I Can Control Resources-Chapter 52: A Coward’s Sacrifice Is Still a Sacrifice

Chapter 52: Chapter 52: A Coward’s Sacrifice Is Still a Sacrifice

"..."

The entire crowd was silent.

Qin Tianxiong’s expression shifted constantly. ’Gao Neng claimed he killed over two hundred ruthless bandits, dealt with several Energy Warriors, and even scared off an Angel?!’

’You think I’d believe that?’

Qin Tianxiong was tempted to snap, "Kid, you really know how to brag!" But the crucial issue now wasn’t Gao Neng. It was that Shen Ning’Er was still alive.

What did that mean?

Qin Tianxiong’s gaze shifted to Tang De.

Tang De was also looking at him. The faces of both men were incredibly grim.

But what could they say at a time like this?

Go up and question them?

Or run away?

Qin Tianxiong and Tang De exchanged glances repeatedly, but in the end, they realized there was nothing they could do. They could only stand where they were.

Their faces stung as if they’d been slapped repeatedly.

"Wow, Senior Gao Neng is amazing!" A shriek from Class 1-3 finally broke the silence.

Then, the visiting all-girls high school contingent could no longer remain calm. One after another, the female high school students began popping up like bamboo shoots after a spring rain.

"So that’s Gao Neng? I heard he’s the number one academic prodigy at Third Senior High School. I never expected... not only are his grades good, but he’s also so handsome!"

"Wow, he really is handsome, and powerful too!"

"If it weren’t for the soot on his face... he’d probably be even more handsome, right?"

The high school girls’ eyes were filled with little red hearts.

Gao Neng was used to this.

He was born handsome. That was an established fact, no need to deny it. As an honest and trustworthy student, he disdained lying.

Of course, he could also choose to be low-key.

But that wasn’t his style. He had always believed in confronting challenges head-on. No matter how difficult the task, he would never back down.

Besides, with so many school leaders and people from the Military Department present, it was the perfect opportunity. He figured he could also use it to lock down a cash reward.

After all, on the way here, Shen Ning’Er had said she would reward him, but she hadn’t specified the amount. So, he decided to state it himself to save her the trouble of worrying about the sum.

"Principal Li, Principal Tang, Lieutenant Qin, you’re all here! I’ve performed such a great service this time, and the Military Department even mentioned a reward of one hundred thousand Alliance Coins!" Gao Neng added with a blink.

"Ahem..." Li Qingping coughed heavily, glancing at Tang De, then at Qin Tianxiong, and finally at Shen Ning’Er who was standing below the stage. "Gao Neng... why don’t you take a seat first? Today’s matter might be a bit..."

"The Military Department isn’t going to go back on its word, is it?" Gao Neng looked toward Shen Ning’Er.

"The Military Department will naturally honor its commitments!" Shen Ning’Er nodded, but her gaze was fixed intently on Qin Tianxiong and Tang De. "You’ve performed a great service. The Military Department will not only give you a one-hundred-thousand-Alliance-Coin reward, but we will also record ’Merit Points’ for you. Since so many people are here today, why don’t we take this opportunity to hold an awards ceremony for Student Gao Neng?"

"An awards ceremony? This is great!" Gao Neng was a little incredulous.

Li Qingping, on the other hand, was momentarily confused. What was Shen Ning’Er trying to do? ’Could it be that Gao Neng really did wipe out over two hundred ruthless bandits, defeat several Energy Warriors, and an Angel? No way!’

"Does Principal Li have any objections?" Shen Ning’Er asked with a smile.

"I... Heh, of course not," Li Qingping said, shaking his head.

"And what about Principal Tang and Lieutenant Qin?" Shen Ning’Er continued.

"Shen Ning’Er!!!" Qin Tianxiong finally couldn’t take it anymore. He knew what she was planning. "Shen Miaoxiao, even if you are a Major and your rank is higher than mine, the Military Department’s rewards aren’t for you to decide alone! Besides..."

"Besides what?" Shen Ning’Er’s expression was calm.

"Besides, I was the one leading this mission! Today we are holding a college entrance exam analysis assembly, not some awards ceremony! Furthermore, Principal Li’s position was officially revoked just moments ago. Principal Tang is now the principal of Third Senior High School! And..."

"And the inspection committee, correct?"

"That’s right! I have official appointment documents from the Federation Government in my possession. This matter has already been approved by the higher-ups. You have no right to change anything!" Qin Tianxiong said coldly.

