74. The Furious Slash

“Hahaha, it was their own foolishness—so foolish they handed you such a grand, perfect excuse. Otherwise, now you’d only be the Lord of the City of Death, wouldn’t you?”

“I never intended to rule a nation. I simply wanted to manage my City of Death. But they provoked us, so we had no choice but to fight.” Mo Fei smiled bitterly. He truly had no desire to be the sovereign of an empire. As for the other realms, whenever they heard about the Death Empire mobilizing its armies, they would spiral into wild speculation, wondering if the Death Empire had set its sights on them.

“I understand,” said the Emperor of the Flying Dragon Empire, perhaps seeing something more. “From the moment you refused the Domar Empire, I knew you had no intention of founding an empire. I imagine your empire isn’t even governed by you, is it? Hahaha…”

“From Mist City to the City of Death, I’ve never concerned myself with governance. I only wished for freedom, and for my friends to live well, free from bullying. I never sought grand ambitions, such as ruling the world. Nothing compares to traveling the continent with friends or loved ones.”

“I envy my fourth brother. Our father meant to pass the throne to him, but he departed the capital with his beloved, saying not a word. My second brother was even more decisive—he declared himself unsuited for the crown and freed himself. I, delighted, took the throne, only to discover it was never what I wanted. Yet once seated, I cannot leave, and must ever guard against those who covet it.” The old king chuckled. “Like my royal uncle—if I were to peacefully relinquish the throne to him, he would only rest easy after exterminating my entire family. So, even if not for myself, I must protect this position for my family. Alas!”

Like old friends who had known each other for decades, the two walked atop the city walls. Only a handful of guards accompanied them. Amid such strict vigilance, where could be safer than the ramparts themselves?

……

Another dawn broke, and Mo Fei, ever accustomed to early rising, awoke. He had sent messengers back to the City of Death, hoping to bring fortress ballistae before Demon Island’s armies arrived at the gates. He had thought he could drive Demon Island back to the sea right there on the shore. Previous victories had made him optimistic, until he learned Demon Island was not so easily dealt with. After that, he felt deeply uncertain about everything.

Had this continent’s great warriors all perished in the war a hundred years ago? What was the Holy Alliance, then? How had he so smoothly established an empire? He had met many fighters, even experts, but none had been his match. What was the cause? Had he underestimated this land? Was his Golden Core cultivation truly invincible here?

Facing millions of enemies, even if Mo Fei’s strength was unmatched, how many could he slay alone? Ultimately, he would have to rely on ordinary armies to resist Demon Island’s invasion.

……

Finally, the generals of the various empires who had received the retreat order led their troops into Sky Dragon City. Mo Fei watched, his anger simmering. But he waited, waited for the return of the dwarf general.

Another day passed. General Wood of the Dragon Rock Empire and General Long of the Flying Dragon Empire arrived at Sky Dragon City, bringing tens of thousands of wounded.

……

Time crawled by. Three days later, Mo Fei’s elite heavy cavalry, whom he had sent out, finally brought back General Hilay. None of the covering troops were unscathed; the best were only lightly wounded. In the fierce battles to protect their retreat, hundreds had fallen forever in those forests.

“Lord…” General Hilay, the dwarf, could not hold back his tears when he saw Mo Fei. He had failed to bring all his brothers home. Now, “Your Majesty” was too small a title to express his feelings.

“Stand,” Mo Fei said, helping Hilay up. “You’ve done well. It was my negligence—I never expected Demon Island to be so ferocious. The fault is mine.”

“Lord, I—”

“Take your men and rest. Soon, you may have to fight for your lives again.” Mo Fei looked at the pursuing vanguard of Demon Island, rage rising in his chest. So few dared chase so quickly? Did they think his ten thousand heavy cavalry were mere tofu?

“Open the gates! Heavy cavalry, charge—crush them!”

At Mo Fei’s command, the city gates swung wide. The waiting heavy cavalry surged forth like a hurricane.

The vanguard of Demon Island, numbering over ten thousand, were fierce warriors armed with shields and cleavers. Their crude shields suggested they were hastily made, scared of crossbow bolts.

They had enjoyed hunting down their foes, never expecting to be cut off from the main force. After days of pursuit, they were exhausted. Now, seeing themselves inside an enemy city, uncertain which, they sensed disaster. They sought defensible ground to await reinforcements when a tremendous noise rolled over them.

A wave of black, full of murderous intent, swept forward like a storm. These weary soldiers, however fierce, were no match for the Death Empire’s heavy cavalry. Before they could react, a hail of arrows fell. These arrows were different from those before—dense and deadly, they stunned the vanguard. As they tried to resist, the massive iron hooves of magical beasts trampled mercilessly, splattering blood.

Swiftly, the heavy cavalry wheeled and charged again, sweeping over the few remaining Demon Island warriors. Now, these ruthless elites tasted fear. Most hadn’t reached the forest before being nailed to the ground by roaring giant arrows.

In the distance, Demon Island’s main force appeared. But the vanguard, save for a few dozen who fled into the woods, lay dead—a field of corpses and blood. Two charges, and ten thousand elite troops were annihilated, almost none survived.

As Demon Island’s army arrived, the heavy cavalry returned to the city. This battle emboldened those soldiers who had not yet faced Demon Island.

Mo Fei knew, however, that he had merely caught the enemy off guard. To pit rested heavy cavalry against a worn-out, exhausted force—if he failed, there would be nothing to say.

After ordering strict defenses, Mo Fei descended from the city walls, returned to the allied camp, and instructed the entire army to assemble.

“Boom! Boom! Boom!” Three summons drums sounded, and over a hundred thousand allied troops gathered. The leading generals and deputies stood at the front.

Mo Fei stepped from the main tent, gazing at the massed imperial armies, his anger rising.

“Seize them!”

The imperial generals had not expected such a command after being assembled. In a moment of confusion, berserker guards swept in like wolves, quickly subduing and binding all thirty or so generals and deputies.

The hundred thousand soldiers immediately stirred.

“Any who dare move will be slain!” Mo Fei’s voice rang out. The ten thousand heavy cavalry who had just returned formed up for attack, raising their giant crossbows. Around them, twenty thousand elven light cavalry and crossbowmen encircled the crowd.

Moments ago, from the city walls, these heavy cavalry had wiped out the Demon Island vanguard that had driven them to despair. Now, no matter their numbers, it was meaningless. After a brief commotion, the hundred thousand soldiers fell silent.

“Execute!”

No explanations were offered, no words given. Mo Fei’s command sent thirty heads rolling.

Mo Fei stood before the army. Having dealt with their commanders, he still needed these troops.

“You, as soldiers, your duty is to obey orders. Look at yourselves—in all your battles, did you ever face your enemies? Are you all mice? At the sight of the enemy, you flee!”

The imperial army bowed their heads, ashamed. Cowardice is the greatest disgrace for a soldier.

Mo Fei took a breath and continued, “Do you think Demon Island will stop at conquering the Flying Dragon Empire? They’ve come with over a thousand warships—do you really think you’re only here to ‘help’ the Flying Dragon Empire fight? Why did the Death Empire come? In this continent, we do as we please. Do you think we would commit our entire empire’s strength just for the Flying Dragon Empire? If we can intercept Demon Island here, the war will remain in the Flying Dragon Empire, not at your homes. Consider this—do you want Demon Island’s armies invading your empire? Will you only resist when Demon Island reaches your homeland?”