The Name of Eternals

Chapter 167: A Visit from the Demons

Western border of Liangzhou. On the towering city walls, one hundred feet high, rows of soldiers in black armor stood vigilantly, maintaining strict security.

Inside the city, large war machines were being assembled. Massive dragon elephants and horned lion-beasts pulled war chariots the size of small buildings, transporting arrows, weapons, and provisions from the interior.

In the military camp, everyone was performing their duties, patrolling and standing guard.

Messenger eagles continuously flew back to the camp from beyond the borders, bringing back intelligence.

"Strange, these demons have suddenly gone quiet."

In the military camp, Li Xuanli sat in his command chair, frowning in thought.

Intelligence indicated that the group of demons 800 miles away had retreated eastward.

This group of demons had been lingering in the western border for a while, occasionally launching attacks. Among them were three powerful demons of the Three Unyielding Realm, acting as if they intended to provoke and draw them beyond the defensive line, but Li Xuanli had not fallen for it.

Now, however, the demons' retreat was abrupt.

Considering other intelligence, could it be that the demon attacks on Liangzhou were merely a ruse?

Their real purpose might be to tie up the Li family's military forces? "Father."

A figure ran into the tent—it was Li Wushuang.

Seeing his beloved daughter, Li Xuanli's furrowed brows relaxed, and he smiled gently. "I heard you led a team to exterminate a group of demons outside the defensive line. How was it?"

Speaking of this, Li Wushuang huffed, "It was just a bunch of small demons."

Li Xuanli chuckled inwardly. If he hadn't known they were just small demons, he wouldn't have let her go.

"Even though they were small demons, you mustn't pursue them too far. Remember, military discipline is paramount in the camp. These demons are more cunning than you think, especially those invading our borders. They're often directed by strategists, so treat them as treacherous foes."

"I understand."

Li Wushuang said, "I came to tell you that I got some intelligence from one of the small demons. They're feigning an attack but have actually retreated."

"Oh?"

Li Xuanli raised an eyebrow. "How did you get the demon to talk?"

"I visited the torture chamber earlier and learned a few things." Li Wushuang replied.

Li Xuanli was momentarily speechless, then smiled wryly, "You're a girl; what were you doing in the torture chamber? It's dirty and messy... But this matter needs further investigation. I'll look into it."

"More investigation?"

Li Wushuang was surprised.

"Of course." Li Xuanli said, "The demons you killed were at most in the Divine Wandering Realm. Demons of that level wouldn't know battle plans. They're cannon fodder unless the higher demons deliberately let them know something."

Li Wushuang was stunned. "Father, do you mean this is a trap within a trap?"

Li Xuanli nodded slightly. "But I could be overthinking it. I'll investigate. You just rest."

"Alright."

Li Wushuang nodded and left.

After she left, Li Xuanli's expression turned serious. He pondered for a moment and then called his personal attendant to write two letters.

One was sent to Qingzhou, urging vigilance against demon movements.

The other was sent to Li Tiangang in the eastern border.

"If the demon attacks are a diversion, their target is Qingzhou. If it's a real attack, this retreat could mean an assault on the eastern border. I wonder how Tiangang is faring..."

His eyes flickered. He then thought of something and had another letter written to Tianmen Pass.

"That child may have driven away three demon kings, but they may retaliate against Liangzhou or collude with other demon kings to attack Tianmen Pass. The Dragon Gate has been revealed, and the Sacred Palace and the Li family have a long-standing grudge. They might send people over..."

"He must be cautious."

...

Eastern border of Liangzhou.

The Blackstone Great Wall stretched endlessly, covering the entire battle line.

Six hundred miles outside the city, two figures rushed forward, their auras restrained. One wore a luxurious crimson robe, with a handsome and noble face.

The other was in a black robe, hooded, shrouded in shadow.

"That's where Li Tiangang is stationed."

The black-robed figure said in a low voice, "Fengshan Jun, I know you want revenge, but even if you rush over now, you may not be able to kill Li Tiangang. The border has a magic array. With our current strength, we can't break through easily."

"Attacking now will only alert them, like a snake being startled."

The noble-looking man in the crimson robe was none other than Fengshan Jun, who had escaped from Li Hao.

His eyes seemed to burn with golden flames as he looked at the military camp beyond the defensive line, filled with killing intent. "I know. I promised not to disrupt your plans."

Hearing this, the black-robed man relaxed slightly and smiled. "No need to rush, Fengshan Jun. A year from now, when our clan elder emerges, we will flatten Liangzhou. Then we can deal with that kid as well."

