Chapter 382: The Next Step

Days passed as the various groups just camped by the tree, resting, recuperating, enjoying this rare moment of peace. The blood from that battle had long seeped into the ground, becoming food for the dirt. The beasts and soldiers who were unhurt worked to remove the bodies and bury them, even the demons too. They were enemies but they were not savages, there was a certain respect that all sides had. 

Other reinforcements and supplies came from the various strongholds to help with the recovery. Among them was Hua Xiong, who was immediately drawn to the tree.  She walked towards it and the beasts made way for her to come right to it. Placing her hand on it, tears began to form on her face. 

She said nothing and only mourned for Elder Shu.

But soon after she stood up and walked away, going to the soldier camps. Many of the injured had already been bandaged up and watched over by Ming Yue and her two beasts. 

"Hua Xiong, you're here."

Ming Yue had long noticed her but did not greet her immediately. She wanted to give her comrade a bit of time to mourn. 

Hua Xiong took in a breath before answering. 

"Yes, I'm here... I'm here."

She looked around, gazing at the hundreds of injured men and women. Some had lost limbs, others suffered cuts and burns, many injuries. The sweet scent of medicine wafted into the air, mixing with the ever- present scent of blood.

"There's so much pain here."

Her eyes showed nothing but sadness and melancholy. Then she opened both hands and placed them in front of her mouth. Her palms began to glow white and gold before a soft green color encapsulated them. 

"A Single Breath of Life."

Hua Xiang gently blew out, letting the energy scatter like dust and fall upon each and every soldier. In moments, their countenance was no longer as pale as many of their pained expressions softened. 

Ming Yue looked around, feeling the gentle warmth of this energy. 

"I am the new Forest Keeper now. This is something he would have done for helping us", said Hua Xiong. 

She then turned to Ming Yue, her eyes were soft, filled with a sense of acceptance. 

"I know that you have been searching for me but I don't want to leave this forest. This is the only thing I have left to call home. I'm sorry."

Hua Xiong gave a small bow in gratitude to which Ming Yue raised her up. 

"No, If this is what you want, it isn't my place to force you otherwise. I hope that you will rebuild that village and keep it safe."

Hua Xiong nodded. 

"Thank you, thank you everything."

The new Forest Keeper turned and left, joining the denizens of the forest in their grieving. Ming Yue watched her go and Xue Yue suddenly spoke out. 

"So you didn't fail this time."

"No, I survived and the forest was not taken. You didn't even need to come out either."

"I did not but... what do you plan now?"

Ming Yue paused, thinking about what she was to do after this. Things have changed massively in the past several months and it had come to a point where she wasn't sure she could continue. 

"I have to inform the Grand Elder and those in the Human Continent. After this, I suppose I will continue to fight in this war", she answered. 

"Are you sure? You've seen the carnage, do you think you will bear with it?" asked Xue Yue. 

She looked around as she heard that question. 

The scenes were still very fresh in her mind but to some degree, she wasn't as bothered as she thought she'd be. Having killed before, the blood and viscera was nothing new but she was so used to clean kills. a single swing to end a fight. 

The savagery and brutality was completely new, the scenes were fresh in her mind. What seemed just as daunting was the scale of it all, it was not dozens but hundreds of lives being lost every second. 

Her heart trembled ever so slightly as the scenes replayed themselves. Her view from the skies and her time being surrounded by demons flashed in her mind, she never quite paid attention to the bodies she killed, Ming Yue only focused on the next target. It was beginning to dawn on her, the amount of death she had created but she shook it off. 

"Yes, I'll be fine."

She turned and began to patrol through the soldiers, making sure that none of them were getting worse. 

"1600 demons."

"What?"

"That's how many you've killed in this battle and that number will go up."

"It doesn't matter how many I've killed, I will kill more until this all ends."

"I see."

Xue Yue no longer spoke and Ming Yue continued her work. After making her rounds, she asked around for the commanders before being led to their tent. 

"They're all in this tent and we've already informed them that you're here, please come in."

One of the soldiers opened the tent flap, allowing Ming Yue to enter and come face to face with four commanders of the Five Armies. 

Du Xiu sat at the back of the tent while the other three sat by the sides. All of them turned to look at her. 

"Ming Yue or shall I call you Fairy of the Moon?" Du Xiu chuckled.

"No, just Ming Yue is fine, Seniors."

She cupped her fists and bowed to greet them. 

"Ah, the one sent by Heaven's Gate, that is you?" asked Yu Zhen.

"Yes, I was sent here by the Grand Elder himself", she responded.

"Interesting, you are not a soldier but you fight very well for someone of your age, young one."

Gao Ri complimented her and gave a nod of approval. 

"Yes, Ming Yue! Ahaha, you fought incredibly, that flash of light, those powerful winds. That final attack on the Idol of Chaos! You're talented! Incredibly so!"

Seated by the right of Du Xiu was none other than Nie Xia who had quite a number of bandages but still carried a smile on his face. 

"Thank you."

Du Xiu looked at his comrades and then turned to her. 

"So then, what is it that you wish to tell us?" he asked. 

She looked at them all and began to speak.

"I need to inform the Grand Elder about what has transpired here. I wanted to know if I can perhaps send a message to him quickly. The one that I have been searching for has died but still lives on."

All of the commanders put on a serious face as their eyebrows furrowed. 

"We can send a message to the Grand Elder through the High Council but... what do you mean?" Du Xiu asked, "How could that man have died but still live?"

"That Idol of Chaos is Dai Mian, the Tao Feng's Sect Leader, the one I have been tasked to look for. He is dead for his mind has been destroyed but still lives for the Hundun Clan has taken control of his body. He has turned from one evil to another", she explained. 

"That thing is him?" Nie Xia exclaimed, "...Shooting lightning from his fingertips and eyes?!"

They were all surprised by this revelation. Who would have thought that such a thing would occur?

"Are you sure?" Yu Zhen asked. 

Ming Yue nodded. 

"I can recognize his appearance from anywhere and his powers... they are the same as they were in the Human Continent. The only difference is that they are much more powerful this time."

Du Xiu rubbed his chin as he thought carefully. 

"If that is the case, then we must tell the High Council immediately and wait for their wisdom. As for you, will you be waiting or will you still go after that man?" he asked. 

"I will wait, he is not alive and yet he still walks among us. As for what I will do next, I will wait for the Grand Elder first before deciding."