Chapter 65: A Man’s Last Words Are Always Kind

Song Qi took two steps back, drew in a deep breath, then—

“City Lord, if you don’t show up now, I’m really going to die!!!”

Liu Renfu was dumbfounded, unable to make sense of what Song Qi was up to.

But before he could react—

Bang!

A mass of black mist burst through the window. Several lines of intertwining script flashed and were instantly shattered, failing to provide any resistance.

The black mist landed on the ground and gradually dispersed, revealing a tall human clad in full black armor, rising to his feet.

Dark mist continued to seep from around his body.

Then the helmet was removed, and his face was fully revealed to those present.

It was none other than Fu Tianqi, the Lord of the Seventh District!

“?”

Liu Renfu’s poised tea-sipping froze, cup suspended in midair.

At first glance, he dared not believe it.

But when he saw the man remove his helmet, revealing his features—

Boom!

It felt as though Liu Renfu’s mind exploded.

All his thoughts crashed into a chaotic jumble.

The turn of events was beyond his wildest imagination.

What was going on?

That child had summoned... the City Lord?!

So this was what he meant by “summoner”?

Liu Renfu felt his mind could no longer keep up.

The City Lord himself, one of the thirteen district overseers, a pinnacle of humanity’s power—

Had been called forth by a child’s words?

How could that be possible?

Then... why was the City Lord here? For that legendary artifact?

No, that couldn’t be! How could the City Lord personally act for a single legendary artifact?

Was it to deal with the Cult of Demon Worship?

But hadn’t that group only arrived in the Seventh District a week ago?

Their leader had sworn the operation was top secret, known to no one else.

So, was it because of the child’s special identity?

Could it be...

Was the boy surnamed Li? A descendant of that great figure? Was the City Lord actually his protector?

But that couldn’t be! Hadn’t that man’s descendant always resided in the First District?

“Perhaps... it’s some kind of illusion? Or just someone impersonating the City Lord?”

After much thought, Liu Renfu decided to probe the truth for himself.

He rose, a flash of cold light in his eyes.

“Ridiculous!”

“Do you really think finding a lookalike to pose as the City Lord would frighten me into retreat?”

“How naïve!”

With that, he spread his hands, fingers upward, and his extraordinary power surged within him.

Countless wards were triggered at once!

A torrent of script surged from every corner of the room, black characters weaving through the air.

Rumble!

It was as if even space itself trembled.

A terrifying pressure swept through the entire house.

Liu Renfu rose into the air, arcane script clustering around him, lending him an aura both divine and demonic.

For an instant, Song Qi saw shades of those school principals in him.

He had actually surpassed the level 80 threshold in such a short time! His strength now vaguely rivaled that of those above level 90.

Yet in the next moment—

“Utter folly.”

The City Lord snorted coldly, stepped forward, and stomped hard.

Boom!

A formless wave swept through the room.

Crash!

Like a hurricane, the swirling sea of script was swept clean in an instant.

Several sealed windows shattered at once!

Bookshelves, tables, stools, all flew out through the openings.

The previously cramped room suddenly became spacious and bright.

Next, a wisp of black mist, no larger than a fingertip, shot out from within the City Lord’s armor and darted into Liu Renfu’s mouth.

“Cough... huh?!”

Liu Renfu felt an itch in his throat, and the extraordinary power that had flowed freely within him instantly became sluggish and blocked.

He could no longer remain aloft and crashed to the ground.

“Well? Does this prove I am truly the City Lord?”

“And you, Liu Renfu—weren’t you famous for your intolerance of even a grain of sand in your eye?”

“When you were young, you were among the most zealous in battling the extraterrestrial demons.”

“Who would have thought... that you, too, would sink to colluding with the Cult of Demon Worship for such a pitiful reason.”

The City Lord’s face was full of disappointment.

Facing this elder who had guarded humanity’s settlements for decades, he felt genuine regret.

If possible, he would have spared him.

But, alas... this matter involved the largest traitor organization among humans—the Cult of Demon Worship.

