Chapter 362

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Main Character:

Shen Yao

"You, don't be too angry either; it's fine as long as they've realized their mistake."

Upon learning his own cub had caused trouble, Liu Jingyan returned and kept coaxing his wife to set her mind at ease.

Shen Yao lowered her eyes to look at the handsome face that had leaned in close, reached out, and kneaded it hard, "You'll only spoil them; one day in the future, there'll come a time when you regret it."

Liu Jingyan listened and let out a light laugh, thinking to himself that he spoiled the children to this extent? Then his wife would be on a whole other level.

Pulling her into his arms and patting her shoulder, Liu Jingyan said gently, "They're all good children; a mistake made once teaches them a lesson."

If they stumble on the same mistake again and again, then they needn't bother going out — they might as well marry and have children early to spread the Liu family's branches and leaves.

Otherwise, how did ancient clans pass down their legacy? By everyone contributing money if they had money, strength if they had strength, guaranteeing no resource went to waste.

"You say it lightly, but my heart's been pounding nonstop ever since I heard it," and it hadn't calmed down even after a long while.

She thought the children had grown up enough to know what mattered, but the result was truly: they don't make a move unless they have to, and when they do, it's shocking.

The couple huddled together complaining about the unruly children, the main force being Shen Yao of course; Liu Jingyan was merely the backdrop who opened his mouth to echo a couple of lines, serving to add atmosphere.

The fire in Shen Yao's chest had weakened considerably with Liu Jingyan's defusing.

But to make the two children remember the lesson, Shen Yao still nagged them with all her might.

Whenever they came to the Small Courtyard, they absolutely couldn't escape a round of education from Shen Yao.

Yet Liu Mingfei and Liu Mingchen couldn't not come; the sister and brother wore bitter faces, pitifully hoping their birth mother would show mercy.

As luck would have it, Shen Yao's methods were like a violent storm crushing dry wood and rotting trees — not much harm to the body, but leaving no quarter for the spirit.

Liu Mingfei, Liu Mingchen: ……

Liu Mingxuan and Liu Mingjin, as innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire, naturally couldn't escape either; unluckily, they were forced to listen to their birth mother's admonitions alongside Liu Mingfei and Liu Mingchen.

Shen Yao earnestly educated these children for no less than a month; if not for Liu Mingxuan and the others needing to go out, Shen Yao could have continued this activity.

However, a mutation occurred at the Demon Race Defense Line; Liu Xiuwen personally led a team to reinforce it, showing the team's safety was still within controllable limits.

"Yao Yao, is Yingchuan alright? Do you know the situation at the border now?"

Liu Jingyan was still on guard duty; these past years he'd neglected training, and though his combat power had risen, he'd long been left far behind by his family.

Now the work Liu Jingyan could handle was taking good care of the family at home, letting those who went to the Demon Race Defense Line fight without worry.

"Border situation? Back then wasn't it just the border city falling, the Demon Race invading, which accelerated Wei State's destruction? The border situation now can only be bad, not good — could it possibly get even worse?"

Facts proved the border situation had indeed become even worse.

If at first the border city fell and the commoners inside were slaughtered and devoured en masse by the Demon Race, then right now the border has thoroughly become a demon city; some demons even raise humans, as if cultivating reserve grain.

"They even deliberately let humans cultivate; that way the human flesh is tender and delicious, more nutritious to eat."

Even some cities that couldn't hold out have slowly surrendered to the Demon Race, actively offering up countless commoners as tribute just to buy a lingering, crippled breath of life.

"The Human Race defense line keeps retreating; without effective containment, one day the Demon Race will fully invade the Human Race," and the Human Race will then only have the portion of being slaughtered at will.

Listening to the shocking news Liu Jingyan brought, Shen Yao still couldn't understand how the Human Race had managed to play itself into extinction.

Perhaps that's not quite right either; the Human Race excels at and enjoys internal strife.

Sometimes they don't need external pressure; they can collapse from within all on their own.

If not for the Strange Phenomenon appearing and blocking the Demon Race's steps, the Human Race's finish time would likely have been even earlier.

"This mutation at the Demon Race Defense Line — is it related to more and more cities defecting?"

The Demon Race also bullies the weak and fears the strong; if Human Race cities united as one, the Demon Race might still have some scruples, but Human Race cities surrendered one after another — it'd be strange if the Demon Race didn't become arrogant and overconfident.

Having come to this world for many years, Shen Yao understood some of the Demon Race's circumstances.

Aside from certain races with freakishly high intelligence, ordinary demons are even more simple and direct than humans.

If they can use their hands, they absolutely won't waste words; if they can win a fight, they'll go all out.

The Demon Race Defense Line outside Yingchuan had existed for several years; during that time both sides clashed many times, but with Liu Xiuwen and a crowd of cultivators present, the Demon Race gained no advantage, so the line had always been very calm.

This time a change occurred; perhaps the Demon Race wants to take the area around the defense line in one fell swoop and dispatched troops to reinforce.

