Starting from the imperial palace guards, his clones spread all over the world.

Chapter 695 Today's Fire Attack
For two whole days, Yaoshui City and its surroundings were plunged into a suffocating, deathly silence, like the calm before the storm.

The demon army did not launch a fierce attack as expected, but instead firmly established itself in the east, west, and south directions like a rock.

The camps stretched endlessly, banners obscuring the sky, and one could clearly see the sound of trees being felled constantly coming from the distant mountains and forests. That was the demon army working day and night to produce siege weapons such as ladders, battering rams, and catapults.

The black banners of the demon army fluttered in the wind, like the wings of countless crows lurking in the shadows, exuding an invisible sense of oppression.

The Yaoshui Kingdom's garrison inside the city was also racing against time.

In the workshops, the furnaces burned day and night, and the sound of hammering never ceased; soldiers were busy transporting logs and stones up the city walls to reinforce the defenses; among the branches of the giant trees, guards patrolled vigilantly, inspecting every sentry post and defensive point built on the branches.

The air was thick with the smell of saltpeter, tung oil, and tense sweat, and every face was etched with solemnity.

Before this decisive battle that would determine the fate of Nanzhou broke out, there was an eerie and oppressive calm, like the unsettling rumble of thunder before a storm, gathering destructive power behind the clouds.

Liang Jin spent the whole day in his newly found secluded courtyard. Apart from necessary activities and adapting to the pressure of the [Zhenyuan Dragon-Slaying Lock], he spent most of his time meditating and regulating his breathing.

It wasn't until the afternoon of the next day that he pushed open that inconspicuous wooden door again and blended into the somewhat desolate streets of the city.

He deliberately avoided main roads and crowded places, choosing instead to wander around quiet alleys.

Sometimes I would stop at roadside vendors to sample the unique sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves, or grilled fish with various exotic spices; sometimes I would walk into small shops selling local handicrafts and look with great interest at the totems carved from animal bones, colorful feathers and exotic woods; and sometimes I would even try some novel things that are rarely seen in the Central Plains, such as watching the locals use a special kind of blowgun to catch birds in the trees.

Liang Jin's actions were not truly motivated by a great deal of leisure or inclination.

This was actually a special kind of spiritual practice that he intentionally undertook.

There is a saying in the martial arts world: If you want to cultivate martial arts, you must first cultivate humanity.

A martial artist who understands life, is emotionally rich, and is psychologically healthy will have a more stable mind during the long and arduous journey of martial arts training, and the probability of going astray will be greatly reduced.

Conversely, those extreme martial artists who are obsessed with martial arts all day long, regard it as the only meaning of life, and sever their seven emotions and six desires, may seem focused, but in reality, their mental state is flawed. They are often more likely to be taken advantage of by their inner demons at critical moments and fall into an abyss of no return.

Martial arts training is like driving a long, winding road.

When you've been rushing for a long time and are exhausted, you should occasionally stop and appreciate the scenery along the way to relax your tense nerves.

A balance between tension and relaxation is the way of both civil and military affairs.

If it were the Liang Jin of the past, who was only focused on being brave and diligent, striving for speed and strength, he would naturally have no time or intention to stop and cultivate his character.

But now, possessing the extraordinary skill of the [Zhenyuan Dragon-Slaying Lock], he is constantly under immense pressure while cultivating, which forces him to "slow down".

This "slowness" is not laziness, but a deeper level of accumulation and sedimentation.

Especially as his cultivation level deepened and he gradually approached the insurmountable barrier of the second rank, a barrier that countless martial artists dreamed of yet feared, Liang Jin couldn't help but feel a sense of vigilance deep within his heart.

Looking back on his own path of cultivation, he found it to be far too smooth, almost a triumphant journey, without ever truly encountering the torment of inner demons.

The only thing that could possibly trigger his inner demons was Zhao Yiyi, but he had already completely possessed her, thus resolving the problem.

