I'm bound to the World-Destroying Witch

Chapter 256. Mr. Xia, I've made up my mind!

The city of Baidi is magnificent yet desolate, with towering walls reaching into the clouds, their surfaces covered in dried scarlet blood, creating a chilling atmosphere.

"Please keep the fact that the Battle of the White Heron ended thirty years ago a secret."

The veteran in red armor who was leading the group, Li Zaishi, whispered instructions to Xia Feng and the other two.

The city gates are wide open.

Through the Eye of Deconstruction, Xia Feng easily saw the desolate scene inside.

The ruins and broken walls make it look like a deserted city, completely devoid of human habitation.

However, the blood-red mound of earth began to stir, and one by one, hunched figures with mud-covered faces emerged from underground.

There were about four hundred people in total, but they all had white hair, sunken eye sockets and cheekbones, wrinkled skin, and their armor was tattered.

The swords at their waists were always gleaming, and they gripped the hilts, their sharp eyes fixed on the crowd entering from outside the city.

Lee Jae-seok raised his hand to signal them, and only then did they remove their hands from the hilts of their knives, but the wariness in their eyes remained.

The city is full of soldiers with white hair.

A fourth-tier spiritual master's lifespan starts at least three hundred years, and can live even longer if they have eaten the Fruit of Life.

However, due to being in a high-concentration environment of calamity for many years, even with the protective armor against calamity, it is impossible to stop the calamity from seeping in and changing little by little.

In addition to the frequent injuries, these veterans, though in their prime according to the standards of a spiritual master, now look quite old.

It is estimated that if the war continues for a few more years, they will die suddenly because their bodies can no longer withstand the attack, even without the enemy attacking the city.

But in any case, they are true heroes.

"There are more than 400 soldiers in the city, and a total of 512 people including women, children and craftsmen who cannot go to the battlefield."

This is the result of thirty years of bloody fighting.

After listening to Lee Jae-seok's description of the situation in the city, Lin Musen's gaze darkened slightly, and he couldn't help but feel a little wistful.

These veterans have no access to any information from the outside world, and it is unknown what kind of belief has enabled them to persevere to this day.

The only news came from a soldier who suddenly landed on the island twenty years ago, saying that the Battle of Bailu was still ongoing and that the garrison of Baidi City must hold on to defend the city, as they were the key to the entire battle.
After delivering this message, the soldier soon died suddenly. Xia Feng speculated that the soldier was probably sent by the enemy to deceive people.

As for the purpose of deceiving people, it's more like raising a treacherous insect.

Anyone who has raised Gu knows that to raise a Gu King, you need enough insects to fight, enough venom, and enough ferocity.

So, in order to make the insects fight even harder and have more hope, someone was sent in to tell them that the Empire still needs them, and that if they fought a little longer, they would be victorious.

“There’s no need for the three of you to come into the city. We are all doomed to die, and those Nightmare Clan will not let us go.”

Lee Jae-seok turned around and said,

“But you are different. You are outsiders. They don’t know you exist. You can still leave now.”

Since they had come along on their own initiative, Xia Feng was naturally unwilling to leave. Besides, he was worried about how to find the Origin Water, so waiting here for them to come to him was just what he needed.

As for Lin Musen, he was already being chased by the half-dragons and had nowhere to run.

Moreover, since we've come all this way to Baidi City, we should take this opportunity to investigate the connections between the forces behind the garden and Baidi City.

And regarding the truth about the rebellion in Baidi City, he still didn't quite believe that anyone in the empire would actually do such a despicable thing.

Perhaps Baidi City did indeed defect to the enemy, and only these remnants of the army survived?

Thinking this, Lin Musen narrowed his eyes and suddenly asked in a deep voice, "In these thirty years, has no one really defected to the enemy?"

The veteran in red armor glanced at him indifferently and chuckled, "Over the years, some of the 100,000 soldiers died in battle, some perished in the calamity, and some even committed suicide in the night because they couldn't bear the pressure. Indeed, some soldiers also surrendered to the enemy." "No one knows whether these surrendered soldiers entered the nightmare or were killed."

"But is it really fair that the Empire would condemn our 100,000-strong army for treason based on just these few who have defected to the enemy?!"

Lin Musen fell silent.

Xia Feng listened silently from the side. He roughly guessed that those who had defected to the enemy were probably used as experimental subjects and would not survive.

Mu Qingtong, however, suddenly spoke up, a rare occurrence: "Aren't you afraid of death?"

"die?"

Lee Jae-suk exchanged glances with the veterans beside him, shook his head, and chuckled softly.
"The remaining warriors have naturally experienced hesitation and despair. To say that they have persevered until now is too broad a statement to say that they are driven by a patriotic heart. But as long as there are people in the city who need to be protected, we still have hope and are willing to die with our blood."

Seeing the calm and fearless expressions on these people's faces, Mu Qingtong seemed to be deep in thought.

These people may not be as strong as the enemy, but in Xia Feng's eyes, they are already true powerhouses.

"The strong are fearless; perhaps that's what they mean by you," Xia Feng murmured with a sigh.

Are the strong fearless?

Mu Qingtong looked up at the dim sky covered by gray fog and had to admit that these ants were indeed worthy of respect and the title of strong.

"Mr. Xia."

"Ok?"

"I've made up my mind. Some people deserve to die, and some people don't."

A cool, clear voice echoed in Xia Feng's mind.
Xia Feng looked up at her golden eyes, which were gazing at the sky in a daze. Although he didn't know what Miss Mu was thinking at this moment, Xia Feng knew that it was time to make a big move!

Next, Lee Jae-suk briefly introduced Xia Feng and his two companions to the veterans in the city.

However, to Xia Feng's surprise...
Lee Jae-seok instructed the three not to reveal the truth, but after much hesitation, he himself took the initiative to tell the truth that the defenders of Baekdi City had become known as rebels.

The veterans, women, and children in the city were immediately in an uproar, their already sallow faces blank with shock.

"impossible!"

"Lord Li, how can you believe such nonsense! This Lin Musen must be a spy sent by the enemy!"

"Exactly! These three guys' identities haven't been verified yet, how can we believe what they say! How could the Empire possibly abandon us!"

There have been continuous doubts and criticisms.

Xia Feng naturally understood that no one would easily believe such a thing, which was why he didn't reveal more of the truth.

If these veterans were told that the imperial elites had not only abandoned them, but had even exploited their patriotic fervor to achieve some unknown purpose...
They might find it even more absurd and not believe it.

Or rather, unwilling to believe it.

After all, sometimes living in an illusion is much happier than knowing the cruel truth.

"Rumble--"

Just then, the ground shook, and fine gravel bounced up, as if something was approaching.

Everyone turned to look towards the city gate.

"The entire army is on alert!!"

The sentry on the lookout tower, possessing a magical artifact similar to clairvoyance, shouted urgently in a solemn voice: "Enemy attack!!"

(End of this chapter)