I Just Wanted To Live but I Somehow Became Better Than the Protagonist

“Ladies and gentlemen, please.” Dan Han and Dan Rong led Jin Hong Lian and Kong Po Lou into the living room, where sandalwood incense was burning. Dan Yu sat at the head of the table, as if waiting for a long time.

Compared to Dan Han and Dan Rong, Dan Yu’s changes were relatively ‘small,’ or perhaps Jin Hong Lian and Kong Po Lou lacked the cultivation to see through the disguise. Even though Dan Yu had used magic to appear as she once did, the changes stemming from her spirit were not easily concealed, especially since they were not strangers to one another.

Thus, even if her appearance seemed unchanged, Jin Hong Lian and the others could still sense that Dan Yu felt lighter.

They took their seats and tea was served.

The living room was very quiet, with Dan Han and Dan Rong standing on either side of Dan Yu, waiting for orders.

Jin Hong Lian, the youngest, could not contain her impatience and spoke first. She looked at Dan Yu, her gaze tinged with confusion: “Lord Dan Yu, why have you called us here…?”

“If I’m not mistaken, you intend to give up on entering the Demon Hundred Forest Secret Realm, correct?” Dan Yu did not beat around the bush and went straight to the point.

Jin Honglian did not need to say it herself; as the city lord, she was acutely aware that the people within the city were anxious, while outside, threats loomed large. She could never abandon the residents of Shilin City for her own opportunities.

Kuan Polou aimed to seize the position of city lord, but he needed to win the hearts of the people. It was not enough to have just a few supporters; he needed at least half of the residents on his side. While he held significant influence among the upper echelons, the current city lord was of the Jin family, and the legacy of the previous lord was too great—he was the people’s choice. In this critical moment, if he chose to venture into the secret realm while Kuan stayed behind to defend the city, Jin Honglian would undoubtedly gain a substantial amount of public support. Even if Kuan ultimately obtained opportunities and forcibly seized power, it would lead to a loss of residents, a situation that would yield more harm than good. Moreover, if Shilin City fell, what would he be—a mere figurehead of a ruined city?

“You two need not worry; just go ahead. I have already broken through, and with the assistance of the city’s protective formation, it should not be a problem to hold the fort until you return from the secret realm.”

“Lord Dan Yu, you really have broken through!?” Jin Honglian exclaimed, her surprise evident. After all, Dan Yu had been stuck at the third level of the Demon Emperor for an incredibly long time. As her age increased, her power had diminished compared to her peak, but a breakthrough changed everything. In the Great Ascension realm, the differences between each minor level were immense.

“I have no need to deceive you about such matters.” As she spoke, Dan Yu subtly released the aura of the fourth level of the Demon Emperor, even though her true cultivation had already reached the fifth level.

“Heaven bless!” Jin Honglian’s eyes grew misty, genuinely happy for Dan Yu’s breakthrough. After all, she had always regarded Dan Yu as a mentor—more than family, even. Despite Dan Yu’s indifference after her father’s passing, Jin Honglian had never blamed her; she only reflected on herself, constantly pondering whether she had done something wrong.

“Congratulations, Lord Dan!” Kuan Polou also expressed his happiness. Although his feelings were not as complex as Jin Honglian’s, Dan Yu’s advancement meant that Shilin City had grown stronger. Moreover, Dan Yu was not young; even with a breakthrough, her lifespan would only extend a few hundred years, so she likely had no ambitions for the city lord position, posing no competition for him.

“However, Lord Dan, you have just broken through, and your foundation may not be very stable. Although the powerful Demon Emperors from the eight major cities have been thinned out by the half-saints of the human race in the Kunlun realm, there are still over ten remaining. With only you and the city’s protective formation, it may still be too much to handle,” Jin Honglian cautioned. She was not swept away by Dan Yu’s breakthrough; in a one-on-one situation, the outside Demon Emperors might not pose a threat, but a siege was a different matter. She remained concerned for Dan Yu’s safety.

“Indeed,” Kuan Polou agreed. “The secret realm will still be there; we can go next time.”

