Rise of The Demon General

A lance of fire erupted from the dagger, burning the small flesh with vines. Amon had used the flame lance enhanced by his mixed aether. None of Lang Man was left but charred remains, or so he thought.

Several seconds later, thin threads sprouted from the char. They swayed around as if alive.

”Hm... Perhaps you are indeed immortal,” Amon muttered. He squatted and observed the tiny specimen. ”Even as a cell, you still survive. I guess your Law of Survival augmented your special constitution so incredibly that you can’t truly die. You only need a longer time to recover... I bet this comes as a surprise to you, too, huh? You’ve never been pushed to this extent.”

Amon didn’t see any different response from Lang Man’s cell on the ground.

”Perhaps you can’t even hear me anymore in that state... Well, thankfully, I came prepared. I’ve expected a scenario where you are truly unkillable.”

Amon pulled out a dagger. It was his old weapon, the ceremonial dagger. The black dagger was, however, slightly different. A large black jewel had been etched in its cross-guard. Additional words of power were also engraved along its surface.

He stabbed the dagger into Lang Man. His aim was so precise that the ceremonial dagger’s tip accurately struck Lang Man’s remaining cell. The words of power on the surface of the dagger flared to life. The tiny threads from Lang Man’s cell shrivelled. They grabbed the dagger’s blade as if trying to push it away. Their efforts were futile, though. Eventually, they crumbled into the dust. The tiny cell turned into light, which moved along the blade until it reached the black jewel. The jewel then absorbed the light and turned dark green.

”Hm...,” Amon observed the shining jewel. He could sense life inside, weak but unwilling to expire.

The jewel and the additional enchantment on the ceremonial dagger were prepared by Dao Su. The enchantment was a soul-extraction technique a Flesh Alterer used in complement to their soul imprint skill. It was less complicated than the time when Amon extracted Bo Wu’s soul because the state of Lang Man’s current soul was much weaker than Bo Wu’s then.

Amon took out a metal box and opened its lid. He placed the ceremonial dagger inside the box and put the lid back on. When the lid was closed, words of power flared. The box and its lid fused into one. There was no way to open the box except by breaking it. He then stuck a talisman on it. It projected an image that made the box appear as if an ordinary, large rock.

He dug the ground and placed the camouflaged box inside, before covering it again. Afterward, he placed exploding talismans around the area. After setting their timing, he moved away and watched them detonate from a distance. The wall and ceiling collapsed, burying that part of the catacombs.

Watching the rubble, he remarked, ”Perhaps you will wish you weren’t immortal now. You will no longer have a role in the world. You will spend eternity in the darkness, never to taste fresh air again. So long, Lord Lang Man. We will never meet again.”

Amon turned around and left the place.

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

After defeating Lang Man, Hai Di announced ownership over the Commitment Faction. Some submitted, and some fled. He left Xin Rong and one-third of his army to establish order and subjugate the rest of the Commitment Domain. Du Ji was still at large. He might rally the remnants of the Commitment Faction for resistance. Hai Di led the remainder of his army and rushed back to the Devotion Domain, attempting to stop Yao Ai from capturing his capital.

He continued to monitor reports on the movements of the Mercy Faction’s army. It turned out their march was faster than he expected. His army would not make it to Venal Virtuous City before Yao Ai’s did. Since this was the case, he decided to leave his army behind.

He used one of the teleportation talismans bestowed by Mo Wang. All three factions had a decent number of these talismans. They were linked to marked spots at key locations across the three domains. He teleported instantly to his castle at Venal Virtuous City.

Hai Lao and the others were discussing the situation inside the war room. They were glad when they saw Hai Di enter.

Hai Lao greeted him, ”Father, it’s good to see you! How goes the war in the Commitment Domain?”

Hai Di replied, ”We won. Lang Man is no more. How much time do we have before Yao Ai’s force arrives?”

”According to their marching speed based on our latest scouting party, it should be around half a day.”

”Tch! Then my decision to leave the troops is correct. They still need around two days to arrive here. How many people have you been able to mobilize for defense?”

”I called all the remaining faction members around the domain and force-conscripted the cultivators in this capital upon receiving the news of Yao Ai’s advance. I managed to gather a force of around three hundred thousand.”

Hai Xuang, who was also in the room as well as Xin Lie and Li Jing, informed, ”Our scouts estimate that Yao Ai’s force was close to six hundred thousand, so ours are only half their force.”

”Not to mention, our force comprised of reserves and unwilling recruits, while the enemy’s force must be composed of their best,” Hai Lao added.

”Hmph! The deciding factor will be who, between Yao Ai and me, will perish. So long as I defeat her, her army will disband, no matter how many they are.”

”That’s right! And father will not lose. He is the strongest among the domain lords!” Li Jing exclaimed.

”Don’t forget that Yao Ai has the Law of Challenge,” Xin Lie warned.

”No matter. Even the unkillable Lang Man is no match for me. I will crush that bitch the same way I did him,” Hai Di declared.

”We can’t leave everything to father,” Hai Lao said. ”The enemy outnumbers us. They will no doubt use this advantage to support Yao Ai. We can’t allow that. We have two priorities. The first is to prevent the enemy force from interrupting the battle between Yao Ai and our father. The second will be to endure until our main army arrives. Once they do, the advantage will be ours.”

Everyone nodded their understanding.

”I will leave our defensive preparation in your capable hands,” Hai Di told Hai Lao.

”Leave it to us, father,” Hai Lao responded. ”Please rest so you can be at your best when the enemy arrives.”

Hai Di nodded. He left the war room and went to the throne room. He rested by sitting on the throne.

The gruff voice from the shadows behind his throne greeted him, ”Things don’t look too good. I told you it is too early for this conflict.”

”What are you saying? Everything has gone on smoothly. I have taken out Lang Man. I will do the same when Yao Ai arrives. Once she is down, I will be the sole ruler of this lower world.”

”Do you, now? You know, I have been wondering, when you fought with Lang Man and heard about Yao Ai’s advance, you didn’t immediately retreat. Others might not know, but I know that despite your cruel display, you care deeply about your family, at least those who you keep close in your inner circle. Tell me, did you plan to rely on me to show myself if Yao Ai arrives here before you?”

”That will never happen. I have the teleportation talisman that can bring me instantly back here.”

”Oh, I know. I’m just asking, have those thoughts ever crossed your mind? Relying on me to come to the rescue, I mean.”

Hai Di didn’t answer.

”Hehe, just so you know. I don’t give a shit if your entire family is massacred. Even if you die, I will still get your soul. The difference is that I will get the full benefit if you accept our union willingly. That’s why I give you the deal to let you live your full life. Do not forget that, and don’t you ever expect me to come to your aid.”

”Don’t worry. I do not need any aid to defeat the weakest domain lord.”

”I’m glad we understand each other.”

*

Half a day later, Yao Ai’s force arrived outside Venal Virtuous City as predicted. The militia of the Devotion Faction stood ready at the edge of the city. They were a crudely assembled army, so when they saw the size of the enemy army, some faltered and tried to run.

Hai Lao had expected this. He had the official members of the Devotion Faction at the rear. Anyone who showed signs of desertion was executed on the spot. This dissuaded the others from doing the same.

Yao Ai, standing atop the Vermillion Vulture, came forward. As she did, Hai Di flew out of the city.

Yao Ai greeted, ”Senior Hai Di, you are old already. It’s time for you to rest. I have come to relieve you from your burden.”

Hai Di returned, ”Shut it, bitch. If you want a fight, you will get it, but I’m afraid it won’t be one you will come out of safely.”