Chapter 18 Going into the Battlefield for the First Time
Chapter 18 Going into the Battlefield for the First Time
As I moved closer, their voices became clearer.
“Zi Yan, let me protect you tomorrow. I can disguise myself as a student and enter the battlefield with you. I’ll only feel at ease if I fight by your side.”
Zi Yan snapped impatiently.
“Can you stop bothering me? Why are you such a pest? I can protect myself. I don’t need your help.”
She sneered.
“You think you’re impressive? Then prove it. Go to the front lines and launch a full-frontal assault. Wipe out the Demon Race and the Beastmen Race in one strike!”
Li Wa sounded troubled.
“Zi Yan, why can’t you understand my feelings? We’ve known each other for years, yet you still won’t accept me.”
Zi Yan smiled coldly.
“I only like powerful men. I’ve told you that many times. Even though you’ve become a Dragon Knight, you’re still too weak.”
“Come talk to me again when you become a Dragon General. Maybe then I’ll consider it.”
Li Wa forced a bitter smile.
“Isn’t that condition a little harsh? No one has ever become a Dragon General before the age of forty-five.”
“Do you expect us to marry when we’re both in our forties?”
Zi Yan laughed coldly.
“Who said I want to marry you?”
“There are always powerful people in this world. I suggest you find someone else and stop bothering me.”
“The night is late. I’m going back to rest.”
“Zi Yan—”
Li Wa suddenly grabbed her arm, pleading.
Zi Yan glared at him sharply.
Even Li Wa, who possessed formidable martial strength, could do nothing under that cold gaze.
He reluctantly released her.
Zi Yan pulled her arm free, gave a mocking snort, and turned away.
She disappeared into the moonlit distance.
Li Wa stood there, staring blankly at her departing silhouette.
Then he suddenly spoke.
“You’ve watched enough. Come out.”
My heart skipped a beat.
It seemed my strength still fell short of his. Even though I had hidden carefully, he had discovered me.
I stepped out of the shadows and walked toward him.
Li Wa looked me over from head to toe.
“Oh. It’s you, Lei Xiang.”
“Your strength has improved rapidly. If I hadn’t noticed the sound of your breathing, I might not have discovered you.”
I replied calmly.
“You still discovered me. Anyway, I was only passing by.”
Li Wa let out a long sigh.
“You saw what happened just now.”
“I really don’t understand why Zi Yan refuses me. I’ve tried everything, but I haven’t moved her heart at all.”
“What do you think I should do?”
“Did you have this kind of trouble when pursuing Zi Xue?”
Seeing his helpless expression, I almost laughed.
“Sorry. I can’t help you with that. In this area, I’m not better than you.”
“However, I think you should let things happen naturally. The more you chase her, the less she’ll care.”
Li Wa hesitated for a moment before nodding.
He stepped forward and patted my shoulder.
“You’re the only person at the academy I truly respect.”
“Be careful tomorrow. War is not a trivial matter.”
He paused before continuing.
“And please look after Zi Yan for me. I don’t want her to get hurt.”
For the first time, I saw Li Wa’s sincere side beneath the shadows of the wind-blown trees.
As I turned and walked away, I said quietly,
“She’s Zi Xue’s sister.”
Li Wa watched my departing figure, a faint smile appearing in his eyes.
We stood atop the fortress walls, waiting for the coming battle.
All of us wore battle armor issued by the army. Because of our special status as academy elites, we were given the highest quality equipment.
I equipped everything except a weapon.
I already had my best partner—Black Sable.
I lightly stroked the blade.
My friend, today you will drink the fresh blood of our enemies until you are satisfied.
Even if some of them belong to my own clan.
Feng Yun’s voice came from my left.
“Brother Lei, aren’t you even a little nervous?”
I glanced at him.
“Nervous? What’s there to be nervous about? Just remember what I told you yesterday.”
“Do what you’re supposed to do.”
