Although Ji Tianxing had already been mentally prepared.
But when he heard these words with his own ears, he was still startled.
Seeing that he frowned slightly but did not interrupt, Shaye Wujun plucked up the courage to continue.
"Mr. Ji, I'll tell you the truth. Back then, the Seventy-Two Cities were able to form their own faction and were not afraid of Beiming Mountain's invasion because everyone was united as one.
Not only do we have two alliance leaders, but they are both powerful martial saints who can convince all the city lords.
However, in the past two or three hundred years, the two old alliance leaders have passed away one after another, and no new martial saint has been born in the seventy-two cities.
The major city lords fell into a leaderless situation, and gradually became alienated from each other, lacking help and care.
Because of this, when the aliens led the demon army to invade, we were too busy to take care of ourselves, and one city after another was captured."
When he said this, Shaye Wujun sighed with regret.
More than twenty city lords also lowered their heads, looking a little heavy.
Lord Shaye Wu continued: "This time, the seventy-two cities were invaded by powerful enemies. If Mr. Ji hadn't given him a helping hand, more than twenty cities in the north would have fallen long ago.
Tens of millions of civilians will be massacred by the demons or reduced to lowly slaves.
It was you who saved us all. We will always remember your kindness and kindness.
This time the demon army was repulsed, but there is no guarantee that it will happen again.
We, the city lords, are unable to protect the people under our rule, so we can only place our hopes on Tianzhu Mountain.
I and all the city lords, please beg Mr. Ji to be merciful and take in our twenty-six northern cities!"
After finishing speaking, Shaye Wujun knelt on one knee in front of Ji Tianxing and bowed deeply.
The other twenty-five city lords also knelt down and saluted, and shouted in unison: "We beg Mr. Ji to be compassionate and take in the twenty-six cities in the north and protect the fifty million people!"
The deep and powerful voices gathered into a mighty sound wave, echoing in the meeting hall.
Everyone fell to the ground and Ji Tianxing didn't speak, so they didn't get up.
Seeing this scene, Ji Tianxing slowly stood up and said solemnly: "You city lords do not need to pay such a grand ceremony. Please get up quickly."
Shaye Wujun looked up at him and said in a sincere tone: "Mr. Ji, this is our greatest wish and the wish of fifty million people.
If you don’t agree, we will never be able to kneel down.”
Ji Tianxing suddenly frowned and said in a solemn tone: "Shaye Wujun, fellow city lords, it's useless even if you keep kneeling here, give up this idea.
I helped Seventy-Two Cities resolve the crisis and fight against the powerful foreigners and the demon army, not only out of moral help, but also to protect Tianzhu Mountain.
A long time ago, many city lords came to Taoist Huanglong and expressed their desire to join Tianzhu Mountain, but they were all rejected by me.
Now that chaos is about to break out, I will also be caught in the center of the storm, and I will definitely have no time to take care of myself.
If you don't even have much energy left to protect Tianzhu Mountain, how can you spare the energy to protect the Seventy-Two Cities?
So, you should give up."
After finishing speaking, Ji Tianxing took Yun Yao and walked towards the gate, preparing to leave.
More than twenty city lords were stunned on the spot, their faces full of regret and loss, and the light of hope in their eyes was gone.
Shaye Wujun quickly followed Ji Tianxing and begged in a sincere tone: "Master Ji, please wait! We know that this move is too abrupt and we have extravagant hopes.
But we have no choice but to do this in order to protect the 50 million people under our rule!
Mr. Ji, everyone in the world knows that you are both benevolent and virtuous, and that you care about the world.
Can you bear to watch the people in various cities trembling under the iron hooves of the demons, waiting for the fate of death?!"
Ji Tianxing had just walked to the entrance of the main hall and stopped after hearing what Lord Shaye Wu said.
He did not look back and said in a solemn tone: "It's not that I don't want to save anyone, it's just that I am powerless and dare not give hope and promises to millions of people.
If the demon army goes south in the future and invades the seventy-two cities, disaster will strike again.
If I have spare time, I will definitely come to rescue the people in each city.
In addition, you should think carefully about how to strengthen yourselves and consolidate your defenses."
After saying that, he stopped staying and left the city lord's mansion with Yun Yao.
Lord Shaye Wu and more than twenty city lords stood up and walked out of the hall.
Everyone stood in the wide courtyard, looking up at Ji Tianxing and his wife flying away with the dragon. They all shook their heads and sighed with regret, and started talking.
…
The glazed fire dragon flew across the sky at lightning speed, flying straight south.
It was evening at this time, and the dim sunset was shining on Ji Tianxing and Yunyao.
The two figures were hazy, as gorgeous and brilliant as gods.
Yun Yao turned to look at Ji Tianxing's side face and asked in a calm tone: "Why reject the requests of those city lords?
As long as you nod and agree, with your current reputation and status, the seventy-two cities will be under your command, and the power of Tianzhu Mountain will be doubled."
Ji Tianxing looked at the sky calmly and said calmly: "Incorporating the seventy-two cities into Tianzhu Mountain seems to have expanded the territory and power, but in fact it is asking for trouble.
The Seventy-Two Cities had just experienced war. All the cities had been plundered, and nearly ten million people had been left homeless. It would take a lot of money and time to deal with the aftermath.
Moreover, Seventy-Two City is close to Beiming Mountain and is likely to be invaded many times in the future.
If I accept the seventy-two cities, I have the responsibility and obligation to protect them.
When the disaster does come, I will be helpless, how can I protect them?"
Yun Yao nodded and said with a smile: "It seems that you have thought it through a long time ago. That's fine. We only need to keep the foundation of Tianzhu Mountain."
Ji Tianxing turned to look at her and asked with a smile: "Yao Yao, it seems that you plan to stay in Tianzhu Mountain and not return to Luoshen Mountain?"
Yunyao nodded and said: "I won't go back to Luoshen Mountain for the time being.
I have been practicing in seclusion in Luoshen Mountain for so long, and finally reached the Martial Saint Realm. I can travel around the world with you, but how can I stick there?
I will follow you from now on. No matter what storms and hardships we face, we will fight side by side and be inseparable."
"Yes." Ji Tianxing responded, nodded with a smile, and stretched out his hand to embrace her.
The two of them hugged each other closely, standing on the dragon's back facing the sunset, their figures stretched very long.
…
Early morning on the third day.
The glazed fire dragon carried Ji Tianxing and Yunyao back to Tianzhu Mountain.
During the half month they left, Taoist Huanglong and several elders were always filled with worries.
Fortunately, every two or three days, the scouts from Tianzhu Mountain will come back with news.
Taoist Huanglong and the elders have long known about Ji Tianxing and Yunyao's efforts to slay the demons and save the seventy-two cities, and they are happy and proud of it.
Now that they saw them returning safely with their own eyes, everyone was finally relieved.