Chapter 109: Too Late to Realize: The Fall of Yingchun City

High atop the city walls of Heavenfire City’s tallest tower, Yu Wenrong stood gazing down at the Demon Race’s sprawling camp below. A growing sense of dread gnawed at him—the demon encampment was nearly deserted.

Thinking back on the Demon Race’s recent actions, Yu Wenrong could only feel more confused. These demons kept launching reckless, relentless attacks, almost as if they were intentionally trying to pin down the Human Race’s massive army right here.

A chilling suspicion crept into Yu Wenrong’s mind. He didn’t waste another second—he called the commanders together for an urgent discussion.

In the grand council hall, more than a dozen battle-hardened generals sat arrayed. The air was tense, each man’s face set and grave.

When Yu Wenrong saw the time was right, he shot to his feet and spoke with heavy resolve. “Everyone, something about the Demon Race has been off these past days. Every day they come charging to their deaths, sending only the old, the weak and the sick.”

“We haven’t seen any trace of their elite troops in days. I seriously suspect they’re drawing us away from something more important. The demons left here are just bait meant to distract us!”

“Their main force is long gone,” Yu Wenrong sighed, heavily sinking back into his seat.

The veterans exchanged uneasy looks, shock flashing across their faces. “Wha—what? Is this really true? I knew something was wrong, the Demon Race feels so weak these days!”

Fan Pei jumped up and slammed a fist onto the table, eyes blazing with anger. “This is bad! If what you’re saying is true, then aren’t those missing demon forces already attacking another city?!”

“If that’s so, what should we do? Two days have already passed—we’re far too late to catch up!” sighed another general, casting his eyes helplessly to the heavens.

Unfazed, Fan Deng looked around the room. “If you ask me, we need to seize the initiative. Let’s strike now, crush the demon camp. If the main force is gone, we capture the stragglers and interrogate them. If not, then we’ll fight them head-on!”

“Alright, we’ll go with Brother Fan Deng’s plan,” Yu Wenrong decided. He turned to the assembled officers, command clear in his voice. “Generals, prepare your troops. Today we’ll ride out and wipe the Demons from the land!”

“General Yu Wen, we await your command. We’ll make ready at once!” The officers saluted, then hurried out in formation.

………………

Meanwhile, at Yingchun City.

Bruce and Kasao led three hundred fifty thousand Demon Sovereign late-stage warriors and one thousand early-stage Demon Sovereigns, their army sweeping forward like a tidal wave. Every living thing in their path was mercilessly silenced.

They arrived at the huge gates of Yingchun City just as night started to fall. Inside, the city hummed with peace and laughter, everything serene and unchanged.

But all that was shattered by a solemn, heavy sound—a deep, booming bell. Dang, dang, dang! The ancient city bell, silent for millennia, was suddenly struck.

When Yingchun City’s bell tolled, everyone knew it meant disaster had come. Smiles froze instantly, and every cheerful conversation died on the spot.

“The Demons are attacking!” A panicked shout tore through the silence.

Vendors rushed to gather their goods and sprinted home. Neighbors dashed indoors, bolting windows and doors, hoping to escape disaster.

Light blazed from every house. Some residents cowered in corners. Others snuffed out their lamps and squeezed beneath beds. Everyone had their own desperate way to hide.

Outside the city, Bruce and Kasao looked on as the once-bright city was swallowed by a suffocating darkness. It was almost insulting—like the people inside thought hiding would save them.

Kasao’s face went pale as death. He barked his orders. “Those damn humans think they’re safe just because they turned off the lights? No one leaves—lock the gates!”

The 350,000 Demon warriors behind him moved like a thunderstorm—dark shapes darted into the city, their arrival a whipping storm of wind and death.

Yingchun’s gate guards didn’t even see the threat coming before their skulls were crushed. Blood and brains flowed across the stones—their last moment filled with shock and disbelief.

Moments later, the city’s heavy gates slammed shut, locking everyone inside like fish in a barrel.

Fire lit up the vast city, screams and wails echoing everywhere. Those hiding near the gates stood no chance—the demons hunted every last one with ruthless patience.

No matter how deep anyone hid, they were dragged out and executed, eyes full of disbelief as they fell in pools of blood. In no time, the outer city was lost to the Demon onslaught.

Beams of sword-light flashed into the sky as several Sword Emperor Realm cultivators rose up to fight. They battled desperately, but even their valor wasn’t enough. Outnumbered, they died bitter and ashamed.

………………

Back at the former site of Heavenfire City.

Humans and Demons both had set up camp here. On the Human side, the cavalry was fully armed, armor gleaming, lances in hand and eyes locked ahead.

The warhorses beneath them snorted, crimson-eyed and restless, ready to charge at any moment.

Yu Wenrong, clad in heavy armor, led the Armor-Breaking Army. As he watched the Demon base, distant flames flickered on the horizon, his mind churned with emotion.

If the Demons were only hiding in the shadows, waiting to ambush, there would be heavy losses for sure. But if their main force had truly slipped away, it was even more dangerous—they had no clue where the enemy had gone. Who knew which of the three other great cities the Demons would strike next?

“All forces, prepare for battle—wipe them all out!” Yu Wenrong gave up second-guessing. Mounting his horse, he led the Armor-Breaking Army straight for the Demon encampment.

Everyone surged after Yu Wenrong, shadows darting ahead like a storm. The ground trembled beneath their charge—nearby rocks even bounced and tumbled down.

