Chapter 0: The Beginning of the Final Battle
Lin Feng led the Suicide Squad forward, like an indomitable spear piercing through the ranks of the Demon Army and the Barbarian forces. Although the victory at Chang'an had inflicted heavy casualties on the Demon Army, the Barbarian troops still maintained a strong fighting force.
As the battle reached its climax, more Barbarian tribes began to mobilize their armies to join the fray, eager to reap the benefits of the chaos.
"My lord, someone requests an audience."
"Bring them in."
Lin Feng looked at the person before him—a scruffy man with a bushy beard, dressed in tattered gray clothing that resembled a farmer's attire. Lin Feng asked, "Who are you?"
"My lord, don't you recognize me?" The voice that came from this person was surprisingly feminine and melodious.
"Your voice sounds familiar, as if I've heard it not long ago. You are... Mulan?"
"Indeed."
"Ah, why are you dressed like this?"
"More Barbarian tribes are attacking. The princess is trying to relieve pressure on you by resisting the Barbarians while moving closer to Chang'an. Due to her slow progress, she sent me to find you and inform you of our situation. I dressed like this for convenience."
"My lord, is there any water? I need to freshen up," Mulan explained.
"There is water available. But won't it be troublesome to dress up again when you return?" Lin Feng countered.
"Oh right," Mulan realized.
"My lord, this is a letter from the princess; please take a look."
Lin Feng took it, feeling an indescribable sense of gratitude. He never expected her to send troops to aid Tang. As he opened it, he saw elegant characters written in neat lines: "Lin Feng, hearing of Tang's decline and fearing for its safety against the Demon and Barbarian forces, I lead the Wind Army to join you. I miss you dearly; please take care of yourself."
Looking forward to our reunion.
I miss you, Wind Spirit.
Upon reading this letter, Lin Feng felt an inexplicable emotion stir within him. This must be the sentiment of love among those who fight on the battlefield.
Lin Feng held the pen, pondering for a long time before writing a reply: Your Highness, you are a woman of great wisdom and a heroine among women. Do not engage in prolonged battles with the newly joined Barbarian forces; hasten to meet me.
I await you in Jinfeng.
Lin Feng.
The Wind Army engaged in fierce battle with the newly arrived Barbarian Tribe, claiming over thirty thousand enemy lives. Upon learning that the Wind Army had allied with the Tang Dynasty, many Barbarian tribes ceased their attacks, opting to observe the situation for now.
Wind Spirit also received Lin Feng's reply and, after reviewing it, issued an order: "All commanders, heed my command. The army shall advance at full speed, disregarding the Barbarian forces behind us; focus solely on defeating the demons and Barbarians ahead."
One hundred thousand soldiers of the Wind Army marched toward Chang'an, sweeping through the territories and reclaiming cities lost by the Tang Dynasty with overwhelming force.
Five days later, the Wind Army finally caught up with Lin Feng's Suicide Squad.
Without waiting for further notice, Wind Spirit hurriedly rushed into Lin Feng's quarters. Even years later, when recalling that moment, every detail of their reunion on the battlefield remained vividly etched in her memory.
When Wind Spirit pushed open the door, she saw a man clad in golden Xuanjia armor. The light in the room was not particularly bright, yet the armor radiated a soft golden glow.
The man was studying a map laid out on the table, his brow slightly furrowed. His handsome features conveyed a sense of determination.
His shoulders were not particularly broad, yet to Wind Spirit, he appeared like a mountain standing before her—reliable and warm.
"Lin Feng..." A myriad of longing and tenderness coalesced into those two words of call.
Lin Feng looked up and saw a Peerless Woman. Dressed in Golden Armor, her long black hair was neatly tied up at the back of her head. Her eyes were filled with tenderness, making Lin Feng feel somewhat intoxicated as he gazed at her.
Wind Spirit couldn't help but rush forward and embrace Lin Feng tightly, holding him close.
"Lin Feng, it's so good to see you," Wind Spirit whispered.
Lin Feng's hands stiffly hovered in the air as he looked at Wind Spirit in his arms, feeling her warmth and affection. He wanted to hold her back, but suddenly, he thought of Miaomiao.
Thus, Lin Feng remained like a stone statue, allowing Wind Spirit to hold him as she wished.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, they finally parted. Lin Feng asked with concern, "It must have been tough on your journey."
"It's alright, not as hard as it was for you. I can see the red veins in your eyes; how long has it been since you rested?" Wind Spirit asked with a pained expression.
"I..." Lin Feng suddenly realized that it had been about a month since he left the Northern Frontier. He hadn't even noticed that he had gone an entire month without sleep.
A month! Thinking about this terrifying number, Lin Feng suddenly remembered Tang Jiner. He wondered if Chang'an could hold out.
Due to Lin Feng's direct approach, the Demon Lord took notice. He mistakenly believed that the Great Tang's Northern Frontier Army had already penetrated deep into the demon and Barbarian forces.
The Demon Lord immediately mobilized several Barbarian armies to crush the Northern Frontier Army, significantly relieving the pressure on Chang'an's forces.
In Chang'an, Tang Jiner observed the movements of the Demon Lord's Barbarian armies and pondered, "Their forces are starting to withdraw; could reinforcements have arrived?"
"It should be Lin Feng leading the Northern Frontier Army," Mo Mo said with a look of joy.
"I didn't expect Lin Feng to move so quickly."
