"Quick, send the signal—foreign races incoming, lots of them!"
"Kobolds! I've seen them before. They're all kobolds! In the wilderness, they're like locusts—roaming in packs of three to five. If you run into them, you'll be swarmed and attacked. Many people have died at their claws."
"These kobolds are the worst. Once they entangle you, they'll immediately send a signal to draw in more kobolds for a joint assault. They're tireless in battle, vicious and ruthless. They attack with no mercy, using every underhanded tactic imaginable."
"So many kobolds... are they planning to attack our Hugo Village?"
Tens of thousands of kobolds had appeared—despite the presence of the elderly, weak, and infirm among them, the dark, dense mass still evoked terror. These kobolds had no semblance of humanity. If they broke in, Hugo Village would be utterly ravaged, and countless civilians would suffer and die at the hands of these foreign beings.
On the village walls, the Hugo Village Defense Force swiftly took their positions. The defenses included ballistae, divine repeating crossbows, archers, spearmen, and more. Hugo Village wasn't just any village. Thanks to its fruit trade, it had amassed considerable wealth.
Village Chief Guo Yulin rushed up to the walls.
Looking out at the kobolds gathering outside, he felt deeply shaken.
"So many kobolds, and the City Lord just left not long ago... they appear now? Is this a deliberate provocation against our human race? Are they not afraid the City Lord will return with the army and slaughter them again?"
Guo Yulin trembled with rage, but a cold smile crept across his face.
A spark of courage flared in his chest.
He recalled how Yi Tianxing had previously led his army, carving a bloody path through the wilderness, crushing all opposition. The memory filled him with confidence.
"Soldiers! The City Lord just left, but before that, he carved out dignity for our people—a dignity forged with blood. The warriors who died showed us where dignity comes from—it's fought for, earned with blood. Their sacrifices built a legacy we cannot let fall. Now tell me—are you afraid?!"
Guo Yulin took a deep breath and roared. His expression burned with fervor.
He had personally witnessed Yi Tianxing and his troops return, bathed in blood and glory. His blood was boiling—there was no room left for fear.
Though typically a diplomatic and peace-loving man, Guo Yulin had made Hugo Village thrive within Xuanhuang City's circle through savvy politics. But now, for once, he showed real backbone.
He had been ignited.
"NOT AFRAID! NOT AFRAID!!"
The defenders roared in unison from the walls.
There were only 5,000 troops stationed in Hugo Village—but they were not amateurs. After being selected, they had undergone three months of rigorous training in Xuanhuang City's military camps.
They had learned the Iron-Blooded Fiend Aura Technique ("铁血煞气"), and their training included real wilderness battles with ferocious beasts. They were no worse than any foreign army. With siege weaponry and fortified walls, these 5,000 could hold off forces several times their number—or even tenfold—with devastating cost to the enemy.
This wasn't unique to Hugo Village. Every village and town under Xuanhuang City's influence had sent troops to the city for training. After returning, they were also gifted a vast arsenal of war equipment.
Through this, the soldiers developed a strong sense of allegiance to Xuanhuang City. Their loyalty bound their towns irrevocably to the city.
This entire plan was conceived by Jia Xu, whose cunning strategies were as insidious as they were effective. Even knowing that their troops might no longer be fully under their control, the village and town leaders could only smile bitterly and comply.
It was a perfectly open trap, and Xuanhuang City had seized near-total control over its vassals in just a few months. The village chiefs knew it, but had no choice.
"Fight! We already regret not joining the frontlines to battle the foreign races. We can't shame ourselves now—not the human race, not Xuanhuang City, not ourselves!"
"Right! Even if we die, we'll make them pay in blood! Let me take the head off one of these damn kobolds!"
"Kill one and you break even. Kill two and you're ahead."
The troops on the walls were aflame with fervor. Far from being afraid, they were itching for battle. They wanted nothing more than to rush out and wipe out the kobolds.
