Chapter 220 - Speak of the Devil

Chapter 220: Chapter 207: Speak of the DevilAfter wandering around the town for a while, the old man didn’t feel like buying anything other than some essential living supplies, except for a jug of wine he purchased before visiting the elderly couple’s house.

"Are you here?" the old gentleman asked as he opened the door to take the old man’s wine. "Come in quickly."

"Sorry to bother you, sorry to impose," the old man said with clasped hands as he led Weiwei and Lu Hong inside. The three of them sat around the square table in the living room.

The old man poured a few cups of water and said with a smile, "The dumplings have just been put in the pot; we’ll have to wait a bit."

"No worries at all, we’re not in a hurry. There’s nothing much to do when we get back anyway."

Shaking his head, the old man commented, "I’ve got to have a word with you about that."

"What’s up?" the old man asked, puzzled. "Should I be in a rush to eat or to get home?"

"It’s not about going back," the old man began to explain. "Lately, I’ve heard from outsiders in the village that a band of brigands is fleeing from Yong’an, and the roads at night are not safe."

"Brigands?" the old man was surprised too. "Didn’t we all chip in a few years back to wipe them out once? How have they appeared again?"

"Who knows!" the old man chuckled. "Every three years or so when we eradicate bandits, they just start up again. Why are there so many bad people?"

"Indeed!" the old man sipped his tea and said, "They just don’t let people live in peace. But the thieves this time might not be those mercenaries in disguise."

"Wow, you’re quite sharp for an old guy," the old man laughed heartily. "This time, it’s likely due to the war of the Sacred Empire; some real malefactors have begun to cause trouble."

In the early days, mercenary groups would pretend to be mountain bandits and robbers every few years to increase their income, managing to extract money from the villagers by various means, but they never went too far, never harming people at random.

At first, the villagers genuinely thought they were dealing with robbers, but as it occurred more frequently, everyone realized what was going on—it was just a matter of paying more money. Paying wasn’t an issue as long as they could maintain peace and safety.

But this time, it was different. The Empire had been waging war for many years without rest, calling upon middle forces from all major planes, resulting in a shortage of soldiers across the regions, which gave evil doers the opportunity they needed.

"What should we do then?" the old man furrowed his brows; his family lived outside the rural areas, and they couldn’t afford to hire the Sand Mercenary Group for protection on their own.

"Why don’t you stay with us for a while?" the old man suggested with a smile. "My yard is big, and we’ve got plenty of empty rooms. There’s mercenary protection in town, so things should be safe."

"That... wouldn’t be right; I couldn’t possibly impose on you all like that," the old man hastily refused, waving his hands.

"What are you talking about?!" the old gentleman exclaimed angrily. "Even if you don’t care about your own life, you have to think of Weiwei! If brigands were to come, you’d be nothing but old bones—but what would become of Weiwei?"

"Alright then," the old man looked at Weiwei and reluctantly agreed.

"That’s better. Besides, Weiwei is nearly nine now. Haven’t you thought about taking her to the city’s temple for a class change?" the old man shifted the topic to Weiwei.

The old man shook his head. "Isn’t it good to live as an ordinary person? Look how many people have died in the wars waged by the Sacred Empire over the years."

Putting aside fighting for supremacy, being able to guarantee safety is at least important," the old fellow advised. "Do you really want Weiwei to live in this remote place for the rest of her life?"

Seeing her grandfather looking downhearted, Weiwei quickly interjected, "Weiwei wants to be with Grandpa forever."

"How can you keep me company in a place like this?" the old man also thought it through. "Next year, let’s head to the city. Weiwei can choose a good profession, train well, and eventually become someone important. It’s surely better than being trapped in this little place."

"Exactly." the old man agreed. "What does Weiwei want to become in the future?"

"I want to be a druid!" Weiwei replied without a second thought. "I will definitely help Brother Lingqi heal his leg."

"Very well, we’ll go to the Nature Temple next year," the old man said as he rubbed Weiwei’s head. "Our clever and bright Weiwei will surely become an excellent druid and heal Lingqi’s leg injury."

Weiwei also looked at Lu Hong and said solemnly, "Brother Lingqi, I will definitely heal you!"

