Reverse flow of the Yellow Springs

Chapter 97 The Jing Family's Attempt to Win Them Over

As the giant city entered a state of high alert, the atmosphere within the city was solemn.

The active-duty city defense forces were fully mobilized, veterans were recalled to the army, and a large number of scavengers were incorporated into the militia.

Border guards, rarely seen in the past, have appeared in organized units atop the high walls of the giant city.

The major factories within the Lava Mine City were directly converted into military factories, producing ammunition at full capacity and continuously supplying it to Border City No. 3.

The authorities have also made various preparations in response to the possible occurrence of the fog.

They even brought out all sorts of dangerous and forbidden items.

Among them, the most likely to stop the disaster fog is the Class B forbidden item, the Hunyuan Banner.

It is a banner composed of three independent flags, capable of dividing space. If the calamity fog is trapped within it, perhaps its spread can be stopped.

Of course, as a forbidden substance, the price to pay for its use is equally terrible.

Once activated, it will attract natural disasters such as earthquakes, typhoons, and sandstorms around the Hunyuan Banner!
This is why it was rated as Grade B.

However, compared to the invasion of the disaster fog, these natural disasters are tolerable.

The official plan is that as long as the disaster fog can be detected in advance, the authorities will use the Chaos Banner to lock it in!

Then the rest is simple.

Once all the powerful figures from the major cities have arrived, we'll go in and beat them up!

Defeat the Lord of the Fog of Calamity and conquer Fog of Calamity No. 71!
The idea is very beautiful.

However, three days after receiving the news, the authorities still had not found any trace of the No. 71 disaster fog.

On the contrary, the investigation results of the Doomsday Forest came out first.

Night Watchman, braving the beast horde and venturing deep into the forbidden zone, was astonished to discover that a vast area within the Doomsday Forest had vanished.

That's right, they've disappeared!

The forbidden zone of calamity is actually much larger than it appears physically. From the outside, it appears to be just a mysterious forest, but its interior space is dozens of times larger.

Each region is home to many extraordinary creatures, and each region has its own ecosystem.

However, this time, two of the areas, along with the various extraordinary creatures, and even the trees and plants, disappeared. The entire area was as if it had been plowed through, utterly desolate!
This made the giant city somewhat uneasy, as the target of the No. 71 calamity fog was becoming too broad.

In the past, the calamity fog only devoured humans or other intelligent species, and sometimes even supernatural beings. But it never devoured plants and trees.

Now, the No. 71 Disaster Fog is like a ravenous ghost, devouring all the creatures on it.

This unusual change alerted the authorities.

But despite the tireless vigilance of the scouts from the three great cities across the vast wilderness, they found no trace of the disaster fog.

However, this would allow for much more time to relocate more people.

Over the past three days, Border City No. 3 has requisitioned various caravans and deployed a large number of troops to escort civilians to Lava Mine City.

However, only about one million people were evacuated, while the number of people to be evacuated from Border City No. 3 is as high as eight million, and many people are unwilling to cooperate.

It is foreseeable that it will take a considerable amount of time to complete the transfer.

The later the fog of disaster appears, the better.

On the rooftop of a house, Li Yelai, dressed in special operations gear, sat looking down at the crowds and convoys surging toward the entrance and exit of the giant city, praying that the disaster fog would arrive later.

Each dispatcher received a task, either to escort the public or to guard the streets.

Li Yelai was the latter.

Beside him, Cheese, also dressed in special operations gear, handed him a cup of coffee and said, "The bubble tea shop is closed. Make do with this to warm yourself up."

"Okay, thank you." Li Yelai took the cup, took a sip, and his face contorted slightly.

Despite being cursed as having a sugar addiction, Cheese herself doesn't actually like desserts. Instead, she prefers black coffee.

Just now, she caught up with Spark, who was also on guard of the street, and asked him to use his ability to brew a pot of coffee for her.

But Li Yelai really couldn't stand the taste; he couldn't appreciate it.

Seeing Li Yelai's bitter face, Cheese's beautiful peach blossom eyes were full of smiles.

Then, he took out a few sugar granules from his pocket and threw them into Li Yelai's cup.

This makes the bitter taste of the coffee better.

While sipping his coffee, Li Yelai asked, "Have Uncle and the others evacuated?"

