With no Demon Race pursuing them, the group returned the way they had come without incident and emerged from the forest.
It was now afternoon, the sun blazing high overhead. Ahead lay grasslands and rivers, and the whole world suddenly opened up. The stifling oppression they had accumulated in the forest's cramped confines was completely released.
"The outside is still better. Just looking at it feels comfortable."
"The forest is only suitable for visiting. Stay there too long and it'll kill you."
"Let's go. Back to Lu Family Town, then spend the night in Mi County and return to Dayuan Prefecture tomorrow."
"Alright!"
Everyone was invigorated, and their steps became much lighter.
The Prefectural Army soldiers secretly sighed in relief. In the past, when killing demons, demons would often appear out of nowhere, and the Prefectural Army soldiers were always the first to die or be wounded, with Academy Students coming next. Thus, although they had faithfully carried out their duties all along, and even with Nunu present, they still felt some resistance in their hearts. But now, everything was over.
Before long, the group spotted Lu Family Town in the distance. The expressions of the three Provincial Graduates, whose eyesight was the sharpest, darkened.
The area outside Lu Family Town was littered with the corpses of fish demons, strewn every which way.
Lu Family Town itself was in ruins. The low walls outside the town had collapsed everywhere, and many houses had been razed flat, as though a great flood had swept through. Some distant houses seemed to have caught fire; the flames had already gone out, but wisps of smoke still rose from them. Many people could vaguely be seen bustling about.
"Slow down. Prepare to kill demons."
Everyone hurriedly began preparing for battle, drawing blades, leveling spears,