Starry Night, Plains, and Slaughter

Harry, the Shieb, scurried forth with a comically exaggerated show of deference, presenting—a roll of paper. Du Chen merely shot him a sidelong glance, then handed Alex into his arms before casting his gaze upon the vista.

The McAllen Great Plains presented a stark contrast to the rolling hills of the Lanning Empire. As far as the eye could see, an unbroken expanse of emerald grassland stretched into the horizon. Under a vast azure sky dotted with white clouds, lush grass fed plump livestock, the unique grandeur of the plains merging into a single line at the distant sky, creating a subtly dizzying panorama.

It was late autumn, and the ubiquitous green grass was gradually turning golden from south to north. In the furthest north, a faint scattering of black dots on the horizon marked the densely populated settlements of the Macallan Empire. Looking south, a formidable range of towering iron fortresses rose from the earth, stretching for tens of li. Even though Du Chen was nearly a hundred li away from the continuous iron fortresses, he could still faintly discern that unbroken, steel-forged bastion—Heaven's Ocean Pass, Lanning's foremost military stronghold in the north!

To the south lay the mighty pass, to the north the land of the beastmen of Macallan with their distinct customs. All around, the boundless emerald plains met the azure sky, a comfortable, unique spectacle of autumn winds rustling through the grass. Amidst such breathtaking scenery, Du Chen found himself scratching his head. "Damn it, where are all the good deeds?! The world is vast, and good deeds are the greatest, but where are they to be found?!"

"Young Master, are you looking for something?" Harry inquired, peering up at his master's peculiar expression.

"Deboning, have you noticed anything amiss nearby?" After Deboning surveyed the empty plains and shook his head, Du Chen turned to Harry. "Harry, what does your nose tell you!?"

Harry took several deep sniffs of the crisp autumn wind sweeping across the plains, then shook his head. "Esteemed Master, Harry only detects the scent of grass. There's nothing around here but grass and small animals! Oh, wait, Harry just checked the map. Not far to the east, there's a small river called the Kuren River! Following the Kuren River north will take us to our first stop, Battle Axe District!"

Alex suddenly nodded. "Hmm, battle axes, weapons for master-level experts!"

"Brat, stop boasting!" Du Chen chuckled, playfully tapping his son's forehead. After confirming once more that there were no opportunities for good deeds nearby, he smiled. "Come on, let's find the Kuren River first! Oh, and since we're already on the Great Plains, it's about time for the two Grand Matriarchs to stretch their legs!"

Lucy and Lily emerged from the Lotus Sacred Artifact simultaneously, and just as synchronously, let out a prolonged sigh, their voices so perfectly matched it was as if a single entity breathed. Their collective sigh was laden with endless sorrow!

Lucy knelt on one knee, gently caressing the grass beneath her. "Ah, the scenery of the Great Plains has barely changed! For Major General Julie to be buried here, it's not exactly..."

"Young ladies, let us proceed. According to the information you've provided, the site of Major General Julie and Ancestor Sigurd's final battle should be in the Battle Drum District, six hundred li north of here! Coincidentally, the Auerbach Battle God Assembly is being held there. If all goes well, we can reach it within four days!"

Lucy nodded, taking her sister's hand and following behind Du Chen. Lily suddenly asked, intrigued, "Francis, why aren't you using the Wyvern Carriage to fly there?"

"Heh! If I were to use the Wyvern Carriage, the Macallan air force would undoubtedly know of my arrival the moment it appeared; the Wyvern Carriage is simply too conspicuous..." Du Chen explained, noting the sisters' puzzled expressions. "This time, we are entering the Macallan Empire anonymously! So, for the time being, young ladies, please address me as Du Chen, alright?!"

"Du Chen? Such peculiar syllables!" Lily chuckled, then asked, "Why the anonymity?"

"Alas, sister, it is now the Fallen Gods Era, year 1278!" Lucy answered for Du Chen. "The relationship between humans and beastfolk isn't what it was in our time. Back then, we were close comrades, united against powerful foes! But now, Macallan and Lanning are practically mortal enemies... I recently read in the Chronicle of Gods and Demons that in the past two centuries, there have been twenty-seven major battles between Lanning and Macallan, each involving over a hundred thousand combatants. Though the two nations appear amicable on the surface now, in truth, both are secretly preparing for an even more brutal conflict..."

"I understand," Lily said. "Francis is an Earl and a lord of Lanning. If he enters Macallan under his true identity, while he might receive the courtesies due to a foreign dignitary, the Macallan Empire would undoubtedly dispatch agents to covertly monitor him!"

