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Chapter 257 The Arrival
"Look, that's Lord Zhao De!" The villagers they met on the road pointed and whispered, their eyes filled with amazement and awe. "I heard he's just an ordinary person, yet he has the courage to challenge those terrifying magical beasts. He's truly our hero!"
On the other side, several children were chasing and playing. One of them stopped and stared longingly at the departing group, his eyes shining with admiration: "When I grow up, I want to be like Lord Zhao De and protect everyone!"
The group moved quickly and finally reached the edge of the dark forest. The scene before them was terrifying: destroyed houses, scattered livestock, and the occasional wails of agony all foreshadowed the impending disaster.
"Divide into groups, prioritize rescuing the wounded, with the strong man leading a group to clear out the monsters, while the rest keep watch on the surroundings and do not give the monsters any opportunity to take advantage!" Zhao De calmly issued the order, every word revealing an unquestionable determination.
The burly man charged ahead, his greatsword flashing like the wind, felling even the fiercest monsters in his wake. "Charge for our homeland!" His shouts inspired everyone, even the weakest villagers picked up sticks and bravely stood on the front lines.
In the chaos, Zhao De spotted several furtive figures attempting to steal the protected sacred artifact. "Master, you take the men and continue the rescue. Leave this to me," Zhao De whispered, his figure flashing like a ghost in the night, silently approaching the group of scoundrels.
"Who goes there?!" A thief turned alertly, his dagger gleaming coldly. Unexpectedly, Zhao De moved with lightning speed, appearing before him in an instant and easily snatching the dagger. He coldly said, "Trying to do something under our noses? You underestimate the guardians of this land."
The thieves exchanged bewildered glances, fear creeping into their eyes. "Lord Yun... Lord Zhao De, spare our lives! We were just following orders..." one of them pleaded, trembling.
"Who instigated this?" Zhao De's voice was calm, yet it carried an undeniable power.
"It's...it's the vice-leader of the Shadow Order. He said that if we succeed, he will give us endless wealth and power..."
“The Shadow Order…” Zhao De muttered to himself, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. Just as he was about to press further, the mage arrived, panting and pale: “Zhao De, something terrible has happened! The sacred relic… the sacred relic is acting strangely; it seems to be attracting even stronger magical beasts!”
Zhao De frowned and quickly made a decision: "Mage, immediately take the sacred object and move to a safe area. I'll hold off these monsters." With that, he handed the thief over to the accompanying warriors to guard, and then sped off in the direction from which the monsters were coming.
Deep in the forest, deafening roars echoed, making the earth tremble. The villagers panicked; some fled in terror, while others clung tightly to the burly man, hoping for shelter. Yet, in this despair, they also noticed that solitary but resolute figure—Zhao De, facing the unknown horror alone.
"Who is that person? How dare he venture into a horde of monsters all by himself?" a young village woman exclaimed, her eyes filled with disbelief.
"He is the legendary Lord Zhao De, the guardian deity of our village." The old man beside him stroked his beard, his tone filled with pride and reverence. "He always steps forward in times of crisis; he is the hope of all of us."
Chapter 258 The Beast's Weak Point
Chapter 258 The Beast's Weak Point
"Hope? Hmph, I think that's just asking for death!" A seemingly idle young man scoffed, but was immediately suppressed by the angry gazes around him and lowered his head.
The clamor of the forest drew ever closer. Zhao De stood before them, an invisible aura surrounding him that inspired awe. He closed his eyes, focused his mind, and slowly raised his hands, chanting an ancient incantation. In an instant, a gale arose, leaves swirled, and an invisible force forced the surrounding magical beasts back several feet, temporarily halting their advance.
"What...what kind of magic is this?!" A boy hiding behind a tree stared in astonishment at the scene.
"It's a protective barrier, said to be wielded only by true heroes." The old man sighed softly, a glimmer of reminiscence in his eyes. "The last time I saw such a sight was when I was young..."
Just then, a colossal beast with needle-like hair broke through the edge of the barrier, its gaping maw lunging straight at Zhao De. Everyone gasped, thinking it was all over, but unexpectedly, Zhao De smirked, his body shifting unpredictably to the side, easily dodging the attack. Simultaneously, he swiftly waved his hand, sending a dazzling beam of light piercing the sky, striking the beast precisely in its vital spot, causing it to crash to the ground, lifeless.
"My God, he... he did it!" The village woman covered her mouth, her eyes reddening with excitement and disbelief.
"Lord Zhao De is truly a god-like being!" The burly man led the villagers from all directions, their voices filled with gratitude and reverence.
Just as everyone was preparing to celebrate, Zhao De stared grimly into the distance, as if sensing something. "The Shadow Order… the truth behind this disaster is far deeper than we imagined. We must act immediately to find and destroy this cancer." His words fell silent instantly, and every face was filled with determination.