Over in the Demon base, the relaxed demon soldiers were jolted by the thunder of hooves and the earth’s sudden quake—their snacks and bowls crashed all over the place.

A moment later, the million-strong cavalry poured in. One demon soldier, shaking violently, barely managed to stand as he rushed into the main tent.

“G-general Frando, the humans are attacking! They’re coming at us with full force! Shouldn’t we run while we still have a chance?!” His terrified voice echoed through the command tent.

“Run? This is the moment to lay down our lives for the Demon cause! You’d rather flee like a coward?” Frando emerged from the tent, helmet in hand.

The trembling soldier’s face was pure fear. “General Frando, with so few of us left, isn’t fighting to the death just suicide? Wouldn’t it be wiser to retreat and fight another day, instead of a pointless slaughter?”

Frando’s eyes went cold as ice; his rage was volcanic. “You coward! On the eve of battle, you dare shake our army’s resolve? If not for the coming fight, I’d have you killed where you stand!”

“Even if you slay me today, General Frando, I won’t keep silent—don’t let our brothers waste their lives in vain!” the soldier cried, falling heavily to his knees.

Frando jabbed a finger at him, sneering, “Too late now! Ha! For our cause, I’ll face death without flinching. Humans, let me show you what true resolve looks like!”

The wounded, elderly, and sick few thousand Demons barely lasted a second under the cavalry’s repeated assaults. They were butchered, heads rolling on the blood-soaked ground.

Corpses sprawled everywhere—a mountain of the dead left behind as the cavalry advanced on the Demon headquarters. Aside from a cluster near the command tent, the rest had all perished.

A Human commander named Alimu led his troops in the charge for the main tent.

Frando, now effectively alone, let out a wild roar and burst forward, launching himself straight at the encircling humans.

The kneeling demon and a handful of others snatched up their weapons and followed Frando, throwing themselves into the fray with reckless abandon.

In that instant, several less powerful human soldiers were killed, their skulls crushed by Frando’s hands—blood splattering everywhere. The survivors watched, hearts pounding, as Frando fought on, refusing to die quietly.

Alimu shouted, “Don’t waste your strength! Death is all that awaits you now—any resistance is pointless!”

The human warriors exchanged glances, then instantly sprang at Frando all at once.

Frando’s eyes shone crimson, his face smeared with blood and stretched into a feral grin. “I’ve never felt so alive! Come on, show me what you’ve got—let’s see if you’re worthy to end me!”

With a roar, Frando’s frail body suddenly swelled with power; mid-tier Demon Sovereign Realm energy exploded from him.

The shockwave sent the human soldiers flying for miles. The weaker ones died instantly—others struggled to crawl back to their feet.

Alimu wiped blood from his mouth, scorn evident in his eyes. “You’re strong, I’ll give you that. But I don’t kill nameless men—name yourself!”

Looking at Alimu’s battered figure, Frando snickered, “You humans love your little games, even when you’re about to die? Fine, I’ll grant your wish before you fall. Remember this name—Frando!”

Alimu flashed a bright smile. “Frando, remember the man who ends you—my name is Alimu!”

“It’s your honor to die by my spear. Plum Blossom Spear, Final Form: Hatred in the Next Life!” With that, Alimu surged with Sword Emperor Realm Fifth Layer power and shot forward, spear flickering like lightning toward Frando’s head.

He stabbed twice—one aiming for the skull, one for the chest—creating the perfect feint, a blur of real and false strikes.

Frando put everything into blocking the headshot, stopping it easily.

“Cheap trick, haha!” Frando caught the blow, but his eyes went wide when Alimu’s spear struck his chest. “You underhanded scum, a sneak attack?!”

“War is rife with deception—the winner takes it all!” Alimu twirled his spear, spinning away with swagger.

Watching Alimu’s retreating back, Frando grinned through blood. “So what if I’ve lost? Our two Marshals have already slipped away and are heading for three other major cities even as you gloat. My mission is already complete!”

“Human, let’s meet in the afterlife!” Frando’s face darkened with resolve. His body erupted, charging at Alimu in a suicide attack.

Alimu panicked, shouting, “Damn it, you think you’ll drag me down with you? No way!”

“Plum Blossom Spear, Secret Art: Hundred-Mile Freeze—Winter Plum!” Alimu spun his spear, as snow began to fall around him, a faint fragrance of plum blossoms filling the air. The space froze solid in an instant.

“Curse this move—what is it?! I can’t accept this!” Caught off guard, Frando was instantly frozen into an ice statue, then shattered in a blazing explosion that lit the sky before being snuffed out forever.

“Plum blossoms fade and only bitter cold remains. Dying to this technique—you can be proud,” Alimu gasped, collapsing from exhaustion.

Within an hour, all sixty thousand Demon soldiers at the base had fought to the last and were utterly annihilated.

………………

Back at Yingchun City.

Bruce and Kasao needed less than three hours to sweep through the massive city. Every living thing in their path, even stray dogs and chickens, was killed.

Soon, Yingchun City—a metropolis of over ten million—was reduced to ruins. Every strong defender was overwhelmed, no matter how great their skills.

In the end, not a single soul was spared.

Corpses covered the land, their number uncountable, rivers of blood flowing under the gates.

The bodies of millions piled up outside the city, forming hills dozens of meters high. The city’s Lord, Li Da, was beheaded and his head hung above the city entrance.

After thousands of years of glory, Yingchun City—once unshakable—was wiped off the map, crushed beneath the overwhelming power of the Demon Race.