On the other side, the army of Bei Shen Du also immediately marched out of the capital.
Zi Ye, who was supposed to be the vanguard general this time, chose to resign from his position as great general because his opponent was Mu Ye.
At this critical juncture, the City Lord of Bei Shen Du could not let him go.
However, out of respect for them being the remnants of Nu Wa's descendants left in this world, they agreed to his request.
Afterward, he left Bei Shen Du with Zi Yu and went into seclusion in the mountains.
At this moment, hundreds of thousands of troops could be seen emerging from the south gate of Bei Shen Du.
All clad in golden armor, the vanguard troops rode tall horses, followed by the infantry.
And within the army, there were indeed six catapults. Although the exact strength of Bei Shen Du could not be determined, it was evident that it was no less than that of Hei Shan.
However, it must be said that these generals, originally brought by the various city lords, were lined up in front of the army in four rows, with six generals in each row.
The first row consisted of generals from Bei Shen Du, from left to right:
Li Jian, Su Ke, Ye Liangzi, Lin Kengdan, Ma Dihai, Lang Pingzhi.
The second row consisted of the great generals of Xi Zi Guo, from right to left:
Yuan Ye Ji, Wu Cheng Huo, Zhang Yixian, Lu Yu, Sha Cheng Jie, Hao Ye.
The third row consisted of the great generals of Nan Hai Cheng, from left to right:
Duan Zong, Ye Zhi Jin, Hai Ping Le, Chen Ban Qi, Ren Nan Yi, An Xia.
The fourth row consisted of the great generals of Dong Yue Zhen, from right to left:
Lu Dashan, Guo Zhenhai, Wan Lailiing, Ji Chen, Dao Hui, You Zhiting.
The four commanders riding white, black, red, and yellow horses at the very front were the ultimate leaders of this grand army.
Zhu Que, Xuan Wu, Qing Long, Bai Hu.
Zhu Que, riding the white horse, was clad in a golden cloak and golden armor.
A golden sword was also sheathed at his waist, making him look like a true Golden Saint.
Xuan Wu, riding the black horse, was seen wearing black armor and a black cloak.
A black sword was also sheathed at his waist; this was the true King of Darkness.
Qing Long, riding the red horse, was likely as his name suggested.
He wore dark green armor and a dark green cloak, and the sword at his waist was also dark green.
Bai Hu, riding the yellow horse, was entirely white, as dazzling as his name.
It was likely they had anticipated that the Ten Thousand Demon King would depart three days earlier.
By following the route from Xi Zi Guo to Zhu Lu and traveling day and night, they would arrive at Zhu Lu on time. From Bei Shen Du to Zhu Lu, it only took two days of travel.
If they departed now, they could travel at a leisurely pace and arrive at Zhu Lu while preserving most of their strength.
Meanwhile, the Ten Thousand Demon King, traveling day and night, might not even have the energy to fight upon arrival at Zhu Lu.
Just as they were congratulating themselves, they were unaware that three people were closely watching everything from the nearby bushes.
"The battle has finally begun," Liu Xiang murmured to himself.
Li Zilai asked, "My lord, are we also to participate in this battle?"
"I have waited for this day for too long. We must also join the fray."
"Then who should we help?"
"Naturally, Bei Shen Du."
"Alright."
Although he had already guessed, he still had to ask. He glanced at Jin Yu Lan, who stood silently by with a vacant stare, and was very curious.
Unable to suppress his curiosity, he asked Liu Xiang.
"My lord, what is wrong with Jin Yu Lan?"
Liu Xiang said coldly, "You will know what you need to know. It is best not to ask too many questions about what you don't need to know."
"Okay," he quickly shut his mouth. Although this situation was not what he wanted, he had also longed for battle.
"Let's go, we too shall await the commencement of the battle."
"Yes."
With that, Liu Xiang turned to leave, and Li Zilai and Jin Yu Lan followed closely behind him.
At the same time, far away on the vast and snowy Wan Xue Mountain, a person was braving the wind and snow to move forward.
The person was wearing a black sweater, shielding their face with their hand. This person was Shi San Niang.
When she reached the mountaintop, the wind and snow gradually lessened. She looked around and then shouted, "Ling'er! Ling'er!"
Hearing the call, the Wan Xue Zhu rolled down the mountaintop like a blizzard, got up, and ran to her side.
Shi San Niang said to the Wan Xue Zhu.
"I know you have waited for this day for over a thousand years. Now that the great war has begun and the Ghost King has been resurrected, this is your opportunity to once again follow the Ghost King and achieve great deeds."
The Wan Xue Zhu was extremely excited to hear this, raising its head to the sky and letting out an endless roar.
Shi San Niang continued.
"You will accompany me to Zhu Lu and join the battle once more, just like a thousand years ago, fighting to the death."
