Watching Li Hongzhuang’s retreating figure, Li Xuanli and others like Li Qingling all wore worried expressions.
Without the Demon King making a move, they were still considered top fighting forces, able to influence the situation on the battlefield.
But once the Demon King appeared, they would need to hide and dodge all over the battlefield, only able to engage in combat with the protection of Four Stances Peak Realm masters.
However, there weren’t that many Four Stances Peak Realm experts. If there were, the demons wouldn’t have launched such a major offensive against Liangzhou.
Even if reinforcements from the various Four Stances Peak Realm experts came, it would take time. The only immediate reliance was the war banners in Li Hongzhuang’s hands.
Liangzhou, eastern side.
On a plain, beacon fires rose one after another, illuminating the far distance.
More than one hundred thousand Yuan Camp soldiers and several hundred thousand Liangzhou border guards retreated while covering each other.
Behind them, no tide of demons followed; the tens of thousands of soldiers were only pursued by six Demon Kings.
The other Demon Kings were unseen for the moment, as was Ms. Yin, clearly tied up by the Great Desert Sword Saint. Otherwise, they would have never managed to escape this far had Ms. Yin pursued them.
“Just hold on a bit longer, we’re almost at the second defensive line!”
Li Tian Gang was covered in blood; halfway through, his Unwithering Strength recovered, and he took action once more, bursting out with full power, temporarily slowing the Demon Kings’ advance and buying time for the army’s retreat.
But now, his body’s injuries were healing slowly, and the continuous severe damage to his fighting body slowed the healing process.
Despite having applied medicinal powder all over himself and consuming a bellyful of healing treasures, the effects weren’t immediate. They required at least an hour or two to be absorbed and converted.
“Follow me to block the demons!”
A general roared in his ear.
Li Tian Gang turned to look and saw another Yuan Camp’s ten thousand-man legion slowing down to stay behind and block the Demon Kings.
Such sacrifices had occurred several times along their path.
His face was grim, yet he was powerless to prevent it.
Although the Eight Directions Order had been issued, capable of rapidly reaching tens of thousands of miles and crossing through states, it still took time for those reinforcements to travel.
But at present, the demons didn’t even give them a moment to breathe, relentlessly attacking the border from the start and the sun hadn’t even set yet.
“Faster, even faster!!”
Li Tian Gang roared. He had not yet given in to despair; behind him were tens of thousands of troops that he needed to lead to safety.
Boom!
The ground shook behind him.
The previously left-behind ten thousand Yuan Camp had just formed their ranks for combat when they were jointly attacked by five Demon Kings, their formation broken and completely decimated.
This ten-thousand-man legion could easily flatten a city, but in front of the Demon Kings, they were no match.
Their resistance lasted but a few breaths.
The sound of horse hooves vibrated beside him, and Li Tian Gang could almost hear his steed, the Red Blood Horse’s heart pounding fiercely.
The horse was tired too.
But it was still running at full speed, the intelligent Red Blood Horse knew that stopping meant death.
The setting sun in the west shed its light from the front of the plain, a bit dazzling.
Yet the orange-hued afterglow, like spilt blood on their battered armor, seemed all the more desolate.
Li Tian Gang saw the distant city walls and the second line of defense, but while his gaze reached there, his body might not.
Was this also his own twilight?
With a look of longing in his eyes, beyond the anger, there was profound melancholy.
He had fought many battles, slain countless demons, and now was he to fall here as well?
Eldest brother, second brother, third brother… Li Tian Gang envisioned multiple figures before him, and suddenly felt death was not so fearsome.
Because his father and brothers were all waiting for him on the other side.
But… Qingqing.
Thinking of his beloved wife, Li Tian Gang felt a pang of pain. He still wanted to cultivate to a higher state, reach the Four Stances Peak Realm, pacify the demonic calamity in the four states guarded by the Li Family, and then head to the Great Wilderness Heaven to find her.
But now, there was no chance left.
Leaving Northern Yan meant a farewell forever.
Li Tian Gang quickly thought of another figure, that stubborn young man.
He sighed internally, realizing in the end, he had no chance to guide him further.
