Chapter 444: Planning With Foresight

The commotion drew the attention of many in the refugee convoy, creating a growing sense of unrest. Li Xiaofei noticed several individuals moving stealthily through the crowd, fanning the flames of discontent.

Amid despair, death, and the constant threat of star beasts, the refugees were already agitated. The grief of losing loved ones, coupled with the provocations of these agitators, began to sow chaos within the ranks.

“Chairman Shen, I take full responsibility for my decisions. But for now, I ask you to maintain order and refrain from escalating conflicts,” Huang Fulai said patiently, his tone steady but firm.

The bald middle-aged man was Shen Chongyun, chairman of the Xu Base City Inscribed Treasure Bone Recovery Association, known as Xuxing Ji.

He sneered. “I’m not escalating conflicts; I’m ensuring our survival. This convoy cannot continue under your muddle-headed leadership. We demand that you immediately resign and relinquish your position.”

“Exactly!”

Tang Shunzhi, owner of the Xu Base City Flying Vehicle Trade Center, raised his arm and shouted, “A failed and cowardly leader will only lead us to ruin and death. Step down, surrender your command, and await judgment and punishment!”

“Step down!”

“You’re dragging us through this wilderness like a game of hide-and-seek. It’s only a matter of time before your incompetence gets us all killed.”

“We need stronger leadership!”

“Speed up the march and get us to Haijing City as soon as possible!”

Other wealthy elites joined in, shouting loudly in agreement. The situation grew increasingly volatile as tensions started to escalate.

"I'm sorry, but I cannot agree to your demands," Huang Fulai said, his gaze fixed on the wealthy troublemakers in front of him. Though his face was etched with exhaustion, a final flicker of patience gave way to resolute determination. His tone hardened as he continued, "This is an extraordinary situation. We are operating under wartime discipline. I ask you to step back immediately and maintain order. Otherwise, don't blame me for taking action."

Huang Fulai was not a man who clung rigidly to rules. He had demonstrated great resolve during critical moments, such as when he made the controversial decision to abandon the city and break out with the citizens. Faced with these foolish provocateurs, his stance remained unwavering.

As he spoke, soldiers began to close in, led by none other than Captain Feng of the Steel Blade Battalion. Armed and ready, the soldiers stared at the wealthy troublemakers with angry, unyielding eyes.

"You..." Shen Chongyun's expression shifted, revealing a flicker of cowardice beneath his bluster. "Huang Fulai, just you wait. Once we get to Haijing City, you'll pay for your words and actions."

"We’ll not only lodge a complaint but also file charges against you," Tang Shunzhi chimed in.

The uproar quickly subsided. Huang Fulai's firm attitude left the wealthy elites dissatisfied, but the sight of armed and furious soldiers deterred them from pushing any further.

Back in their camp tent, the grumbling continued.

"Huang Fulai is as stubborn as a mule. We can't budge him," Tang Shunzhi complained.

"Exactly! Those damn soldiers are all on his side."

"And the peasants! They’re all grateful to Huang Fulai and won’t cooperate with us at all. It’s infuriating; they all deserve to die," another added bitterly.

An elderly man with sparse gray hair and a goatee sitting at the center of the tent. His triangular face, covered in skin that clung tightly like orange peel, featured prominent cheekbones and drooping eyelids.

But beneath those drooping lids, his murky eyes gleamed faintly like a venomous snake. This man was the decision-maker left behind by the Kong family, one of Xu City’s top martial arts aristocratic clans.

"If Huang Fulai were easy to deal with, we would have gotten rid of him long ago," Kong Xuanzhong said with a faint smile. "A starved camel is still bigger than a horse. Even though Huang has lost the city, he'll be stripped of everything once he reaches Haijing City. All we need to do is cause a bit of trouble for him on the way and make things harder for him."

The Kong family was the most powerful clan in Xu Base City. They had ruled Xu City like emperors for over a hundred years. In both legitimate and underground circles, as well as in politics and the military, anyone who wanted to establish themselves in Xu City wouldn’t dare oppose the Kong family. But ever since Huang Fulai became city leader, their golden era had ended.

From the moment Huang took office, he had implemented sweeping reforms. He had improved the lives of the common people, lowered prices, ensured affordable food supplies, restructured the tax system, disciplined the police department, and promoted civilian officials. His actions struck hard at the power of the elite families, showing no mercy.

In just over a year, the Kong family had suffered massive losses. They had launched multiple counterattacks against Huang Fulai. But every move had been thwarted. Gradually, the Kong family realized they were losing control of Xu Base City. The commoners, who once obeyed them without question, were now opposing and resisting them. The conflict had reached a point of no return.

"I can assure you," Kong Xuanzhong said, his eyes narrowing as a sly smile crossed his face, "Our family head and elders have already made detailed arrangements. Once we reach Haijing City, everything is in place. Huang Fulai, who is so determined to bring these peasants there safely, doesn’t realize Haijing City will be his grave. The moment he arrives, he’s dead. Nothing can save him."

His words reassured the others, filling them with confidence.

Shen Chongyun and Tang Shunzhi were overjoyed.