However, inner demons are formless and intangible, making them the most unpredictable and difficult to guard against.

It's like a shadow lurking in the deepest part of his heart. Even Liang Jin himself can't be sure if it really doesn't exist, or if it will suddenly emerge at some unexpected moment, when he is most vulnerable and critical, and deliver a fatal blow.

Now, the second-grade realm is within reach.

To ensure that nothing goes wrong when breaking through this crucial hurdle, Liang Jin also began to consciously focus on cultivating and tempering his character.

This journey through the streets, this experience of ordinary life, is his preparation for confronting the invisible inner demons that may appear in the future.

"Squeak-"

With a slight scraping sound, Liang Jin pushed open the bamboo door of a small restaurant.

This restaurant is located in a remote area and has simple decor, but it has a strong local flavor.

Its signature dishes mainly consist of various wild mushrooms picked from the mountains and deep-fried insects. In particular, the mushroom soup made with a variety of mushrooms and insects is exceptionally delicious and leaves a lasting impression.

Liang Jin happened to pass by yesterday and tasted it once, and couldn't forget it, so he came again today.

"It's that monkey trainer! He's here again!"

As soon as Liang Jin stepped across the threshold, several children who were chasing and playing in the store lit up and screamed as they surrounded him.

Now that the shadow of war looms large, and the adults are all frowning and worried, only these innocent and carefree children can still maintain this innocence and carefree spirit.

The children's target was not Liang Jin, but the jade-faced fire monkey with fiery red fur and a lazy expression on his shoulder.

The fire monkey, full of intelligence, sensed the children's innocent curiosity and kindness, and felt no threat or murderous intent. It simply yawned lazily, scratched its face with its paw, and didn't intend to pay any attention to these noisy little guys.

The children, on the other hand, were very enthusiastic, holding up bananas, mangoes and other fruits, standing on tiptoe, trying to feed the beautiful and spirited monkey.

The commotion caused the few customers at the few tables in the restaurant to look up.

One of the gazes froze the moment it touched Liang Jin's figure.

The owner of that gaze seemed slightly tipsy, his reactions a little sluggish, but then, an undisguised look of surprise and disbelief flashed in his eyes:
"Is...is it you?!"

Liang Jin looked in the direction of the sound and saw a woman dressed in colorful clothes sitting at a wooden table in the corner.

Her clothes were colorful and intricately patterned, and when she looked fierce, she resembled a phoenix spreading its wings, exuding an inviolable nobility.

But now, under the influence of intoxication, that sharpness has turned into weariness, and sitting there gracefully, she possesses a poignant beauty that is both poetic and picturesque.

It was none other than Feng Wu, the holy maiden of Wuli.

Both sides were clearly quite surprised.

It's truly fate that we met again in such an unassuming little restaurant.

Now that they had run into each other, Liang Jin had no intention of avoiding it.

He gently put the jade-faced fire monkey off his shoulder, letting it be surrounded by the children and allowed to play on the side.

He himself walked naturally to Feng Wu's table and sat down opposite her.

"This Yaoshui City doesn't seem to be very big."

"I never expected to run into this."

His tone was flat, revealing little emotion, before he added:
"This meal is on me."

He keenly detected the strong smell of alcohol emanating from Feng Wu.

Her originally beautiful face was now flushed with an alluring blush, like a ripe peach.

Her once bright phoenix eyes were now veiled with a hazy mist, giving her a drunken look.

Liang Jin glanced at the table, where several empty wine jars and earthenware bowls were scattered about. Apart from the wine, there wasn't even a single side dish to accompany it.

It is not uncommon for women in the southern region to drink alcohol as if it were water, but drinking heavily on an empty stomach like this is clearly an attempt to drown their sorrows.

Liang Jin didn't ask any questions and ordered several signature dishes from the restaurant, especially a large bowl of steaming mushroom soup.

Soon, the food was served, and its aroma was irresistible.

