Chapter 432 - 179: "Call for Aid, Call for Aid!

Chapter 432: Chapter 179: "Call for Aid, Call for Aid!

"See? It’s like this. The flames flare up from time to time, leaving some scars."

"It’s nothing serious."

"Does it hurt?"

"A little, but you get used to it."

The man smiled, looking toward Nameless Mountain. "That person was once a member of the Eternal Night Hall’s Outgoing Action Team. Members of the Outgoing Action Team mostly operate solo, aside from handling a few trivial matters."

"Most importantly, members of the Outgoing Action Team must possess the strength to hold back an entire Ghost Tide on their own."

"Even if only for an instant."

"People like that are extremely rare in the Eternal Night Hall."

"Of course, they aren’t deployed casually. When they are, it basically means their lives are at an end."

...

Wang Kui took the two of them to Mortal City, settling them in an inn for the time being.

Chen Fan, however, sat alone at a table, studying the Ghost Map the man had left before his departure, deep in thought.

’If he wanted to establish a connection between the Western No. 1 Frontline and the Mortal Realm...’

’The Western Plains were definitely out of the question.’

’He’d have to take the coastal route.’

’First, he’d have to go from the Guanxi Plain into the Yellow Springs Mountain Range Area—that’s the region behind the Yellow Springs Entrance Canyon. It’s also a coastal area, but its coastal Node has already been shattered. The Yellow Springs Coastal Defense Line is located there.’

’Then, he’d have to push deeper.’

’...into the Qiuming Basin area.’

’And finally, from the Qiuming Basin, he could reach the Western No. 1 Frontline.’

’This was pretty much the only route.’

"..."

He remained silent for a long time, pondering. He was trying to figure out how to use the Mortal Realm’s resources to establish a route that was safe enough.

...

「Soon, day broke.」

As the thick darkness retreated, the pale white of dawn spread across the sky through a drizzling rain.

Shouts echoed continuously along the Jiangbei Defense Line.

Following orders, the people coming off their shifts on the defense line and those preparing to head out to scavenge gradually gathered to eat. The aroma of food soon wafted over the entire Jiangbei Defense Line.

Other than the first day, which had been quite foul, the stench had been significantly reduced after Chen Fan added a batch of Wind Towers. It wasn’t just an issue of the bad smell, after all; the air had also contained plenty of toxic gases, and long-term exposure was definitely not a good thing.

Building the Wind Towers required the Exotic Treasures, the Wind-Resistant Pearl and the Wind-Stabilizing Pearl.

They weren’t particularly Rare Exotic Treasures.

The Mortal Realm had been developing for so long that it had managed to collect some of these Exotic Treasures.

Steaming-hot, freshly made Steamed Pork Ribs with Fermented Black Beans and other hot dishes were quickly distributed.

On the walls of the Jiangbei Defense Line.

Tian Yi of the Eternal Night Hall gazed at the Steamed Pork Ribs with Fermented Black Beans, garlic-stir-fried romaine lettuce, pork rib soup, and white rice on the table in front of him. His stomach began to rumble, unable to be suppressed. He looked up at Chen Fan, slightly embarrassed. "Uh... Domain Lord Chen, I’m going to start, then."

"Let’s eat together."

Chen Fan said with a friendly laugh, "It’s just some simple fare. I hope you’ll excuse the humble hospitality."

"This is more than generous, really!"

After taking a deep breath, Tian Yi eagerly picked up a piece of pork rib and stuffed it into his mouth. ’How long has it been since I’ve eaten a proper meal like this?’

The rich aroma made his mouth water uncontrollably.

But as he took his first bite of the pork rib, his expression suddenly twisted.

"Too hot?"

"No..." Tian Yi mumbled, swallowing the piece of pork rib. After spitting the bone out to the side, he said, somewhat awkwardly, "It’s been too long since I’ve eaten something this solid. I’m not used to it. My teeth are a bit sore."

Then, without another word, he began to wolf down his food again, his table manners completely forgotten.

He ate with a clear conscience.

If Domain Lord Chen had arranged this meal specially for him, he would have been too uneasy to eat. But when he saw that everyone on the Jiangbei Defense Line was eating the same food, he felt much more at ease.

For the first time, the heavyset Night Watcher beside them stirred, occasionally reaching out to place a piece of pork rib in his bowl.

A groan could be heard from time to time.

It was a groan of pain, like that of a terminal cancer patient trying to eat—utterly agonizing.

"..."

Chen Fan watched in silence. The people of the Eternal Night Hall had it much harder than he’d imagined. They didn’t even eat as well as the Jiangbei Chen Family had before.

The Jiangbei Chen Family had been able to afford meat with every meal.

But on the Eternal Night Frontline, they could only eat roasted flour; they couldn’t even get vegetables.

"Domain Lord Chen."

Having wolfed down his meal, Tian Yi set down his bowl and chopsticks. He looked up at Chen Fan and grinned, the rims of his eyes turning red. "If you can really deliver food to the No. 1 Frontline, a lot of people will be very grateful to you."

"So many people’s last words, right before they die, are that they want to eat one last, good, satisfying meal."

"They want to eat something good."

"As a member of the Outgoing Action Team, I actually have chances to eat real food, since I can operate in the hinterlands. But... I don’t want to be eating alone behind my brothers’ backs."

"Today, I really couldn’t hold back."

"That was satisfying. Truly satisfying."

"I think..."

"Even if I die tomorrow, I’ll have no regrets."

"One more thing. I’ve already reported the Mortal Realm’s potential to the Eternal Night Hall. Last night, I learned that the Jiangbei Defense Line was built without any Architects—that you, Domain Lord Chen, built it all by yourself."

"An Architect of your caliber cannot be lost, Domain Lord Chen, even if Jiangbei falls."

"That’s why I told my master immediately."

As if he knew what Chen Fan was thinking, Tian Yi took a deep breath, his expression turning serious. "Don’t worry. I only told my master. Technically, he’s not my direct superior, but this matter was too important. I didn’t dare go through the normal channels."