"Appointment documents from the Federation Government? Lieutenant Chen, show him the documents." Shen Ning’Er had no intention of arguing with Qin Tianxiong. She simply turned and glanced at Lieutenant Chen behind her.

"Yes, ma’am!"

Lieutenant Chen nodded and pulled a stack of documents from his uniform. "These are the latest documents issued by the Federation’s Supreme Council. Lieutenant Qin, you can take a look. It’s written very clearly: from June 15th to July 15th, all affairs in the Forgotten Land are to be handed over to Major Shen Ning’Er, who will be in full charge.

There is also this document concerning the revocation of Lieutenant Qin Tianxiong’s military rank. It was officially issued two days ago, also directly from the Federation’s Supreme Council.

This last document was just issued. It concerns the operational arrangements of the inspection committee. Qin Tianxiong, you no longer hold a military rank. Do you still need to see it?"

"..."

Qin Tianxiong’s face was ashen.

His eyes were fixed on the documents in Lieutenant Chen’s hands, the veins on his temples bulging. ’Have I lost? To Shen Ning’Er, of all people?’

"I don’t accept this! I have official documents from the Federation Government! Everything I did was for the Alliance, for the Federation Government! You can’t do this to me! I did nothing wrong! I did nothing wrong!!!"

Qin Tianxiong’s breathing was ragged and his fists were clenched so tightly it seemed he might lash out at any moment.

"Qin Tianxiong, you are right in a way. Your intention was to serve the Alliance and the Federation Government. But have you ever considered if anyone is serving the Forgotten Land?" Shen Ning’Er said calmly.

"Serve the Forgotten Land? HAHAHA... What have the refugees of the Forgotten Land done to deserve the Alliance’s service? They are degenerate, useless, and hedonistic! All they know is how to accept the status quo and wait for death while living off handouts!

Shen Ning’Er, you’re a soldier too!

You should know how many Warriors the Military Department has sacrificed on the front lines! Do you have any idea how many times I, Qin Tianxiong, have been wounded on the battlefield?

So many Warriors have fallen! Do you know how much their death benefits cost?

And what are this bunch of refugees in the Forgotten Land doing?

They’re just a bunch of Vampires! The Alliance already provides them with food. Do they really expect to get more benefits from the Alliance? Shouldn’t they be contributing something to the Alliance?! Even if it’s just a little bit of manual labor!"

Qin Tianxiong’s eyes were bloodshot, and he was nearly hysterical.

"Qin Tianxiong! You only see the sacrifices the Military Department is making on the outside. But do you know who bought time for the Alliance’s massive retreat from the Forgotten Land after the great war back then?"

Shen Ning’Er’s fists tightened slightly. "It was them! The unsung heroes of the Forgotten Land!! These people left no names behind. They received no benefits. They were even called cowards by the people of the Alliance!

When the Alliance retreated from the Forgotten Land, there were over seventy million people left. But now? There aren’t even ten million!

They were abandoned by the Alliance!

The people of the Alliance thought them cowards. The Alliance retreated, and they were spat on, cursed, left with nothing but the crudest of weapons.

But what did they face? Tens of thousands of pursuing troops!

They paid with their lives to successfully buy time for the Alliance’s retreat!

And how many resources did the Alliance take when it retreated? Did those resources truly belong to the Alliance?

Did you know that the Forgotten Land was once the Human Alliance’s City of Hope? A large portion of those resources was created by them.

You’re right. They are weak. They don’t dare to fight, don’t dare to contend. But they are also part of humanity. They are our brothers, our sisters!

Can we really abandon them?

We cannot!

The Alliance’s population is shrinking every year. The people of the Forgotten Land are people too! They are also part of humanity! They need help, not enslavement!

The sacrifice of cowards!

Is a sacrifice all the same!"

As Shen Ning’Er spoke these last words, her fists were clenched so tight her knuckles had turned white. She tilted her head up slightly, gazing at the sun that had risen higher in the sky.

"..."

"The sacrifice of cowards!"

"Is a sacrifice all the same!"

Shen Ning’Er’s voice echoed across the field.

Then, silence.

The students of the Forgotten Land—once self-deprecating, lawless, and always boisterous and unruly—were now completely quiet. Their gazes were focused, their chests heaved with emotion, and tears, rarely seen before, streamed down their faces.

The Alliance hadn’t abandoned them!

The Alliance hadn’t!

They were people, too. They were also members of the Alliance!

(A new day has begun! Keep those recommendation tickets coming! Handsome guys and beautiful girls, cast your votes!)