73: Gaga Killing

Su Chen, carrying Yue Yao in his arms, slowly walked out of the canyon.

Just past the valley entrance, a breath of fresh air assailed him, starkly different from the oppressive atmosphere within the valley.

The thick fog that had enveloped Golden Buddha Mountain had dissipated at some point, and sunlight pierced through the clouds, casting dappled light and shadows on the ground.

The mountain breeze carried the fragrance of grass and trees, rustling Su Chen's clothes. A few clear bird calls echoed from afar, and the entire Golden Buddha Mountain returned to its usual tranquility, as if the thrilling battle had never happened.

He looked down at Yue Yao in his arms; the little one seemed curious about the sunlight outside, its ruby-like eyes narrowed into slits, its nose twitching slightly, as it restlessly rubbed against him.

Su Chen extended a finger and gently stroked its soft fur. Yue Yao comfortably let out a faint "purr" before disappearing from sight.

At this moment, a relaxed Su Chen opened his game interface, and a series of system notification sounds rang out continuously, almost flooding the entire screen.

System Notification: You have killed a Void God mid-stage demon beast, Corpse Serpent, gaining 32,547 Merit Points.

System Notification: You have killed a Void God mid-stage demon beast, Red Scale Demon Fox, gaining 26,243 Merit Points.

System Notification: You have killed a Void God mid-stage demon beast, Profound Iron Bear Demon, gaining 30,121 Merit Points.

Su Chen's gaze quickly scanned these notifications; his current Merit Point balance had reached 123,500 points.

Just as he was about to close the interface, a new notification popped up.

System Notification: You have killed 3 neutral units, Mountain Spirits, at the half-step Nascent Soul Realm, deducting 30,000 Merit Points.

Seeing this notification, Su Chen raised an eyebrow, and just as he was about to ponder the reason, a new change appeared on the interface.

Ding, system error... correcting.

It has been detected that the Mountain Spirit's death had no direct relation to the player. This Merit Point deduction has been canceled.

Dear player, we are very sorry. Due to this system error, 100 Merit Points will be compensated. Please claim them from your inbox.

We wish you a pleasant game.

Su Chen looked at the numbers flashing on the screen. His Merit Point balance, which had almost bottomed out after purchasing the imperial decree, had now returned to six figures. He nodded in satisfaction.

He had been worried that the game would undergo a major shutdown and update in a few days. After the update, the Merit Shop would surely stock many good items, and if he didn't have enough Merit Points then, he wouldn't be able to buy them immediately.

Now, it seemed this worry no longer existed.

With sufficient resources, whether it was to improve his family's strength in the game or enhance his own cultivation in reality, everything would be more convenient.

Su Chen, holding Yue Yao, continued to walk towards the foot of the mountain.

Not long after, an open clearing appeared before his eyes.

Dozens of ambulances and law enforcement vehicles were already parked in the clearing, the Security Department logos on their bodies particularly striking in the sunlight.

Medical personnel and Security Department staff were conducting rescue and aftermath work in an orderly manner.

Many of the rescued people had woken up. Most of them sat under temporary simple tents, and although their faces were still a bit pale, their mental state seemed much better.

These people exaggeratedly whispered to each other, occasionally looking in the direction of the staff.

"You're finally out."

A familiar voice came, and Dragon Xuexue quickly walked up to Su Chen, a hint of relief on her face after letting go of her fatigue and tension.

Nan Mingde and Meng Cang also followed. They looked at Su Chen but tacitly did not ask about what happened in the valley behind them.

After all, if it weren't for Su Chen in this operation, the two of them would probably have met their end here.

Meng Cang stepped forward and respectfully cupped his hands to Su Chen: "Young friend Su Chen, great kindness needs no words of thanks. If there's anything my Daoist temple can help you with in the future, just say the word."

He paused, then looked at Nan Mingde, sighing: "The younger generation is formidable. It seems we are truly old."

"Old Nan, bringing Su Chen into your Security Department was probably the wisest decision you've ever made."

Nan Mingde's face broke into a proud smile; he was indeed very happy.

Su Chen was the special consultant of the Security Department whom he had personally appointed and announced, and the two of them had acted together this time.

Although this time Su Chen was responsible for the rampant killing, and he himself was responsible for the 'caw-cawing' (a playful way of saying he took credit).

But together, the two of them could be considered 'caw-cawing' and rampantly killing.

This achievement was enough for him to take a decisive step on the path to promotion to the provincial department.

This way, his daughter's illness also seemed to have a few more rays of hope.

He looked at Su Chen and said earnestly: "Don't worry, I will report this credit truthfully, and you will absolutely not be shortchanged on the points you deserve."

"Including the invisibility talismans you brought out earlier, they will all be reimbursed as operational expenses."

"Let's go, I'm happy today, my treat!"

Dragon Xuexue chimed in: "Director Nan is generous, we'll have to feast on a rich man today."

Everyone was amused by this remark, and the previously tense and oppressive atmosphere was swept away.

Just then, many people saw Su Chen and his group and gathered around them.

"Thank you, country, thank you, Security Department!" an old man with white hair said excitedly, tears still in his eyes.

"Thank you, brothers and sisters! We will not forget you!" a teenager in his teens bowed deeply to them.

Words of thanks kept coming, filled with sincerity and gratitude.

Dragon Xuexue looked at this scene, a hint of discomfort on her face. She turned to Su Chen and said: "They don't know that this time, it was actually all your credit."

Su Chen nodded, his gaze sweeping over the faces of the people who wore the relief of surviving a disaster. His heart was filled with a myriad of thoughts.

In his previous life, he, like these ordinary people, faced the fog, demon beasts, and powerful cultivators, having no say, and could only rely on luck to survive.

In this life, he had power, and he had the opportunity to change everything.

If possible, he hoped to let these ordinary commoners suffer as little as possible.

...

In the end, the few of them still couldn't go to eat together.

Nan Mingde's phone suddenly rang; it was his superior calling, requesting him to report the detailed situation of this operation immediately.

After hanging up the phone, Nan Mingde said apologetically: "No choice, I'll have to treat you all next time. My superior is pressing hard."

Su Chen waved his hand, and after saying goodbye to Dragon Xuexue and Meng Cang, he turned and flew towards his villa.

The sunlight fell on him, casting a long shadow. Yue Yao in his arms seemed to have adapted to the outside environment, quietly curled up, with only occasional faint breaths proving its existence.