Rise of The Demon General

Chapter 604: Chapter 604. Intriguing Ideas

”They are called the Phantom Brigade,” Zhong Yuan informed.

After receiving the reports, Amon called Zhong Yuan and the others to discuss the matter inside his command tent.

”They use invisible talismans before engaging the enemy and hide among regular troops,” Zhong Yuan continued. ”They march together with the regular troops and strike the enemy while the enemy is busy fighting the regular troops. The troops they march with have been trained to leave some spaces between them. This allows the invisible soldiers the space to move around. Of course, many within the brigade possess Mystic Stage cultivation levels, which makes them even more deadly. They can strike from above without anyone being aware of them.”

”This method is not a surprise. We from the Royal Assassin Corps also use it,” Gao Xingzi remarked.

”An individual using an invisible talisman might not be surprising, but what if I tell you the Phantom Brigade consists of a battalion of one thousand soldiers?”

Gao Xingzi’s expression turned solemn after hearing that. While the Royal Assassins used invisible talismans, their usage was limited. Due to the limited stock of the talisman, most are only used for high-profile assassination or infiltration missions. To hear that a thousand soldiers used the talismans in multiple battles made her understand the significance of their problem.

”This is bad, brother,” Xin Wuming said. ”If we can’t chase them away, we can’t use that area you mentioned before. Perhaps we should advance with our main force and intimidate them with our numbers? That should scare them away.”

”Mm...” Amon pondered the situation without replying.

”Spirit Stage cultivators can detect someone who uses this talisman, right?” Xu Bao asked. ”We will position Spirit Stage cultivators in critical positions to deal with this Phantom Brigade.”

Amon shook his head. ”From the report, this Phantom Brigade is used to work separately instead of fighting as a unit. Most likely, when we engage the enemy’s force, the invisible soldiers will be spread all over their army. We don’t have enough Spirit Stage soldiers to cover every corner.”

”Not to mention, our Spirit Stage soldiers will be their primary targets,” Yong Baili said. ”From what I heard, the Grand Militia greatly outnumbered us. If their regular troops focus on our Spirit Stage soldiers, we won’t be given the chance to find those invisible soldiers, much less fight them.”

Xin Wuming turned to Zhong Yuan and asked, ”Any idea?”

”Why do you ask me?” Zhong Yuan asked in return.

”You are the expert on these tools,” Xin Wuming said.

”Well... Cultivators below the Spirit Stage cannot detect someone concealed by invisible talismans, but the talismans don’t conceal their movements. We can use Faxien Radars to detect these invisible soldiers.”

”Detection of a Faxien Radar is sent into a monitoring device, right?” Yong Baili asked. ”How are we going to transfer this information to soldiers on the field in real time? By the time we send the information, the target is already somewhere else.”

Everyone was silent after that, until Amon asked, ”Can you send the information from the Faxien Radars directly to a battle puppet?”

Zhong Yuan massaged his chin. ”Hm... I can install a receiver device and link it to a Faxien Radar. Yes, it can be done.”

”Great,” Xin Wuming uttered. ”I will send a vanguard force to plant the Faxien Radars in the area where we will engage the enemy.”

”The vanguard force will be in trouble if they encounter the Phantom Brigade before they finish planting the Faxien Radars. It is too troublesome and unreliable if we must plant the radars every time before we engage the enemy,” Amon said. He turned to Zhong Yuan and asked, ”How about installing a complete Faxien Radars directly into a battle puppet?”

”Hmm...” Zhong Yuan again massaged his chin. ”No one has done that before, but I think it is workable. However, we can only install them in battle puppets of high-tier engraved or above. If it is a high-tier engraved puppet, then the Faxien Radar will occupy all its instalment slots. It can no longer use a flight unit or an installed weapon.”

”I see... If we install the Faxien Radars on all our battle puppets, it will significantly bring down their battle power,” Xu Bao remarked.

”We don’t need to install the radar into all the battle puppets,” Amon said. ”We only need a sufficient number installed and have these puppets spread throughout our army.”

Yong Baili displayed an expression of realizing something upon hearing Amon’s words. He said, ”I know what you mean! Battle puppets have mind links. Everything one sees is also seen by other puppets. If one puppet can detect movements, the others will also know what is detected by the one with the Faxien Radars!”

