Chapter 110: Saving Bai Ting

Deep in a dense forest, Bai Ting lay unconscious, looking every bit like a sleeping beauty resting at its heart. Even in her slumber, her elegance stood out.

At that moment, Gu Xiaoyao, who had just finished his breakthrough to the eighth layer of the Sword Emperor Realm, also managed to comprehend the Yang Sword of the Yin Yang Creation Technique and the Extinction Sword, thanks to the pitch-black stone left by the Stone Statue.

Just as he happened to pass through, Gu Xiaoyao spotted the unconscious Bai Ting. Moved by compassion, he set about rescuing her.

“Miss, are you alright? How’s your body feeling now?” Gu Xiaoyao asked, supporting her after channeling his spiritual energy to heal her.

With great effort, Bai Ting opened her eyes, her voice barely above a whisper. “Thank you, sir, for your help. I’m deeply grateful. May I ask your name? If I have the chance in the future, I’ll surely repay you tenfold.”

“I’m Gu Xiaoyao. I wander the world in search of freedom,” Gu Xiaoyao replied, turning away with his hands behind his back.

Bai Ting’s cheeks flushed pink and she stammered shyly. “My name is Bai Ting. I still have urgent matters to attend to, so please excuse me.”

She tried to stand, but her body was still weak. No sooner had she gotten up than her legs gave out and she nearly collapsed again. Gu Xiaoyao reacted instantly and caught her.

He let out an awkward cough. “You shouldn’t push yourself. Your body’s only just starting to recover, so you need more rest.”

Bai Ting’s face turned pale, anxiety flooding her expression. “Sir, do you know how long I’ve been unconscious?”

“Not too long, not too short. Exactly three days,” Gu Xiaoyao answered, scratching his head in confusion. “Why do you ask?”

“That’s bad. It’s been that long?” Bai Ting struggled to her feet, only to collapse to the ground, helpless and sobbing. “It’s already been so many days… My father, what happened to him?”

Gu Xiaoyao couldn’t stand to see her like this. He stepped forward to help her up. “It’s alright. Tell me where you need to go and I’ll take you there.”

Bai Ting trembled as she leaned into Gu Xiaoyao’s arms. “I’m from Heavenfire City. Please just take me there.”

“Hang on.” Without another word, Gu Xiaoyao swept her onto his sword and shot through the sky at breakneck speed. As they soared, Bai Ting couldn’t help but glance shyly at his handsome face, her cheeks warming.

Gu Xiaoyao kept his expression calm, letting the wind whip through his hair. In moments, they crossed countless mountains and rivers, passing scenes of breathtaking beauty. At times, wild geese even flew alongside them.

Before long, an ancient and massive city came into view. Hanging above its gates was an enormous weathered plaque, stained with dried blood, boldly announcing its name: Heavenfire City.

The sight tugged at Bai Ting’s heart, unease flickering through her features. Suddenly, a thick stench of blood wafted from behind them, stealing their attention.

For dozens of miles behind, the ground was littered with countless corpses and heaps of bleached bones. Organs were scattered everywhere, the air reeking of blood and rot.

“Thank you, Young Master Gu. I’ve arrived,” Bai Ting said, bowing shyly.

Gu Xiaoyao pinched his nose, waving the air in front of him. “Miss Bai, do you smell something foul right now? It’s all around us.”

“What smell?” Bai Ting sniffed the air, then her eyes widened. “Wha— how did this happen?!”

A gust of wind carried the stench straight into their faces, making them both gag. Looking further back, even a hundred miles out, fresh corpses were scattered everywhere, some still looking almost alive.

A small river nearby had turned blood-red. The ground beneath their feet was stained scarlet, thick with the stinging scent of death.

Overhead, flocks of crows circled and swooped, feasting on the corpses below. Some tore at intestines with their beaks, others flew off with an eyeball clenched tight.

Bai Ting was stunned for a second, but with no time to worry about Gu Xiaoyao’s shock, she began frantically searching through the sea of bodies for her father’s face.

Her petite figure darted quickly among the corpses. After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, she finished searching every body nearby and let out a long sigh of relief.

“Thank goodness… My father isn’t among these bodies,” she said, panting as she sat down for a rest.

