Afterimages surged.
Before leaving, Chen Yu prepared several hundred more magic cloaks for Mi Ye to use as replacements. Perhaps the cloaks’ disguise would lose its effectiveness in the city compared to the wilderness, but this was the most Chen Yu could do for her.
He understood and deeply empathized with Mi Ye’s words.
Yet, this couldn't change his mind. He wouldn't let himself fall into such a dangerous vortex.
Even so, as he watched Mi Ye’s retreating, extraordinary figure.
Chen Yu couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion.
He envied her.
He envied Mi Ye for being able to cast aside her burdens and pursue what her heart desired.
He wondered when he would be able to do the same.
Leaning against the tree trunk, Chen Yu gazed in the direction Mi Ye had left. Amidst his reflections, he also prayed for Mi Ye’s safe escape from the city.
Lanfeng City was, at this moment, an abyss infested with monsters.
Giants were still sweeping the area outside the city, but they showed no interest in the ancient tree where Chen Yu was. This allowed Chen Yu to remain here peacefully, waiting for Mi Ye while attending to other matters.
Among these, the most important was Free Town.
Not long ago, Suona had wanted him back in the city to oversee matters, but the sudden turn of events in Fengqi City made it impossible for him to leave Fengqi City even a step.
Lanfeng City was destroyed.
No one knew which city would be the next to be suddenly attacked by monsters.
After a quick scan,
Confirming no monster activity in the vicinity, Chen Yu immediately sent a video call invitation to Kailin.
Almost instantly, Kailin’s projection appeared before him.
“Camp Commander.”
“Have you returned?”
In the projection, Kailin’s eyes were filled with anticipation. It was evident she was handling official business, but the moment she spoke, she rose, preparing to walk out of the office area.
“Kailin, I haven’t returned to the city.”
Seeing Kailin’s excited reaction, Chen Yu, despite his reluctance, spoke the truth.
“There was a sudden incident in Fengqi City.”
Kailin, who had already risen from her seat and walked to the office door, slowly released her hand from the doorknob.
The unconcealable loneliness in her eyes met Chen Yu’s gaze.
“I see.” Kailin gave a wry smile and pursed her lips. “It’s alright, if there’s an emergency in Fengqi City, Commander, just resolve it and come back. No rush.”
“I won’t be able to return for a while.”
“What?!”
Suddenly, a cry came from the office, and Suona’s figure instantly appeared within the projection.
“Chen Yu, you’re not coming back?”
“Sister Suona, you’re here too.” Chen Yu whispered solemnly. “At first, I was planning to return, but there were suddenly signs of demon activity in Fengqi City. Lanfeng City has already fallen, and I can’t leave the city now. Even if I wanted to, I would need to fight my way through the monster encirclement.”
“Demons?”
Suona’s brows furrowed in the projection.
“Why would demons suddenly appear in your territory? This is a human empire, isn’t it? There’s the Mermaid Empire between the demon race and the human and beast races. How did they infiltrate?”
Suona remained silent, her brows tightly knit.
Chen Yu knew she wasn't asking him but rather questioning herself.
“What is the Holy Church doing?”
After a long period of frowning, Suona suddenly looked up.
“Then you need to stay in Fengqi City, and it will be impossible to handle things properly in a short time?”
“Something like that, I suppose.”
With the sudden demon attack, no one knew their exact purpose, nor how long it would last. Moreover, one could not sleep soundly with enemies nearby. With demons in the territory, Chen Yu couldn’t feel at ease, no matter what.
If the demon issue wasn’t resolved, Chen Yu found it hard to rest.
“If that’s the case, then focus on handling matters in Fengqi City,” Suona said softly after a moment of contemplation. “It’s just that I feel…”
“I feel the same way.”
Before Suona could finish, Chen Yu nodded in agreement.
“The sudden appearance of demons causing trouble in Fengqi City makes me feel it might be related to our Free Town, though I don't know if I'm being overly suspicious.”
“There is indeed such a possibility,” Suona nodded.
This was precisely what she had wanted to say. The demons in Fengqi City had appeared too suddenly. Just as she had contacted Chen Yu to ask him to return, Fengqi City suddenly experienced demon activity.
It was all too coincidental.
No matter how one looked at it, it seemed like someone was deliberately orchestrating it from the shadows.
Within Free Town, the situation was already turbulent.
“Regardless of whether it’s a delusion or not, I can’t return to Free Town anytime soon, but I’ve already sent the little demon back to the city,” Chen Yu said with a focused gaze. “She’s been traveling for three days, and with her strength, she should reach Free Town shortly. With her and you overseeing things, plus Kailin managing the city, I can feel a bit more at ease.”
“You… you sent Barbara back?”
“Yes, is there a problem?”
The little demon’s combat power was absolutely trustworthy. With her overseeing Free Town, Chen Yu felt it was no different from him going to Free Town himself.
If she were to get serious, Chen Yu estimated he wouldn't be her match. The only difference might be that Barbara's approach to certain matters would be more direct and perhaps rougher, not as comprehensive as Chen Yu's.
But after all, she was once a great demon king.
She understood some contingency plans.
“Oh dear, she’s returning to the city. I wonder if our city will be safer or more dangerous,” Suona sighed suddenly, pursing her lips.
???
Chen Yu was stunned by this remark.
“Why say that? Are you afraid the little demon has ties with the demons?”
“How is that possible.”
Suona immediately shook her head and said.
“No one hates demons more than Barbara, so there’s absolutely no possibility of her contacting them. I mean, if she really needs to fight, her combat style is rather brutal, with a wide area of effect. It’s highly possible that our Free Town will also be affected. Back then, her Demon King’s Bastion…”
“Suo—na!”
An eerie whisper suddenly echoed from the office. Suona turned her head in the projection and saw the little demon crossing her arms, narrowing her eyes at her.
“How are you so fast!” Suona exclaimed in shock.
“If I hadn’t come back sooner, would I not have heard you speaking ill of me behind my back?” the little demon sneered, her eyes narrowed. “You people of the Holy Church are all hypocrites, doing nothing but gossiping behind people’s backs.”
Pouting indignantly, the little demon thrust her face into the projection.
“Chen Yu, I’ve arrived. Leave everything to me.”
“Please do.” Chen Yu whispered. The little demon responded with a grunt and directly cut off the call. Before hanging up, Chen Yu vaguely heard a cry.
Perhaps Suona’s shout?
“Help, Chen Yu… hurry and help!!!”
While Chen Yu was still in doubt, a cry for help reached his ears. This plea was clearly not coming from the disconnected projection. He abruptly turned his head and saw Mi Ye frantically sprinting towards him.
“Chen Yu!!! Help!!!”