Abyss Summoner-Chapter 192 - 189: Fallen Leaves Return to Their Roots
The weather in the apocalypse was unpredictable, unlike the previous oppressive days. Today, the smog finally dispersed, breaking away from the usual gloom. It was a rare sunny day, with the sun emerging from the clouds, its rays weaving golden threads through the branches, everything looked exceptionally clear.
Yet, on such a warm day, the faces of the Order’s followers were full of solemnity. At this moment, the combat group had put down their weapons, the personal guards had ended their training, and even the search party didn’t venture out as they usually did.
Chen Feng stood above the crowd in black, his expression grave, his gaze indifferent. Even without speaking, one could still feel the heavy aura surrounding him.
Now before him stood the entire armed forces of the Order, totaling two thousand one hundred and nineteen individuals, the youngest seventeen, the oldest thirty-five, all at the peak of their physical condition. If trained properly, it wouldn’t be long before they became a formidable army of tigers and wolves.
Moreover, Chen Feng spared no resources on them, providing meat daily, especially for the combat group who had followed Chen Feng for a long time. Their equipment was particularly sophisticated, each wearing armor forged from Insect Armor, paired with Steel Sabers, and some even carried guns, exuding a proud air, wiping away their initial state of vulnerability when they first arrived.
This was the army under Chen Feng’s command.
In the apocalypse, they gathered under Chen Feng’s banner to carve out territories, like the sharpest spears.
What was the leader’s intention in summoning everyone here?
While everyone was still wondering, a deep, long howl suddenly echoed from afar, and a group of warriors clad in the same black attire approached.
Each of them held a gray urn in their hands. Inside were the ashes of those who had previously perished in battle.
Serenity and peace.
The Order was established, and during searches or battles in the wild, a total of sixty-nine lives were lost.
Death, for the vast majority of those living in the apocalypse, seemed ordinary and common.
This ordinariness didn’t mean they were heartless, devoid of desires. They had blood, flesh, emotions, but in the desolate world, factors like environment, bandits, and food could all lead to death.
The urns of sixty-nine people were placed before everyone.
Among these ashes were their relatives, partners, and comrades who supported them along the way. The atmosphere grew heavy, and although they were men of steel, ripples formed in some of their eyes.
Living on this seemingly abandoned land, they were accustomed to frugally handling remains, whether by burial, cremation, or even leaving them to nature or sky burial.
Life was hard for everyone.
The apocalypse had claimed too many lives. Compared to mourning the dead, it was more important for survivors to focus on how to live better tomorrow.
Chen Feng’s face appeared emotionless, but his gaze concealed a hint of unresolved blood and crimson.
What makes an army strong?
Sharp weapons? Tall figures? Successful strategies? Or skillful commanders?
These factors might lead to victory but do not represent true strength. If there were no weapons, strategies, or seasoned warriors, how would they fight? How would they win?
The true strength of a force lies not in external factors but in belonging.
Only when each member regards Order as their home, fighting and struggling for it, charging forward despite knowing the odds, even if they fall, they become mountains and ridges!
Only then would Order become truly powerful!
If ever Chen Feng’s troops could embody such spirit, then they could truly fight ten with one, undefeated in a hundred battles!
The Tomb of the Loyal.
An empty cemetery, devoid of tombstones, only possessing burrow-like openings where the urns were buried, was what Chen Feng referred to as the Tomb of the Loyal.
In front of the cemetery stood a giant five-meter stone tablet. Though these deceased had no epitaphs, their names, all sixty-nine, were inscribed on it, without omission or wandering souls.
The dead, souls they are.
If they don’t enter the earth, their souls do not return to rest.
The burial of the deceased is a ritual that must be completed for the living.
The Tomb of the Loyal is a tomb, but also a place of belonging.
Chen Feng’s wish, aside from building a place to bury fallen soldiers, was to unite the spirit of his soldiers!
Though only sixty-nine names currently adorned the stone, in the future, amidst the storm of blood and flesh, human life as insignificant as grass, the names would only increase until it was filled.
It’s not about heartlessness or bleakness; it’s the inevitable path of claiming power.
With bones as the path, flesh and blood form the bridge.
By then, the monument formed by the flesh and blood of thousands would unleash a formidable spirit and essence.
Belonging, an untouchable, invisible existence, is not groundless. With it, an army has a core. With it, an army remains undefeated. With it, the army can truly claim the land, unstoppable by blades.
Engrave the stone, carve the names.
Regardless of Chen Feng’s ambitions, personal motives, or apathy, at this moment, he appeared divine, illuminating those around him.
Chen Feng gazed calmly at the loyal warriors before him, some wholeheartedly loyal and others still harboring personal desires, and he spoke loudly, "Although the Economic Development Zone has been regained, out there, stronger and more terrifying monsters are watching. I can tell you for certain, soon, a true disaster will erupt in this city. By then, tens of thousands of insects will swarm here from all directions. Compared to that battle, what the Economic Development Zone encountered is child’s play!
"But do not be afraid. Armor forged from Insect Armor will be sent to you continuously, and the weapons will gradually be strengthened, their sharpness doubled. Fight well, and I now promise, when the great battle begins, for every insect you kill, two-tenths of the meat is yours!"
Food is the most important resource in the apocalypse. With insect meat, they can gain more land, weapons, even women.
Chen Feng’s voice boomed, fueling the warriors like wild beasts, and quelling any fear or anxiety, as if achievements were within reach.
Chen Feng’s intimidating aura brought the cheering crowd to a halt. After a moment, he continued,
"Besides individual rewards, from this day forth, those who die in battle will be inscribed here on this stela. I swear to the heavens, for those who die for Order, their families will be cared for by Order. Parents will be buried, children raised, widows supported. Living, you are ensured safety; dead, you are assured rest. Should I break my oath, may I be destroyed by heaven and earth, abandoned by gods and men!"
The sound of intense breathing echoed among the crowd. Now, the warriors’ eyes turned red, unable to contain their excitement, and they growled one after another.
Their homes destroyed, families killed, they harbored grievances and hatred, yet here, they felt no humiliation. Instead, delicious food and warm lodgings fulfilled what they once didn’t dare to imagine.
Life seen as grass, a bitter truth for those surviving the apocalypse.
This place, though all the systems were unfamiliar, offered reliance.
In such an environment, their broken hearts began to heal, as they formed new families, had new loved ones, welcoming their rebirth.
Listening to Chen Feng’s selfless oath, everyone breathed heavily, clenching their fists.
Fallen leaves return to their roots.
Now, the land beneath their feet was their root, having endured catastrophe and suffering, they... had finally come home.
