68. The Greater Good
Chapter 68: The Greater Good
In the west of the city, an old, dilapidated mansion sat abandoned. Signs of fire marked the side rooms, and the courtyard pond was stagnant, overgrown with weeds and green moss. No one lived there anymore.
Inside the courtyard, Li Yuanzhao and others, dressed in dark uniforms, searched for signs of demons under Cui Fan's leadership. They carried their weapons, ready for any threat. However, it was clear that any demons had long since left, and their search yielded nothing.
Just as Cui Fan was about to call off the search, a gray sparrow flew in. Surprised, Cui Fan raised his hand, and the sparrow landed on it, a small scroll tied to its leg. Unrolling the note, Cui Fan's expression changed dramatically.
"What's wrong?" Yu Wei asked from nearby, noticing his reaction.
Cui Fan clenched the paper, his face grave. "The patrol mission is over. We just got word that demons are attacking the city. We need to head to the city's western defense post to see how we're needed."
"Demons attacking the city?"
Everyone was stunned, shocked by the news. Even those living deep within the country knew how severe a demon attack could be.
"Then let's go!" Li Yuanzhao was the first to react, urging them to move.
Cui Fan's expression was conflicted, unable to comprehend how demons could be attacking. Was the intelligence exaggerated? They could only head west and see for themselves.
"Let's move," he ordered, leading the way.
Suddenly, two figures flew in from above, landing swiftly. They rushed toward them, one after the other.
"Qianqian!"
"Yuanzhao!"
It was Wei Feng and Li Fu, both aware of the demon assault and the massing demon fog from the north. The situation was dire.
"Uncle Wei?" Ren Qianqian was surprised, not expecting Uncle Wei to follow her.
Her mind was sharp, and she quickly guessed he must have secretly followed to protect her. This realization made her frown slightly, feeling a bit helpless. She was out here to train, yet her father couldn't let go. How could she become independent like this?
"Uncle Fu?"
Li Yuanzhao was also surprised, quickly understanding that Uncle Fu was worried about Li Hao.
"Where is Hao'er?" Li Fu looked around, not seeing Li Hao, and asked urgently.
Li Yuanzhao replied honestly, "Brother Hao ate too much at lunch and went to the toilet."
"That guy, of all times to be absent…" Li Fu said, feeling both anxious and frustrated.
Cui Fan, observing the two powerful figures, quickly realized they were the protectors of these youngsters. He couldn't help but feel a tinge of envy and spoke respectfully:
"Esteemed elders, we've just received news of a demon attack. Is it true?"
"Don't you trust your city's intelligence?" Li Fu snapped, a bit annoyed.
Cui Fan felt embarrassed, realizing the information was indeed true. This was an event unseen in a hundred years.
"Is there really a demon attack? How many are there?" Ren Qianqian asked urgently.
Li Yuanzhao and the others were also deeply concerned.
Wei Feng sighed. "These demons have been planning for a while. It's just bad timing that you all came now. Qianqian, come back with me. I can get you out of the city safely."
Ren Qianqian shook her head. "I'm not leaving. I came here to train, and this is a rare opportunity. Uncle Wei, can't you repel the demons with your strength? You're at the Fifteen Li Realm, enough to guard a city!"
Wei Feng's face was complex. "In that demon fog, I sensed a deep and powerful demonic aura, likely another Fifteen Li Realm being, and a strong one at that. Whether there are other hidden demons is unknown. If I were alone, I'd take the risk, but with you here…"
"Don't worry about me. I can take care of myself," Ren Qianqian insisted.
Wei Feng shook his head. "There are too many demons. I promised your master to protect you."
"Uncle Wei, how could you…" Ren Qianqian said, exasperated.
Beside them, Li Fu listened to Wei Feng's words, his expression complicated. He told Li Yuanzhao, "Find your brother Hao and stay together. Don't go anywhere. I'll send a message home immediately. Unfortunately, this is the Xia family's territory, but I can't worry about overstepping. I must head north to help; otherwise, the city might fall."
He turned to Wei Feng. "Brother Wei, please look after the two young members of my Li family. We'll remember this kindness."
Wei Feng, seeing the sincerity, nodded. Gaining the Li family's gratitude was indeed a rare opportunity. Watching over a few youngsters was manageable.
