Demon Wolves Besiege the City

Under Yu Meng's lead, Shen Luo soon arrived at the dining hall.

"They actually have chicken for dinner! Heh, Shen, we're only getting this because of you." Yu Meng stared at the dishes on the table, practically drooling.

The table was already laden with food, most of it vegetarian, though there were three meat dishes as well: two plates of dark-colored meat chunks and an entire braised chicken.

Yet to Shen Luo, these dishes could only be called ordinary. Back when he was home in Chunhua County, even a casual meal had been far more lavish than this.

Food in this era seemed rather scarce.

At that moment, Yu Meng's large hand eagerly reached for a chicken leg.

"You little brat! The guest hasn't even picked up his chopsticks, yet you're already eating—and grabbing it with your hands, no less! What kind of manners are those? Are you one of those barbarians from the Nanli Grassland?" A cold snort came from nearby as Yu Yan strode out of an adjoining room, his face full of fury.

"Father, you're here." Yu Meng hurriedly withdrew his hand and said sheepishly.

"Uncle Yu, Brother Yu and I passed by your study earlier and went in to read for a while. We lost track of time. Please forgive us, Uncle." Shen Luo hurriedly rose and bowed.

"So my worthy nephew went to read. It's rare enough for anyone to visit my study. Did you gain anything from it?" Yu Yan turned to Shen Luo, and his attitude immediately changed.

"Thank you, Uncle. I did gain a little." Shen Luo replied softly.

"As long as you benefited. You unfilial brat, bouncing around all day without learning a thing. If you had even half of Shen's focus and patience to read, you wouldn't have failed to learn even a fraction of your father's abilities." Yu Yan nodded first, then turned to Yu Meng and scolded him.

"Father, you don't really read the books in there either. You only bought them for decoration..." Yu Meng rubbed his nose and muttered vaguely.

"Insolence!" Yu Yan slammed his palm down on the table.

Yu Meng fell silent as a cicada in winter, not daring to say another word.

"Enough. You worked hard defending the city today, so eat first." Seeing his son sitting there without daring to breathe, yet still wearing a faintly stubborn expression, Yu Yan sighed. He waved for them to sit down and picked up his chopsticks.

Yu Meng had fought fiercely for half the day and was already starving. He sat down without ceremony and began wolfing down the food.

Shen Luo was hungry as well, but as a guest, he could hardly behave as freely as Yu Meng.

But the moment he sat down, Yu Meng stuffed a chicken leg straight into his bowl.

"Here, eat more! Only when you're full will you have the strength to kill those Demon Wolves!"

"Will those wolves return?" Shen Luo could not help recalling the wolf-headed humanoid monster, as well as the blue-gray wolf whose form flickered so unpredictably.

"Going by what happened before, they won't let this go easily. What do you think, Father?" Yu Meng's mouth was already stuffed full of food as he turned to Yu Yan and asked indistinctly.

"Hard to say. The county office has sent people to investigate the wolf pack, but the leading demon beast has grown increasingly cunning. For now, we still can't figure out what they plan to do next." A layer of worry surfaced in Yu Yan's eyes.

"In that case, I'll go guard the city gates again tonight, just in case." Yu Meng said, rising to his feet.

"I'll go too. I'll give Brother Yu a hand." Shen Luo stood as well.

"There's no need. You have defended the city for days and have worked hard. Rest properly at home tonight. As for changing the guard, just follow the arrangements." Yu Yan waved a hand.

"Fine, but if the county office makes any arrangements, Father, you must let me know in advance." Yu Meng said.

Yu Yan neither agreed nor disagreed. He merely waved his hand and had the two continue eating.

"Father, when I went to buy talisman paper and cinnabar for you today, I came across something interesting..." Yu Meng was unexpectedly talkative at the dinner table, chattering on without end.

Yu Yan watched his son with an outwardly indifferent expression, though a trace of indulgence showed deep in his eyes.

Shen Luo occasionally added a word or two. Before long, the meal was nearly finished, and both host and guests were pleased.

"No telling how long this Demon Wolf siege will last. If you're willing, Shen, you can stay at my house the whole time." Yu Meng suddenly said with a smile.

Shen Luo was somewhat tempted by Yu Meng's suggestion.

For the moment, he had no way to return to reality. Staying here was indeed a good idea. On the one hand, he could continue looking through all sorts of materials and uncover the truth of this dream; on the other, he might be able to seek Yu Yan's guidance in Talisman Arts.

"Worthy nephew Shen, where are you from?" Yu Yan set down his bowl and chopsticks, picked up a cup of tea, took a light sip, and asked.

"I am from Chunhua County in Dengping." Shen Luo did not lie about his origins.

Yu Yan was experienced and knowledgeable. He might already have guessed Shen Luo's origins from his accent, clothing, and other details. Lying would only backfire.

"Chunhua County in Dengping? I heard it was destroyed by a beast tide years ago." Yu Meng said in surprise.

"I live in a remote area near Chunhua County. For now, it is still relatively safe." Shen Luo could only answer vaguely.

"Now that demons and monsters are rising everywhere, why did you leave your homeland and come here?" Yu Yan set down his teacup and continued questioning him.

"Some time ago, I left my hometown due to certain circumstances. Unexpectedly, I lost my way halfway through and stumbled into Donglai County by mistake. Who would have thought that I would be trapped here the moment I entered the city?" Shen Luo had long prepared this excuse and explained it smoothly.

"You were lucky to make it into the city alive... The world is in chaos now, and the people are suffering. I only hope the immortals and Buddhas descend soon, end this troubled age, and save all living beings." Seeing Shen Luo respond naturally, Yu Yan set aside his last trace of suspicion. He raised one hand before his chest and prayed softly.

Yu Meng lowered his head without a word, seemingly praying silently as well.

"Uncle Yu, Brother Yu, I have always had a question. Why are there so many wolf beasts attacking this city?" After a brief pause, Shen Luo suddenly asked.

"Every so often, huge numbers of beast packs and demon beasts attack Human Race cities. Hasn't it always been this way?" Yu Meng scratched his head and asked strangely.

"What I really want to know is where exactly these wolf beasts come from." Shen Luo made his question more direct.

At those words, Yu Yan and his son exchanged a glance, then looked over with strange expressions.

"Shen, don't you know the legend of 'Demon Creatures Swallow Heaven, Heavenly Fire Descends'?" Yu Meng asked in return.

"To be honest, the village where I used to live was extremely remote, practically cut off from the world for years. So I truly know very little about the outside world." Shen Luo said calmly.

"I see. No wonder I thought your clothing earlier was rather strange." Yu Meng said in sudden realization.

"Since you know nothing about the affairs of the world, then we must start from the beginning." After a moment of silence, Yu Yan said slowly.

"I am all ears!"