Tang Jiner also showed surprise, but as she glanced at the situation within Chang'an, her expression turned serious. "I wonder if we can hold out until Lin Feng arrives."
"Princess, we can definitely do this," Mo Mo comforted.
"Mo Mo, if it comes down to the last moment, you must remember to leave on your own. With your Holy Art abilities, they will find it hard to kill you."
"Princess, when the time comes to leave, I will take you with me."
"If the Tang Dynasty falls, what use is my life? I should disappear along with it into the annals of history."
"Princess, please don't be so pessimistic. Have you forgotten the turmoil in the Southern Frontier years ago? Just when we thought there was no way out, Lin Feng arrived."
"Yes. After all these years, I never expected such a scene to unfold again. What did I do for him in my past life that he feels compelled to repay me in this one? It truly burdens Lin Feng," Tang Jiner said with a bitter smile, feeling as though she was dragging Lin Feng down.
After reuniting with Wind Spirit, Lin Feng led his Suicide Squad while Wind Spirit commanded his formidable Cavalry. The two legendary generals joined forces.
The remaining troops of the Wind Army were led by Mulan, who followed at her fastest pace. Together with the Northern Frontier carrying supplies, they formed a V-shaped formation as they advanced, preparing to converge in Hexi County.
Lin Feng and Wind Spirit's coalition swept through their enemies effortlessly, encountering no resistance as they moved forward as if through uninhabited territory. They were the first to reach Hexi County and began organizing efforts to eliminate the Barbarians and demons while discussing battle plans and waiting for the Wind Army and Northern Frontier Army to arrive.
In the Tang Dynasty, Fan City.
The Demon Lord once again summoned his generals.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I have some bad news to share. Hexi County has fallen; we are being attacked from both sides by the human race. Are you afraid?"
Upon hearing this unfortunate news, the Barbarians began murmuring among themselves, starting to doubt the Demon Lord's command abilities and strength. However, the few remaining Cultists shouted, "We are not afraid; we are always willing to sacrifice for the great cause of our demon race."
"Good! You truly are fine sons of our demon race."
The demon race displayed satisfaction and then analyzed the situation: "Now we have reached a critical moment for both sides' survival. We have two choices: either we mobilize all our forces to capture Chang'an City. This is entirely achievable. However, capturing Chang'an City has become meaningless as it is already in ruins."
"Moreover, there is a royal expert within the city of Chang'an, whose cultivation is not much inferior to mine."
"In contrast, the commanders of the Great Tang's Northern Frontier Army and the Wind Clan are all young and their cultivation is weak. They can barely hold their ground against you generals, but before me, they are as weak as ants."
"I will personally lead the army to eliminate them. If the capable generals of the Northern Frontier Army and the Wind Army fall, both armies will lose their leaders and will surely collapse. Then the observing Barbarian forces will take advantage of the situation. This is my second option."
Heishan listened to this and expressed deep respect, saying, "Your Majesty is wise. With Your Majesty leading, capturing Lin Feng and Wind Spirit's heads will be effortless."
"To take the heads of Wind Spirit and Lin Feng is to showcase the might of our royal family," the demon clan disciples shouted in unison.
At that moment, the Demon Lord led all the soldiers of the demon clan, rallying the rebel forces under Jiang Wannian from the southern border of Great Tang, along with troops from three Barbarian tribes, totaling three hundred thousand soldiers to counterattack Hexi County.
The greatest taboo in marching is a lack of supplies. With Jishan County having been retaken by Lin Feng, both the demon clan and the Barbarians lost their chance for prolonged warfare and could only aim for a swift resolution.
Woo... woo... woo...
The long horn sounded in the skies near Hexi County as dust was raised by three hundred thousand troops, resembling an approaching sandstorm.
The Guardians of Hexi County heard the sound of the horn and saw the dust storm drawing closer; everyone began to feel anxious. This was truly the formidable demon Barbarian army. An unprecedented battle was about to unfold.
Wind Spirit looked at the encroaching demon Barbarian army and spoke softly, "The Demon Army has arrived."
"Indeed," a hint of joy and relief appeared on Lin Feng's face. If they had drawn in the main force of the demon Barbarian army, then would Chang'an not be safe?
If so, then perhaps the Northern Frontier Army could finally break Chang'an's siege.
Lin Feng gathered all his soldiers, standing atop a high point for one final rallying call.
"Brothers, the Demon Barbarian Army is about to arrive. They outnumber us and are stronger than us; are you afraid?"
"I'm not afraid."
"Good. As my Tang Soldiers, what do we take pride in? Crushing ants is not glory; slaying the Lion is the true nature of my Tang Soldiers. This time, with the Demon Lord personally coming, let us brothers take the Demon Lord's head."
"Kill the Demon Clan, annihilate the Demon Clan, reclaim our lands."
"Kill the Demon Clan, annihilate the Demon Clan, reclaim our lands."
The Soldiers chanted in unison, their fighting spirit soaring. Everyone knew that the Tang and the Demon Barbarians had reached a point where it was either kill or be killed.
In a narrow encounter, the brave would prevail!
The army led by the Demon Lord had arrived near Hexi, less than thirty miles away from Lin Feng's Northern Frontier Army and Wind Spirit's Wind Army.
The Demon Lord gazed at the two generals not far away, his expression calm yet imposing: "Lin Feng, Wind Spirit, rising stars. The human race is remarkable; there are always astonishing talents emerging."
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