The lights in the main tent burned through the night, stretching the shadows of the four figures, but the atmosphere only grew heavier.
Bai Li leaned against the soft couch, his fingertip lightly pressing against his temple.
A head of snowy-white hair fell over his shoulders, casting a soft luster under the lamplight.
His Heterochromatic Eyes—one pink and one gold—were slightly lowered, revealing an undeniable exhaustion.
The small Succubus horns atop his head trembled slightly, and the soft Succubus tail behind him restlessly curled around his wrist.
On the edges of his bare hand, a few pale gold Dragon Scales flickered under the light.
Dragon Race, Vampires, and Succubus — the most noble bloodlines of the Three Tribes — were all fused within him.
The Magic Power within his body was still restlessly churning.
Every surge brought a slight but sharp sting.
He did not dare to circulate even a fraction of his power, only able to grit his teeth and forcefully suppress the tearing discomfort.
“Father…”
Ziya crouched softly by the couch, her small hands carefully cradling his wrist with a movement so light it was as if she were afraid of shattering glass.
The cool touch of the Dragon Scales made her small voice sound soft and obedient.
“Don’t push yourself so hard, okay? If it hurts, tell Ziya. I’ll blow on it, and it won’t hurt anymore…”
Bai Li managed to squeeze out a gentle smile and reached out to rub Ziya’s fluffy hair.
“I’m fine, just a little tired. Don’t worry.”
“You’re not just tired!”
Ziya puffed out her cheeks, her small face filled with earnestness, yet she still kept her voice low for fear of disturbing him.
“Ziya can feel it, Father. That side effect… it’s bullying you…”
Bai Li felt a pang in his heart and remained speechless for a long while.
Magic Power had once been his proudest asset, but now it had become the shackles that bound him.
“Let him rest in peace for a moment.”
Longjiu sat beside Bai Li, extending her long arm to pull him directly into her embrace.
She lowered her head and nuzzled Bai Li’s soft white hair, her dragon-like eyes filled with heartache and dominance.
“You aren’t allowed to endure it alone anymore.”
Longjiu’s voice was deep and serious, carrying an aura that brooked no refusal.
“Tell me if it hurts. No matter what is tormenting you, I will crush it for you.”
“I…”
As soon as Bai Li spoke, he was interrupted by Longjiu.
“No buts.”
She looked up, her gaze sweeping over the other two, her tone carrying an unquestionable authority.
“From now on, Baining will take charge of the camp’s defenses. The Dark Guards and the Dragon Guards will stay around the main tent. I want him in our sight at all times.”
Baining nodded slightly.
“I will arrange everything properly. It won’t delay the front-line defenses, and it will ensure this place is perfectly safe.”
Ziya immediately raised her small hand high, then quickly and gently lowered it, afraid that a loud noise would startle Bai Li.
Her small voice was obedient and firm.
“Ziya wants to stand guard too! Ziya won’t sleep; I want to be with Father all the time!”
Listening to the three of them talk back and forth, all for his sake, a wave of warmth welled up in Bai Li’s heart, but the sense of powerlessness grew stronger along with it.
“I’m really fine,” Bai Li said softly.
“You all have military duties. You don’t need to be distracted by me.”
“You are the person we care about most. Your safety is more important than any battle.”
Longjiu lowered her head, her tone domineering and sincere.
“If something happens to you, even if I win this war, it won’t have any meaning.”
Bai Li’s cheeks felt slightly warm, and he instinctively turned his head away.
“Don’t… don’t say that.”
Baining spoke up at the right time, bringing the topic back to business in a calm and organized voice.
“Let’s not talk about that for now. We have already figured out Sok’s plan. We must proceed with the Peace Negotiation step by step.”
She paused for a fleeting second, as if she had sensed something strange, but it passed so quickly it was almost impossible to catch.
“The Holy Sword is nothing more than a piece of scrap metal stained with a bit of divine power.”
Longjiu’s tone returned to its forceful state, laced with disdain.
“Even if he actually finds it, he can’t break through my Dragon Might, much less Ziya’s Illusionary Realm.”
“Do not underestimate the enemy,” Baining reminded her in a low, objective, and calm voice.
“Once the Holy Sword is activated, the camp’s outer defenses will be significantly weakened. We must prepare our response in advance.”
“Then we’ll just destroy it beforehand,” Longjiu said nonchalantly.
“I will personally go to The Ruins and burn that thing into iron dross.”
“No!” Bai Li immediately looked up, his pink and gold Heterochromatic Eyes filled with worry.
“It’s too dangerous. That’s Sok’s trap; he wants to lure you out.”
Longjiu felt a warmth in her heart, and the corners of her mouth curled into a smile.
“Are you worried about me?”
“I…”
Bai Li was at a loss for words.
“Don’t worry.”
Longjiu rubbed his white hair, domineering and confident.
“In the entire Continent, there is no trap that can trap me.”
“Even so, there is no need to risk yourself personally.”
Baining spoke calmly, offering a steady plan.
“I will send two squads of Vampire Hidden Guards to sneak into The Ruins to investigate and set up control first. After confirming there is no ambush, a Dragon Race squad will destroy the Holy Sword. That way, we achieve the goal without falling into Sok’s scheme.”
Longjiu glanced at her and nodded in approval.
“Feasible. We’ll arrange it according to what you said.”
Bai Li watched the two of them cooperate with such chemistry, and his tensed heart relaxed slightly.
“It’s good that you can discuss things calmly. Right now, the most critical thing is the meeting in three days. We cannot give Sok any opportunity.”
“I will lay down three layers of Illusionary Realms at the meeting site.”
Ziya immediately raised her hand, her soft, cute voice full of confidence, though she still spoke gently.
“The first layer will obscure vision, the second will interfere with perception, and the third will directly trap the enemy. No one will be able to hurt Father!”
“Within thirty paces of the meeting venue, we will plant top-tier Vampire Hidden Guards,” Baining said steadily.
“If any human soldier crosses the line without permission, kill them without hesitation.”
“The Dragon Race elites will guard the four gates of the camp. If there is any suspicious movement, they will crush them directly.”
Longjiu pulled Bai Li closer, her aura imposing.
“I want to see just how much of a storm Sok’s little sinister tricks can stir up.”
The three of them had a clear division of labor.
Their domineering, steady, and soft-and-cute temperaments were completely different, yet at this moment, they condensed into an impeccable understanding.
Bai Li looked at them, his eyes growing slightly hot.
How lucky he was to be protected by these three people who were giving their all.
However, beneath this warmth, a cold shadow was quietly spreading.
Longjiu appeared calm, but her heart was already in turmoil.
The Hero… did he really escape?
Was it a coincidence that Sok suddenly mentioned the Hero, or was it intentional provocation?
What she worried about most was not the outcome of the war, but that secret — once Bai Li found out, how would he look at her?
She didn’t dare think about it.
“By the way,” Bai Li suddenly spoke, breaking the silence as his pink and gold Heterochromatic Eyes sank slightly.
“When the messenger left, he glanced at me. That look was very strange. It didn’t seem like the wariness of a loser, but more like he was confirming something.”
“Confirming what?”
Baining looked up, her gaze narrowing.
“I don’t know.”
Bai Li shook his head.
“But I always feel that their goal isn’t just the war, and it’s not just the Hero… It seems… like it’s related to me.”
Longjiu’s body instantly froze.
‘—It’s related to you…’