Rise of The Demon General

”He passed the test we agreed on,” Krassazh answered his son.

After conversing with Amon, Ublaith met with Krassazh. The two agreed to give Amon a test. The test involved the Hyanids’ two secret weapons, Ibizisx and Zetridh. The test was to expose these two, who were the core elements that enabled the Hyanids’ invasion into the mainland. If Amon was truly on the side of the humans, he would no doubt try to eliminate the two young Hyanids. Without the two, the Hyanids’ threat would be severely diminished.

That’s why Arrasixx brought Amon here. They even created a hole in the ceiling to further entice Amon to act. If Amon saw a way out after assassinating the two young Hyanids, he would be more inclined to do it. Of course, Krassazh was hiding nearby to prevent that in case Amon truly tried to assassinate the two. Only after he ensured that Amon meant no harm to the two young Hyanids did he approach Amon from behind.

”I don’t like him,” Ublaith said. ”I don’t know why, but I feel something is off with him. It’s like we will gain more harm than benefit if we associate with him.”

”That is just your prejudice,” Krassazh said.

”Let’s hope it is so...,” Ublaith said.

”Nevertheless, let’s be vigilant. Tell everyone to pack up once the human leaves our city. We will move to our second nest. This is why we kept several nests in reserve in case our enemy discovers the location of our current nest. This way, we can also determine if that human is genuine about his intention. If he is our enemy, the humans will surely attack this nest. If no such thing happens, then we know he truly wants to cooperate with us.”

”I see. Father is wise. I will relay your instruction.”

*

Amon followed Xlasstazh back to the pill workshop. Yeresdyx waited for them there.

”Are you ready to leave?” Amon asked.

”I am,” Yeresdyx answered.

Amon took out the prison box and opened its portal. ”Step inside,” he told her.

”A tool with a pocket dimension...,” Xlasstazh muttered.

”You can enter as well, so you can see that she will be fine, but please tell the others not to,” Amon told Xlasstazh.

Xlasstazh announced the instruction in the Hyanid language. Afterward, he followed Amon and Yeresdyx into the portal.

Amon brought them to one of the empty cubicle rooms. He avoided the rooms where Zee Whang and Dao Su work. Having the Hyanids see them would just complicate matters. He would introduce them to Yeresdyx later. He summoned several worker puppets to help Yeresdyx set up her equipment. He left the puppets with her in case she needed help.

Xlasstazh had been evaluating the pocket dimension ever since they entered. He could tell that it was very stable. There was no worry of it collapsing, at least not in the near future. He left in relief knowing that his follower would be alright.

After exiting, Amon closed the portal and returned the prison box to his black space ring.

”Are you ready to leave?” Xlasstazh gave Amon the same question Amon had given Yeresdyx earlier.

”Lead me to the exit,” Amon replied.

Xlasstazh took Amon through several long tunnels. They didn’t go past the massive cavern where the common Hyanids lived. Amon understood then that this nest had many exits, which made sense. If the nest was attacked, the occupants could flee from many paths.

He passed an area filled with Cryanids. These giant insects served as the nest’s defensive measure. With their massive numbers, the Hyanids didn’t lack guards.

”At the end of this tunnel is the outside world,” Xlasstazh informed.

The tunnel’s end that Xlasstazh indicated was covered by many vines with leaves. Light seeped in from the gaps.

”This will be where I leave you. Once you come out of this tunnel, keep going straight. I chose the exit that faces the direction closest to the mainland.”

”I see. Thank you for everything. I will be leaving now,” Amon told Xlasstazh.

Xlasstazh hesitated for a second before saying, ”To be honest, I will be lying if I say I have complete faith in the Creator’s prophecy. Please, prove me right. Fulfill the prophecy.”

”I will give my utmost not to let you down,” Amon lied.

Xlasstazh nodded. ”Go now. Be careful inside the mists. Do not be careless. May the Creator protect you.”

”May he protect you as well till our next meeting,” Amon returned the gesture before leaving.

