Rise of The Demon General

Chapter 595: Chapter 595. Resuming the Campaign

While his army was preparing to depart, Amon ordered a garrison of soldiers to fetch Hong Zi and Ha Velet and bring them to the town hall. The two arrived promptly, escorted by the soldiers.

”Have your two organizations come to a decision?” Amon asked the two.

”Not all our leaders are sold yet on what you proposed, but most agree if you keep your word of leaving the governing power to Khode’s native organizations, we are on board,” Hong Zi answered.

”It’s the same situation with the Charger Guild,” Ha Velet answered.

Amon grinned. He said, ”By native organizations, I’m pretty sure you mean the two organizations you represent. Have no fear. I’m a man of my word. I, of course, expect the same from your organizations. As long as you agree to my terms of tributes, levies, and send your armed forces when I call, I don’t care what you do to this country. You can rule it however you like.”

Hong Zi and Ha Velet didn’t reply immediately. Instead, they exchanged a meaningful glance, clearly sharing an unspoken understanding. Amon guessed that the two had met many times over the past two months to discuss his offer.

”After today, I will not be in this town,” Amon informed them. ”I don’t know how long until I return here, or if ever. I left Lieutenant General Wu Di in charge. If you have anything important to convey, you can contact him.”

”Are you going to march to the capital now?” Ha Velet asked.

”I am, but when I will get there is anyone’s guess,” Amon answered. ”I am sure it won’t be anytime soon, at least not within this year. So, whatever preparation you need to do, your organizations still have the time. I, however, advise you to pull out all your people dwelling in the settlements around the path from this town to the capital. Otherwise, don’t blame me if they walk into the crossfire.”

Hong Zi and Ha Velet again glanced at each other before saying, ”We will immediately issue a warning once we are back.”

Amon didn’t worry about Khode’s government knowing his intention due to the movements of these two organizations. Any conquest campaign will have the enemy’s capital as the main target. The minute his army resumed its march, all settlements between Surly Gate Town and Dabao City would go into alert.

If anything, he hoped the government would notice the two organizations’ swift actions as a sign that they cooperated with him. This way, he could pit them against each other, giving the High Council of Khode additional enemies to contend with.

”One more thing,” Amon said, stopping the two before they could leave. He gestured toward a man who had been standing silently to the side throughout the meeting. Up to this point, Hong Zi and Ha Velet had assumed the man was just a common guard.

”This man is Lin Xiaolong,” Amon introduced. ”He will head to the capital ahead of my army and be my proxy with your people there.”

”Can he enter the capital?” Ha Velet asked sceptically.

”He is not only a registered Khode Citizen but also its soldier,” Amon informed.

”He is...?” The two asked in surprise.

”He is,” Amon didn’t bother to explain. ”Though I doubt the Khode Army would trust him much, considering this invasion, I’m confident he at least will be allowed entry into the capital.”

Hong Zi nodded. ”I will inform my people in the capital about him. They will contact him once he is inside Dabao City.”

”Same,” Ha Velet said.

Amon grinned. ”I hope our cooperation goes smoothly. That will be all.”

After the two left, Amon asked Lin Xiaolong, ”Are you sure you want to be a part of this instead of returning to Echos?”

”I have already given you my answer last week. I am not a wishy-washy man. The Lin Clan members under me will join your force.”

”May I know what drives you to this decision?” Amon asked.

Lin Xiaolong was quiet for a while before answering, ”I left Echos but still have friends there, especially in White Cloud City. Before I left, I gave them some message talismans in case I had an urgent need to communicate. I contacted them after our reunion. What they informed me matched what you told me. You did not lie to me.”

”That’s all?” Amon asked.

”... No. The fire of vengeance inside me is still burning. Part of me is angry with you for having snatched the targets of my vengeance, leaving me without a life purpose. However, I realize one thing.”

”What did you realize?” Amon asked, intrigued.

”Although we didn’t communicate much in the past, I can see that you are an incredibly ambitious person even when you were a kid,” Lin Xiaolong answered. ”Meeting you again has reaffirmed my view of your character. I know serving under the king will not be enough for you. One day, you will swallow Echos.”

”That is... treasonous thought,” Amon uttered.

