"It's just some low-level undead. As long as no Monarch-Level creature appears, there's nothing to worry about," said Staff Officer Zhu dismissively after hearing about the evacuation order.
Now that the Ghost Tyrant had been dealt with, he found the idea of evacuating the populace again rather ridiculous.
Zhu Meng ignored him and instead carefully considered Mu Nianbing's plan.
From experience, he knew he should trust Nianbing's judgment.
However, there were far too many residents in the outer city, and evacuating them would be an enormous undertaking.
If the undead didn't breach the outer walls, it could bring backlash and resentment.
"None of us Super-Level Mages are injured, and there are so many of us here, not to mention the Totem Black Serpent's combat strength.
Is it really necessary to evacuate?" Zhu Meng frowned deeply. He was not the kind of man to retreat before a fight.
With the current defensive power of the city, even if another Undead Monarch appeared, they could still fight back.
"What if these undead don't disappear during the day and instead keep increasing? How will you respond then?"
Mu Nianbing countered calmly, his tone leaving no room for complacency.
Zhu Meng froze. He knew Nianbing wasn't speaking without reason. The events of the previous day had already proven that his concerns were valid.
If the undead didn't retreat when daylight came, then the outer city would be doomed.
After all, a Mage's energy was finite — but the undead were endless.
"What about the Black Serpent then?" Zhu Meng pressed.
"Although the Black Serpent is powerful, its poison attribute isn't very effective against the undead," Nianbing replied, sighing.
"If we encounter the Mountain Corpse, the Serpent wouldn't stand a chance. And what's worse, the ones we saw yesterday weren't just Mountain Corpses —
there was also the Hai Sha Bone Dragon, one of the Eight Undead Monarchs, leading countless undead armies. It's impossible to defend against that."
Zhu Meng clenched his fists. He knew Nianbing was right, yet he couldn't accept it.
They had already slain the Ghost Tyrant, and now they were being told to flee again.
"How about this," Nianbing said firmly.
"There are only a few hours left until dawn. If the undead retreat after sunrise, we'll stop the evacuation — and I'll bear all the responsibility myself."
Zhu Meng hesitated, then glanced at the time.
"Alright. I agree," he said finally. "But you, young man, cannot bear this burden alone. It'll be said that I, Zhu Meng, ordered the evacuation."
His tone was resolute, leaving no room for argument.
Nianbing was the captain of the National Team — if public opinion turned against him, it could cost him his position.
Lu Xu, Fei Jiao, Du Xiao, and the others voiced no objections.
The undead's behavior was indeed abnormal; being cautious was the wisest choice. At worst, the citizens would lose a few hours of sleep.
Staff Officer Zhu opened his mouth to protest, but one sharp glare from Zhu Meng silenced him immediately.
Without delay, Zhu Meng sent his guards to begin the evacuation and contacted Han Ji.
Han Ji readily agreed — losing a few hours of rest was nothing compared to the devastation of a fallen city.
Nianbing was quietly touched by Zhu Meng's trust. Though the man could be stubborn and blunt, his heart was righteous.
"Full alert!" Zhu Meng roared. "Let's see if these undead can really move during the day."
He stood atop the city wall, his sharp gaze fixed on the distance. Tonight, he would see for himself what the undead were capable of.
Throughout the long night, flashes of magic illuminated the city walls. Even Super-Level spells were cast from time to time.
As Nianbing had predicted, the undead swarming at the base of the wall seemed endless — an unending tide that could not be slain.
When the first faint ray of dawn broke over the horizon, the undead still had not retreated.
"They can actually move during the day…!"
Zhu Meng's exhausted face twisted with disbelief.
He had stood guard all night without rest, and now the truth stood before him — the undead army was unstoppable.
Moments later, Nianbing emerged from the city tower, looking refreshed.
Behind him, Du Xiao, Lu Xu, and Fei Jiao arrived one after another — only to freeze in shock.
After an entire night of battle, the number of undead had not diminished. It had multiplied.
"Woooooo~~~!!!"
A deep, mournful roar echoed from the mist-shrouded sky. A skeletal creature with vast bone wings descended — the Hai Sha Bone Dragon!
Before anyone could react, it opened its maw and unleashed a black shockwave, annihilating an entire section of the city wall and swallowing the buildings behind it!
For a moment, Zhu Meng and the others stood frozen in horror. Then, relief washed over them.
If they hadn't evacuated the outer city in time, countless civilians would have perished.
"Nianbing… thank goodness we listened to you," Zhu Meng said, his voice trembling. "Otherwise, the consequences would've been unimaginable."
Nianbing didn't reply. His eyes were fixed on the massive shadow moving beside the Bone Dragon.
The Mountain Corpse had arrived.
"According to President Han Ji's orders, we must retreat to the inner city barrier immediately," Zhu Meng commanded gravely.
Though the evacuation couldn't ensure everyone's safety, most had made it to safety in time.
Lu Xu, Fei Jiao, and Du Xiao agreed without hesitation. With both the Mountain Corpse and the Hai Sha Bone Dragon here, defending the outer city was suicide.
Moreover, reports from Han Ji confirmed that other city walls were under similar attacks.
"Retreat!" Zhu Meng ordered, then turned to Nianbing. "Young Mu, you're coming with us."
Nianbing shook his head. "I'll stay behind and buy you some time."
"Are you insane?!" Zhu Meng grabbed him by the shoulder, eyes blazing. "Even with the Black Serpent, your safety isn't guaranteed!"
"I'm only holding them off — not fighting to the death," Nianbing replied calmly.
He needed to enter the Evil Abyss soon, and harvesting more undead souls now would help him later.
Seeing his unshakable resolve, Zhu Meng finally relented, patting his shoulder solemnly.
As Zhu Meng and the others withdrew, Nianbing remained on the city wall alone, gazing at the endless undead tide in the distance.
Then — with a deep breath — he summoned them.
Three Monarch-level beasts appeared beside him, their roars shaking the battlefield.
The war had only just begun.
...
Author's Note:
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