Feng Yun grimaced.
“Boss, I’m a magician. Don’t expect too much from me. In that formation I’m practically useless.”
“Fine.”
Not far behind me, Zi Yan watched me with a puzzled expression.
A general approached us.
He wore silver chainmail, a forked helmet, and carried a long spear.
He appeared to be around forty years old. His heavy, imposing presence made it clear he was a veteran commander.
“Students of Tianshou Academy,” he said firmly, “today you will face our most dangerous enemies—the Demon-Beast Alliance.”
“The Marshal has assigned you to my left-wing unit.”
“In the entire army, my corps is the most fearless.”
“On the battlefield, survival depends on your own strength.”
“I know this is your first battle, but I expect all of you to face it bravely.”
“If anyone becomes a burden to my soldiers, I will personally execute that person.”
“Do you understand?”
“We understand,” the students replied weakly.
The general glared.
“Do you understand?”
“Understood!”
This time their voices were louder under his pressure.
The general raised his spear.
“Depart!”
The unit he commanded was a heavy cavalry corps.
Heavy cavalry were among the most expensive units to maintain.
We were placed on the far-left flank of the formation, surrounded by heavy cavalry.
The soldiers were completely covered in black armor—from head to toe—including their warhorses.
Each carried a steel assault spear nearly three meters long.
Looking at their perfectly organized formation and then at our scattered student group, the difference was obvious.
Compared with the thirty thousand heavy cavalry soldiers, our group of one hundred students was insignificant.
The heavy cavalry radiated dense killing intent.
The Dragon God Empire’s method of training soldiers was truly formidable.
Only the Beastmen Race’s Behemoth Legion could hope to match them.
Fortunately, there were not many heavy cavalry units led by Dragon Knights.
The students around me relaxed slightly, clearly relieved that such powerful troops surrounded them.
Outside the fortress, the Dragon God Empire’s army deployed into a complex battle formation.
It was unfamiliar to me and did not match the formations described in the military texts I had studied.
Heavy cavalry occupied both flanks.
Infantry filled the center.
Behind the infantry stood the mage corps.
The light cavalry were nowhere to be seen.
Strange.
The center of the formation could easily be broken by heavy enemy forces.
But General Li Wo wouldn’t make such a mistake.
Is it a trap to lure the enemy deeper?
I couldn’t be certain.
The Beastmen army stood on our front-right flank while the Demon Race forces occupied the front-left.
That meant our enemy today would be the Demon Race.
I secretly sighed with relief.
After all, I belong to the Behemoth clan.
I don’t want to face my own people.
Killing demons, however… means nothing to me.
Our armor was nearly three inches thick—stronger than black steel armor yet considerably lighter.
I straightened my posture and lowered my steel helmet.
Then I turned to look at the people behind me.
The ones I intended to protect.
“Charge!”
The Demon Race initiated the attack first.
Countless low-level demonic beasts rushed toward us.
The silver-armored general raised his spear.
All the heavy cavalry leaned forward, gripping their spears with both hands and pointing them straight ahead.
I immediately understood their intention.
Under the general’s command, the heavy cavalry on the left flank surged forward like a black storm cloud.
Our student unit was left behind by the sudden charge.
Some students even deliberately slowed their horses.
Seeing thousands of cavalry charging forward made my blood boil.
The berserk power sleeping inside me began to stir.
I spoke quietly to Feng Yun beside me.
“You and Zi Yan cover us from the rear.”
“Feng Wen—let’s charge forward and kill the enemies.”
Feng Wen replied stiffly.
“I’ll follow you. We can’t disgrace the academy.”
I snorted coldly.
“This isn’t about the academy’s reputation.”
“If you want to improve your martial skills, this is the best place.”
After saying that, I drew Black Sable and drove my heels into Black Dragon’s flank.
We shot forward like an arrow.
Feng Wen gritted his teeth and followed.