"That’s wonderful! If I can serve the Kong family again like in the past, I, Shen Chongyun, will do so without hesitation!"

"Ah, the good old days under Old Master Kong’s leadership were so glorious! Ever since Huang arrived in Xu City, it’s been a mess. Now he’s finally about to die."

"We are all dogs of the Kong family. Just say the word, and we’ll charge forward with all we’ve got!"

The group scrambled to enthusiastically pledge their loyalty. Outside the tent, Li Xiaofei's ears twitched. He had half a mind to strike with his sword and eliminate this group of treacherous scoundrels on the spot.

But after a moment’s thought, he restrained himself. Killing these people would be effortless, but if he wanted to protect a good official like Huang Fulai, simple and violent methods wouldn’t resolve the deeper issues. This required a more calculated approach.

That evening, the refugees set up camp once more. With Li Xiaofei secretly protecting them, the night passed peacefully. It was as if the star beasts had vanished; not a single one attacked the camp.

By morning, the rested refugees resumed their journey. In such a dangerous environment, traveling with families in tow was a monumental challenge.

“City leader, last night was too quiet. There weren’t even a few scattered star beast attacks. I’m a bit concerned,” said the secretary, An Xiaohu.

Huang Fulai nodded. “Yes, the frequency of star beast appearances has decreased significantly from yesterday. This journey has been going far too smoothly. High-grade star beasts are intelligent, and I fear they may be plotting something. Make sure everyone stays vigilant. We cannot afford any mistakes because even a small slip-up could cost citizens’ lives.”

The secretary immediately went to make arrangements. But no one expected the next two days to pass just as smoothly. The convoy encountered no major beast tides and no high-grade star beasts above the fourth grade. It was as if the hand of fate had suddenly shown favor to the refugees fleeing through the wilderness.

“City leader, over here,” Captain Feng said as he led Huang Fulai and others to a valley.

In the distance, hundreds of Land-Walking Horned Lizards lay sprawled in pools of blood. Huang Fulai approached to inspect the scene, his face revealing shock.

“Twenty-one grade four beasts, six grade five, two grade six, and one grade seven... All slaughtered. Who could have done this?”

“The blood hasn’t clotted yet. They died about half an hour ago.”

“This wasn’t a fight between star beasts. A human expert did this. These are sword wounds...”

“The Inscribed Treasure Bones and star cores of grade five and above star beasts have been removed.”

“There’s still residual sword qi in the air.”

The more they examined the scene, the more astonished they became.

“Could it be the mysterious Sword Immortal?” Huang Fulai wondered aloud, turning to Captain Feng.

“You mean the elusive ancient martial arts expert who appeared during the Xu City battle?” Captain Feng asked.

Huang Fulai nodded. “Yes. I’ve been wondering why this individual didn’t meet with us after helping us in Xu City. I thought perhaps he had more pressing matters to attend to. But now it seems likely that he has been protecting us all along from the shadows.”

Secretary An Xiaohu chimed in, “Are you saying the reason our journey has been so smooth these past two days is because this person has been silently driving away the star beasts?”

Huang Fulai nodded again.

A visibly excited Captain Feng said, “City leader, with the Land-Walking Horned Lizard clan that occupied Whistling Wind Valley completely eradicated, the area is no longer dangerous. We can cut straight through the valley, saving at least a day of travel.”

Huang Fulai clapped his hands decisively. “Captain Feng, take a team and thoroughly search the area to confirm it’s safe. Once it’s verified, we’ll change course and go through the valley.”

“Yes, sir,” Captain Feng responded with a sharp salute.

Within an hour, the refugee convoy safely passed through the valley. The corpses of the giant lizards were also harvested and processed, partially alleviating the food supply issue.

Over the next two days, four similar incidents occurred. Star beast groups that had originally posed significant threats along the refugees' path were preemptively eliminated. Huang Fulai successfully led the convoy through numerous dangerous areas without any further casualties.

Meanwhile, a rumor spread among the refugees. An unparalleled Sword Immortal was secretly protecting everyone. The news lifted everyone’s spirits. The despair and worry that had gripped the convoy disappeared like a passing storm.

This rumor tied back to earlier whispers during the breakout from Xu City, where some said that Captain Feng and his team’s survival had been due to the intervention of this Sword Immortal.

The recent string of peaceful days only served to reinforce the belief. Hope united the hearts of the refugees, making the convoy more cohesive and determined.

“At this rate, we’ll reach Haijing City in another day,” Huang Fulai said as his tightly furrowed brow began to relax. He exhaled deeply, a trace of relief finally appearing on his face.

Under the night sky, the refugee camp was calm and peaceful. Yet, one thing continued to weigh on Huang Fulai’s mind.

We had sent several flying armored soldiers ahead to Haijing City to request reinforcements. Why hasn't there been any response yet?

Even if his political career was doomed, would the officials in Haijing City truly turn a blind eye to the survival of over 300,000 Great Xia citizens?

As night deepened, Huang Fulai was preparing to take a brief rest when...

“Sir, there’s been an incident!” Secretary An Xiaohu hurried over, his expression furious. “There’s trouble in the camp. The Kong family’s guards have killed an elderly teacher...”