The blinding firelight illuminated the dark cave.

The green Evil God let out an angry roar, moving its sturdy legs as it charged towards Duanmu Huai. The vines on its body unfurled, every leaf and every blooming petal emitted a piercing scream—only to be wholly consumed by the raging flames that surged forth.

Duanmu Huai raised his left hand, the flame sprayer on his arm mercilessly roasting the Evil God before him, evaporating the once humid air and turning it dry. The large patches of green moss covering the walls spontaneously caught fire, enveloping the entire cave in a sea of flames.

For this Evil God, whose body was nearly entirely composed of plants, the scene before it was akin to a hellish existence. Its entire form was ignited, the relentless flames rapidly spread across its body. This only incited the Green Deity's rage further, its body began to twist and split again, coiling and writhing like a snake, separating from the flame-consumed shell, while simultaneously expanding to form a massive net that covered the sky, aiming to engulf Duanmu Huai!

"Buzz—————!"

The frenzied spinning Chainsaw Sword tore apart the vine-formed net like a beast's claws, and Duanmu Huai roared as he charged out from within, clenching his left hand into a fist as he lunged towards the Green Deity!

Deadly spores erupted around the Green Deity, capable of corroding steel, turning anything they tainted into debris overgrown with plants. Yet the raging flames on Duanmu Huai's body voraciously consumed those airborne, dust-sized spores, as he charged straight to the Green Deity, thrusting his tightly clenched left hand, like a thick iron rod, into the Green Deity's angrily gaping mouth.

Then, the steel armor on Duanmu Huai's left arm flipped and transformed, thrusting violently into the Green Deity's body!

Scorching, radiant flames transformed into a torrent of intense heat, pouring into the Green Deity's body, the originally dark green, shimmering vines began to fissure, firelight bursting forth. Subsequently, a violent explosion and flames blossomed instantly.

"Boom———————!!"

On the ground, the mound covered with wild grass was utterly destroyed by the powerful shockwave, the dazzling firelight shot skyward, illuminating the pitch-black night sky......

For the people of Yangchen Town, it was a night filled with fear and unease.

The same could be said for Tezuka Renichi.

"......"

After hearing the recording in his ear, Tezuka Renichi's expression flickered uncertainly, his gaze complex as he stared at Duanmu Huai, unsure of what to say.

"This message and relic were entrusted to me by Miss Yingyue Mio for her father."

Duanmu Huai reached out his hand, placing the necklace in front of Tezuka Renichi.

"...…What exactly did you do?"

"I didn't do anything."

Duanmu Huai shrugged.

"As I told you, we found Yingyue Mio, but by then she had been tormented to her last breath by those people, so this is all I could bring you."

"Then why a recording? And not a video?!"

"Her condition wasn't suitable for video...…you understand what I mean? I suppose she hoped to preserve the image you hold of her in your memories."

"So, what exactly happened in the old district!?"

Tezuka Renichi slammed his palm heavily on the table, staring hard at Duanmu Huai, clenching his teeth.

"Starting at midnight, the old district suddenly exploded violently, and then there were earthquakes...…what is going on!"

The earthquake that suddenly erupted in the old district at midnight naturally also alarmed Tezuka Renichi, who tried to send people to check the situation. But then, the continuous earthquakes and avalanches deterred them from any reckless action. Not until daylight, when everything calmed, did Tezuka Renichi personally go to inspect, only to find—a scene that shocked him profoundly.

On the side of the bridge connecting the new and old districts, the entire old district had completely collapsed, the adjacent mountain range crumbled entirely, giant stones flowing down completely burying the entire old district. Now nothing remained but large blocks of stone and soil heaped together, resembling one giant grave.

However, in response to Tezuka Renichi's inquiry, Duanmu Huai merely shrugged and calmly replied.

"Oh...…perhaps it was a gas explosion."

"Are you kidding me!"

Upon hearing this, Tezuka Renichi felt his blood pressure rising.

"The old district hasn't been modified in any way, where would the gas come from!"

"Maybe from the fertilizer they piled underground? Who knows...…"

Duanmu Huai spread his hands, looking like "I don't know anything either."

"Then what about the residents inside?"

"Probably perished in this catastrophe, such a pity...…"

Duanmu Huai sighed silently, and just then, the office door suddenly swung open, and Mianmu Zuoniao ran in, holding the White Wooden Sword in her hand.

"Teacher, the blood on the Zoniao Sword won't wash off...…what should I do...?"

"...I'll get you a new one later."

"Alright~~~~~"

Upon hearing Duanmu Huai's reply, Mianmu Zuoniao cheerfully turned and left, leaving only Duanmu Huai and Tezuka Renichi in silent mutual gaze.

"......…"

"......…"

"...Oh, don't overthink, she just went to hunt a few wild rabbits."

"......…"

"Anyway, isn't the problem resolved now? You don't need to consider forced acquisition anymore, right?"

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