Rise of The Demon General

Chapter 588: Chapter 588. The Arrival of Khode’s Reinforcement Army

Lin Xiaolong looked at Amon in confusion. He didn’t recognize the man. But from the way the man talked, he sounded like they were old acquaintances.

”Who are you?” Lin Xiaolong asked. He wanted to approach Amon, but was chained to the wall, so he couldn’t move.

Amon chuckled. ”You don’t recognize me. I’m not surprised. We were still kids when we last saw one another.”

Amon’s words puzzled Lin Xiaolong even more. Amon walked closer, crossed his arms, and stood still before Lin Xiaolong, allowing his captive to scrutinize him. It was almost a full minute before Lin Xiaolong’s eyes expressed realization.

”You... You...? No... It can’t be...,” Lin Xiaolong uttered incoherently.

A slight smile appeared in the corner of Amon’s mouth. He asked, ”Who do you think I am?”

”You... Are you Lin Mo...?” Lin Xiaolong asked. He was still uncertain about his guess.

”I go by the name Amon now. These days, people call me General Amon.”

”Ge... General?” Lin Xiaolong couldn’t believe his ears. Amon was only a few years younger than him. He never knew anyone outside the nobility who attained such a high rank at such a young age.

”Nothing impressive about it,” Amon said. ”I would have a higher rank if not for someone going back on his promise. Anyway, I’m impressed with you. You managed to cross Khode’s border. When did you come here? Was it after the Lin Clan was annihilated by the kingdom?”

Hearing that, Lin Xiaolong turned away. A bitter expression decorated his face. ”Screw you, you traitor. If you are a general, then you are one of Echos’ dogs! Pah! I don’t find it surprising. You are never a true member of the Lin Clan anyway. Madam Lin should have never taken you in!”

”Mm... Why do you call me a traitor?” Amon asked.

”What other title is more suitable for you? Echos Kingdom massacred our clan, and now you are one of them! You lick the boots of the people who slew your clan! For what? For wealth? For a high rank? You are a disgrace!”

”Mm... Tell me then. What have you done for our so-called clan? Other than fleeing for your life?”

”How dare you...!!” Lin Xiaolong pulled at his chains. He wanted to lunge at Amon.

Amon was not perturbed by Lin Xiaolong’s display of hostility. He calmly asked, ”Did you join the Khode Army to exact vengeance?”

Lin Xiaolong continued to show hostile gestures. Amon ignored him. He calmly waited for Lin Xiaolong’s reply. After a while, Lin Xiaolong slumped with a defeated look. He was tired physically and mentally. He continued to be silent for a bit more before saying, ”When I heard Khode planned for an invasion of Echos, I immediately joined their army. I thought it was the chance for us to have our revenge.”

”Were you in the army that invaded Echos?” Amon asked.

”No... I requested it, but they knew I was from Echos. They accepted me into their military but didn’t trust me enough to include me in the invasion force. I was stationed at Weylun Fort instead.”

”Must be frustrating. Thinking you have found a way for revenge, only to be denied.”

”Fuck you! What do you know about revenge?” Lin Xiaolong scolded.

”For one, I have already pulled it off,” Amon replied.

”... Pull what off?” Lin Xiaolong asked, confused.

”Revenge for the Lin Clan, of course. Isn’t that our topic of discussion?” Amon replied.

Lin Xiaolong’s expression froze upon hearing the statement. He was still trying to process the meaning behind Amon’s words when Amon resumed his speech.

”The three main perpetrators of Lin Clan’s demise were the Wei Clan, Yan Clan, and a corrupt kingdom official named Pu Zhang. I have eradicated both clans and slew Pu Zhang. There is no one else left for you to take revenge on.”

Lin Xiaolong found Amon’s claim hard to believe. He remained silent while his mind tried to make sense of the news. His first thought was that Amon was trying to trick him, but for what purpose?

