Human Clan Defender
Chapter 76: Natural Disaster

Chapter 76: Chapter 76: Natural Disaster

Looking at Zhou Yuanzheng’s expression, Shen Changqing also felt some unease.

"May I ask Defender Zhou, what exactly is that thing?" f.(r)eew ebnov\ll.com

Though Jiang Zuo, standing by, did not speak, his face was also filled with curiosity. He too wanted to know what on earth that thing was.

Judging by Zhou Yuanzheng’s expression, the item was clearly extraordinarily unusual. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have caused a Defender Envoy’s expression to change so drastically.

"If I’m not mistaken, that thing is called a ’Calamity’," Zhou Yuanzheng said calmly, enunciating each word.

Without waiting for Shen Changqing and Jiang Zuo to speak, he continued to explain, "Calamities may seem distant to you. But since you’re already aware of them, I will give you a detailed explanation. This way, should you encounter one in the future, you’ll be able to take appropriate measures."

Upon hearing this, the two of them stood and listened attentively.

Zhou Yuanzheng said, "The so-called Calamity is essentially a type of Demon Evil, yet it is quite different from Demon Evils. Whenever a Demon Evil wreaks havoc in the world, it is possible that a Calamity may form. Therefore, we suspect that Calamities form due to the deaths of many members of the Human Clan. But compared to Demon Evils, not every Calamity is hostile to the Human Clan; they are more like a neutral force, neither hostile to the Human Clan nor aligned with the Demon Evils. However, a Calamity’s actions are unpredictable. Over many years, countless members of the Human Clan have perished at their hands."

As he spoke, Zhou Yuanzheng paused slightly.

"The power of a Calamity is erratic. A newly emerged Calamity might only be comparable to a Ghostly Level Fiend. However, if a Calamity grows powerful, even Demon Evils would give it a wide berth. Beyond that, the real reason a Calamity is feared lies in its indestructibility."

"Indestructible!" Shen Changqing’s expression changed. For some reason, he thought of his own door, which, though destroyed, had restored itself.

"Indeed, indestructible," Zhou Yuanzheng continued, his face solemn. "Every Calamity is indestructible. We have dispatched many powerful individuals to strike at some Calamities. However, the end result is always the same: no matter how we try to destroy them, they always restore themselves to their original state. That is how we came to understand that Calamities are indestructible. Of course, it’s possible we can’t destroy them because our power is insufficient, or perhaps we haven’t found the right method. But, at least for now, there seems to be no way to destroy a Calamity."

Having heard this, Shen Changqing now understood why a Defender Envoy would wear such a grave expression when discussing Calamities.

The fact that he could escape from the courtyard proved that the Calamity’s power wasn’t very strong at all. He could escape. If a Defender Envoy made a move, the Calamity would be wiped out within minutes. But if a Calamity were indestructible, then it was a completely different matter.

"Any newly formed Calamity is very weak, but Calamities can grow. The more power they absorb, the faster they grow. We call the area a Calamity occupies its ’Domain’."

"Domain?" Shen Changqing was puzzled again. He had learned many new things from Zhou Yuanzheng, things he had never known before.

Zhou Yuanzheng nodded. "Yes, Domain. You can think of it as a second world. Within its Domain, the Calamity is ubiquitous. Once one steps into a Calamity’s Domain, to a certain extent, it’s as if they are cut off from the real world. Because Calamities form in different eras, their respective Domains remain fixed at a particular point in time. It’s just as you said: in that courtyard, you saw calligraphy and paintings from the 136th year of Great Qin. To you, the current era is the 382nd year of Great Qin. But for that Calamity, time is frozen in the 136th year. Perhaps from the moment you stepped into the courtyard, you were transported into a projection of Great Qin from the 136th year. In summary, a Calamity’s Domain is completely different from the real world. We and they exist in different worlds, yet these worlds can intersect."

"However—"

"Considering you were able to leave safely and the Calamity didn’t strike from beginning to end, it is currently in a neutral state. However, there’s no guarantee when it might go berserk."

By the end of his explanation, Zhou Yuanzheng could not help but shake his head. Calamities, like Demon Evils, are a hidden threat to the Human Clan. Although Calamities are often neutral, once they become chaotic and rampage, the Human Clan suffers heavy casualties.

Suddenly, Shen Changqing thought of something. "May I ask Defender Zhou, does the Domain where a Calamity resides move?"

"Under normal circumstances, Calamities do not move," Zhou Yuanzheng shook his head. The implication was that, under abnormal circumstances, Calamities could indeed move. And a moving Calamity is often more terrifying than a stationary one.

Straightaway, he continued, "I am now aware of the Calamity. You may both return for now. The rewards you’re due will naturally be given to you later."

"Thank you, Defender Zhou. We will take our leave!"

The two bowed and withdrew.

Outside the Council Hall, Jiang Zuo looked at the sky and sighed deeply. "I never imagined that apart from common Demon Evils, Calamities also existed. Now that a Calamity has appeared in Guangyuan Prefecture, I fear it will be unsettled once more."

"When has Guangyuan Prefecture ever truly been peaceful?" Shen Changqing demurred.

