Baiyu did not immediately go to the Simulation Realm.
The entire city was mobilizing, and the underground shelters, built long ago, were now inhabited by a large number of residents.
All residents unwilling to enter were forcibly herded in.
As for the Martial Artist community, those with combat abilities stayed in the city to help with the defense, while the non-combatants were also taken underground.
Underground shelters were required to be constructed at every Shelter.
They were meant to handle various emergencies.
The underground area was quite vast; of course, compared to the vast area of a mega-city like the City of He Mountain, it was still several orders of magnitude smaller.
Beneath Baiyu's Earl's Mansion, a small shelter was also constructed.
It was crafted entirely from Living Iron, providing firm defense, storing plenty of provisions, and equipped with a hidden Spirit Array.
Buried tens of meters underground, it would not be easy for Demons to find.
Moreover.
Even if found, it couldn't be dealt with swiftly.
Even if a city were conquered, most invaders, including Demons, typically wouldn't bother searching for underground shelters; the city's resources and population itself would be enough for them to handle.
Soon.
Baiyu gathered everyone at the headquarters of the Security Bureau.
Besides the Bureau's soldiers, there were other officials and the nobility and gentry of the City of He Mountain.
By this time, these people were already in disarray, bewildered and panic-stricken, regardless of whether they were young or old.
"Director, what's the situation exactly?"
"Yeah, didn't Director Qiu and Director He lead the military district to eradicate the invaders? And they achieved a great victory, so why do we need to evacuate urgently now?"
"If it weren't an emergency, such an evacuation order could easily cause chaos in the city. Sir, we've just calmed the populace, such decisions shouldn't be made lightly."
A few local noble families immediately urged when Baiyu walked in.
They were unaware of the situation outside the city.
In fact.
Apart from the troops guarding the city, under the protection of the Protective Spirit Array, most people in the City of He Mountain had no idea of the situation outside.
They thought Baiyu issued the evacuation order because of the crack that had just appeared in the sky.
"You all seem quite idle, having the energy to persuade me. Looks like you must be eager to defend the city walls against Demons."
Baiyu knocked on the table, looked at them, and without further ado, summoned the soldiers beside him, "Take them to Zhou Ce; he's just short of manpower, and these families combined should have hundreds of Martial Artists."
The few gentries didn't even understand what was happening before they were held by soldiers, starting to be escorted out.
Once they disappeared from sight.
Baiyu explained to the remaining people, "The attack by the invaders is just a decoy; this is the Demons' strategy to lure the tiger away from the mountain.
Their real target is the City of He Mountain.
Now, a large number of Demons have already begun attacking the City of He Mountain, and the outer city is surrounded by the Simulation Realm.
Even if the army rushes back, immediate rescue is not possible.
What do you think we should do now?"
Everyone was still digesting Baiyu's words, the information was too massive, too shocking, leaving them stunned.
Once questioned.
They snapped back to reality, appearing as if possessed by Demons, despondent and lost.
Enough.
Baiyu sighed inwardly, looking at the group, guessing they were likely no more than wine sacks and rice bags in daily life.
At critical moments.
None could be relied upon, and he had only himself to depend on.
"All of you go back, properly organize the crowd for evacuation into the underground shelters. Martial Artists with combat abilities, head to the city wall and assist the City Guard Army.
Remember.
This is a mandatory draft, anyone who refuses will be treated as a deserter.
I'll have the Security Bureau arrange and supervise, and there'll be people from the City Guard Army recording the attendance.
At critical times.
I don't want anyone dragging behind."
Baiyu's gaze swept over the gentry and nobility, warning them repeatedly before letting them leave.
Then.
He returned to the Earl's Mansion, informed everyone of the current situation, and after making proper arrangements, left the mansion with Cang Yan.
...
"You bastard, if you want to die, go ahead, why drag me along? I still have lots of experimental equipment untreated."
In the armored vehicle, Cang Yan was tied to the back seat, shouting and screaming.
Upon learning that Baiyu was going into the Simulation Realm to check on the military district's situation, her first reaction was that Baiyu had gone mad.
Her second thought was that he'd been controlled or possessed by Demons.
"There's no escape route now; the Teleportation Gate at the Mountain City Shelter can only transport a thousand people even if it works non-stop for a day.
Outside the city, there are the Simulation Realm and Demons.
We can't escape.
Our only hope lies in rescuing Yao Shuimei."
Baiyu stated calmly.
The military district held most of the City of He Mountain's strength; aside from Yao Shuimei and the Blood Knight Order, those black-clad troops he'd seen that day evidently also possessed immense combat power.
Moreover.
The military district was equipped with professional weapons and devices.
Spirit Crystal Cannons, Spirit Crystal Spears, and even Titan Armor were there.
The only way to resolve the City's crisis was this method.
Cang Yan retorted unconvinced, "How will you save her? According to what you said, Yao Shuimei is a Tier Two Martial Artist.
Although we don't know what her Extraordinary Abilities are.
They must not be weak.
If she couldn't handle it herself, how could you?"
Cang Yan's reasoning wasn't wrong.
Baiyu didn't respond; Cang Yan continued, "If we ride on Erza, perhaps we could escape.
Even within the Simulation Realm, a Legendary Ship can travel freely.
Fleeing on a Legendary Ship would not be difficult for us."
Baiyu shook his head, rejecting while flooring the accelerator, "Think about it, if we run, the surrounding is all Spirit Realm; where could we possibly go?
If we flee, what about the so many people in the City of He Mountain?
As the Director of the Security Bureau, I cannot ignore so many people.
Moreover, after running so many times, I don't want to run anymore."
Hearing Baiyu's words, Cang Yan fell into instant silence, sighed, "Fine, but if anything goes wrong, we must retreat immediately. I don't want to die with you."
Baiyu chuckled, "I'm only going in because I'm highly resistant to pollution and mutation, able to operate in the Simulation Realm.
As long as I'm careful, there shouldn't be significant issues.
As for you.
Don't play coy with me, last time you got run over by a truck over a dozen times without a scratch, don't think I don't know."
"Bullshit, Baiyu, how can you falsely accuse me?"
Cang Yan immediately retorted.
Baiyu chuckled twice and said no more.
Cang Yan's resistance to damage was undoubtedly the strongest he'd ever witnessed in history.
Having followed him through life and death numerous times, yet with no injuries, immensely strong.
Amidst their conversation.
The vehicle came to a halt at the entrance to the military district.
After passing through the Protective Spirit Array, the interior immediately turned eerie; Baiyu took a deep breath, leading Cang Yan step by step into the depths of the darkness.