Behind us, Zi Yan shouted,
“Lei Xiang, be careful!”
Black Dragon reached full speed quickly.
Soon I caught up with the heavy cavalry at the front.
Just as we were about to clash with the demonic beasts, countless flashes of light exploded behind us.
The mage corps had begun their bombardment.
Dazzling magic tore through the enemy ranks, ripping many demonic beasts apart.
The heavy cavalry charge left a deep impression on me.
No demonic beast could withstand the shining three-meter spears.
Condensing Mad God qi, I swung Black Sable.
Yellow rings of energy spread outward, cutting down any demonic beasts that approached.
Soon a gap opened in the enemy ranks where I was fighting.
The silver-armored general shouted,
“Slow down! Turn around and charge back!”
The heavy cavalry split into two groups, turning left and right to pursue the scattered enemies.
By then Feng Wen had caught up with me, releasing wind blades that shredded nearby demonic beasts.
I shouted, “What are you doing? Just kill them—don’t waste energy!”
At that moment I felt a sharp gust behind me.
I ducked.
The demonic beast attacking from behind exploded into pieces.
Zi Yan stood in the distance, her staff raised.
Her support warmed my heart.
As we returned toward the fortress, the heavy cavalry re-formed their ranks.
The main army had suffered little damage.
Only the student unit looked chaotic.
Many students had lost their helmets, and although none were seriously injured, their faces were pale with fear.
The silver-armored general shouted again.
“Prepare for the second charge!”
“The Demon Race’s main force has arrived!”
Sure enough, armored demon cavalry appeared on the battlefield.
The general gestured for me to approach.
I rode Black Dragon beside him.
“You fought bravely in the previous charge,” he said.
“Do you dare ride with me at the front?”
I answered proudly.
“What is there to fear?”
“Good.”
“Brothers! The Demon Race bastards are coming again!”
“Charge!”
The black cavalry storm surged forward again.
The general led the charge with me beside him.
Leading thousands of soldiers filled my body with surging qi.
Like the tip of a spear, we pierced straight into the enemy formation.
The Demon Race cavalry were massive warriors.
The clash between two heavy cavalry forces could only lead to close combat.
Demons rushed toward me one after another.
With the cold power of my qi and Black Sable, none could block my path.
Fighting beside the silver-armored general, I witnessed his spear technique.
Every thrust pierced an enemy’s throat with terrifying precision.
Consumed by battle frenzy, we charged deep into the enemy camp.
Fortunately, Feng Wen and the others remained further back.
The enemy cavalry were fewer in number and weaker in strength.
Their defeat seemed inevitable.
Suddenly the silver-armored general shouted,
“This is bad! Stop advancing!”
I cut down two enemies and looked ahead.
Only then did I realize the danger.
We had advanced too far.
We were now closer to the Demon Race’s main camp than to our fortress.
The general continued fighting while muttering,
“Strange… why haven’t the reinforcements arrived?”
Suddenly I felt a sharp pain in my back.
I had been struck.
Fortunately my Behemoth physique absorbed most of the damage.
It only left a burning pain.
The general roared.
His spear exploded into countless shining streaks, instantly clearing the enemies around us.
But the attack drained his strength.
Breathing heavily, he asked,
“Are you alright, young man?”
“I’m fine,” I replied.
“I know why the reinforcements haven’t arrived.”
“Look over there.”
Following my finger, the general looked toward the distant battlefield.
He sucked in a sharp breath.
Massive figures—over four meters tall—had appeared.
The Behemoth Legion.
Each carried enormous maces.
Our heavy cavalry were being slaughtered.
At the same time, reinforcements rushed from the fortress.
Ten dragons rose into the sky.
The Dragon Knights had finally joined the battle.
“The Beastmen Race is going all out. The Behemoth Legion has appeared.”
A thought suddenly struck me and my expression changed. “General, we should retreat. I’m afraid the Demon Race will match the Beastmen assault and go all out as well.”
