The Vice General’s expression changed abruptly, and he barked sharply, “Heavenly Retribution?”
Bai Li smiled faintly.
The sound was light, but it made one’s heart tremble.
“If your Goddess only teaches people to take the innocent hostage, provoke wars, and carry out plunder in the name of righteousness — if she only becomes a tool for the ambitious — then such a Goddess is not worth worshipping.”
His words rang out like a clap of thunder.
Everyone in the human camp stood dazed, as if they could not believe someone would dare speak such words about The Goddess.
At that moment, in the distant sky outside the tent, a very faint streak of golden light flashed and vanished.
It was so fast that no one noticed it, yet it made several Holy Mages tremble, a flicker of unbelievable ecstasy crossing their eyes.
That was a sign that only those serving The Goddess could perceive — the New Hero was about to appear in the world.
Longjiu stepped forward instantly, shielding Bai Li behind her once more.
Her domineering voice echoed throughout the Negotiation Tent:
“Well said! Not worth worshipping indeed! We do not believe in ethereal deities; we only believe in each other and protect those by our side! If you humans want to use The Goddess’s name to start a war, we will see it through to the end! I would like to see if your so-called Oracle can block my Dragon Flame or protect you bunch of clowns!”
Baining took a step forward, her cold voice stabilizing the scene.
Her logic was clear, and every word was steady:
“Humans, listen up. Regarding today’s events, we have shown the utmost benevolence. First, stop using the matter of the Hero to frame us; the Demon Race has no obligation to pay for human conspiracies. Second, Bai Li is protected by the Three Tribes; no one, no power, and no so-called Oracle shall touch him in the slightest. Third, you believe in your Goddess, and we will guard our bottom line. Should you dare take another step into the Demon Camp, the Dark Guards and the Dragon Race Guard will leave no survivors.”
Ziya tightly hugged Bai Li’s arm.
Tears had not yet dried on her small face, but she raised a brilliant and firm smile, adding softly, “Ziya will also stay with Father forever! Ziya’s Triple Illusion is very powerful; no one can hurt Father!”
The human Vice General was rebuked into silence, his face turning various shades of blue and white.
He knew very well that what Bai Li said was the truth — the Human Army had no certainty of victory.
The so-called protection of The Goddess was merely rhetoric used to stabilize military morale and conceal the agonizing price of war.
But he had come under Sok’s orders.
Now, having gained nothing and having had all conspiracies exposed in public, he simply could not return and face his commander.
He gritted his teeth, staring fixedly at Bai Li with a sinister gaze.
“Fine… very well! Today, you have profaned The Goddess and protected a freak. Sooner or later, you will pay the price! I will return and report to the Marshal. Before long, the Human Army will press upon your borders. The Light of the Goddess shall purify this place and burn you all to ashes!”
He paused deliberately, lowering his voice so only those nearby could hear, his tone carrying a sliver of eerie certainty.
“Furthermore… the Old Hero is missing, but The Goddess has her own new arrangements. You are celebrating too early.”
Longjiu’s eyes turned cold, Dragon Flame dancing at her fingertips.
“Want to leave now? We haven’t settled the score for you insulting him just now.”
“Longjiu.”
Bai Li gently pulled her back, shaking his head.
“Let them go. When they return, they will only bring everything from today back to Sok, letting the humans see for themselves that their so-called confidence is nothing but a self-deceiving scam.”
Longjiu looked deeply at him, finally restraining her Dragon Might.
She waved her hand coldly.
“Get out. If you dare invade again, you will be executed without mercy.”
The Vice General felt as if he had been granted a grand amnesty.
He did not dare stay for another moment, leading the Holy Mages and soldiers as they fled the Negotiation Tent in a wretched state, not even having the courage to look back.
Along the way, the only thing echoing repeatedly in his heart was that title — ‘Father.’
As well as that fleeting golden light outside the tent, foretelling the descent of the New Hero.
—
Silence finally returned to the tent, leaving only the sound of candle flames flickering softly.
Longjiu turned immediately, carefully cupping Bai Li’s face.
Her dragon pupils were filled with lingering fear and guilt, and her voice was incredibly hoarse.
