Countless people had heard Chu Yu say those words herself... "Keep it up!"
Melodramatic and enthusiastic, yet full of sincerity.
At the very beginning... that young woman had even copied out drawings for them herself. Only toward the end had she become unable to lift her brush.
The rocking chair was still there, rocking gently.
But now, it was empty.
Only the pendants still hung from its armrests, final keepsakes that soldiers had placed in Chu Yu's hands before dying, which she had carefully preserved.
And the painting case in the corner, long since covered in dust...
For a time, all of Demon-Suppressing Pass was steeped in grief and desolation.
Until a white-haired old man sighed softly and took a step forward.
"Chu Yu..."
"Lived up to the name of the Human Race's Fifth Generation."
"Everyone, do you dare march out of the pass?"
As his aged voice rang out, shouts rose one after another.
"Fight!"
"Fight!"
Roars echoed ceaselessly.
"Who said our Human Race... only dares defend our walls, never attack?"
"Today... we fight for Chu Yu, for the name of the Human Race's Fifth Generation!"
His words fell.
The gates opened.
Soldiers surged down the stairs and out of the city as if possessed, in an unbroken stream.
On the throne.
Old White Ape slowly opened his eyes.
"When I take a step back, you press a step forward?"
"But the moment you leave the city..."
"You no longer hold the advantage."
"Against an absolute disparity in strength, morale becomes less important."
"Leaving the city... is unwise."
Old White Ape murmured to himself, slowly rising from his throne.
"Moved by Elder Chu's passing, I granted your Human Race three days to catch your breath."
"But your Human Race has chosen to challenge the majesty of our Demon Clan..."