”It is understandable if you don’t believe me,” Amon said, as if reading his mind. ”I bet you were on the run since the massacre. You must have crossed into Khode soon after that, so you are not informed about what happened in Echos.”

That was indeed the case. During the massacre, the clan elders sacrificed themselves so that a few young descendants, including Lin Xiaolong, could escape. These descendants headed West, assumed fake names to avoid capture. When they reached the border, one of them came across an underworld group that could smuggle people into Khode. They didn’t want to spend their entire lives looking over their shoulders, so they used all their treasures and paid the group to help them cross the border into Khode.

Hearing Amon’s claim reminded him of some news he had heard not long before he left Echos. He was aware of the news because it was news from his hometown, White Cloud City. The news mentioned that a prominent and rising clan had been wiped out overnight. He didn’t get the chance to find out which clan was the one mentioned in the news. Could it be the Wei Clan?

He was still unsure whether to believe Amon’s claim. He asked, ”What about the Echos General? The one who murdered our clan master.... I can’t remember his name... I think it is Jiang something...”

”He is also no longer in this world,” Amon answered. ”Sadly, his death is not by my deed. He died during the competition of the Ancient Ascension Trial to elect the new king.”

”Echos has a new king?” Lin Xiaolong was taken aback by the news.

”Yes, the new king is a friend of mine from the Royal Academy,” Amon said. ”This new king is aware that the Lin Clan was framed by Pu Zhang. He has already cleared the status of the Lin Clan. Even if you return to Echos, you will no longer be hunted.”

Lin Xiaolong returned to silence. It was a lot to take in. If what Amon said was true, then there was no target for him anymore. So, where should he direct all his rage? What was his suffering all this time for? His current purpose in life was to exact his vengeance. Was that purpose also gone now?

”I know this is a lot to take in,” Amon said. ”I keep you chained so you can listen to me without much of a fuss. I will order my people to unchain you and bring you to an inn where you can rest. That is all.”

Amon turned around and signaled the soldier standing by outside. This soldier went in to release Lin Xiaolong’s chain.

Before Amon walked out the door, Lin Xiaolong asked, ”What about my other clansmen?”

”I saw them during the battle and captured them as well. I have instructed my people to release them. They will be sent to the same inn as you. You can explain the situation to them there. I, however, don’t know if I spotted all the Lin Clan’s members in the Khode Army. Those who are not in the inn might have been killed during the battle.”

Lin Xiaolong gritted his teeth. He and the other members of the Lin Clan tried their best to stick together during the battle, but things had become too chaotic during the retreat. It would be a miracle if all of them survive. He didn’t dare to hope too much.

Before leaving, Amon added, ”I will give you and the Lin Clan members the freedom to roam this town, but no one is allowed to leave until you let me know your plan. Whether you wish to return to Echos, remain in Khode, or join me.”

”Join you...?” Lin Xiaolong asked.

”It’s an option. I will leave it to you to decide,” Amon replied.

*

The next day, the Khode Army of fifty thousand strong approached Surly Gate Town from the North. Almost one-third of the army was comprised of battle puppets. This massive army traveled along the side of the Surly Mountain Range.

At the head of the army was a middle-aged woman in mechanical battle armor. She rode a large chariot pulled by several horses. Words of power adorned the surface of the chariot.

When Surly Gate Town became visible in the distance, she instructed the army to slow down and assume a formation that allowed them to march with more vigilance. She didn’t think there would be any, but told her soldiers to be alert in case of an enemy ambush.

Instead of the enemy, it was their allies who showed up. Xuang Feng came flying down with his soldiers.

”General Zee Min,” Xuang Feng greeted the armored woman riding the chariot. ”I’m glad they sent you.”

”General Xuang Feng,” Zee Min replied to the greeting. ”I thought you were sieging the enemy from the Eastern Side of Surly Gate Town? What are you doing here?”

Xuang Feng lowered his head in shame when he replied, ”I’m regretful to say that my army has been decimated by the enemy...”