Du Chen shrugged. "Indeed. I have some personal affairs to attend to in Macallan and prefer not to be observed by too many people, hence the choice to arrive anonymously!"

"True Masters never go anonymous!" Alex scoffed, pursing his lips dismissively. "Tell the Macallan people: I, the Great Master Alex, have arrived!"

"You little rascal!" Du Chen pinched his son's nose, truly at a loss for words regarding his lively son's temperament. "You don't need to be anonymous, because you're simply not famous enough!"

Du Chen had intended a lighthearted jest, but to his surprise, the little fellow's eyes widened dramatically, "astonishment" etched across his brow. Yet, just as swiftly, he shook his head with conviction, pouting. "What?! Alex isn't famous enough? No, Papa must be lying! Papa is just jealous of Great Master Alex's reputation!"

"This little one, hehe!" Both Grand Matriarchs were amused by the boy. They took Alex from Harry, embracing and showering him with kisses. The sulking child pouted, his large eyes gazing forlornly at the sky, his face a mask of sorrow.

Du Chen chuckled as he watched his son, yet a nagging suspicion brewed within him. The closer he got to the Kuren River, the itchier his backside became—could the opportunity for a good deed lie by the Kuren River!?

Just then, Harry suddenly sprang up. "Master, Harry smells it! Smells it, haha!"

He set off with his stout, short legs, dashing towards the Kuren River, shouting as he ran, "Master, Harry has completed your assigned task! Harry has detected a faint trace of blood mingled with the scent of the Kuren River's water!"

Du Chen's heart swelled with joy. No wonder he hadn't found any opportunities for good deeds nearby earlier; it seemed that as the Open-Top Dui Trigram was about to fully activate, the Precious Scroll's alert range had expanded, even beyond Harry's olfactory capabilities!

Hastening to catch up with Harry, Du Chen felt a tingling numbness in his backside and inwardly rejoiced; this was indeed a significant good deed awaiting him!

"No, not just a faint trace of blood!" Harry's steps faltered, a slight hesitation in his voice. "Master, it's a very strong smell of blood! But the river water was blocking some of Harry's sense of smell just now, that's why... Heavens, what has happened!?"

Harry stared, dumbfounded, at the scene before him!

The two Grand Matriarchs, accustomed to bloodshed, frowned slightly. "How cruel! They are merely beastmen civilians!"

Deboning gazed coldly at the sight along the Kuren River, remaining silent.

Du Chen's good mood, spurred by the discovery of a good deed, vanished instantly. He gritted his teeth. "Damn it, this is utterly inhumane! They didn't even spare the elderly and children!"

In the ten-meter-wide waters of the Kuren River, numerous corpses drifted. These were not human, but a branch of beastmen, the Daobet! Their stature was not robust, only reaching an adult human's waist, and most were emaciated. The Daobet were said to be a hybrid of the Canine Beastfolk and other intelligent races, possessing humanoid bodies, slightly protruding muzzle-like human features, and two upward-pointing ears...

Furthermore, it was undeniable that the Daobet possessed intelligence, emotions, could reproduce, and used tools... Compared to humans, they were a fully equal intelligent race! Not mere livestock like common cattle, horses, or dogs!

Now, this intelligent race was suffering a genocidal massacre!

Along the Kuren River, from north to south, Daobet corpses slowly drifted downstream. A rough count revealed nearly a hundred bodies! Most of them were dismembered—arms, toes, intestines, hearts, livers... scattered body parts bobbed and swayed with the current. An appalling stench permeated the riverbanks. It was clear that a small Daobet tribe had suffered an annihilating slaughter!

Turning to scan the surroundings, Du Chen saw no other living intelligent beings within sight. With a "plop," he leapt into the river. "Harry, check the more intact bodies, see if any are still alive!"

Harry frowned, covered his nose, and jumped into the water. The two Grand Matriarchs hesitated. Lucy then suddenly handed Alex to Deboning, and, taking her sister's hand, plunged into the river. Just as Deboning looked conflicted, Du Chen instructed, "Brook, take Alex and patrol the vicinity. If anyone approaches, please alert me. Alas, one must be cautious even when saving lives, or if others see this scene, we won't be able to clear our names even if we jumped into the Newin River!"

Many more fragmented corpses drifted from upstream. Du Chen's brow furrowed as he sifted through the relatively intact bodies. Soon, Lily called out, "Fr—Du Chen, this old man appears to be alive! Quickly, come here!"

Du Chen hurried through the water, assisting the two Grand Matriarchs in lifting the old man, who had miraculously clung to life, onto the riverbank. "Harry, prepare the emergency medicine, quickly!"

