C197 This Is the Aristocratic Family

Chu Yi was aware that every year, the government deployed a substantial military presence around the four Life Restricted Areas to prevent any terrifying Demonic Beasts from emerging and threatening human society. He also knew that the government was tirelessly working to develop more powerful individuals among the civilians to better safeguard the environment in which humanity thrived.

These were the things Chu Yi was familiar with.

But what about the things Chu Yi didn't know? For instance, what about the Demonic Beasts in the Adirang Region, beyond those four Life Restricted Areas? To suggest there were none would be ludicrous! Setting other considerations aside, the third stage of the trial at the trial ground had spawned numerous formidable Demonic Beasts due to the emergence of the Chaos Origin Crystal. Yet, this was merely a microcosm of Earth as a whole.

In the wild, there were countless Demonic Beasts, many of which were terrifying. If one were to combine all the Demonic Beasts from Earth's wilderness, their numbers would dwarf those within the Life Restricted Areas by dozens or even hundreds of times! While their peak strength paled in comparison to those in the Life Restricted Areas, and there were no Demon King Level beings in the wild, the sheer number of these creatures made the prospect of destroying human civilization seem not so far-fetched.

However, it was clear that these Demonic Beasts were confined to the wilderness, unable to encroach upon the human world. Of course, many would attribute this to the efforts of the military and the government. But the truth was different. While the government would never allow these Demonic Beasts to assault humanity, their number of powerful individuals was finite. The majority of their forces were already stretched thin, dealing with the Life Restricted Areas.

Moreover, we must not forget that we are now in the Galaxy Era, a time unlike any before. Here, the threat isn't just from the Demonic Beasts on Earth but also from innumerable extraterrestrial civilizations. The government is tasked with confronting and suppressing these dangers.

As a result, the Demonic Beasts in the wilderness are essentially in a state of anarchy. It's simply impossible for the government to monitor such a vast number of creatures at all times.

Typically, the government's military would only mobilize to exterminate an enemy if a city had been wiped out. But by then, it would be too late. Even if they succeeded in slaying the Demonic Beasts, could the innocent lives lost in the catastrophe be brought back? Of course not, and it wasn't the government's fault. They certainly didn't wish for such tragedies to occur, but the reality was they simply lacked the resources to prevent them all. However, since Chu Yi arrived in this world, has such a disaster occurred? Not once! Does this mean the Demonic Beasts in the wilderness are so well-behaved that they never dare to assault human cities? Obviously, that's not the case.

The true reason such incidents haven't happened is the aristocratic families. In Chu Yi's previous life, these families might have epitomized selfishness, prioritizing their own or their family's interests above the nation and its people, even if it meant harming the country's well-being. To them, they were gods, and the commoners were nothing more than pigs, reared for sacrifice at their convenience. The aristocrats and the ordinary people were fundamentally different.

But in this world, the role of the aristocratic families is not just one of privilege or right; it's a responsibility. Long ago, after the Demonic Beast calamity had been quelled and the top demons and Demon Kings were banished to the Life Restricted Area, human civilization faced devastating destruction. The mightiest of the mighty had fallen, leaving the remaining strong unable to sustain the workings of the entire planet. With the resurgence of spiritual energy, Demonic Beasts in the wild grew increasingly powerful.

Confronted with such a threat, the government was powerless. It was then that some of the greatest survivors, the heroes of humanity, stepped forward. They didn't settle for a life of ease with the fame and rewards they had earned; instead, they chose to stand guard. Each powerful individual took responsibility for a specific area, ready to eliminate any Demonic Beast that dared to emerge.

The revered heroes of the human race, who were almost all warriors from their youth to their twilight years, often met their end not in the ultimate battle against the Demonic Beasts but at the claws of these beasts in the wilderness.

This chapter of history is shrouded in darkness, sealed away by the government, with those in the know reluctant to speak of it, to avoid spreading panic and sorrow.

Once a stalwart defender took up the mantle of guarding a place, it became a commitment for life.

They volunteered for this duty, with no coercion involved, offering their silent support throughout.

Some of these defenders would go on to marry and raise families in the areas they protected, while others brought their existing families to live with them.

Thus, the foundations of the great families were laid.

Indeed, the ancestors of nearly all the prestigious families of today were the heroes of human history!

Their initial purpose was simply to safeguard their regions, ensuring the safety and peace of the humans living there.

But as generations passed and their numbers grew, the concept of family took root and flourished.

This is how families emerged in this world.

