"Commander, a demonic army of about 400,000 has been spotted ten miles outside the west city gate and is advancing towards our city!"
In the southeastern part of the Northern Domain continent, at Liehai Pass, east of Fengyan Pass, the Vermilion Bird Legion led by Zhang Liao and the Sky-Splitting Rhinoceros Legion led by Ying Bu descended here via the Rice Granary Path across the void. They occupied Liehai Pass with overwhelming force and swept through many cities in the southeast.
To understand the war situation in the Northern Domain continent, Zhang Liao temporarily commanded both legions, stationed at Liehai Pass, and closely monitored the movements of the demons and the Four-Eyed Clan.
"Demons?"
"How dare the demons press our city at this time?"
Ying Bu's face showed displeasure. The patriarch of the Four-Eyed Clan, Huangfu Youyun, led his army to garrison Ju Feng Pass. The three passes formed a tripartite standoff. Once one pass was conquered, this stalemate would immediately vanish.
"Who is leading their army?"
Zhang Liao's expression remained calm. He walked to the map and marked the position of the demonic army. Based on the terrain, he quickly outlined three possible marching routes.
Currently, Huangfu Youyun was eyeing them from the north. The demon lords Mao Xing and Wu Chen were renowned powerhouses. In the current tense situation, they were still leading their armies to pressure the Great Han Imperial Dynasty, which was highly unusual.
"Reporting to the commander, it is Demon Lord Mao Xing."
"Hmm!"
Zhang Liao nodded, looking at the map and pondering, "What is the intention behind the demons' march like this?"
"Ying Bu, have any scouts near Ju Feng Pass sent back information?"
"Not yet."
Ying Bu shook his head.
"Commander, since they are seeking death, why not oblige them? Xu Chu requests to fight, and I will surely behead their leader to sacrifice to our army's soul!"
Xu Chu's voice was deep, his killing intent unconcealed.
"General Xu Chu, why use a butcher's knife to kill a chicken? Commander, Xia Luqi requests to fight and slay Demon Lord Mao Xing, annihilating the demonic army!"
Xia Luqi stepped forward, his fighting spirit soaring.
"Reporting to the commander, between Fengyan Pass and Ju Feng Pass, a demonic army of no less than six hundred thousand has been discovered."
Just then, a scout reported breathlessly with urgency.
"Commander!"
At this moment, Ying Bu, Xu Chu, Xia Luqi, and other heroes all showed joy. The demonic army's intention was too obvious: feigning an attack, creating a diversion, and gradually disintegrating their forces.
"Such trivial tricks, daring to show off in front of this commander!"
Zhang Liao narrowed his eyes and sneered, "Generals, heed my command!"
"Your subordinate is present!"
All the heroes stepped out, their eyes filled with killing intent, and bowed in salute.
"Xia Luqi, you are ordered to lead thirty thousand Sky-Splitting Rhinoceros soldiers and sally forth to meet the demonic army. Leave not a single survivor in this battle!"
"Your subordinate obeys!"
Xia Luqi's expression was stern as he bowed to Zhang Liao and turned to leave the hall. Upon receiving the order, the army quickly assembled.
"Xu Chu, heed my command!"
"Lead your subordinate soldiers and, after the battle at Ju Feng Pass concludes, drive your troops down to annihilate the enemy at Ju Feng Pass in one decisive battle!"
"Your subordinate obeys!"
"All other generals, lead your respective soldiers and attack freely, sweeping across the Northern Domain!"
...
Three miles from Liehai Pass, at the edge of sight, layers of dense and heavy demonic energy obscured the sun's light. The world turned dark and rapidly approached Liehai Pass.
The demonic energy was pitch black, shrouding the army like specters emerging from hell, the terrifying smell of blood filling the void.
"General!"
Three miles outside Liehai Pass, Xia Luqi gripped his spear, staring coldly at the advancing demonic army. His副将 (fùjiāng - deputy general) had a grim expression, "General, Demon Lord Mao Xing is shrouded in demonic energy; he might not be simple!"
