NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 127:
Chapter 127: A Bunch of Fools Appear:
The so-called trail access was, in fact, an extremely hidden stone crevice, concealed by dense vegetation both inside and out. It connected Daqian to the border.
This was not some secret passage tied to the grandeur of Dingyuan Palace, nor was it a hidden tunnel laden with mysteries.
Its existence was purely coincidental—a gift of nature.
Wu Yingxue had discovered this stone crevice by accident. She wasn’t the only one who knew about it; many villagers near the crevice were aware of its presence.
Yet, none dared to spread the word. They kept its existence a secret.
But now…
Blood flowed freely, staining the ground in horrifying patterns. Severed limbs and broken bones littered the area. Flesh and internal organs, crushed into pulp, lay scattered across the scene.
It was a vision of hell on earth.
The vegetation that once camouflaged the crevice was now soaked in blood, turned black and red, emitting an air of death and despair.
“What on earth happened here!?”
Wu Yingxue’s pupils contracted in shock, and her grip on the spear trembled slightly—not out of fear, but anger.
She couldn’t fathom what kind of tragedy had unfolded to leave such a gruesome sight.
“Calm down, Yingxue.”
Xu Xi placed a steadying hand on Wu Yingxue’s shoulder, preventing her from recklessly charging into the stone crevice.
With his innate martial arts abilities, Xu Xi could “see” details imperceptible to the ordinary eye. He was certain the passage ahead was far from safe.
…
[You witness a hellish scene before you.]
[What was supposed to be a safe escape route is littered with corpses and dismembered limbs.]
[You quickly assess the situation and stop everyone from entering the crevice.]
[You instruct the group to search the surroundings for clues. Soon, someone finds signs of hiding in the snow.]
[Following these signs, you discover two survivors hiding in a nearby cave. They are terrified at your arrival.]
[You patiently calm them with offerings of demon meat jerky. Your kindness works, and they gradually relax.]
[Once they are composed, you ask them about their identities and what happened at the crevice.]
[Through tears, they reveal they are from a village in Daqian on the other side of the crevice. Unlike your group fleeing the border, they were desperate to escape Daqian.]
[They explain that Daqian is in chaos: high taxes, widespread rebellions, and severe punishments have left ordinary people in despair.]
[Unable to endure the misery, their village decided to flee Daqian, despite the risks of crossing into the harsh borderlands.]
[However, their escape was discovered by the Daqian border army.]
[The army blocked the crevice, slaughtering the villagers and driving them into the demon-filled winter borderlands.]
[Of their once-thriving village, only these two survived.]
Angry? Heartbroken?
Xu Xi felt neither.
After listening to the survivors’ tearful account, Xu Xi silently stepped out of the cave.
Snowflakes danced in the air, and the cold wind howled around him.
His expression was calm, showing no visible emotion, yet his heart burned with fury. His chest felt as if it might burst from the intensity of his suppressed feelings.
“The monsters at the border eat people.”
“The demons in Daqian eat people too.”
“In this world, cannibalism is everywhere.”
Xu Xi closed his eyes, remaining silent for a long time before opening them again.
Though the warrior’s blood within him raged, urging him to act, Xu Xi maintained his composure.
The current situation was dire. Anger alone wouldn’t solve anything.
“Sir, what do we do next?”
Wu Yingxue, clad in her red and white robes, approached him, her face full of uncertainty.
Behind her were the refugees from Qingniu Town, along with others who had joined along the way.
The crevice was no longer an option.
The other side was blocked by armed troops. Entering such a narrow passage meant certain death.
“The next step…”
Xu Xi’s gaze swept across the numb and despondent faces of the crowd. As he looked at them, their blank eyes turned to him, seeking answers.
For those living at the border, there were only two choices:
The first was to remain at the border, facing the relentless demons from the Hundred Thousand Mountains and the great innate realm monsters.
The second was to force their way into Daqian, making enemies of the heavily armed border troops and risking everything against the once-mighty soldiers of the Empire.
Neither path was easy.
Whichever they chose, lives would be lost. Blood would be spilled.
If they had to choose, breaking through the border seemed the better option.
The demon waves in the Hundred Thousand Mountains were endless, while the number of border troops was finite.
“But… I can’t do this alone. Even with Yingxue’s help, it’s not enough.”
“My strength isn’t enough to defeat an entire army.”
“The best way to defeat an army is with another army.”
Xu Xi hesitated.
These people had followed him to survive.
But if he asked them to fight the border troops, would they still be willing?
He didn’t hide his thoughts and explained the situation to everyone with honesty.
Surprisingly, no one left.
“Brother Xu, we don’t have a home anymore.”
An honest man stepped forward from the crowd, voicing the truth.
Was it Xu Xi’s charisma that made them stay?
He doubted it.
He wasn’t one to inspire hope with eloquent words.
The reason these people followed him was painfully simple:
They had lost everything.
With no food, no shelter, and no hope, they had chosen to follow Xu Xi—not out of loyalty, but out of desperation for survival.
“Then, come with me.”
The wind paused, and the snow seemed to freeze midair.
Xu Xi smiled faintly and raised his long sword high.
…
[The events at the stone crevice force you to abandon your original plan.]
[You realize the only way for the people to survive is to forcefully break through into Daqian.]
[Staying at the border means certain death, either by monsters or the unforgiving cold.]
[You have no other choice but to fight for a chance at the future.]
[With a hearty laugh, you teach the people the fool’s courage they’ll need for the battle ahead.]