Fengshan Jun coldly replied, "I'll handle that kid later. Li Tiangang is mine to torment to death!"

"No problem."

The black-robed man agreed readily.

Fengshan Jun took a deep look at the distant defensive line, filled with hatred but restrained himself.

That place was guarded by the Li family's army. They couldn't break through easily for now. ...

Inside Tianmen Pass.

Seven hundred people volunteered to join the army and defend Cangya City and the pass.

Li Hao enlisted them, registered their names, and submitted the roster to the military governor of Liangzhou, his fifth uncle, Li Xuanli.

Li Xuanli, tasked with guarding Liangzhou, also served as the military governor, with authority to mobilize troops from all cities within Liangzhou, including city guards, who had to obey his orders unconditionally.

This roster needed his approval; otherwise, if these soldiers died in battle, there would be no one to recover their bodies or honor them without Li Hao's intervention.

Shortly after returning, Li Hao met with the senior official of the Stars Bureau, who helped test the city's magic array.

As a border city, Cangya City had a Five Star Array, sealing five peak Three Unyielding Realm demon souls, augmented by the power of the stars, matching the strength of two Dao Heart Realm demon kings.

The array could easily defend against a single demon king for at least half a day.

Additionally, all soldiers in the city could channel their strength into the array, further boosting the demon souls' power and allowing the main commander to draw power from the array, greatly enhancing their combat strength.

"Major General, please inspect the array."

As the array activated, Li Hao saw the ghostly images of five great demon souls appear from different parts of the city, on each of the four walls and the center.

These souls were consumables for the array, accumulated over centuries by the royal family.

Li Hao flew outside the city and saw the entire city enveloped by the array. Attacking from any point, the five demon souls could instantly converge and counterattack.

"Let me give it a try."

Li Hao said.

The array's effectiveness depended on whether the demon souls could exert their full power.

Li Hao didn't use his Dragon Soar Sword but threw a punch.

The punch drew in the surrounding energy, forming a massive fist imprint that pressed down.

At first, the people on the city walls were excited and expectant, but as the punch grew larger, their expressions turned serious and tense.

Roar! The five demon souls roared and charged forward.

But under the crushing force of the punch, the five demon souls, like small beasts trying to shake a mountain, couldn't stop the fist's momentum and were pushed back step by step.

Boom, boom, boom! The five demon souls crashed into the golden barrier of the array, causing ripples. The array's color seemed to lighten.

Li Hao quickly withdrew his power and flew back.

The senior official of the Stars Bureau stared blankly at Li Hao for a while before reacting. "Major General, did you use your full strength?"

"No."

Li Hao shook his head. He had used only three-tenths of his strength.

The senior official was stunned and then frowned, looking at the array inscriptions on the city walls, muttering, "This shouldn't be..."

Li Hao also felt the demon souls shouldn't be so weak and comforted him. "Don't worry, sir. Take your time to check. There might be a small problem somewhere."

The senior official thought for a moment and agreed.

Even though Li Hao's attack was intimidating, he felt that even if Li Hao reached the Four Unyielding Realm, he shouldn't be able to suppress the five demon souls so easily. There must be an issue with the array's power transmission.

"Sorry for the trouble, Major General. I'll check again."

The senior official said.

Xia Xianglan felt a bit guilty. Could it be a problem with the inscription she had carved earlier?

Li Hao bade farewell to the senior official and then found the newly enlisted soldiers, instructing them to purchase fabric for making military flags.

The next day.

Li Hao received confirmation from the military governor of Liangzhou that the enlistment of the seven hundred men was approved.

He also received a family letter from his fifth uncle, full of concern, warning him to be cautious of the demon kings' revenge.

Li Hao sighed, put the letter away, and asked Ren Qianqian to store it in the wooden box in his room.

That afternoon, a bird arrived at the pass, requesting to see Li Hao.

A visit from a demon was unexpected, so Li Hao agreed to meet.

The bird demon transformed into a seven or eight-year-old boy in orange clothes. Led by soldiers into the courtyard, he saw a girl practicing swordplay and a boy sketching.

At the boy's feet lay a small white fox, lazily glancing at him.

The boy's heart pounded with fear, and he nervously approached Li Hao. "Ma-Major General."

"From the Stars Bureau?"

Li Hao, sketching the corpse of the ghostly maiden, didn't look up and spoke indifferently.

His spirit sat high above, monitoring the surroundings. Even beyond the courtyard walls, Li Hao could see the grotesque, swollen corpse of the ghostly maiden.