Xiao Xun steadied himself, a look of determination gradually appearing on his face. He announced loudly, “Everyone, we have just received news that the main force of the Scourge Legion has appeared on the wasteland a hundred miles away and will arrive soon. Outside Jettege City, scattered traces of Scourge Legion monsters have also begun to be discovered.”
Xiao Xun observed the varied expressions of the crowd. The catastrophe that had weighed on their hearts for days had finally arrived.
He raised his hands, and the clamor slowly subsided. Once the surroundings quieted, he continued, “Now that the great tribulation is upon us, the fate of all living beings rests on our battle against them. Everyone present is an ally and a capable general of Saint Roman. For our world, we must do our utmost. As the saying goes, heaven never closes all doors. Though they are rampant now, they surely cannot last long.”
After a moment of silence in the crowd, people began to speak, “His Highness Swen is right.”
As if spurred on, the crowd’s expressions gradually relaxed and brightened. After all, with Xiao Xun, a peerless strategist, leading them, and the Fearless Vanguard Regiment rushing to their aid, not to mention the continuous flow of troops and powerful armories from the capital of Saint Roman, there was no need to worry when seeing Xiao Xun’s confident demeanor.
Under the gaze of numerous officers from various departments, Xiao Xun smiled and exchanged a few words with them before returning to the private room of the conference room with Boto, Sancho, and Bai Yang.
Once out of everyone’s sight, Xiao Xun’s expression turned grave, as did Boto and Sancho’s. They walked into a secluded room, with Bai Yang following behind and closing the door.
Xiao Xun turned to Bai Yang and said, “Tell me the detailed situation.”
Bai Yang nodded. “Yes. I personally saw a Destroyer. Judging by its appearance, it is very similar to the Shura Destroyer, one of the thirteen demonic beasts among the arrogant kings, as rumored these days.”
Xiao Xun exchanged glances with the other two masters; their faces were all solemn. Bai Yang said gravely, “Furthermore, scouts from the surrounding territories report scattered Scourge Legion soldiers outside the city, with the densest concentration to the northwest, about two hundred miles away. However, those who scouted beyond two hundred miles have not returned with any news of them.”
As Bai Yang spoke, his face gradually saddened. Xiao Xun’s expression was grim, and Sancho sighed beside him.
Xiao Xun pondered for a moment, then nodded. He said to Bai Yang, “It seems there is no mistake. Zhenhun himself has come. Bai Yang.”
He looked at the person who had been with him the longest. “Go down the mountain again and notify all the scouts deployed in various places to retreat. Keep the perimeter within a hundred miles of Jettege. Remember to warn them not to overstep their boundaries for reconnaissance, nor to engage the Scourge Legion, to avoid any accidents.”
Bai Yang nodded, then seemed to recall something. “Sir, what about the civilians in Jettege City?”
Xiao Xun fell silent for a moment, then looked at Sancho. After all, he was the true master of this land. Sancho said lightly, “At this point, everything follows His Highness Swen’s lead. Please make your decision, Your Highness.”
Xiao Xun nodded slightly, as a sign of his gratitude, and then pondered for a moment. He said to Bai Yang, “This matter is indeed tricky, but Jettege City is too dangerous, and we are currently unable to protect the civilians. You must go into the city immediately and tell the civilians of Jettege City to head towards the southeast as soon as possible, at least to a location closer to the capital.”
Bai Yang was taken aback, but seeing Xiao Xun’s expressionless face, he eventually nodded silently and whispered, “Yes.”
Xiao Xun said, “There is one more thing. Quickly inform all the commanders, big and small, of the Spear of Vengeance to come to the grand conference room of the castle immediately. I need to see them urgently to discuss important matters.”
Bai Yang nodded. “Yes, I will go immediately.”
Xiao Xun sighed and said, “Be careful on your way. Go.”
Bai Yang nodded and vanished from his spot in an instant.
The rain had stopped for the time being, but the dark clouds in the sky remained low, layer upon layer, making it feel suffocating. The south gate of Jettege City was wide open, and countless civilians poured out of the city, heading south. Cries of sorrow echoed along the way. No one knew when they would be able to return once they left.
Bai Yang led the soldiers of the Spear of Vengeance in maintaining order, constantly comforting the anxious and panicked civilians. He repeatedly told those around him that this was only a temporary departure, and as long as they defeated the Scourge Legion in a few days and the catastrophe passed, everyone could return to their homes.
After a day of hard work, Bai Yang was hoarse and exhausted. He silently shook his head, looking at the slow-moving procession of people before him.
The soldiers of the Spear of Vengeance were half-dead with fatigue. Finally, as dusk approached, they had sent all the civilians from Jettege City onto the ancient road leading south. Simultaneously, scattered civilians from outside Jettege City gathered and headed south.
In just a day and a night, all the soldiers looked as if they had lost weight, appearing very tired, and their voices were almost hoarse when they spoke.
Suddenly, a scream echoed from a distance. Bai Yang was greatly alarmed. His hexagram flashed, and he instantly appeared at the source of the scream.
The sound came from the west gate of Jettege City. A few soldiers were conducting a final patrol there, but they were now tense and appeared to be facing a formidable enemy.
On the city wall, a ferocious wolf-like soldier, with fierce, piercing eyes, was growling lowly, staring into the distance.
The soldiers climbed onto the city wall and, following the wolf-man’s gaze, cried out in alarm, “Outside, outside…”
Their voices were filled with terror, and everyone’s heart seemed to leap into their throats as they simultaneously looked in that direction.
Beneath the vast expanse of dark clouds, on the horizon, a rumbling sound could be heard. Lightning, silent yet piercing the sky, illuminated the horizon. The earth trembled slightly.
Countless combat units of the Scourge Legion converged into an boundless, dark, terrifying tide, surging from afar. The heavens and the earth were filled with a grim肅殺 aura that, even from a great distance, assailed them.
This catastrophe had finally reached its most critical juncture!
After hearing Bai Yang’s urgent report, the grand conference room fell silent. No one spoke for a long time.
Silence enveloped everyone’s hearts. What was bound to come had finally arrived.
Xiao Xun slowly stood up, his face solemn. He said slowly, “Everyone, behind us are the people, and we have nowhere left to retreat. The fate of all living beings is sealed here. I have nothing more to say. Please return and fight the Scourge Legion to the death according to our agreed-upon strategy.”
The attendees exchanged glances. After a moment, they slowly stood up. Murmurs gradually filled the conference room, and amidst this low din, the officers filed out.
Xiao Xun watched them leave, then walked out of the conference room alone. He strolled to the balcony railing and gazed out. The sky was as dark as ink, the clouds heavy, with not a sliver of light visible. The mountain wind was like a knife, whistling and chilling the face.