“Zhang Nu, can we really protect these villagers?”
Liu Hai’s voice was filled with doubt. Zhang Nu understood his concern.
To be honest, Zhang Nu wasn’t entirely sure either, but they had no choice. They had to do everything in their power to protect these people. The village chief had already sacrificed his life for them, and now even the village elder had given herself to save the village. Their sacrifices could not be in vain.
“We have to protect them, no matter what,” Zhang Nu said firmly, his eyes reflecting his unyielding resolve.
Lin Xiao, standing nearby, listened to Zhang Nu’s determined words and understood that Zhang Nu would fight to the end for these villagers. However, Lin Xiao also realized that if Zhang Nu didn’t retreat soon, he could suffer grave injuries, or worse.
“Zhang Nu, what are you doing?” Lin Xiao called out. “Are you really planning to die for these people?”
Zhang Nu glanced at Lin Xiao but didn’t waver. He knew Lin Xiao didn’t understand his determination. These villagers were innocent—they didn’t know the village chief’s divination would bring about such calamity. Now that they understood, their regret was palpable.
“I won’t let them harm anyone here,” Zhang Nu said, his voice steady. “Step back. You’re unarmed and can’t fight. I’ll protect you and everyone else.”
Lin Xiao sighed, shaking his head. He thought Zhang Nu was foolish. This wasn’t Zhang Nu’s burden to bear, yet he had taken full responsibility. All to save these people.
Something stirred within Lin Xiao, a feeling he hadn’t experienced before. Seeing Zhang Nu’s unrelenting spirit, Lin Xiao felt a strange sense of security. If someone like Zhang Nu stood by his side, perhaps he would be safe. But Lin Xiao couldn’t let Zhang Nu die here, not in this explosion.
“There’s no need for all this effort,” Lin Xiao said calmly. “You don’t have to fight the YaoGuai. All we need to do is get near the Tree of Life. It will protect us.”
Zhang Nu froze, his eyes wide with disbelief. Lin Xiao still had secrets, even now.
“Why didn’t you say this earlier? Why wait until now to tell me?”
Lin Xiao looked away, his gaze drifting toward the horizon. He had planned to keep this hidden, to let the villagers fend for themselves. Yet, watching Zhang Nu risk everything, something inside him shifted, and the truth slipped out.
“Maybe because I saw a fool,” Lin Xiao murmured with a faint smirk. “And I didn’t want that fool to throw his life away.”
Zhang Nu immediately understood—Lin Xiao’s “fool” was none other than himself. He had no personal ties to these villagers, yet he was willing to protect them with his life. Perhaps this puzzled Lin Xiao, driving him to reveal the truth.
There was no time to dwell on it. Zhang Nu quickly turned to Liu Hai.
“Liu Hai, lead the villagers to the Tree of Life!”
“Once we’re there, the explosion won’t affect us.”
Without hesitation, Liu Hai gathered the villagers and began guiding them toward the Tree of Life.
Meanwhile, the Illusion YaoGuai, seeing this, sneered. She had already resolved to self-destruct and take everyone with her. If she couldn’t destroy them all, her actions would be meaningless.
“Do you really want to be sealed inside that cursed tree again?” she roared to the other YaoGuais.
“I’d rather die here than return to that prison. Even if it means perishing, I’ll make sure none of these humans escape alive.”
The other YaoGuai trembled at her words but silently agreed. To outsiders, the ridge appeared as a serene and peaceful sanctuary. But to the YaoGuai, it was a suffocating prison—a place of eternal confinement.
“Boss, we don’t want to go back!” one of the YaoGuai cried out.
“Better to die here than to be sealed again!”
“Exactly,” another added. “At least this way, we won’t be trapped forever.”
The Illusion YaoGuai’s lips curled into a sinister smile. This was exactly the reaction she wanted. If the YaoGuai were willing to die alongside the villagers, then there was no need to hesitate.
“What are you waiting for?” she barked.
“Capture those villagers now! Once they reach the Tree of Life, my self destruct won’t touch them. We end this now!”