Coming out of the tunnel, he found himself surrounded by thick mists. He looked back at the tunnel. Its entrance was heavily covered. Added by these mists, it would be extremely difficult to spot the tunnel. Unless someone accidentally stumbled and fell into it, no one would know that this place was one of the entrances into the Hyanid’s nest.

Amon looked at where the tunnel was pointing and flew in that direction. He flew at high speed. He wasn’t worried that the surrounding spirit beasts would notice him. Krassazh said that most of the strong spirit beasts in this area had been driven out. If the spirit beasts around here were at the level of the ones assaulting his team when he ventured into this place eight years ago, then he had nothing to worry about.

Surely enough, a couple of the eel-like spirit beasts with large heads ambushed him from inside the mists. Though his cultivation senses didn’t detect them, his danger sense did. His reflexes and speed at the Peak Supreme Stage allowed him to dodge their attacks effortlessly and counterattack swiftly. The Broken Justice in his hand easily sliced the two beasts into pieces.

The tree beast with many mouthed tentacles also attacked him. Amon didn’t know if it was the same one that attacked him eight years ago. He failed to kill it then. He didn’t fail this time. His White Slash severed all the beast’s tentacles and its branches. He followed up with a cleave, which split the tree beast into two.

Several more beasts attacked him after that. They all suffered the same fate. After half an hour of constant interruptions, the attacks stopped. His remaining journey was peaceful. It was either that the other spirit beasts had learned that he was not someone they should disturb, or he had wiped out the spirit beasts in that area. Either way, he left the misty border several hours later.

He gave the wall of mists he had just come out of a glance before continuing onward. He headed toward the Defunct Edge City. On his way, he saw a wall of Cryanids headed his way. Krassazh kept his promise. He pulled his force back.

’Good,’ Amon thought.

He gave the Cryanid swarm a wide berth. If any humans were in the area, they would be suspicious if he went straight through the Cryanid swarm without any of the Cryanids attacking him.

When he arrived at the Defunct Edge City, he saw that the city had fallen. Only ruins were left. It had become one of the casualties in the Cryanids’ advance into the mainland. He didn’t see or sense any survivors inside the city. Anyone still alive must have been taken by the Cryanids back to the Hyanid nest to be altered.

Since it was this way, he didn’t waste time. He summoned the Sun Ray Hawk and rode it. His destination was Saintly Sin City.

On his way, he saw a large force of humans on their way toward the border. This must be the serious counterattack Xlasstazh mentioned. He wondered if the bigshot Xlasstazh mentioned was Yao Ai. He dismissed the idea. If it were her, she would be right out in the open with her Vermillion Vulture. She didn’t seem like the type to stay hidden during a march.

Amon snickered at the marching force. They would be disappointed to learn that they had marched all the way only to discover that the enemy they were supposed to defeat was no longer around. He didn’t bother with them. They, however, didn’t seem to have the same idea. He noticed a squad of around twenty soldiers riding flying steeds leave the army and fly toward him.

’Why?’ Amon thought. Did they not see that he wore a red vest? That he was one of them? Maybe they wanted to pick up all members of the Mercy Faction they encountered along the way to bolster their army.

Amon had no intention to let them do that. He urged the Sun Ray Hawk to fly faster. To his annoyance, the squad that was coming for him had fast flying steeds as well. Half of them were even faster than his Sun Ray Hawk. They were gaining on him.

The Sun Ray Hawk could use its lightning abilities to boost its speed, but it was only temporary. This boost was mostly suitable only for combat, not for long-distance travel. He knew he couldn’t outrun his pursuers, but he didn’t stop. He wanted to at least move further away from the army first.

Only after seeing that the army was far in the horizon did he stop and let the first batch of pursuers catch up to him.

”What do you want?” Amon asked curtly when they arrived.

The lead pursuer, who was a soldier at the Peak Fiendish Stage, declared, ”Slayer Amon, you have been declared a fugitive! Compliantly follow us for detention. You will be brought to face Her Lordship. Resist, and you will be dealt an immediate death sentence!”