Chapter 22: The Frontline
The Wood Vessels were entirely dark gray in color, their movements not stiff, their withered bodies a result of Dead Wood characteristics. Though they appeared dried out, they actually possessed strong vitality within.
These were no longer humans; they were a race that had emerged after being eroded by ancient god power and then adapting to it.
Su Xiao found it hard to understand how they could adapt to ancient god power. Under normal circumstances, being eroded by ancient god power would turn one into a tentacle monster, but these Wood Vessels developed toward the wood and life systems instead, which was puzzling.
At least a hundred thousand Wood Vessels approached from the distance. They formed a circle, driving the humans at the center forward. The number of humans was at least ten times that of the Wood Vessels. If a fight broke out, the Wood Vessels could quickly slaughter all these humans.
Cries and wails filled the air. The women, children, and elderly surrounded by the Wood Vessels all believed they were doomed.
A large group of soldiers rushed out of Ango City, all wielding cold weapons and wearing armor. The weapons looked brand new, but whether they were suitable against the Wood Vessels remained unclear.
About half a kilometer from Ango City, the Wood Vessels stopped and opened a passage.
"You... are... free."
A Wood Vessel with pale green eyes spoke. This was a trait gained after repeatedly devouring its own kind. It actually uttered human language. In just a few days, the Wood Vessels had reached this level, not far from gaining rationality.
The Wood Vessels retained no memories of their time as humans. In fact, their consciousness had only recently been born, growing rapidly based on their current bodies.
Seeing Ango City a few hundred meters away, the large crowd of women, children, and elderly immediately began running, forming a massive tide of people.
No soldiers charged out to fight the Wood Vessels. If battle broke out now, few of the women, children, and elderly would survive.
The Wood Vessels retreated into the distance. It wasn't time yet; their savior hadn't given the order.
Gulu hadn't controlled the Wood Vessels but had ruled over this race. This race, which had perished a thousand years ago, had been "reawakened" by Gulu, becoming his power. In the eyes of the Wood Vessels, Gulu was the messiah, their savior, even their creator.
Soldiers rushed out, protecting the old, weak, women, and children within their ranks. Conservatively estimated, there were over 1.2 million of these people. Ango City simply couldn't accommodate so many. The underground city could barely hold them, but many would still be homeless.
Gulu's move was ruthless enough. The old, weak, women, and children couldn't fight—they were completely non-combatants. The children, in particular, were the hope for the future.
Hope was there, but what would these people eat? Where would they live? These were major problems, and no one knew if Gulu would send a second wave.
Su Xiao wasn't worried about these issues. He was only responsible for defending the city. The resettlement problem was up to Councilor Rose and Councilor Frost Snake.
This was the time to test Councilor Rose and Councilor Frost Snake. Whether they were useless teammates or temporary collaborators would be observed through this matter.
Thinking of this, Su Xiao leaped down from the building and headed straight for the Council Hall.
As soon as he entered the crowd, Su Xiao heard a burst of unrestrained weeping. A soldier in armor was hugging a mother and daughter, crying bitterly. A loved one thought lost had suddenly reappeared. Even a soldier nearly two meters tall, as strong as a bear, couldn't handle it. He was embracing his wife and daughter, sobbing so hard that snot ran down his face.
Soon, Su Xiao arrived at the Council Hall. This time, the guards at the door didn't stop him. They gave a symbolic nod and let him pass.
Just as he reached the door of the third-floor council chamber, Su Xiao heard arguing from inside.
"Nonsense! If we reduce the population, how do we maintain morale? What the hell are you two thinking? This isn't about personal feelings! We have to consider the soldiers' emotions. Without them, we're nothing!"
Bang! A table was slammed inside the council chamber. It was Councilor Rose.
Su Xiao pushed open the door and entered. The three people in the room stopped talking. Seeing only Su Xiao, none of them said anything. The enemy leader, Elvish Gulu, had specifically requested to negotiate with Su Xiao. As long as these two councilors and one king weren't stupid, they could figure out some implications.
Gulu wasn't building up Su Xiao's reputation. He knew that once fighting started, it was only a matter of time before Su Xiao had a say.
"White Night, Councilor Frost Snake just suggested quickly reducing the population by controlling housing allocation. The underground city is colder than Ango City. If we don't provide shelter, the elderly won't last long. On this matter, you represent the Holy Realm Councilor and give a proposal."
Councilor Rose was trying to drag Su Xiao into the mess. It was now 2 to 1, with both Councilor Frost Snake and King Rayman supporting population reduction.
"That's your business. Before the Wood Vessels attack, I won't interfere with any decisions."
Su Xiao leaned back in his seat, ready to observe. When he mentioned the Wood Vessels, the other three all showed varying changes in their expressions.
"We can't reduce the population. It will definitely cause problems. It will break the soldiers' hearts. You, and you, will both die. Don't glare at me. I'm talking to you, King Rayman. If I weren't holding things together, would your soldiers still listen to your orders? You were the first to abandon their loved ones."
Councilor Rose's words made King Rayman almost roll his eyes. The dignified Councilor Rose was actually starting to argue irrationally.
"If we don't reduce the population, food supplies will last at most a month."
"Then fight for a month. If there's no food, fight our way out. In the early stages, eat wild plants and ensure farming. It's spring now; we can start planting soon."
Councilor Rose's stance was very firm. They couldn't reduce the population. Once the people began to despair, that would truly be the end.
A rift had appeared. This was exactly what Gulu wanted to see. No matter how they handled the old, weak, women, and children he sent, there would always be various problems.
The final decision was to temporarily not reduce the population. If there was no progress in half a month, they would start cutting numbers.
Councilor Rose was a very assertive type, ruthless in her methods. When it came to the critical moment, she would be even more ruthless than Councilor Frost Snake, but not toward her own people.
Bang! The council chamber door was slammed open. An officer in armor rushed into the room.
"Four lords, those monsters are attacking! They're at the west of the city, over 200,000 of them!"
The officer reported, then stood straight by the door.
"Map."
As soon as King Rayman spoke, the officer hurried over to fetch a map and placed it on the council table. King Rayman, Councilor Frost Snake, and Councilor Rose all looked at the map on the table, preparing to arrange strategy.
"Set up defensive lines here and here. The western garrison has over 150,000 troops. They can hold off the first wave. Reinforcements will flank from this direction, aiming to cut off any possible enemy reinforcements..."
Before King Rayman could finish, he noticed Su Xiao had already stood up and was walking out.
"Kukulin Bai Ye, this is wartime. Even if you're an acting councilor, you should at least go through the motions."
King Rayman showed displeasure. The three of them were deploying troops, but Su Xiao was about to leave.
"I'm not good at commanding wars on a map."
"Then where are you going?"
Councilor Rose seemed to realize something, a different light shining in her eyes.
"The frontline."
Su Xiao walked out of the council chamber. Bubu Wang, Amu, and Baha, who were waiting for him outside, followed. Their auras had clearly begun to change. Now, it was time for what Su Xiao did best.
As soon as Su Xiao reached the main gate of the Council Hall, all the guards outside took half a step back, on high alert. When battle was about to begin, Su Xiao's aura was extremely ferocious, and his blood energy gradually spread out.