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Chapter 473: Chapter 469 Attack on the Demon Territory
"Ten million people!?"
Zhao Yushu couldn’t help but exclaim in shock upon hearing what Qi Sheng said.
"Ten million people is one thing, but do you know how close the nearest city, Liuhuo City, is to Chi Long Territory from the Outer Ring Thirty-Six Cities?"
Qi Sheng’s tone carried deep sarcasm, "Six thousand li! Chi Long Territory is only six thousand li away from Liuhuo City!"
"Six thousand li!?"
This number...
Not to mention Zhao Yushu, even Gu Jinlai was somewhat startled.
Only six thousand li away from Liuhuo City!
This distance... was too close!
Although the radiation range of each city was only one thousand li, basically, each city had to clear out the Devils within a radius of ten thousand li.
Halving ten thousand li was five thousand li.
This distance, in terms of the flight speed of the Marching Bird, would take less than a day.
In such a place that was only a day’s journey away, Devils were confining over ten million humans...
This piece of news, Liuhuo City, being the closest, could not possibly be unaware of.
Yet they still watched this scene unfold...
"Is Chi Long Territory very strong?"
Gu Jinlai asked.
"We’ve used the Heavenly Chaos Pearl to scout more than once, even losing two True Disciples, and although we dare not claim our scouting results to be one hundred percent accurate, within Chi Long Territory, there are only four Demon Emperors, the strongest of which is merely at the level of a Top Demon Emperor."
Qi Sheng said gravely, "Aside from Demon Emperors, there are also about forty Demon Kings, and over half a million Devils."
The strength of Demon Emperors was comparable to that of Saints.
A Top Demon Emperor was at the level of a Top Saint, which, when translated to Martial Saint, meant a Peak Martial Saint.
That was his current level.
A territory with only four Demon Emperors, around forty Demon Kings, and a few hundred thousand Devils could be completely swept away by the forces of Liuhuo City.
But they remained indifferent.
"We once sought help in Liuhuo City, and as one of the top ten True Disciples, Liu Feihua visited City Lord Wu Yan of Liuhuo City. However, what awaited us was nearly being utterly encircled and captured by Liuhuo City afterward."
Qi Sheng spoke with pain in his voice, "They greedily set their eyes on the many treasures we brought from Li Yang Cave Heaven, directly attacked us, and had it not been for Senior Sister Liu’s warning from the vast energy wave created by burning herself with a Forbidden Technique and the Mysterious Heavenly Chaos Pearl, we would likely have died in that battle."
"Yet even so, out of the seventeen survivors, only eight remained after experiencing that turn of events. Later, when we planned to use our own strength to rescue those confined by Li Yang Cave Heaven, we lost two more in our investigations."
Qi Yunxiao added with a desolate expression, "Our group is now down to just six people."
"So, after approaching you for help, not only did Liuhuo City’s Lord fail to aid you in eliminating the Devils from Chi Long Territory just six thousand li away, but he also coveted the treasures on you and intended to ensnare you all?"
Gu Jinlai inhaled deeply as he asked.
Qi Sheng and Qi Yunxiao nodded profoundly.
Among them, Qi Yunxiao even let out a self-deprecating laugh, "We were too naive. During this time, we have also reviewed a lot of information. In Liuhuo City, there are often cases of missing persons, and some families and powers are expelled from Liuhuo City for certain offenses. Those who are expelled are one thing, but the whereabouts of the missing persons, we have more or less found out."
"Chi Long Territory!?"
Zhao Yushu found it somewhat incredible.
"What else do you think could sustain a population of over ten million there?"
Qi Yunxiao glanced at her.
"But... but with so many people missing, doesn’t anybody care? Their families, their friends, won’t they report it? If no one cares, they could make a big deal out of it..."
"Care? Report? Make a big deal out of it?"
Qi Yunxiao spoke with a sense of resignation, "Whether it’s Liuhuo City or Wind and Rain City, including Hai Feng City, what’s the most important indicator for these cities? It’s stability! They absolutely do not permit any kind of societal panic to arise! If someone really dares to make a big deal out of it, regardless of whether they have a reason, what awaits them is definitely only death! Because, what they’re doing is going against the ’stability’ demanded from above!"
He said with scorn, "What do you think, is it more important to help ordinary people solve problems, or is it more important to suppress everything to maintain a facade of peaceful prosperity to keep his position secure?"
"A facade of peaceful prosperity..."
Zhao Yushu struggled to accept what Qi Yunxiao had said.
She knew that the competition between powers in Wind and Rain City was fierce; she wasn’t naive enough to imagine the world was truly at peace.
But...
She had always assumed it was only those working at the mid to lower levels who were abusing their power, being corrupt and bullying others.
However, she couldn’t have imagined that even those standing at the highest level, like the City Lords, could be...
"How could this be?"
Zhao Yushu felt deeply powerless for a moment.
If the behavior at the mid and lower levels was bad, but even the ruling class was the same...
Is there any hope for Wind and Rain City?
In Zhao Yushu’s moment of despair and confusion, Gu Jinlai suddenly said, "The situation isn’t that bad yet."
He chuckled lightly, "At least, I don’t think the situation in Wind and Rain City is that bad yet."
"But..."
Zhao Yushu looked up at Gu Jinlai.
