Gu Xiaoguan, the North.
In the wind and snow, a group of barbarian tribesmen, reduced to a ceremonial tribute, marched north. Some of the stronger young men still had ferocity in their eyes, but most had already become numb. When they left Yunzhou, they had already resigned themselves to their fate, which was nothing more than becoming food for the demon or ghost races.
Chen Yu led three thousand armored soldiers, escorting them all the way. Only after the fifty thousand barbarians were driven and clustered into a snowy forest did Chen Yu and thousands of Cangnan Iron Riders slowly advance, arriving in front of a group of great demons.
"..."
In the wind and snow, Chen Yu looked down at Shi Jungang, who was wearing a black dress and a veil, his eyes filled with the aura of a seasoned warrior. This gaze made Shi Jungang extremely disgusted. How could a mere tenth-level human martial artist have the right to look at her like this? However, Shi Jungang did not retaliate; forbearance was one of her traits.
Finally, Chen Yu's lips curved upwards, and he leaped off his horse. Just as the generals behind him were about to dismount, he gently waved his arm, signaling them to stay on their horses and be ready to fight at any moment. The Cangnan Iron Riders then held their long-handled weapons and sat on their warhorses in silence.
Chen Yu strode forward, cupped his fists, and smiled, "May I ask which of you demon lords is in charge here?"
"I am."
Shi Jungang smiled indifferently, "Shi Jungang of the Demon Ancestral Mountain."
"Oh~~~"
Chen Yu's expression slightly stiffened, and he chuckled, "So it's the one who was ambushed and killed by the white-robed man at Jiuzhangyuan before..."
"Are you seeking death?"
Bai Ye's gaze turned icy.
Shi Jungang, however, smiled calmly, "Lord Bai Ye, there's no need to be angry. He didn't say anything wrong. Losing is losing. There's nothing wrong with admitting you're outmatched."
Saying this, she looked at Chen Yu, "And who are you?"
Chen Yu cupped his fists, "Chen Yu, Cavalry Commandant of the Cangnan Iron Riders!"
"Oh..."
Shi Jungang smiled, "So you're Chen Xi's cousin. No wonder you're so proud. Your Chen family's bones are indeed tough. Back in the battle at Xueyu Tianchi, several of our thirteenth-level demons almost crushed Old Marshal Chen Wanli's bones before he finally breathed his last. The Chen family, truly formidable..."
"..."
Chen Yu gritted his teeth, having been verbally bested once without gaining any advantage. This Shi Jungang was indeed formidable. He decided to cease the verbal sparring and took out a list of tribute from his懷. Then, he pointed to the fifty thousand barbarians not far away and said, "This is all the tribute for this year, fifty thousand strong. Please, Lord Shi Jungang, accept this gift and sign your name on this list. This way, I can have an explanation when I return to Yunzhou."
"What if I don't sign?"
Shi Jungang asked with a smile.
"It doesn't matter."
Chen Yu lightly patted the sword at his waist and said with a smile, "Chen Yu is willing to lead three thousand Cangnan Iron Riders here to fight your army to the death. However, from this moment on, the Great Shang Dynasty will never offer tribute to the demon race again!"
"Kid."
Bai Ye sneered, "Do you think your life is so tough that you can act so recklessly here, and you're so sure we won't dare to kill you, right?"
"Not at all."
Chen Yu smiled faintly and said, "I am merely using my life and the lives of the three thousand iron-clad warriors behind me to exchange for the lives of a hundred thousand Great Shang citizens every five years. This is a very worthwhile deal. Moreover, it can salvage some of the dignity of our Great Shang Dynasty, making this deal even more worthwhile. Lord Shi Jungang works for the demon race, and I, Chen Yu, work for the Great Shang Dynasty. What is wrong with that?"
"Hmph..."
Shi Jungang chuckled and snorted, "Chen Yu, you've gambled correctly. I naturally won't grant you your wish. You want to be like Lin Baiyi of Xueyu Tianchi? No way. I am willing to sign the tribute list. For the next five years, your hundred thousand tribute must not be short by even one person, otherwise, our demon race will surely retaliate."
With that, Shi Jungang took out a brush and wrote her name on the acceptance section of the tribute list.
"Brothers!"
Chen Yu remounted his horse, cupped his fists towards Shi Jungang, then turned his horse around and said in a deep voice, "We're heading south! Let's go home!"
The three thousand Cangnan Iron Riders turned in unison and disappeared into the snow curtain.
As Chen Yu rode forward, his palms were already slick with cold sweat. If Shi Jungang had gone back on her word just then, he and his three thousand brothers would have surely perished. As they neared Gu Xiaoguan, Chen Yu urged his horse to the front and said in a deep voice, "Full speed ahead! We'll rest our horses around Tongjing Lake, and make haste!"
The sound of hooves thundered as three thousand Cangnan Iron Riders galloped south.
...
Late at night, Jiuzhangyuan.
Snow began to fall again, and the sect of coffin bearers dwelling on Jiuzhangyuan shivered in the wind and snow. Tan Xin, a Star River Realm ghost cultivator, sat cross-legged on a piece of bluestone, frantically refining the flying zombie lying in the coffin behind her. For a time, blood-red runes flashed across the surface of the coffin. She frowned, a fine sweat beading on her forehead. This flying zombie was eleventh-level, and for her, a tenth-level ghost cultivator, to refine it would indeed require considerable effort.
However, it didn't matter. With enough patience, she might soon be able to reach the fifth level of spiritual cultivation.
Suddenly, Tan Xin's delicate shoulders trembled slightly. An incredibly dense and heavy sound of horse hooves echoed from afar.
"Ancestor."
An elder, a middle-aged man, landed in front of her and respectfully said, "Lin Zhao has led the main force of Xueyu Tianchi down the mountain. It's a dense mass, and according to our observations, at least thirty thousand cavalry have descended!"
