Chapter 107: Empty City Strategy: Speed is of the Essence, The Army Marches South

“Report! A messenger from the right flank has arrived with urgent news!” The shout outside the command tent finally put an end to Muyan’s immediate crisis.

Muyan’s face lit up with relief. “Excellent, bring him in at once.”

“Yes, sir.” The guard at the entrance nodded and quickly walked off.

“Messenger of the right-wing army, reporting to Commander Muyan!” In the next instant, a shadow appeared and saluted.

Beaming with joy, Muyan stepped forward to help him up. “No need to be so formal. Does Moran have something urgent to relay?”

The messenger nodded vigorously, voice serious. “Yes, Commander Moran sent me to ask you to meet with him right away—he has important matters to discuss.”

“All right, let’s head out together.” Muyan patted his own face, locking eyes with the messenger, and then the two of them set out.

………………

Inside the command tent, Moran paced restlessly, anxiety straining his features. The arrival of two figures behind him broke his train of thought, and his gloomy face instantly brightened with a wide smile.

Grabbing Muyan’s hand, Moran’s face was full of excitement. “Muyan, you’re finally here! I felt like I’d been waiting forever!”

Muyan glanced at him with some confusion. “You seemed pretty anxious—what’s going on? Is something wrong?”

“It’s important. Really important. Sit first, we’ll talk.” Moran pulled a stool over for Muyan.

Clearing his throat, Moran met Muyan’s gaze, his voice weighty. “I called you here today because it’s time to break this deadlock. Right now, with both our armies locked in a standoff, no one is gaining any ground. If this keeps up, we’ll just waste away here.”

“I’m planning to use an information gap to our advantage, leaving the old, weak, and wounded to hold our current position and make it look like we’re still camped here, while our elite troops break into three forces and slip away.”

“Among the three second-tier Human cities, Sky Sword City, Vast Sea City, Heavenfire City, and Yingchun City, Heavenfire City is already rubble. Next, we’ll split up and outflank the Human patrols—do the unexpected and strike the other three!”

Moran’s face turned grave as he pointed at the map. “With those three cities as springboards, we’ll push north in full force. By the time they react, it’ll already be too late!”

Muyan hesitated, frowning. “But wouldn’t that mean sacrificing most of our warriors as bait? That feels a little too cruel.”

Moran slammed the table with frustration, voice booming. “Muyan, enough with the kindness! We’re at the point of no return. This is about the future of our people. Every warrior who falls will be remembered for their sacrifice!”

“I know what you’re saying… but I still can’t help feeling it’s too heartless,” Muyan tried again for compromise.

Moran strode forward and grabbed Muyan by the collar, shouting, “Sometimes you have to be decisive! No more ‘what ifs.’ The time to act is now—we catch them off guard!”

With no other choice, Muyan let out a long sigh. “If that’s the case, then fine. I’ll do as you say.”

Moments later, the Demon Race command tent was packed with all their generals.

Moran swept his gaze around, and once satisfied, pointed at the map to begin issuing orders. “Qatar and Bursa, take 300,000 of our elite and seize Sky Sword City!”

“Bruce and Kasao, you lead 350,000 to strike Yingchun City from the flanks. We’ll meet at Yingchun and push straight north together.”

“Vast Sea City will be trickier, so I’ll take Muyan and 200,000 to claim it. We’ll wait there for your arrival.”

“We await your command!” The officers dropped to one knee in unison.

Moran moved to Frando’s side, clapping him on the shoulder with a sigh. “Frando, I’ve got a job for you. It’s the most dangerous one. Even a small mistake could mean death. But the whole mission depends on it. Are you willing?”

Frando dropped to one knee and saluted respectfully, his eyes unwavering. “Commander, for the dream of unifying the continent, I’ll march into hell itself if I have to—I have no fear!”

“Frando, I apologize for what I said to you before. You’re no failure. Today, you’re a true warrior—one of the bravest of our people!” Bruce stood behind them, giving Frando a thumbs up.

Moran nodded with satisfaction and announced in a firm voice, “Frando, your orders—take the remaining 100,000 wounded and hold this position. Your task is to delay the Humans, create the illusion that we’re still camped here, buy us time, and cover our retreat. It’ll be a grueling fight—you’ll face a million Human soldiers!”

“Yes, sir! I swear to hold them back and keep those Humans pinned down. As long as I’m breathing, none of them will get past!” Frando stood up, determination clear in his eyes.

“Frando, the whole Demon Race will remember your sacrifice.” Moran turned away with a sweeping gesture. “Everyone, move out!”

The Demon generals saluted in turn and strode out of the tent.

Moving under the cover of night, hundreds of thousands of Demon soldiers vanished without a trace, like ghosts. The Humans never noticed a thing; from afar, the Demon camp glowed with lantern light and shadows moved like ants, so no one grew suspicious.

………………

At dawn, a dazzling ray of sunlight cut across the sky. The Demon generals, after marching all night, were already far from Heavenfire City.

Powerful and disciplined, the elite Demon armies surged toward the three major Human cities at breakneck speed.

Inside Heavenfire City, at the Human forward base, Yu Wenrong stood atop the city wall with the other generals, all of them studying the Demon encampment and trading theories.

“What’s with those Demon brats—they got scared this morning? Just huddling in camp and not daring to attack! Hahaha!” joked Fan Pei, a brawny veteran, grinning broadly at the sight.

A younger officer, Fan Deng, stared hard at the enemy and snickered. “Maybe those little upstarts finally got spooked—after the beating we gave them lately, it’s about time. Hahaha!”

Yu Wenrong let out a heavy sigh. “I can’t shake this bad feeling. By rights, the Demon Race should be getting restless now… They ought to be attacking, not holding back.”

“Ah, General Yu Wen, you’re overthinking it. Just look down there—what do you see?” Fan Deng and Fan Pei pointed below the walls.

Frando was there, leading a portion of 100,000 wounded in a sham assault, hoping to keep the Humans misled.

“Demon warriors, follow me and take this city! Let the Humans see the strength and faith of our people—charge!”

With a roar, Frando led 50,000 wounded like wild beasts unleashed, hurling themselves at the Human’s mighty cavalry.

“No need for you two to bother with this rabble. Leave them to me!” Fan Deng flashed a wicked grin and vaulted over the city wall. “Human warriors, ride with me—cut through them!”

The gate swung open and 50,000 cavalry thundered out in a line, spears at the ready, surging straight for the Demon ranks.

In moments, bodies littered the earth—screams and blood filled the air like a nightmare made real.

After a brief clash, 40,000 of the Demon’s wounded were cut down beneath the hooves of warhorses. Seeing his goal achieved, Frando staged a hasty retreat.

On the way back, some of the gravely wounded soldiers couldn’t help but ask, “General Frando, why did we make such a pointless sacrifice?”

Frando paused, head bowed with a heavy sigh. “Brothers, I’ve been hiding the truth from you. Our real job is to cover the army’s escape and serve as bait to tie down those million Human troops. Any moment now, our blood could stain this battlefield.”

“W-what? Does that mean we’re just being left behind?” The soldiers stared in shock, knees buckling as the truth hit them.

Frando spun around and roared, “Pull yourselves together! We’re the elite warriors of the Demon Race! Our sacrifice is paving the way for the main force. If we hold the line, the commanders will succeed in their plan!”

“We’re soldiers—falling in battle is an honor. Today we carry our mission. Warriors, rise!” Frando strode forward, hands behind his back.

At his words, the remaining Demon soldiers found their feet again, rallying behind Frando as they returned to base.