The Wan Xue Zhu was extremely happy, spinning around excitedly. It had waited for this day for far too long. Shi San Niang then jumped onto its back and said to it.
"Let's go, the Ghost King is waiting for us."
The Wan Xue Zhu let out a long cry, its eyes burning with the fire of battle, and then it galloped forward, eager to see its old master, the Ten Thousand Ghost King.
After descending the mountain, the Wan Xue Zhu charged forward without hesitation, only knowing to rush ahead. Before long, it caught up with the mermaid army that had already set off, as well as Dao Lang and Fei Xiong, who had brought twenty thousand elite soldiers from Dong Yue Zhen.
The mermaid army was entirely emerald green, adorned with green armor and incredibly sharp tridents.
All of them symbolized their status as rulers of the ocean and their survival principles of revering nature and cherishing life.
At the front, riding four tall horses and chatting merrily, were the Four Great Guardians, along with Dao Lang and Fei Xiong.
As they were talking and laughing, they suddenly heard a long, earth-shattering cry that pierced the hearts of all. Every soldier turned to look.
The Four Great Guardians, Dao Lang, and Fei Xiong also rode their horses to the side to investigate.
At this moment, a colossal creature, entirely white, descended from the sky and landed on the forest. The few people looked at it simultaneously, and all of them saw that the person was Shi San Niang.
"Shi San Niang?" they exclaimed in unison.
Shi San Niang smiled slightly and called out to them, "Look who I've brought."
Dao Lang exclaimed in surprise.
"The great matter you mentioned was to bring the Wan Xue Zhu here?"
"That's right. Wan Xue Zhu was originally named Xian Ling'er and was a capable general under the Ten Thousand Ghost King. He died from severe injuries during the great battle a thousand years ago.
Because he was unwilling to accept such a crushing defeat, his vengeful spirit left his body and flew for a thousand miles to possess this Wan Xue Zhu.
He has been waiting for this day to come, waiting for the opportunity to fight alongside the Ten Thousand Ghost King again."
Listening to Shi San Niang's explanation, everyone was deeply moved and felt a greater respect for the Wan Xue Zhu.
At this moment, Fei Xiong said inappropriately, "I heard that Wan Xue Zhu is your old flame, is that true?"
Upon hearing this, everyone couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Shi San Niang, annoyed, said with a smile, "Yes, but I hadn't had a chance to confess my feelings to him before he moved on first."
Hearing this, a hint of sadness arose in everyone's hearts, and they fell silent, not knowing how to comfort her.
Shi San Niang, however, did not mind. "It's fine this way. At least he is still here, and I can fight alongside him. That is enough."
Tian Long comforted her.
"Our mermaid tribe has a secret art that can guide the soul of the deceased into a new body. After the battle, I can help you so that you can continue your relationship."
Hearing that she and Wan Xue Zhu might still have a future, Shi San Niang was overjoyed and quickly agreed, "Alright, thank you, Brother Tian Long."
"Then, will you leave first, or will you travel with us?"
"I'll go with you. I think by the time we arrive, the battle will have already begun."
"Indeed."
Despite this, they still tried to reach Zhu Lu as quickly as possible to rendezvous with Mu Ye. However, they did not know where Mu Ye and the others were at this moment.
As night fell, a hundred miles outside Xi Zi Guo, countless moving torches suddenly appeared on the desolate road.
Lin'er, having exchanged horses with someone, rode a fast horse to the front of the procession.
"Demon King, Demon King."
Hearing him call me, I turned to look at him. Lin'er rode his horse to my side and said.
"Demon King, I see that most of the brothers walking behind are tired."
"Then what should we do?"
"We can stop for a short rest before continuing our journey."
"Will it delay our journey?"
"It's fine to let those people wait a little longer."
"Then alright, issue an order for everyone to take a short rest."
"Yes." Lin'er, having received the order, rode his horse to inform the brothers behind him, "The Demon King decrees a halt for a short rest."
Only then did the army slowly come to a halt, and everyone could finally catch their breath.
Others also dismounted to rest. At this time, the carriage carrying the four elders drove up from the rear to the front.
As soon as the elders dismounted, they teased, "My old bones haven't been in a carriage for a long time, and I'm a bit rusty."
Elder Hei Yi chuckled, "If we were a few hundred years younger, we might also be wielding swords."
I said, "The elders have been traveling all day and must be tired. Let's find a place to sit."
At this moment, Liu Shi Nian suddenly called out, "Mu Ye, Elder, esteemed elders, please come and sit here."
We turned to look and saw that a fire had already been lit in an open space. Just as I was about to walk over.
I suddenly heard a disturbance in the wind, and several people emerged from the forest.
Everyone immediately stood up and became vigilant. Then, someone loudly announced.