"Ah?!"
Tan Xin stiffened, "Such a grand mobilization, are they coming to attack us?"
"It doesn't seem like it," the elder frowned. "They passed through the flat terrain to the right of Jiuzhangyuan, not heading for us. I suspect they're likely targeting the four military tents of the demon race."
"Then it's none of our concern."
Tan Xin said indifferently, "The demon race has an army of eight hundred thousand in their four military tents. Can they not stop a mere thirty thousand human cavalry? Hmph, don't worry about it. There's no need for us to get involved."
"Yes, Ancestor!"
The elder frowned, "If... if Lin Zhao and his men are defeated, should we block their retreat and avenge our Old Sect Master?"
"Hmm."
Tan Xin smiled, "Elder Ding, you seem quite loyal to my master?"
"Your subordinate dares not! Your subordinate dares not!"
The elder's expression changed drastically, and he kowtowed repeatedly, "My subordinate's loyalty to you, Ancestor, can be attested by heaven and earth! Your subordinate is willing to be your most loyal lackey, until death!"
"I understand, go."
"Yes, Ancestor..."
Tan Xin squinted towards the east, watching countless cavalry galloping by. This night would likely be lively again. Lin Zhao, that kind of person, was as cunning as a monkey. If he dared to attack, he must have had near-certain confidence. The demon race's military camps might be empty by now. As for the sect of coffin bearers, was there a better choice than to watch from the sidelines? No!
...
Panyun Mountain.
Hidden by the sound of wind and snow, it wasn't until the more than twenty-seven thousand cavalry from Xueyu Tianchi were within a few hundred meters of the first military tent of Panyun Mountain that the demon guards left behind discovered them. Instantly, an old deer demon at the Golden Core stage exclaimed in alarm and shouted, "Bad! Lin Zhao is attacking the camp! His true target is Panyun Mountain! Come quickly, send a flying fish message to Lord Shi Jungang!"
Before he finished speaking, his head, accompanied by a wisp of sword energy from Nu Zhi, rolled away.
"Quickly block them!"
Deep within the camp, dense demon soldiers surged forth like a tide. Shi Jungang had indeed left one hundred thousand demons to guard their lair. But it seemed... the thirty thousand cavalry led by Lin Zhao completely ignored them. As a group of demon soldiers attacked, Lin Zhao instantly ignited five Sword Illuminating Talismans, and Leng Yan also ignited five Sword Illuminating Talismans. In the next moment, ten twelfth-level sword energies shuttled back and forth among the demon soldiers!
"Kill!"
Mu Zha sent out a punch, unleashing a powerful fist intent that instantly turned hundreds of demon soldiers into a bloody mist. Beside him, Chen Ben also punched with immense force, his fist imprints turning entire tents into seas of blood. As for Nu Zhi, her demon slaying was even more ferocious. Ten Demon Soul Swords, like ten blood-colored shooting stars, continuously plunged into the demon race's military tents, killing countless demons. Furthermore, a peak eleventh-level natal flying sword was poised to strike. Each attack resulted in the head of an eighth, ninth, or even tenth-level demon cultivator falling. The disparity in strength was too great. Moreover, Nu Zhi's refinement of Demon Soul Swords inherently suppressed demons, making her killings even more brutal!
"Break through their defenses!"
Lin Zhao and Leng Yan charged at the forefront, jointly unleashing sword energy cages. Following that, Leng Yan began to unleash her Sword Severing Style and flying sword attacks, while Lin Zhao unleashed both Sword Severing Style and Sword Breaking Style. Leng Yan narrowed her beautiful eyes, thinking, "He's truly worthy of my regard. He's still a bit stronger than me. But soon after, when Lin Zhao summoned his flying sword Ming Yue and unleashed Moonfall, smashing a group of demon soldiers so hard they couldn't lift their heads, Leng Yan finally understood. It wasn't just a bit stronger, it was much stronger!"
As a result, although the demon race had nearly four times the defenders, under the suppression of the five-level and tenth-level powerhouses on the opposing side, they had no room to resist. Moreover, the Xueyu cavalry charging at the front were all riding Yunxi warhorses, renowned steeds used by the demon race. The riders were also mostly martial artists in the lower and middle five realms, so their charging power was extraordinary. The demon race was utterly unable to withstand it.
"Set fire to their grain and equipment!"
Lin Zhao continuously commanded his men to charge, preventing the demon army from gathering. Meanwhile, Xiang Ji and Xu Sheng led their men to attack from the flanks, continuously setting fire to the demon race's tents and grain piles. In an instant, the entire Panyun Mountain was lit ablaze.
"Don't burn it all!"
Lin Zhao exclaimed with heartache, "Remember to take away anything good you can!"
Thus, another round of plundering ensued. Weapons like spears and swords were all taken away. Xueyu Tianchi was precisely in need of these. In addition, carts of rice and flour were also taken away if possible, and whatever couldn't be taken was burned!
In this battle, the demon race's four military tents would not suffer excessive losses in terms of troops, but their supplies and provisions were dealt a heavy blow!
...
Gu Xiaoguan.
By midnight, the Xueyu army still hadn't appeared. Shi Jungang already had a bad feeling. At that moment, a demon cultivator carrying a flying fish message walked over and said gravely, "Reporting to you, my lord. We have just received a message from the Panyun Mountain camp. Lin Zhao personally led thirty thousand Xueyu Tianchi cavalry down the mountain to launch a fierce attack on the camp. The central army has already been breached, and they are burning our grain and supplies!"
"Ah?"
Shi Jungang's body trembled, and she nearly fainted.
She was filled with hatred. How could anyone in this world use troops like this? Why was that person so undisciplined?