Capítulo 50: Chapter 186: Known by Demons and Fiends
Watching Li Hongzhuang's departing figure, Li Xuanli, Li Qingling, and the others wore worried expressions.
As long as the Demon King didn't make a move, they could still be considered top-tier combatants, capable of turning the tide of battle.
But once the Demon King appeared, they would have to hide and avoid him on the battlefield. Unless they had support from Four Establishments cultivators, they wouldn't be able to charge into battle.
However, there weren't many Four Establishments experts to begin with. If there were, the demons and fiends wouldn't have dared to launch such a large-scale offensive on Liangzhou.
Even if reinforcements from the Four Establishments were on their way, it would take time. For now, the only thing they could rely on was the battle flags in Li Hongzhuang's hands.
Liangzhou, east side.
On a plain, the consecutive columns of smoke rose into the sky, illuminating the distant horizon.
Tens of thousands of Yuanzi Camp soldiers and the remaining hundreds of thousands of Liangzhou border guards were retreating while providing cover.
Behind them, the tide of demons and fiends had not yet caught up. Chasing this vast army were only six Demon Kings.
The rest of the Demon Kings, including Yin Furen, had not appeared. Obviously, they had been held back by the Great Desert Sword Saint; otherwise, they would have been overwhelmed already.
"Hold on a little longer! We're almost at the second line of defense up ahead!"
Li Tiangang was covered in blood. He had recovered his indomitable fighting spirit and unleashed his full power again, temporarily halting the advance of several Demon Kings and buying time for the army's retreat.
But now, his injuries were slowly healing, and his battle body had suffered consecutive heavy blows, slowing the rate of recovery.
Although he had sprinkled medicinal powder all over his body and consumed a bellyful of healing elixirs, the effects were not immediate. He needed at least an hour or two for the medicine to be absorbed and transformed.
"Follow me to hold back the demons and fiends!"
A general roared beside him.
Li Tiangang turned his head and saw another 10,000-strong division of the Yuanzi Camp slowing down and staying behind to block the Demon Kings.
This had happened several times along the way.
His expression turned ugly, but he was powerless to stop them.
Although the Eight Directions Command Flags had been sent out, capable of reaching across tens of thousands of miles and through various states, the reinforcements needed time to arrive.
But now, these demons and fiends didn't even give them a chance to catch their breath. From the start of the rapid attack on the border guards to the present, the sun had not yet set.
"Faster, faster!!!"
Li Tiangang roared. He was not yet desperate. Behind him were hundreds of thousands of soldiers, and he had to lead them to safety.
Boom!
The ground shook violently behind them.
The 10,000 Yuanzi Camp soldiers who had stayed behind had just formed a battle formation when they were attacked by five Demon Kings working together, breaking their formation and slaughtering them all.
This 10,000-strong division could easily raze a city to the ground, but in the face of the Demon Kings, they were utterly helpless.
They only managed to hold off the enemy for a few breaths.
The sound of horse hooves reverberated in Li Tiangang's ears, and he could almost hear the pounding heart of the Redblood Warhorse beneath him.
Even this warhorse was exhausted.
But it continued to gallop with all its might. The Redblood Warhorse was intelligent and knew that stopping meant death.
The setting sun shone from the front, a bit dazzling.
But the orange-yellow glow, like residual blood, cast a desolate light on the armor of these battered and defeated soldiers.
Li Tiangang saw the distant city, the second line of defense, but his body might not make it even if his eyes could.
Was this his twilight as well?
Li Tiangang's gaze swept the horizon, filled with anger and a sense of melancholy.
A lifetime of battle, slaying countless demons and fiends, was he going to fall here?
Big brother, second brother, third brother... Li Tiangang's mind flashed with images of his siblings, and suddenly, the thought of death didn't seem so frightening.
Because his father and brothers were waiting for him on the other side.
But... Qingqing.
Li Tiangang thought of his beloved wife, and his heart ached. He had wanted to cultivate to higher realms, reach the peak of the Four Establishments, pacify the demon calamity in the four states guarded by the Li family, and then go to the Great Wild Heaven to find her.