”That is the general idea,” Amon said. ”With the battle puppets engaging the invisible enemy, our soldiers can also know this enemy’s position and provide support.”

”Fascinating,” Zhong Yuan said. ”You always give me intriguing ideas. I must admit I am glad I joined your force.”

”You joined because you had few choices,” Amon reminded. ”How long do you need to install the Faxien Radars into the battle puppets? The enemy’s main force might arrive in four days.”

”Though I never did it before, I don’t think the installation will take long,” Zhong Yuan answered. ”The answer to your question depends on how many battle puppets need the installation. We have enough stock of Faxien Radars. I estimate I should be able to install at least twenty puppets a day. More if I have other puppet makers helping me.”

”You will have command over all the puppet makers in this camp,” Amon stated. ”But one more matter. Battle puppets can differentiate between friends and foes. Once a Faxien Radar is installed inside one, can it do the same to all the objects detected by the radar inside it?”

”Hm... Synchronising the two systems would be complex, but I think I can manage it. Why do you ask?”

Amon smiled. ”In that case, I want you to add another feature to these battle puppets with the Faxien Radars.”

---------------

”How far away is our main force?” Zue Du asked.

”From the last message we received this morning, they should arrive in this area in two more days,” a captain under his command answered. ”Should we push further?”

Zue Du shook his head. ”Steam Water City is only one day’s travel from here. We will be too close to the enemy’s main force. It is too dangerous. We will wait for the Grand Militia and advance together.”

”Heh, those Echos troops are a disappointment. I heard high praise about them. How they defeated the armies led by General Xuang Feng and Zee Min. They certainly didn’t seem like much. They fled like insects after encountering us. We can no longer find any of them around. They are nothing but a bunch of cowards.”

”Don’t underestimate them,” Zue Du said. ”I instead think their decisiveness is impressive. They retreat without hesitation after knowing they can’t win. I can see they are disciplined and well-trained.”

”Lieutenant General, aren’t you giving them a bit too much credit?”

”I’m just saying what I think,” Zue Du responded.

An urgent call interrupted them. A Mystic Stage soldier, descending rapidly from the sky, reported, ”Lieutenant General, enemy soldiers are fast approaching from the South.”

”How many?” Zue Du asked.

”I estimate it is a company of two hundred.”

”We can take them,” Zue Du said. ”Everyone, get ready!”

The captain laughed. ”Haha, I just said they are cowards. Maybe they heard me and came charging here in anger.”

The others laughed with him. Their victories over the past few days had been easy. They felt no worry from the incoming enemy.

”Do not be careless,” Zue Du warned. ”If they dare to come to us, that means they are confident. Expect the incoming enemy to comprise soldiers with high cultivation levels. Even so, do not worry. Just do it like usual, we will cover you and take them down while you take their attention.”

The soldiers from the regular troops nodded their understanding while uttering an enthusiastic battle cry.

”Phantom Brigade! Activate your talismans!” Zue Du commanded sharply.

They also numbered two hundred, with half being members of the Phantom Brigade. These members activated their invisible talismans. After they stuck the glowing talismans onto themselves, they vanished.

”Engage the enemy. We are right behind,” Zue Du ordered the regular troops.

The regular troops started advancing. When the enemy was near, they noticed that one-third of the enemy force was battle puppets. They didn’t think much about it, though. Several enemies flew in the air as they approached. At the head was a young man holding a longsword.

”The leader is a Spirit Stage cultivator,” Zue Du’s voice sounded above the regular troops. ”Our invisibility is useless against him. I will fight him. The rest of you finish the others.”

The enemy leader sensed Zue Du approaching. This enemy leader had the same cultivation level as he, at the Beginning Spirit Stage.

Zue Du and the enemy leader clashed. He was invisible, while the opponent was perceptible.

Since the enemy could sense him, Zue Du didn’t bother to remain silent. ”Echos is indeed impressive. For someone as young as you to reach the Spirit Stage. May I know the name of the one whom I am about to slay?”

The enemy responded, ”I am Xin Wuming, General Amon’s sword. It will be you who will be slain today!”