Chapter 297 Hope

“We’re still investigating the humans’ losses,” said the black-robed figure. “However, their losses aren’t too great.”

Demon Sage Nine Abyss fell silent. The demons had suffered huge losses this time. Their attacks on the cities had hit huge snags! They had even lost a significant number of fifth Firmament demon monarchs.

Demon Sage Nine Abyss finally said, “Investigate it first. Use all means available to investigate the humans’ losses. Also, investigate the human forces’ true strength and report it to the Imperial Lords. What we do next will be decided by the Imperial Lords.”

The black-robed figure nodded.

The situation this time was worse than they had expected. They never expected a large group of ancient Regis Godfiends to appear. Their lifespans were limited by the laws of the world. Even the demons were unable to help existences live beyond their lifespans. However, humans had actually managed to do so.

Evening

High in the sky, Meng Chuan flew by Eastcalm City and saw numerous people entering and exiting Eastcalm City’s four city gates. Under the setting sun’s illumination, the countless people looked as tiny as ants.

Swoosh.

A figure streaked across the sky; it was Qin Wu.

“Master.” Meng Chuan bowed respectfully.

“Every large city is the hope of countless mortals that live in the wilderness.” Qin Wu looked down. “Look. The people who live in the wilderness can transport food to the city and sell it for a high price. They can buy clothes, weapons, cultivation manuals, and send their talented children to a Dao Academy to cultivate.”

Meng Chuan looked down. For many mortals living in the wilderness, entering a large city was a joyous occasion. “As long as large cities exist, we will always have hope in life. If there are large cities, they will completely sink into oblivion, forever living in darkness,” said Qin Wu. “Furthermore, with so many large cities as garrisons, Earth Net can search the world. These large cities must continue to exist, be it for the people’s hope or control over the world. If they didn’t exist, it would be difficult for us to investigate demon attacks.”

“I heard that Two World Island’s situation is very serious,” said Meng Chuan. “Away from a city, one can often encounter demons wreaking havoc.” “Humans and demons are almost coexisting in the Great Yue Dynasty.” Qin Wu sighed. “Unfortunately, our Archean Mountain and Black Sand Grotto-Heaven are finding it difficult to protect even our territories. We can’t help Two World Island.”

Meng Chuan nodded. In this era, humans truly felt powerless. When he was young, the world was still relatively peaceful on the surface, and all city passes were guarded. In the past few decades, he had watched as city passes were abandoned, followed by village forts, prefecture cities, and county cities. Most humans lived like savages in the wilderness; only a minority lived in large cities.

“These years, things have changed too quickly,” said Meng Chuan softly. “Yes, the changes happened quickly,” said Qin Wu. “The demons planned on completely occupying our human world with this battle. However, how can we humans be so easily defeated considering how we have survived to this day? The demons have suffered heavy losses this time. I’m afraid they will be even more prepared when they launch their next attack.”

Meng Chuan’s eyes lit up. “How’s the outcome of this battle?”

Qin Wu smiled at Meng Chuan. “I’m here to tabulate the results of the battle. How’s your demon monarch kill count?”

“I encountered a demon monarch team at Chu An City. I killed five, one escaped,” said Meng Chuan. “I killed six demon monarchs at Silver Lake Pass and a fifth Firmament demon monarch in Eastcalm City. I killed a total of 11 fourth Firmament demon monarchs and one fifth Firmament demon monarch. As for ordinary demon monarchs? The number I killed can be ignored.”

“Fifth Firmament demon monarch?” Qin Wu’s eyes lit up.

“It was captured alive by me.” Meng Chuan waved his hand, and an ice sculpture appeared beside him. The azure-scaled demon monarch’s head was frozen inside. His eyes opened, and he looked at Meng Chuan and Qin Wu.

“Master, I’ll leave it with you,” said Meng Chuan.

“Very good.” Qin Wu waved his hand and put it away. He sighed with mixed emotions. “The most troublesome thing is that a group of fifth Firmament demon monarchs appeared this time. They were extremely cunning. They let the demon monarch teams attack the cities first. If they discover a Regis Godfiend guarding a city, they will retreat. If Marquis Godfiends are the ones guarding a city, they will ambush them. Almost all Marquis Godfiends that died in battle died to the hands of fifth Firmament demon monarchs.”

“There are only three super-large city passes in the world. Fifth Firmament demon monarchs can’t enter, right?” asked Meng Chuan. “They should’ve been fourth Firmament demon monarchs that broke through in the human world.” “Yes.” Qin Wu nodded. “They should be newly-advanced fifth Firmament demon monarchs. However, all of them have received treasures from the demon Imperial Lords. They have valuable treasures with them. They almost have the strength of a peak Regis Godfiend. Of course, they require external items to achieve that strength… They are still somewhat lacking compared to an actual peak Regis Godfiend.”

Meng Chuan nodded.

For example, the azure-scaled demon monarch hadn’t cultivated his physical body for that long a time. If he were a true peak fifth Firmament demon monarch, his body would naturally be stronger. It would’ve been several-fold harder for Meng Chuan to kill him.

Meng Chuan was considered to be as strong as a peak Regis Godfiend. However, he was powerful in many aspects. He had the Undying Body, unparalleled speed, divine powers, and baneful aura. His master had given him a Creation-realm alien corpse, allowing Demon Slayer to transform. If Demon Slayer hadn’t transformed, he wouldn’t have been able to dice the azure-scaled demon monarch’s body.

“From today onwards, you will continue scanning for underground demon lairs,” instructed Qin Wu. “You can also stay in Jiang State Capital.”

“Yes.” Meng Chuan revealed a look of delight since he could accompany his daughter now. He then asked, “What about Qiyue?”

“Other Marquis Godfiends have to stay where they are. We also need to make arrangements depending on the demons’ actions,” said Qin Wu. “You were in charge of rescuing the various areas, so you have more freedom.”

Meng Chuan nodded. It looked like he couldn’t reunite with his wife for the time being.

Time passed.

The world’s atmosphere remained tense, but Meng Chuan had returned to his old routine. He spent 12 hours underground every day and returned home at night.Meng Chuan had given tokens to his family so they could sense each other’s location. He knew which city his wife was at, but due to Archean Mountain’s orders, he couldn’t disturb her. The couple could only communicate through letters.

“Ah Chuan, I just received news today that my master, Marquis Heavenstar, was also one of the Marquis Godfiends who died in battle. After I learned of it, I felt muddle-headed. My mind was filled with scenes of my master teaching me archery on the mountain. Even now, I’m still grieving when writing this letter…” Liu Qiyue’s words made Meng Chuan fall silent.

He knew more than his wife. Yesterday, when he dumped his many accumulated demon corpses at Archean Mountain, he learned of many things from Archean Mountain Lord. He knew that 12 Marquis Godfiends had died in the battle. Archean Mountain hadn’t suffered such a huge loss for many years.

“Qiyue.” Meng Chuan also wrote a letter. “I heard that 12 Archean Mountain Marquis Godfiends died in battle. Eleven of them died at the hands of fifth Firmament demon monarchs. Marquis Heavenstar was no different. However, the demons suffered greater losses…”

He filled two pages with writing before stopping. After finishing the letter, he looked at the bright moon through the window. He was a little hesitant.

He and his wife were separated for the time being. They had to carry out their missions separately. Many Marquis Godfiends had died in battle. When would this war end? It was impossible to know.

“Little Gray, send this to Archean Mountain.” Meng Chuan threw the letter out the window.

A gray bird swooped down and transformed into a woman. She respectfully received the letter before soaring into the sky and headed straight for Archean Mountain.

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