The silver-armored general continued wielding his spear as he replied, “No. We absolutely cannot retreat. If we retreat now, I’m afraid we will be completely wiped out. Hurry to the rear and gather the students to retreat with you. You all are the hope for the future. I will stay here and stall the enemy as best I can.”
As we were speaking, the sky ahead of us suddenly darkened. Dense sheets of black mist swept toward us.
“Dark Magic!” the silver-armored general said in alarm. “Damn it. What are our magicians doing?”
In truth, the mage corps could not be blamed. We had charged too far ahead and had already moved beyond the perimeter of their protection.
“Young man, hurry and go. I will hold the line here.” But how could he possibly defend against this? Even his armor could not block such large-scale Dark Magic.
In the next instant the black mist reached our position. Just as I was about to use the Heavenly Demon Art to block the magic, I suddenly realized a layer of light had formed in front of me. The black mist dispersed one after another when it touched the light barrier, and I received no damage from the magical attack. Even without turning around, I knew who had protected me. Zi Yan.
The silver-armored general was not as fortunate. Although his qi was powerful, the corrosion of the Dark Magic quickly stained his armor with rust. In some places the metal had even been eaten through entirely.
At the same time, large blocks of infantry rushed out from the Demon Race camp and charged toward us. Two divisions even came from behind us. It looked as though they intended to encircle us.
The battlefield echoed with screams and cries. Although our heavy cavalry was powerful, most of them were only mid-level warriors. Facing such large-scale Dark Magic, how many could truly defend themselves?
Cavalrymen and horses screamed as they collapsed onto the battlefield, and once they fell they never rose again.
Such a large-scale Dark Magic attack… at least a thousand Demon Race dark magicians must be sustaining it.
It seems they are determined to destroy us regardless of the cost.
But the nightmare was not over. As the black mist gradually dispersed, I saw an even more terrifying sight.
Behind the dark magicians, a group of demons flew in the sky with black feathered wings. Each of them wielded a narrow black sword.
My heart sank.
The Demon Race’s trump card had appeared.
The Fallen Angel Legion.
Watching their shadows dive toward the battlefield, I immediately understood one thing. The heavy cavalry was finished.
There was no longer any reason to continue fighting beside the silver-armored general. I spurred Black Dragon forward and galloped away. I did not want to die, and I did not want my friends to die either—especially Zi Yan. She absolutely could not die.
A black shadow swept across the sky above me. Its target was Zi Yan, who was still casting Light Magic.
Ever since the Dark Magic appeared, the students had already begun retreating in panic. They were terrified. At least their academy training showed itself at that moment. They abandoned their horses and fled on foot, unleashing every bit of qi and wind-element magic they could muster.
Did they even need my leadership? Most of them had already escaped long ago.
The Fallen Angels’ strength was fully displayed. Although the fortress had sent Dragon Knights as reinforcements, their aid was far too slow. The Fallen Angels had already plunged straight into the heavy cavalry ranks, slaughtering my battle companions with terrifying speed. With every flash of black light, a cavalryman fell, never to rise again.
Because I possessed the same transformation myself, I understood their power well. Before the Dragon Knights arrived, it was entirely possible for them to wipe out all of us.
Facing the Fallen Angels, our fighting spirit completely vanished. We could only be slaughtered.
One relief remained. Feng Yun and Feng Wen had not fled. They were still beside Zi Yan, protecting her. With their protection, Zi Yan’s Light Magic was able to unleash devastating damage against the Demon Race.
Then I saw one Fallen Angel approach them.
“Zi Yan, be careful! Above you!”
Of course Zi Yan had already noticed the threat. She gathered the magic power within her entire body and released a protective screen of Light Magic. But the Fallen Angel laughed softly and slashed horizontally with the narrow sword in her hand. A flash of black light cut through the air, and with a single strike Zi Yan’s light barrier shattered into fragments that scattered into the wind.
