Chapter 2: This Is What a True Lone Warrior Looks Like-A Lone Hero Song Uncovers a Major Wa State Case(The jug is empty; not a drop of wine remains.)

Liu Lei was uncertain whether his mood would change after hearing the delivery man’s song. Yet, he knew that in his current state, boarding the ship was unwise. He needed to adjust his mindset. Perhaps listening to a song was a good choice. If his true intentions were discovered, all his previous efforts would be wasted. His comrades’ deaths would be in vain.

He recalled the steadfast gaze of his comrade before dying, and Liu Lei felt his whole body trembling. No, he could not allow his comrades to die in vain. Most importantly, he could not let the trail go cold. Far too many compatriots still needed his help.

Su Bai tapped open “The Lonely Brave,” now synced to his phone from the system.

The prelude began, a tense atmosphere rising around them. At that moment, Liu Lei felt his heart leap into his throat.

“All are brave—the wound on your forehead, your difference, your mistakes—none need be hidden. Your battered doll, your mask, your true self. They say you must carry the light, tame every monster. They say you must stitch up your wounds; nobody loves a clown. Why can’t solitude be glorious? Only imperfection is worthy of song. Who says those covered in mud aren’t heroes?”

Su Bai’s deep, resonant voice instantly captivated Liu Lei. The tense melody, paired with heavy lyrics, pulled him in completely.

Liu Lei suddenly remembered: they say you must carry the light and tame every monster. Yes, just as his comrade once said—the members of the XX fraud syndicate were all man-eating monsters. And they, the investigators, were the Ultramen, using their light to vanquish them. Back then, everyone laughed, but now, thinking back, the bitterness was overwhelming. The laughter was gone, but the monsters still roamed free.

One by one, his comrades fell, leaving cracks in Liu Lei’s once-unbreakable heart. But could he compromise? No. As the lyrics said, stitch up your wounds; nobody loves a clown. And what truly made this iron-willed man’s eyes grow moist was that final line: who says those covered in mud aren’t heroes!

Weren’t they covered in mud now? To infiltrate the XX syndicate, they wore the guise of “fraudsters.” They endured relentless online abuse. Yet, they all understood their duty. Even bearing infamy, it didn’t matter. For the light at the end, they were willing to endure. Even covered in mud, they were heroes—especially those who had died. In Liu Lei’s heart, they were heroes.

Will you go? Are you worthy? This ragged cloak,
Will you fight? Fight! With the humblest dream,
For the sobs and roars in the night,
Who says only those standing in the light are heroes?”

At the song’s first crescendo, Su Bai’s voice soared, unleashing all his emotion. His masterful singing was revealed in full.

At that moment, Su Bai recalled the missions of his past life.

He remembered his comrade smiling and waving at him, then suddenly charging toward the enemy. Su Bai felt his heart ignite once more. That reckless courage was beautiful. Even battered and stumbling, his comrade dared to block the pitch-black barrel of a gun.

Hearing this, Liu Lei’s eyes instantly reddened. At the same time, his fighting spirit blazed up anew. These lyrics were born for them. Undercover in the fraud syndicate—wasn’t that walking alone through dark alleys? His comrades endured torture, never uttering a word; their refusal to kneel was impossible not to admire. So many nights faced with despair—when did they ever cry? To complete the mission, to rescue countless compatriots trapped in the XX syndicate, even in pain, they had to be strong. The hardships they faced did not allow tears.

Love your tattered clothes, daring to block the barrel of fate! Was it fate? No—it was the burden of responsibility on their shoulders. It was the faith of being a soldier of Great Xia.

Will you go? Go! Are you worthy? Worthy! Will you fight? Fight! With the humblest dream, for the sobs and roars in the night.

It ignited Liu Lei’s emotions to their peak! And that last line—who says only those standing in the light are heroes—broke his defenses completely. The emotions suppressed for years burst forth uncontrollably.

Who says only those standing in the light are heroes? What did this mean? It was recognition. Were they heroes? Yes, they were! In that moment, Liu Lei felt everything was worth it. Even in darkness, because of those words, his heart was ablaze with radiant light once more. The light of faith, the light of trust.

The melody continued.

“They say you must abandon your wildness, wipe away all dirt.
They say you must climb the steps, but the price is to bow your head.
Let me be unable to ride the wind,
You remain proud with lonely courage,
Who says contending with the ordinary is not heroic?”

Hearing the delivery man’s powerful voice, Liu Lei’s emotions flared again! The feelings he’d suppressed were released in full.

“Love you walking alone through dark alleys,
Love you never kneeling,
Love you facing despair,
Refusing to cry,
Love your tattered clothes,
Daring to block the barrel of fate,
Love you, so much like me,
With the same wounds.
Will you go? Are you worthy? This ragged cloak,
Will you fight? Fight! With the humblest dream,
For the sobs and roars in the night,
Who says only those standing in the light are heroes?”

As the familiar melody played again, Liu Lei couldn’t help but hum along. It seemed he hummed for himself—and for those comrades who had fallen before him.

He hummed for the countless comrades like himself, quietly giving their strength in the darkness. Even covered in “mud and grime,” even dwelling in darkness, they were all upright heroes!

“Love you walking alone through dark alleys,
Love you never kneeling,
Love you facing despair,
Refusing to cry,
Love your untamed origins,
A lifetime borrowing no one’s light,
You will build your city,
Upon the ruins.

Will you go? Go! With the humblest dream,
Will you fight? Fight! With the loftiest dream,
For the sobs and roars in the night,
Who says only those standing in the light are heroes.”

Now, as the same melody played, Liu Lei felt no heaviness in his heart. After releasing his emotions, his inner light burned boundlessly once more.

Unconsciously, tears streamed down Liu Lei’s cheeks. A city built upon ruins—wasn’t that the beautiful city forged by crushing the fraud syndicate with unyielding resolve? Even for those trapped in the XX syndicate, their world was shrouded in darkness. He would become the light they could borrow, the sword that would shatter the dark prison confining them.

Fight! Fight! Fight!

Even if walking alone through dark alleys.
Even if confronting despair.
Even with the most tattered cloak, he would cut through thorns.
He would be the dawn for those trapped in Great Xia!

“Thank you, thank you!”
“Your singing is truly magnificent!”

Facing Su Bai, Liu Lei bowed deeply. This bow represented himself and the countless deceived girls within the XX syndicate.

Su Bai hurriedly helped Liu Lei up. Liu Lei’s praise came from the heart. He could hardly believe that his tense, anxious heart could be calmed by a single song.

No longer turbulent—not because his heart was dead, but because it was resolute. He knew what he needed to do next. He knew his mission.

Now, Liu Lei was a blade, sheathed and ready. When drawn, nothing would stand in its way!

“May I know your name?”
“Su Bai.”
“Liu Lei.”
“If there’s another chance, I’ll be sure to have a drink with you!”

Su Bai nodded solemnly. Liu Lei gave Su Bai the most precise military salute. Su Bai returned it.

Then, Liu Lei turned resolutely and walked toward the ship moored at the dock!

Su Bai stood where he was, watching Liu Lei leave.

This was truly walking alone through dark alleys.

This was the lonely brave.