, swishing the sword around and yelling, "Anyone who thinks we greens only know how to hack and slash head-on is a complete idiot!"

Ian's back was cleaved open by a knife, and he roared as he slammed into the ground.

He felt no pain and possessed formidable defense, but this was not enough to secure his victory. Bound by the laws of physics, the powerful impact propelled him to the ground, where armored figures surged below, the tin can that had just been swept away by a spear already waiting below!

Quilion raised his hand and thrust forward, the spear tip striking repeatedly with lightning speed, breaking through the gauntlet's defenses. With a powerful twist, the skeletal greatsword flew from his hand and crashed to the side.

With his weapon gone, Ian's fighting ability instantly dropped by 90%. He rolled to the ground, got up and raised his hand to fight back, but Quilion pulled, dragged and threw him away, sending him flying.

Created and summarized by the Elven Sword Saints, this grappling technique, used to overturn heavily armored soldiers and break through armor to kill enemies, is unparalleled in the world. It is one of the sixteen compulsory advanced battlefield martial arts subjects of the Royal Army, integrating the experience and wisdom of the Elven top combat masters in countless battles. How could Ian, a newly awakened superhuman, possibly withstand it?

The raging Avenger roared as he tumbled to his feet and leaped to grab the greatsword, but his actions were anticipated. Alset appeared like a ghost, his hands unleashing bolts of lightning that swept across the battlefield like whips.

The whip crackled with lightning, unleashing a deafening thunderous roar. A series of five incredibly fierce strikes sent Ian tumbling to the side. Finally, the lightning whip caught the hilt of the sword, tossing the skeletal greatsword into another corner.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I'm going to kill you!"

Enraged and powerless, Ian tried to pursue Alset, but the Scourger retreated gracefully. Arrows rained down, drawing out a strong net, and vines coiled around the earth, binding Ian to the ground with his hands and feet. The sky clashed with the sounds of metal, Horus descended from the heavens in human form, his thrusters surging, forcing Ian to his knees.

The four spellcasters cautiously advanced, drawing upon lightning and guiding vines to firmly bind Ian.

The priests laid down a forbidden prison, Quilion stood ready with his spear, Horus retracted his wing nozzles, extended his right arm into a beam cannon, and the pent-up energy illuminated Ian's face, which was covered with bone spurs and calluses.

Did you leave any last words?

Horus's voice was calm and peaceful.

"Wait a minute." Kang De's voice sounded from behind. Horus stepped aside, and the Fire Thief strolled up to Ian. "You're so unsportsmanlike, you brute! I painstakingly got everyone to engage, just waiting to reap the rewards and show off, and you, you steal all the kills! Is that fair?"

His tone was full of displeasure and resentment, because this place, which seemed to be the gathering place of the Round Table leaders, had been completely wiped out, and the Extraction was useless. "Who are you?"

Ian's eyes were bloodshot as he glared at Kang De and roared, "China!"

"Huh? Fellow townsman?" Kang De was taken aback, then looked suspicious. "Come on, let me ask you an advertising slogan: What am I to you? Here's a hint: milk tea."

Ian roared, "Bastard! Butcher! Beast!"

"..." Kang De waved his hand and said, "Dare to impersonate China? Beat that son of a bitch!"

The elves were taken aback. After all, they weren't mold, and none of them had any interest in beating prisoners. Only Kan Fantian, upon hearing this, raised his big foot and pressed it against Ian's face.

"Kill me!" Ian roared incoherently, "I curse you! I curse you forever!"

"... You're insane." Kang De waved his hand. "First..."

"Huh."

Horus suddenly exclaimed in surprise. It saw the horrific wound on Ian's back; the devastating Kan Fantian had cleaved through layers of muscle, revealing bloody bones. The Transformers looked vaguely familiar. "Father, this person looks like..."

"Ah?"

Iron Son exclaimed in surprise, "He looks like Ian Crook!"

"Hold?"

Kang De's eyes widened as he stared at the bloodied, muscular man pinned to the ground. Armored in flesh and blood, with bone spurs protruding from his back—such a cool look! And it turned out to be an old acquaintance?

"Is that you, my friend?" Kang De exclaimed in surprise. "You're still alive?"

