Chapter 32: Beasts at the Gates
Li Zhentian looked at Zheng Zucai, frowning as he said, “Teacher Zheng, I respect you all, but right now, you must leave!”
“If anything happens to you in Donghai City, I won’t be able to answer to Dragon Nation University.”
Zheng Zucai smiled and spoke, “There’s no need. Before coming, I had already reported all our decisions to the school.”
“This is our own choice. It has nothing to do with Donghai City or the City Lord’s Mansion.”
“All you need to do is treat us as members of Donghai City, ready to follow orders!”
Li Zhentian’s brow knitted tightly.
His gaze shifted to Li Yu and the others.
“Teacher Zheng, you can protect yourself in the midst of battle, but what about these students?”
“They lack strength and experience in warfare!”
“This could be fatal in a great battle!”
“Are you really going to watch your own students walk to their deaths? Let these talents become fodder for monsters?”
Before Zheng Zucai could reply, Li Yu and his companions spoke solemnly, “City Lord, we’ve already made our decision.”
“We want to join this battle—first, to improve our strength.”
“Second, to temper our will, and gain experience in war!”
“It will help us grow.”
“Even if we die, we will have no regrets!”
Li Zhentian was shaken by their words!
He hadn’t expected these students, so young, to possess such courage!
“Good, good, good!”
“My friends, on behalf of all Donghai City, I thank you!”
Li Zhentian placed his right hand over his heart and bowed deeply.
This was the highest military salute.
Not for the strong, but for the brave!
“Rest assured, I will instruct the city guards to protect you!”
“No, City Lord, that would defeat the purpose of our training,” Zheng Zucai smiled and shook his head. “However, I do have one request.”
Li Zhentian replied earnestly, “Please, Teacher Zheng, speak.”
Zheng Zucai said, “I’d like to ask the City Lord to send someone to protect a student named Xu Han, from the Third High School.”
Li Zhentian understood.
He’d heard from Liu Qiangjun.
This year, Donghai City had produced a top scorer in the college entrance exam—nationwide, even.
Dragon Nation University had recruited him specially, awarding him a slew of prizes.
He nodded solemnly, “Teacher Zheng, don’t worry. I’ll immediately send someone to protect him!”
Zheng Zucai nodded, “Thank you, City Lord.”
Rumbles...
A tremor like an earthquake came from the distance.
Everyone turned to look.
A tide of monsters surged forward.
Countless city guards saw this and their scalps tingled, legs trembling, breath growing heavy.
Though they’d slain many monsters before,
Facing so many at once was a first!
Li Zhentian spoke gravely, “Pass down my orders!”
“If the monsters don’t attack, we absolutely must not strike first!”
“Wait and see!”
“Yes!”
The messengers hurried off.
Zhu Junjie frowned, “Such a golden opportunity—if we don’t strike first, won’t we fall into a passive position?”
But Zheng Zucai shook his head.
“Monster attacks on cities are always commanded by leader-class monsters.”
“The stronger they are, the smarter their leaders become.”
“They never attack without reason.”
“If we resolve the root cause, they’ll naturally retreat.”
“If we strike first, it will provoke a riot among the monsters—irreversible consequences.”
Everyone nodded in understanding.
As the monsters arrived,
A massive golden figure stood just a hundred meters from the city wall.
It was the Earth-Splitting Tiger King,
Flanked by the One-Horned Demon Tiger and the Furious Flame Lion.
Over a hundred cannons were trained on the Earth-Splitting Tiger King.
Many ranged combat professionals readied their weapons, aiming at the monsters outside the wall.
The city guards were relaxed.
Some even set down their weapons, lit a cigarette, and took deep drags.
“Monsters are just monsters. We have city walls—how could they possibly break in?”
“That’s right. If they dare attack, I’ll turn them all into experience!”
“Maybe luck will favor me, and I’ll get some loot.”
“Sell the loot for cash, then head to the tavern for some fun with the beauties, ha ha ha...”
...
Faced with the threat of these cannons,
The Earth-Splitting Tiger King was utterly disdainful.
Its golden tiger eyes stared fiercely at Donghai City, bloodshot.
“Humans! Come out and face me!”
Its thunderous voice echoed.
The previously confident city guards’ faces changed dramatically.
Just the terrifying roar filled them with dread.
Many faint-hearted ones trembled, retreating step by step.
Li Zhentian stepped to the forefront, standing atop the city wall, speaking solemnly.
“Earth-Splitting Tiger King, why have you brought your monsters to Donghai City?”
“Have you forgotten the promise not to set foot in Donghai City for a hundred years?”
The Earth-Splitting Tiger King snorted coldly, slowly replying, “That’s true, but you shouldn’t have stolen my child!”
Li Zhentian was taken aback, “Who stole your child?”
The Tiger King slammed its paw down.
Boom!
The ground quivered.
Several people lost their balance and fell.
The disciplined formation crumbled.
“Of course it was you despicable humans!”
“Return my child and I will lead my followers back to Wood Forest Town!”
“Otherwise, Donghai City will become my new territory!”
Li Zhentian’s expression changed.
He clenched his fist, speaking coldly, “I’ll investigate!”
“If someone truly stole your child, I’ll personally return it!”
The Earth-Splitting Tiger King spoke slowly, “Half an hour!”
“In half an hour, if I still haven’t seen my child, I’ll slaughter every human in Donghai City!”
“I won’t stop until I find my child!”
Li Zhentian turned to Chen Gang.
Chen Gang nodded in understanding.
“Everyone, start searching! Who’s been to the east side of the city lately? Pull up all records!”
“Get the surveillance up—everyone, search together!”
“Yes!”
Soon,
All surveillance footage from the past month was played in the conference room.
Zheng Zucai and the others joined in to help search.
Time ticked by.
They quickly skimmed through the footage for each day.
Nothing suspicious was found.
Li Zhentian switched to the footage from the last day.
“This is today’s surveillance—the people who took the Earth-Splitting Tiger King’s cub should be in here.”
Everyone nodded, focusing intently on the screen.
The footage sped up.
One by one, people passed through the east gate.
As everyone watched closely,
Li Zhentian suddenly said, “Pause!”
The footage halted.
Two thin figures, carrying large bags and holding an iron cage, strolled out the east gate.
He said gravely, “That cage is made from special military-grade metal—it can block a monster’s aura!”
“It must be these two!”
The others nodded in agreement.
Zheng Zucai’s gaze fixed on someone else in the footage.
Suddenly, his expression changed, “Wait! Isn’t that Xu Han?!”