Versatile Mage

Translated by XephiZ

Edited by Aelryinth

“We can’t let them continue to push forward. Heavens know what kind of devil the Underworld Monarch Frog and the Yoked are going to drag out of the Underworld. I’m afraid it’s something we wouldn’t stand a chance against,” Bin Wei said sternly.

“Something we wouldn’t stand a chance against…” the aide-de-camp murmured.

Similarly, the rest of the advisors had grim looks on their faces. The ancient Wall had finally given them a glimpse of hope in the battle. Little did they know there was something even scarier behind the Underworld Monarch Frog. It was easily the strongest enemy they had ever faced over the years they were stationed at the Northguard Fortress.

“We need backup,” Advisor Guang Ming spoke up quickly.

“I’ve already requested backup, but we received some bad news from the East while we were fighting the Yoked,” Bin Wei interjected.

The news had arrived just before the battle. Bin Wei was the General in charge of the fortress. Only people of her rank would receive the news.

“Some bad news? Could it be worse than these undead we are up against? These are creatures from the Underworld! Putting aside where they have come from, a single Ruler-level creature is enough reason for us to be on red alert. What exactly are those Magic Associations, Magic Clans, and the Government doing? Are they really waiting for us soldiers to be wiped out here so they can give us a heroic badge in honor of our sacrifices!?” the aide-de-camp exclaimed.

This invasion of Underworld Creatures was unprecedented. Shouldn’t the people of the Magic Association prioritize investigating the truth behind it?

If something like this was not their priority, what exactly were they busy with at the moment?

“I have no idea what happened exactly, but they didn’t send me any information. It was an order to deploy our troops,” Bin Wei said gravely.

“What?” the advisors exclaimed simultaneously.

Deploy our troops?

They were told to send their troops east?

Were they serious now? They were up against unknown creatures of the Underworld! They were in dire need of immediate backup, but not only were their superiors reluctant to send them backup, but they were ordering them to deploy their troop elsewhere instead? Were they seriously trying to get them wiped out?

“Are they asking us to abandon a dozen cities and the hundreds of towns behind us? Are they out of their minds!?” the aide-de-camp yelled. He could barely control his anger.

The demon lily descended back to the walls. The presence of magic lingered in their surroundings.

Words could not describe the expressions of the aide-de-camp and the advisors. Speaking of making things worse when they were already in a bind! No one spoke for a long time.

The only relief was Captain Chang Yi’s outstanding performance. Under his leadership, the Battlemages had eliminated the Yoked trapped by the walls. He also led the Summoner Troop and redeemed the morale they had lost after their humiliating defeat at the start of the battle!

Chang Yi might seem like a rough bloke, but he was meticulous when it came to fighting a battle. He did not send his men to pursue the Yoked outside the walls. He had noticed certain patterns to the Yoked by now. Even Advanced Spells had a hard time killing the Yoked whose defenses were enhanced by the glowing Curses.

He could not afford to rush the pace of the battle. The ancient Wall was still around. It was unwise to be overhasty when they had just regained their ground in the battle. It was important to observe the enemy and act accordingly.

“Chang Yi, well done!” Advisor Guang Ming complimented.

“Humph, these things only look scary and are abusing some misleading tricks. If we knew their weaknesses, we would definitely crush them all and force them to piss off back to the Underworld. We’ll teach them how inviolable the sacred land of our country is!” Chang Yi answered.

His men seemed to be in high spirits, too. Their gazes at Commander Bin Wei were full of respect.

She was clearly worthy to be their commander! The sturdy walls had taught the creatures of the Underworld how to stay dead. The walls had also allowed them to vent their grudge and frustrations too. They no longer felt as helpless as before!

“Chang Yi!” Commander Bin Wei said expressionlessly.

“Yes!” Chang Yi saluted. He could feel his blood boiling. He could not wait to receive his next order from the commander.

They were battling against creatures of the Underworld, and it even involved a Ruler-level creature. Chang Yi believed he could boast about it for the rest of his life if they managed to survive!

“You will lead the Fourth Troop of the Northguard Fortress and head east,” Commander Bin Wei informed him.

Everyone was stunned when they heard the order. Their faces filled with astonishment.

“Commander… did…did I hear it wrong?” Chang Yi replied softly, his expression weird.

“Lead the Fourth Troop of the Northguard Fortress and head east. Off you go, now!” Bin Wei repeated.

Chang Yi’s Vice Captains were immediately enraged. The one with the hottest temper among them pointed at Bin Wei and snapped furiously, “Are you out of your mind? We are still in a bad spot here, yet you are thinking of deploying us elsewhere? Are you worried that we’ll take all your glory? Our Summoner Troop has sacrificed so much! Some of our men even went down the walls to intercept the Yoked that tried to retreat to the Underworld Monarch Frog. We still don’t know if they are alive or not!