Liang Jin skillfully took out the glistening white rice from the banana leaf that was wrapping the food, and ate it with the delicious mushrooms, his movements calm and unhurried, as if Feng Wu across from him did not exist.

As for whether she eats it or not, he doesn't care at all.

However, Liang Jin's silence and presence seemed to be the last straw that broke the dam in Feng Wu's heart.

She had suppressed her sorrow, grief, and despair for too long, and at this moment she finally found an outlet to confide in.

She didn't even need Liang Jin's response; she just needed an audience.

So she began to tell Liang Jin her story in fits and starts.

She spoke of her beautiful homeland, Wuli, nestled against the mountains and beside the water, and how it was burned to ashes overnight by the demon army under the command of the Demon Lord of Wuxu.

Speaking of her people, the elders who watched her grow up, and the playmates she played with, how they died tragically under the butcher's knife, their blood staining the stream in front of the village.

She was the only one left in the entire tribe, but she became a rootless duckweed, all alone, with no relatives or a place she could call "home" in this world.

She recounted how she had knelt countless times outside the Yaoshui Palace, pleading with the high and mighty queen to lend her an army to avenge her people. But each time, she was met with either a cold rejection or endless delays.

Now, she has even lost the chance to meet Queen Yaoshui, as if she and her hatred for the extermination of her clan have long been forgotten in a corner of this city.

She said that she was now alone in a foreign land, and every time the night was quiet, her longing for her people gnawed at her heart like poisonous insects, leaving her only to weep.

During the day, he could only use this poisonous wine to numb himself and temporarily forget the excruciating pain.

She saw no glimmer of light or hope for the future, as if she were trapped in an endless abyss of darkness, constantly falling...

All sorts of frustrations, grievances, anger, and helplessness poured out of her mouth like a flood.

She choked up at times, became excited at others, and sometimes stared blankly into the void.

Liang Jin ate his meal quietly, as if he were a meditating monk.

Feng Wu's words went in one ear and out the other, leaving little trace in his mind.

The joys and sorrows of others are ultimately theirs.

His purpose for this trip was clear: he was unwilling and had no intention of getting involved in too many grudges and feuds.

After he slowly finished the last bite of rice in his bowl, the mushroom soup on the table was also empty. Feng Wu was getting more and more drunk. She was lying on the table, her eyes were glazed, and she was still muttering to herself incoherently.

With the strength of a fourth-rank martial artist like Feng Wu, if she didn't want to get drunk, she could easily expel the alcohol from her body by circulating her internal energy and instantly regain her sobriety.

But at this moment, she was clearly immersed in her drunkenness, unwilling and afraid to wake up and face the cruel reality.

Looking at the dejected woman before him, who was completely different from the decisive, brave, and charismatic leader he had seen in the mountains not long ago, Liang Jin felt little emotion.

He simply raised his hand to call the shopkeeper over and paid the bill.

"I've finished eating and paid."

He stood up, his tone still calm:
"Take your time drinking, I'm leaving now."

With that, he turned to leave.

"Don't go!"

Seeing this, Feng Wu, like a drowning person grasping at a straw, suddenly reached out and tightly grabbed Liang Jin's sleeve, so forcefully that the sleeve wrinkled.

"Can you... talk to me a little longer?"

She tilted her head back, her face hazy with intoxication, her eyes pleading:

"I'll buy you a drink! The best wine here!"

As she spoke, she somewhat flusteredly pulled out a sizable piece of silver from her bosom and slammed it on the table with a "thud," seemingly trying to retain her only listener in this way.

She hadn't finished pouring out her grievances, and she feared that this rare outlet would disappear, throwing her back into boundless loneliness and despair.

Liang Jin shook his head slightly, and with a gentle flick of his wrist, a soft yet irresistible force was released, easily shaking off Feng Wu's tightly gripping hand.

"No."

He said no more and walked straight to the door.

The Jade-Faced Fire Monkey cleverly escaped the children's clutches, leaped a few times, and landed steadily on his shoulder again.