Ian's eyes flashed with boundless hatred. He no longer believed the China people's lies. Now that he was in their hands, there was nothing more to say.

No matter what Kang De said, he remained silent with a cold laugh, only staring at him with hatred.

"No, then there's nothing we can do."

Kang De shrugged and ordered, "Those Vanessa and Shanna, just find a local brothel in Britain and sell them off. Make some money."

These two names ignited the last Flame in Ian's heart. All defenses and pretenses crumbled, and he became agitated, shouting, "How dare you! I! You... Wait!"

His mind, clouded by hatred and bloodshed, snapped back to reality, "They're not dead?"

Kang De stared at him coldly. "Why did they die?"

You didn't kill them?

Why would I kill them?

Ian stared at Kang De, a strange light gleaming in his usurped eyes. "I... I don't believe it..."

It's not that he's too much like Lu Yu; it's just that this guy was really messed up by Kang De.

Kang De shrugged and said, "Why would I need to lie to you? Do you even deserve to be lied to? If I'm going to kill you, why wouldn't I tell the truth? Wouldn't it be better to let you know that your wife and children were being torn to pieces bit by bit in agony and despair, and then to kill you amidst your boundless hatred, resentment, and agonizing screams?"

Judging from Ian's eyes, he clearly believed it.

What's rather funny is that this explanation is clearly more convincing to the white man than "I won't implicate women and children; your wife and daughters are innocent."

He instinctively shouted, "Where are they? Give them back to me!"

Before Kang De could even utter a laugh, Ian realized what was happening... He lowered his head sadly and let out a hoarse, bitter laugh. He was a death row inmate, with no chance of escaping.

Besides, they probably wouldn't recognize me like this.

At this thought, he was filled with despair and whispered, "Kill me."

With the Round Table destroyed, his wife and daughters still alive, and his enemies powerful, he had lost all reason to live.

Kang De stroked his chin, lost in thought and remained silent.

Horus, somewhat puzzled, "Father?"

"Be quiet," Kang De said, raising his hand. "I'm looking at surplus value."

"..."

Thankfully, these words were spoken in Chinese.

He took two steps forward, stood in front of Ian, squatted down, and said with great interest, "Don't you want to live anymore?"

Ian closed his eyes and remained silent—he didn't have eyelids, but he could make one on the spot.

"Life is so beautiful. You've already died once, don't you have the courage to keep living?" Kang De laughed. "Won't you reconsider?"

Ian sneered, "Would you let me live?"

Yes.

"On the condition that I become your hunting dog?"

"No, he's my good brother. We fight together when we can, and even when we can't fight anymore, he can still contribute to society."

"... utter nonsense." Ian said coldly, "Do you need a monster like me?"

"Well, in life, you always need someone to do the dirty work, but that's not the point. The point is, I'm quite interested in you as a person."

Phoenix Fire flashed in Kang De's eyes, and the Fire Thief's Vision quietly unfolded. Ian met his gaze, then turned his head away. The other's eyes made him feel an instinctive sense of oppression, unease, and... fear.

"You're very interesting, really, a great research subject."

He said, "Think about it. If you come to work for me, your family is waiting for you. Are you willing to just die and disappear from their world forever?"

Ian let out a painful laugh, his helmet and muscles bursting open like a flower to reveal a bloody skull. His expression was unreadable, but his pain was palpable.

He whispered, "I am no longer her husband, nor Shanna's father."

"I understand." Kang De nodded. "Then I'll find a way to imprison you, tell your wife and children that you're dead, and then hold a nationwide audition for an understanding, gentle, and considerate man to appear in your wife's life when she needs him most, to take care of her, to understand her, then to embrace her, to have sex with her, to live in the house you bought with your pension, and to make your daughter call him Dad."

"I'll install a few surveillance cameras in your ex-wife's house so you can watch them every day. Maybe it'll even awaken some strange interests and fetishes in you."

"Oh, by the way, since my legal territory is overseas, specifically Africa, I can only select from there. However, considering that Gambia has abundant sex tourism resources, there are countless black men hoping to seduce wealthy women in their fifties and sixties from Europe and America in exchange for immigration opportunities. It's even formed an industry chain. I'm sure I can find the type your wife likes, definitely big and good. Don't worry, if one isn't enough, we'll have two. If you don't have the patience, we'll fast forward to Emperor Wen of Wei, and tonight your wife will sit on the sofa..."