Du Chen was unfamiliar with the Daobet, but from the old man's silver hair and the deep wrinkles around his tightly shut eyes, it was clear he was ancient; in human terms, he would be at least sixty or seventy years old!

Yet, this septuagenarian had a chilling dagger plunged into his chest!

"Old man, wake up!" Du Chen poured the emergency medicine down the old man's throat, then, using the first-aid techniques learned on Battle God Isle, he gently stabilized the elder's breathing.

But just then, Du Chen suddenly felt a warmth spread across his back. A warm current of energy began to swirl from the center of his back, gradually leaving his body and flowing into the severely wounded old man!

This was the sensation of Lotus Internal Force, but he hadn't activated his Lotus Internal Force, had he!?

Du Chen was bewildered, but with the old man not yet stable, he couldn't afford to be distracted. He merely observed the flow of the Lotus Internal Force with his divine sense.

"Huh, Du Chen, your back..." Lucy and Lily stared at Du Chen in astonishment.

Deboning, who was patrolling in the distance, also heard the sound and turned, then froze for a moment. In Deboning's arms, Alex suddenly gaped. "Papa, you're actually a Master! I never would've guessed!"

From a distance, a faint golden halo blossomed from the center of Du Chen's back. The halo, shaped like a lotus yet resembling a gentle sun, radiated soft, brilliant golden light that was not dazzling, as if a pair of tender hands were delicately caressing everything nearby!

Within the golden glow, the Daobet elder slowly opened his eyes. But then, scenes from before "death" flashed before his eyes!

His young grandson lifted by that shadowy figure, torn apart alive...

His elderly wife, her head severed by a horse-slaying saber...

A whistling black thorned flail, with a single swing, rendered his second brother's head a bloody mess, a gush of hot blood splattering across his own chest...

His kin scattered, fleeing from the slaughter, but before they could run more than a few steps, the cold gleam under the silver moon dismembered and tore their bones apart...

Dead, all dead. His family, friends, kin, who had drunk and sung with him just yesterday, relishing the refreshing autumn winds of the Great Plains... all dead!

The old man's heart clenched in pain, waves of dizziness surged to his forehead, his heart feeling as if it were being twisted by knives. Two streams of cloudy tears involuntarily streamed down his face.

Then, the scene "before death" replayed in the old man's mind: the imposing black-armored warrior, grinning maliciously, advanced towards him, casting a disdainful glance at the dagger in his hand. Then, somehow, the dagger's direction reversed, plunging itself squarely into his chest. Following that, the black-armored warrior's deafening roar echoed, "Pursue them! Not a single survivor must escape!"

My living kin, my friends, flee!

The old man's hazy eyes turned inexplicably terrified, his dilated pupils once again reflecting an emotion called despair. Following that, he cried out, "Run! The devils are coming!"

"Old man, you are safe now!"

The old man suddenly heard a voice, kind and gentle, yet profoundly sacred. Compared to the demonic shouts still ringing in his ears, this... was this the voice of a god? It must be. He had died, arrived in heaven, and met the god of their beastfolk, the Supreme Beast Emperor, the Holy War Father God, His Eminence Auerbach!

The cruel and terrifying scene gradually receded, and the vision before the old man's eyes cleared. A soft golden glow was the first thing to meet his gaze. Irradiated by the sacred light, a figure with an indistinct countenance supported him, his voice gentle and kind, his appearance pure and flawless...

With a golden radiance behind him, a holy image manifested. A warm current flowed through his muscles and into his body, soothing his battered form.

Involuntarily, with a choked voice, the old man tremblingly uttered a greeting, born from despair yet brimming with hope, "Illustrious Supreme Father God, I... I have finally seen you!"

Du Chen was somewhat dumbfounded!

What are you doing, old man? I did save your life, but that hardly warrants calling me Father God, does it? I can't possibly accept such a title!

However, it was at this moment that Du Chen noticed his own peculiarity!

It turned out that "The Sixth," which he kept within his heart's core, had stirred. That soft golden light emanated from "The Sixth," diligently healing the old man's body. Simultaneously, a lotus-shaped halo of light appeared behind Du Chen, accentuating his "sacred, radiant, and noble" image...

A despairing old man, dragged back from the brink of death, suddenly saw a radiant figure save him, and this old man was a fervent devotee of some god... It was no wonder he cried out "Father God."

Du Chen, grasping this, suddenly felt a wave of embarrassment! Yet he also breathed a sigh of relief; so, "The Sixth's" true purpose was actually to save lives!

