Chapter 1817 - 466: Wings and Thorns_4

Chapter 1817: Chapter 466: Wings and Thorns_4

"Let’s think of another way... there has to be another way... Aunt Mo Tong left us so much knowledge, we..."

Tu Hu did not turn his head, his eyes still locked on the isolation chamber, his voice calm to the point of cruelty, carrying an undeniable determination:

"There is no other way. We have tried everything. Continuing to delay will only increase the risk of contamination spreading. Huixin’s transformation is still ongoing and will soon reach a level that we cannot handle."

"But..." Lie Zhua suddenly turned his head to look at Tu Hu, his eyes bloodshot, the courage he showed in front of the tribe shattered completely, making him appear extremely fragile:

"Mr. Hu... I... I can’t bring myself to do it."

He looked at Tu Hu, almost pleadingly:

"That’s Huixin... Mr. Hu..."

Tu Hu slowly turned his head to look at Lie Zhua.

His eyes carried a weight that Lie Zhua couldn’t understand.

This was a decision born from witnessing the rise and fall of civilizations and the departure of close friends:

"Precisely because she is Huixin, she wouldn’t want to see herself become the source of the clan’s destruction. Ending her suffering and preventing disaster is the only thing we can do for her now, to preserve her last dignity."

Lie Zhua slowly raised the controller in his hand, which had a bright red button on it.

His body shook violently as he looked at the button, then through the crystal stone cover at the twisted figure inside the isolation chamber, his mind flashing back to years ago in the Archive Hall, holding a bunch of scrolls and earnestly telling him, "Your exoskeleton is ultimately an external force," a young scholar.

Lie Zhua closed his eyes, two lines of hot liquid streaming uncontrollably down from the corners of his eyes.

Taking a deep breath and opening them again, there was a trace of forced maturity and resolve despite the remaining suffering.

His finger hovered over the red button, pausing for a long time.

The roar from within the isolation chamber seemed to disappear, and time stood still at this moment.

"Huixin, I’m sorry."

Finally, he used all his strength to press it down.

A strong energy flow instantly filled the isolation chamber, glaring white light consuming the twisted figure.

When the light faded, the isolation chamber was empty, with only the still swaying energy chains left.

Lie Zhua felt as though all strength had been drained from him, the terminal slipping from his hand and falling to the ground with a crisp sound.

He staggered a step, supporting himself with one hand on the cold observation window, his head down, his shoulders shaking uncontrollably.

Tu Hu silently placed his hand on his shoulder, conveying strength without words, for any speech at this moment seemed pointless.

Until Lie Zhua barely suppressed his surging emotions, speaking in a hoarse voice:

"Mr. Hu, I... I’ll go handle the aftermath."

Then the heavy metal door slowly closed behind Lie Zhua, isolating all external sounds.

Once confirming he was alone, Tu Hu’s straight posture hunched slightly.

He slowly walked to the observation window, looking at the isolation chamber still emanating the scent of energy burns.

The calm mask he always maintained shattered piece by piece.

He raised his hand, gently pressing his calloused palm against the cold crystal stone cover.

His mind uncontrollably flashed through scene after scene.

By the bonfire, carefully holding homemade fruit wine, eyes gleaming brightly as she softly called him "Uncle Tiger," the little Mo Tong.

In New Star Valley, always quietly following Mo Tong, diligently recording everything she saw, the clever little girl.

In heated debate with Lie Zhua over civilization’s development choices, arguing until her face flushed, the young scholar.

In the laboratory, reporting stage results to him, eyes shining with an endless thirst for knowledge identical to Mo Tong’s, the leader...

Each scene was like a red-hot steel needle, piercing into his already riddled heart.

Huixin was as much a child he watched grow up and poured his heart into.

From naive and tender to independent, he paid attention to every step of her growth.

He witnessed Huixin inherit Mo Tong’s legacy, exploring along the thorny path, and ultimately watched her lose herself in the most tragic way on this path.

"Child." An almost inaudible call squeezed out of his dry throat with difficulty.

He always taught them to be cautious and prudent, yet he ultimately could not prevent this tragedy from happening.

Believing he could control everything, protect them thoroughly, yet the cruelty of fate tore up the "seedlings" he cherished once again before his eyes.

He closed his eyes, tilting his head back, taking a deep, trembling breath.

Attempting to forcefully suppress the overwhelming grief back into his heart.

When he opened his eyes again, the surging emotions had been collected.

After one last glance at the empty isolation chamber, Tu Hu turned away, leaving this place of sorrow with faltering steps.

He remained the solitary Protector of civilization, continuing to measure the endless journey of civilization.