Lu Hong nodded and dipped in the water to write ’thank you’ on the table. Healing was impossible; once the moment for treatment had passed, no healer, except for the god-level strong, could cure his disability. As for regenerating a lost limb, that was even more out of the question.

Although healing professions were miraculous, they were not omnipotent.

Steaming dumplings were carried out from the kitchen, and both families enjoyed a lively and hearty meal together.

Especially after learning that the old man was willing to stay, the senior lady became quite excited and quickly started preparing a small cottage for Weiwei.

After dinner, the old man and the senior gentleman chatted leisurely about the current state of affairs in the empire.

It had been more than two years since Lu Hong fell into the sea, and as the third year was about to pass, the warfare on both fronts not only hadn’t ceased but had sunk into a bottomless attrition.

In particular, the Endless Forest, which began as fierce battles between beastmen and humans, evolved over time as the space force over Divine Blood River was largely decoded and the aura of Divine Blood, like a lighthouse, attracted endless hordes of demon beasts.

From last year to the present, the Beastman Empire and the human empire had experienced no further friction, as dealing with the monster tide left both sides overwhelmed.

As for the northern war, it was even more harrowing.

The Snow Clan Great Emperor was determined to seize the opportunity, while a significant part of the empire’s forces was tied up in the Endless Forest, to take back the northern lands and retrieve the ancestors’ remains from their tribe, while reclaiming territories lost to the empire thousands of years ago.

Bitter fighting was the most torturous; the conflict in the Endless Forest mired the Eagle Alliance as well, ensnaring all four of the most powerful forces under the Star Sea into a quagmire with no end in sight.

"Dad!"

The two elderly men were interrupted as the courtyard gate was forcefully slammed open.

Hearing his son’s voice, the senior gentleman yelled, "You scoundrel, why are you smashing the door?!"

"Hurry! We have to go!" his son, clad in mercenary attire, urged, "Bandits have broken through three of our checkpoints. They’ll be here within an hour. We need to leave now!"

"What?! How could this happen?" The senior gentleman was taken aback, then anxiously asked, "Did you warn the neighbors?"

"I’ve spoken to the mayor, and he’s gathering the villagers to leave," the senior gentleman’s son replied before turning to dash away.

"Where do you think you’re going?!" The senior gentleman quickly grabbed his son.

"Dad! I must go back and help," the son said gravely. "I can’t abandon my brothers."

Hearing this, Lu Hong’s eyes instantly reddened as scenes from Qianxi Lake resurfaced in his mind.

Lu Hong took a step forward, but his unsteady legs forced him back.

Yes, I am already crippled. What help would I be even if I went?

"You can’t go!" the senior gentleman scolded. "If something were to happen to you, what would your mother and I do?"

"Dad! I have to defend the village, just like Brother Tu did back in the day!" his son shouted.

"You!" the senior gentleman was at a loss for words. At this moment, the senior lady came out with Weiwei, having heard the commotion, "Husband, let him go."

The senior gentleman opened his mouth but couldn’t utter a single word, his eyes filling with tears as he let go of his son’s hand.

The senior gentleman’s son, looking at his aging parents, felt a wave of guilt, whispered, "I’m sorry, Dad, Mom! I’m unfilial." With that, he rushed out of the courtyard like the wind.

The senior gentleman wiped his tears, took a deep breath, and said sternly, "Wife, don’t delay. Let’s pack up and move out with the villagers as quickly as we can."

The words of the senior gentleman’s son also cast a silence over the old man, who had lost his son and daughter-in-law eight years prior when they discovered and fought off a group of robbers trying to infiltrate the village. Though they secured the safety of the villagers, they sacrificed their lives, leaving behind their unborn child, Weiwei.

To this day, the old man was uncertain whether his son and daughter-in-law’s decisions were right or wrong, he just accepted his current life.

Although young, Weiwei understood her parent’s intentions. Moved to tears by the senior gentleman’s son’s words, she was comforted by the senior lady.

Sometimes things happen as soon as they are mentioned. Just after the senior gentleman mentioned town safety, bandits attacked, living up to the reputation of an ill omen. Under the mayor’s arrangements, the old man, accompanied by Weiwei and Lu Hong, followed the villagers to seek refuge in the mountains.

The mercenary group from the Sand was not substantial, and with its main force not stationed near the town, the few small squads couldn’t possibly stop a sudden onslaught from hundreds of bandits.