“We need to prioritize evacuating children and students. Uncle and the others need to evacuate tomorrow.” Cheese, also holding a cup of coffee, asked, “What about your sister? How is she going to evacuate? Should I ask my uncle to find her a car where she can’t see the outside world?”

"No need, I've already made arrangements," Li Yelai replied. Due to the high level of secrecy surrounding the Spirit Slayers, he did not reveal her existence.

"That's good." Cheese nodded, and he and Li Yelai silently looked at the crowd below.

At that moment, an unexpected visitor arrived.

A figure appeared on the rooftop of the building next to Li Yelai; it was Jing Lin.

He smiled when he saw Li Yelai and Cheese.

He then used his aerial stepping technique to arrive in front of the two.

"It's been a long time, you two." Jing Lin said with a friendly smile, "It's great to finally find you."

"I thought the young masters from the aristocratic families had already left the giant city," Cheese said, glancing at Jing Lin.

Although the authorities were evacuating the people, the wealthy and capable businessmen had already left the city long ago.

They don't need official protection; they can hire enough forces to safely reach the lava mining city.

The Jing family, being a family of psionicists, should be the same.

It is said that the Jing family's expeditionary force, which was originally going to approach the third border city, also left the first border city and settled in the wilderness.

Unexpectedly, Jing Lin was still in the giant city, and even went to find Li Yelai and Cheese.

“I know quite a bit about this matter, and I think Giant City is still safe for now. There’s no rush.” Jing Lin smiled and said, “Miss Cheese, may I have a private chat with Night General for a while? It won’t take much time.”

Cheese raised an eyebrow at Li Yelai, who was somewhat surprised but still nodded. Seeing this, Cheese left the rooftop, leaving the two of them alone.

"What do you want from me?" Li Yelai asked bluntly. "I don't seem to have any contact with the Yaoqing Jing family, do I? You're not here to ask me to pay you money, are you?"

"Hahaha, you're joking. You probably know, right? This time, the evacuation of the city wasn't because of some beast tide, but something far more dangerous," Jing Lin said.

That makes sense, since Jing Lin is very likely a voter from the Ark.

Perhaps, they heard this news right next to them at the time.

Therefore, Li Yelai responded: "My colleagues do have some speculations that what Giant City is facing now may not just be a beast tide, but an even more dangerous calamity."

Although the authorities told the public that it was to defend against the beast tide, they did not deliberately hide the truth from the personnel in charge.

Some of the handlers had a vague feeling that what they were about to face might be a forbidden zone or a disaster fog.

“That’s right, the truth is… a rather special kind of calamity fog is about to invade a border city. The beast tide in the Doomsday Forest is actually caused by this No. 71 calamity fog.” Jing Lin spoke, revealing the truth, while carefully observing Li Yelai’s expression.

Li Yelai already knew this information, but he still pretended to be stunned, and then continued, "I see!"

"It seems you are braver than I imagined."

Jing Lin didn't see any fear in Li Yelai's expression and couldn't help but admire him: "The family members I brought with me couldn't wait to flee the giant city after hearing this news. You are much braver than them."

“It’s different,” Li Yelai replied. “I’m a processor in the Calamity Management Department.”

"Very good." Jing Lin looked at Li Yelai with eyes full of approval.

"So you came all this way just to tell me this news?" Li Yelai asked, genuinely unaware of Jing Lin's purpose.

To reveal the truth behind the disaster fog? The authorities already know everything they need to know.

“No, I came here specifically to find you.” Jing Lin looked at Li Ye and said, “The disaster fog is extremely dangerous. If the worst happens, our Jing family can protect you and your family and friends from leaving the giant city and from the threat of disaster.”

"Are you planning to make me desert my post?" Li Yelai frowned.

“The fog of disaster is too dangerous, and I have only shown you a path to choose from,” Jing Lin said in a low voice. “Your ability is so special that if you were to die in this fog of disaster, it would be a loss for humanity.”

He no longer concealed his intention to win you over, and continued, "As long as you nod, our Jing family can escort you and your family and friends out of Jucheng right now! Moreover, you will not suffer any punishment!"

"Like that beautiful Miss Cheese, so sweet and charming. Can you bear to let her face calamity and wither away under its attack?"

