25: Dawn and Shadow of the Infinite City

The journey home was long, yet it carried a profound sense of security.

The last rays of the setting sun completely sank below the horizon, night fell, and stars were sparse.

The massive procession moved slowly along the path carved through the forest, the light of their torches forming a winding dragon, dispelling the surrounding darkness.

At the front were Su Jin and his silently marching soldiers, their armor clanking rhythmically, their footsteps steady and powerful, breaking the night's silence.

In the middle were over two thousand rescued individuals, protected; most were in rags, looking exhausted, and many still had a dazed look of having narrowly escaped death.

At the very end of the procession were the soldiers responsible for escorting the spoils of war and the prisoners, as well as Grunak, the Goblin wolf cavalry commander, who was given special "care" and was barely clinging to life.

Fourteen Spirit Pivot Sword Servants were dispersed around the team, their Soul Release state still active, their pale green spiritual pressure faintly visible in the night.

Su Jin sat silently on his horse, his gaze deep as he looked ahead, occasionally glancing back at the large flow of people behind him.

After an unknown period, a stir began in the procession when a blurry outline appeared on the horizon ahead, and scattered lights began to twinkle.

"Look… what's that?" a sharp-eyed young man asked excitedly, pointing at the distant horizon, his voice uncertain.

Beside him, a middle-aged man rubbed his bloodshot eyes vigorously and mumbled, "A city… is that a city wall? Am I seeing things?"

As the distance closed, the outline became clearer and clearer. The tall, massive wall, like a colossal beast crouching in the night, had runes carved into its surface that shimmered with a mysterious glow under the torchlight.

Four towering arrow towers stood atop it, their searchlight beams, formed by converging firelight, cut through the night sky.

Deeper within, there was also a special arrow tower emanating a chilling aura, its accumulated frost reflecting a deep blue light under the torchlight.

The city gate slowly opened, revealing brightly lit streets and vaguely visible building outlines inside.

"Oh my god…"

"It really is a city!"

"We… are we saved?"

The rescued crowd erupted completely; many embraced and wept, the long-suppressed emotions of excitement, ecstasy, and disbelief now pouring out in tears.

At the city gate, Li Yi and several assistants had been waiting for a long time. Behind them were temporary shelters, and hot food and fresh water were ready.

Seeing Su Jin's team and the dense crowd behind them, he hurried to greet them.

"Lord!" Li Yi's voice was a little hoarse, clearly moved by the sight before him.

Su Jin dismounted, looked at the excited and somewhat out-of-control crowd, then at Li Yi, and nodded. "Li Yi, these people are temporarily entrusted to you for resettlement."

He paused, then continued, "Gather their information, verify their identities, distribute basic supplies, and arrange their accommodation. Most importantly, tell them the rules of Infinite City and help them integrate into Infinite City as quickly as possible."

"Yes! Rest assured, Lord, I guarantee everything will be properly arranged!" Li Yi patted his chest, assuring him, and immediately began to call his subordinates to guide the excited crowd orderly into the city.

Watching those people, with their faltering steps but eyes rekindled with light, walk through the city gate, Su Jin felt a ripple in his heart. This feeling of personally establishing order and protecting his own kind was indeed… not bad.

After the army entered the city, each took up his post.

Stone Rock led the Heavy Shield Guards to inventory the spoils of war, while Mu Yang went to arrange for the treatment of the wounded and the collection of fallen soldiers' bodies.

Su Jin, accompanied by two Spirit Pivot Sword Servants, walked directly to the corner where Grunak was temporarily detained.

The once arrogant sixth-tier Wolf Cavalry commander was now curled up on the ground; his wounds had been simply treated to stop the bleeding, but the marks left by the high-temperature scorching of "Golden Dawn Judgment" were still shocking to behold.

Seeing Su Jin approach, Grunak's whole body trembled violently and uncontrollably, and he let out unintelligible whimpers from his throat.

"It seems you're recovering well, at least you haven't lost your voice," Su Jin said, his tone unreadable.

"Ho… ho… mercy… mercy…" Grunak finally squeezed out a few words, his voice hoarse and unpleasant.

"If you want to live, you can," Su Jin crouched down, meeting his gaze, his tone casual. "Answer my questions. If you satisfy me, perhaps you can live a few more days… or even… survive."

A glimmer of desire to live flashed in Grunak's eyes, and he nodded repeatedly.

"Where are you from? How many of you are there? What are you doing here?"

"King… King City… We… we are from… Goblin King City…"

Grunak gasped with difficulty, "I… I am… the commander of the King City's defense army… the third… thousand-man squad…"

"Thousand-man squad?" Su Jin frowned slightly. "So, there are other Wolf Cavalry?"

"Yes…" Grunak struggled to lift his head, trying to make his obedience more obvious. "I… I scattered them… in this area… for… searching…"

Oh? So there are still a few hundred Wolf Cavalry wandering nearby? Su Jin's heart stirred.

"What are you doing here? Nigu Forest is not close to your King City."

"Searching… searching for 'variables'…" Grunak's eyes were somewhat unfocused. "The King… the King's 'world book'… prophesied… that this area… would see the emergence of… 'variables'… capable of changing… the world's pattern… We… are here by royal decree… to… clear out… all… suspicious… non-Goblin beings…"

"world book? Variables?" Su Jin mused, gently rubbing his fingers.

It seems the Goblin King has sensed something abnormal through some means. And this "variable" most likely refers to Infinite City.

Su Jin stood up and paced two steps, the slight sound of his boots on the ground making Grunak's heart skip a beat.

"Since you are one of the King City's defense commanders, you must know quite a bit about the internal structure of the King City, its troop deployment, and the situation of your Goblin high-ranking officials, right?"

Su Jin's voice became somewhat playful. "Later, I'll find a 'professional' to have a good chat with you. Spill everything in your mind about the Goblins, every single detail. Remember, this is your only chance."

Grunak's body stiffened for a moment, a hint of despair flashing in his eyes, but the instinct for survival ultimately prevailed. Finally, he used all his strength to nod heavily…

Su Jin ignored him and turned to leave. "Keep an eye on him, don't let him die," he instructed the Sword Servant behind him.

"Yes, sir."

Stepping out of the temporary prison, Su Jin looked up at the brilliant star river above Infinite City. Starlight fell, coating this city, which stood majestically in the darkness, with a silver glow, full of vibrant life.

Thinking of the Wolf Cavalry Grunak mentioned, Su Jin's brows furrowed again. It seemed he had to prioritize improving the strength of the cavalry unit and, in cooperation with Bai Xiao and the others, quickly clear out those scattered Wolf Cavalry, to delay the exposure of Infinite City as much as possible and gain more room for his own development.