I fired several low-level spells from my hands, trying to stop her from harming Zi Yan. But it was just like when I had faced Li Wa before—those low-level spells could not even penetrate the protective qi surrounding her body.
Only then did I realize something shocking. Judging from her voluptuous figure, that Fallen Angel was actually a woman.
Weren’t females unable to cultivate the Heavenly Demon Art? How could she?
She laughed like ringing silver bells. With a casual motion she deflected Feng Yun’s and Feng Wen’s attacks and dispelled them instantly. Then she lowered her hand and seized Zi Yan.
“What a beautiful girl. Come with me back to the Demon Race territory.”
At that moment I finally caught up to them. Black Dragon surged forward as Black Sable flashed with green light. I slashed directly toward the base of her wings.
The Fallen Angel casually raised her sword to block. A huge force surged from her blade into Black Sable, and I barely stabilized myself even after activating the Heavenly Demon Art.
“Let her go!” I shouted angrily.
The Fallen Angel looked surprised that my sword had not been knocked away. “Trying to play the hero and save the beauty? If that’s the case, follow me.”
With a flap of her wings she fled the battlefield.
“Feng Wen! You two retreat immediately!” I shouted behind me. “Once you meet the Dragon Knights you’ll be safe. I’m going to rescue Zi Yan!”
Leaving those words behind, I drove Black Dragon forward and chased after the Fallen Angel like a bolt of black lightning.
Strangely, she did not attempt to shake me off. Her speed would suddenly increase and then decrease. Whenever I got closer she sped up, and whenever the distance widened she slowed down to wait for me.
Zi Yan lay motionless in the crook of her arm. I could not tell whether she had been injured. My heart was extremely uneasy.
If anything happens to Zi Yan… how will I face Zi Xue?
Fortunately the Fallen Angel chose to travel along the main roads. Otherwise I could only have caught up by transforming into a Fallen Angel myself. I did not want to reveal that ability unless absolutely necessary, so I continued chasing her on Black Dragon.
We chased from day into night, and then again from night into the next day. I had no idea how far we had traveled, but one thing was certain—we had already entered Demon Race territory.
At last the Fallen Angel stopped in a forest. With a casual motion she tossed Zi Yan onto the grass.
“I’m exhausted from running,” she said lazily. “Stupid human. Is she your wife? Why are you chasing so desperately?”
Sweat streamed down my body as I pulled Black Dragon to a halt. During the pursuit I had already discarded my helmet and armor to reduce weight and increase speed. Now I wore only my sweat-soaked warrior’s clothing.
I stared at her carefully.
She was surprisingly beautiful. Her eyes were large and black, filled with a mysterious charm. She appeared about my age. Her leather armor covered only the vital parts of her body, and the narrow sword in her hand glowed with cold black light. If it had been an ordinary weapon, it would have shattered long ago when it clashed with Black Sable.
She stretched lazily while flapping her wings, her posture full of youthful arrogance. Yet her mature figure was striking. The wind lifted the hem of her short leather skirt, enough to make anyone imagine the view beneath it.
My thoughts snapped back immediately.
So this is the charm of the demons… even someone with strong willpower can be affected.
I shouted coldly, “Release her. If you do, I will let you leave safely.”
She giggled. “And if I refuse? Do you think you can defeat me? Haven’t you wondered why, even though I could have killed you already, I didn’t?”
I snorted coldly. “If you could kill us, why didn’t you?”
She jumped lightly into the air and smiled. “Of course there’s a reason. I’ve never seen humans before. Among the humans I’ve seen, you look the best. I was curious, so I lured you here to examine you.”
“You should obediently tie yourself up and wait to be captured. I might even leave your corpse intact.”
Although she spoke about killing so casually, I sensed no true killing intent from her.
I slowly raised Black Sable. “Do you think I’m afraid of you? Little girl, if you want my life, then come and take it.”