"Him?"
Xia Luqi's eyes narrowed as he looked at the area with the most intense demonic energy in the distance, shaking his head, "Just a bluff!"
His cold eyes swept over his spear: "With this spear in hand, how can he withstand a single blow from me!"
"Humans?"
Demon Lord Mao Xing looked at the Sky-Splitting Rhinoceros Legion and smiled slightly, "Weak humans, daring to march out of the formidable pass to intercept me, what a joke!"
"If Xu Chu were here, I might be a little wary!"
"Kill!"
His expression turned cold, and the battle order was given. The endless demonic soldiers roared, their formations immensely imposing. The demonic energy surged upwards, obscuring the sky and covering the sun, making the heavens and earth dark.
Xia Luqi gripped his spear, a cold smile on his lips, his eyes sweeping across the vast and terrifying demonic army with immense dominance.
Behind Xia Luqi, the soldiers of the Sky-Splitting Rhinoceros Legion were calm, their eyes gleaming with battle intent. Even with the surging blood energy and overwhelming malevolence of the demonic army ahead, they felt no pressure.
"Defend!"
The deputy general beside Xia Luqi, watching the distance to the demonic army, shouted forcefully. The soldiers behind him surged with blood energy, and streams of dark ethereal energy flowed along their armor.
"Boom!"
Tens of thousands of Sky-Splitting Rhinoceros soldiers drew their bows and nocked their arrows. Streaks of ethereal energy flowed through their armor and onto the arrows. The dark ethereal energy vibrated, making the void hum.
"Battle!"
The deputy general held the legion's banner and roared. The sound ripped through the air, and ten thousand arrows were loosed simultaneously. The ear-splitting sound of air being torn apart dispersed the sky-obscuring demonic energy. To the astonishment of the demonic soldiers, the arrows tore through the demonic energy and pierced into the army.
"Whoosh whoosh whoosh~~"
Tens of thousands of arrows shot in, flesh and blood flew, and the demonic energy dissipated. Each arrow was like the horn of a Sky-Splitting Rhinoceros beast, capable of tearing the sky. How could mere demonic energy resist it?
The arrow rain swept through, and the demonic energy vanished. In just a few breaths, out of the 400,000 demonic soldiers, more than 100,000 perished, their bodies exploding, and blood splattering everywhere.
"No!!"
Demon Lord Mao Xing's eyes bulged. He watched his army behind him explode into a bloody mist. When had the demonic army, spread out in all directions, ever been so fragile?
"Human, die by my hand!"
Demon Lord Mao Xing's eyes filled with blood. He was only slightly wary of Xu Chu, let alone the unknown Xia Luqi.
"Hmph!"
Xia Luqi looked coldly at the enraged Demon Lord Mao Xing, clenching his right hand holding the icy spear. The Sky-Splitting Rhinoceros beast on the spear shaft was lifelike, its horn bestowing a spear's might!
"Roar!!"
A furious roar shook the heavens!
The single horn emerged, splitting heaven and earth!
Demon Lord Mao Xing summoned a blood-red long saber. The dispersed demonic energy condensed wildly and fused into the blade of the saber. As the demonic energy continuously condensed and compressed, the blood-red saber became as dark as ink. Drops of liquefied demonic energy dripped from it, withering all life within a ten-zhang radius and draining all vitality.
"Hum~~"
The saber blade vibrated, emitting a sound like ghosts weeping. With the demonic energy-absorbing saber in hand, Demon Lord Mao Xing exuded a terrifying aura.
"Human, do not be presumptuous! With one strike from me, I shall annihilate your entire army!"
Demon Lord Mao Xing roared, his steps moving, traversing the void. Behind him, a thousand-zhang-tall demon figure appeared, holding a saber crackling with demonic energy.
"Boom!"
With a roar, the saber was slashed out, the void cracked, and demonic energy raged!