“Just like your sister, I also have a sister. So, we should have the same thoughts; neither of us wants our sister to be in any danger.”

"If you agree, your sister will receive full protection! Instead of waiting to be evacuated from the giant city!"

"And you probably don't know this, but your special abilities have been discovered by a mysterious group. Many of them are very interested in your abilities. Some even want to turn you into a psionic weapon. Moreover, there's an organization from that group right here in Border City Number Three!"

"Our Jing family has an eighth-level spiritualist in charge! No matter what force it is, they'd better think twice before going to war with the Jing family!"

"Our Yaoqing Jing family can better protect you!"

Jing Lin looked at Li Yelai and said, "Think about it."

"Can I take that as you trying to win me over?" Li Yelai asked with a smile.

“That’s right.” Jing Lin nodded. “Now that things have come to this, I won’t hide it anymore. After we learned about your special abilities from that group, we decided to recruit you. In my opinion, this is a win-win situation. You can safely obtain the resources of the Jing family and also receive our protection. In return, we can gain a psychic with special abilities.”

"The conditions you've offered are very tempting," Li Yelai nodded. "If I agree, how many people can you protect?"

Jing Lin was secretly delighted and said with a smile, "You can take your friends and their families with you. For example, if Miss Cheese is willing to come with you, we can also protect her family. The same goes for your other friends."

“Very good, but I have many friends,” Li Yelai said with a smile.

"How many are there?" Jing Lin chuckled. Although the main force of the Jing family was still in the wilderness, their strength should not be underestimated. Many psionicists were stationed there. Protecting a group of people was a piece of cake for them.

"There are still over eight million left," Li Ye said, looking down at the crowd below.

More than eight million? Are they the remaining soldiers and civilians of the giant city who haven't been evacuated yet?
Jing Lin remained silent, for he naturally understood what Li Yelai meant.

He then sighed regretfully, "That's such a pity, such a shame."

"I also feel very sorry for your Yaoqing Jing family," Li Yelai sighed as well.

"Feeling sorry for us?" Jing Lin raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"The founders of your psionic families are heroes of this world. Your ancestors brought out mysterious knowledge from the fog of disaster, helped build the great city, and resisted the calamity." Li Yelai whispered, "What glory and achievement this is, worthy of admiration and awe."

Jing Lin nodded. This was indeed an achievement of the aristocratic families, and no one could deny it.

The current status of our family is indeed inseparable from the hard work and struggle of our ancestors.

"And now, it's your generation. Faced with disaster again, you not only choose to flee, but you also want others to become deserters." Li Yelai shook his head: "You are clearly descendants of heroes, yet you are no longer courageous. Isn't that regrettable enough?"

Jing Lin shook his head: "You're certainly sharp-tongued, but such rhetoric won't work on me. Besides, our Jing family isn't a coward. Your Third Border Town is suppressing a restricted area. Our Jing family is in Yaoqing Giant City, also suppressing a restricted area. This time it's different; we have no obligation."

"Tomorrow, we will leave the giant city. If you change your mind, you can come find me anytime. I'll be at the manor."

Then, Jing Lin jumped off the rooftop, used his aerial stepping technique, and quickly disappeared from Li Yelai's sight.

Li Ye looked in the direction he had gone and slowly exhaled.

It would be a lie to say that I wasn't afraid when faced with the disaster.

But fear and avoidance are two different things.

He is the handler of the disaster handlers, and he has this responsibility.

Moreover, he has his biggest trump card.

If the time truly came, calamity did indeed befall Border City Number Three.

Then he will face the Lord of Calamity Mist head-on and let it see Mr. Shadow's strength!

Since a single transaction is equivalent to saving a life, then saving more lives at once is a more cost-effective option.

"No regrets?" Cheese's voice came from behind Li Yelai: "It's not common for a family of psionicists to win you over. They have unimaginable resources and heritage. You don't even need to work hard on missions to get those resources."

"Using merit points sparingly suits me better." Li Yelai turned to look at Cheese and asked, "By the way, where did you start eavesdropping?"

“From ‘that beautiful Miss Cheese, she’s so sweet and charming,’” Cheese replied with a smile, her eyes sparkling. “Look how sweet her tongue is. You should learn from her!”

"Shameless!" Li Yelai clicked his tongue and complained.

(End of this chapter)