Demon King: Hero, don’t run away!

Plucking the strings, [Praising Breeze] prepared to confront, while also contemplating a retreat.

The growth speed of Yang Yu’s party far exceeded their imagination.

A year ago, cooperating with [Modesty] and [Chaste Jasmine], it was easy to deal with them.

If not for the sudden intervention of the deputy of [Sky-breaking Stone], they were confident they could have handled Yang Yu in his guise as a colorful-haired masked man.

But now...

This attack was prepared for the expected Yang Yu team.

Yang Yu’s party exceeded the anticipated standards and even gained some peculiar equipment. Continuing to fight left little hope for victory.

Two [Praising] had already died by Yang Yu’s hand, and Carlos was injured. Even though they were unwilling, retreat was the best option.

Several strings flew out from the harp played by [Praising Breeze], intertwining to form a cage, flying towards Yang Yu.

Yang Yu just swung the blade several times, slicing the cage into pieces.

While unleashing skills, [Praising Breeze] also used her ability to converse with Yang Yu:

”If you continue to attack, I can’t guarantee what will happen to those dwarves!”

Yang Yu seemed not to have heard these words at all, lifted the longsword, and continued his charge, reaching [Praising Breeze] in the blink of an eye.

Amid chaos, the strings were plucked, a pale blue shield surrounded [Praising Breeze], blocking Yang Yu’s blade at the critical moment.

Scarlet and pale blue splattered, the clash of sword and shield resounded amidst the barren stone forest.

Carlos wanted to support Praising Breeze but was already struggling, unable to even help herself.

Her blue-checkered undergarments beneath her robe were stained crimson, leaving her powerless.

Bai Jin and Iyas’s attacks were incessant. She had to keep her distance constantly to avoid entering their range for even a glimmer of hope.

Moli, who was at a loss against Bai Jin and the others, finally abandoned attacking the tower-transformed He Meng and ran towards [Praising Breeze] to provide support.

However, Moli was ultimately a heavy armor warrior, and even using [Rapid Charge], it was difficult to provide support swiftly.

[Praising Breeze] could only rely on herself now.

Hiding behind the shield, she tried once more to negotiate with Yang Yu,

”Let’s make a deal. If you stop attacking now, we’ll release the dwarves immediately, retreat, and swear not to trouble you again.”

This time, Yang Yu finally showed some reaction.

Without a sigh of relief or doubt, a smile appeared on Yang Yu’s face, a smile both strange and indifferent,

”Do you really think we’re here for the dwarves?

I’m clearer about our relationship than anyone else; conflicts between us are irreconcilable.

You who attempt to summon demons will always be on the opposite side from us.

Only one of us will survive.

Considering you exposed yourselves with such a foolish ploy, I naturally won’t let it slip.

Today, none of you will escape.”

Yang Yu didn’t want to save the dwarves, but considering the Curse Sect had brought them out at this time, they must be scheming some reversal tactic.

Showing any sign of concern or hesitation now would only fall into their trap.

Concern leads to chaos; who knows if the Curse Sect, after threatening, would kill all the dwarves Yang Yu ”cared about” as retaliation.

In that case, it’s better to display an expression of ”you can kill them if you wish; I’m here to kill you all today anyway,” making them think that killing the dwarves would bring no good but potentially calamity.

[Praising Breeze] stared hard at Yang Yu, attempting to capture any flaw, but she couldn’t see any. Unable to do otherwise, she tried probing again,

”Do you really not care about the lives of those dwarves? They will all die because of you.”

Yang Yu replied decisively, ”Wrong, they die because of you.

That’s your crime; don’t think of shifting it onto me.

We only failed to protect them with our full strength.

Killing you now counts as avenging them.”

Yang Yu’s blade crashed against Flowing Wind’s shield, which wasn’t entirely immune to damage but shattered after absorbing a certain amount.

Confronting Yang Yu’s unstoppable attack, the shield quickly fractured before shattering into countless pieces.

Without pausing, Yang Yu’s blade passed through the broken light specks, slicing through Flowing Wind like a hurricane.

Yang Yu’s blade mercilessly cut through Flowing Wind’s harp, pierced Flowing Wind’s chest, ending her life.

All of the Living Dead attempting to attack Yang Yu fell like kites with broken strings, dropping to the ground.

Some living Curse Sect believers rushed towards Yang Yu, only for Yang Yu to finish them efficiently.

”You bastard!”

Moli roared, exploding with unprecedented speed, her giant sword crashing onto the ice, raising countless ice shards with a screech.

Several [Praising] on standby in the stone forest ceased monitoring the dwarves, heading straight through the forest.

They had received the dying message from [Praising Breeze].

They knew appearing on the battlefield meant being rapidly eliminated by the swift Yang Yu, so they unanimously decided to avoid the battlefield and weave a teleportation array somewhere quiet to escape quickly.

Several curse sect guards protecting [Praising] leaped from nearby stalagmites, trying to end the dwarves bound by black cords, only to see the [Praising] members shaking their heads.

If Yang Yu was coming for them, killing these dwarves would be futile.

...killing these dwarves might even incite disaster.

If Yang Yu used the death of these dwarves to proclaim the terror of their sect, prompting Dragon God Evaluation Country to form an alliance to attack the Curse Sect, it would be troublesome.

Even though unaware of Yang Yu’s ability to accomplish this, it’s best to avoid unexpected events now.

Sparing these dwarves might leave others with the impression that ”even the Curse Sect is nothing, being beaten like this by a youngster, even fearing enough to abandon hosts to flee,” thus diminishing today’s significance.

They care less if others esteem the sect, only whether it can achieve its great endeavor.

Before that day arrives, the fewer complications, the safer the Curse Sect’s situation.

Weighing pros and cons, they decided to let the dwarves go.

Originally, they had no intention to deliberately involve common folk.

Even though they have already involved many people, and might involve many more in the future.