Chapter 102.2: Guard An Entire City Alone?

Chapter 102.2: Guard An Entire City Alone?

The three hurried forward, only to crash into an invisible barrier near the walls.

They fell to the ground, bewildered.

"What is this?”

Someone lazily said from below, "Move aside."

Dust rose as a young man emerged from the ground, as if crawling out of the earth itself. He gripped a sword, seemingly half asleep.

Yuan Qi gawked at him.

So young?

Liu Wentai and Liu Wenmei shared the same thought. Had they not known he’d singlehandedly defended the city for three years, they would never have believed he was a Nation Subjugator.

Liu Wentai asked, "Are you the guardian of the City of No Return?"

The young man, Qi Yuan, nodded. "

Mhm...

What brought you here so early, making such a racket and disturbing my sleep?"

"I am Liu Wentai, and this is my sister Liu Wenmei. We come from Jialan City to pay our respects and discuss urgent matters."

Qi Yuan cut straight to the case. "Speak."

Liu Wentai began, laying it on thick. "Your solitary defense of City of No Return commands our utmost admiration. Even our Jialan Guardian praises you endlessly—"

"Get to the point," Qi Yuan said impatiently. He found dealing with humans tiresome, they spoke too much. Demons, at least, just roared.

Liu Wentai forced a smile. "Your lone defense is a heroic feat. I've come under Jialan's orders to invite you to join us. Our city holds dozens of Nation Subjugators and over a hundred Overlords. We are a mighty force. Since the North South Pact began, we've held firm for a century, never losing a city. Now, we’re planning to counterattack. We’ll slay the demon commander, Misang, and bring ten years of peace to our lands. But Jialan lacks manpower. Won’t you lend your strength to aid us in this grand campaign?”

His voice grew more fervent as he spoke. The campaign would be a historic counteroffensive. If successful, it would stir the hearts of all Great Xia. They would be heroes remembered for generations.

Qi Yuan merely shook his head. "Sorry. Not interested."

Liu Wentai blinked, taken aback by his immediate and blunt refusal. "Won’t you reconsider? Join us, and Jialan will grant you ten great elixirs each year, and full access to our advanced techniques to aid your cultivation!"

Qi Yuan's expression didn't change. Elixirs? Techniques? He didn't need them. With Death Radiance, the demons themselves were his best nourishment. Besides, in the game world, strength came simply from slaying demon spawns, not cultivation.

Then, he said flatly, "I am the guardian of the City of No Return. My duty is here. I will not leave."

Liu Wenmei stepped forward. "Your dedication is admirable, but you're on your own. You may have repelled wave after wave of demons for three years, but each new army is stronger than the last. How long can you keep this up?"

Her brother joined in, pressing harder. "Behind City of No Return lies Great Xia, a nation without a single Overlord, and less than a thousand Commanders. No reinforcements will come. One day, this city will fall, and you'll perish with it. Please, look past this tiny nation. Think of the human race, of the greater good!”

Most would've been persuaded, as they spoke with logic, fear, and lofty ideals.

Yuan Qi said nothing. Their argument was sound. Could one man truly hold back the entire Northern demons? As much as he admired the unknown guardian, pity stirred in him too.

Qi Yuan smiled faintly. "Don't use NPC logic to guess what a player will do. I won't abandon City of No Return. My mind's made up. You may leave."

The city’s defense rewards were probably linked to the rare Heavenly Dao Fragments. Like he’d ever walk away from that. Besides, for all he knew, these Jialan people were competitors in disguise. They were trying to steal his kill count.

Liu Wentai and Liu Wenmei's faces darkened. Despite not fully comprehending Qi Yuan’s words, they realized persuasion was futile.

Liu Wenmei lifted her chin stubbornly, looking extremely determined. "Then tell us, what would it take for you to come to Jialan City? Name your price, any condition at all."

Qi Yuan chuckled. "I wish to become this world’s master. Can you grant that?"

Liu Wenmei fell silent. She knew then that he could not be swayed. The siblings exchanged a look.

Liu Wentai said quietly, "In that case, we can only wish you well. Farewell, Guardian."

Without another word, they turned and left.

Just then, Qi Yuan stopped them. "Wait."

Liu Wenmei brightened. "Have you changed your mind?"

Qi Yuan shook his head. "No. I just wanted to say that if you run into any demons you can't handle, send them my way. I'm getting a bit itchy for a fight."

For the past few weeks, demons had been attacking every few days. Although he’d enjoyed every moment, there was no such thing as excessive EXP.

Liu Wenmei blinked in confusion, but nodded. "I'll relay that to our guardian."

She assumed he was merely offering support for Jialan's campaign. Afterward, the siblings bowed and departed.

Qi Yuan turned to Yuan Qi. "You're not leaving with them?"

Yuan Qi met his eyes, voice trembling with emotion. "Since Great Xia cannot support your defense of the City of No Return, I am willing to give my humble life for your cause!"

In truth, Yuan Qi still had many things left unsaid. That all of Great Xia's people stood with him. That if they could, tens of thousands would march to the City of No Return—ready to die at Qi Yuan’s side. Yet, Yuan Qi knew most would perish long before they arrived.