Deprived of his extraordinary power, Liu Renfu’s already withered body collapsed at once.

After several bouts of violent coughing, he managed a bitter smile and looked up.

“Cough, cough...”

“So it really is the City Lord.”

“The leader of the cult will never believe that you could have noticed something amiss here so quickly, will he?”

“But I still don’t understand—who exactly is this young gentleman?”

“He can command even you?”

The City Lord did not answer, but took the Truth Serum from Song Qi and held it before Liu Renfu.

“Here, drink this.”

“In your own words... let yourself retain a little dignity.”

Liu Renfu blinked, staring dazedly at the potion.

Then he threw his head back and laughed, snatched the vial, and drained it in one gulp.

The City Lord watched him in silence.

“Name?”

“Liu Renfu.”

“Race?”

“Human.”

“Why did you cooperate with the Cult of Demon Worship?”

“Because I was too foolish—foolish enough to believe they could save my child.”

“And now? Do you still believe?”

“No.”

Liu Renfu replied with a wry smile.

Confronted by absolute power, he was forced to accept the truth.

He could no longer evade the answer.

“What is the Cult of Demon Worship’s purpose in coming here?”

“To establish a branch in the Seventh District and to search for a legendary artifact. As for the artifact’s effects and appearance, I don’t know.”

The City Lord nodded; this matched what he had told Song Qi.

“The personnel involved, and the location of their stronghold?”

“I have only contacted one leader and twenty-four high-level cultists—though four of them are already dead.”

“As for their stronghold... I only know there’s a base ten kilometers to the east. I’m not sure if it’s their main lair.”

“The leader’s name and abilities?”

“I don’t know the name, but the abilities seem related to fire...”

...

After more than ten minutes, the City Lord finally finished his questioning.

He rose and asked one last question.

“Do you have anything left to say?”

A gleam of tears flashed in Liu Renfu’s eyes—an endless remorse and shame.

“All my life, I have lived with a clear conscience, never betraying my people.”

“Since childhood, I taught my son that traitors to humanity are the most disgraceful of all.”

“Never did I imagine that, in my old age, I would lose my way like this...”

He was heartbroken, bitterly regretting his choices.

“If possible, I hope my cause of death can be recorded as something else, not as execution for betraying humankind.”

“In that way... I can at least face my son with some dignity in the afterlife...”

The City Lord was silent for a moment, then shook his head.

“I’m sorry. Betrayal is betrayal. But I promise your achievements will be recorded faithfully as well.”

At these words, Liu Renfu let out a soft laugh.

“Then... thank you, City Lord.”

“Just doing my duty.”

“And... child, could you come here a moment?”

He turned to Song Qi, beckoning.

Song Qi hesitated, but still stepped forward.

“The resemblance... it’s truly striking.”

All the kindness in Liu Renfu’s eyes was now focused on Song Qi.

After a moment’s thought, Liu Renfu removed his storage ring and pressed it into Song Qi’s hand.

“There’s a card inside with over a hundred million credits. The password is my name’s initials.”

“Of course, I know that money may be useless to someone of your status, but there’s also my life’s savings in there. I hope it might help you.”

“Huh?”

Song Qi was dumbfounded. Why was he suddenly being given things?

Liu Renfu offered no explanation, only slowly closed his eyes.

The City Lord stepped forward, black mist swirling from his fingertip, and touched Liu Renfu’s brow.

With the lightest touch, Liu Renfu’s body slackened completely.

Thus ended the life of a high-ranking secret word master who had guarded a human stronghold for over a decade, repelled beast tides many times, and fought in several wars against the extraterrestrial demons.

...

I’ve changed a setting: from now on, I’ll refer to humanoid summoned beings as “summoned spirits.”

I hadn’t planned to change it, but a reader asked me: “If your protagonist summons the Three Pure Ones in the future, aren’t you afraid of divine retribution for calling them summoned beasts?”

Though I’m an atheist, I have to admit, his words made me a bit uneasy.

So I spent the whole night revising over sixty chapters.

...