"But, Lord Zhao De, where should we begin?" The mage asked, his brow furrowed, voicing the question on everyone's mind.
Zhao De remained silent for a moment, his gaze sweeping across everyone's faces before finally settling on a seemingly ordinary yet sharp-eyed young man. "You, Xiao Jie, you are the most familiar with our surroundings, aren't you?" The young man was taken aback, then puffed out his chest, a hint of pride flashing in his eyes. "Yes, Lord Zhao De! I know every inch of this forest like the back of my hand."
“Very good,” Zhao De nodded approvingly. “From now on, you will be our guide. We need to find the Shadow Order’s stronghold, and you will lead us through the unknown.”
Xiao Jie swallowed hard, glanced around at the expectant eyes, and said firmly, "Yes, sir! I will do my best to help everyone!"
The team quickly assembled, everyone ready for battle. Led by Xiao Jie, the group ventured deeper into the forest. Along the way, they could hear conversations, some filled with trepidation about the unknown ahead, others with admiration for Zhao De's strength.
"I heard that Lord Zhao De once single-handedly ventured into a herd of beasts and rescued the entire caravan. Is that true?" a young girl whispered to her companion.
"Of course! Lord Zhao De is a legendary figure. With him here, what do we have to fear?" His companion's eyes shone with admiration.
During their journey, they encountered several waves of monster attacks, but under Zhao De's command and display of strength, they were able to escape danger each time, and the team's tacit understanding and confidence also increased.
Chapter 259 The Shadow Order's Lair
Chapter 259 The Shadow Order's Lair
Finally, after a difficult trek through the dense forest, Xiao Jie stopped and pointed to a valley shrouded in mist ahead, saying, "That's Shadow Valley, said to be the stronghold of the Shadow Order. However, no one has ever dared to go near it, because those who go in have never come out again."
A murmur rippled through the ranks, some tinged with fear, but more with an eager anticipation.
"We will not be the first, nor will we be the last." Zhao De's voice pierced everyone's hearts, strengthening their resolve. "For the light, for our homeland, we will march forward fearlessly!"
Just as they were about to step into the mysterious valley, a series of hurried footsteps and a panicked voice broke the silence: "It's terrible, Lord Zhao De! The village... the village has been attacked!"
Everyone was startled and turned around to see a villager covered in dust staggering towards them, his face as pale as paper.
"Details?" Zhao De's voice was calm and resolute, but his clenched fist betrayed his worry.
The villager, panting, replied, "Those men in black appeared out of nowhere. They were too fast; the village's defenses were completely ineffective. Many people have been taken away, including... your child, Xiaoyou!"
Zhao De's eyes instantly turned icy cold, his fists clenched tighter, and his teeth gritted. "The Shadow Order, you've gone too far..."
"Lord Zhao De, what should we do?" the burly man asked anxiously.
"Back to the village, immediately." Zhao De's words were brief and forceful. As he turned, an undeniable aura compelled those around him to follow. They quickly changed direction and sped towards the village, their hearts filled with both fear of the unknown and unconditional trust in Zhao De.
Along the way, passersby noticed the group of people hurrying along and began to discuss it amongst themselves.
"Look, isn't that Lord Zhao De's entourage? Why are they in such a hurry?" an old man selling groceries muttered to the young man next to him.
"Have you heard? The village has been attacked! Lord Zhao De is personally rushing back; he must be here to save people." The young man's eyes gleamed with awe. "Lord Zhao De is truly omnipotent."
"Alas, peaceful days are hard to come by these days. I hope Lord Zhao De can once again turn danger into safety." The old man sighed, his eyes revealing a hint of worry, but even more so, trust in Zhao De's abilities.
As Zhao De and his group approached the village, the scene before them sank to their very core. Dust and smoke billowed everywhere, cries and screams for help mingled together—a scene straight out of an apocalypse. Zhao De's eyes sharpened, and he accelerated rapidly, reaching the village entrance in a few leaps.
"Make way, Lord Zhao De is here!" A child recognized Zhao De and shouted to the people around him, his voice filled with unbelievable surprise and relief.
Hearing this voice, the villagers seemed to grasp at a last straw, quickly making way for him, their eyes filled with expectation and reliance. Zhao De weaved through the crowd, heading straight for the center, each step resolute.
"Lord Zhao De, please save my child! He's been arrested!" A tearful mother knelt on the ground, clutching Zhao De's clothes tightly. Her pleas were like sharp blades, tearing at the hearts of everyone present.
Zhao De bent down to help her up, his gaze gentle yet resolute: "Don't worry, I will bring back everyone who has been captured. Shadow Order, this time I will make you pay the price."
