The Reason Why You Must Stay

A red haze developed after Saarn came close to Arcadia. A 10-mile radius around the city, both inside and outside, with visibility of less than 100 meters. The distance that could be perceived with the unaided eye would have been significantly shorter given the time of day.

Arcadia is completely engulfed in this red haze when viewed from above, and nobody is aware of the true state of affairs inside. Everyone who was paying attention to this topic, however, also realized that Yarn's rite of ascending to the gods had already started when this peculiar celestial phenomena appeared.

It was 11:30 in the evening. Area-114 was illuminated. The workers and patients at the site were packing their bags. The other facilities on the property were unimportant at this point, therefore all three MTF teams were contracted to stand watch in close proximity to the main facility.

The three captains were receiving the final details from Zhang Jue. "Smith, your squad will leave ten minutes later and be responsible for breaking up the rear, and when twelve o'clock has gone, Kenneth and Strang, your two squads are responsible for escorting those civilians and patients all the way south and out of this hellhole."

With his hands on the table and a solemn expression, Zhang Jue explained that he ordered the two squads leave in different directions out of concern that they would get trapped in a net. Even though he had lived two lives, Zhang Jue had never experienced something like ascend to God before. This arrangement allowed for the maximum amount of accident prevention.

There may be a buffer period when supporting one another, regardless of which end something occurred, so that they wouldn't all be swept away at once. After accepting their orders and nodding in agreement, the two Smiths turned to face Zhang Jue.

"What is the issue? What are you looking at me for, do I have rice on my face?" Zhang Jue asked in an odd manner.

Smith, who was closest to him, expressed concern and asked, "What about you, Advisor Zhang, aren't you retreating with us?"

Zhang Jue gave a good nod and said, "Of course, I'll retreat; I haven't been around that long." However, he added, "I'll be a little later; I'll go when I've made sure you've reached a safe place."

Three MTF squads were more than enough to handle common foes, but Zhang Jue had to stay behind because of his promise to ensure everyone's safety after Saarn's ascension.

Advisor Zhang was strong, therefore there was no need to be concerned about his security. Smith was certain of it, and the trio took the initiative to lead a last mobilization of their own team members.

Zhang Jue was the only person left in the sizable conference room as they left. He slowly closed his eyes while crossing his arms across his chest. A few minutes later, the door to the conference room opened and the sound of high heels rang out.

Zhang Jue recognized the sound of approaching feet without having to look. Yang Xue approached him and took a seat next to him.

I learned from Captain Smith that you wouldn't be departing with us. She softly enquired.

"Right." said Zhang Jue as he opened his eyes. "If we all go together, the target is too great and it would easily catch the notice of the Lust for Flesh sect. Breaking up into pieces and scattering to break out is the appropriate option, and when you are all secure, I may leave anytime I want."

Without saying anything, Yang Xue simply stared at him. Zhang Jue grinned ferociously. They remained silent for a long while in apparent agreement.

Finally, Yang Xue grumbled, "Will you truly escape from here quickly after establishing that we are safe?"

It had to be acknowledged that, after spending so much time together, Yang Xue already knew Zhang Jue extremely well and could even pick out each and every expression the latter used.

Even Jue Zhang was unable to change certain habits, such as pulling at the corners of the lips, shrugging the shoulders, or lifting the eyebrows, which had become deeply ingrained. Words could be deceitful, but emotions and movements were harder to hide.

Yang Xue was most familiar with Zhang Jue's standard method of deceiving people: he would tell the truth while only withholding a portion of the information, which would cause what you thought and what he said to differ.

Smith and Zhang Jue have stated that it is still possible for him to go if everyone is secure. In fact, he implied that he wouldn't necessarily leave even if everyone was safe.

Yang Xue said, looking him straight in the eye. "Saarn is about to rise to God, once successful, and we are no longer a dimensional creature, It's not that the Foundation hasn't contained such a creature, but the cost is heavy."

Yang Xue is very worried, because with her understanding of Zhang Jue, even if the other party is a god, Zhang Jue will not easily retreat.

She bit her lip, her eyes slightly red, "What exactly do you... want to do...?"

Although Zhang Jue hung back, Yang Xue's look indicated some agitation, and she was aware that he was never one to play around. She may have had her own reasons for wanting to stay here, but she couldn't help but worry.

You see, the opposing side had a god, and Yang Xue didn't believe Zhang Jue could defeat something of that stature, despite his might. She sought out Zhang Jue at this time, hoping he would abandon such a risky course of action, because she was unable to control her emotions.

Zhang Jue took her hand, the corners of his mouth tugging up an arc as he realized Yang Xue was genuinely concerned for his safety.

"Dr. Yang, you mentioned that even if Saarn succeeded in attaining godhood, gods and demons are terrified of evil people. What would I, the most evil person in the world, be afraid of him? If I actually lose to him, it only indicates that I'm not evil enough and I need to work harder."

Yang Xue stared at Zhang Jue for a time, frozen, unsure of what to reply because his tone was soft and extremely different from his typical tone.

"Can you... promise me one thing after this, if we return safely?" Zhang Jue asked as she gently stroked her fair and slim fingers.

Yang Xue's heart was in full disarray as she felt Zhang Jue's rough fingers rubbing over her palm.

"What do you want me to promise you?" she asked Zhang Jue as she regarded him with bewildered eyes.

"Promise me…."

After gazing into Yang Xue's eyes with what appeared to be a million deep, tender emotions, Zhang Jue uttered the words that Yang Xue would find it difficult to forget for the rest of her life.

"Don't add as much salt the next time you prepare scrambled eggs with tomatoes, please."

After finally turning to face Zhang Jue, Yang Xue placed his hand on the conference room door handle and muttered something. "I'll be here when you get back."

...

Zhang Jue slumped on the conference room table after Yang Xue had departed, mentally preparing himself for what was going to occur. Because he was not a god and could not account for every circumstance, he had to focus on making the plan run as smoothly as possible.

The most significant query was present among these. It was the proper way for him to deal with Saarn, who had already attained God. Yang Xue was right to worry that trying to take on a team of gods head-on with his current strength would be a fool's errand.

However, he was unconcerned about this situation because he had long since left a backup plan. He was required to remain here for a cause that no one could comprehend.

He recognized the fog from his own world when it began to appear in the city right before Saarn's ascension ceremony had started.