Chapter 70: Death is But A Small Price to Pay

Tang Zheng was completely astounded by this story.

Does stuff like this actually happen in the real world? This could easily be written into a novel!

Fang Che took a glance at the flabbergasted Tang Zheng, and he couldn't help but heave a forlorn internal sigh.

Clearly, this idiot had completely bought Zheng Yunqi's tall tale.

Fang Che smiled as he said, "That may have been a little reckless on your part, but what's undeniable is that you've made massive contributions to the safety of the White Cloud Prefecture,and for that, you have my gratitude and admiration."

𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

The two men hurriedly cupped their fists in humble salutes.

As they continued to chat, the wine and dishes were brought on one after another, and before long, the entire table was full.

"Please have a taste of the dishes, Administrator Fang. I hope they're to your liking," Zheng Yunqi invited in a hospitable fashion.

Fang Che gladly obliged, picking up his chopsticks before sampling the dishes one after another.

"These dishes are all quite delicious and also very authentic."

His mannerisms, expressions, and voice were all teeming with a sense of innate elegance and composure, perfectly complementing his incredibly handsome appearance.

There couldn't have been a more stark contrast between him and the rude, hideous, and vulgar Starlight!

One was like a piece of polished and refined jade sitting on a bed of silk, while the other was like a stinky rock sitting at the bottom of a shithole!

Zhao Wushang and Zheng Yunqi couldn't help but be slightly mesmerised by the mere sight of Fang Che, while the thought of Starlight was so revolting in comparison that it was enough to make them lose their appetites.

Meanwhile, Tang Zheng was shoveling food down his gullet as if he had been starving for his past eight lifetimes, and his table manners rivaled those of a pig.

They couldn't help but feel indignant on Fang Che's behalf. It was an utter travesty that someone of his refined elegance had such an unsightly subordinate.

After having some food, Fang Che gently dabbed at his own mouth with a napkin, then called out, "Deputy Head Escort Zheng."

"You can just call me Yunqi, Administrator Fang," Zheng Yunqi hurriedly said.

"Sure," Fang Che said with a warm smile. "Do you still recall roughly how many people you and your fellow sect members came into conflict with on your way to the White Cloud Prefecture?"

Zheng Yunqi exchanged a glance with Zhao Wushang, then replied, "I'd say it was around 150 to 160 people."

"I see," Fang Che replied with a concerned nod. "Please continue to do your best to identify these people and report them to me. Otherwise, if they're allowed to remain hidden among the masses, then the consequences will be catastrophic!"

This was exactly what Zhao Wushang and Zheng Yunqi wanted to hear!

They didn't feel safe with those people around, so they were eager to get them killed!

"Of course! We'll be sure to do our best, Administrator Fang!"

"Thank you!"

Fang Che rose to his feet as he raised his cup high.

"Please allow me to propose a toast to the two of you."

The two men hurriedly rose to their feet and downed their cups of tea.

The look of concern returned to Fang Che's face as he sighed, "To tell you the truth, those people that you encountered are only the tip of the iceberg."

"What do you mean, Administrator Fang?" Zheng Yunqi asked as he feigned a look of astonishment.

"According to my knowledge, the Church of the Self-Righteous has made a very big move on this occasion, sending over twenty thousand people down to the White Cloud Prefecture and the nearby region! Right now, all seventeen of the southeastern provinces are filled with demonic church members!

“No more than two nights ago, Night Demon of the Church of the Self-Righteous suddenly appeared in our White Cloud Prefecture, eradicating an entire branch helm in one night before vanishing without a trace. While it's a good thing that a branch helm was wiped out, Night Demon is the target of everyone sent down from the Church of the Self-Righteous, so now, everyone's going to flock to the White Cloud Prefecture!

“It may seem like a peaceful and prosperous world out there, but there are already countless demons lurking among the masses! With the limited power of the Hall of Protectionists alone, it'll be impossible to eradicate all of these demonic scourges!

“We've been working day and night of late to chip away at their numbers, but up to this point, the total number of demonic church members we've managed to kill is still only in the hundreds, which is nothing compared to the totality of the enemy forces! From now on, your Unmatched Escort Agency must also lead the charge against the enemy! We must work together to weather this storm!"

"We have to lead the charge?" Zheng Yunqi exclaimed.

"That's right," Fang Che said. "Only by getting more people of justice involved in this effort can we hope to completely eradicate the enemy. Hence, I plan to set the Unmatched Escort Agency as a positive example for everyone to follow! That way, you'll also be leading the charge!"

Zheng Yunqi was stunned beyond words!

You're going to make a positive example out of us? You're flat out betraying us! How could you do this right after we gifted you so many merit points?!

"Please accept my advance gratitude for the contributions that you'll be making to our White Cloud Prefecture," Fang Che said as he rose to his feet and extended a respectful salute. "Our individual efforts may be insignificant, but if we can unite all of the forces of justice on the entire continent against the enemy, then victory will surely be within our grasp!

“I understand that making a role model out of the Unmatched Escort Agency will put you all in danger, but it'll be of immense benefit to the entire prefecture! Additionally, I'll admit that I'm also doing this in the hopes of getting the Mountain Moving Sect involved in the resistance effort."

The fact that the Mountain Moving Sect was willing to provide identities for so many demonic church members was a clear indication of where their allegiances lied, and Fang Che certainly wasn't going to pass up the opportunity to take out such a big fish!

Zheng Yunqi was completely flabbergasted.

"B-but..."

"No buts!" Fang Che interjected with a righteous expression. "For the sake of the White Cloud Prefecture, I would gladly lay down my life, and I'm sure all of you at the Unmatched Escort Agency are willing to do the same. As warriors on the side of justice, not only do we have an obligation to protect the people, it should also be a source of pride!"

"Hold on a second, Administrator Fang, we have to report this matter to our sect," Zheng Yunqi hurriedly said.

"We have no time for that, Brother Zheng! We must act now!" Fang Che declared in an urgent voice. "I'll go make the necessary arrangements right away, and I suggest you also make some preparations."

Zheng Yunqi was on the verge of tears. Never had he imagined that things would turn out like this!

I don't wanna die! If word of this gets out, we'll be seen as traitors of the main church!

They could get away with reporting a few people here and there in secret, but if Fang Che were to actively promote their feats to the masses...

"Let's not be rash about this, Administrator Fang," Zheng Yunqi implored as he grabbed onto Fang Che's sleeve.

Fang Che turned around with a disappointed and heartbroken expression.

"Could it be that you don't want to do this? This is a chance to go down in the history books, Brother Zheng! You'll be praised and revered for generations to come!"

"It's too much of a responsibility for us to bear, Administrator Fang!" Zheng Yunqi protested with a sour expression.

The disappointment and heartbreak in Fang Che's eyes instantly turned to resolve as he declared, "It's too late for you to back down! Even if you don't want to be seen as heroes, I will make you into heroes! If you want someone to blame, then blame it all on me! My reputation is utterly insignificant compared with the safety of the people! I will play the villain who sweeps all of you up into this mess against your own! I'm sorry, but it must be done!"

"Administrator Fang! No! Please!"

Zhao Wushang and Zheng Yunqi hurriedly ran out after Fang Che, but he had already made his way out of the booth, appearing at the top of the staircase.

All of the patrons of the restaurant down below looked up as he pointed at all of the people and houses outside the restaurant, then yelled, "Do you see them, Brother Zheng, Brother Zhao? Do you see all of those people and households outside? How can you bear to let them down? The safety and welfare of the masses rests on our shoulders! For the sake of everyone, death is but a small price to pay!"

His voice rang out like rumbling thunder, as impactful as it was earnest.