Pushing open the creaking bamboo door, I saw that the sky outside was already dark, and the last rays of the setting sun were about to be swallowed by the distant mountains; night was about to fall.

Time flies, and another day is coming to an end.

Liang Jin gazed at the darkening sky, a slight sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a feeling of mixed emotions, often including regret or nostalgia).

Previously, he was so immersed in martial arts cultivation that he would often go into seclusion for dozens of days or even longer, and his perception of the passage of time became blurred.

Now that he deliberately takes a break to experience the everyday life of the city, he is surprised to find that even an ordinary day passes by so quickly, like sand slipping through his fingers, impossible to grasp.

He shook his head slightly, casting aside these distracting thoughts, and followed the secluded path he had come from, returning to his hidden courtyard.

The southern region is extremely humid, especially after nightfall, when the air feels as if you could wring water out of it.

Liang Jin cleared a small open space in the yard, gathered some dry firewood, and lit a bonfire.

The leaping flames dispelled some of the darkness and dampness, bringing a touch of warmth.

Not long after the campfire was lit, a figure reeking of alcohol staggered over the courtyard wall and landed in the yard.

It was Feng Wu who had followed them, clutching a jar of unopened wine tightly in her arms.

"So...you lived here!"

Feng Wu's cheeks were flushed, and her steps were unsteady. She walked to the fire, sat down without any ceremony, and slammed the wine jar on the ground, kicking up some dust.

"I...I'm a little dizzy, I almost...almost couldn't keep up with you."

She mumbled something, asking Liang Jin to continue drinking with her, but she herself broke the mud seal and started gulping down the wine jar.

The strong smell of alcohol permeated the courtyard.

After taking a few big gulps, she began to sob softly again, repeating her previous complaints intermittently, her voice choked with sobs and filled with helplessness.

Liang Jin glanced at her, too lazy to pay attention to this drunken madwoman who was immersed in her own world.

He added firewood to the fire, patiently waiting for the campfire to completely dissipate the annoying dampness around him, enjoying this moment of warmth and tranquility.

Fengwu grew tired of complaining, and her crying gradually subsided.

She suddenly put down the wine jar, stood up unsteadily, and began to dance right beside the leaping firelight.

Her dance was full of the unique exotic charm of southern Xinjiang. Her arms stretched out like a phoenix spreading its wings, her waist twisted like a willow branch swaying in the wind, and although her steps were slightly disordered due to intoxication, they had a unique primitive and unrestrained beauty.

Her colorful clothes shimmered in the firelight, and as she unconsciously hummed a strange yet desolate tribal song, the scene had a poignant and moving quality.

The dances of southern Xinjiang are indeed quite different from the graceful dances of the Central Plains and the passionate dances of the Western Regions, carrying the mystery and wildness of the mountains and forests.

Liang Jin also became somewhat interested and sat there quietly to enjoy the view.

However, the dance did not last long.

Feng Wu was quite drunk. After spinning around, she lost her footing and fell straight to the ground with a "thud," letting out a soft groan before falling silent again.

He had completely passed out from drunkenness. Seeing this, Liang Jin shrugged helplessly.

He got up, returned to his bedroom without hesitation, and closed the door.

He wasn't used to sleeping on the hard, cold ground, so naturally he wouldn't give up his bed to a drunk woman he'd only met twice.

As for Feng Wu, she is a fourth-rank martial artist with a physique far superior to ordinary people. Sleeping in this courtyard for a night will at most result in a few mosquito bites, which will be of no consequence.

As night deepened, only the crackling of the campfire and Fengwu's even, deep breathing remained in the courtyard.

Nothing happened all night.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking.

"Squeak-"

The sound of Liang Jin pushing open the wooden door to the bedroom was particularly clear in the quiet morning, finally waking Feng Wu, who had been sleeping on the cold ground in the courtyard all night.

