Chapter 256: Mr. Xia, I’ve Decided!
White Emperor City was magnificent yet desolate. Its towering walls stretched into the sky, but their surfaces were covered in dried, bloody stains, exuding a solemn killing intent.
“Regarding the fact that the White Egret Campaign ended thirty years ago, I implore the three of you to keep it a secret,” the leading red-armored veteran, Li Zaishi, quietly instructed Xia Feng and his companions.
The city gates were wide open. Through his Eye of Deconstruction, Xia Feng easily saw the desolate scene within. Crumbling walls and ruins, it was an empty city, devoid of life.
However, the blood-colored earth mounds stirred, and dirt was pushed aside as hunched figures, their faces caked with mud, emerged from underground. In total, there were about four hundred of them. Each one had white hair, sunken eye sockets and cheekbones, and wrinkled skin. Their armor was tattered. Only the sabers at their waists remained consistently bright. They gripped their hilts, their eyes sharp as they stared at the newcomers entering the city.
Li Zaishi raised his hand, signaling them, and they finally removed their hands from their sabers, but their vigilance did not dissipate. The entire city was filled with white-haired soldiers. Fourth-stage Spirit Masters had lifespans of at least three hundred years, and this could be extended further with Life Fruits. However, due to constant exposure to high concentrations of Calamity Force, even with anti-calamity armor, it couldn’t prevent the force from slowly penetrating and altering them. Coupled with occasional injuries, these veterans, despite being in their prime by Spirit Master standards, now looked ancient. They estimated that after a few more years of fighting, they would die from their bodies simply giving out, without any enemy even attacking the city. Nevertheless, they were all true heroes.
“The city has over four hundred soldiers. Including women, children, and artisans unable to fight, the total is five hundred and twelve. This is the result of thirty years of fierce battle,” Lin Musen said, his gaze deepening and his heart filled with emotion as he listened to Li Zaishi’s explanation of the city’s situation. These old soldiers had received no news from the outside world, and it was unclear what belief had sustained them to hold out this long. The only news they had received was twenty years ago from a soldier who suddenly arrived on the island, claiming the White Egret Campaign was still ongoing and urging the White Emperor City defenders to hold on, as they were the key to the entire battle. After delivering this message, the soldier quickly died. Xia Feng suspected this soldier was sent by the enemy to deceive them. As for the purpose of the deception, it seemed like raising a poison. Those familiar with raising poisons know that to cultivate a poison king, the competing insects must be numerous, their toxins potent, and their nature ferocious. Thus, to make the insects fight more fiercely and with more hope, someone was sent in to tell them the Empire still needed them, and victory was just around the corner if they held on a little longer.
“The three of you don’t actually need to enter the city. We are men destined to die, and those Nightmare Clan members will not spare us,” Li Zaishi said, looking back. “But you are different. You are outsiders, and they are unaware of your existence. You can still leave now.”
Since they had voluntarily followed, Xia Feng had no intention of leaving. Moreover, he was worried about how to find the Origin Water and waiting for the enemy to come to them was perfect. As for Lin Musen, he was already being hunted by Half-dragons and had nowhere to run. Furthermore, since they had arrived at White Emperor City, he wanted to investigate the forces behind the Garden and their connection to White Emperor City. He also doubted the truth of White Emperor City’s rebellion; he found it hard to believe that anyone in the Empire would commit such a heinous act. Perhaps White Emperor City had indeed defected, and these remaining soldiers were simply struggling to survive? Thinking this, Lin Musen narrowed his eyes and suddenly asked in a deep voice, “In these thirty years, has no one defected?”
The red-armored veteran gave him a faint look and scoffed, “Over the years, the one hundred thousand troops have either died in battle, succumbed to calamity, or even committed suicide under immense pressure. Indeed, some soldiers actively defected. No one knows whether these defecting soldiers entered the Nightmare Realm or were killed.”
“But can the Empire condemn all one hundred thousand of us for treason based on a few defectors?!”
Lin Musen fell silent. Xia Feng, listening quietly, guessed that those who defected were likely treated as test subjects and couldn’t survive. Mu Qingtong, however, uncharacteristically spoke up, “Are you not afraid of death?”
“Death?” Li Zaishi exchanged glances with the veteran beside him and chuckled, “The soldiers remaining here have naturally despaired and felt disheartened. To have held on until now, perhaps speaking of a heart to serve the country is too broad, but as long as there are people in the city who need protecting, we still have hope, and can face death with righteous fervor.” Seeing their calm and fearless expressions, Mu Qingtong became thoughtful. These people might not be as powerful as the enemy, but in Xia Feng’s eyes, they were true powerhouses.
“The strong are fearless, perhaps that’s what you are,” Xia Feng murmured with a sigh.
“The strong are fearless…” Mu Qingtong looked up at the dim sky covered in gray mist. She had to admit that these ants were indeed worthy of admiration and the title of the strong.
“Mr. Xia.”
“Hmm?”
“I’ve decided. Some people deserve to die, and some people do not.” Her cool voice echoed in Xia Feng’s mind. Xia Feng looked up and glanced at her golden eyes, which were gazing thoughtfully at the sky. Though he didn’t know what Miss Mu was thinking at that moment, Xia Feng knew it was time for a major undertaking!
Next, Li Zaishi briefly introduced the origins of Xia Feng and his companions to the old soldiers in the city. To Xia Feng’s surprise, although Li Zaishi had instructed the three to keep the truth secret, after much hesitation, Li Zaishi himself revealed that the White Emperor City defenders were, in fact, the rebels spoken of in the world. The old soldiers and women and children in the city immediately erupted in an uproar, their already sallow faces going blank.
“Impossible!”
“Lord Li, how can you believe such nonsense! This Lin Musen must be a spy sent by the enemy!”
“Exactly! These three have not had their identities confirmed, how can you believe their words! How could the Empire possibly abandon us!” Voices of doubt rose continuously. Xia Feng naturally understood that no one would easily believe such a thing, which was why Xia Feng hadn’t revealed more of the truth. If he told these old soldiers that the dignitaries of the Empire had not only abandoned them but had also used their fervent patriotism for some unknown purpose, they might find it even more preposterous and refuse to believe it. Or rather, they would be unwilling to believe it. After all, sometimes living in an illusion is far happier than knowing the cruel truth.
At that moment, the ground rumbled, and fine gravel bounced as something approached. Everyone involuntarily turned their heads towards the city gate. “All forces, on alert!!” The sentry on the watchtower, possessing a spirit artifact similar to clairvoyance, shouted sternly, “Enemy attack!!”
