When I woke up, I wanted to go home.

Chapter 275 Living towards death

The events of that year confirmed his earlier suspicions.

Among the Thirteen Protectors, some had already begun to show signs of spinal deformity as the downy hair on their necks grew longer and longer.

Secondly, changes have occurred in both the fingers and toes.

This phenomenon is clearly changing towards the form of a demonic beast.

At this moment, Zhu Chongjiu did not know whether the situation was caused by the environment or by the meat of the animals they had eaten.

Seeing that the worst-performing individuals would become extremely violent at night, Zhu Chongjiu was helpless.

The only option is for someone else to forcibly control it.

After nightfall, we waited until dawn.

These people will then feel much better.

At least I was able to control my own thoughts.

During that time, those people also pleaded with Zhu Chongjiu.

Zhu Chongjiu was to kill them when they transformed at night.

Even if it meant death, they didn't want to become those monsters.

When everyone learned the origin of those monsters, and looked at the monster meat they had stored in their hands, their expressions were incredibly complex.

Those demons, like Hu Lie and others, are somewhat better off.

At dawn one day, Zhu Chongjiu decided to stop going forward.

Murong Yu then asked him the reason.

Zhu Chongjiu replied, "Since those demonic beasts lurk during the day and come out to hunt at night..."

I want to go and check out the whereabouts and strongholds of those monsters during the day.

After so many years of reflection.

I have a feeling that this challenge might be related to those who came to this continent in previous years, and how they eventually transformed into demonic beasts.

Upon hearing Zhu Chongjiu's doubts, Xiao Hei asked suspiciously, "But we didn't see a single demon beast when it was dawn."

It's as if it vanished into thin air, how can we find it?

After Xiao Hei finished speaking, many people agreed with his point of view.

Indeed, after dawn.

Over the course of nearly five years, Zhu Chongjiu and his group traveled hundreds of thousands of miles without encountering a single demonic beast.

It's as if they vanished into thin air, leaving no trace.

Finally, Zhu Chongjiu said helplessly, "Then we have no choice but to take the risk."

"How do you take the risk?"

Seeing Murong Yu's concerned question, and the others also looking doubtful, Zhu Chongjiu said:

"It's very simple. Just before dawn, I followed these monsters to find out what was going on."

Upon hearing this, everyone disagreed with Zhu Chongjiu's decision.

Murong Yu then anxiously added, "No matter how capable you are, can you handle one or ten at the same time?"

Can you handle dozens or hundreds of them?

What's the difference between this and suicide?

After Murong Yu finished speaking, the others echoed his opposition.

At this moment, the thirteen bodyguards who had undergone the most severe demonic transformation said with self-reproach, "Ninth Brother, you mustn't."

Then they begged their leader, Little Kim, to execute them on the spot.

"We must not let Ninth Brother take this risk, even if it means death."

Seeing this, Zhu Chongjiu interrupted everyone and first addressed a few of the Thirteen Protectors:

"You don't need to blame yourselves."

Even if you die now, it won't stop others from following in your footsteps.

In the days to come, will everyone have to end their own lives one by one before they are transformed into demons?

This is not the key to solving the problem.

Seeing that the crowd was still disagreeing, Zhu Chongjiu interrupted them and continued, "Alright, stop talking."

Since you've all chosen to follow me and still call me Ninth Brother, then listen to me.

Even though Zhu Chongjiu said so, Murong Yu still pressed the bone knife in her hand against her neck, which was gleaming black and covered with a lot of downy hair.

"Ninth Brother, I agree with what you did."

But I disagree with you going by yourself.

If you die, then there's no point in me living.

I'd rather die now, so I won't be heartbroken after you're gone.

Seeing this, everyone followed Murong Yu's example.

He pressed the weapon in his hand against his vital point.

At the same time, Xiong Da, the most taciturn member of the group, said, "Ninth Brother, ever since I met you..."

You will have to face all dangers alone.

Always leave us behind.

Have you considered our feelings?

As soon as Xiong Da finished speaking, Xiao Hei continued, "That's right, Ninth Brother."

Don't worry, you've taught us martial arts for four years.

There were also practical exercises during this period.

We promise we won't hold you back.

Then you should think about it.

If you really don't come back after this trip, do you think we can still survive on this strange continent?

Rather than that, it's better to share the hardships together.

"Yes, we'll share the hardships!"

As soon as Xiao Hei finished speaking, the others echoed his last words.

Seeing the group of people who were ready to die for their cause, Zhu Chongjiu smiled and replied, "Good for you all."

So you're not listening to me anymore?

Is this how you start threatening me?

How am I supposed to manage you all from now on?

Zhu Chongjiu paused for a moment at this point.

After looking around at everyone, I saw that there was no sign of backing down in their eyes.

Then he continued, "What Xiong Da said is wrong."

You guys are just newbies right now.

When you become powerful, even if you try to hide behind me, I will push you out.

For now, just be a good boy and be your Ninth Brother's baby.

However, what Xiao Hei said made some sense.

This also provides a good opportunity to test your academic progress over the past four years.

Upon hearing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, put down their weapons, and cheered.

After a short while, Zhu Chongjiu explained the operation to everyone.

There are no plans.

Just before dawn, the group emerged from the cave.

The difficulty lies in not killing a single monster while ensuring one's own safety.

Let's see where they went at dawn.

If we kill all the monsters in front of us, then why bother going back to their lair?

Since it was already daylight, everyone had to wait until after nightfall to take action.

However, the group did not continue walking forward.

At that very moment, they waited outside the cave where they were resting for night to fall.

During this time, everyone also saw several groups of people still heading deeper into the mountains.

These people include immortals, demons, and teams composed of different races.

At this point, their demonic transformation was clearly much more severe than that of Zhu Chongjiu's side.

Often, only three or four people in a team remain relatively sober.

Some people had even been bound with ropes made of animal hides.

Only its two legs, which were still able to walk, remained, allowing it to move freely.

Everyone knows that this action was likely taken to prevent someone from suddenly transforming into a demon and harming others.

When some people saw that Zhu Chongjiu and his group had stopped moving, they came over to ask why.

After all, Zhu Chongjiu was considered a leading figure on this continent at that time.

When asked about it, Zhu Chongjiu did not hide anything.

I explained my thoughts and what I wanted to do to the other party.

Upon hearing Zhu Chongjiu's plan, some people kindly advised, "It's so risky, you shouldn't do it lightly."

Perhaps if we walk a little further forward, we can leave this mountain range.

Some people with ill intentions also encouraged Zhu Chongjiu to do things for them, like sacrificing a fellow Daoist to save themselves.

However, Zhu Chongjiu didn't care.

Some people's scores need to be settled gradually.

Since he was born into this universe, he has never been generous to his enemies!

The "Three Alls Policy" (kill all, burn all, loot all) was the norm.

After nightfall, everyone imitated those people.

They used ropes made of animal hides to tie up the Thirteen Protectors, who were on the verge of going berserk.

Then a bone knife was left beside them.

And tell them.

If we are in five days... or ten days...

They still haven't returned after ten days.

While you are conscious, you may decide for yourselves whether to end your lives with the bone knife in front of you or to cut the ropes binding you and escape.

After Xiao Jin finished speaking, he inserted the handle of the bone knife into a crevice in the rock wall.

This would allow them to touch the bone knife after standing up, thus severing the extendable part of their hand.

After doing all this, everyone sat cross-legged and waited.

After an unknown amount of time, Zhu Chongjiu opened his eyes and said to everyone, "The time has come!"