Chapter 2039: A Million Monsters

Little White couldn't help but give Little Blue a few extra looks.

Does she share a secret with big brother Zu that I don’t know about? Huh, when did I fall behind?

Yu Yanluo wasn’t in the mood to pursue jealousy right now; she was too worried about her lover’s safety. Thus, she asked, “Ah Zu, are you really sure you want to do this?”

Zu An recalled the fate of certain death that had resulted from his divination. He couldn't help but feel a bit gloomy as well, but he replied, “Don’t worry, I’m really strong now. It’s fine.” It was because there were so many unknown dangers that he didn’t want Yu Yanluo to take risks alongside him in her current state.

“I guess it’s fine. I won’t be dragging you down then. Instead, I'll return to Primeval Iron City as quickly as possible to gather reinforcements,” Yu Yanluo said. After all, she was a mature woman with sufficient wisdom. She knew she would only waste his energy on taking care of her if she went along.

Zu An appreciated that about her. He took her firmly into his arms.

“Take care of yourself!” Yu Yanluo said, feeling a bit sad. For the first time ever, she had heard a bit of uncertainty in her lover’s voice.

“You need to pay attention to your safety as well,” Zu An warned them, then kicked off and shot into the sky.

Yu Yanluo stood amid the wind and snow, absentmindedly staring at his back. She didn’t want to leave for quite a long while.

Little White was a bit confused, asking, “Clan leader, if you’re so reluctant, why didn’t you go with big brother Zu?”

Yu Yanluo smiled and replied, “You're still young, but you’ll understand in the future. Let’s hurry back. I hope we can reach the exit safely."

Little White and Little Blue shivered inwardly. If they encountered those monsters again, it really could be a bit dangerous.

“Don’t worry, big brother Zu gave us so many defensive runes and formations. Clan leader, big brother Zu really is good to you,” Little Blue said with a sigh of amazement.

“I think now’s a good time for you to talk about what's going on with that reward of yours,” Yu Yanluo said, looking at her with an ambiguous smile.

“Exactly! Just what kind of secret do you have with big brother Zu?” Little White asked, looking at her little sister in confusion.

“Ah! I was joking...” Little Blue replied as her cheeks turned red.

But that was really fun... It was like sucking on a lollipop.

“Hmph, you’re clearly hiding things from me. Hurry and tell me!” Little White exclaimed, impatiently tugging on her sister's face. The sisters quickly began to fight with each other.

When she saw the two fighting playfully, Yu Yanluo smiled warmly.

Waves of cold wind suddenly blew over them. She reflexively pulled her coat closer around her. She was scared of the cold the most, so this icy environment was extremely uncomfortable for her. She looked at the blurry path ahead of her, murmuring, “I hope we can reach the exit safely...”

But sometimes, what one feared the most just had to show up. Two hours later, the trio suddenly stopped. One after another, dark figures appeared in the wind and snow, quickly surrounding their party.

Little White and Little Blue’s expressions changed. They quickly took out the formations and talismans Zu An had given them to prepare for battle.

However, Yu Yanluo stopped them and said, “There’s no need.” The sisters looked at her in confusion. Yu Yanluo sighed and continued, “Those might be useful against a small group of monsters, but against the Second Prince’s elites, all of our efforts are futile.”

A clear and bright laugh filled the air, and a voice called out, “As expected of the Medusa Queen. This level of temperament truly is worthy of respect.”

Soon after, a young man in golden armor appeared while riding on an impressive beast. He looked a bit like the late Fiend Emperor, but his features were younger and he looked more energetic.

“The Second Prince!” Little White and Little Blue exclaimed, also immediately recognizing him. This was the most famous prince, after all, so there were few people in the Fiend races who didn’t recognize him.

The Second Prince’s eyes couldn't help but light up. Why were the Snake race’s women all so lovely? Even so, the Medusa Queen in the middle was still the most beautiful. Her looks were as devastating as expected.

Yu Yanluo’s expression became a bit cold as she said, “We all came to rescue you and so many people have died, and yet you're still standing here fine and well.”

“Many people died?” the Second Prince repeated as he put away his smile. “How many of my people have died over these years, all to fend off the monsters?