"I am a hermit living in these mountains. I heard that the Demon King is passing through this area and have come to offer a few cups of humble wine."
At this, several soldiers stepped forward to block them, but the person suddenly disappeared and went directly to me.
Everyone immediately drew their swords and surrounded him. It was then that I saw clearly that the person was an old man with a gray beard, dressed simply, and accompanied by two young attendants.
Seeing that he meant no harm, I told everyone to stand down. Only then did the old man step forward and cup his hands in greeting.
"My name is Lao Shan Tou. I am a resident living in the nearby mountains. I heard that the Demon King is exceptionally talented and dedicated to the people, which deeply moved me.
However, I have never had the chance to meet him. Hearing that the Demon King is passing through this area, I boldly stepped forward to catch a glimpse."
"Thank you for your appreciation, old sir. Please come and sit."
He waved his hand and said, "I know the Demon King has had a arduous journey. Therefore, I have prepared some humble wine for the Demon King to taste."
Saying this, he took the wine pot from the attendant, poured a cup of wine, and handed it over. Liu Shi Nian quickly stepped forward to stop him and said.
"If the old sir wishes to offer wine, he should drink it himself first."
Lao Shan Tou smiled and said, "Are you afraid I'll poison it? Young master, you worry too much." With that, he drank the cup he had just poured in one gulp.
After drinking, he turned the wine cup upside down and showed it to Liu Shi Nian, "Young master, please see, there is no poison in the wine."
Liu Shi Nian was still a bit uneasy. He picked up the wine pot and smelled it, finding no problem, and then stepped aside.
Only then did Lao Shan Tou pour the wine again and hand it to me. I took the wine and drank it in one gulp. Lao Shan Tou was very satisfied.
"The Demon King is indeed a man of great potential. However, it will take some time to reach Zhu Lu. I have some carriages and horses that can help the Demon King reach there sooner."
Saying this, he clapped his hands, and several hundred carriages and horses emerged from the forest. Seeing this, I was deeply grateful and immediately bowed to Lao Shan Tou.
"Thank you, old sir. May I know which mountain you reside on? After we defeat Bei Shen Du, we will definitely come to return the carriages and horses."
Lao Shan Tou waved his hand and said, "Since it is a gift, why would there be a need for return? Consider it my small token of appreciation."
"Thank you, old sir."
"I hope the Demon King achieves victory and returns soon." With that, he turned into a wisp of green smoke and departed.
Liu Shi Nian complained, "What a strange old man."
Lin'er also became curious.
"I only know that there are a few villages in this vicinity, but I didn't know there were reclusive masters in these mountains."
Elder Wan Gu said.
"Elder, there is no need to worry. No matter who he is, the visitor meant well. With the carriages and horses provided by him.
Later, the soldiers behind can switch to them and reach Zhu Lu earlier."
"That would be good."
Yan Wu Shuang invited everyone, "Mu Ye, esteemed elders, please come and sit by the fire to warm yourselves."
"Alright, let's go and sit."
So, everyone walked to the campfire and sat around it, chatting idly. Before long, everyone became tired and fell asleep.
Seeing how exhausted everyone was, I couldn't bear to make them continue their journey, so I decided to let them sleep tonight.
The next morning, everyone slowly got up, stretched their muscles, tidied up, and continued on their way. The items provided by Lao Shan Tou last night had worked their magic, and everyone felt much lighter today.
Throughout the day, they traveled almost non-stop, barely resting. After crossing the mountain ahead.
And after passing through a dense forest at the foot of the mountain, they would reach the vast plain, Zhu Lu Plain.
I rode my horse ahead to the mountain peak. From here, one could overlook the boundless forest and fields at the foot of the mountain.
As long as one went down the mountain path, they would enter the forest.
Lin'er rode his fast horse and stood beside me. Looking at the plain so close at hand, I suddenly felt a sense of relief.
"Demon King, that large open area is Zhu Lu Plain. Bei Shen Du will definitely come down from there. If we go down from here, we can confront them."
I looked at the flat, seemingly calm plain and felt a pang of worry. "In that case, it will be a direct confrontation between the two armies. But this way, it will be difficult for the archers to shoot."
Lin'er pointed to the slightly undulating areas nearby and said.
"We can arrange the archers behind those rolling hills. This way, they can shoot at the enemy from a distance and use the hills as cover."
"Good, let's do it this way."
I looked down at the gently sloping mountain path and felt a bit worried.
"We are carrying heavy equipment. Will it be dangerous to go down the mountain?"
"I'll remind them to be careful."
"Okay."
So, Lin'er rode his horse back and shouted to the army, "We are going down the mountain, be careful with your belongings and don't damage your weapons."
Then, he rode to the mountain path and directed the army forward.