The television screen was broadcasting news about the attack on Eastsea City by the Holy Spirit Cult seven days prior.
"The casualty statistics for Eastsea City are now available: a total of 3,572 dead, 13,532 seriously injured, and 95,329 slightly injured."
" The Holy Spirit Cult has set up an extremely bloody and cruel formation in Eastsea City, sacrificing the flesh and souls of many innocent people to gain ascension-like power."
"The Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Clan held a press conference, during which the patriarch, Heavenly Dragon Douluo Yu Qitian, announced that the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Clan would compensate for all the losses suffered by East Sea City."
"This proposal was rejected by the Federation Parliament, which claimed that the disaster in Eastsea City was also related to the Federation's dereliction of duty. Therefore, after discussions, it was decided that both parties would each pay half of the compensation and fully support the reconstruction and recovery of Eastsea City."
"Furthermore, the company's technical staff who were kidnapped by the Evil Soul Master have safely returned to Eastsea City. Based on this crisis, the Federation has decided to send a Super Douluo to oversee Eastsea City."
" The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan has also dispatched a Super Douluo to oversee the situation. We believe such an event will never occur in Eastsea City. Furthermore, the War God Temple branch has begun establishing itself in Eastsea City. Therefore, if another city-destroying disaster were to occur, we believe the Federation's reinforcements would arrive even more quickly..."
" The Holy Spirit Cult members captured this time included one Titled Douluo, four Soul Douluo, ten Soul Saint, and thirty-one Soul Emperor. They were an incredibly powerful force, capable of launching a terrorist attack on any city. Many Federation soldiers sacrificed their lives to protect the people; they are all heroes of the people..."
The news report continued, the camera switched to the recovery progress of Eastsea City, and then to the image of the God of War.
Countless reporters were seen snapping photos of him and asking him questions.
"Your Majesty, God of War, please answer the rumors circulating online about you. It is said that when a Titled Douluo- level Evil Soul Master self-destructed, you chose to run away first, allowing Jade Yu Longyue, the son of the Heavenly Dragon Douluo, to shield everyone from the self-destruction?"
"Everyone says you're a coward, a spineless coward. I wonder if Your Majesty, the God of War, has any difficulties to explain?"
The God of War took a deep breath, then slowly bowed:
"I apologize. The claims circulating online are mostly true, including the fact that Yu Longyue shielded everyone from that attack. I feel deeply sorry for the people of Eastsea City. My cowardly actions make me unworthy of the title of God of War."
At this moment, the reporters below erupted in cheers:
"Your Majesty, although we are not powerful Soul Master, we still have basic knowledge. I remember that Yu Longyue was just a genius boy with the cultivation of a thirteen-year-old Soul King. So how did he block a full-force attack and self-destruction from Titled Douluo? Could it be that someone secretly paid to stage this scene?"
"This reporter, do you have any evidence? How could you say such a thing?" The God of War, though not angry, exuded an imposing aura, glaring intently at the reporter who uttered these words. "Are you insulting the Federation soldiers who died protecting the citizens of Eastsea City?"
"So many people died. If it weren't for those soldiers fighting desperately against the Evil Soul Master on the front lines to protect the civilians, the casualties would have been even greater. Not to mention that Comrade Yu Longyue was the one who realized the Holy Spirit Cult's trap in advance and informed the Federation, allowing the Federation to react quickly and launch a counterattack."
"Now that the war is over, you dismiss their efforts with a single sentence? Who do you think you are? Do you even deserve to speak? Frontline soldiers were risking their lives, while you cowered in the rear, safe and sound under their protection, and yet you dare to utter such insulting words against them?!"
"We're all adults here, do you think we don't have to take responsibility for what we say? Do you think this is the internet, where you just need to type on a keyboard and put it on a screen?"
"If you're so capable, why don't you use your words to curse all the Evil Soul Master to death?"
The God of War grew angrier with each word, and roared in fury:
"Men, arrest him and deal with him for 500,000!"
Several soldiers came over and forcibly dragged the reporter away; it's unclear what will happen to him.
"Next time, if such irresponsible remarks are made again, they will be dealt with according to the standard penalty of 500,000. Please be careful with your words, or you will bear the consequences." The God of War shouted fiercely, glancing at the group of reporters below.
"Your Majesty, God of War, how is Yu Longyue's injury? Will this talented young man lose his extraordinary abilities because of this crisis?"
"Currently, Yu Longyue's condition has stabilized, and he is receiving treatment in the hospital. According to his doctor, his recovery ability is astonishing, and he is expected to recover soon." The God of War's voice was filled with respect. "Therefore, there is no need to worry. Yu Longyue remains a genius youth, Federation will never mistreat such a young hero. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the Federation will take full responsibility for this matter."
