Chapter 45: The Definition of a Human

The tremendous roar startled everyone present, causing them to retreat in the opposite direction of the sound.

“What’s going on?” someone asked anxiously.

But no one could answer. For a moment, all eyes fixed on Shen Yuanguo.

At that moment, Shen Yuanguo furrowed his brows tightly, his gaze locked onto the source of the noise. “Someone is attacking the barrier of the Imprisoned Heaven Mirror. It’s the military and the Special Ability Division, and it seems there are people from the Security Bureau involved as well.”

“That’s impossible! I specifically stationed ten Second Ban units on the mountain path to kill any humans ascending and stop them from informing the Special Ability Division about the barrier. How could this happen? Did someone on your side leak the information?” The Masked Man looked at Shen Yuanguo with suspicion.

“How can you say such ridiculous things without laughing?” Shen Yuanguo shot the Masked Man a displeased glare, then reached for the sealing box.

“What are you doing?” the Masked Man hurried forward, slapping Shen Yuanguo’s hand away.

“What do you mean what I’m doing? When reinforcements arrive, we must retreat. What’s wrong with me taking the sealing box of my New World?” Shen Yuanguo watched the Masked Man warily.

“What sealing box of your New World? This is unclaimed property and should belong to our Underworld. I advise you to drop those thieving thoughts, or don’t blame me for turning my back on you!” The Masked Man’s eyes glinted fiercely as he drew the broadsword planted in the ground.

“How dare you speak so righteously? And what right do you have to threaten me? Do you really think I can’t beat you?” Shen Yuanguo no longer held back and revealed the brass knuckles on his hand.

“Hmph, very well, then…”

Before the Masked Man could finish, a deafening roar erupted again from the south.

The second thunderous sound snapped both men back to reality, easing the tense standoff between them.

“You should know our strengths are evenly matched. A decisive outcome would take a long time. The Imprisoned Heaven Mirror won’t last that long. Those people will break through soon, and then neither of us will get the sealing box!” Shen Yuanguo’s expression was grave.

“In my eyes, there are only two outcomes: either I take the sealing box or someone else does. I only accept the first. Give me the sealing box, and I’ll give you a mystical artifact later,” the Masked Man said firmly.

Gritting his teeth, Shen Yuanguo replied, “You give it to me, and I’ll give you two mystical artifacts later.”

“You give it to me, and I’ll give you three,” the Masked Man said with such sincerity that Shen Yuanguo almost believed him.

“You bastard, you never intended to give anything!”

“As if you could really give me two mystical artifacts!”

For a moment, the two were locked in a stalemate again.

After a few seconds of silence, Shen Yuanguo sighed deeply and compromised: “How about this— the sealing box is nearly at ten thousand. Let’s make a bet.”

The Masked Man nodded. “Go on.”

“We’ll hold them off in the south while our men quickly unlock the sealing box. If there’s a mystical artifact with special powers inside, it’s mine. If it’s just swords, spears, or clubs, it’s yours. Deal?” Shen Yuanguo said sternly.

The Masked Man lowered his head to think, then finally agreed.

After briefing their subordinates, the Masked Man and Shen Yuanguo charged south together, the shrill sonic booms echoing across the mountaintop.

Meanwhile, in a hidden alleyway—

Li Chenqiu placed Wu Shan, whose legs were disabled, beside a pile of trash and whispered, “Many others were taken by the Resurrected to the Bonfire Plaza. I have to go save them. Captain Wu, you stay here and keep safe.”

Just as Li Chenqiu was about to leave, Wu Shan grabbed his arm. “It’s too dangerous. The more people there are, the more Resurrected will be. What if something happens to you…”

“Captain Wu, it’s the destiny bearers’ duty to protect ordinary people. I won’t stand by while these Resurrected kill. I won’t act recklessly if it’s too dangerous, but if there’s a chance, I have to try,” Li Chenqiu pushed away Wu Shan’s hand.

“You…” Wu Shan clenched his fists. “I’m not as capable as you. Be careful and prioritize your own life!”

Li Chenqiu nodded seriously and then sprinted toward the alley.

As he emerged from the alley under the streetlamp, a faint, almost imperceptible smile curved the corner of his mouth.

In just a few breaths, Li Chenqiu’s figure appeared several hundred meters away, vanishing into the vast darkness.

…

A few hundred meters from the Bonfire Plaza, on a small hill, a head peeked out furtively. It was none other than Li Qingxia.

Earlier, when Li Qingxia was with Li Chenqiu, he had told her everything and asked her to monitor every move at the plaza.

“Ha~” Li Qingxia yawned, brushing back her flowing bangs, complaining, “It’s so cold, leaving me here all alone. Couldn’t they have found me a blanket?”

“So cold…”

“Whoa, damn it!”

A sudden voice startled Li Qingxia, causing her to clutch her heart and leap up.

Li Chenqiu, lying on the ground, looked confused. “What’s wrong? Is there a bug on the ground?”

“You! You!” Li Qingxia trembled, pointing at Li Chenqiu. “Are you trying to be a ghost? Sneaking up beside me, afraid I’d notice you?”

“You’re just slow to react, don’t blame me. Hurry and lie down; don’t let anyone see you!” Li Chenqiu patted the ground, signaling her to lie down.

Li Qingxia kicked Li Chenqiu playfully, then reluctantly lay down.

“So, what’s the situation? Take a look with your eyes, brother,” Li Chenqiu shook Li Qingxia’s arm.

“You were right to bet on this. Those two strongest-looking Resurrected headed south. The sealing box is at 9,892, just over a hundred left…” Li Qingxia counted on her fingers.

“One hundred and eight more need to die,” Li Chenqiu said calmly.

Li Qingxia nodded. “Same as me. Once the Resurrected capture and kill a few more, it’ll be enough.”

“Are you confused? There are still over thirty Resurrected and sixty or seventy ordinary people on the field. Once they kill all the ordinary people, then I’ll finish off the Resurrected. That will make ten thousand,” Li Chenqiu stared at Li Qingxia as if she were a fool.

“Ah?” Li Qingxia suddenly understood. “I thought we didn’t count as people…”

Li Chenqiu was momentarily stunned, then after a few seconds of silence, he smiled.

“Whether Resurrected or ordinary people, at the end of the day, we’re all just animals living in this world. The strong eat the weak, the weak avoid the strong. Only the strong get to decide who they are.”

Li Chenqiu stood up, lowering his eyes to overlook the carnage in the plaza.