25: Chapter 25 I hope my decision wasn't wrong.

Huaxia Civilization will never sink into decline again.

This was the sentiment Chen Aoyun expressed after defeating Saku Kenichi, and after [Zhao Yun] defeated [Fukushima Masanori]; it was also the oath he had taken.

This oath, filled with dissatisfaction toward the current state of the Dragon Country and resentment toward the unfairness of the Heavenly Dao, left some people stunned, while others remained indifferent, and still others felt that this Strategist from the Dragon Country was truly a bit too arrogant.

"Isn't it just defeating one [Fukushima Masanori]? [Fukushima Masanori] isn't even the strongest Heroic Spirit of Sakura Country; he might not even make it into the top one hundred in Sakura Country's sequence of Heroic Spirits. Having defeated such a small fry, this Strategist from the Dragon Country is already getting arrogant? Already starting to boast?"

"What does 'Huaxia Civilization, never to sink' even mean? It's like they're acting as if the Huaxia Civilization inherited by the Dragon Country is so awesome and powerful, and that it has only been suppressed temporarily because it encountered injustice."

"As for Huaxia Civilization and the Dragon Country that inherits it, even with the addition of one [Zhao Yun], in my opinion, they still won't be able to make any significant waves."

"Don't be fooled by the Dragon Country's impressive performance this time. This Game of National Destiny has extremely special rules. It's only because many powerful countries were unable to utilize their foundations, powerful Heroic Spirits, and various methods under these rules that the Dragon Country's performance seems so dazzling."

"The Dragon Country is still the same Dragon Country; adding one [Zhao Yun] won't change anything..."

Heller, the commentator who had been thoroughly slapped in the face by the Dragon Country, felt an immense hatred for the Dragon Country in his heart. However, as a commentator, he had to be impartial, so he tried his best to disguise his emotions, using seemingly calm words to criticize the Dragon Country.

But simply criticizing didn't seem to satisfy Heller, as he watched Chen Aoyun on the broadcast screen.

Although the 'Duel Mode' had disappeared, the demon behind him remained, and because of the recent duel, the demon's pursuit had drawn even closer.

Heller's face was cold as he pointed at the screen and spoke:

"So much for the dual-T0 [Zhao Yun], and so much for 'never to sink.' I think this [Strategist] from the Dragon Country had better think carefully about how to deal with the High-level Demon behind him!

If he gets caught by the High-level Demon, even if [Zhao Yun] is a dual-T0 Heroic Spirit, once you, the [Strategist], are dead, who will be left to summon Ningzi in the future?"

... In the mountain pass that was currently under construction.

[Roleplayer] Fan Ling and Zhao Hongxiu were standing high up on the city wall, gazing into the distance.

Fan Ling was roleplaying as the 'Architect,' and he was responsible for the construction of the pass between the canyons.

Meanwhile, Zhao Hongxiu was roleplaying as a general, commanding a legion of swordsmen.

Both of them had seen how Chen Aoyun snatched the 'tree of morning light' from the midst of an army of thousands, and they had also seen the duel between Chen Aoyun and Saku Kenichi's Heroic Spirit.

"So strong! The Huaxia Heroic Spirit played by our new [Strategist] is so strong! Not only did he snatch the 'tree of morning light' from the demon army, but he also defeated the Sakura Country's Heroic Spirit in a one-on-one duel!

If I'm not mistaken, the Heroic Spirit he defeated was [Fukushima Masanori]. [Fukushima Masanori] is not weak; to be able to crush the opponent so easily is truly unbelievable!"

Seeing [Zhao Yun] easily defeat [Fukushima Masanori], Fan Ling, who was roleplaying as the Architect, clenched his fists tightly, appearing extremely excited.

But the smile on Fan Ling's face did not last long; soon, his expression changed drastically as he said:

"Oh no, the duel with the Sakura Country's Heroic Spirit took too much time; the High-level Demon behind that new [Strategist] has caught up!

What should we do?!

The High-level Demon is getting closer and closer to that [Strategist]'s avatar; I'm afraid he'll be completely caught before he can even reach our pass!

No!

We can't let the High-level Demon catch the Strategist. Hongxiu, you are roleplaying as a general, and you have troops; go quickly to support Mr. Strategist!"

Zhao Hongxiu stood tall and straight like a pine tree, letting the wild winds of the canyon tear at her long hair.

She also saw the approaching crisis; her heart was pounding in her chest, and cold sweat seeped from the palms gripping her sword hilt. Several times, her toes subconsciously moved forward, as if she were about to rush off the city wall the next second.

But in the end, she remained motionless, as if nailed to the top of the wall.

"Hongxiu, why are you still standing there? Go save him! If you don't lead your troops to reinforce him now, the Strategist is going to be caught by the High-level Demon!"

Fan Ling urged Zhao Hongxiu, speaking at a rapid pace.

One hand was resting on the city wall while his body leaned forward, and the other hand was pressed against the hilt of his sword at his waist.

Zhao Hongxiu looked at the Cavalry galloping in the distance, and at the white-clad figure within the Cavalry legion. As if explaining to him and also trying to persuade herself, she said to Fan Ling beside her:

"Mr. Strategist did not play a Heroic Spirit on me. Without the blessing of a Heroic Spirit's manifestation, rushing out to provide support would be completely meaningless, and might even disrupt Mr. Strategist's plan!

Mr. Strategist had you build this pass, and this pass has already been played as a [wonder]. Perhaps it is because the wonder itself has no combat power that he assigned me here.

Whether it is you or me, both of us have our own duties.

Your duty is to build the pass as quickly as possible; the progress of the pass's construction is the completion progress of the [wonder]!

And what I am responsible for is to wait for the [wonder] to be activated, and after Mr. Strategist passes through here, to intercept the High-level Demon!

Wait!

I have not received any orders from Mr. Strategist to provide support, so all I must do is wait!

And you, instead of worrying about whether Mr. Strategist's avatar will be caught by the High-level Demon, you should seize the time to urge your 'Engineer' to speed up the construction of the pass in this final stretch.

For every bit more the pass is completed, the strength of the [wonder] will be that much greater once it is activated!"

Fan Ling felt as if he had been struck by a heavy blow, and he instantly sobered up.

They say that concern leads to chaos.

Although Fan Ling had never had any interaction with Chen Aoyun, he knew very well what a [Strategist] who could play Huaxia Heroic Spirits meant for the Dragon Country. It was precisely because he understood Chen Aoyun's importance so well that, at this moment, seeing Chen Aoyun being chased by the High-level Demon, Fan Ling had lost his composure.

"You are right! I was not calm. I will go and continue to urge the construction of the pass."

Being able to successfully obtain an identity in the Game of National Destiny, Fan Ling was naturally a smart person. Realizing that Zhao Hongxiu's words were correct, Fan Ling turned and descended from the city wall. Before leaving, he did not forget to take one deep look at the Cavalry in the distance, his eyes filled with worry.

On the city wall, only Zhao Hongxiu remained.

The wind howled, whipping up the ends of her hair and the hem of her battle robe. Her straight spine was slightly tense, and her barely audible murmur drifted away with the wind:

"I hope my decision was not wrong..."