But now, he had no chance.
Parting in Yanbei meant eternal separation.
Li Tiangang soon thought of another figure, that stubborn young man.
He sighed inwardly. In the end, he wouldn't have the opportunity to teach him again.
He hoped that his uncles wouldn't continue to indulge the boy. After his death, the young man would probably return to the Li family.
Then, the True Dragon position would have a successor.
However, he wondered if the young man could shoulder this heavy responsibility and lead the Li family forward.
The dying sun shone on Li Tiangang's face, illuminating the myriad regrets in his eyes.
He sighed softly. Based on the distance as far as the eye could see, the speed of the army's advance, and the pace at which they had been chased by the Demon Kings along the way, he knew they wouldn't make it to the defensive line.
Someone had to stay behind to hold off the Demon Kings.
Either the entire Yuanzi Camp stayed and put up a desperate fight, giving him a chance to escape.
Or he stayed behind and bought time for the hundreds of thousands of soldiers.
There was no question about his choice.
Li Tiangang chose the latter without hesitation.
He gently patted the Redblood Warhorse beneath him and said softly, "You're tired too. Go now."
The Redblood Warhorse seemed to understand, and large tears fell from its huge eyes.
Li Tiangang's body hovered in the air, but he saw the Redblood Warhorse slow down and stop, refusing to leave.
Li Tiangang couldn't help but smile.
Then, he took a deep breath, turned abruptly, and roared, "Everyone, listen to my command! Full speed ahead!!!"
"The second line of defense is just ahead!"
"Charge!!!"
His loud roar echoed in all directions.
The hundreds of thousands of soldiers heard him, and they saw the figure that had stopped. Some of them realized what was happening, and their eyes turned red.
"From here on, it's up to you, Fifth Brother..."
Li Tiangang turned to look at the distant city walls, wondering if his fifth brother was there.
Unfortunately, they would never meet again.
He let out a soft laugh and was about to look away when he suddenly saw a black dot appear.
He was surprised, and as he focused his eyes, he recognized the face of the black figure—it was his little sister.
Alone.
Li Tiangang's expression changed drastically, and he roared, "Hongzhuang, don't come over here!"
"Too late!"
As her voice rang out, the six surging demonic auras of the Demon Kings descended behind Li Tiangang.
Among them, the elderly Vine Demon raised his hand angrily, and thousands of vine whips lashed out like bolts of lightning, aiming to capture Li Tiangang and make up for their previous blunder.
Li Tiangang bellowed, his entire body surging with qi, and he unsheathed his divine blade to strike.
However, at the same time, the other five Demon Kings also took action. With a thunderous boom, Li Tiangang's body was sent flying backward. He crashed into the ground, creating a deep pit, and slid for hundreds of meters before finally coming to a stop.
The six Demon Kings pursued with lightning speed, and just then, a tearing sound came from several dozen miles away.
Whoosh!
Battle flags fluttered, and just as they approached the six Demon Kings, they suddenly exploded.
Li Hongzhuang had intentionally detonated her battle flag, unleashing a sword formation.
A dazzling sword light swept out, forcing the six Demon Kings to retreat, but the sword light also dissipated.
Taking advantage of this brief moment, the second and third battle flags flew in succession, landing in front of Li Tiangang and protecting him.
Li Tiangang had just climbed to his feet, intending to rupture his meridians and make a desperate stand, when he witnessed this sudden turn of events.
He paused, not yet processing what was happening, when he saw Li Hongzhuang's figure rushing over and landing beside him.
"Seventh Brother, are you alright?"
Li Hongzhuang immediately shielded Li Tiangang behind her and faced the six Demon Kings, her expression grim. Although the battle flags were on their side, she still felt uneasy.
She had thought that Fifth Brother's situation was bad enough, but now it seemed Seventh Brother's was even more perilous.
"How did you get here? Get out of here quickly!" Li Tiangang shouted angrily.
"We'll go together!" Li Hongzhuang replied swiftly.
