Chapter 28: A Nighttime Conversation

Ren Jie was pulled along by Ye Yue, walking incessantly until they had left the residential area behind in the blink of an eye.

"Hey, hey, hey! Where are you taking me? You aren't planning to drag me straight to the Demon Suppression Bureau to have me suppressed, are you?"

Ye Yue rolled her eyes. "How could that be? Come with me. I'm taking you to a great place; most people don't even get the chance to go there."

Ren Jie had no choice but to let her lead the way. As they walked, Ye Yue thought about Shen Ci’s instructions: Try every possible means to bring Ren Jie into the Demon Suppression Bureau, but do not use force or violate his personal will. He must want to join on his own; otherwise, it would only push him further away.

Although Ren Jie had performed exceptionally well earlier, it wasn't enough to warrant such great effort from Shen Ci to recruit him. Moreover, Ren Jie was still quite green—a total novice without any effective combat power. Ye Yue didn't know why Shen Ci was doing this, but she was certain that there was something special about him. If she failed the Chief’s mission, the Third Squad’s budget for the next quarter would be cut, so she was taking her role as a lobbyist very seriously.

In no time, Ye Yue brought Ren Jie to the base of one of the "matchsticks." This area was heavily guarded by the Great Xia Defense Force. As a restricted military zone, it was a fantasy for ordinary citizens to even get close, let alone visit. But when Ye Yue presented her credentials, their path remained completely unobstructed.

Ren Jie was stunned; he hadn't expected her to bring him here. He had only ever seen these hundreds of matchsticks standing in Jincheng from afar. Only by viewing them up close did he realize how massive the tower bodies were—it was a truly breathtaking sight.

Ye Yue didn't stop. She led Ren Jie inside the tower and took an elevator to the crimson sphere at the very top. The moment Ren Jie stepped out, a gentle night breeze whipped his hair, and the night view of Jincheng unfolded before him in its entirety. The neon lights spread across the earth like fireworks, stretching outward. The further they went, the dimmer the lights became. The entire city of Jincheng looked like a candle lit in the darkness—faint, yet enough to dispel the shadows.

Ye Yue turned around with her hands behind her back, leaning against the railing. Her long black hair danced in the wind, and her smile was filled with softness. For a moment, Ren Jie was mesmerized.

Ye Yue smiled and blinked. "How is it? Beautiful, isn't it?"

Ren Jie raised an eyebrow. "You? Or this night view of Jincheng?"

Ye Yue blushed, glaring at him indignantly. "The scenery! I'm asking about the view from the top of the tower! You're so young, yet you’re already so slick-tongued. Hmph!"

Ren Jie chuckled, resting his elbows on the railing and looking down at Jincheng, his eyes reflecting the dreamlike prosperity. "Why did you bring me here?"

Ye Yue sat on the railing beside him, looking up. "Hmm, why? Who knows? With such beautiful scenery, wouldn't it be a pity to enjoy it all by myself?"

"Do you know why the thirty-three main cities of Great Xia are called 'Spark Cities'?"

Ren Jie raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

Ye Yue pointed at the brilliantly lit city. "Look... doesn't this look like a spark that has been ignited?"

"After the Great Cataclysm, human civilization was almost destroyed. But then, gene warriors appeared. We licked our wounds and stood back up, fighting against the Demon race, the Spirit race, and battling the demons in bloody wars!"

"We rebuilt cities on the ruins of the earth and ignited these sparks. Even today, it’s not exactly safe outside the city walls, but one day, these scattered sparks will be enough to start a prairie fire!"

"And this... is what we are doing. Isn't that cool?"

Having said that, Ye Yue looked at Ren Jie with burning intensity. At this moment, there was light in her eyes.

Ren Jie smiled. "It's cool, isn't it? How could it not be?"

Ye Yue struck while the iron was hot. "So... I’m saying, join the Demon Suppression Bureau. You’re a Demon Contractee; you’ll have better opportunities if you join us."

"The world does have prejudices against Demon Contractees, but the Bureau isn't as bad as you imagine. In fact, a portion of our Demon Suppression Officers are former Demon Contractees."

"Our benefits are quite good, too—high salary, great perks, and all the insurance and housing funds you could want. As for the danger, you don't need to worry. You're still weak, so the Bureau won't send you to the front lines for missions."

"We can even apply for an enrollment spot for you at the Demon Hunting Academy for systematic training. What do you think? Tempted? You..."

Before Ye Yue could finish, Ren Jie said with firm conviction, "No!"

Ye Yue’s eye twitched. "Why? Can't you even consider it?" *Have I wasted all this time setting the stage?*

Ren Jie tilted his head toward her. "Honestly, I admire you all. You protect the country and the entire human race, shedding blood and sacrificing your lives for it."

"But I’m different. I protect my home. That small home is my entire world..."

"I’m afraid of death. I think it’s foolish to sacrifice myself for people I don't know—a foolishness that is respectable and worthy of admiration!"

"But I am simply not that kind of person. I still don't understand how you could risk your life to block an attack for me when we had just met. If it were me, I couldn't do it. There are people waiting for me to come home; I don't want to die..."

Ye Yue said, unwilling to give up, "Then isn't it the same if you join the Siyao Hall? Just yesterday, you risked your life to save a child!"

"You can join the Siyao Hall, so why can't you join the Demon Suppression Bureau?"

Ren Jie shook his head. "It's different. I joined the Siyao Hall for money, and I saved that child for money, too—I just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time..."

"Having died once, you understand even more clearly how much you care about the people who matter to you."

"Actually... I sort of hate the Demon Suppression Officers. You should know my file. My parents and younger brother all died in the Jincheng Demon Disaster. You know, they didn't die from a direct attack by demons..."

"They died from the attack of a Demon Suppression Officer. His attack was deflected by a demon and struck the ground; the shockwave collapsed the house..."

Ye Yue’s gaze dimmed. "But... but..."

Ren Jie looked up at the starry sky. "I know, it’s not the officer's fault, but... there’s always a hurdle in one's heart, right?"

"Everyone has something they want to protect. It has nothing to do with strength. You protect the country; I protect my home..."

"Ye Yue... we aren't on the same path. Maybe I'm selfish, but my conscience is clear."

Ye Yue took a deep breath. "May I ask, is your hard work to earn money for your sister's treatment?"

Ren Jie froze, not hiding the truth. "Yes... the painkillers are expensive, the inhibitors are expensive, and the ion dialysis is even more expensive..."

"If it weren't for me, Yaoyao and her parents would be living very happily, and perhaps Yaoyao wouldn't have this illness..."

Ye Yue looked at Ren Jie earnestly. "If you want to cure your sister, you must become stronger. Joining the Demon Suppression Bureau is the fastest way for you to grow stronger."

"Indeed! Humanity still hasn't conquered the Demon Mark disease, but the answer must exist within the Demon-Shattering Realm!"

"If the country ceases to exist, where will home be? Ren Jie, join the Demon Suppression Bureau. You won't regret it."

Ren Jie still shook his head, his eyes resolute. "If there is a cure for the Demon Mark disease in this world, I will find it."

"I can become stronger without joining the Demon Suppression Bureau."

Ye Yue felt frustrated. A person's mindset could not be changed in such a short time. Since that was the case, she would have to use her trump card.

"What if I told you the Demon Suppression Bureau can provide you with the medicine to treat the Demon Mark disease?"

Ren Jie froze. He began to hesitate.