Chapter 260 Having Ambitions
Chapter 260: A Plot to Be Hidden
At this moment, an old and dignified voice rang out: "Zhao De, you're finally back." It was the village chief, his face weathered, but he still tried his best to remain calm.
"Village chief, what's the situation?" Zhao De asked, his tone exuding an unquestionable authority.
"The men in black were incredibly fast, and they seem to have something planned. They only took the children and some able-bodied men; those who remained were unharmed. We are organizing our own rescue efforts and awaiting your return," the village chief said, his voice filled with deep worry.
"Village Chief, you lead everyone to continue the cleanup and restoration. My team and I will track down those men in black and find our loved ones." Zhao De's gaze was resolute, as if he could already see the dawn of victory.
Just as the group was preparing to depart, a faint voice suddenly came from the crowd: "Lord Zhao De, I am willing to go with you. My younger brother has also been captured. I... I can help." The speaker was a thin young man, but his eyes burned with an indomitable flame.
Zhao De turned around and gazed at the boy, his eyes flashing not only with sympathy but also with approval: "Commendable courage. What's your name?"
"My name is A-Jie," the boy answered, his voice soft yet exceptionally firm.
“Okay, A-Jie, come with me. But remember, safety first, we’re a team.” Zhao De nodded, encouraging the boy to join. The villagers watched this scene with surprise and admiration in their eyes.
"Lord Zhao De, are you really going to take even a child like this to the battlefield?" the burly man beside him asked in a low voice, his tone tinged with worry.
“Everyone has their own value, and we all need A-Jie’s determination and courage. Moreover, his brother is also one of us, and he has the right to participate.” Zhao De’s words resonated deeply, once again demonstrating his fairness and inclusiveness.
The team quickly assembled, with Zhao De standing at the front. He looked around at the warriors who had followed him, a determination he had never felt before surging in his heart: "Let's go! For our families, for the peace of this land, we swear to completely eliminate the threat of the Shadow Order."
At Zhao De's command, the group shot off like arrows, traversing forests and mountains, rushing towards the direction where the man in black had disappeared. Along the way, their figures became legends in the mountains, attracting many passersby to stop and discuss them.
"Look, that's Lord Zhao De and his team! I heard they're here to rescue the kidnapped villagers," a passerby exclaimed to his companion outside the teahouse.
"Lord Zhao De is truly a legendary figure. No matter how great the difficulties, he always steps forward," his companion remarked, his eyes gleaming with admiration.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the deep mountains and forests, the camp of the men in black was heavily guarded. The imprisoned villagers huddled in a corner, Xiao You's eyes filled with tears, yet her resolve remained unwavering. A deep voice echoed within the camp: "Zhao De, let's see how you rescue your villagers this time."
At this moment, Zhao De and his group had quietly approached the camp. Using the cover of the mountains and forests, they devised a meticulous rescue plan. A-Jie followed closely behind Zhao De; despite his nervousness, he did not back down.
"Are you ready, A-Jie?" Zhao De asked softly.
"Yes, Lord Zhao De, I'm willing to do anything for my brother." A-Jie gripped the dagger in his hand, his eyes burning even brighter.
At that very moment, under the cover of night, Zhao De and his team stormed into the camp like ghosts, and a fierce battle was about to unfold...
Chapter 262 The Cage Imprisoning the Villagers
Chapter 262 The Cage Imprisoning the Villagers
In the midst of the fierce battle, Zhao De spotted a subtle opportunity. He quickly gave A-Jie a wink, and the two of them took advantage of the chaos to quietly approach the cage where the villagers were imprisoned.
"Quick, come with me!" Zhao De whispered to the still-shaken villagers as he began to break the seal.
"Lord Zhao De, you really came to save us..." Xiao You looked at him in disbelief, her eyes shining with gratitude.
"Stop talking nonsense and get going. Leave this to that hero." Zhao De urged anxiously, while keeping an eye on the surroundings to make sure no potential dangers were overlooked.
With A-Jie's help, the villagers were freed from their cages one by one. Their faces initially showed disbelief, but this quickly turned into excitement and joy. Quiet discussions rippled through the crowd, a mixture of anticipation for the future and a yearning for freedom.
"Lord Zhao De is truly omnipotent; he can even resolve such a predicament one by one," an old man exclaimed, his words filled with trust and awe.
"And that mysterious warrior was simply a god descended from heaven! I've never seen such a powerful person before." The young man beside him had stars in his eyes, clearly deeply attracted by the mysterious man's charm.
In this tense yet hopeful atmosphere, Zhao De and A Jie guided the villagers to quietly evacuate. Just as they were about to leave the edge of the camp, a violent explosion suddenly came from the center, followed by a dazzling light that illuminated the entire night sky.