Chapter 124: The Great Enemy Approaches

After exchanging a few words with Xiao Ji, Ye Sansi found her remarkably familiar, like his own younger self before descending the mountain—innocent and pure, harboring dreams of great achievements, unable to bear seeing the innocent suffer.

Ye Sansi was quite fond of Xiao Ji. She possessed exceptional talent; though playful, she was diligent in her studies and kind-hearted. He felt she needed careful nurturing and was destined to become a great talent in the future.

Expressing his intentions clearly to Xiao Ji, Ye Sansi said, "You are gifted and have mastered the clan’s cultivation methods. Other advanced techniques should be easier for you to learn. If you want to protect your home and loved ones forever, you must train hard, play less, and never slack off. Do you understand what I’m saying?"

"Big Brother, Xiao Ji understands. I won’t play so much from now on. I will practice magic diligently and become strong, so I can protect the weak and keep them safe," she replied earnestly.

Pleased with her words, Ye Sansi smiled and said, "Good, very good. I heard your footwork surpasses even Auntie’s. Is that true?"

Xiao Ji beamed with pride and squinted her eyes in a smile. "Of course! Among our kind, no demon runs faster than me. I can cover a hundred steps in a single breath, sometimes even a thousand. Impressive, right?"

Ye Sansi nodded. "Impressive indeed. Compared to mortal techniques, it’s far superior. Could you demonstrate it for me?"

"Alright!" Xiao Ji jumped up, took a few steps forward, then faced Ye Sansi and explained how the technique worked. Essentially, it involved gathering magical power in the legs and arms, stepping wide, and swinging the arms rhythmically.

The technique sounded simple as Xiao Ji described it, but Ye Sansi realized immediately that he could never master it. The method was peculiar and exclusive to their clan. If he tried to cultivate it, it wouldn’t be effective and might even injure his muscles and bones.

After the demonstration, Ye Sansi stood, clapped his hands, and laughed. "Xiao Ji, this footwork is truly formidable. With more practice, it wields great power. Unfortunately, I am but a mortal body and cannot withstand the overwhelming force of this magic, or else..."

"Lord Step Cloud!" a voice called from afar.

Xiao Ji quickly said, "It’s Auntie!"

Ye Sansi turned his head to see the rabbit demon rushing over anxiously. She hurried up to him and asked, "Sister-in-law, what’s wrong? You look so worried. What happened?"

"Step Cloud King, you must hurry to the royal hall. There’s new battle news that requires your decision. Judging by the other demon king’s urgency, it’s serious, so I came to find you..."

"Very well, Sister-in-law. I will head there at once." With that, Ye Sansi summoned his heavenly fury, leapt onto his sword, and sped toward the royal hall.

The journey was swift. Upon arrival, Peng Xian immediately pulled Ye Sansi aside, saying, "Third Brother, you’ve finally come."

Ye Sansi took his seat on the throne as Peng Xian addressed the guards, "Inform Step Cloud King again about the demon army’s situation."

"By order of Step Cloud King, all guards in the outer villages have retreated inside the border, leaving only two skilled brothers outside to scout. We are stationed near the spirit stones within the border. At noon, news arrived that the demon army has reached Lingzhou territory and is advancing rapidly. They may reach the outer villages within three days."

Ye Sansi smiled, "Is that all? No need to rush. Tell the scouts outside to be extremely cautious. When the army nears the border, they must retreat quickly without engaging. Lives are precious. Dismissed."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

The inner hall was deserted except for the three kings. Peng Xian frowned, troubled. Ye Sansi noticed and smiled, "Big Brother, worried about my formation?"

Peng Xian shook off his thoughts and smiled, "Of course, I trust your strategy as the best. But I originally planned to set defenses in the outer villages. Though some of our demons would die, the might of our demon realm would be evident, and the enemy would be intimidated, losing morale. Future battles would be easier. Yet you withdrew the guards. I don’t understand why."

Ye Sansi stood and gestured, "I understand your intent, but think about it. The guards in the outer villages are elite demons, fierce warriors. Can you really bear to let them die in vain? They can fight a hundred in the border, but only a dozen outside. Is it worth it?"

Peng Xian was speechless.

Ouyang bluntly said, "Third Brother, we have over a thousand elite demons. Only a few dozen are sent out. Even if they all die, it won’t weaken our power. Plus, it will demoralize the enemy. Isn’t that a good tactic?"

Ouyang shouldn’t have said that in front of Ye Sansi. Peng Xian signaled repeatedly, but Ouyang was oblivious.

Peng Xian quickly interjected, "Third Brother, Second Brother didn’t mean it that way..."

Ye Sansi raised his voice, "Big Brother, no need to explain. I understand Second Brother’s intent—to sacrifice a few dozen demons for a better situation. Though it’s a good tactic, I lack the heart to be so ruthless. Knowing that sending them out is a death sentence, yet calling it guarding—it’s absurd. With such a fierce army, what guarding is there?"

