"Get away from us, all of you, now!"
Seeing the ten or so people's blood show a ghostly black color, everyone's faces changed abruptly, and while retreating to keep distance, they couldn't help but scold them loudly.
Those who used to get along with these people, though their hearts were heavy with reluctance, dared not say anything to dissuade them.
After all, who could guarantee that if they went over to talk and then stood beside these people to vouch for them, they wouldn't suddenly turn into demons and attack them?
And some, presumably having brothers killed by those who had unexpectedly transformed into demon minions, now seeing so many hidden demons among the crowd, were all red-eyed and couldn't help wanting to strike out at them.
"You lot might as well just go and die now, to avoid bringing disaster upon others!"
"Exactly, my good brother was just killed by these people; let's take action while they haven't demonized yet, strike first and strong, and nip them in the bud!"
The crowd was ablaze with emotion, and even those who initially hesitated, thinking the ten or so people were still acting normal and wanted to observe a bit longer, were now swayed, thinking that indeed, they should kill them before it's too late.
"Clang clang clang!"
The crowd drew their swords in unison, the chilling shine flickered, intimidating to the soul, the frost on the blades as resolute as their determination!
The ten or so people with dark blood saw this and were stunned, their faces turning ghastly pale, some out of fear from being tainted by demons, others in despair for being abandoned by their former comrades-in-arms!
"Hiss!"
Then, one person couldn't contain the fear and murderous intent inside, stepped forward and swung his sword at the one in front.
That person, initially engulfed in a state of numbness and despair, though life seemed bleak, who would willingly submit to the slaughter? So, he still tried to dodge backwards.
But, it was still a step too late.
His robe was sliced through by the blade, and at the same time, a long wound opened across his chest and abdomen, with dark blood splattering all around.
That was because he reacted in time; otherwise, that strike might have directly gutted him!
"You?!"
"You..."
The injured person, clutching the wound, looked at his former friend, his comrade-in-arms, with despair and disbelief, who would actually attack him before he even turned into a demon!
"Still dare to dodge? Just hurry up and die!"
"Kill, everyone stop hesitating! If we don't kill them now before they turn into demons, more of us will probably die once they do!"
Hearing those hysterical, desperate and maniacal words, some who were still uncertain and found it hard to truly strike down their former comrades, their eyes gradually turned cold, and they all took up their weapons and pressed forward to attack the ten or so people!
Old friends once unsheathed their swords reluctantly, now severing ties in unwavering resolve.
Today, the sword's edge reflects their true heart, tomorrow, chrysanthemums will mark their journey to the netherworld.
Seeing former comrades on the cusp of fratricide, Mu Jinyu finally spoke out to stop them: "Stop, all of you, calm down!"
A shout of command, imbued with the power of Spiritual Thought and capable of shocking the deaf and awakening the dumb, cleared the madness from the eyes of all who heard.
Armed with weapons, the crowd stood their ground, looked at the dozen or so people before them, then turned to Mu Jinyu, reluctantly saying, "Dragon Master, if we let them be, I'm afraid they might bring great disaster!"
Mu Jinyu sighed gently and persuaded softly, "I understand the fear and anxiety in your hearts, but you need not be too nervous, nor should you become unsettled by the impending danger. After all, they are our comrades, brothers, and sworn friends who have fought side by side. As long as there's a sliver of hope, I ask that everyone not give up on them..."
"If the demon minions lurking among us today were your own relatives, wives, or children, could you still do it? I couldn't, so as long as it's not certain that those eroded by the impending danger are beyond saving, please show them a little more patience."
"And you need not fear they will suddenly undergo demonization and harm you. With me here, none of the demon minions touched by the impending danger will get a chance to strike!"
Mu Jinyu gave his assurance.
He was not deceiving them.
After all, those afflicted by the impending danger had their strength merely around the level of Dark Energy; even if they suddenly underwent demonization, he could suppress it immediately.
Not like Dante, whose body had been too terribly transformed by Withered Tree Quest for Spring, resulting in a demonization that was on par with true Demons.
With Mu Jinyu's assurance, the crowd immediately began to calm down, no longer shouting for immediate execution of the affected individuals!
Mu Jinyu said, "They have not yet undergone demonization. We should not only avoid harming them, but also attempt to comfort and soothe them. Let's isolate them for now. After all, no one can be certain that wearing my Gold Inlaid Jade Magical Instrument, they will be able to continually suppress the strangeness within them."
With that, Mu Jinyu moved to hand over the Gold Inlaid Jade Magical Instruments in his possession to the dozen or so people, hoping to suppress the evil spirits within them and prevent them from undergoing demonization.
But Mu Jinyu's actions immediately met with some people's discontent.
"Dragon Master, this shouldn't be done! These magical artifacts should be given to those of us who are still safe for the time being."
"Right, since they've already been invaded by demons, giving them the artifacts won't make much difference. We are still not safe, what if we get afflicted while you are busy creating new artifacts?"
The moment these dissenting voices spoke up, the rest who hadn't had significant objections suddenly realized the implications.
The fear was that if Mu Jinyu prioritized giving the Gold Inlaid Jade Magical Instruments to those already afflicted by the impending danger, these dozen or so people might be secured.
But without magical artifacts to protect themselves, what if they were afflicted by the impending danger during this time?
Upon hearing their words, Mu Jinyu stopped and furrowed his brows, also feeling that it indeed posed a problem.
After all, these dozen people were confirmed to be eroded by the impending danger, and they could turn into demons at any moment. Currently, it's uncertain whether the artifacts could suppress the evil within them, so it wasn't a good idea to risk giving them the artifacts and subject the rest, who were still unafflicted, to the dangers of becoming eroded by the impending threat.
Seeing the crowd's reaction, the dozen or so people laughed at themselves. Then, one of them spoke up, "Dragon Master, give the artifacts to them. Since we are already like this, there's no need to take another gamble. If we undergo demonization during the time you're making the artifacts, please act quickly and eliminate us!"
Those who had just shouted for the death of these individuals, upon hearing these words, some hung their heads in shame, others took it for granted, while some were unaffected by the plea, but all looked at Mu Jinyu with eager eyes, hoping he would hand the artifacts over to them.
Mu Jinyu sighed, a touch of weariness in his voice, "Alright then, during this time, go and write your wills. If the inevitable occurs, I will do my utmost to ensure your wills reach your families."
"Thank you, Dragon King!" the dozen said in unison with gratitude.
Their thanks to Mu Jinyu came straight from the heart. If someone else were in charge, they might have decided to sacrifice them right at the start, without considering giving them the magical artifacts first.
Even though the artifacts ultimately still went to the others, they were sincerely grateful for Mu Jinyu's principle of not abandoning or giving up on them.