”Don’t worry. I have no problem with that,” Lin Xiaolong assured. ”If anything, I want to be a part of it. You have eliminated the main targets of my vengeance, leaving me with nothing to channel my fury. After contemplation, I realize I still hold Echos responsible for our clan’s demise, even if indirectly. I want to bring it down.”

”Hm...” Amon didn’t show either approval or refusal upon the statement. Instead, he asked, ”Will you listen to my every command?”

”I will listen to the devil if it helps me achieve the objective,” Lin Xiaolong answered.

”Very well. Then do as we have discussed. You and your people will go to Dabao City and carry out my instructions,” Amon said. He then placed one pill and one fruit on the table. ”And take these.”

”These are...” Lin Xiaolong stared at the two objects on the table. His Mystic Sense informed him that the two items were anything but usual, especially the fruit.

”I can sense that you are at the late stage of the Peak Mystic Stage. This fruit will help you reach its peak. As for the pill, it is the Spirit Pill. It will help you break through your cultivation chokepoint, but whether you succeed or not will depend entirely on you.”

”This...” Lin Xiaolong was speechless. What Amon described sounded like invaluable treasures to him.

”Take it as a pre-payment for your service. I will expect great things from you,” Amon said.

Lin Xiaolong was conflicted. He said, ”Why...? When you were in the Lin Clan, I never treated you well. I wouldn’t be surprised if you use your status to get back at me. Why treat me so well?”

Amon chuckled. ”Don’t get me wrong. I am neither a petty nor sentimental person. What I see in you is someone I can use, regardless of our history. Do not think that I will hesitate to discard you if I find you no longer of use to me. So, try your best to stay that way.”

”I see. I prefer that arrangement,” Lin Xiaolong said. He took the two items on the table.

”After you return, send two of your people who are registered Khode citizens. I need them to carry out a different task from you.”

”What is the task?” Lin Xiaolong asked.

”I will tell them after you sent them to me,” Amon replied with a grin.

*

Xin Wuming, Yong Baili, and Xu Bao had almost finished mobilizing the army. They lined up neatly outside Surly Gate Town, ready to march.

Amon met Wu Di and left some instructions. Wu Di asked why Amon didn’t bring him along as usual. Amon told him that he needed someone who could rule the people of Surly Gate Town with justice and fairness to keep this town going under their occupation. Amon told Wu Di that he was the best candidate for the role.

Wu Di was sceptical of Amon’s praise but didn’t refuse the job.

Amon left five thousand soldiers and the original eight Yuanxu Cannons to help Wu Di defend the town in case the enemy attacked. Continuous supplies and reinforcements would come from Echos thanks to the supply line they had established across the border.

The reinforcement would be soldiers recruited at Fort Fresh Maw via various unofficial channels rather than through the assignment from Echos’ Grand Barrack. This reinforcement would stop at Surly Gate Town before continuing to the front line with the supplies they brought.

Amon made another stop at the factory before departing. He left most of his followers with specialized jobs in the factory, except Zhong Yuan and Ah Bin. Amon needed Zhong Yuan for his expertise and his knowledge of the locals. Zhong Yuan had already taught everyone how to fully utilize the facilities inside the factory. They could continue producing battle puppets, rifles, and the elemental balls to provide a continuous supply to the marching army.

Finally, he was done and was ready to depart. He flew above his army and inspected it. Everyone stood ready. Discipline oozed from the way they stood in complete stillness. This pleased him.

Channeling aether into his voice, he spoke, ”I believe many of you didn’t have much faith in this campaign when we left Fort Fresh Maw. Look at us now. It has been two months since we crossed the border, and we haven’t faltered. If anything, we have grown stronger. We will continue to grow stronger as we march toward the capital. It will be a long journey, and I will not lie to you, it will be hard, but that is precisely why this task falls upon you and me. Weak and meek men choose easy. We are not weak and meek! We are the ones people come to when they need an impossible result. We are the miracle workers! We will punish this nation for its invasion!! And we will return to Echos with victory...!!!”

A thundering war cry echoed throughout the land in response to Amon’s speech.

When silence returned, Amon pointed in Dabao City’s direction and bellowed, ”To victory!!!”