Ms. Diviner: The Prodigal Daughter's Return Chapter 1417: She Could Never Stand By and Do Nothing

The formidable exotic beasts encountered on their path grew progressively stronger. Although each encounter concluded with their combined victory, the challenges escalated with every battle. The widespread destruction inflicted upon remote villages and towns by the beast horde weighed heavily on their spirits.

That particular night, the group sought refuge in a humble settlement known as Beiguan Town.

Beiguan Town, situated a mere five hundred miles from Lu’an City, lay directly at the fringes of the Longyan Mountain, rendering the onward path treacherous. Compounded by the emergence of beasts as powerful as sixth and seventh-level Sword Masters along the route, Han Yan opted against inviting unnecessary peril and resolved to continue their expedition with the break of dawn.

Evidence of beastly assaults, including damaged city ramparts and an atmosphere thick with apprehension, indicated that Beiguan Town had also endured devastating raids and suffered grievous losses. Notwithstanding its modest dimensions, the town boasted sturdy fortifications, reminiscent of the defenses found in frontier towns of Shangyue Country, which had enabled its survival.

"Young Master Mu, esteemed gentlemen, I implore you to accept the humble accommodations we can provide for the night. Our humble dwelling lacks the opulence of the Capital and is rather simple; thus, I hope you can overlook its deficiencies," the City Lord conveyed with apology as he ushered Han Yan and his companions into the City Lord’s Mansion.

"Lord City Master, your kindness is overwhelming. We have intruded upon your hospitality without prior notice, and it is we who ought to seek your forgiveness," Han Yan responded with deference.

Beiguan Town was merely a secluded hamlet, and consequently, the City Lord’s Mansion was not expansive. With their contingent numbering in the hundreds, their presence indeed created a considerable throng. To accommodate them, the City Lord’s own family had vacated their quarters, a fact that filled her with sincere regret.

"Indeed, Lord City Master, Young Master Mu articulates the sentiment aptly. As we are set to depart tomorrow, a simple place to rest for the night would suffice," He Qingzong chimed in agreeably, casting furtive glances at Han Yan's expression with an obsequious air.

He recalled the banquet that evening when He Qingwei, wielding the authority of the Family Leader Token, had compelled him to accompany Han Yan, extinguishing his hopes of ascending to the position of Family Head. To his astonishment, following that incident, Qingwei displayed no appetite for vying for power or wealth, behaving as if nothing had transpired and continuing to address him deferentially as 'big brother'. The other young masters of the He Family, oblivious to the brothers' true dynamic, naturally dared not offend him, treating He Qingzong with their customary respect as a Young Master.

Consequently, He Qingzong's hope was rekindled. He finally grasped the profound value the He Family Ancestor placed upon Han Yan, and the unwavering reverence Qingwei held for the Ancestor's pronouncements. Under such circumstances, how could he possibly harbor any ulterior motives? Now, He Qingzong would unquestionably venture East if Han Yan decreed it, and would even chase after chickens if Han Yan instructed, never daring to pursue even stray dogs.

Such a sycophantic display caused even Qingwei to blush in private.

"Young Master Mu, Young Master He, your words do not quite capture the gravity of the situation. Lu’an City serves as Anyun’s vital gateway. Should Lu’an fall, Beiguan Town would be the first to face utter annihilation by the beasts. You, as Young Masters from prominent Capital families, bravely face hardships and dangers to render aid, and if I am incapable of arranging even a place for you to rest, these townsfolk would undoubtedly condemn me mercilessly," the City Lord declared with solemnity.

"Since that is the case, we shall not stand on ceremony—many thanks, Lord City Master." Recalling the expressions of exhilaration and hope on the townspeople's faces as they entered, Han Yan recognized the sagacity of his decision and ceased his polite refusal.

Having endured days of relentless travel, they were undeniably fatigued, and a night of sound slumber would serve them well.

"Young Master Mu, please rest assured. Should any disturbances arise during the night, kindly disregard them. We shall attend to any matters," the City Lord added solicitously.

"Are beastly incursions a frequent occurrence in town at night?" Han Yan inquired.

"There is hardly any respite. Most beasts lingering beyond the town are stragglers from Lu’an's defensive efforts, and apart from the initial few formidable ones that caused significant casualties, the remainder are generally not overpoweringly strong. Rest easy and conserve your energy; there is no need to expend it on Beiguan Town's behalf," the City Lord replied.

Despite his nonchalant tone, the town's damaged walls and the somber expressions of its inhabitants painted a vivid picture for Han Yan of the brutal confrontations during the beast raids. It was evident that the City Lord wished for them to preserve their strength for Lu’an City, the true bastion of Anyun, rather than expend it on defenses within Beiguan Town. As long as Lu’an City held firm, Beiguan Town could maintain its precarious peace.

Appreciating the City Lord’s underlying intentions, Han Yan offered no further words, instead directing the other young masters to retire early and prepare for their departure to Lu’an City at sunrise.

As night descended upon Beiguan Town, nestled near the Longyan Mountain, a profound silence prevailed, accompanied by a decidedly cool atmosphere. Han Yan and his companions, exhausted from their arduous journey, succumbed to a deep and restorative sleep.

The clamor of beasts, the cries of battle, and the blare of gongs ripped them from their slumber.

Han Yan jolted awake and glanced through the window, observing the dawn's first light painting the eastern horizon. It was precisely the hour of deepest sleep, a cunning choice for the beasts to launch their onslaught.

Though the City Lord had urged them to rest soundly through the night, how could she stand idly by when the city faced a beast siege? She hurried towards the city gates without delay.

Having faced myriad exotic beasts in past encounters, the young masters had long since shed the haughtiness befitting scions of prominent capital families. Upon hearing the commotion, they too rose swiftly and followed suit.

"Young Master Mu, did I not implore you to rest well? Why have you also come here?" the City Lord inquired, a hint of displeasure in his voice as they rapidly approached.

"We are grateful for your concern, Lord City Master. Moreover, resting for the greater part of the night should be quite adequate," Han Yan replied, her gaze fixed on the expanse beyond the city walls.

Thousands of exotic beasts surged towards Beiguan Town, mirroring the beastly assault that had befallen Hanshan Town. However, as the City Lord had noted, the might of these creatures was notably less formidable—many were comparable to cultivators at the seventh and eighth levels of the Sword Master realm, with those akin to higher-ranked Sword Masters only numbering at the first and second levels.

Strategically, Beiguan Town held greater importance than Hanshan Town owing to its proximity to Lu’an City, functioning essentially as a critical border military outpost. Its defenses were not only robust but also guarded by a formidable City Guard. A significant portion of the inhabitants had received training as border army troops, possessing exceptional combat prowess.

With the stolid city walls serving as their bulwark, the soldiers and skilled residents unleashed a torrent of arrows upon the advancing beasts. The projectiles, imbued with abundant Qi, streaked across the heavens, each volley painting the air with a crimson mist. Occasionally, agile beasts that managed to scale the ramparts were swiftly dispatched by the relentless arrow storm, posing no genuine peril to the town's populace.

"Young Master Mu, dawn is still an hour or two away. You ought to return and obtain a little more rest," the City Lord advised.