But!

Master Grape is too ostentatious, isn't he? If it's just about saving lives, why create such a flamboyant display? Does he think my image isn't grand enough? Specifically conjuring an auxiliary prop?!

Du Chen wanted to laugh, but seeing the many corpses still drifting away in the distance, he sighed inwardly. To laugh at such a moment would be utterly inhuman!

"Old man, you are safe now!" Du Chen gently helped the elder to his feet, supporting him in his arms, and then shot a glance at Harry.

Harry, quick-witted, instantly understood his master's intent. He swiftly positioned his stout body between the old man and the river, shielding the elder from the horrific sight of his kin savagely massacred.

"Father God, you must avenge your children!" the old man cried urgently. He felt his body gradually recovering, further cementing his belief that he had encountered "Father God"!

Du Chen sighed. "Old man, I am not your Father God! I am merely a human, though I am a Battle God!"

Damn it, "The Sixth," are you never going to stop!? Reel in that flashy golden light! This isn't the time for showing off!

As if it heard Du Chen's unspoken plea, "The Sixth" playfully seemed to stick out a tongue, withdrawing the golden light from Du Chen's back!

"Father God, are you abandoning me?" The old man grew frantic, struggling to his feet and prostrating himself before Du Chen, weeping bitterly.

Alas, this old man was truly pitiable. Having just suffered such a profound tragedy, his mind must be clouded! Du Chen, understanding, helped the elder up and leaned down, bringing his face close to the old man's. "Look, I am human. I cannot possibly be a god of the beastfolk!"

"No!" the old man stubbornly shook his head. "The Portraits of Father God Auerbach passed down to us depict a beastman remarkably similar to humans!" He then caught sight of the two Grand Matriarchs, quickly turning to bow before them. "You two must be Father God's wives! Divine Mothers!"

Lucy and Lily were dumbfounded, speechless. After a long moment, Lily said, "You've truly mistaken us. We are not Divine Mothers. And he is not General Auerbach... er, God Auerbach!"

Lucy added, "Look closely at this person. Given your age, you must have seen the Statue of God Auerbach worshipped among the beastfolk. If so, you should be able to tell that this man's appearance is vastly different from God Auerbach's!"

"Exactly! Although both of them are handsome, Du Chen's appearance, compared to God Auerbach..." Prompted by Lucy's subtle cue, Lily buried the latter half of her sentence in her heart. While Francis was indeed handsome, his beauty was that of masculine virility, whereas the Chief of Staff of the Einz War Zone, Four-Star General Auerbach, possessed a countenance that was... well, just thinking about it was nauseating!

The old man scrutinized Du Chen. His mind, now somewhat clearer amidst his immense grief, processed everything that had transpired. He sighed, "So, I didn't die... Why didn't I die?!" He clutched his head in anguish, then suddenly knelt before Du Chen, pleading urgently, "Merciful Battle God, can you save my kin!? I beg you!"

"Your kin aren't all already..." Du Chen trailed off, then asked instead, "Old man, can you tell me what happened?"

Last night, in a small Daobet village upstream on the Kuren River, a celebration was in full swing, spurred by a large sum of Gold Coins—a fortune that Daobet, the lowest rung of beastfolk society, might never see in a lifetime!

The origin of these Gold Coins was that some "kind-hearted" beastfolk had hired all the able-bodied young Daobet men from the village, paying them an advance! As for what these beastfolk intended to employ the Daobet for, the impoverished Daobet, their heads muddled by the Gold Coins, readily believed the casual lies spun by the seemingly benevolent beastfolk—to excavate an Underground Waterway—a task at which the Daobet were most skilled!

Thus, that night, the Daobet, following beastfolk customs, gathered all their relatives and friends in the village for a grand farewell ceremony! But shortly after those beastfolk had led away all the able-bodied young men, a portion of them returned, armed with weapons, looking like malevolent devils...

The old man choked back a sob at this point. "As a result, all our villagers were killed. The old, the children, not a single one was left!" He looked up at Du Chen. "Esteemed Battle God, you must realize those individuals were absolutely not good people. The elderly, weak, women, and children of our village are all dead. Those strong men they took away are surely in danger too!"

Du Chen's heart stirred. After a moment of thought, he urgently asked, "Why are you asking me? Why not report this to the authorities?! Can't Macallan's officials help you!?"

"No, we absolutely cannot report it!" The old man shook his head in terror. "I saw it! When those beastmen returned for the massacre, they were using standard military equipment of Imperial Warriors! This means... Imperial officials want us dead!"