“But the next opening of the secret realm will be in a hundred years. Honglian, Polou, do you think I can wait that long? If every time before the secret realm opens, the eight major cities unite to pull off something like this, will you never go?” Dan Yu shook her head. “It’s better to take advantage of my recent breakthrough and increased strength to go now; that way, the chances of defending Shilin City will be greater.”

“But you…” Jin Honglian bit her lip. She could not knowingly push Dan Yu into a fire pit. “If it comes to it, I can give up my passage token, let those guys outside fight over it—dogs biting dogs.”

Kuan Polou couldn’t help but glance at Jin Honglian, not thinking she was putting on an act. After all, her father had been just as selfless; it was clear that the apple did not fall far from the tree.

Kuang Polou aspired to become the lord of the city. Beyond his ambition for power, he also hoped to solidify Shilin City’s position among the nine major cities. After all, Jin Honglian’s cultivation was hardly impressive, and with the holidays approaching, Shilin City would become a target for other cities. Given the current situation, it was as if Kuang Polou had anticipated this.

Kuang Polou did not speak like Jin Honglian. There were only a few people present, and they all understood each other well; there was no need for him to feign righteousness.

“Foolish child, if I allow you to go, it’s because I have a certain level of confidence. Though I am old, I’m not ready to die just yet. Even if I were, I wouldn’t drag the entire population of Shilin City down with me.” Dan Yu raised his hand, gathering a faint trace of demonic power to gently pat Jin Honglian on the head. “Just trust me this once.”

Jin Honglian was deeply conflicted. At that moment, Dan Han and Dan Rong also began to persuade her. After a long while, Jin Honglian finally agreed with great difficulty: “Lord Dan Yu, I promise you, I will return as quickly as possible.”

“Don’t rush. Take your time to find your own opportunities.”

“Lord Dan, if I find an opportunity and you successfully defend the city, I assure you that Shilin City will rise at a terrifying speed.” Kuang Polou’s expression was serious and earnest.

“Mm.” Dan Yu nodded. “You two must not bring your quarrels outside the city. Once you enter the secret realm, take the chance to support each other more.”

“Understood.” Kuang Polou did indeed want to seize power, but he had never considered taking action against his sworn brother’s daughter. That would be of no benefit to Shilin City and would only advantage outsiders. After all, Jin Honglian still had considerable potential and could very well break through to the Great Ascension in the future.

Jin Honglian felt the same way. They were at odds, but their changing positions did not mean they had become enemies. She had always regarded Kuang Polou as a whetstone to sharpen herself.

“Since you both understand that I have nothing more to say, it’s getting late. Finish your tea and then go rest.”

Jin Honglian and Kuang Polou raised their teacups and drank it all in one go, then bid farewell to Dan Yu.

On the way out, neither side spoke. Although Dan Yu had not summoned them to take sides, sending them off to the secret realm was far more serious than mere allegiance; Dan Yu was wagering their futures with his own life.

“Uncle Po, the news of Lord Danba’s breakthrough…” As they were about to reach the city lord’s mansion, Jin Honglian suddenly spoke up.

“How could I not know the importance of discretion? Rest assured, I won’t tell a soul.”

“No, what I mean is, I hope you can let your subordinates leak it out.”

“Oh?” Kuang Po was somewhat taken aback.

“If the people’s hearts are not united, and if we both leave, the infiltrators from the outside will surely spread rumors, and it might not even take much to breach the city. The gates would be wide open. But if the public knows that Lord Danba has broken through, their confidence will surely rise.”

“But have you considered that if the news of Lord Dan’s cultivation is known early, the outside will be even better prepared?”

“Isn’t it true that not knowing would lead to insufficient preparation?” Jin Honglian countered.

Kuang Po chuckled softly, realizing the truth in her words. Indeed, if the outside had clear intentions, they would not hold back. It would be better to reveal Danba’s cultivation first to stabilize the people’s hearts.

“You’ve grown quite a bit,” Kuang Po remarked.

“I am the lord of Shilin City, and I will continue to be,” Jin Honglian replied with just that one sentence before walking into the city lord’s mansion.

“It seems I can no longer treat her like a child,” Kuang Po murmured to himself. “Then after we emerge from the secret realm, let each handle their own affairs.”