“Bai Li, I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to hide the matter of the Hero from you. I was just afraid you would get dragged into the human conspiracy, afraid you would be hurt because of this, and even more afraid that you would be angry or leave me once you knew…”
Seeing the near-fragile anxiety in her eyes, Bai Li’s heart softened.
He reached out and gently stroked her cheek, his voice tender.
“I wasn’t truly angry. What I’m angry about is never what you did, but that you tried to shoulder everything alone and wouldn’t tell me. Longjiu, Baining, and Ziya — we are a family, aren’t we? A family should be honest with one another and face all storms together, rather than one person hiding and being afraid in secret.”
Baining nodded slightly, a hint of softness appearing between her cold brows.
“You are right. From now on, whether it is the Hero’s matter, the human conspiracy, or secrets of The Goddess, nothing will be hidden anymore; everything will be told to you. The camp’s defense, the Dark Guards’ deployment, and the Dragon Race Guard — everything will prioritize your safety above all else.”
Ziya stood on her tiptoes, gently rubbing the back of Bai Li’s hand. She said softly, “Ziya will also tell Father everything she feels! Ziya can sense holy energy and the thoughts of bad people. Ziya will always stay with Father and never make Father worry again!”
Bai Li looked at the three people in front of him who were doing their best to protect him.
A layer of warmth surfaced in his pink and gold Heterochromatic Eyes.
All the previous anxiety, confusion, and fatigue dissipated at this moment.
His heart felt inexplicably lighter, as if something distant and sacred was slowly awakening on the other side of The Continent.
He spoke softly, his voice calm yet firm.
“Although the humans retreated today, they definitely won’t give up. Their confidence lies in The Goddess. Next, they will surely use the Oracle to create momentum, win over more factions, and push us to the opposite side of the entire Continent. Sok’s goal was never the war or the Hero; it is me. He wants to use me to blackmail the Three Tribes and achieve his ambitions.”
Longjiu hugged him tightly, her domineering tone full of unquestionable protection.
“Then let him come! I’d like to see if that fellow Sok has the ability to snatch someone from my hands! Even if The Goddess truly appears, I would dare to fight her to keep you safe!”
Baining analyzed the situation calmly.
“The matters of immediate priority are: first, to investigate The Goddess’s true background and whether the so-called Oracle is her spontaneous will or a deliberate human forgery; second, to reinforce the camp’s defenses and redeploy the Dark Guards and the Dragon Race Guard to deal with possible human raids; and third, to find the Hero and uncover the full extent of the human conspiracy to break Sok’s schemes at their root.”
Ziya immediately raised her small hand, her voice full of confidence.
“Ziya can use her Illusionary Realm to scout the surroundings of the camp. No human spy can escape Ziya’s eyes! Ziya can also sense hidden holy energy to help everyone find clues about the Hero!”
Bai Li smiled slightly and reached out to hold their hands.
Four hands were pressed together, warm and powerful.
“They have their faith in The Goddess, and we have our protection for each other. They may be strong, but they have secrets, schemes, and fear. As for us, we have no secrets, no burdens to carry alone, and no anxiety about losing each other. No matter what trap the humans set, no matter what truth is hidden behind The Goddess, and no matter how dangerous the road ahead is, the four of us will face it together.”
Outside the tent, the gale continued to howl, and dark clouds pressed down heavily.
The human threat, Sok’s conspiracy, the shadow of The Goddess, and the unknown truth loomed like a giant net quietly closing in.
And in a distant place beyond human sight, a faint golden light was quietly gathering.
The Old Hero had not returned, and the New Hero was about to be born.
This game of chess had only just begun.
But in Bai Li’s heart, there was no longer the slightest bit of confusion.
Because he knew that behind him, there would always be Longjiu’s domineering protection, Baining’s calm thoroughness, and Ziya’s pure sincerity.
Their confidence never came from bloodlines, power, or war.
It came from each other.
The true storm had only just revealed a corner.
But this time, they would no longer wait passively or hide things from one another.
They would stand side by side, tear off all hypocritical masks, and face every dark conspiracy head-on.
Even if the opposition was the faith of the entire Continent or the so-called supreme Goddess, they would be fearless.
Because they were a family.
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.