"Let's wait for the latest news from the defense line; Grandfather and the others made many preparations in advance," even if they can't win, they're confident of withdrawing smoothly.

It's just that once the defense line can't be held, they can't stay in Yingchuan any longer.

Having lived here for nearly twenty years, to suddenly have to change places — both Liu Jingyan and Shen Yao felt an indescribable stifling depression.

But the two were also very open about it; the world is vast, nothing matters more than life.

As long as we're alive, where isn't a life? It's not like we have to occupy a mountain and declare ourselves king.

…………

The Estate returned to its former tranquility; Shen Yao, having stayed long, even felt a bit unaccustomed.

The situation at the Demon Race Defense Line wasn't too good; the letters sent back didn't say much, only mentioning that the newly added demon soldiers were at minimum Demon King level.

Though there were no Demon God or Demon Saint levels, ants can kill an elephant by numbers; Liu Xiuwen moved frequently, and injury to his body was unavoidable.

Batch after batch of medicinal herbs and supplies were sent to the Demon Race Defense Line; Liu Jingyan had to discuss matters with clan elders daily, returning later and later, until finally he simply wrapped his bundle and stayed in the Front Courtyard to rest.

Shen Yao couldn't do much either; the only thing she could do was, together with Madam Liu, handle the Back Courtyard affairs well, trying not to add trouble for Liu Jingyan in the Front Courtyard.

Over these years people came and went in the Back Courtyard, the population steadily increasing; Madam Liu was used to this sort of thing, so she didn't find it the least bit troublesome.

It was Shen Yao who, having previously pushed the work onto Qing Shui, now took over the trivial matters Madam Liu gave her, and was ruthlessly exhausted for a period before slowly getting the hang of it.

"Have them organize the purchased supplies properly and send them to the Front Courtyard early tomorrow morning."

It's all for transporting to the defense line; Shen Yao moved her lips, reaching out to knock on her shoulder.

Having sat for a whole morning, her body couldn't take it; after all, her age was there — no matter how well she maintained herself, she couldn't ward off natural aging.

Qing Shui hurriedly helped massage and knead, trying to make her master more comfortable.

But having suffered great hardship, her master usually loved fine food and beautiful clothes, and lately had no interest in them at all, showing how serious the problem with the Orcish Defense Line was.

As an ordinary person, Qing Shui only half-understood the news from outside, but she knew she owed her safe survival to choosing a good master's house.

Considering her future life, she prayed in her heart that her master's house would win, and that no mishap would occur.

The tense atmosphere lasted for several months, until the orcs facing off at the defense line could no longer hold out, and Liu Xiuwen and the others finally got a chance to catch their breath.

People who had withdrawn from the defense line came back one after another to rest and recover their health.

Shen Yao's three children also returned to the estate ahead of time.

After several months of training, the abilities of Liu Mingxuan and the others had all improved considerably, especially Liu Mingchen, who was famous not only among the human race but whose name was also known among the demon race.

"Great Ancestor and Eldest Uncle still need to wait a while; we returned with Grandfather, and fortunately we encountered no danger on the way."

After Liu Mingxuan finished speaking, he saw Liu Mingfei already embracing Shen Yao's neck and leaning against her.

Liu Mingchen reached out to wipe the mark below the corner of his eye; the injury had been severe back then, and now the wound had healed, leaving a faint white scar.

Although the scar ruined Liu Mingchen's overall beauty, it added a touch of ferocity to him, perhaps related to his experience at the defense line.

That evening, the family of six ate a sumptuous dinner of one dish.

It was both to welcome them back and wash away the dust, and to celebrate their safe return.

Furthermore, Shen Yao and Liu Jingyan planned to go out; after staying at home for so long, if she didn't go out again, Shen Yao would feel suffocated.

Liu Mingjin would definitely follow, while Liu Mingxuan and the others had other arrangements and could only regretfully stay.

"You are people with serious business on hand," going out with them would be frivolous and neglectful of one's duties.

Not to mention whether Liu Jingyan and Shen Yao agreed or not, even Liu Xiuwen was unwilling.

Liu Jingyan's being set aside was related to himself; he belonged to the type who, no matter how hard he tried, had little room for improvement, unlike the three children who were known as geniuses and whose future achievements were limitless.

Children on the right path being lured onto a crooked path—the Liu Family was not that magnanimous.

Liu Mingfei leaned against Shen Yao's shoulder, reluctant to part, "Mother, this time you go out, I don't know when you'll be back?"

Shen Yao touched Liu Mingfei's hair, "Just taking a walk around the area, only a few months."

A long journey was impossible; not to mention that demons were rampant everywhere, they couldn't handle those strange phenomena with ever-changing methods.

Shen Yao went out, first to relax, and second to sightsee.

Having lived long enough to not die easily, Shen Yao revered life but had no thought of clinging to survival.

Even if they were attacked when going out and died in an instant, Shen Yao wouldn't feel it was a pity.

