Chapter 766: Righteousness and Hypocrisy
In Gao Changkong's initial plan, Deng Shentong had to die.
Deng Shentong died, allowing Gao Changkong to naturally take over the mission to eliminate the Moon of Corrosion.
This way, he could become the most prestigious figure in Blizzard City.
Then he could gradually approach the core of power.
Finally, by orchestrating an "accident" to kill Zhu Zheng, he would become the new commander of Blizzard City.
He could rebuild Blizzard City entirely according to his own vision!
Unfortunately, Zhang Yi didn't die and instead successfully eliminated the Moon of Corrosion.
Thus, Gao Changkong's Plan A failed, leaving only Plan B.
Zhu Zheng stared coldly at Gao Changkong.
"From the very beginning, you were behind everything, weren't you?"
"You were the traitor in Blizzard City. It was because you leaked our operation intel that the Celestial Squad's mission failed!"
"Even Zhang Yi's ambush by the Moon of Corrosion and the Tianlong Pirate Crew was your doing."
Gao Changkong replied cheerfully: "Ah, as expected of Commander Zhu, figuring it out so quickly. Though your realization comes slightly too late."
His gaze swept across the others present.
"What, do you want them to stay here and die with you?"
"I dislike unnecessary killing. They're all exceptional talents that the Jiangnan Region will still need. The only person I want dead is you."
"So," he addressed the others, "do you really wish to die alongside Zhu Zheng?"
Gao Changkong's eyes carried a questioning tone, his lips curved in a gentle smile.
Yet no one doubted his deadly seriousness when he spoke of killing them all.
The office atmosphere grew increasingly tense, some staff members beginning to tremble.
Faced with life or death, one employee finally cracked.
A woman cried out: "I want to leave! I want to go home!"
Gao Changkong chivalrously stepped aside: "You may leave immediately!"
The woman dared not meet Zhu Zheng or Lan Xincheng's gazes as she fled sobbing.
Her example broke the dam. Others, driven by survival instinct, stampeded toward the exit.
Zhu Zheng closed his eyes and waved at his hesitant subordinates: "All of you, leave. Their target is only me."
The men sighed in relief. After murmuring "Stay safe, Commander Zhu," they followed the others out.
Only Lan Xincheng remained by Zhu Zheng's side.
Perhaps because he didn't want to flee.
But more likely because his fate was irrevocably tied to Zhu Zheng's.
As Zhu Zheng's secretary, surviving his superior's death would still cost him everything in Blizzard City.
When the new commander took power, he'd be punished as a deserter anyway.
Better to gamble everything now than face miserable execution later!
Gao Changkong observed Zhu Zheng, who remained seated and facing him squarely.
"Now, let me send you off, Commander Zhu Zheng!"
Zhu Zheng studied Gao Changkong, his expression stern as he asked solemnly: "May I ask your true reason for betrayal? What grievance could you possibly hold against the Jiangnan Region?"
"Here, you had everything. The admiration of thousands. What could you possibly gain by betraying us?"
The curve of Gao Changkong's lips widened further.
He suddenly burst into laughter.
"Zhu Zheng, even now you don't understand why I want you dead?"
"I see now! Of course! To someone like you, insignificant people like me don't matter at all!"
His laughter continued, his gaze turning icy.
"Let me remind you of one thing."
"After the apocalypse began, my parents died because of the regulations you enacted."
"They were in their sixties! Unable to survive the apocalypse, yet your orders had them forcibly expelled from Blizzard City!"
"From that moment on, I've dreamed of nothing but killing you and every Blizzard City official who helped draft those laws!"
After hearing Gao Changkong's words, Zhu Zheng wearily closed his eyes.
"So that's what this is about."
"But under those circumstances, it was the only possible choice. We couldn't support that many people!"
"Jinling alone had 15 million permanent residents initially! As disasters spread, survivors from surrounding cities flooded toward Blizzard City."
"Everyone wanted to bring their families and friends into this last fortress to survive."
"If we hadn't implemented measures prioritizing those who could contribute most, the end result would have been everyone dying together!"
Zhu Zheng's voice grew firm.
"Your parents were no exception!"
Gao Changkong applauded mockingly at Zhu Zheng's explanation.
"Excellent justification, truly worthy of Commander Zhu Zheng! So righteous and impartial, how admirable!"
"Had you actually practiced what you preached, perhaps I could have understood."
A sneer twisted Gao Changkong's lips.
"Can you honestly claim everyone was judged by the same standards? You're nearly sixty yourself, not even an Evolver. Without your position, you'd be too frail for manual labor."
"Yet your wife and son live comfortably here without contributing."
"And what of Blizzard City's numerous officials? How do they differ from common citizens? What value do they provide to justify their privileged lives?"
Gao Changkong's voice rose sharply.
"Those towering walls separating Blizzard City's S to E Zones are physical manifestations of your class barriers!"
"You never intended fairness from the beginning!"
"In your eyes, we from Zone E were always subhuman!"
"And now, my dear Commander Zhu Zheng, facing death, you sit there preaching 'fairness' to me!"
"Don't you find that utterly ridiculous?"
Gao Changkong looked down contemptuously at Zhu Zheng.
He laughed wildly, mocking Zhu Zheng.
All the words bottled up for half a year came pouring out, releasing accumulated hatred and resentment.
At this moment, his heart felt liberated.
No more need to hide his true self!
Zhu Zheng found himself speechless against Gao Changkong's accusations.
After a long silence, he finally said: "You must understand - absolute fairness is unattainable. Some compromises are necessary."
To maintain support from Blizzard City's factions, he'd had to grant certain privileges.
Gao Changkong took a deep breath, feeling unburdened after voicing his long-suppressed grievances.
"No one is born to rule over others."
"Just as now, when your life rests in my hands!"
Having vented his emotions, it was time for Zhu Zheng to die.