Chapter 2000 - 1999: Hu Wei of the Fox Clan

Chapter 2000: Chapter 1999: Hu Wei of the Fox Clan

"Hmm, they’re just some demon clans with weak resolve. Not too many, not too few; if they leave, they leave."

Chong Xuan also nodded. The original purpose of recruiting these demon clans was to lull the attention of those high-ranking figures in the demon clan.

Firstly, there’s strength in numbers; secondly, it could dispel some of the opponent’s concerns.

After all, without adequate logistics, more people aren’t necessarily better. Moreover, after these days of marching, the rations they carried are almost depleted. If they continued with so many demon clans, they’d be the ones with headaches next.

Unfortunately, they couldn’t actively drive away these demon clans that attached themselves. If they did, all their previous efforts in recruitment would become a joke.

So now, having some people leave is not only not a bad thing, but a good one.

However, the development exceeded expectations. It’s like the collapsing of a great dam by an ant’s nest; it started with sporadic departures, then turned into groups of three or five leaving.

After that, it escalated into large groups leaving, and this trend grew more intense, like a herd effect; once someone leads, others follow in increasing numbers.

Now, even the trusted aides, who initially ignored the situation, found it hard to remain calm. If this continued, they feared that by the time they reached the new base, not many would be left.

"Quick, report to the Camp Master."

Moments later, some trusted aides gradually brought back the news.

"Camp Master, already more than half of the rear troops have left the ranks, and the trend is escalating. It’s now groups leaving together. If it’s not stopped, there might be none left in the rear troops."

No sooner had this trusted aide finished reporting, than another arriving aide followed: "Camp Master, the middle section of the troops has also been affected, with some demon clans starting to leave."

"What about the front troops?"

Li Feng furrowed his brow: "Go and inquire about the state of the front troops?"

Not long after, Shi Xing returned: "Master, I’ve checked with the front troops. Though their morale is low, not many have left the ranks."

Li Feng frowned deeper upon hearing Shi Xing’s report: "Some demon clans leaving is to be expected, but such a large-scale departure is what’s truly abnormal."

"Shadow, go and investigate."

Compared to the trusted aides, Shadow was undoubtedly better at espionage, and the night was her element. Shadow quickly disappeared into the night.

Li Feng didn’t mind some demon clans leaving, but the core couldn’t be disturbed. For example, the ten thousand demon clans incorporated into the middle troops were those Li Feng valued.

As for the twenty thousand in the rear troops, gathered from two camps they passed through, Li Feng wasn’t that concerned; he accepted all comers.

Indifference, however, doesn’t mean someone can meddle.

If they leave willingly, Li Feng would let them, but such a massive departure in a short time, emptying the rear troops, suggests there’s more going on.

After a quarter of an hour.

Shadow returned, bringing with her a slender demon clan member by her side.

"Camp Master, the instigator behind the turmoil in the rear and middle troops, and the departure of many demon clans, is this individual. I heard him secretly spreading fear among those demon clans, making them anxious and leave, afraid of becoming cannon fodder."

Oh?

Li Feng looked at the demon in front, resembling a scholar, albeit with ears not on the sides of his head but on top, furry—a clear trait of the demon clan.

"Master, if I’m not mistaken, this demon is from the Fox Clan."

"Fox Clan?"

"Yes, I wouldn’t mistake it; the Fox Clan’s features are obvious, their ears unmistakable," Chong Xuan said.

"The Fox Clan is supposed to be self-contained, dwelling in Qingqiu, not neighboring the Candle Dragon Demon Country. How is there a Fox Clan here?"

Li Feng was puzzled.

The Demon Alliance’s top ten forces include four demon countries and six secret lands, with Qingqiu being one of the latter. This place is dominated by the Fox Clan, allowing no outsiders. Despite being a singular Fox Clan, their power is not to be underestimated.

Chong Xuan glanced at the fox clan youth: "Exactly. The Qingqiu Fox Clan borders the Western Demon Country, historically joining the western battlefield."

"Moreover, the Qingqiu Fox Clan prides itself on nobility. If they came to the Southern region, they wouldn’t dress like this or mingle here with the master."

The Qingqiu Fox Clan, in terms of status, rivals the one of the Dragon Emperor, even the eight tribes of the Candle Dragon Demon Country lower their heads. A representative from Qingqiu’s Fox Clan is equivalent in status to the top ten Demon Generals.

Such status wouldn’t mingle with Li Feng’s motley crew or play such lowly tricks.

Li Feng and Chong Xuan looked at the fox clan youth before them. Though bound by the Dark Shadow, the youth remained unfazed.

"You must be the Fire Phoenix King of the Fire Phoenix Clan. Allow me to introduce myself: Hu Wei from the Qingqiu Fox Clan."

"Hu Wei?"

Li Feng squinted at him. Hu Wei, or ’acting recklessly,’ whether or not that’s his real name or a temporary alias, since the opponent speaks voluntarily, it appears they can communicate.

"Why spread rumors in my army?"

"Rumors?"

Hu Wei raised his eyes, unafraid, instead with a smirk: "What I said is the truth; how could that be rumor? Besides, I’m helping you, Feng Yang, yet you don’t thank me, but instead accuse me."

"I should thank you?"

Li Feng smirked, "Thank you for undermining me?"

Hu Wei said, "You recruited those demon clans merely for show, but did you truly plan to rally them for your use?"

"Let’s not mention the amount of daily rations for these tens of thousands of demon clans; fear is by tomorrow your forces will run out of supplies."

"Without supplies, morale will falter; it won’t just be many demon clans leaving, rather spread tales of your incompetence far and wide. After expending effort to regain former glory, wearing the hat of incompetence, who will serve you then?"

"So this batch will leave sooner or later. It’s better to persuade some to leave now while you can. Besides, these people are weak-willed, coming only for perceived benefits; some are simply following others with no opinion of their own."

"They’re just cannon fodder—no need to waste time. If you desire such cannon fodder, I can easily trick many more into coming."

Hu Wei said sharply.

Li Feng looked at Hu Wei: "As you put it, you really had my best interest at heart, but I can’t fathom why, as a Fox Clan member, you came to help me. Seems you’re tens of thousands away from your Qingqiu."

"Helping a down-and-out person like me doesn’t benefit you much."

"Oh, who says there aren’t benefits? Even if you’re down, you were once prosperous. A starved camel is still larger than a horse. More so, your method of refining the Bloodline interests me greatly, though I didn’t grab the opportunity first."

"But by your rules, who knows when, maybe it’ll be a life and death struggle. Hence, I thought, still better use my method to speed up the process."

"Looks like my method is working well."