He hoped his second uncle and the others would stop indulging him, and after his own death, he would probably return to the Li Family.
By then, True Dragon’s position would have a successor.
It was just unclear whether he could bear this responsibility and lead the Li Family forward.
The setting sun painted Li Tian Gang’s face, reflecting the myriad regrets in his eyes.
He sighed softly, estimating the distance by sight, along with the army’s marching speed, and the speed at which they were pursued by the Demon Kings, he knew they couldn’t reach that defensive line.
Someone had to stay behind to block the Demon Kings.
Either the entire Yuan Camp had to stay behind, fight with all their might, and strive for a chance at survival.
Or he himself had to stay behind, to fight for a chance at survival for tens of thousands of soldiers.
Without any doubt.
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Li Tian Gang chose the latter.
He gently patted his Red Blood Horse and softly said, “You’re tired too, go.”
The Red Blood Horse seemed to understand, as tears actually fell from its large eyes.
Li Tian Gang stood hovering in the air, but saw that the Red Blood Horse also slowed down and stopped, refusing to leave.
Li Tian Gang could not help but smile.
Then, he took a deep breath and turned around to shout, “All units, march at full speed!!”
“The second defensive line is right ahead!”
“Charge!!”
His loud roar echoed in all directions.
Tens of thousands of soldiers heard it and also saw the figure that had stopped. Some realized what was happening and their eyes welled up with tears.
“From here on, it’s up to you, fifth brother…”
Li Tian Gang turned to look one last time at the distant walls, wondering if his fifth brother was there.
A pity, there would be no chance for a final farewell.
He chuckled softly, ready to avert his gaze but suddenly saw a black dot appear.
He was somewhat astonished, his eyes focusing to see clearly the figure within the shadow—it was unmistakably his younger sister.
Li Tian Gang’s heart jolted, immediately thinking of the distress signal he had just released. His original intention was to call for reinforcements from the stationed army within the defense line or the Four Stands Realm experts rushing to Liangzhou to reinforce the line.
Yet, the only one who came was his younger sister.
All alone.
Li Tian Gang’s complexion changed drastically, and he bellowed, “Hong Zhuang, don’t come over!!”
“Too late!”
As the voice echoed, six sinister presences of demon Qi had already descended behind Li Tian Gang.
Among them, an old vine demon raised its hand in anger, lashing out thousands of vine whips like lightning, intent on capturing Li Tian Gang to make up for previous failures.
Li Tian Gang roared furiously, his whole body surging with energy, as he drew his divine blade and slashed.
But at the same time, the other five Demon Kings also made their moves. With a thunderous crash, Li Tian Gang’s body was hurled backward, slamming into the ground, creating a deep pit, and sliding for over a hundred meters before coming to a stop.
The six Demon Kings moved like thunderbolts, pursuing him. But at that moment, a whooshing sound came from dozens of miles away.
Whoosh!
A battle flag soared through the air and, as it neared the six Demon Kings, it suddenly burst open.
Li Hong Zhuang had deliberately destroyed the battle flag to release the Sword Array.
A dazzling sword light swept out, pushing back the bodies of the six Demon Kings, but the sword light also dissipated.
Taking advantage of this brief moment, a second and a third battle flag flew in succession, landing in front of Li Tian Gang, shielding him.
Li Tian Gang had just climbed up from the ground, about to burst open his major meridians for a do-or-die battle, when he saw this unexpected turn of events.
He paused for a moment, still not fully comprehending what had happened when he saw Li Hongzhuang’s figure already rushing over, landing beside him.
“Seventh Brother, are you okay?”
Li Hongzhuang immediately shielded Li Tian Gang behind her, her face grim as she looked toward the six Demon Kings. Although she had battle flags on her back, she was somewhat apprehensive.
She had thought the situation at Fifth Brother’s side was bad enough, but the dangers facing Seventh Brother were even more perilous.
“Why did you come? Leave now!”
Li Tian Gang said angrily.
“We’ll leave together!”
Li Hongzhuang replied swiftly.
“Then no one will be able to escape!”