As expected of Kang De, with just a few words, he provoked Ian, who was determined to die, into a rage and impotent fury. Ian struggled violently, roaring, "You dare! You dare!"

"So, do you understand? If you're dead, everything's fine, but if you're alive, don't think about things like 'I want them to be happy,'" Kang De said. "Men should take care of their own affairs. As for this facade, just find a way to cover it up. Hey, I didn't know you, with your thick eyebrows and big eyes, could be such a decent person."

Ian stared at Kang De, his body trembling, clearly extremely excited.

"Let's make a deal," Kang De said, ignoring the complicated look in her eyes. "You'll work for me, and I'll find a way to restore you to normalcy—at least to appear normal, so you can stand proudly before your wife and daughters, embrace them, and feel their happy embrace."

Ian remained silent for a long time before slowly asking, "Why?"

He looked up and said, "You must dislike me, even loathe me, because of my thoughts, my beliefs, and what I said in the Viking Skull Hideout..."

"You're foul-mouthed, you're racist, you're a bastard, you turn a blind eye to evil, but you've paid the price. You've lost your peaceful life, you're separated from your wife and daughter, and of course, you're separated from your own family too. You've become what you are now. I've made you experience the pain of being bullied, oppressed, manipulated, and exploited that those victims went through. You even died once. In my moral code, you've already received the punishment you deserved—but that's not the main reason I didn't kill you."

Kang De paused for a moment, then slowly said, "Ian, there are many reasons for making this decision; it's a mixture of many thoughts. For example, it's not just a single reason that I spoke up to protect your wife and daughter, or that I insisted on going to war with the Round Table... There are many reasons for sparing you, too many to list at once, but I can still tell you one example, which is something you must remember."

"Shalana, a woman you may not know."

Kang De calmly recounted her story: her life of suffering, her painful perseverance, and her sorrowful end. Finally, he whispered, "Tonight's killing has been enough. I have sacrificed hundreds and thousands of demons for the fall of the angel, but tonight and thereafter, her merciful and unwavering light will not only shine on the surviving victims, but also on you."

"You have many flaws, shortcomings, and even sins, but you have not committed an unforgivable crime. I will spare your life. You must repay Shalana's kindness with your actions in the future—remember, this is so that your wife will not lose her husband and your daughter can still see her father, because Shalana's family will never see her again."

Ian stared blankly at Kang De.

He knelt on the ground, bound and entangled by holy light and vines, his body constructed of blood and bones, like a demon bowing in repentance under the light.

Before him, in his gaze, stood a man clad in golden armor, his wings shimmering with light. He was calm and composed, his resolute face radiating compassion. Warriors in heavy armor, wielding weapons, stood guard around him, their radiance spreading and their glory illuminating the scene.

A story, a reason for forgiveness and tolerance.

To Ian in the past, and to the officials of Military Intelligence Section 5, such pity and kindness seemed almost pedantic, utterly ridiculous—like a politician's promise, like a rich man's speech.

Hypocritical and boring.

But at this moment, Ian felt a mix of emotions he couldn't quite describe.

He experienced dramatic changes in a single day, everything was different, he had died and now felt like he was living a life worse than death. He gained and then lost, possessed and then vanished. His life was like a candle flickering in the wind, and he couldn't even protect his family. But after despair, the light of hope shone. Someone told him a story and gave him a promise.

And all of this stemmed from a woman he didn't know, a woman who suffered but remained resilient...

The final sacrifice.

He sensed it.

I sensed the woman's departed spirit, felt the will flowing through her life after her death, and the emotions that remained in her heart after experiencing pure darkness and despair.

Only pity remains.

Have compassion for every life that has endured suffering and faced separation.

The monster, stripped of its flesh and blood and having died once, suddenly let out a series of low howls, but its tear ducts had collapsed, and it could not cry. It could only lower its head deeply and wail.

"Sorry..."

He murmured, "I'm sorry..."

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PS1: It seems like A Chuan has given up... My youth is over.