"It’s okay, no matter how unrestrained they are, they still have to worry about the law. Remember, I am the Zone Leader of Wind and Rain City’s Outer City District. I will gradually change the atmosphere in Wind and Rain City. Whoever commits bad deeds, I will bring them to justice according to the law, judge them on the spot, and replace them with those who care about the future, care for the people, and follow the law," Gu Jinlai said with a smile.
"Senior... What if... What if Zhao Cheng’s City Lord of Wind and Rain City is like City Lord Wu of Liuhuo City..."
Zhao Yushu’s face, still showing signs of youth, was filled with worry.
"I said it."
Gu Jinlai smiled and stroked her hair, "Those who commit wrongdoings will be brought to justice by the law, and replaced with more suitable individuals. We must trust in the law and not lose hope in the world just because of the beastly acts of some."
The law!
These two words finally brought a bit of spirit back to Zhao Yushu.
Indeed.
Even though some people, including some as high up as City Lords, have become greedy and corrupt, the laws laid down by His Majesty the Emperor of the Holy Dynasty still stand.
From this perspective, His Majesty the Emperor and those standing at the very top are still good.
As long as the ruling class of the Holy Dynasty hasn’t become completely rotten, there is still hope for the Holy Dynasty; the Human Clan will surely defeat the devils.
Qi Yunxiao, who was by the side, couldn’t help thinking about adding something after hearing what Gu Jinlai said.
But at this moment, Qi Sheng pulled him and gave him a subtle shake of the head.
Seeing this, Qi Yunxiao was somewhat puzzled, but in the end, he said nothing more.
At this time, after consoling Zhao Yushu and helping her to regain her calm, Gu Jinlai also turned his gaze to Qi Sheng, "The matter of Li Yang Cave Heaven, I will take care of it."
Upon hearing these words, both became excited.
"That’s great... our people are in Liuhuo City..."
"Then let’s go to Liuhuo City,"
said Gu Jinlai.
Rescuing people is as urgent as fighting a fire.
Having promised Qi Sheng and Qi Yunxiao to rescue the people from Li Yang Cave Heaven, he naturally intended to take action as soon as possible.
Otherwise, given their status as captives...
An accident might happen any day.
Right.
All this had nothing to do with that Storage Ring, Dao Artifact, Void Immortal Inheritance, or Great Divine Power.
"Senior brother, when we left Wind and Rain City, we said we’d be gone for a few days to hunt down the remnants of the Ouyang family... If we are to be away longer, should we inform the Zone Master Mansion?"
Zhao Yushu said.
"No need to worry."
Although Gu Jinlai did not fully trust Ding Zhongyuan’s words, he could still see some signs.
The top levels of Wind and Rain City allowing him to become the District Chief of the Outer City certainly harbored the intention of using him as a knife to achieve their goals.
With that factor present, before he could clean up the Outer City District, he did not have to worry about any major consequences.
He then said, "I will send a message back to Qiao Muqi."
After speaking, he turned to Qi Sheng, "Whatever you need to prepare, do it quickly. The military values divine speed. I do not wish to waste too much time in this campaign against the demon territory."
Qi Sheng was momentarily taken aback by Gu Jinlai’s words, "We... launch a direct attack without gathering forces to prepare?"
As he spoke, he quickly added, "I am not doubting the capability of the Ancient Martial Saint, it’s just that... apart from the four Demon Emperors, there are also tens of thousands of Demon Kings and a demon army of several hundred thousand."
Whether they be Saints or Martial Saints, using Divine Skills rapidly depletes their strength.
Therefore, when facing tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of devils alone, even the strongest individual would be drained of their strength and forced to retreat.
If they retreat, it would be tantamount to giving up halfway. At that time, under the revenge of the devils, tens of millions of people may not survive a single one.
"Though the devils are numerous, I have my methods,"
Gu Jinlai said calmly.
Then he looked at Qi Sheng, "You can choose whether or not you want me to take action."
"We..."
Qi Sheng struggled with his expression.
Tens of thousands of devils...
But even if it truly wasn’t possible to save those tens of millions of humans from tens of thousands of devils, rescuing the survivors of Li Yang Cave Heaven would be a significant progress.
With this thought, Qi Sheng nodded firmly, "I will go and gather the others immediately. Although we are few in number, we will still do everything we can to contribute our strength to this great battle."
Gu Jinlai said, "Go ahead."
Although Qi Sheng and the others were of average ability, after conquering the Chi Long Territory, they would be a good choice for clearing the battlefield and tallying the spoils of war.
As for how exactly to contend with the tens of thousands of devils...
Yes!
Ordinary Saints, Devas...
Especially Martial Saints and Martial Kings, their release of Companion Divine Power is accompanied by significant consumption. When their strength is insufficient, they can only choose to retreat.
There have been multiple historical instances where Martial Saints who were not adept at flying were surrounded and killed by sheer numbers of devils.
But...
Gu Jinlai felt the surging and powerful Qi of the Eternal Furnace within him.
Ever since his Golden Technique reached Perfection, he had not experienced a lack of energy.
He did not believe tens of thousands of devils could deplete the energy of his Eternal Furnace.
After all...
In the face of that kind of energy, devils, Demon Generals, Demon Marshals, and even Demon Kings, would not be any different from ordinary beasts.
In the face of a nuclear explosion, all beings are equal.