"Your Majesty, is Yu Longyue currently single? Does he need a girlfriend?"
"... Please don't ask personal questions in such an important public place, next."
Yu Longyue, who was watching TV, was also dumbfounded.
What is all this nonsense?
As for that reporter who said it was all scripted and acted, I wonder which faction paid him to do it; he's really speaking without thinking.
This isn't how you try to stir up trouble.
"Alright, now you're a celebrity, my darling son." His mother affectionately patted Yu Longyue's head. "So many people are thinking about you; it seems you won't lack for daughters-in-law in the future."
"Mom, I'm so handsome, isn't this what I should do?" Yu Longyue was about to show off when he touched his wound, causing him to hiss.
Gu Yue quickly picked up a cup of hot water and handed it to him to drink.
"I'd forgotten, your future daughter-in-law is right here." The mother looked Gu Yue up and down, increasingly pleased with her. "Let me tell you, son, don't let your good looks and talent make you fickle and a playboy. Women hate men who cheat on their partners. If you ever wrong Gu Yue, I'll break your legs before your father even has to lift a finger."
Gu Yue silently lowered her head, neither speaking nor refuting.
Yu Longyue glanced at her, then explained, "Mom... we're just friends, not what you're thinking. 'Daughter-in-law' stuff... you're being too forward."
"I understand, I understand. You two talk. Your dad still needs my help. I'll take care of some things for him first." The mother left the ward with a smile.
Before leaving, he winked at Yu Longyue, clearly urging him to quickly win over Gu Yue.
For those seven days, her mother had witnessed it all. She stayed by Yu Longyue's side every step of the way, taking care of her at all times. As her mother, she didn't even know where to begin to help.
Yu Longyue chose to ignore this.
Turtle, is the Silver Dragon King really that easy to defeat?
She's so close to me, maybe it's because of the Golden Dragon King's essence...
After her mother left, Yu Longyue coughed awkwardly:
"Sorry, that's just how my mom is, you know how it is. She's an elder, she always likes to urge her kids to find things quickly..."
"When they're in school, we forbid them from dating early; when they enter the workforce, we're eager for them to find someone and get married. So... well, please understand."
Gu Yue smiled slightly, seemingly not taking her mother's words to heart. "It's alright, Auntie is just concerned about you."
Yu Longyue looked at Gu Yue for a long time, a hint of gratitude flashing in her eyes. "Thank you so much this time. Without you, I might really be dead."
He has the protective power of four Limit Douluo within him. Even if that Titled Douluo makes a move, it will probably only help him quickly trigger the protective mechanism, making it difficult for him to defeat Yu Longyue.
But since they did offer help, we should still thank them.
What's more, he can't actively use the protection mechanism of that trench; it can only be triggered when he's truly helpless and on the verge of death, which is a real pain.
This is such a rip-off. I'll ask my dad when I get back if he can fix it.
"Why thank me? I didn't do anything." Gu Yue picked up a towel, lifted Yu Longyue's hand, and gently wiped it. "It's all the result of your own hard work."
"I know."
Yu Longyue suddenly looked at Gu Yue with a serious expression.
"You've helped me a lot, haven't you, Gu Yue? Now that things have come to this, don't keep this secret from me anymore."
As he stared at her like that, Gu Yue's heart began to race for some reason.
Has he realized his true identity?
Impossible! I didn't leave any clues or flaws. How did he figure it out?
Could it be that there's something I overlooked that he saw through?
Gu Yue was well aware of Yu Longyue's insight, but still clung to a sliver of hope, forcing herself to remain calm:
"I feel like I haven't helped at all."
"No, no, no, as far as I know, after you sent the person back to the company, you didn't choose to stay." Yu Longyue revealed a mysterious smile. "So, you..."
At this moment, Gu Yue's heart was in her throat, fearing that Yu Longyue would blurt out something like "You are the Silver Dragon King."
"You must have sent your family's bodyguards to stop the leader of the team that was going to assassinate me, right?" Yu Longyue changed the subject. "That's why I thanked you. The three people who came to kill me are all so strong, and you still have to call them 'sir'? Doesn't that mean they're at the Titled Douluo level?"
"I can't fight Titled Douluo. If they all attacked me, I would almost certainly die, which is why I thanked you."
Gu Yue breathed a huge sigh of relief, her whole body relaxed, and she said reproachfully:
"You're thanking me for this? Isn't it what I should do?"
Yu Longyue smiled but did not answer.
It's quite fun to tease her.