"Then none of us will be able to get away!" Li Tiangang raged. Though he understood Li Hongzhuang's good intentions, this was a critical juncture, not a time for sentimentality.
"It's fine. With Hao'er's battle flag protecting us, we can escape!" Li Hongzhuang said hurriedly.
Li Tiangang suspected he had misheard. His angry expression froze as he asked, "What did you say?"
His gaze shifted, and he finally noticed the battle flag planted in front of him, unfurled and displaying the characters "Heavenly Hao"
That was Li Hao's Hao!
"Did he come as well?" Li Tiangang couldn't help but want to turn his head to look around.
Li Hongzhuang transmitted her voice, "Hao'er is holding down Tianmen Pass. He only allowed me to bring his battle flag for reinforcement."
"What use is his battle flag..." Li Tiangang began, his anger rising as he heard that Li Hao was still stationed at Tianmen Pass.
Given the tense battle situation, they should be rapidly contracting the defense line. Continuing to guard Tianmen Pass would only allow the demons and fiends to break through from the sides and enter Liangzhou.
If Liangzhou fell, what was the point of holding onto Tianmen Pass?
Though he was annoyed, he also knew that Li Hao was too young. Despite his peerless talent, he wouldn't understand military strategy. However, if Li Hao didn't understand, wouldn't the Four Establishments cultivator by his side understand as well?
Before Li Hongzhuang could explain the battle flag's usefulness, the six Demon Kings in front of them had stopped. The sword formation unleashed from the detonated battle flag had made them solemn.
At that moment, seeing the numerous military flags on Li Hongzhuang's back, they immediately recalled a certain piece of intelligence they had gathered.
Li Hongzhuang stared intently at the six Demon Kings, noticing the grave expressions on their faces, and suddenly realized that these Demon Kings probably also knew of Li Hao's reputation.
What exactly had that child done to make these Demon Kings so wary?
Li Hongzhuang was also curious, but unfortunately, as she was no longer by Li Hao's side, she couldn't ask him.
"Let's go!" She seized the opportunity and quickly said to Li Tiangang.
She took the lead in turning back, and Li Tiangang gritted his teeth. At this point, they could only retreat while fighting.
The six Demon Kings were about to give chase when Li Hongzhuang detonated the two battle flags on the ground.
Instantly, two sword auras shot out, rushing towards the six Demon Kings.
Li Tiangang watched this unfold, finally comprehending. The sword aura that had flown out from the detonated battle flag earlier seemed to be neither Li Hongzhuang's attack nor some hidden technique.
"What is this?" Li Tiangang asked urgently.
"It's a sword formation," Li Hongzhuang quickly explained. "Hao'er's battle flag contains this sword formation, comparable to a strike at the Dao Heart Realm."
Li Tiangang was stunned. How could these battle flags contain a sword formation?
Based on his understanding of the Astrology Department, they shouldn't be able to achieve something like this. After all, the battle flags were too small, and even if a formation was condensed on them, it shouldn't possess the power of a Dao Heart Realm strike!
Could it be one of the Astrology Department's secret techniques?
He was filled with perplexity and skepticism. But why would such a secret technique be used on Li Hao's battle flag?
He had been fighting in Yanbei for over a decade and had never received such aid from the Astrology Department.
Or had they only recently developed this capability?
Li Tiangang suddenly thought of the Yu Emperor, who held Li Hao in extremely high regard. It was said that he had bestowed upon Li Hao the foremost famous sword in the world and promoted him to a high military position.
It must be that His Majesty values his talent... Li Tiangang thought to himself. No wonder that child could hold down Tianmen Pass. With the Emperor's secret assistance, how difficult could it be to defend a mere Tianmen Pass with such a powerful battle flag?
The child had received far more imperial favor than he had imagined.
He sighed inwardly, intending to return to Tianmen Pass after this battle, if he had the chance, to have a good talk with Li Hao.
Since Li Hao had received so much imperial favor, as long as he didn't do anything outrageous, Li Tiangang wouldn't interfere anymore.
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