Whether Calamities appeared or not, Guangyuan Prefecture had never known peace. It wasn’t just Guangyuan Prefecture; one might say the entire territory of Great Qin had almost never known true peace. Disasters caused by Demon Evils are an ever-present threat.

Jiang Zuo was startled, then let out a self-mocking laugh. "You’re right. When has Great Qin ever known peace? As long as Demon Evils exist, our Human Clan will never know a day of peace."

At this point, he turned his head to look at Shen Changqing. "I’ll be setting out on a mission in two days. If any non-urgent matters arise, they can wait until I return. However, if there’s something urgent, you can find the Deputy Steward."

"Then I wish Steward Jiang a safe and successful return."

"I appreciate your kind words," Jiang Zuo said with a smile.

「 」

In a secret chamber, Zhou Yuanzheng and Dongfang Zhao sat face to face.

"I just received news that a Calamity has appeared in Guangyuan Prefecture. From what we currently understand, it should be a nascent stage Calamity."

"A nascent stage Calamity." Dongfang Zhao’s eyes flickered slightly, his voice also deep. "A nascent stage Calamity shouldn’t pose a major problem for now, but once it matures, it becomes significant trouble. Send someone immediately to seal that Calamity. Although this won’t completely prevent the Calamity from growing, it will delay it considerably."

"I do not plan to seal the Calamity just yet," Zhou Yuanzheng said gravely.

Upon hearing this, Dongfang Zhao’s brow furrowed as he looked at the other with some confusion. "If the Calamity is not sealed and it grows, who will be able to contain it? You should be well aware of the few mature Calamities within Great Qin’s territory."

"It’s said that Calamities cannot be eradicated, but I don’t believe it. Nothing in this world is indestructible. If something were truly indestructible, it would only mean our strength is insufficient."

"What do you mean?" Dongfang Zhao asked.

"It’s simple. When we discovered those Calamities, they were already in their mature phase. The Demon-Subduing Division wasn’t able to eradicate them despite several attempts, which is why we believe Calamities are indestructible." Zhou Yuanzheng’s spirits seemed to soar, his voice like a booming bell. "But in my view, the fact that a mature Calamity is indestructible might very well mean our strength is not enough. Now that a nascent stage Calamity has appeared, it is an opportunity for us. If we can destroy this nascent stage Calamity, then we can break the myth that Calamities are indestructible. That way, even if we cannot deal with the other Calamities within Great Qin for now, we will at least have a clearer understanding."

Upon hearing these words, Dongfang Zhao’s expression changed unpredictably; he understood Zhou Yuanzheng’s intentions.

Indeed, the indestructible nature of Calamities was like a massive mountain pressing down on the Demon-Subduing Division. In comparison, while other Demon Evils were very powerful, the Demon-Subduing Division could still vanquish them; the difference lay only in the cost.

"Currently, the unrest caused by Demon Evils in various locations has not been completely settled. Here at the Capital Demon Suppression Division, only you and I are free to act. The other local Demon-Subduing Divisions probably have even fewer forces they can dispatch. If you’re preparing to take action against that Calamity, you’ll need some time to prepare," Dongfang Zhao said, his expression thoughtful.

Zhou Yuanzheng shook his head. "There is no need to mobilize other forces. I can handle a nascent stage Calamity by myself. If I succeed, wonderful. If not, we will have to temporarily seal off that area. You are well aware of my strength. If even I can’t manage it, the probability of success wouldn’t be high, even if I joined forces with other Defender Envoys. This time, I don’t seek to truly eradicate the Calamity; I just aim to test its limits."

"Very well!" Dongfang Zhao nodded. He could see Zhou Yuanzheng was fully prepared. As they were both Defenders, he couldn’t completely influence the other’s thinking.

At this moment, Zhou Yuanzheng carefully sized up Dongfang Zhao, his gaze concerned. "How is it? Can you still suppress it?"

"For the time being, there’s no problem," Dongfang Zhao shook his head, laughing freely. "I can still fight. When the time comes that I can no longer fight, we can discuss it then." NovelFire

"That’s for the best. The Demon-Subduing Division cannot afford many more losses right now," Zhou Yuanzheng said, relieved.

Dongfang Zhao remarked, "If we fall, others will naturally take our place. Don’t think Great Qin is dependent on any single person. The truth is, before we appeared, no matter how rampant Demon Evils were, Great Qin remained unshaken. Sometimes, you put too much pressure on yourself. It’s truly unnecessary."

"Perhaps I am overthinking it," Zhou Yuanzheng didn’t argue, just gave a self-deprecating chuckle.

The two chatted idly for a long while longer.

In the end, Zhou Yuanzheng stood up and left. Dongfang Zhao remained alone in the secret chamber, and silence immediately fell.

"Sigh—" A long, drawn-out sigh conveyed his helplessness.

「Elsewhere」

After returning from the Council Hall, Shen Changqing stayed in his courtyard, dedicating himself to mastering the Hundred Battles Saber Technique. In his spare moments, he also practiced the Snare Trampling Gang Step and the Iron Sand Palm. Of the several Martial Arts techniques he knew, these three could not be improved with Slaughter Value. Thus, his daily cultivation focused primarily on these three Martial Arts.