Chapter 351: The Opportunity is Right Before Our Eyes

"My Lord, the brothers are all waiting for your decision!"

"My Lord, if you hesitate, you will only invite chaos!"

"Go, go!"

Forcing these words out through gritted teeth, Gu Cheng had a thousand things to say, but in the end, they all condensed into this one word and a heavy sigh.

He had the heart to protect the region, but lacked the ability to match it; there was no other way but to make this decision. Staying meant certain death, while fleeing might at least win a path to survival for his brothers.

Gripping the sword beside him, Gu Cheng slumped in his seat, as if his very spirit and energy had been drained in an instant.

He understood his subordinates' panic, especially since in the recent period, over a dozen cities in the Dongze Region had already turned into empty, uninhabited shells, with everyone inside completely devoured.

Moreover, this number was constantly growing, and every day, bustling, prosperous cities were turning into dead cities covered in white bones.

As a member of the Black-Clad Guard, he was particularly sensitive to all kinds of intelligence. Gu Cheng knew clearly that the world had changed—it had become unrecognizable, strange, cold, and filled with infinite killing intent.

He had once thought of seeking help from the imperial court, but the result was despairing; the court could no longer be relied upon, and they had to depend on themselves.

But now, even Da'an City was no longer safe. People were dying in the city every day, and the number of deaths was increasing, though they had quietly suppressed these matters.

Yet Gu Cheng knew clearly that such things could not be suppressed for long; panic would soon erupt.

And what was even more worrying was that even within the Black-Clad Guard, people had begun to die suddenly without warning; panic had permeated every corner.

Perhaps Da'an City would become an empty, dead city overnight, just like those other cities.

He was one of the high-ranking officials of the Black-Clad Guard, and he had actually heard rumors of some hidden matters.

If what he had heard was true, then perhaps those terrifying existences from the legends would descend, and they would all become someone else's rations.

Even if they fled Da'an City, it would be nothing more than prolonging their agony; one day, they would be found and devoured completely while living in constant, unceasing fear.

In his view, rather than living in terror and being devoured in the end, it would be better to meet death with dignity, saving himself from the daily dread.

But clearly, his subordinates did not agree; even if there was a glimmer of hope for life, they would grasp it tightly. Perhaps they could escape this disaster and survive.

People always think they are the lucky ones, but how many lucky people are there in this world? The vast majority of people in this mortal world turn into dust that dissipates with the wind.

Da'an City would likely not be saved, and the millions of commoners within the city could not be saved either; deep in his heart, only profound helplessness remained!

Stroking the sword in his hand, Gu Cheng had come to a realization. His subordinates could leave; they had the right to pursue life. But he wanted to stay; no matter what he faced, he was unwilling to be a deserter.

I have a sharp sword, and I shall press forward without hesitation. It can slay the enemy, and it can slay my own distracting thoughts.

Just at this moment, a loud shout suddenly came from outside, followed immediately by the sound of countless blades being drawn, which left the people inside the room, who were in the middle of their discussion, pale with shock.

Could it be that the thing they feared most was about to happen!

"Let's go!" Silently drawing the sword at his side, Gu Cheng looked quietly at everyone. "Have you forgotten your identities? You are the Black-Clad Guard, not cowards!"

As he drew his sword from its scabbard, he felt his strength return; he seemed to be that fearless Commander of the Dongze Region Black-Clad Guard once again.

"Either way, it is just death. In all these years, when has the Black-Clad Guard ever feared death?"

Taking a deep breath, the remaining men looked at each other, then let out a long sigh and followed him out one after another.

Since they could not hide from it, they would face it. At this moment, they seemed to let go of their previous panic and unease, and began to feel a sense of composure.

When they truly faced those terrifying things, they actually felt much more at ease.

A blade hanging over their heads would make them worry every day. But when the blade fell, they no longer worried.

Just as Gu Cheng said, the worst outcome was merely death, and they, the Black-Clad Guard, lived by the blade every day—what was there to fear about Life and Death?

The people in the room each gripped their weapons and walked out swaggering, like brave warriors heading to the battlefield.

They already had the heart to meet death; no matter how terrifying the opponent was, they would bite off a piece of flesh from them before they died.