Li Tian Gang roared in fury, knowing full well Li Hongzhuang’s intentions, but at this dire moment, it was no time for sentimentality.
“It’s okay, with Hao Er’s battle flag for protection, we can escape!”
Li Hongzhuang spoke hastily.
Li Tian Gang thought he had heard wrong, his angry expression stopping short as he said:
“What did you say?”
His gaze shifted, and only then did he notice that the battle flag planted before him was unfurling, with the words Haotian fluttering on it.
That was Li Hao’s Hao!
“He’s here too?”
Li Tian Gang couldn’t help but want to look around.
Li Hongzhuang communicated through a whisper, “Hao Er is holding his position at Heavenly Gate Pass, only allowing me to bring his battle flag over as reinforcements.”
“What use is his battle flag…”
Li Tian Gang, upon learning Li Hao was still at Heavenly Gate Pass, couldn’t suppress the surge of anger within him.
In such a tense battle situation, they should be swiftly shrinking the defense line, and dying to defend Heavenly Gate Pass would only allow demons to break through from the sides.
If Liangzhou were lost, what would be the point of holding Heavenly Gate Pass?
Although annoyed, he knew Li Hao was too young. Although he had exceptional talent, he didn’t understand military strategy. But even if Li Hao didn’t understand, didn’t that Four Stances Peak Realm expert beside him?
Before Li Hongzhuang could explain the battle flag’s extraordinary use, the six Demon Kings before them had already stopped. The Sword Array released by the previously exploded battle flag had made them grave.
At that moment, seeing the numerous military flags on Li Hongzhuang’s back, they immediately thought of certain intelligence they had previously acquired.
Li Hongzhuang stared intently at the six Demon Kings, noticing their serious expressions and quickly realizing that these demons probably knew of Li Hao’s reputation.
What exactly had that child done to make these Demon Kings so wary of him?
Curiosity swelled within Li Hongzhuang, but unfortunately, she was no longer by Li Hao’s side to ask.
“Let’s go!”
She saw an opportunity and quickly told Li Tian Gang.
She took the lead to retreat, and Li Tian Gang, gritting his teeth, had no choice but to fight while retreating.
As the six Demon Kings were about to pursue, Li Hongzhuang detonated two battle flags on the ground.
Instantly, two streaks of Sword Qi shot out, hurtling toward the six Demon Kings.
Seeing this, Li Tian Gang had come to the realization that the sword energy launched from the previous exploding battle flag seemed not to be Li Hongzhuang’s attack, or some kind of concealed maneuver.
“What is this?” Li Tian Gang asked urgently.
“It’s a Sword Array,” Li Hongzhuang replied quickly. “Hao Er’s battle flags contain this Sword Array, comparable to an attack from the Tao Heart Realm.”
Li Tian Gang was stunned. These battle flags contained a Sword Array?
Based on his understanding of the Heavenly Observatory, it seemed impossible to achieve this; after all, the flags were too small, and even if an Array was condensed on the flags, it couldn’t possibly have the power of the Tao Heart Realm.
Was this a secret method of the Heavenly Observatory?
He was incredulous, but then considered that this covert method had been applied to Li Hao’s battle flag?
Having fought for more than a decade in Northern Yan, he had never received such aid from the Heavenly Observatory.
Or was it that they hadn’t developed it before?
Li Tian Gang suddenly remembered that Emperor Yu highly valued Li Hao, certain he was the Li Family’s next True Dragon, reportedly even bestowing the preeminent famous sword to Li Hao, including official rank and command.
It must be the Emperor’s favor… Li Tian Gang thought. No wonder that child could firmly hold Heavenly Gate Pass. With the Emperor’s secret support, these battle flags possessed such might; how could defending merely Heavenly Gate Pass be difficult?
The favors upon that child were even more than he imagined.
Even the Emperor had shown him such favor.
He sighed inwardly, ready to head back to Heavenly Gate Pass after the battle—if there was still a chance—to have a good talk.
Since Li Hao had received so much favor, from now on, as long as Li Hao refrained from doing anything out of line, he would not meddle any longer.