On one side, Shen Yao was full of tenderness when getting along with her beloved daughter; on the other side, Liu Jingyan getting along with his two sons was a bit tense.

To be precise, it was Liu Jingyan who was unilaterally angry, while Liu Mingxuan and Liu Mingchen each kept their heads down and said nothing, not participating at all.

Liu Jingyan laughed coldly in anger, "You are truly bold, why don't you tell your mother?"

You even dare to go out and train on your own, heading to several cities occupied by the demon race; Liu Jingyan narrowed his eyes, not understanding how Grandfather could agree to this matter.

Liu Mingxuan scratched his head to explain, "Father, we'll talk to Mother about that later."

"This time going out, Eldest Uncle will also follow," they were not going to the cities occupied by the demon race, but taking a detour to the Lin Family's territory.

The marriage alliance that had been shelved several months ago had a result; Liu Jingsheng agreed to the marriage alliance and would personally make a trip.

Liu Mingxuan and Liu Mingchen, being of age, went along to see the world, and by the way investigate the internal situation that the Lin Family was desperately concealing.

As for going to the several cities occupied by the demon race, it was just passing by, and they would take care of the matter along the way.

Mentioning Liu Jingsheng, Liu Jingyan did not continue speaking, but stared with both eyes at the two children who caused him trouble, thinking about how to speak so that Shen Yao would be less angry.

Waving his hand to let them leave, Liu Jingyan sighed; finally, only when sleeping at night, in the intimacy of pillow and ear, did he tell Shen Yao the whole story in a wrapped-up manner.

Following Liu Jingyan temporarily lost the qualification to live in the room, and could only sleep on the floor in the study.

Liu Jingyan:...

Liu Jingyan suddenly felt the several children were troublesome; even Liu Mingfei and Liu Mingjin, who hadn't caused trouble, made Liu Jingyan feel as if his nose was not his nose and his eyes were not his eyes.

Seeing this, Liu Mingfei immediately cheated Liu Mingchen and Liu Mingxuan out of a share of benefits with Liu Mingjin.

Close brothers, clear accounts.

On the day of departure, the package Qing Shui had prepared was put into the Che Xiang.

Shen Yao stood at the doorway, softly instructing the children staying at home to pay attention to safety.

"Now that Mother's words are clear to you all, I only hope you take them to heart," not letting them go in one ear and out the other without any effect.

Liu Mingfei hugged Shen Yao's arm and acted coquettishly, "Mother."

Liu Mingxuan and Liu Mingchen were too embarrassed to speak, knowing their handling of things was unreliable, and they honestly stood to one side like quails.

Liu Mingjin had already climbed onto the Che Xiang, touching and rubbing everything with an excited face, obviously looking forward to this outing.

"All of you go back," Shen Yao waved her hand, took Liu Jingyan's hand, and entered the Che Xiang.

After everyone was seated, the guard driving the carriage pulled the reins, and in no time the carriage moved forward and left.

Liu Mingjin leaned by the window looking outside; this was his first outing since turning five years old, and he found everything he saw novel.

Shen Yao told him to be careful not to bump his body, then closed her eyes to rest her spirit.

The carriage did not slow down until it left the estate's range, due to the condition of the road.

Liu Mingjin's spirits were a bit overexcited, and he became quiet.

The interior of the Che Xiang was spacious; not only could one lie down and sleep, but also eat and dine.

Liu Jingyan did not enter; he was riding a horse at the very front of the team to scout the path.

Shen Yao opened her eyes, reached out and rubbed Liu Mingjin's little head, "Do you want to eat some pastries?"

There was no danger near the estate; correspondingly, the carriage would not stop just like that.

If you feel hungry at noon, take out some biscuits made long ago to fill your belly.

Only when they reached a town in the evening could they eat a hot meal, and by the way find a decent inn to rest.

Liu Mingjin made an affirmative sound and nodded, stretching out his hand impolitely to take out the food box himself, lifting the pastries inside and putting them into his mouth one bite at a time to chew.

Liu Mingjin's face was white, tender, and chubby, looking very cute and lively, especially the way he ate, as if he were a food-guarding little squirrel.

Shen Yao got the idea to feed him, and decisively laid out the pastries she had brought.

She had also brought some beverages, including clear water in the waterskins.

Gulp gulp gulp

Liu Mingjin comfortably narrowed his eyes, the petty person slumped on the carriage, with some liquid drops not yet wiped clean still remaining at the corner of his mouth.

Shen Yao took out a handkerchief to wipe him, then touched Liu Mingjin's slightly bulging little belly, before putting away the pastries that were mostly eaten.

At dusk, the carriage stopped at the periphery of a not-large town.

The town was an abandoned deserted town long ago, the people inside had already moved to the surrounding cities, and those left were some evil neighbors who were difficult to get along with.

The group traveling on the road miscalculated their estimate, unwilling to provoke trouble, and could only stay outside overnight.