“What exactly did our Fourth Troop do that triggered you? Why must you trample our dignity like this!?”

Chang remained silent. He looked at Bin Wei, who remained expressionless while his Vice Captains continued to complain.

The soldiers were on the verge of losing their minds after hearing her decision. They had finally regained their morale from the Yoked, but now they were being deployed elsewhere. Did she not realize they were still in the middle of a battle!?

“Commander, are you sure about that?” Chang Yi asked.

“You heard the order,” Bin Wei replied.

“Alright, I’ll follow your order. My hometown, Yulin City is behind the Northguard Fortress. The city was told to evacuate, but they still need three days to fully evacuate the city. I can leave the fortress and head east, but if anything happens to Yulin City, I won’t forgive you, even if you are my general!” Chang Yi said with a reddened face.

The Vice Captains were surprised by Chang Yi’s decision. They all looked like they were about to go crazy.

Chang Yi yelled, signaling everyone to be quiet. “An order is an order! Fourth Troop, heed my call! Prepare to head east immediately,” Chang Yi took off his blood-soaked coat. He turned and headed down the walls.

“Don’t you worry. The only way these creatures will bring any harm to your city is over my dead body,” Bin Wei murmured, taking a deep breath and staring after Chang Yi as he left.

——

Chang Yi followed the bridge of vines and led the Fourth Troop back to the Northguard Fortress. He slammed his fist on the wall as he reached the fortress. The wall shook at the blow.

“Asshole, you’ve never treated her as your captain for so many years. Why are you following her order now! If something was to happen to Yulin… asshole, asshole!” Chang Yi cursed furiously, slamming his fists on the wall.

The Vice Captains’ hearts ached seeing their Captain in such pain. As they thought, the woman was holding a grudge against them for being disrespectful to her. She was envious of the Fourth Troop’s strength and bravery. She was planning to establish her own influence in the Northguard Fortress instead!

—

“Three days! I don’t care what’s behind the Underworld Monarch Frog, I will not let them cross for the next three days!” Bin Wei clenched her fists. She did not turn around and look at Chang Yi and his men.

What exactly had happened?

Bin Wei had no idea, but her superiors had ordered her to deploy troops to the east, even after knowing they were under attack by unknown creatures of the Underworld. It meant that something serious was about to happen!

The Northguard Fortress was facing the most difficult time in its history. If it wasn’t for the Great Wall, the soldiers of the Northguard Fortress would not have stood a chance against the Yoked. Not only did they fail to receive any backup, they even had to send their strongest troops away. How could Bin Wei not be disheartened by it?

However, no matter how disheartened she was or how grim the situation seemed, she had to guard the fortress. There were many cities behind them. The cities were not huge, and their defenses were not strong. The Northguard Fortress was the only protection they had. They could not afford to let any of the demon creatures pass!

“Where is your friend?” Bin Wei asked Zhao Manyan after calming down.

“Are you referring to Mo Fan?” Zhao Manyan asked. Bin Wei nodded.

Mo Fan had learned the Underworld Creatures would show up earlier than their sentries had, meaning that he must have some important information. Bin Wei desperately wanted to know how many Underworld Creatures they were facing, and where had they come from!

“We don’t know, either,” Lingling shook her head.

It had been some time since Mo Fan last contacted them. Lingling had no idea where Mo Fan was, nor if he was able to discover the Black Vatican.

“But I believe he’s trying his very best to stop them,” Lingling added.

Lingling was too familiar with Mo Fan. He would never back off. The unyielding spirit in his bones was hotter than flames. It might seem like the worst was already happening. The danger was hitting them in the face, but he must have done all he could to make the situation even worse…

“Mm, I believe in him, I’ll do my best to stop the Underworld Monarch Frog too,” Bin Wei nodded.

“Commander, I have a question,” Lingling asked.

“What is it?” Bin Wei looked at the Underworld Monarch Frog that had come to a halt.

It seemed like the Underworld Monarch Frog was intimidated by the sturdy walls after its loss. It did not launch another attack recklessly. It had given the soldiers of the Northguard Fortress some time to catch their breath.

“The Great Wall doesn’t only exist here in the Northguard Pass, right? There’s a part of it at the Ancient Capital, and I believe the Ancient Capital has someone like you who has inherited the power to control it. Why didn’t they use it as a defense during the Calamity of the Undead? Even though it wasn’t enough to stop the invasion completely, wouldn’t it still have bought some time for more people to evacuate to the inner city?” Lingling asked.

Bin Wei smiled wryly. She seemed reluctant to answer the question. After some time, she said, “Who do you think the person that built the Great Wall was?”

Lingling was stunned. Her face was filled with astonishment after she realized something. A brief statement taught in history class at school echoed in her mind.

The Ancient King, the greatest Mage in history, the inventor of the Undead Element, whose Earth Element had reached great heights, too…