"Three months of training in Xuanhuang City—all for this day of bloodshed!"
Swords were drawn, spears gleamed, and piles of crossbow bolts and talisman arrows were readied atop the wall. All were prepared to unleash their deadliest assault.
"Wait—something's off. These kobolds... they don't look like they're attacking. Look at the one they're carrying on that platform... That dog looks really familiar."
"Isn't that... Green Emperor, the City Lord's battle pet from Xuanhuang City? Green fur—there's no mistake. There's only one like it in the world."
"Why is the Green Emperor being carried by kobolds? Was it captured? That can't be right... The Green Emperor is a dog, and so are the kobolds. Are they... related? Kinfolk?"
A soldier on the wall gasped aloud.
Many of the troops had spent time in Xuanhuang City, and plenty had seen the Green Emperor in person. Even those who hadn't had definitely heard of him.
Anything related to Yi Tianxing was closely followed—Golden Roc, Green Emperor... As a battle pet, the Green Emperor held a unique status in the city.
Its sudden appearance here caused widespread confusion.
A closer look revealed that the kobolds had no intention of attacking. They lacked any formation and had even brought along their elderly and children. No one could seriously believe this was an invasion force. Not even a ragtag militia, really.
They radiated no battle intent—only a strange sense of fear.
"Who's the village chief? Come out and speak to His Majesty."
The Green Emperor lay lazily on a makeshift sedan—just planks nailed together. Raising its eyes to the wall, it spoke loudly.
"I am the chief of Hugo Village. Might I ask if this is the renowned Green Emperor, battle pet of the City Lord?"
Guo Yulin lit up when he recognized the Green Emperor. Its fame was legendary. If it was here, it clearly wasn't to attack—there had to be more to these kobolds.
If the battle could be avoided, all the better.
No fighting meant no casualties.
"Indeed, I am His Majesty the Green Emperor."
The Green Emperor nodded proudly, elated by how widely its name had spread. This was proof—its fame was transcending the heavens!
"Green Emperor, may I ask about these kobolds…"
"No need to worry. These kobolds have already been subjugated by My Majesty's regal aura. They now kneel before Me as their Lord. They are My captives—my spoils of war. I'm taking them to Xuanhuang City via the teleportation array. Open the gates!"
The Green Emperor puffed out its chest and barked its command—though seeing a dog do so was undeniably odd.
But Guo Yulin dared not treat it lightly. He chuckled respectfully.
"Of course, Green Emperor. While the teleportation array is available at any time, given the sheer number of kobolds, I believe it best to notify the City Lord first. If something goes wrong, I wouldn't be able to bear the responsibility."
He wasn't kidding. If something happened and these kobolds ran amok, who would pay the price? In this world, anything was possible. Better to play it safe.
"Fine, fine—go ahead."
The Green Emperor waved its paw dismissively.
...
Using teleportation arrays throughout villages and towns, space gates opened one after another, directly toward Xuanhuang City. At each stop, villagers were stunned and stirred. Many stepped out to pay respects to the fallen heroes.
Amid solemn battle songs, hearts were cleansed.
Their essence, spirit, and morale all underwent a fundamental transformation.
Unconsciously, the people's very spirit was reborn.
At this moment, in Xuanhuang City, a million citizens stepped out of their homes, silently moving through the streets toward the city outskirts. Xuanhuang City had no walls—just a massive archway. The area was vast and open, able to gather enormous crowds.
They gathered before the arch.
No one spoke. No noise. Only silent waiting.
Around them, rows of soldiers stood at full attention. Everyone had white silk bands tied around their arms. Not only the soldiers—the citizens wore them too.
Cai Yan appeared in mourning-white palace robes.
At her side were Huang Chengyan, Master Lu, Wu Yong, and other top officials. The city's elite had all assembled.
Shua!!
Suddenly, a giant space gate appeared up ahead.
From it, soldiers stepped out, carrying stretchers holding the bodies of fallen martyrs.