She first let out an unconscious groan, then slowly opened her heavy eyelids, her eyes filled with the bewilderment and confusion of someone just waking up.

When she saw Liang Jin walking out of the room and the unfamiliar surroundings, memories of the previous night flooded her mind like a tide, causing two barely perceptible blushes to rise on her cheeks—a blush of shame and embarrassment.

She sat up from the ground and moved her somewhat stiff limbs.

The ground in Nanzhou was damp, and after sleeping there all night, I felt quite uncomfortable.

Just then, she seemed to feel something crawling on the back of her neck, causing a slight itch.

She frowned slightly, but her expression showed no panic. She naturally reached into the back of her collar and rummaged around for a while. When she reached out again, there was a small, colorful centipede about the length of her finger, wriggling vigorously between her fair fingers.

The centipede was brightly colored and kept writhing and struggling between her fingers, but it could not break free from her seemingly delicate but actually powerful fingers.

Feng Wu's expression remained unchanged, as if she were only holding a fallen leaf.

With a casual toss, she accurately threw the small centipede into the still-hot, dark red embers of the campfire.

"Crack..."

A slight crackling sound rang out, and the small centipede quickly curled up and charred in the high temperature, emitting a strange smell that was a mixture of burnt protein and a special aroma.

As a woman from the Southern Frontier, Feng Wu had been dealing with all kinds of poisonous insects since childhood and was already used to it, so she would not be delicate or panicked because of it.

She brushed the grass clippings and dust off her clothes, stood up, and looked at Liang Jin with a pair of elegant phoenix eyes filled with complex emotions. Her eyes showed the weariness of a hangover, the embarrassment of her behavior last night, and a hint of gratitude that was hard to detect.

"Great Master..."

Her voice was slightly hoarse from just waking up, but her speech was clear, indicating that the alcohol had worn off:

"Last night... I lost my composure and disturbed your peace. I'm truly sorry."

Upon hearing this, Liang Jin merely smiled faintly, as if the events of last night were nothing more than a passing breeze:
"It doesn't matter."

"Just don't tell anyone I live here."

Feng Wu nodded seriously:
"Don't worry, I will never mention this to anyone else."

Then, she stood there, twisting the hem of her clothes somewhat awkwardly with her hands, her lips moving slightly as if she had something to say but found it difficult to speak, her face full of hesitation and struggle.

Finally, as if she had made up her mind, she bit her lower lip, raised her head, looked directly at Liang Jin, and said with sincere apology:

"I...I also want to sincerely apologize to you."

"That day in the Demon Palace, it was I... I misunderstood you."

"sorry!"

As she spoke, she bowed deeply to Liang Jin, her posture extremely humble.

Liang Jin nodded slightly, which was considered as accepting her apology.

He wasn't one to hold grudges, so since Feng Wu was sincere in clearing up the misunderstanding, he was naturally happy to oblige.

The atmosphere eased.

Liang Jin walked to the still-warm charcoal fire, added a few pieces of dry firewood, and gently blew on it. The orange-red flames rose again, bringing warmth.

Then, he took out a few fresh ears of corn from the house, skewered them with a sharpened stick, and slowly roasted them over the fire.

Soon, the fresh aroma of corn mixed with the smell of cooking food filled the courtyard.

The corn kernels were roasted until golden brown and crispy, sizzling and very tempting.

"Eat something?"

Liang Jin handed the best-roasted ear of corn to Feng Wu.

Feng Wu nodded and said softly:

"Thank you."

She took the roasted corn, ignoring the heat, and slowly ate it, as if the hangover and hunger of the night had made her feel hungry.

Liang Jin took a section of corn for himself and handed the last section to the Jade-Faced Fire Monkey, who had been squatting to the side, eagerly watching.

The monkey let out a joyful shout, grabbed the corn, and jumped aside to enjoy it.

The two people and the monkey were quietly eating a simple breakfast in the courtyard, where the morning light was just beginning to break.

"What are your plans?"

