Today was the seventh day of the New Year; Andrew Han's eyes flashed.
From the look of things, the middle-aged man with graying hair, Liam Lee, hadn't celebrated the New Year, nor even the calendar New Year's Day.
Across Sinovera, whenever festivals come, some stand guard at their posts, some trek through danger... It is because of people like them that there is reunion, that there is a stable and peaceful society—even if some think life is too comfortable.
Faced with such danger, even he would die.
But only after experiencing life and death does one realize the true value of comfort. At least in a world overrun by Demons and Specters, comfort is never a negative.
"Five Sect-Class Specters—this is beyond my ability to handle," Andrew muttered, his expression grim. "If only my Internal Power had reached Solidified Core, maybe I could contend with them."
"So then—"
"Should I save Liam Lee or not?"
It was only natural to hesitate.
His master once said: never act out of bravado—preserving oneself is the true path. In short, if you can't win, run! And run decisively, swiftly, with the spirit of ruthless resolve!
Leave?
Or stay here and try to break Liam Lee out of the Sect-Class Specter blockade?
Beside him—
Liam Lee, his clothes disheveled, pulled his down jacket tight around him. He sensed Andrew Han's hesitation, but remained silent and quietly waited for Andrew to decide.
He felt a little hopeless, a little ashamed.
But in this world, there is no 'if only,' no medicine for regret. Against a siege of Sect-Class Specters, even Martial Lords might not survive.
In that instant—
Andrew Han asked, "How long have you been on this measurement mission?"
"A little over two months. We've almost crossed the whole Asian continent," Liam Lee replied softly. "You should go. If possible, please send a distress signal for me."
Two months?
Today was the seventh day of the New Year; Andrew Han's eyes flashed.
From the look of things, the middle-aged man with graying hair, Liam Lee, hadn't celebrated the New Year, nor even the calendar New Year's Day.
Across Sinovera, whenever festivals come, some stand guard at their posts, some trek through danger... It is because of people like them that there is reunion, that there is a stable and peaceful society—even if some think life is too comfortable.
But—
But only after experiencing life and death does one realize the true value of comfort. At least in a world overrun by Demons and Specters, comfort is never a negative.
"Let me ask you something."
"Those damned things..." Andrew Han lowered his head, his face unreadable. "Do they fear it too? Do Demons and Specters worry about humanity launching Universal Martial Practice?"
Mm.
Liam Lee nodded. "Of course."
He pursed his lips and leaned against a tree, gazing up at the clear blue sky as if trying to see through the winter heavens.
Pa-dap.
Andrew Han placed his left palm on Liam Lee's shoulder. "Why are you sitting there? I'll get you out of here... Five Sect-Class Specters, that's all. If I can't beat them, I can still outrun them!"
Hearing the first half, Liam Lee was overwhelmed with emotion.
But when he heard the whole sentence, he paused, then stood up with a wry smile. "If we make it out alive this time, I swear I'll repay you."
"No need. It's time to go."
Andrew Han grabbed Liam Lee and dashed toward the mountainside.
Five Sect-Class Specters?
As long as they crossed the safe zone between the Specters before the blockade was complete, they could escape this area.
"If I use Inspiration to envelop the surroundings, maybe I can mask Liam Lee's presence." Andrew Han narrowed his eyes and, with just a few steps, passed through a patch of forest, quietly crouching behind a hill. "As long as Liam Lee keeps at least three kilometers away from the Sect-Class Specters, we can avoid disaster."
Fortunately—