Realizing the gravity of his words, Ouyang wanted to explain, "Third Brother, I..."

"Second Brother, your plan was excellent. I am narrow-minded and weak-hearted, unable to make imperial judgments. I should not have doubted your wisdom. The military prestige you seek—I will earn it alone!" With that, Ye Sansi soared into the air on his sword, departing the hall.

Ouyang wanted to follow but was stopped by Peng Xian, who shook his head and said, "Second Brother, no need to chase. Third Brother must have gone to the outer villages."

"But... but, Big Brother, that’s too dangerous!"

Peng Xian scolded, "You know it’s dangerous, so why say such cruel words in front of Third Brother? He lives among us demons as a brother for a month already. Now you speak of sacrificing dozens of soldiers as if it means nothing to our realm. How dare you say such things..."

"What do we do now? We can’t let Third Brother face the demon army alone. No, I’ll go bring him back."

Peng Xian stood and shouted, "Too late! I don’t know what to say to you. Haven’t you heard that Third Brother was speaking in anger? We are brothers—he bears no grudge. He knows his limits. After killing a dozen enemies and establishing his prestige, he will return. You must stop bothering him."

"But I still worry. Knowing his bottom line, and yet speaking so harshly... if he encounters danger, as his elder brother, I..."

"Second Brother, listen to me honestly. You’ve been king of this demon realm for nearly a thousand years. Though the realm grows, in this past month, I have observed that Third Brother’s imperial talent far surpasses yours. He acts with measure, knowing what is worth and what isn’t. The realm is loyal to him. The soldiers and demon officials answer his orders without complaint. You should reflect on that. After we repel the demon army, Third Brother will leave. I will take my family and Xiao Ji to the mortal world for a visit. Then the realm’s fate will rest with you. Don’t... sigh, never mind."

Ouyang, once a king, respected courtly etiquette and had difficulty hearing such candid words from Peng Xian, but as brothers, Peng Xian spoke sincerely. Ouyang accepted the lesson humbly and reflected—he was indeed no match for Ye Sansi.

Peng Xian patted Ouyang’s back and smiled, "Alright, it’s all in the past. If you find my words reasonable, remember them. If not, then forget them."

"Reasonable, very reasonable. Big Brother’s guidance is treasured in my heart."

"Good, Second Brother. See, Third Brother’s departure gained us military prestige. We cannot idle. Didn’t Third Brother mention defense plans in the realm? Gather the key officers and arrange everything."

"Understood."

Half an incense stick later, the royal hall was half full. Standing were the generals guarding the front lines, all stern and fierce, burning with hatred for the demon army and ready to strike upon command.

Ouyang slowly asked, "Do you want to kill the enemy?"

They shouted in unison, "Yes!"

"Do you want to protect the people?"

"Yes!"

"Very well. Our soldiers should have such spirit. But how to kill the enemy and protect the people must follow my orders. No lingering in battle, no delaying the overall plan. Understand?"

"Understood!"

Following Ye Sansi’s strategy, Ouyang ordered, "General Bat, lead your airborne troops to defend the front hall’s natural pass. Use iron chains as a first defense line; keep it intact. Cut the second line. Hold the third line at the front peak. If the enemy numbers over a hundred, fight. If over five hundred, cut the chains and retreat. Do not linger."

"Yes, sir!"

"General Snake, your troops excel in stealth and master potent poisons. You are fit for ambushes, killing many before the enemy notices. Agile and capable of climbing mountains and sheer cliffs, suitable for quick retreats. Attack the enemy’s natural pass. If the enemy is scattered, let them pass. If grouped, wipe them out. If discovered, retreat immediately. Again, no lingering!"

"Yes, sir!"

"Once the army passes the front hall, General Bat’s troops should have withdrawn behind the stone wall. Then, we wait. Those mountainous mists obscure their vision, and our sealed formation traps them. They will recklessly fly around, falling repeatedly into the abyss with no hope of rescue..."

Some generals impatient with Ouyang’s instructions stepped forward. One bowed and asked, "Your Majesty, what shall we do? We can’t just hide behind and watch our brothers fight. It’s frustrating to think about."

Ouyang smiled, "Your beast forms are fierce and powerful, brave in battle. With such a will to kill, how could I let you sit idle? What Generals Bat and Snake do is to slowly wear down the enemy, breaking their momentum. As for you, I will personally lead you to defend the stone wall line and confront the demon army head-on. Behind us are our demon people. We will fight to the death and yield not an inch!"

The assembled soldiers cheered, "Long live the wise king! Long live the wise king!"

Hearing their cheers, Ouyang’s heart ached. He whispered to himself, "How can I claim to be wise... Third Brother’s defenses are airtight, well thought out, every step a deadly move. How could I doubt him? Foolishly speaking out and causing him to leave and face the enemy alone... As his elder brother, how can I rest easy?"

...