Follow the path of Dao from infancy Chapter 1899 Chapter 509: Trials_3

"In that case, count me in for the first wave."

Li Hao declared.

The President of Tan Palace froze in astonishment and remarked, "Aren't you going to the Divine General Mansion..."

"To slay demons and fight, I can do it anywhere, they're not short of a Fifteen Li Realm like me."

Li Hao cut him off and stated.

Right then, from the far-off Divine General Mansion, beams of golden radiance pierced the heavens, hurrying toward remote Qingzhou City to block the demons.

Li Hao's gaze wavered as he stared down the slope where throngs of locals dashed toward the opposite end of the road. Word of the demon assault had spread across the entire city.

"Can you two detect any Great Demons in particular realms within this demon surge?"

Li Hao turned and inquired of the pair next to him.

The President of Tan Palace appeared grave and explained, "I can already sense four auras from the Three Immortal Realms. Based on demon customs, commanding four Great Demons of the Three Immortal Realms suggests a strong chance of a Demon King in the Tai Ping Realm leading them!"

"Tai Ping Realm..."

Li Hao's gaze subtly altered. The demons' fighting strength posed an overwhelming load on Qingzhou City. Though they might manage to resist, the walls would probably fall, causing widespread ruin.

Fight until death? Li Hao observed the escaping forms, thought briefly, and addressed the two nearby, "Seniors, could you lead these ordinary folks up the hill so we can evacuate the city first?"

"Retreat?"

Both of them were taken aback, clearly not anticipating Li Hao's desire to escape.

"As part of the Divine General Mansion, you really mean to desert the city and run?"

The President of Tan Palace had to question.

"For generals or troops, holding the city at all costs is their obligation, yet the common people are blameless and remaining serves no purpose."

Li Hao shook his head and added, "Should the city hold firm, our minor power won't be missed. If it falls, lingering only invites demise, and a wise person avoids peril."

The pair stood dumbfounded; they exchanged glances, their convictions somewhat wavering.

When survival exists, who opts for demise.

"The President shouldn't fret over later repercussions. Any fault will fall on me." Li Hao assured again.

The President of Tan Palace eyed his robe sleeve, paused quietly, and at last nodded, replying, "Alright!"

His consent stemmed not just from the masses below the hill but also the numerous Tan Palace pupils and his daughter.

Before long, the President of Tan Palace launched his Divine Soul skyward, summoning the school's students to direct the people below the slope.

"Is this drawn for me?"

Mo Qilin eyed the artwork clutched by Li Hao, a trace of feeling stirring in its gaze.

The artwork brimmed with vivid realism, seeming ready to spring from the canvas, like the youth had studied its form in minute detail repeatedly.

Noticing the expression in its eyes, Li Hao remembered his initial sketching session for it long ago. He smiled faintly and responded, "Of course, if you like it, I will give it to you."

Mo Qilin paused briefly, then parted its jaws, drew the painting into its holding area, and addressed Li Hao:

"Young man, climb on my back, I will carry you down the hill."

"Okay."

Li Hao didn't stand on ceremony, nimbly vaulting onto its back like longtime companions.

With the Tan Palace learners springing into motion, the terrified ordinary folk below were directed and, in a mighty surge, trailed the Tan Palace students to the city's far side.

At that spot, the Divine General Mansion's City Defense Army stood watch, and as they advanced to block and reprimand, Li Hao, mounted on Mo Qilin's back, stated composedly:

"By decree of the Divine General Mansion, I am transporting the civilians out of the city, do not obstruct."

The sentinel officer, noting Li Hao's refined garb and identifying him, grew deferential yet insisted, "Please show the warrant, young master."

"The situation is urgent, only verbal directive, where comes the warrant!"

Li Hao rebuked, "Can't you see the numerous civilians behind me, does this still need a warrant?"

The sentinel officer faltered, peered beyond the formidable Mo Qilin's back at the immense, anxious throng of people, wavered briefly, but ultimately withdrew and cleared the path.

"Truly acting by one's heart..."

From the emptiness, a few looks passed by and couldn't suppress grins.

They had clearly witnessed the shift in this youth's Tao Heart, realizing his every deed was utterly genuine, free of any false show.

Meanwhile, in various other trial Illusion Realms, numerous Immortal Kings faced akin crises, yet most elected to remain and battle fiercely, determined to shield every civilian and harmless soul, sacrificing themselves if required.

Such behavior... surely qualified as profound kindness.

However... a Commander ought not to indulge in excessive mercy but to execute the proper merciful deed!

What constitutes the proper merciful deed? Back in antiquity, a kind soul, wealthy and encountering displaced wanderers, felt compassion and handed them five taels of silver in goodwill, but the wanderers, once given the funds, drew envy from bandits, leading to a fatal ambush where they lost wealth and lives, perishing horribly.

The unwise fail to distinguish virtue from vice, rendering them all as villains.

Invert cause and effect: if the end brings harm, even intent for good remains harmful.

Those Immortal Kings who perished in disasters, despite rescuing the guiltless, were viewed by the sovereigns as less than ideal decisions.

A genuine True King Commander must weigh the welfare of the True Realm's Ten Thousand Clans and all their peoples, beyond merely one group or individual.

Admittedly harsh, and to the forsaken collectives or souls, it appears malevolent, but... as a True King Commander, why dread shouldering a wicked reputation or grim consequences?

Li Hao escorted the common folk beyond the walls, and upon his return, the city lay conquered, the Illusion Realm ahead dissolved, bringing him back to the Heaven Tower.

Returning with Li Hao were various Immortal Kings from other lineages, all scanning their environment, some bearing reflective expressions in their eyes.

Li Hao regarded Shi Miao, saw him rouse as well, and queried, "How do you feel?"

Shi Miao looked at Li Hao, his mouth twitched faintly, yet ultimately he held his tongue and grinned, "I estimate my score won't be high in this round."