Chapter 2018 - 2017: On the Brink of War

Chapter 2018: Chapter 2017: On the Brink of War

"Ouyang Uncle."

Seeing Ouyang Tianshu appear on the gate tower, Camp General Tang Lin quickly steps forward and bows to Ouyang Tianshu.

"Mm, is today your camp’s day of duty?"

Ouyang Tianshu looks at Tang Lin who walked forward; this young man comes from the second-rank Tang Family that has longstanding relations with the Ouyang Family. Tang Lin’s uncle is pursuing Ouyang Tianshu’s sister, and this young man seems to be a fan of his daughter Qiuhai as well.

Therefore, this young lad often visits their house, making them quite familiar with each other.

The Tang Family is considered rather strong among the second-rank families, and this young man looks quite gallant. Though not apprenticed to the Nine Layers Mountain, he is nonetheless a distinguished pupil of the Sword Control Pavilion.

In this movement of the Demon Alliance and the army’s invasion, Ancestor Dragon City has already begun mobilizing, requiring various families to prepare military forces according to their strength.

For a second-rank family, they must at least gather three thousand warriors. Note that in Ancestor Dragon City, aside from the Eight Royal Families, there are only twenty-two first-rank families and fewer than a hundred second-rank families, demanding three thousand military troops from each, totaling thirty thousand.

But Ouyang Tianshu estimates that a mere three thousand far exceeds the minimum, likely double that amount can be gathered.

With a thousand third-rank families each required to provide one thousand troops, at least a million in total, not counting those non-prominent families with five hundred or even a hundred troops, which when combined also number in the millions.

Though there are many troops, much like the Demon Clan, most of these warriors are private soldiers commanded by family heads or heirs.

Thus organizing these family troops isn’t an easy task, and forces dispatched to the border in various directions are mostly second and third-rank family troops, as these two levels of families are rich in resources and their warriors are strong.

"Yes, Uncle."

"Uncle, are you here for a tour of the city? You needn’t worry, the insignificant Demon Clan won’t gain anything from my Tang Family. With my Tang Family defending, there will be no loss at First Line Pass."

Tang Lin is full of confidence.

For families to maintain private armies in Ancestor Dragon City isn’t rare, though most of these private armies are stationed in outer estates. The Tang Family’s warriors are a long-standing veteran camp.

An old camp refers to a long-established military camp, named Ming Guang. When swords unsheath, the light shines brightly.

As long as the Tang Family isn’t wiped out, this camp name belongs to them, and the Tang Family’s warriors automatically become soldiers of the Ming Guang Camp.

"Mm, I’m just walking around casually. But you shouldn’t be too complacent. These days, the Demon Clan’s attacks on the city are merely to test the strength of our First Line Pass, and the forces sent are mainly rabble and cannon fodder. However, we can’t be sure they’re not deliberately lulling us."

"So never underestimate the enemy."

"Understood."

Tang Lin eagerly accompanies Ouyang Tianshu to inspect the city defenses. Meanwhile, the Demon Clan’s camp sounded their horns, soon revealing a large number of demons mobilizing towards First Line Pass.

"Ha, they’re finally here; we’ve been waiting for this day for a long time."

Watching the slowly advancing Demon Clan from afar, Tang Lin not only shows no fear but leaps with anticipation. He gave away many good things for this opportunity to defend the city.

After all, defending the city is to reap military achievements; the demons currently on the move are all cannon fodder. If one isn’t proactive now, it would be foolish.

"Uncle, I must prepare the troops and can’t accompany you."

"Go ahead."

Ouyang Tianshu waves his hand, allowing Tang Lin to leave, then strolls towards the gate tower. As for the approaching demon army in the distance, Ouyang Tianshu shows little concern.

The terrain surrounding First Line Pass is treacherous, flanked by mountains on one side and a canyon abyss on the other. The open area before the pass is limited, preventing a large army from stretching out properly, thus each attack is restricted in numbers. Too many would make them fall into the abyss.

Similarly, the defending troops are also limited by the walls, with a maximum of a thousand-eight hundred in the front and reserves of a thousand behind the wall.

Thus, assaulting First Line Pass is a battle of attrition. Now this war has been going on for half a month, yet it remains lukewarm. The Demon Clan camp hasn’t dispatched elite forces.

Ouyang Tianshu knows the Demon Clan is eliminating future troubles, thus probing at the forefront.

Originally, he wouldn’t bother with such battles personally. However, the news he received last night left him restless.

Today’s attackers are the demon troops gathered by that young lad.

Furthermore, from Bi Fang, it is learned this young man’s identity remains undisclosed and has secured a footing within the Demon Clan camp.

This is simply unbelievable; there’s something peculiar about this young man’s actions.

As time passes,

Soon, the demon army at the fore arrives just a few miles outside First Line Pass, clearly visible, and the garrison atop First Line Pass can clearly see the demon force outside.

"Looks quite formal."

Tang Lin stands behind the wall, observing the demon formations, clicking his tongue.

"Could it be the Demon Clan has sent elite troops?" A Tang Family war general beside him frowns. Ancestor Dragon City has been peaceful for two hundred years, and while families have private armies, combat is rare. Thus, when facing the demon army, commanders and colonels in the Ming Guang Camp, having been temporarily expanded, lack military training, despite their strength being in place.

According to Ancestor Dragon City’s expansion order, anyone who reaches the Golden Core can receive a colonel position, and the appointments within family-composed war camps are internally nominated.

"Hmm, elite? Look carefully, could elites be as varied in height, size, and stature as this? This formation has crammed dozens of demons together, merely walking a bit like a proper army. Later, during the attack, I reckon they won’t differ much from before, a chaotic swarm."

A person beside him scoffs, evidently looking down on his peer, for family disputes are constant.

"Can you tell if they’re elite with one look? If so, and you make a misjudgment from underestimating them, will you take responsibility?"

"Hmph, how about we see who kills the most demons today?"

"Sure, who’s afraid?"

"Enough, this is a war, not a verbal spar. Keep your spirits up. The Xuanwu General is watching up on the gate tower. The Tang Family’s Ming Guang Camp has stood for hundreds of years, renowned and illustrious. If you disgrace us, there’s no need to ask the Clan Leader upon return—I’ll have you executed."

"Return to your units, prepare for battle. I won’t let any demon pass beyond an arrow’s range of First Line Pass."

"Yes."

With Tang Lin being the family head’s immediate son and future heir, coupled with his exceptional talent in cultivation, progressing day by day, he is a genius even in the Sword Control Pavilion.

Therefore, the current Tang Family’s Ming Guang Camp expedition appoints Tang Lin as the main general to build his record and prestige.

Meanwhile, Li Feng rides the Horned Rhinoceros to arrive a few miles from First Line Pass. If he wishes, he could return inside First Line Pass.

Sadly, this distance seems like a natural barrier.

"Give the order, sound the horn."