Upon hearing the words "see the Lord," a frenzied light burst forth in everyone's previously weary eyes!

"Greetings, Lord!"

"Greetings, Lord!"

"Greetings, Lord!"

Thousands of people roared in unison, the sound soaring into the sky and even drowning out the cheers of tens of thousands of people in the surrounding area!

More than ten days ago, when their soul link suddenly broke, they were plunged into an abyss of despair, believing that their protector had perished in this catastrophe.

Even after they won many victories on the battlefield and routed the Japanese army, their mood remained heavy and depressed.

Until recently, when they felt that familiar presence again and learned that their lord was still alive, their dying hearts began to beat again.

Now, they can finally go back and see that man for themselves!

The Eternal Night Guild's forces quickly separated from the main group.

They declined the people's further attempts to persuade them to stay and their farewells, and marched in unison toward the guild base deep within Donghai City.

The residents on the street made way for the army, looking at it with awe.

Half an hour later, at the headquarters of the Eternal Night Guild.

The heavy metal door slowly closed behind them, completely shutting out the noise from the outside world.

Back at the base, everyone's tense nerves finally relaxed. This was their fortress, their holy land. Only when they returned here, only when their Lord was there, could they truly find their backbone.

Under the swift command of Qin Ming and another high-ranking official, Jasmine.

More than three thousand members clad in battle armor entered the extremely spacious base hall.

There were no disorderly sounds; even breathing was deliberately suppressed.

Thousands of people stood in neat, straight lines. Every single one of them had their eyes fixed on the tightly closed office door on the third floor.

They are the most devout believers, awaiting the arrival of their faith and the inspection of the Lord.

Time passed by, second by second.

The hall was very quiet.

"Click".

Suddenly, a very faint sound of a doorknob turning echoed in the silent hall.

The sound of doorknobs turning echoed in the hall.

The door to the third-floor office opened.

A tall and slender figure slowly emerged from the shadows behind the door.

When the young man appeared at the railing of the corridor, the breaths of thousands of people below completely stopped.

Zhou Huai!

He wasn't in a wheelchair!

He was dressed in a neat black trench coat, his posture was straight as a sword, his face was slightly pale, and his eyes revealed a calm and majesty that indicated he was in control of everything.

He gently placed his hand on the railing, his gaze calmly sweeping over the dense array below.

Then, he turned around and slowly walked down the stairs, one step at a time.

"Da...da...da..."

The steady sound of footsteps echoed in the empty hall.

Everyone watched as the young lord steadily descended the stairs ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) on his own two legs, their expressions shifting from initial shock to uncontrollable ecstasy and excitement!

Just as Zhou Huai stepped onto the floor of the hall and appeared completely before everyone's eyes.

Many of the older members in the queue, who had personally witnessed Zhou Huai sitting in a wheelchair and suffering from paralysis, had red eyes and were filled with tears.

Not only is the Lord alive, but... he has stood up! He has regained his mobility!

"boom--!"

No password is required.

Led by Qin Ming and Jasmine, nearly three thousand battle-hardened professionals in the hall knelt down on one knee in unison!

The sturdy combat boots and knee armor slammed onto the alloy floor with a deafening roar that shook the very soul!

"Your subordinate..."

Qin Ming, his eyes red and his voice hoarse and trembling, shouted.

"Greetings, Lord!!!"

Thousands of people bowed their heads at the same time, their voices like thunder, deafening!

"Greetings, Lord!!!"

Only they themselves truly knew the excitement they felt. From hell to heaven, from despair to rebirth, the existence of their Lord was the invincible soul of their Eternal Night Guild!

Zhou Huai stood quietly in place, without speaking immediately.

His gaze slowly swept over his kneeling subordinates, looking at their tattered armor, the shocking, still-unhealed wounds on their bodies, and their straight backs despite their extreme exhaustion.

A sense of emotion welled up in his heart.

Having been tempered by this brutal national war, he could clearly feel that his core group had undergone a complete transformation. They were no longer simply recruited thugs, but a truly iron army forged in blood and fire, possessing an independent military spirit!

"Get up, everyone."

Zhou Huai finally spoke, and his voice reached everyone's ears.

He raised his hand, signaling everyone to stand up.

"Splash—"

Thousands of people stood up in unison, their gazes still fixed intently on him.

Zhou Huai strode to the front of the line and stopped in front of Qin Ming. He looked at Qin Ming's face, which was covered in dust but radiated determination, and his first words were devoid of any pleasantries or impassioned praise.

He asked softly:

How many people were killed?

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the entire hall became heavy.

The ecstasy of victory and reunion turned into solemn sorrow.

Upon hearing this, Qin Ming's expression darkened, and he lowered his head, clenching his fists tightly.

After a moment, he raised his head, looked directly into Zhou Huai's eyes, and answered while suppressing his grief:

"Reporting to the Lord!"

"For this mobilization in Donghai City, our Eternal Night Guild mobilized its entire force, with a total of 3,542 people participating!"

"Today we return in triumph..." Qin Ming's voice paused, and tears finally welled up in his eyes and slid down his cheeks. "Returning, three thousand one hundred and fifteen men."

"A total of 427 people sacrificed their lives!"

The number echoed in the hall.

Four hundred and twenty-seven vibrant lives, four hundred and twenty-seven brothers who once drank and boasted with them, are forever left on the scorched earth of a foreign land.

Suppressed sobs could be faintly heard from inside the hall.

Zhou Huai closed his eyes and remained silent for a long time.

When he opened his eyes, a cold glint shone deep within them. He turned to face everyone, his voice rising:

"These 427 people did not disgrace Yongye, nor did they disgrace Daxia."

"They are all heroes of our Great Xia!"

"Engrave their names on the Eternal Night Guild's monument to heroes! Their families will be supported by Eternal Night for the rest of their lives!"

Zhou Huai's gaze swept across the entire room with piercing intensity: "Raise your heads! The blood of heroes will not be shed in vain; this is just the beginning. In the future, you will follow me to face enemies ten or a hundred times more terrifying than those we face today!"

"Tell me, are you scared?!"

"I'm not afraid!!!"

A deafening roar erupted within the Eternal Night Base, lingering for a long time.