Rise of The Demon General

Chapter 625: Chapter 625. Non-negotiable Demand

Hearing the taunt, any thoughts in Zee Min’s mind about attempting something were chased away. It was Amon’s tone and demeanor. There was not a shred of doubt in his voice. She was convinced that if she did try something, she would be the one to lose everything.

Shi Zhang and Zee Min sat on the chairs.

”Tea?” Amon asked as he placed two cups before them.

Shi Zhang almost reached over to get the cup, but Zee Min stopped him.

Amon chuckled. ”Not very trusting, are you?” He asked.

”Can you blame us? You killed General Xuang Feng with poison,” Zee Min replied.

”Well, it’s your loss. This is the famous Longhui Tea from Echos,” Amon said. ”I specifically asked for it when Echos sent us our supplies.”

”All the more reason for us not to touch it,” Zee Min said.

Amon chuckled. ”You sound so bitter about this invasion. Please don’t forget you invaded us first.”

”We have a reason for it,” Zee Min uttered.

”I know. You are trying to prevent a cataclysm that will be brought about by the Temple of Divinity, aren’t you?”

”You know?” Zee Min asked in surprise.

”Wait, what cataclysm...?” Shi Zhang asked.

”If you know, why didn’t you stop this invasion and divert your attention to the real threat to this world?” Zee Min asked Amon.

”Firstly, I don’t fully believe that claim. Secondly, the threat to this world comes second to the triumph of my conquest.”

Zee Min stared at Amon with wide eyes. She couldn’t believe she was hearing this. She yelled, ”If the world ends, there is nothing for you to conquer!”

Shi Zhang, who was confused by their conversation, interfered, ”Hold on! Back up a little! What cataclysm are you two talking about?”

”I will tell you when we return,” Zee Min said.

”That’s right. You are not here to talk about that. So, to what reason do I owe the pleasure of your visit?” Amon asked.

”You know full well why we are here,” Zee Min uttered sullenly.

Amon grinned in response. ”I still want to hear you say it.”

”General Amon,” Shi Zhang began. ”You should know that by now, we have a food crisis inside Steam Water City. If things don’t improve anytime soon, I will have no choice but to open the city gates. By that time, everyone inside the city will be so overwhelmed with hunger that they will no longer be afraid of your rifles and cannons. Do you think you can stop the mob of an entire city?”

”Hehe. Honestly, I didn’t expect you to start by using a threat,” Amon said. ”I guess you are not just someone who relies on kindness to get to the top. In response to your threat, go ahead.”

”What do you mean?” Shi Zhang asked.

”Go ahead and open your gates. You don’t believe my army can deal with your mob, while I believe it can. If you are willing to gamble, I don’t mind playing with you to see who is correct.”

”You... How can you talk about such a massacre as if it were nothing? Have you no heart?” Shi Zhang pleaded. ”Please, at least let the refugees migrate to another town.”

”No. I reject your request,” Amon uttered flatly.

”Have you no kindness in you?” Shi Zhang asked. He was frustrated by Amon’s refusal.

”I can be kind, but only if I gain something in return,” Amon said.

”That is not the definition of kindness,” Zee Min said.

Amon shrugged. ”Then, I’m not kind.”

”What do you want from us?” Shi Zhang asked. He decided to stop beating around the bush.

”Total surrender,” Amon answered. ”Tell the citizens to obey us, then send every soldier, government official, and battle puppet out of the city for us to apprehend. That will include you two. Once you do, I will let the refugees leave from one of the gates and allow them a safe passage to other settlements. I will then have my army enter and take control of the city.”

The tent went silent afterward. Amon didn’t say anything further. He let the two ponder his demands.

”While I’m a mayor, I’m also a proud Khode citizen. I can’t betray my nation by handing everything to you just like that,” Shi Zhang said.

