Chapter 682: Chapter 405: Surveillance of the Death Monarch
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"Of course," he muttered, "there’s no way to make someone accept the surveillance of the Death Monarch Yan Luo." A flicker of despair crossed his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure. His eyes, once filled with pain, now brimmed with determination. Turning to Yan Xiaobao, his expression became resolute. Grabbing the young man’s shoulders firmly, he said, "Tell me! Please tell me what I need to do to save her and bring her back. I’m willing to do anything to bring her back!" His words rushed out, stammering slightly, as he focused entirely on the information Yan Xiaobao was about to share. Witnessing Xu Biao’s desperation, which mirrored his state from earlier, a hint of mockery appeared on Yan Xiaobao’s face—a faint, sardonic smile. The two locked eyes for a moment before Yan Xiaobao sighed. He knew the man, having been told how critical rankings were, would dedicate himself to training. Yet, he felt this was preferable to letting his friend live the rest of his life consumed by guilt. "To enter the other world, one must become a God Expert," Yan Xiaobao stated bluntly, his words causing a slight shake in Xu Biao’s resolve, though it didn’t take long for Xu Biao’s determination to solidify again.
"Thank you for telling me," Xu Biao murmured softly. "I’ll forgive myself for a while. If I want even a chance at reaching God’s level before gaining a new life, I really need to start training."
Yan Xiaobao smiled faintly, leaning against the wall, his eyes following Xu Biao as he exited the room through the door on the opposite side. Having helped his friend made him feel good, but he stayed guarded. Deep inside, an eager anticipation sparked, something uncontrollable until he met Wang Julong again. Just thinking of her was enough to make his heart beat irregularly. When he turned, his eyes brimmed with longing. As he moved, he heard footsteps descending the stairs in the entry hall—located beside the office where he stood. Was it his Wang Julong? Leaving Xu Biao’s office where he had been working, Yan Xiaobao, Cai Jie, and the twins returned to the foyer near the stairwell. Yan Xiaobao heard soft steps on the stairs, and when he looked up and smiled, the expression revealed anticipation. But it wasn’t Wang Julong. In front of him stood a tall man. His hair was a deep azure; his eyes matched the blue of his hair. His skin was pale, tinged with a faint bluish hue. If anything, he seemed just as peculiar as Yan Xiaobao and Cai Jie.
Upon seeing Yan Xiaobao, the blue-haired figure paused mid-step. He widened his eyes, staring at the young man with white hair. Seeing Deng Wu for the first time in over a year, Yan Xiaobao couldn’t suppress a frown. Deng Wu was usually the clumsy, playful one among their group, but the man standing before him seemed far from amusing—he appeared utterly serious. Yet, looking deeply into his dark blue eyes, Yan Xiaobao finally caught a trace of the playful spirit he recognized as Deng Wu’s.
This young man, much like the Rong twins, no longer had the youthful look of a child. Instead, maturity marked him—a demeanor of responsibility, drawing Yan Xiaobao’s curiosity. It seemed that while they had been apart, he wasn’t the only one who had changed. Recalling his rebukes toward himself, Yan Xiaobao remembered he shouldn’t be surprised by such things—after all, it had been nearly two years since they fled the underground city. A year was consumed traversing tunnels, nearly another full year spent training alongside Wan Qiao, teaching the army to fight, and preparing for war. Though his friends might not have endured experiences as extreme as his, life remained relentless. And with life came complications—complications that had to be resolved to keep living.
"It’s been a while," Deng Wu said, speaking quicker than anyone present, his delicate smile giving away a hint of emotion. Descending the stairs faster than before, he approached Yan Xiaobao and pulled him into an embrace. "It’s great to see you safe and sound. How did you end up as the Great Marshall of the Beast Army?"
Yan Xiaobao dismissed the question entirely, staring blankly at Deng Wu for a few seconds before shaking his head with a faint smile. "How exactly did you find that out?" he asked, watching Deng Wu shrug as he glanced around. "Gao Yan knows everything," Deng Wu replied. "Ever since we arrived in the Capital, that guy has spent all his time in the prime spots. He’s done well with his worldwide information network. He’s got sources in every major city and even some smaller ones. When people fled the Imperial Capital, they brought stories of the Beast Army—and of the white-haired Demon Lord, deadly as a white funeral lily yet as dazzling as the midnight moon." Hearing Deng Wu’s words rendered Yan Xiaobao speechless. Although he had participated in the war, he hadn’t expected everyone to know of him.
"I told you they’ve been watching you," Cai Jie said with a grin, clearly pleased to see proof of his earlier claims. Hearing the golden-haired man speak, Yan Xiaobao snorted but chose not to argue. Now wasn’t the time for debates.
"This is troublesome," Yan Xiaobao muttered, scratching his chin thoughtfully. "Tonight, I’ve been invited to the City Lord’s mansion, and I accepted the invitation. Maybe he’s planning to kill us," he added calmly. Being the Great Marshall of the Beast Tribe was not something he wanted everyone to be aware of.