While eating the sweet roasted corn, Liang Jin asked the question in a seemingly casual manner.

Upon hearing this, Feng Wu put down the corn in her hand. Her expression, which had been slightly relieved by the food, instantly turned cold, and a deep-seated, irreconcilable hatred welled up in her eyes.

She almost gritted her teeth as she said:
"Revenge! I will avenge my people!"

"I must personally kill that demon, Wuxu Demon Lord!"

Liang Jin was not surprised by this and continued to ask:
"What happens after revenge?"

After revenge?

Feng Wu was suddenly stunned, as if struck by the question.

The fire of hatred still burned in her eyes, but deep within her pupils, a profound sense of confusion and emptiness involuntarily surfaced.

Her home had been burned down, and her family had been slaughtered.

Revenge became almost the only belief that kept her alive.

But what happens once this goal is achieved?

Where should she go? What can she do? What does the future hold?
She had never thought deeply about these questions, or rather, she deliberately avoided thinking about them.

When Liang Jin suddenly asked her this question, she felt completely lost, as if she were standing on the edge of a cliff with a thick, impenetrable fog in front of her.

Liang Jin ate his corn slowly and deliberately, and continued to ask:
"I heard you've never left Nanzhou?"

Feng Wu nodded subconsciously.

"Would you be interested in visiting the Central Plains sometime in the future?"

Liang Jin's voice remained calm, yet it was like a pebble thrown into Feng Wu's lifeless heart.

Feng Wu suddenly turned her head, her phoenix eyes filled with undisguised surprise as she stared intently at Liang Jin.

She had always firmly believed that she was born and raised in the mountains, that she was a daughter of the mountains, that her blood and soul were closely connected to this ancient land, and that the mountains would ultimately be her final resting place, her final burial ground.

She never thought of leaving and had no interest in the outside world.

But now, Liang Jin's words were like opening a window in her closed world that she had never noticed before, allowing her to vaguely see a completely different landscape outside the window and to see another possibility for life.

A completely new path, away from hatred and sorrow, to start anew.

However, the moment this thought arose, she felt a strange sense of panic and resistance.

Asking her to suddenly abandon everything from the past and face a completely unfamiliar and unknown world left her in a state of utter confusion and unable to accept it.

She stared intently at Liang Jin, her gaze sharp, as if trying to pierce through his calm exterior and see through his true intentions in extending the invitation.

Facing her scrutinizing gaze, Liang Jin remained calm and continued:

"To be honest, Miss Fengwu's sword strike in the Demon Palace that day truly broadened my horizons."

He paused, his tone carrying a hint of sincerity:
"Our Taiping Dao has only been established for a short time and is in dire need of talent, especially outstanding talents with extraordinary talent and unlimited potential like Miss Fengwu."

"If Miss Fengwu is interested in the future, the doors of my Taiping Dao will always be open for you."

Back in the Demon Palace, Feng Wu, with the strength of a fourth-rank martial artist, was able to instantly kill a third-rank martial artist with a single sword strike.

Such a decisive victory over someone of a higher level truly amazed Liang Jin.

However, he had no intention of recruiting them at that time. Now that the two of them have met again here and resolved their misunderstanding, it can be considered a kind of fate. Therefore, he personally invited them.

Feng Wu was silent for a moment, then asked in return:
"Did the Great Teacher travel all this way to Nanzhou just to recruit talented people?"

Liang Jin shook his head slightly:

"it's not true."

"I have come to Nanzhou on important business."

"As for recruiting talent, it all depends on fate."

He looked at Feng Wu calmly:

"To be honest, so far, I have only extended invitations to Wu Ling and to you."

"At present, there are no plans to recruit other people."

He knew this decision wouldn't be easy for Feng Wu, so he added:

"I know you're feeling confused right now and finding it hard to make a decision. That's alright, you can take your time to think it over."

"Just give me an answer before I leave Nanzhou."

