Bai Feng's thoughts were actually wrong. At least, right now, in that pitch-black cave, there is indeed a living person present.
The moment Bai Feng left the cave, a dark silver figure emerged from the ground, the very one who had earlier given Mo Wuhen the pills.
"Long Di Cave..."
The dark silver figure glanced around, sighing:
"That Fang Yuan is indeed extraordinary. He killed the Four Realms rat demon with a single blow."
"Could this boy be one of the 'true prodigies' that Lord Chongwu Hou has spent his life searching for?"
"If a person like him grows for another hundred years, he might actually pose a slight threat to the court..."
Thinking of this, the dark silver figure shook his head:
"Unfortunately, Lord Chongwu Hou's vision will never come to fruition..."
"Hmm, that boy might be getting ready to slaughter the next batch of demons. Let's continue following him..."
The dark silver figure once again sank into the ground, but just then, the jade token he wore on his chest vibrated.
"Hmm, someone's sending a message?"
The dark silver figure grasped the jade token, infusing it with his true essence, and an elderly yet strong voice came through:
"Old Crocodile is planning a rebellion. Mission terminated!"
The dark silver figure's face immediately changed.
...
Facing the eager gaze of Yu Fengnian, Bai Feng stood there, unsure of how to respond, while Lin Jing pursed her lips and looked at Fang Yuan:
"Is what this person said true? Or is he trying to deceive us for sympathy?"
She didn't have the ability to discern lies, but she felt that Fang Yuan should be able to.
In her impression, Fang Yuan had already become somewhat of a mythical figure—someone who seemed capable of anything.
But, as luck would have it, Fang Yuan did indeed know. He nodded and said, "This person is not lying."
Yu Fengnian's name, which had previously been orange, turned green—this signified [Friendly].
Fang Yuan had helped Yu Fengnian kill the rat demons, and it was clear that Yu Fengnian was grateful to him.
But it was useless... he had to die, no matter what.
Meeting Yu Fengnian's urgent gaze, Fang Yuan spoke calmly and truthfully:
"There are no women or girls in that cave, only white bones."
Upon hearing this, the expression that had been filled with anticipation on Yu Fengnian's face turned into shock, and finally, it twisted into a miserable one.
However, Fang Yuan's cold voice continued:
"Actually, you already knew, didn't you?"
"You've been following these rat demons for so long, witnessing their cruelty, so you knew full well that your wife and daughter could never survive in the hands of those beasts."
"You just didn't want to admit this truth and chose to numb yourself..."
Yu Fengnian's body, which had been kneeling, began to wobble. Fang Yuan showed no mercy as he tore through his façade!
Yes, he had been following these rat demons for nearly half a year. In that time, he had seen countless living people thrown into the rat caves, but he had never seen a living soul emerge from them.
When the rat demons migrated, he had never seen his wife and daughter among them.
The promise of the rat demons was a lie, and he knew that all too well.
It's just that Yu Fengnian didn't want to believe it, didn't dare to believe it. He preferred to hold onto that illusory hope and live on.
Because that hope was the only support in his life, without it, he had nothing.
...
Seeing Yu Fengnian's lifeless expression, Fang Yuan knew that this man had spent most of his life in darkness.
However, your tragic experiences cannot justify your treachery.
For the sake of his obsession, sending his fellow beings into the jaws of demons—this was Yu Fengnian's way of seeking death.
Fang Yuan took a step forward and looked down at him. "Do you have any last words?"
At this moment, Yu Fengnian showed no fear of death, only numbness. He bowed to Fang Yuan:
"Sorry, I've dirtied your hands..."
As these words left his mouth, Yu Fengnian's head fell.
[Slaying a person who aided demons in tormenting others, Good Deed Points +10]
[Sending Yu Fengnian's family to reunite, Good Deed Points +20]
Fang Yuan nodded slightly. For someone like Yu Fengnian, no matter how you looked at it, death was the best outcome...
Witnessing Yu Fengnian's death, Lin Jing remained expressionless. Having experienced the cold and warmth of the world, she was already accustomed to such scenes.
Bai Feng, on the other hand, took a deep breath, his face showing a complex expression. Yu Fengnian's experience had given him a deeper understanding of the world.
This world is neither black nor white, but a delicate shade of gray.
Many things cannot simply be defined as right or wrong.
Thinking this, Bai Feng quickly suppressed his emotions and cupped his fists towards Fang Yuan:
"Brother Fang, thank you!"
When Fang Yuan had made him fight three demons alone in the cave earlier, Bai Feng had understood Fang Yuan's good intentions.
A newcomer like him, who had never experienced life-and-death battles, needed exactly this kind of trial to strengthen his resolve.
As the saying goes: "What is taught can be learned once, but life teaches you once and you learn for a lifetime."
This battle had benefited Bai Feng greatly. He was no longer as subconsciously timid when facing terrifying enemies.
Bai Feng felt that his Dao heart had become much more stable. His cultivation had even broken through to the 2nd Realm, Seventh Layer.
Fang Yuan's strength far surpassed his own, and yet he was still willing to train him, a burden—this kindness was too great.
At this moment, Bai Feng realized that he wasn't even qualified to be Fang Yuan's friend. After all, friends are supposed to help each other, but he couldn't help Fang Yuan in any way.
He wasn't worthy.
Fang Yuan simply looked at Bai Feng as his name changed from green to pink.
It was one thing for Lin Jing to have a pink name, but now Bai Feng had one too... Was this the legendary "macho pink"?
Fang Yuan hadn't thought too much about helping Bai Feng. In his past life, he had loved ones and good friends, and he saw Bai Feng purely as a brother.
Also, with the [Eye of the Disaster], he didn't worry about betrayal or anything of the sort.
As Bai Feng was about to thank him, a voice interrupted:
"Enough chatting!"
"Who?!"
Bai Feng and Lin Jing both jumped, feeling a flash before their eyes as a silver figure suddenly appeared beside them!
The speed was so fast they couldn't react in time!
Lin Jing stepped back, Bai Feng jumped to the side, his hands already pulling an arrow back.
Only Fang Yuan stood still, showing no movement, because he had known about this person's presence all along.
After all, that green name had been moving around underground for a while, and ignoring it was impossible.
"Why panic? I am from the Chongwu Guard!"
The silver figure reprimanded, then pulled out a badge from his waist to confirm his identity: "You may call me Lord Yan."
Only then did Bai Feng and Lin Jing realize. That's right, Fang Yuan had mentioned that there were secret protectors from the Chongwu Guard for this mission...
Had Fang Yuan predicted this again?
"Lord Yan." Lin Jing and Bai Feng cupped their hands towards the figure, while Fang Yuan calmly sized him up.
He was wearing the same flying fish outfit as Yin Fifteen, and appeared to be about thirty-five or thirty-six years old. His appearance was rather unremarkable, even a bit shifty-eyed.
But what caught Fang Yuan's attention was the name above his head.
It wasn't "Chongwu Guard" or "Chongwu Hou's disciple," but rather [Zhenfu Si Xiao Wei Yan Nan]!