“That kind of ceaseless struggle already left them all in despair. We all knew things became like this because of the battle at the Fiend King Court. I failed in my struggle for the throne, and those important figures in the court couldn't publicly kill me because of the strength of my army, so they could only use a method like that to wear me down.” He paused for a moment. His expression grew cold before he continued, “In other words, until the final drop of blood flowed out of our bodies, we would never be able to break free of that fate.”

As they listened to his words, the soldiers under his command revealed looks of extreme anger. It was clear that they couldn't endure such a hopeless fate.

𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

“All of you were guilty, and yet the Fiend King Court took the bigger picture into consideration and didn’t kill you, instead giving you a chance to atone for your crimes. Not only did they not receive your gratitude in return, what they received was your resentment and betraya,” Yu Yanluo berated them in response. “Furthermore, the Fiend King Court didn’t completely abandon your well-being. Not only did they provide you with the best logistical support, they frequently replenished your supplies. How is that making you bleed down to the last drop?!”

“Everyone has their own opinion. Debating this here is meaningless,” the Second Prince said, changing the subject by asking, “Medusa Queen, do you want to fight, or do you wish to surrender?”

Little White and Little Blue stared nervously at the surrounding army. They quietly said to Yu Yanluo, “Clan leader, we have some secret techniques that can cover you and allow you to escape. You can't turn around, and you must keep running!” They had already promised big brother Zu earlier, and protecting their clan leader was the mission of every Snake race member to begin with. A resolute look appeared in the two young women’s eyes.

Yu Yanluo shook her head and said, “We’ve already sacrificed too many people. I can't let you two do meaningless things. We surrender.”

She knew that these young women were planning to use their lives to protect her. How could she agree to that? More importantly, she knew that before the Second Prince’s army, unless she was at her strongest and had a bit of hope, there was no way to escape no matter what kind of price she paid.

When he heard what she said, the Second Prince smiled and said, “As expected of the Medusa Queen. Pass down the order and welcome them into the army. In the following days, no one is permitted to treat them with disrespect.”

...

A while later, Little White quietly told Yu Yanluo, “Clan leader, they didn’t even send anyone to restrain us, nor did they put any restrictions on us. As long as we don’t leave the area they permit us, they even let us do what we want.”

“That’s right, that’s right! They didn’t even separate us. I was so worried at first!” Little Blue hurriedly added, nodding.

“The Second Prince is an extremely proud person, and I am the queen of a clan. Since we've already surrendered and given him face, he will naturally show us the appropriate etiquette in return,” Yu Yanluo replied.

“Then isn’t he still pretty good?” Little White and Little Blue replied gratefully.

“Good, huh...” Yu Yanluo trailed off, remaining expressionless. Who knew just how many people had been led to their deaths due to the Second Prince's actions?

As she looked in the direction the army was moving in, Yu Yanluo was a bit confused. They seemed to be moving in the direction of the exit to the sealed land. Was the Second Prince planning to bring his people out? Did he not fear Primeval Iron City’s Peacock Wise King?

...

Meanwhile, Zu An moved through the wind and snow. He suddenly sensed something and turned around, but everything was covered in a dusky and overcast color. He couldn't see any scenery at all. He didn’t know if he was getting overly nervous from worry, but he just felt anxious about whether or not Yu Yanluo’s party would return safely.

“They should be fine, right...” he muttered. With how things were, there was no way he could go back and look for them. After all, the Second Empress’ situation was more dire. Their defenses could fall apart completely at any time, and if that happened, their army could be completely wiped out.

...

With that, he adjusted his direction along the way. At first, he was worried that he wouldn’t be able to find Mengte City within the vast sealed land. After all, there was no satellite navigation, and things like maps were only a rough approximation.

However, he quickly realized that he was overthinking things. There was a foul stench unique to monsters that filled the air. It was so strong that it was a bit hard to breathe.

“What a strong smell...” Zu An muttered as he flew in the direction of that smell. His expression gradually changed.

Monsters covered everything as far as the eye could see. Judging from their density, there were over a million. They stacked on top of each other layer after layer, completely surrounding a lone city. The city was like a skiff in the ocean that was constantly being rocked back and forth, as if it could be overturned at any time. Beforea million monsters, an individual’s strength was just that insignificant.

Goosebumps covered Zu An’s entire body. The scene before him was just like endless barnacles covering a rocky shore, so many that it was enough to create a newfound phobia.