After saying that, Liang Jin stood up, dusted off the ashes on his hands, called out to the Jade-Faced Fire Monkey, and then pushed open the courtyard gate again, intending to continue his "stroll" and cultivation for the day.

Being able to recruit a martial artist with such great potential as Feng Wu is naturally a good thing for the development of Taiping Dao.

He could sense that Feng Wu possessed a power that had not yet been fully explored, with boundless potential.

But everything depends on fate, and if the fate doesn't work out in the end, Liang Jin will never force it.

As he stepped outside, a fierce gust of wind greeted him, making his clothes flutter and his hair fly.

"Ok?"

Liang Jin paused slightly and looked up at the sky.

The sky was no longer as clear as yesterday; instead, it was covered with thick, leaden-gray clouds that hung low over the city.

A fierce wind howled through the streets, whipping up dust and causing tree branches to sway wildly, making a mournful sound as if countless wronged souls were weeping.

Is it going to rain again?

Liang Jin muttered to himself, a hint of anticipation flashing in his eyes:
"I wonder if this rain will bring the thunderstorm I'm hoping for?"

He was filled with anticipation, longing for the divine power of heaven and earth to descend and temper the lightning-struck fruit, allowing it to fully mature.

But he was also well aware that the climate in Nanzhou was unpredictable, and the experience of predicting the weather in the Central Plains by observing cloud patterns and wind direction was almost completely ineffective here.

Perhaps only the locals who have lived here for generations truly understand the temperament and weather of this land.

Just then, a slightly hurried sound of footsteps came from behind.

Feng Wu actually chased after him and followed him to his side.

She seemed to have temporarily suppressed her heavy emotions, and with a pure curiosity on her beautiful face, she asked:
"Great and wise teacher, could you... could you tell me what the world outside these mountains is like?"

This question lingered in her mind.

She used to stay in her own little world and had no interest in the outside world.

But Liang Jin's words were like a seed that took root and sprouted in her heart, making her see a glimmer of light in the darkness of despair, and she couldn't help but feel an unprecedented curiosity and longing for the vast world beyond the mountains.

Liang Jin did not answer her question directly, but instead cast his gaze to the majestic sacred tree in the distance, and calmly changed the subject:
"The wind is strong today, which is a good time for the demon army to attack the city."

Upon hearing this, Feng Wu looked puzzled, clearly not understanding what he meant.

Liang Jin stretched out his hand, pointing towards the towering tree that blotted out the sky, serving as the symbol and greatest support of Yaoshui City, his voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible coldness:

"This city, relying on this sacred tree, also uses its unique structure to defend against external enemies, especially the aerial attacks of the owl army."

"But at the same time, it could also become the city's biggest weakness."

"Fire overcomes wood. If the demon army uses fire to attack on such a windy day... the wind will fan the flames, and the fire will be fueled by the wind, making the effect several times more intense than usual."

His analysis was calm and objective.

Especially today, the wind is blowing from the south, directly towards Yaoshui City, which is a perfect combination of favorable timing and location for the demon army located to the south of the city!
Feng Wu smiled, as if she already knew the answer to this question, and explained:

"The Yaoshui Kingdom is certainly aware of all this and has long had countermeasures in place."

"Look at the branches of that giant tree, where numerous reservoirs have already been built, and there are people guarding them day and night."

"If the demon army uses rockets, fireballs, or stones to set fire, the defenders can fetch water to put it out immediately, ensuring the safety of the sacred tree."

"Even if the owl army attempts to swoop down and attack with fire, the guards in the trees are equipped with specially made wet mud, sand, and long-handled swatting tools, which are sufficient to deal with them."

The Yaoshui Kingdom has worshipped the sacred tree for generations and has spared no effort in protecting it, with fire prevention measures being quite comprehensive.

However, after listening, Liang Jin's lips curled into a meaningful smile, and he slowly shook his head, his tone resolute:

"That's not necessarily the case!"

(End of this chapter)