Gu Xiaoyao followed her over, his face full of confusion. “Miss Bai, why were you searching through all those corpses?”

“I’m actually the daughter of Heavenfire City’s lord—Bai Ting,” she said, wiping sweat from her forehead and clenching her fists. “That day the Demon Race led a thousand elite troops and slaughtered all three hundred thousand people in Heavenfire City. My father used his last breath to get me out. I just wanted to see if he… if he was among the dead.”

Just as the two of them sighed in helpless grief, a sudden shout split the silence.

“Who are you two? This is a battlefield! No civilians allowed near! We suspect you’re Demon spies! Grab them!”

Hundreds of Human Race guards processing the corpses all pointed their spears at Gu Xiaoyao and Bai Ting, quickly closing in.

Gu Xiaoyao gave a helpless twitch of his mouth. “If I tell you I was just passing by, would you believe me?”

“I’m Bai Ting, the city lord’s daughter! Is it wrong for me to come home?!” Bai Ting shouted in panic as they approached.

“Impossible. No one survived in Heavenfire City,” the leader ordered with a wave of his hand. “You’re both probably spies. Take them for questioning!”

Gu Xiaoyao tensed, wanting to teach these idiots a lesson, but then sighed and held himself back. He and Bai Ting were forcibly escorted away.

Bai Ting tried to argue, her face flushing red. “Listen to me, I really am the city lord’s daughter! This really is my home!”

“You’re the city lord’s daughter? Sure, and I’m the emperor’s son. Cut the crap and move!” The squad leader impatiently dug in his ear and shoved Bai Ting forward.

Under the threats and shoves from this Human Race squad leader, the two had no choice but to follow and were taken to the City Lord’s Mansion.

…

Inside the City Lord’s Mansion, Yu Wenrong and the generals were frantic with worry. From Frando’s report, they already knew the Demon Race had split its army in three, attacking Sky Sword City, Vast Sea City, and Yingchun City.

Trying to turn back now would be pointless—they’d find those cities empty. All they could do was sigh and shake their heads in frustration.

Suddenly, a voice rang out, breaking their desperation.

“Reporting, generals! The left flanking squad—Captain Zhongshan—caught two suspicious individuals outside the long wall while disposing of bodies. We believe they’re Demon spies!”

“We’ve brought them here for your judgment!” Dozens of figures marched in, knocking on the door.

Gu Xiaoyao and Bai Ting were dragged in. The others inside could barely contain their shock, jumping to their feet.

Yu Wenrong spun around, his eyes wide. “Zhongshan, what are you doing? This is a huge misunderstanding! Let them go!”

Zhongshan asked, confused, “Commander, who are these two? Even you’re treating them with respect?”

Yu Wenrong strode forward, brushing the dust off both of them, then turned with an angry glare. “That’s Young Master Gu Xiaoyao. He’s incredibly strong and a close friend of the crown prince. And this young lady is Bai Ting, daughter of the Heavenfire City Lord!”

“I was blind not to recognize you both. Please forgive me!” Zhongshan didn’t even hesitate, dropping to one knee and offering a respectful salute.

Bai Ting turned away with a cold huff. “Uncles, have any of you seen my father?”

“Bai Ting, to tell you the truth—your father, Bai Jingshan, died in battle that day. His body was never even found.” Yu Wenrong sighed heavily.

“W-what?” The news hit her like a thunderclap. Bai Ting’s legs buckled and she dropped heavily to the floor.

Gu Xiaoyao gently patted her shoulder. “Miss Bai, I’m so sorry. Please accept my condolences.”

Suddenly, Yu Wenrong remembered something urgent. He became serious. “Young Master Gu, Miss Bai, there’s something critical you need to know. The Demon Race has already slipped past our lines and split into three, attacking Sky Sword City, Vast Sea City, and Yingchun City.”

“Given the time we’ve lost, they’ve likely already taken Vast Sea City and Yingchun City. Sky Sword City is further, but it’s probably under attack too. If we go now, we’ll only be too late to save anyone.”

Yu Wenrong slumped heavily into a chair. The generals shared weary glances, shaking their heads in resignation.