Chapter 1995 - 1994: 30,000 Demon Soldiers

Chapter 1995: Chapter 1994: 30,000 Demon Soldiers

"What, only a hundred thousand garrison at the First Line Pass?"

Ouyang Qiuhai’s eyes widened at his father’s words: "The opposing side has gathered a million members of the Demon Clan, how come Ancestor Dragon’s side has such minimal military strength?"

Sikong Yu furrowed her brows.

"Uncle, Ancestor Dragon City has long been aware of the Demon Clan’s movements, how can they be so lax? Now, there are at least a million demons gathered outside the First Line Pass. Why is Ancestor Dragon City’s response so inefficient? Are they not afraid the four border passes will fall with nothing to defend?"

Ouyang Tianshu glanced at the two girls before him, not hiding much as this was no longer a secret.

"We indeed had foreknowledge of the Demon Clan’s dynamics. My journey to the First Line Pass was meant to investigate their movements."

"However, having Ancestor Dragon City instantly enter a state of war isn’t that simple. I’m unaware of the higher-ups’ decisions, but I’ve heard that there’s trouble with the spies we’ve planted in the Ten Demon Hall, causing turmoil in our decision-making."

"Additionally, the distance is an issue. The four border passes are too far from Ancestor Dragon City, and the Ten Demon Hall’s infiltration has caused significant sabotage, destroying several grain-producing farms, making local replenishments impossible. Transport along the way is repeatedly attacked, preventing us from deploying more troops to the passes."

"Moreover, although the four border passes are defensible, they’re not the main battlefield. They can’t withstand large battles. Our current aim is merely to delay the Demon Clan’s advance to buy time for the rear to prepare for war."

Ouyang Tianshu sighed: "It’s unfortunate that the last battle severely injured the Vermilion Bird. Now, the Vermilion Bird’s forces are crumbling, and the Southern front may not endure for long. This time, the situation we face is even more perilous than before."

With that said.

Ouyang Tianshu looked at Sikong Yu and his daughter, Ouyang Qiuhai: "As for Li Feng, though he has remarkable aptitude and is indeed a commander, returning solo to danger is not the act of a wise person."

"I truly have no way to rescue him from the Demon Clan’s camp. His fate rests upon his luck. It’s best if you understand, but even if you don’t, you must. This is war, not a child’s game. If we lose, Ancestor Dragon City will cease to exist, and while the lower-tier people might survive, we will have no vitality."

Ouyang Tianshu outright refused to assist Li Feng. Even if Li Feng could create chaos, Ouyang Tianshu couldn’t leave the First Line Pass to meet him, fighting the Demon Clan prematurely. The consequence would be the premature fall of the First Line Pass.

If the First Line Pass falls, the four border passes will no longer be defensible. One pass falls, all four are lost. Ancestor Dragon City hasn’t fully entered war mode yet. If the Demon Clan army reaches Ancestor Dragon City quickly.

That would be a catastrophe.

Ouyang Tianshu dare not gamble. Not to mention the First Line Pass doesn’t even have a hundred thousand garrison. Even if there were, many could not adequately fight.

Over the past two hundred years, the Demon Alliance appeared devastated last time, retreating to their tiny territories, allowing Kunlun World peace for two hundred years.

Though it gave Ancestor Dragon City rare tranquility, internally, the city faced numerous problems. Compared to the demons’ long life spans, humans, even cultivators, have limits.

Two hundred years have been enough for those surviving the past wars to die of old age, and many new soldiers haven’t experienced bitter wars.

Ouyang Qiuhai glanced at Sikong Yu, then at Ouyang Tianshu: "Father, are we really going to ignore it?"

"He’s inherited the essence of the Vermilion Bird Bloodline. His current strength is at least at the Golden Core late stage, and he’s recognized as a commander by the Martial Strategy Hall."

Ouyang Tianshu shook his head: "It’s not that I don’t want to, but that I can’t. Alright, this matter ends here."

"It’s good you two returned. Since you momentarily don’t wish to appear publicly, fine. I’ll arrange for someone to send you back to Ancestor Dragon City. The Sect is now preparing the military, and both of you are Flag Masters of a camp. Once back, you should take command of a camp."

"Seize this last opportunity, lest the war won’t show you any favor."

"Uncle, I temporarily do not wish to return to Ancestor Dragon City," Sikong Yu said biting her lip.

"Not going back to Ancestor Dragon City?"

"I ask for your support, Uncle."

Ouyang Tianshu looked at Sikong Yu, who bowed in salute, knowing she’s yet unreconciled: "Alright, soon you’ll disguise and head to the rear camp of the First Line Pass. In the coming days, reinforcements will arrive gradually. You can blend in, and shouldn’t draw attention."

Days passed swiftly.

The front of the First Line Pass was no longer quiet. Flocks of the Demon Clan launched a desperate assault on the First Line Pass, corpses piled high beneath the Gate Wall.

But these were mostly cannon fodder demons, suffering losses won’t weaken them, and the dead below the Gate Wall were fewer than the daily arrivals of demons.

In the rear camp’s grain storage area.

After lingering for five days, Li Feng gave the order early to move out. Subsequently, a massive demon force exceeding expectations left the camp, the formation extending over ten kilometers, emptying much of the camp.

On a wooden arrow tower, observing the departing troops, Bei Clan’s He Buran turned to the solidified realm Gu Feng beside him.

"Captain, the Fire Phoenix Clan is excessively egregious. Though you forewarned, Feng Yang actually recruited thirty thousand demons in one go."

Numbers of thirty thousand make up three ten-thousand squads. Many major clans scraping together can just muster such a force.

Though they were merely cannon fodder, far inferior to elite demon soldiers, in terms of individual strength they were not inferior, merely rabble lacking in formation, discipline, and logistical supplies.

Gu Feng was untroubled, secretly sneering: "The more he recruits, the better. After all, they are cannon fodder, and this many demons require supplies. The more people Feng Yang has, the harder money and provisions become."

"Does Feng Yang think recruiting massive manpower can form a force? Simply wishful thinking."

"If casually recruiting numbers could suffice, any tribe here could pull a million together."

"As you’re in charge of money and provisions, surely you understand this logic?"

He Buran’s eyes rolled as he spoke with a grin: "Ha, now I understand. Captain has foresight, seeing through them early, while my perspective was too narrow."

"Still, some wandering demon soldiers have decent strength; I initially hoped to recruit them for assault warriors. Quite a pity."

"Hmm, with more demons later, worrying about numbers is unnecessary."

Gu Feng withdrew his gaze from the departing squad. As for the Fire Phoenix Clan’s future, he knew not, but Wolf Commander should have complete planning.

"Camp Master, the Wolf Clan’s Captain didn’t play any tricks and straightforwardly handed over what we requested. What’s that guy’s intention?"