Bai Fan's clear voice rang in everyone's ears.
Da Niu was the first to react.
"Boss, you're finally back!"
Masked Bai Fan was tightly surrounded by Da Niu and the others.
"Boss, you have no idea how much we missed you."
"Yeah, Boss. If Brother Da Niu hadn't talked us down, we would've gone to Spirit Hall together to demand justice for you."
Everyone spoke of their joy.
Bai Fan coughed twice. "Da Niu did the right thing. All you do every day is worry about nonsense. What were you going to Spirit Hall for? To throw your lives away?"
"Boss, we owe you our lives. Even if we had to die, we'd still tear a chunk of flesh off Spirit Hall."
"Utterly foolish! Who taught you that? I've always stressed this to you: you are the future of our army. In all things, you must put your own lives first. This isn't my army, nor does it belong to anyone else. It belongs to all of us."
"As long as even one person remains alive in our ranks, our army still has a future."
Bai Fan's words made the group lower their heads. No one knew what they were thinking.
Bai Fan turned his gaze to Goudan. "Goudan, what do you think of the name I mentioned just now?"
Goudan was somewhat flattered. "Of course. Whatever you say it's called, Boss, that's what it'll be called."
Bai Fan patted Goudan on the shoulder. "You've done well. Next, you can continue researching more powerful weapons. As for the manufacturing method for the AK-47, leave it to the brothers below. Build an assembly line and mass-produce the AK-47."
"Now that we're back, it's time to make a move against the two great empires."
Upon hearing that they would strike at the empires, everyone's bodies trembled involuntarily, their voices filled with indescribable excitement.
"It's finally time. I've waited far too long for this day."
"Sister, Mother, watch from heaven as I avenge you!"
"Grandfather, I will destroy this empire that devours people!"
Everyone vented the emotions they had long suppressed.
Under such unreasonable imperial rule, abandoning remote regions to be slaughtered by Evil Soul Masters was far from the only contradiction.
The empire's society could not function without ordinary people. Food and taxes were all borne by the common folk, and women with even a little beauty held no status whatsoever in this era.
Not to mention the countless sects. Compared to a cultivation world, those sects were certainly no good either.
History was written by the victors. At the same time, history books only lavishly praised the greatness of individuals or nations. The hardships of those at the bottom were brushed over in a few words—or rather, to the victors, those hardships were not worth mentioning at all.
The common people at the bottom were always caught up in the turbulence of the times. That saying had never come from nowhere.
Bai Fan was deeply moved. Looking at the common people around him, each baring their true feelings, he felt a lump rise in his throat. He had once thought that the commoners of Douluo Continent were all like Oscar—though not wealthy, they could at least survive.
Only after experiencing it himself did he finally see the truth clearly.
The fact that Oscar could awaken a Martial Soul and possess Innate Full Soul Power meant his family could never have been in truly dire straits. Those who were genuinely destitute never even had the chance to be seen; no one cared whether they lived or died.
Perhaps this was the ultimate meaning of Bai Fan's life simulation!
Outside the Heavenly Screen.
The emperors of the two empires wore grave expressions.
"This kind of weapon can actually be mass-produced?"
"But so what? The empire grants you the status of imperial subjects, making you people of the empire. And you still dare try to overthrow it?"
The two emperors issued decrees at the same time.
"From this day onward, everyone within the empire must be registered. Upon reaching adulthood, children in remote regions will be forcibly enlisted into the imperial army to cultivate a reserve of talent for the empire."
The two emperors were still smug over their decision. They believed this method would prepare for danger in times of peace and prevent the events within the Heavenly Screen from happening.
Little did they know that life was full of vigor, and newly born ideas would never be extinguished.
The empire would never learn to lower its proud head, nor would it learn to solve problems at their root.
Inside a thatched hut in a remote region of the Heaven Dou Empire, a group of youths sat gathered together.
"Brothers, Uncle Da Niu on the Heavenly Screen came from our village. Are any of you his descendants?"
"Brother Zhang, are you confused? A lot of people in our village came here later while fleeing famine. Hardly any of the original villagers are left."
"That's right, Brother Zhang. Uncle Da Niu on the Heavenly Screen may be neatly dressed and living well now, but his life only improved with Lord Xiao Gang's help. Without Lord Xiao Gang, Uncle Da Niu would've died long ago, let alone passed down his family line."
The child everyone called Brother Zhang stood up and spoke with determination. "I, Zhang Jiao, swear here and now that I will establish a nation where Soul Masters and common people can live in harmony. I will let every commoner live with dignity!"
Zhang Jiao lowered his head and looked at the other children sitting on the ground. "Are you willing to join me in realizing this great vision?"
The children hesitated for a moment and did not immediately answer Zhang Jiao.
"What are you hesitating for? Now that you can fill your stomachs, have you begun to slack off? The reason you can eat your fill is because your fathers shield you from the wind and rain. Do you know how much dignity they have cast aside just to make a living?"
"Comfort makes people degenerate. Don't you understand the saying about a frog being boiled in warm water? Right now, you can still rely on your fathers to humble themselves and earn money so you can eat. But what about later? You have no Soul Power, no skills, and none of your fathers' courage to earn a living."
"In the end, you can only starve to death. Your family lines will end, and within a hundred years, you will be eliminated from the continent. The continent will become a continent exclusively for Soul Masters."
After Zhang Jiao finished speaking, he gave everyone some time to think.
Before long, a bald child was the first to speak. "Brother Zhang, I'm willing to join you."
"My mother is ill. I saw with my own eyes how my father knelt on the ground and begged people for a few copper coins."
"Those coins were what he was owed in the first place, but those lofty Soul Masters just loved seeing us humbly beg them. I used to only run from reality, but I've made up my mind now. I want to take a chance with you!"
"I'm willing too," the others said in unison.
Zhang Jiao embraced them. "Good brothers. From this day on, we have only one goal: overthrow the empire and gain equal rights."
Inside the Heavenly Screen.
Bai Fan led his forces into their first battle.
The muzzles of dozens of AK-47s were aimed at the city gate.
"Fire!"
At Bai Fan's command, dozens of people pulled their triggers at once.
The tightly shut city gate was blasted apart, and battle was about to erupt.
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