427 Traces One

The group that came together were all residents or villagers of the city. At this moment, the city gates were closed, and they waited patiently outside.

Coming against the tide at this moment, I see the light, I see life. The future is unknown, but there are adults there. I am willing to walk with them through thorns and brambles and forge ahead.

Everywhere you looked, everyone's eyes were filled with shock, utter shock.

As Aunt Lu and her husband gazed into the distance, the wind howled and the clouds raged, as if a giant dragon was roaring in the sky, the gale threatening to devour everyone in the city.

Layers of clouds, swept up by the wind, surged like a tide, merging with the horizon, boundless and endless. Death was approaching, and Yama, the King of Hell, was claiming lives. I thought of my children in the army.

With a worried expression, he muttered a curse under his breath, 'Damn monsters! We finally have a decent life, and these damned monsters are back again.'

Tears welled up in her eyes, but she managed to hold them back. Looking at the house across the street, Xiao Juan was holding her three-year-old child, her eyes silently gazing into the distance.

All that could be seen were rolling clouds, surging like giant waves. The rampage seemed to devour everything in its path.

A pang of pity suddenly welled up in my heart. I usually hung out with Xiaojuan and the others, so I was familiar with them. I knew that they were also raising their children alone and doing odd jobs at home.

Although I'm a bit busy, things are much more stable than before, and my husband can come back from time to time, so it's quite fulfilling. Even though the pay is pretty good now, I haven't been willing to hire anyone to help me.

Naturally, I wasn't willing to be idle either.

Their eyes met, and both saw the anxiety in each other's eyes, a look that said, "Aunt Lu."

Aunt Lu nodded gently, her eyes replying, "Don't worry, the general and the others are definitely safe and sound."

Xiao Juan, sitting opposite, nodded gently, holding the child and softly comforting him.

"Don't worry, Xiao Bao. It's just that it's going to rain heavily. Your father is outside and there's a place to take shelter from the rain. He'll be back after the storm passes."

I brought you back some delicious candied hawthorns and maltose.

Little Bao mumbled, swallowing hard, "Daddy, candied hawthorn."

Grandma Lu looked up, her voice choked with sobs, and said, "Old man, we need to get our son back quickly to get married and have a baby soon."

He sat silently beside me, wearing a newly made long robe that was warm. A while ago, his son had received a bonus and happily exclaimed, "Dad, look!"

Open the bag, and inside are the rewards and benefits for this period of time.

She was as happy as a child and boasted, "Dad, Mom, you must make me a new dress this time."

The clothing store near Madam's has many new clothes at reasonable prices. Mom and Dad, you must go and get a new outfit.

My strength is increasing now, and things will only get better from here on out.

Aunt Lu said with concern, "Keep these to buy some tonics for your cultivation. Your father and I have enough to wear now, so don't worry."

After a moment of silence, his son whispered, "Father, Mother, I've reached my limit. Without a great stroke of luck, I'm afraid I won't be able to continue."

Father and Mother, don't worry. With the General and the Lord, there's always a chance.

Also, there's some monster meat here; my parents made soup from it—a reward from the adults.

Watching his son take out a fist-sized piece of rare monster meat wrapped in a very precious package, the strong, fishy smell still lingered.

'This is a bear, my parents cooked it into soup.' He gently placed the monster meat on the table.

I remember cooking it into a meat soup last night and drinking a big bowl of it. I still gave the monster meat to my child. Although I don't know the exact price, it must have been very rare.

You can't give your child better, nor can you take advantage of your child.

Hearing the words in her ear, she nodded quickly. "Don't worry, when the child comes back, I'll take him to meet him right away. If everyone agrees, we'll get married as soon as possible."

If the bride price isn't enough, I'll borrow some from Lao Yuan to finalize the marriage.

Let's plant more land, then we'll have a bigger harvest. Things will get better soon.

Aunt Lu suddenly lowered her head, her voice choked with sobs, "If only the eldest son were still here."

The old man remained silent, watching the turbulent winds and deafening sounds of battle recede into the distance, his heart filled with hope: 'Damn evil spirits, son, you must return safely.'

The battle lasted not long, yet it felt like an eternity; it felt to everyone as long as a lifetime.

'Good news! Good news! All the monsters outside the city have been slain!'

'The demonic beasts have all been slain.'

Those who were still waiting listened to the hope they had longed for, their faces filled with astonishment, followed by the joy of surviving a disaster.

He shouted, "The monster has been slain! We're safe!"

"Thank you, sir. Thank you, general."

'We're safe. Our leader is mighty and invincible!'

The news quickly reached the mansion. In fact, the news had been spreading rapidly ever since the monkey demon and wolf demon were killed. Ji Xixi, Wei Lan, Xie Huayu, and the others, whose hearts were hanging in suspense, gradually felt relieved.

At that moment, Tao'er ran in quickly.

Overjoyed, she exclaimed, "Miss, Miss, the master has slain a demonic dragon! It was incredibly long, so long that you couldn't even see its tail. It's said to be over a thousand feet long!"

Yun Su and Sister Yun Qing are on their way back.

Peach chattered on and on.

Wen'er ran over quickly and asked anxiously, "Sister Tao, how is Brother Chen? Is he alright?"

Tao'er smiled and took Wen'er's hand, her face beaming with joy. She gesticulated wildly, overjoyed, and picked Wen'er up in her arms, saying, "No, no, the master is not injured, but Captain Guan is."

The adults are staying there to guard against any unforeseen events; they'll return once things are settled there.

Ji Xixi, Lian Xiuxiu, Wei Lan, Fanghua and the others also breathed a sigh of relief.

The tension in Wanqing and Rourou's eyes gradually eased.

Piaomiaoyue walked gently from outside the door and said softly, "Sister Yunsu and the others will be back soon."

However, the city gates are temporarily closed; those outside will be allowed to pass once they return.

Ji Xixi chuckled softly, "I'm so sorry to have troubled you sisters. When Chen Lang returns, we'll reward you properly."

Piaomiaoyue chuckled softly, "The demon beast has been vanquished. Chen Lang is back. Prepare a good meal and treat him properly."

The other women chuckled softly. The demon beast had been vanquished, their lovers were safe, and Yun Su and the others had returned safely. Nothing could be better than this.

Yun Su and the others returned quickly, and on their way back, people lined up on both sides of the street to welcome them.

Men, women, young and old, and even children carried on shoulders or held in arms, all had eyes full of wonder and joy.

The crowd shouted in unison, "Welcome back, General! You've returned in triumph!"

"Welcome back, General, in triumph!"

The sound traveled very far.