Her eyes suddenly lit up. “Wow, you’re quite stylish. Much stronger than the other trash. It’s a pity you’re human. Otherwise I might even chase after you.”
“Your sword is nice too. After you die, I’ll take it.”
“My name is Mi You. When you fall into hell, remember it.”
Her words almost made me laugh.
I jumped down from Black Dragon and patted his neck. Understanding immediately, Black Dragon moved aside.
“Before we begin, answer one question,” I said. “I thought only male Demon Race royals could cultivate the Heavenly Demon Art and become Fallen Angels. Why can you?”
Mi You giggled. “I’m a special case. Since you’re going to die anyway, it’s fine if I tell you.”
“I’m the youngest princess of the Demon Race royal family. My father doted on me greatly. Because he could not break through the Six-Winged Fallen Angel stage himself, he injected his own Heavenly Demon Art into my body so that I could cultivate it.”
“But because of that, he lost two levels of his power. Right now he cannot even transform into a Four-Winged Fallen Angel. He said he would need two years to recover.”
So that was the reason. I had thought the Heavenly Demon Art my grandmother gave me was flawed.
Switching Black Sable to my left hand, I slammed my fist heavily into the ground.
“Hurricane!”
The ground exploded violently, sending countless shards of rock flying toward her.
Mi You reacted instantly, forming a black barrier with her sword. Every shard that struck it turned to dust.
Mad God qi surged through my body, causing my hair to flutter wildly. A layer of golden light enveloped me as I roared,
“Heavenly Berserk!”
The second form of Mad God Fist erupted, waves of golden qi crashing toward Mi You. Her expression changed slightly.
At the last moment she folded her wings around her body like a shield. The attack struck with tremendous force, blasting her away into the forest.
I knew the attack succeeded only because she had underestimated me. A Fallen Angel could not be seriously injured so easily.
Taking advantage of the brief moment before she recovered, I rushed to Zi Yan’s side and lifted her body.
The moment I touched her, relief filled my heart. She was not injured. Her meridians were only temporarily sealed.
Under the shock of my qi, Zi Yan let out a soft cry and opened her eyes.
“I… I’m not dead?”
Rescuing her filled me with relief. I even revealed a rare smile.
“You’re alive. But the danger isn’t over. Rest there and watch me deal with the enemy.”
At that moment a powerful force struck from behind.
I grabbed Zi Yan and rolled aside. The ground where we had stood exploded into a massive crater.
Mi You rose into the sky again. Her hair was disheveled and she looked furious.
“Human, it seems I underestimated you. You’ve lost your chance of keeping your corpse intact. Now die.”
Black mist surged around her as the narrow sword in her hand gleamed with cold darkness.
I pushed Zi Yan away and raised Black Sable to block.
But it was already too late.
The narrow blade pierced my right shoulder.
Mad God qi and my Behemoth body deflected most of the force, but the sword still carved a deep wound.
An icy sensation spread rapidly through my body. Instantly the Heavenly Demon Art activated on its own and expelled the invading Dark energy, leaving a burning pain in my shoulder.
Mi You did not pursue immediately. She stared at me in shock.
“In my complete Fallen Angel form, you are the first person to take my blade directly and still retreat alive.”
Using Mad God qi, I sealed the bleeding vessels in my shoulder. Veins bulged in my arm as I gripped Black Sable tightly.
Zi Yan, who had been pushed aside, watched with pale concern.
If I want to survive today… I may have no choice but to transform.
But Zi Yan was right beside me. If she saw my Fallen Angel transformation, my identity in the Dragon God Empire would be exposed. And Zi Xue…
Just as I hesitated, Mi You raised her sword again.
“If I kill you, the humans will lose a future Dragon Knight.”
“Dragon Knight?” I replied calmly. “I’ve never cared about that. But one thing is certain—you cannot kill me.”
Mi You laughed softly.
“Such confidence. Let’s see whether your confidence is stronger… or my blade.”