Sir, Will We Win

【The fleeing summer fades into the night, ushering in the cool autumn】

【The fallen autumn leaves welcome the winter with the long cries of migratory birds】

【Wu Yingxue asks you to teach her how to fold paper flowers】

【You agree】

【You guide her meticulously, letting the girl follow your steps one by one. She is focused, the paper fluttering and folding between her fingers】

【What she holds between her fingertips is not just paper, but also unforgettable memories】

【Along with it, the sorrows of the past are folded away】

【After this night, the girl still cannot master the art of folding paper flowers, only managing to clumsily shape a "flower bud"】

【Even with your guidance, those hands that wield a spear with such ferocity inevitably turn awkward the moment they touch paper】

【The girl is not disheartened. All her worries and anxieties have been turned over with the folding of the paper, and she returns to the carefree demeanor you know so well】

【"Go to sleep."】

【At the break of dawn, with a stern face, you command the girl to return to her room and sleep】

【She obediently complies, taking with her the paper flower you folded, which she particularly adores】

……

【Three days later】

【The air at the border grows even colder】

【Niu's vital energy stabilizes, every moment devouring the divine and spiritual energy within his body, awakening the latent essence hidden deep within】

【His complexion looks much healthier, and his strength has increased significantly】

【Now, Niu is no longer as frail as before. He appears full of vigor, able to work tirelessly with a hoe for an entire day】

【The people of Qingniu Town are captivated by this miraculous effect】

【Many begin practicing the Fool's Technique】

【Except for the elderly who are too weak and the children who are too young, almost everyone in Qingniu Town has learned this miraculous technique that grants strength】

【As the power of vital energy surges within their bodies, they feel a renewed sense of vitality】

【Some kneel on the ground, weeping bitterly】

【It is sorrowful, yet joyful】

【What kind of emotion is this? You watch the townsfolk, overcome with joy, and think to yourself that it must be the joy of realizing they, too, are human】

……

【A technique even a fool can practice, indiscriminate of talent, indiscriminate of bone structure】

【Whether a farmer, a mule driver, or even a dung carrier】

【All can practice it】

【The vital energy surges through their blocked meridians, shattering the townsfolk's sense of inferiority, breaking through the bottlenecks of their inadequate bone structure and comprehension, and granting them true strength】

【The people thank you, their eyes alight with a thirst for life】

【To prepare for the winter demon tide, you frequently scout the Ten Thousand Mountains, killing many demons weaker than yourself in the process】

【The townsfolk, now much stronger, carry the edible demon carcasses, preparing to preserve them as emergency rations】

【If they cannot withstand the demon tide this winter】

【These preserved demon meats will be their only food source when they leave Qingniu Town】

……

Winter has come.

The end of autumn is abrupt.

In an instant, snowflakes fall from the sky, like countless pure white butterflies, gently blanketing the world in a layer of silver.

For the people of Qingniu Town, for all those struggling at the border, winter is synonymous with hell.

The biting cold wind strips away what little warmth they have, and demons emerge from the snow, mercilessly taking lives.

In such a hellish place, tragedies have occurred where the snow has been stained red with human blood.

"The day has finally come."

The wind howls.

Xu Xi steps out of the courtyard, tilting his head slightly to watch the cold snowflakes fall from the sky. He extends his hand, catching a few.

The hand coursing with vital energy is warm.

The snowflakes melt into droplets upon contact.

As he tilts his hand, the droplets fall to the ground, freezing into ice in the low temperature.

"It's so cold today…" Xu Xi mutters to himself, another cruelty of winter, but with preparation, it can be endured.

Compared to the cold, the bloodthirsty demons are the true threat.

"Sir, will we win?" asks the girl in red and white martial attire, holding a spear beside Xu Xi.

"We will probably die…" Xu Xi does not offer false hope, instead speaking calmly of the winter's inevitable deathly stillness.

"But we have no choice."

"The people of Qingniu Town have no choice."

Xu Xi steps forward, his innate energy materializing into a blade that slashes through the snowy sky from a distance.

The wind stops, the snow halts.

The demon dies.

"Screech—!!" A fierce, crimson-feathered falcon demon, diving at high speed toward Qingniu Town, is slain by Xu Xi's strike.

Its death marks the official arrival of the winter demon tide.

The people of Qingniu Town are afraid.

The people of Qingniu Town tremble.

But they still follow Xu Xi, using their meager vital energy to fend off the demon onslaught as best they can.

"I'm no coward!!!"

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

Bleeding is inevitable, injuries are inevitable.

The battle between humans and demons is fraught with danger.

Fortunately, Xu Xi holds the battlefield, using his innate energy to provide long-range support, while Wu Yingxue, at the fifth level of body refinement, moves through the battlefield, aiding those who are exhausted.

Kill!

Someone roars, their arm bitten off by a demon, yet they continue to slash with their remaining hand.

Kill!

Someone is terrified, so scared they can barely stand, but the thought of their wife and child behind them turns their fear into courage, fueling the Fool's Technique, unleashing a surge of vital energy.

【Winter has come, and so has the demon tide】

【You lead the people of Qingniu Town, having prepared various defenses early on, though they are but minor obstacles to the demons】

【The effects of the Fool's Technique far exceed your expectations】

【Good, very good, excellent】

【In the face of life and death, many unleash powerful bursts of strength, fleeting though they may be, still influencing the tide of battle】

【You focus your energy, battling a demon of equal strength, and eventually succeed in slaying it—a fearsome beast, part tiger, part leopard】

【You feel a slight relief】

【If the subsequent waves of the demon tide are of this difficulty, you can ensure Qingniu Town's safety】

【But suddenly, after the first wave of the demon tide ends, as the people celebrate their victory, you sense an immense threat approaching from afar】

"Run, run now!"

There is no time to explain or discern.

Xu Xi's pupils contract as he turns and shouts to the crowd.

"Brother Xu?"

"Xi?"

The people of Qingniu Town are bewildered.

But seeing Xu Xi's urgency, they quickly grasp the situation, scrambling back to the town.

They gather their families, food, water, and the scant clothing they have.

Finally, under Xu Xi's lead, they flee Qingniu Town at breakneck speed, racing against the snowstorm.

When exhaustion forces them to stop and rest, a towering pillar of fire erupts in the distance, back toward Qingniu Town.

"Screech—!"

"Screech—!"

The flames roar, smoke billows, tearing through the snowstorm, painting the sky a fiery red.

Xu Xi sees it.

Countless fire crows circle above Qingniu Town.

Massive, grotesque, sparks flying with every beat of their wings.

Each one is as strong as a blood-exchange martial artist.

The collective flames devour everything, burning down the familiar homes of the townsfolk as they watch in despair.