"Among the noble houses, there are certainly many descendants who are insatiably greedy, knowing only how to take without giving back, and they are not few in number."

"However..."

Chu Tianfeng gazed at Chu Yi with an unprecedented seriousness in his eyes. "Such degenerates can be found in noble families, government departments, and among the common folk alike!"

"There are good people, and there are bad people – this is an unchangeable truth."

Chu Yi nodded in agreement.

"These noble families are the progeny of heroes, and most of them have been raised on their family's ancestral teachings from a young age!"

"And their guiding principle is —"

"Protect!"

At the mention of this word, Chu Yi felt a shiver run through him.

Protect...

Such a simple word, yet it carries an immense weight of responsibility.

"So, the Sun family, led by Grandfather Sun..."

In that moment, Chu Yi didn't realize that as he uttered the name 'Grandfather Sun,' his voice carried an extra measure of respect.

"Indeed. In the past, several top-tier Demonic Beasts, including one a mere half-step from Demon King level, mysteriously appeared in the territory protected by the Sun family."

In the end, all 137 warriors of the Sun family's main branch perished in battle.

Not a single one fled or retreated; they fought until the very last person fell.

And with that, the main lineage of the Sun family was utterly extinguished.

This was the stark reality.

Chu Yi was profoundly shaken.

One hundred and thirty-seven members of the main branch had laid down their lives.

It might seem like just a few simple words, a handful of numbers, but the weight they carried was unbearable for any soul.

"Even your grandfather, who was once considered a favorite of the heavens, would have been more than a Quasi War God if not for the injuries he sustained in that battle. He was destined to become a Quasi War God, perhaps even a War God."

Chu Yi's face took on a new expression of awe.

His grandfather wasn't the type to lord over others just to fulfill some patriarchal role.

He didn't die in that battle, but he didn't retreat either. Instead, he took on the mantle of responsibility and continued to stand guard at the forefront.

Such a man truly deserves to be called a hero.

"When danger threatens the regions protected by these families, they must be the first to step in and ensure the safety of all."

"Should anyone dare to flee," Chu Tianfeng's eyes flashed with an icy resolve, "they will be shown no mercy!"

Indeed, if a great terror arises within your family's domain, you're faced with only two paths.

The first is to flee, only to be relentlessly hunted by all the noble families of the world, dying a death marred by infamy.

The second is to confront it with valor.

Even in death, you would be remembered as a hero!

The first path is a dead end; survival is impossible under the collective pursuit of the world's noble families.

The second path offers a chance at life, but even in death, your honor would remain intact, your name etched in the memories of all.

The choice is clear, and there's no need for further discussion.

"This is the true essence of a noble family," Chu Tianfeng declared, his gaze intense as he looked at Chu Yi.

"Now you understand why the Chu family has chosen to be counted among the noble families."

Chu Yi nodded in agreement.

The Chu family's concerns were not centered on resources, wealth, or status.

Their focus was on protection and making a meaningful contribution to the world!

That was the true intent behind the Chu family's integration into the ranks of the aristocratic families.

Chu Yi trusted that Chu Tianfeng wouldn't deceive him, a belief largely rooted in his own self-confidence.

He could sense the genuine sincerity in Chu Tianfeng's words.

At that moment, the fog of confusion that had clouded Chu Yi's mind cleared.

Initially, upon encountering the concept of aristocratic families in this new world, Chu Yi was somewhat bewildered.

Aside from the presence of cultivators and more advanced technology, there seemed to be no notable differences from the world of his past life.

This was supposed to be a democratic world.

Yet, why did a malignant entity like the aristocratic families exist here?

It appeared that the existence of these families was common knowledge, and the government made no move to control these groups.

Chu Yi first assumed that the aristocratic families wielded too much power for the government to handle.

But he soon realized his mistake.

The truth was straightforward: apart from his grandfather, there were no War God Level powerhouses affiliated with any of the aristocratic families.

With the government commanding numerous War Gods, eradicating the aristocratic families from the face of the Earth would not be an insurmountable task.

Nevertheless, the aristocratic families continued to thrive, reaping untold resources and privileges.

In a democratic world, their presence was nothing short of an anomaly.

Now, Chu Yi understood the full picture. He finally got it!

The aristocratic families deserved to enjoy all their privileges.

Because they, too, were making sacrifices.

Unlike others, the progeny of these families were paying the ultimate price—their very lives!

Indeed, they were entitled to all the benefits they received…