"Are you sure you want to go north to face the enemy?" Wei Feng asked.
"As part of a military family, fleeing from demons isn't an option. Although this is the Xia family's jurisdiction, I can't stand by if I'm here!" Li Fu declared solemnly.
Wei Feng's gaze was respectful. "Brother Li, your righteousness is commendable. Go with peace of mind. As long as I live, I'll protect them!"
"Good, with your promise, I'm reassured." Li Fu nodded.
Having a Fifteen Li Realm protector was safer than anything else. He instructed Li Yuanzhao, "Be obedient. Don't go anywhere. Find Hao'er!"
With Li Yuanzhao nodding firmly, Li Fu launched himself into the distance, heading north.
Wei Feng watched him go, then turned to Li Yuanzhao. "Let's find your brother."
Li Yuanzhao, now worried for Li Hao, nodded quickly but glanced at Cui Fan.
Cui Fan smiled wryly. "Shall we meet up first, then check the west?"
Wei Feng shook his head. "Defending the city is your business. I'm only responsible for protecting our young miss and the Li family's young master. I won't involve myself in anything else. As for their assessment credits, do as you see fit."
He emphasized the word "as you see fit," making his stance clear.
He was not Li Fu, bound by the duty of a military family, and was free to come and go as he pleased.
Cui Fan was speechless, quickly agreeing. "The patrol task is over. Their performance was excellent, and I'll score them fairly. But…"
Wei Feng was ready to retort, thinking Cui Fan was trying to bind him to the city, when Ren Qianqian shouted, "Uncle Wei, I want to defend the city. I won't let these people be harmed by demons!"
"Young Miss!" Wei Feng's face changed.
Ren Qianqian drew her sword, placing it against her arm, staring solemnly at Wei Feng.
"Uncle Wei, if you dare knock me out and take me away, I'll cut off my arm when I wake!"
"Young Miss…" Wei Feng's heart clenched, knowing she was inexperienced and still soft-hearted, but this was too stubborn.
He sighed. "Fine, I'll check the situation with you. If it's bad, you must listen to me. Otherwise, I'll take you back to the mountain and let your master deal with you."
Ren Qianqian's expression changed slightly, but she nodded. "Deal!"
With their agreement made, they left the mansion quickly, heading back to the Demon Suppression Division.
But the headquarters was already deserted, save for one guard. They learned that the division members had gone to different parts of the city under the command of the defense troops.
"Hao! Hao!"
Li Yuanzhao called for Li Hao, searching for him but to no avail.
At the same time, yellow smoke rose from the city walls.
This was a signal of battle.
Ren Qianqian's face turned pale. "We're out of time. Let's go to the west. Uncle Wei, can you use your spirit to find Li Hao?"
Wei Feng nodded, though not too worried. The senior Li family member hadn't appeared yet, suggesting there was still protection in place. If that powerful figure, who could easily kill two Fifteen Li Realm flood dragons, were willing to act, the city's demon trouble could be resolved.
Under Wei Feng and Cui Fan's guidance, they headed to the western city wall. Wei Feng displayed his strength, and under the courteous invitation of the defense troop leader, they ascended the wall.
As soon as they reached the top, they saw the vast wilderness outside teeming with demons.
The demons rushed out from the distant forests, seemingly joining forces with the northern ones to assault the city.
"So many demons!"
Seeing the horde, Li Yuanzhao and Ren Qianqian's faces turned pale.
It was no wonder. Even the seasoned city defense soldiers were trembling, their hearts racing.
The charging demons numbered in the thousands, huge and terrifying, some rolling through the air as demon fog.
The sight was truly chaotic, like a demon carnival.
The sharp, eerie laughter made many feel their skin crawl.
"Uncle Wei, have you found Hao?"
Li Yuanzhao, his face pale, asked Wei Feng urgently.
Wei Feng was about to answer when he suddenly turned, spotting two figures approaching swiftly, one behind the other.
Seeing the youth in the dark uniform at the front, Wei Feng was momentarily stunned.
If he wasn't mistaken, the boy was the young man from the Divine General's Mansion he had been following!
And yet, the youth was flying?!
In Wei Feng's astonished gaze, Li Hao, along with the Yue Shuhong, came flying through the air.
Li Hao also noticed Li Yuanzhao and the others and smoothly descended in front of them.