Chapter 131: She Wants to Avenge the Murdered Animals

Chapter 131: Chapter 131: She Wants to Avenge the Murdered Animals

"Elias."

Elias, who had been observing Liang He from the shadows, was waiting for a chance to take her away. He never expected that before he could even make a move, Huo An would blow his cover.

To avoid alerting Liang He, the two men tacitly shifted their battleground. Moving behind the hotel, they faced off openly under the cover of the towering building.

"Huo An, I truly didn’t expect you to show up here. It seems you really value Liang He."

The corners of Elias’s lips curled up into a wicked smirk. His originally amber eyes gradually deepened until they became as pitch-black as ink. His appearance changed as well. He was no longer the "Eli" who had been talking with Liang He moments ago, but the real Elias.

"I didn’t expect the grand Star Thief Leader to follow the Rebel Army’s orders either."

In his youth, Elias had been arrogant and never bothered to conceal his appearance, so Huo An was very familiar with him.

"Hmph. They’re merely the Rebel Army. Why would I ever listen to them?"

At the mention of the Rebel Army, Elias thought of the foolish Valken. If he hadn’t underestimated the enemy, Elias wouldn’t be trapped in the reserve right now. However, he was also grateful to Valken; if it weren’t for him, he wouldn’t have met Liang He.

"Then what is your reason for joining this chaotic battle?"

Based on Huo An’s understanding of Elias, the man had never bowed to anyone, much less disdained following the Rebel Army’s commands. So, what possible reason could compel him to personally involve himself?

"What if I said I did it for Liang He?"

Elias smiled frivolously, his eyebrows raised in triumph. His black curls fluttered in the wind, unable to hide his unbridled arrogance.

Hearing Liang He’s name, Huo An’s face darkened. Since his target was Liang He, it meant there was no possibility of negotiation, and no need for further probing.

"If you want to hurt her, you’ll have to get past me first!"

The moment his words fell, Huo An transformed into his Beast Form. Taking on the mighty form of a Kunpeng, he confronted Elias.

Looking up at the Kunpeng that seemed to blot out the sun and sky, a dark glint flashed in Elias’s eyes. With a cold sneer, a cloud of black mist instantly engulfed him, lifting him into the air.

"ROAR!"

The two giant beasts clashed in the sky, trading blows without yielding a single inch. Fortunately, all non-combatants had already evacuated into the underground shelter, and their location was heavily shielded by the hotel building. Neither Liang He, who was inside the hotel, nor the Rebel Army commanding the warships, noticed their existence.

[Emergency Notice: Everyone is requested to gather in the first-floor lobby immediately. The hotel is activating the underground shelter. Please evacuate in an orderly manner.]

As the broadcast echoed, President Lucas and the others were heading to the underground shelter under the hotel manager’s arrangements.

"Wait, has anyone seen Liang He? I need to find her. I can’t leave her alone up there."

President Lucas stood at the stairwell, refusing to go down no matter what, insisting on searching for Liang He.

"President, the situation is dangerous right now. Liang He is being protected by Mr. Hoder, so she’ll be fine. She might even be on her way down soon."

Afraid that President Lucas would be pushed over by the crowd, Assistant An could only grip his arm tightly while dodging the oncoming throngs of people.

"No! The Rebel Army’s target is Liang He. If they capture her, it’ll be a disaster!"

Whether President Lucas viewed Liang He as his future successor or as a kindred spirit of the younger generation, his affection and protective instincts for her were completely genuine. How could he just watch her fall into danger?

"But President..."

Assistant An wanted to continue persuading him, but President Lucas refused to listen, until Soros happened to be pushed beside them by the crowd.

"President Lucas, I’m a friend of Liang He’s. I’ll go find her. You all hurry and take cover inside."

Because his movements would be restricted, Soros hadn’t wanted to enter the underground shelter in the first place. They had unwittingly handed him the perfect excuse. Without waiting for President Lucas’s reply, he turned and squeezed his way in the opposite direction.

"Eh? You... what’s your name?!"

President Lucas wanted to ask for Soros’s name, but the man had long since vanished. Left with no other choice, he was dragged by several old friends into the underground shelter.

"Old brother, let’s not cause trouble for the kids."

"Exactly. I heard Liang He was the one who suggested we go into the shelter. She must have her own plans."

"Liang He has had people protecting her all along. If we stay up there, we’ll only become a vulnerability for her."

None of them were cowards who feared death, but they also didn’t want to drag Liang He down. Given the current situation, it was best to obey the arrangements.

The hotel’s broadcast continued to loop on repeat. The stationed Federation Army was conducting a blanket search to ensure no one was left behind. During the sweep, it was no surprise that they discovered Huo An and Elias engaged in combat. After receiving instructions from their superiors, they tacitly helped cover for them, pretending they hadn’t seen a thing.

"Report: The evacuation is complete. Please instruct."

"Deploy personnel to guard the underground shelter immediately. If anyone acts suspiciously, subdue them at once!"

With everyone rushing into the shelter during the emergency evacuation, there was no guarantee that Rebel Army spies hadn’t slipped in among them. However, as long as the Federation Army kept an eye on things, any hidden traitors could be swiftly subdued.

"Copy that!"

With the evacuation complete, the Rebel Army’s third bombing run was about to begin. Meanwhile, Liang He was still being firmly held back by Hoder, who refused to let go.

"Liang He, what you want to do is too bold and far too dangerous. I don’t agree to it."

Pulling his thoughts back to the present, Hoder thought of Liang He’s proposal just now. His entire face scrunched up, clearly broadcasting two words: *No way!*

"Now that everyone has entered the underground shelter, even if we are bombarded by the warships, the underground area won’t be affected. We just need to hold out until the Federation reinforcements arrive."

In Hoder’s view, there was absolutely no need for her to take risks. To put it bluntly, Liang He’s life was more important than most people’s. Since it concerned the Evolutionary Beastmen, Hoder had no right to put Liang He in harm’s way.

"Hoder, you and I both know very well that the warships are just one part of the Rebel Army’s plan."

If Liang He’s predictions were correct, the Rebel Army must be capturing the animals on Greenfield Star in large numbers—either transforming them into Fierce Beasts on the spot or taking them back for research. Neither scenario was something Liang He wanted to see. Especially when she recalled the night she met the Silver Moon Wolf, she had sworn to avenge those victimized animals!

"Just because they don’t occupy Greenfield Star doesn’t mean they can’t turn it into Purgatory. I refuse to see that happen."

If the once-vibrant Greenfield Star were reduced to a pile of dead ashes, leaving only endlessly violent Fierce Beasts behind, it would be far too tragic.

"If that’s the case, then I’ll go with you..."

Meeting Liang He’s determined gaze, Hoder felt profoundly shaken. Knowing full well that he couldn’t persuade her otherwise, he decided to accompany her. In the event of danger, he would protect Liang He’s safety even if it meant sacrificing his own life.

"No, you have something more important to do."

"Something more important?"

Hoder frowned in confusion, only to suddenly understand when Liang He explained her plan. He looked down at Liang He, who didn’t even reach his shoulders. Her petite body radiated a fierce, ruthless energy, and her determined gaze was impossible to ignore.

He wondered why he suddenly got the illusion that he had never truly known Liang He.

"How could you—"