"Lord Shen?" Upon seeing the person standing outside, the group was stunned; they never expected that the person who came would be Shen Yu.

Although they did not know Shen Yu, every high-ranking member of the Black-Clad Guard kept his face firmly in their hearts.

Originally, they had come prepared to die, but upon seeing Shen Yu, a fire of hope ignited in their hearts in an instant.

Surprise sometimes comes so unexpectedly.

"This subordinate pays respects to my Lord!" After a brief moment of astonishment, Gu Cheng hurriedly led the Black-Clad Guard in bowing to Shen Yu.

They had long since received orders from the imperial court to unconditionally obey Shen Yu's commands upon his appearance.

Of course, even without such orders, they would not dare to be the slightest bit negligent when facing Shen Yu.

Previously, this Lord Shen had dominated the world with his presence, and now, with the Spiritual Qi Surge, everyone's cultivation realm was rapidly improving; no one knew how strong the person before them was now.

One must know that talent is an unreasonable thing; when you feel you have improved quite a bit, others have already gone further than you can imagine.

This gap will not get smaller; it will only get larger. In other words, the person before them was unfathomable!

"Are you the Black-Clad Guard Commander here?" Looking at Gu Cheng's attire, Shen Yu waved his hand at him, signaling him to step forward.

"Regarding the anomalies in various places after the recent Spiritual Qi Surge, does the Black-Clad Guard have any intelligence?"

"Reporting to my Lord, this subordinate has the intelligence gathered from the entire region, but..." After hesitating for a moment, Gu Cheng said cautiously, "But the situation is not good!"

"Over a dozen cities in the Dongze Region have turned into empty cities one after another in just a few days, and this number is still growing, but subsequent intelligence has not yet been transmitted."

"Moreover, there is turmoil within Da'an City. Too many people have died tragically in the past few days, even within the Black-Clad Guard. This subordinate is incompetent and is at a loss as to what to do!"

"This subordinate fears that in a few more days, Da'an City will become an empty city just like those others."

"Those people seem to be toying with us; they are not just killing, they are breaking our spirits!"

"Is that so? It is just as I guessed!" When he noticed the anomalies in Da'an City, Shen Yu had already concealed his own aura; as long as he did not expose himself, no one could find him.

Shen Yu knew clearly that he was a target, a piece of fat meat in the eyes of others. As long as his aura leaked, he would not need to look for others; they would come to find him.

Da'an City was being watched, but they were not swallowing it in one gulp; they were playing slowly.

Shen Yu did not know what trick they were playing, whether they were toying with the people in the city or deliberately creating panic.

But since he had arrived, it was not certain who was playing whom.

"Do you know about the Spiritual Qi Surge and the Great Contention Era?"

"Reporting to my Lord, I have heard a little!" Standing beside Shen Yu, Gu Cheng said in a low voice, "It is rumored that in the Great Contention Era, the commoners are like weeds, experts are like pigs and sheep, blood flows for ten thousand miles, and white bones cover the earth."

"Are you afraid?"

"I am afraid, but even if the opponent is strong, this subordinate still has the courage to draw my sword. It is better than doing nothing and letting the butcher's knife fall!"

"Oh?" Such an answer did not surprise Shen Yu; in front of a superior, who wouldn't pat their chest and say they can do it, though how they actually act is another matter.

Have you not seen that in the years of the War of Resistance, many said they feared not Life and Death and would live or die with the nation? But when the foreign enemy truly invaded, they were quick to kneel and lick their boots.

No matter the time, there will always be heroes who sacrifice their lives without fear, and there will always be base sycophants who grovel.

However, the trace of firmness and sincerity revealed in the other's eyes made Shen Yu believe that the other was truly prepared to do so.

There are indeed generous souls among the Black-Clad Guard who fear not Life and Death!

"Immediately issue an order to the Black-Clad Guard in all regions; from this moment on, the Black-Clad Guard across the world shall be under my command. Have them send their intelligence from all locations."

"Right, tell them to leave the cities as much as possible and hide in uninhabited areas first; that way, their targets will be smaller."

"Those old monsters want to recover and increase their strength quickly, so they will strike at densely populated cities; ordinary people cannot stop them. For now, order them to preserve themselves as much as possible."

"Yes, this subordinate understands, this subordinate will go do it at once!"