The Protagonist is Always Intimidating Me - Chapter 56

“These past few f*cking days have been inhuman…” Lan Wei cursed as he wiped the blood from his forehead, his sharp gaze fixed on the sky.

“Alright… everyone can rest for a bit now. In one shichen, the moon will rise again. Later, Shorty and the rest of you had better make sure to protect Daye and Hall Master Mo. This is no joke!”

“…What do you mean?” Bai Meng casually lifted the dirty hem of his clothing to wipe his blood-stained face. However, since the clothes were already filthy, faint marks remained on his clear, fair face. Hearing Lan Wei’s words, he raised an eyebrow slightly.

“Do I seem like someone who can’t let things go and hold grudges? Sure, you called me Shorty, but I…”

“Can you really just smile and let bygones be bygones?!” Lan Wei made a show of retching, which prompted Bai Meng to tackle him to the ground and start punching him.

“Not at all.”

At that moment, Mo Lengsui finished setting up a protective barrier around everyone. Though it was small, the shimmer of light on its surface revealed just how much Sheng energy he had poured into it. Rubbing his sore wrist, worn out from healing and shielding them, Mo Lengsui approached and, overhearing Lan Wei and Bai Meng’s exchange, added, “Captain Bai is exactly that kind of person.”

Bai Meng: “……”

Bai Duxiu is too tired to respond. Otherwise, would I let Mo Dazhao get the last word in?

Outside the protective barrier, a few dozen others continued to patrol sporadically. Bai Meng sat on the ground with his legs spread wide beside Lan Wei, absentmindedly exchanging a few words with him from time to time. As the hour neared, Lan Wei rolled up and got to his feet.

“Alright, alright, I’m not one to sit around doing nothing. I’ll go see where help is needed. You stay here and rest a bit longer. When I need you, I’ll call for you.”

“……” Bai Meng shot him an exasperated look. “Who’s lazing around here? Go, go! And when you do call me, I won’t respond!”

Grinning mischievously, Lan Wei gave him a middle finger before leaving the protective barrier. Around them, the beastmen stood scattered about, fatigue plainly written on every face.

“Let’s hope nothing goes wrong at this critical moment…” Bai Meng muttered, massaging his throbbing temples, exhaustion written on his face.

“Of course, don’t worry too much.”

Mo Jiuge came over, ruffled Bai Meng’s hair, and handed him a bowl of water.

“Have some water. Just hold on a little longer, and soon we’ll be able to go home.”

“…Alright.”

Bai Meng took the bowl handed to him, but just as he was about to drink, a clamor broke out from Lan Wei and Mo Hankui’s direction.

“Shorty!! No, Captain Bai, Captain Bai! Hurry over and provide support!!!”

At this final critical juncture, all the demons launched a relentless counterattack. The high-ranking demons yearned for light, as darkness weakened their strength. So, countless low-ranking demons had been sent out to wage battle. But the abyss would soon be sealed again, confining them once more to their dark prison.

The demons were in a frenzy.

“Kill!”

Bai Meng gritted his teeth. Together with Mo Jiuge and the others, he held the line behind Lan Wei and Mo Hankui, shielding them with everything he had. Blood streamed from his body, but he kept fighting, cutting down every enemy that dared to push through.

Almost there…

Just a little longer…

Bai Meng glanced at the faint light piercing through the dark clouds, a look of youthful joy spreading across his face.

Everyone was pouring their last reserves of strength into the fight, while Lan Wei chanted spells with intense focus. In his hands, a pearl larger than a night-glow pearl flickered with silver light in sync with the faint moonlight, the only beacon in this dark world.

Mo Hankui, exhausted of all his Sheng energy, had funneled every last bit into the pearl. Injured and now unable to even summon his whip, his handsome face drenched in sweat and blood, he finally collapsed unconscious.

“…Hold the line, everyone! We’re almost there…” Bai Meng swung his Xuan-Tie sword in a wide arc, ruthlessly slicing through the waist of every demon that lunged from the abyss. Meanwhile, Mo Lengsui and the unconscious Mo Hankui remained within the protective barrier, guarded by Mo Feng. Bai Meng and the others closed in around Lan Wei, pressing toward the abyss.

“…Almost there…”

Sweat beaded on Lan Wei’s sharp, roguish face as he continued to encourage everyone, “Just a little longer…”

“We’re here! Protect me!”

Upon hearing this, everyone felt a surge of energy, and even Mo Lengsui’s lips curved in relief. Lan Wei held the glowing pearl, ready to utter the sealing incantation when, unexpectedly, a cold dagger struck him from behind, and blood spattered onto the beautiful pearl.

“!!!”

“Lan Wei!!!”

The pearl slipped from Lan Wei’s grasp, tracing an arc through the air before plummeting into the abyss.

“What are you doing!!!” Bai Meng hurriedly caught the faltering Lan Wei, his dark gaze fixed on their attacker.

“Hahaha!!!” The man subdued by Mo Jiugē knelt on the ground. There wasn’t a trace of fear on his face. Instead, a wild gleam of satisfaction filled his eyes. “We’ve won! Tian Cheng will soon rise to glory! You beastmen are finished! Finished! Hahaha!!!”

As if echoing his words, louder and louder roars erupted from within the abyss. The sound carried a craving for blood, like the collapse that heralds the end of the world, sending chills down the spine of everyone who heard it.

“…You’re finished… Hahaha… You’re all finished…”

…Finished… Finished?

The words rattled Bai Meng, leaving him in a daze for a moment. But he quickly focused his gaze on the one who had struck. In the dim light, his pitch-black eyes grew darker still, like a black hole absorbing every shadow cast upon him, sharp and icy, radiating a bone-chilling cold.

Suddenly, the attacker stopped laughing.

“Why? Why, why?” Leaning against Bai Meng, Lan Wei hoarsely whispered the question over and over.

Why…

Yes…

Why…

The sounds from the abyss grew increasingly chaotic—a cacophony of wing beats, claws scraping, and monstrous howls. As the noise crept closer, it shattered whatever hope was left among the defenders.

The few remaining beastmen, their postures rigid, stood in silence. For a moment, only Mo Feng stood, blankly watching everyone. Seeing their silence, he asked curiously, “Xiao Tuanzi… How long until we go home?”

Home? …Yes, it’s time we went home…

Damn it…

I’m the captain…

“What are you afraid of?!” Bai Meng swiftly pushed Lan Wei onto Mo Lei’s shoulder. A sudden, unquenchable flame lit up deep in Bai Meng’s eyes, and in that darkness, his fire seemed to spark the entire group. He grinned with fierce defiance.

“You all stay right here. I’ll just go grab something and be right back!”

“So none of you better start crying or looking all gloomy. Hold the line! I’ll be back in no time.”