Daily Intelligence System: Don't Kill Me, Honey! Chapter 1775 - 412: Heavenly List’s Six Experts Clash, Chen 94 Strikes the Unity Bell (Part 3)

"No matter what?"

Chen Jie wore a faint smile as he inquired, "What if a life-and-death crisis arises?"

Chen Long was momentarily stunned, surprised by Chen Jie's unwavering stance. He responded with a wry smile, "In such a situation, the immediate crisis must be averted first."

Chen Jie chuckled, turning his gaze to the massive wooden beam suspended in the air beside him, clearly serving as a bell striker. He then looked back at Chen Long and asked, "Will you strike it, or shall I?"

Chen Long replied, "Naturally, it should be you, young hero!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Jie declared, "Then I shall proceed."

Chen Jie grasped the striking beam, faced the imposing bell before him, and pushed forward with a single hand.

To his surprise, the bell possessed considerable weight. However, in the face of Chen Jie's Melt God Realm cultivation, its mass was insignificant.

Dang!

The resonant clang of the bell echoed, its sound permeating every corner of Bright Peak.

Dang!

Meanwhile, within the residential quarters of Bright Peak, a multitude of women and children huddled together, their bodies trembling. They were terrified by the distant sounds of cannon fire originating from the base of the mountain, fearing the imperial troops would storm their homes, leading to their inevitable demise.

The mere thought sent waves of dread through their hearts, plunging them into a state of panic and uncertainty.

Then, they heard the solemn tolling of the Unity Bell from the Ming King Hall.

Inside a cult member's dwelling, a woman clutched her child, both concealed within a wooden cabinet. The child, tears streaming down his face, whispered, "Mom, what's happening outside? I hear so many cries. Are the Mulan Tartars attacking?"

The woman, hearing her child's fearful query, embraced him tightly and reassured, "My child, do not fear. Your father, along with your uncles, have gone to repel the Mulan Tartars. They will not allow them to reach us and bring harm!"

"Then... will Father and the others die?"

The child innocently questioned. The woman replied, "No, the Fire Heavenly Venerate will protect his devoted followers from above. Your father and the others shall not perish. They will merely sever the heads of those Ta-ta dogs, demonstrating that our Bright Peak will not be encroached upon."

After listening to his mother's words, the child mused, "But... but Xiaohua's father was killed by the Ta-ta dogs. If the Venerate's followers are protected, why did Xiaohua's father perish?"

"That is because Xiaohua's father lacked sufficient devotion."

"But Elder praised Xiaohua's father for his loyalty and righteousness! My father has never received such praise."

This statement left the mother utterly speechless. For a moment, Xiaohua's mother found herself incapable of formulating a suitable response to her child's innocent yet piercing logic.

She could only maintain her silence.

At this juncture, the child persisted, "Mom, you said that if the Ta-ta dogs come, they won't kill us, right?"

The woman quickly affirmed, "No, the Ming King will protect us."

The child continued, perplexed, "Then why must we hide? Shouldn't we seek the Ming King's protection?"

Once again, the woman was rendered speechless. The Ming King, evidently incapable, had not come to their aid. They were left to remain hidden here in their unease, fully aware that should the Ta-ta dogs breach their sanctuary, she and her child would face a dire fate.

This grim realization prompted the woman to silently draw a concealed dagger, tucking it away on her person. She resolved that if the worst were to occur, she would fight with every ounce of her being.

Sigh~

She never imagined she would find herself in such a desperate predicament. If only the Old Sect Leader were still alive, he would never have permitted the court's nefarious outlaws to set foot upon Bright Peak.

Just as the woman was lamenting the current incompetence of the Little Ming King, she suddenly heard the tolling of the Loyalty Bell. She immediately stood upright. The heavens had indeed shown mercy; the Loyalty Bell had finally sounded. It mattered not whether it was the Little Ming King or the Venerable who had struck it; salvation had arrived.

"Quick, Ah Bao, let us go!"

The woman pulled the child along. The child, bewildered, asked, "Mom, where are we going?"

"To the Ming King Hall!"

The resounding toll of the Loyalty Bell signaled a potential turning point, leaving no room for hesitation. They hastened their steps towards the Ming King Hall; their very lives depended on this fleeting opportunity.

At this moment, the woman, her urgency palpable, hurried forward, dragging the child with her. The child faltered for a moment, looking up at his mother, and said, "Mom, didn't you just say..."

"Mom didn't say anything earlier, child. Remember that. When we arrive, speak little, do not stray, and stay close to me. If you disobey, Mom will have to discipline you!"

"Ah, yes, Mom, I will be good."

The child, his voice tinged with a sob, was pulled along by the woman, who paid no mind and continued to run with him, as their fate hung precariously in the balance of this day.

With that, the two emerged from their dwelling and stepped out into a street teeming with people, all making their way towards the Ming King Hall, their eyes alight with a renewed sense of hope.

At this critical juncture, a leader was precisely what they needed more than anything.

It mattered not who rang the Holy Bell of the Zoroastrian Sect; that individual was their salvation!

Dong, dong~

The bell's resonance permeated the entirety of Bright Peak, even extending to the mountainside where Zoroastrian Sect disciples were embroiled in a fierce, bloody confrontation.

Then, emerging from the swirling dust of the Northwest, a figure suddenly struck out with a palm. His adversary retaliated with a powerful wind attack, and with a resounding crash, the two combatants were forced apart.

The dust-shrouded figure clearly held the advantage. Just as he prepared to press his attack, the sound of the bell from Bright Peak reached his ears.

Unable to contain himself, he erupted into laughter. "Hahaha..."

"What are you laughing about?"

Witnessing Liu Futong's mirthful gaze directed towards the heavens, the Ruyang King bellowed in fury, his appearance disheveled, armor dented, and face etched with fatigue.

After all, he was facing Liu Futong, who held the seventh position on the Heavenly List.

Liu Futong then turned his attention to the Ruyang King and declared, "Hahaha, did you hear the bell? That toll signifies all matters atop Bright Peak have been settled. Soon, my sect members will break free and no longer face the threat of your armies. With that secured, I can dedicate myself fully to our battle!"