”Then we have reached an impasse,” Amon said. ”My objective is to remove Steam Water City from being an obstacle in my advance. I don’t mind wiping out your city’s entire population if I must. Either by destruction or subjugation, I will make your city mine.”

”Can’t you at least let the children go? Or share some of your food for at least them.”

”... If you are so concerned about them, then surrender. Their fate is in your hands,” Amon replied.

”Can’t you give me some concessions? Something I can work with,” Shi Zhang pleaded.

”I won’t accept anything but total surrender,” Amon stated.

”Are you really that heartless to let an entire city die of hunger?”

”I guess I can share some advice. You can always use your weak and useless population and feed them to the important ones.”

”Are you... Are you suggesting that we perform cannibalism?” Shi Zhang asked with wide eyes.

”It is an option,” Amon replied.

Shi Zhang gritted his teeth. He didn’t know how to respond to those words.

”Let’s go,” Zee Min told Shi Zhang. She rose from her chair. ”I have known from the start that this is a waste of time.”

”Leave, then,” Amon said. ”Don’t worry. You won’t be harmed on your way back, but I won’t entertain another discussion after you leave. Whoever comes out of the city next will be shot.”

Shi Zhang was also rising but stopped after hearing Amon’s words. He was conflicted. Amon was giving him the take-it-or-leave-it treatment. Should he accept his demand for the sake of his people? What would history think of him if he handed his city to the invader without any resistance?

”Let’s go,” Zee Min said again.

Her words helped Shi Zhang resume his movement. He walked out of the tent with uncertainty. He wasn’t sure if he had made the right decision. Throughout the way back to the city, he couldn’t stop thinking about whether he should have accepted Amon’s demand.

Xin Wuming watched the two fly away before he entered the command tent. Amon remained in his chair.

”He refused to surrender?” Xin Wuming asked.

”I have overestimated his kindness,” Amon said. ”I thought he would be willing to sacrifice himself and his staff for his people. I guess while he was known for his benevolence, he cared more for his reputation. Never mind, though. Either way, we will win. It will just get a bit uglier than it could have been. Since it is so, we will proceed with our plan. I believe everything is prepared?”

”Yes, brother. We are ready,” Xin Wuming answered.

”Good. We will do it tomorrow. Make sure it is grand enough that the people from the city wall can see it.”

*

The next morning, Echos’ soldiers were busy organizing something behind the line the riflemen were defending. Tables and chairs were set. Their activity drew the attention of Khode’s soldiers on the city wall.

”What are they doing?” Shi Zhang asked. He came after he was informed about the event.

”Not sure,” Zee Min answered.

”Can they be building some kind of siege weapon to attack this city?” Xuang Chao asked.

”We have been hoping that they would attack us. They never do. They are content with playing defense. Why would they change now?” Zee Min asked back.

”Maybe because this weapon can hit a longer range than a Yuanxu Cannon?” Xuang Chao replied.

”Why would they build such a weapon right in front of us?” Shi Zhang said.

”I don’t think tables and chairs qualify as components of a siege weapon,” Zee Min said.

They continued to make speculations. As time passed, what the enemy was doing became more apparent. The three were silent as they watched from the wall. They learned that what the Echos Army was doing was worse than any of their guesses.

Nearing noon, the soldiers who were not stationed gathered around the tables that had been arranged. A line of soldiers walked over carrying plates filled with various foods. They placed the plates on the tables. Soldiers started lining up to take the food.

While the soldiers were taking the food, their comrades brought in some barrels. These barrels were filled with what was most likely wine, which was served to all the soldiers.

A group of dancers and singers went up a newly built raised platform. They performed while the soldiers ate and drank merrily.

Their commotion drew the attention of the people inside the city. Considering how crowded the city was, some even slept on the wall. Hence, the wall was not off-limits to civilians. Many citizens now ran up the stairs and looked outside the wall. Their blood boiled as they witnessed the scene.

The Echos Army, which had imprisoned them inside their own city, was having a grand feast.