The Fog Grew Thicker

Pei Xianjue was still Pei Xianjue. There was nothing inherently wrong with the methods she used; many in power were even more ruthless than she was. Yet no matter what, Lin Pengpeng could not let it go.

Lin Pengpeng herself could not explain why.

Why did it feel bitter? Why did it hurt?

Was it because she had suddenly discovered flaws in the person she had worshipped so fervently? Was it because she felt deceived and grew angry? Or was it because what she had believed in had actually been an illusion?

Like falling in love unilaterally, then suffering a unilateral heartbreak.

Lin Pengpeng chipped away at the mud and sand beneath her, hearing intermittent voices from the other side of the rock layer.

They must have been close to digging through, for the voices had become so clear—

"As long as I get through this crisis, I'll have military merit to my name. There'll be fewer and fewer people questioning me in the future..."

Lin Pengpeng struck the rock layer hard, thinking, General Pei, did you lead us against the Contaminants for military merit? Wasn't it for peace in the Quarantine Zone?

She knew she was overthinking things, yet she could not stop herself.

Her ideals had developed flaws, and so she could not help questioning every word.

The Human-faced Crow hopped closer and pecked the back of her hand, neither too hard nor too lightly, urging her to move faster.

Lin Pengpeng pressed her lips together and continued digging. With a crack beneath her hands, the tip of her blade punched through a small hole.

She froze for a moment, then raised both hands to brace the ceiling of the passage and leaned back slightly. Next, she lifted her right foot and kicked hard at the opening!

With