Volume 2 - Chapter 58: Li Tiangang, Come Out and Meet Your End!
Liangzhou, Eastern Frontier.
Beyond the Blackstone Great Wall, the landscape stretched unbroken to the horizon.
Gray clouds hung low, casting a somber tone over the windless grasslands.
Within the Great Wall, the vast frontier defense line was patrolled by soldiers clad in light armor, maintaining constant vigilance.
Inside the military camp, Li Tiangang held a military report in his hand. It contained intelligence about the recent movements and developments across Liangzhou.
Half a year ago, there had been a demon attack in the north. However, a secret letter sent to the Xia Family persuaded them to deploy border defense troops, ultimately repelling the demons.
The Xia Family had initially been reluctant to intervene. After all, this was a matter concerning the Li Family. While relations between the two families were cordial, crossing borders to provide military assistance was still a considerable strain, something they would only consider in the face of a catastrophic threat that imperiled multiple cities.
But Li Tiangang had clearly explained in his letter that the attack was likely a probing move by the demons. If the Xia Family chose to remain on the sidelines, the demons would use the north as a breach point, turning it into the largest battlefield.
Such a development would inevitably spread to Jizhou, the Xia Family's territory, causing even greater losses for them.
To convince them further, Li Tiangang shared classified military intelligence from Liangzhou, including the well-fortified defenses of its eastern and western borders and the fact that a Fourth Pillar Realm powerhouse was stationed at Tianmen Pass in the south. These points helped the Xia Family realize that the flames of this conflict could very well reach them. Consequently, they joined forces with the Liangzhou military to drive the demons away.
From that point onward, the northern region, as Li Tiangang had predicted, saw no further signs of demonic activity.
This display of strategic brilliance from Li Tiangang, the "True Dragon" of the Li Family, earned him considerable recognition from the Xia Family. His ability to persevere and ultimately triumph against demons in Yanbei, despite overwhelming odds for over a decade, became a testament to his military acumen.
“Fifth Brother’s side hasn’t seen any demonic appearances for a while now. These demons staged a feint, but it’s painfully obvious,” Li Tiangang murmured to himself. “They’ve been stalling too blatantly over in Liuzhou.”
“That’s where the distraction lies!”
“Their real killing blow isn’t aimed at Liuzhou but at Liangzhou—or perhaps Youzhou!”
Li Tiangang’s gaze turned icy. He had been stationed in Liangzhou for nearly a year. Since his arrival, he had driven back the invading demons from the eastern frontier. After that, the demons dared not launch any large-scale assaults, resorting instead to occasional harassment.
Yet Li Tiangang’s insight extended beyond Liangzhou, encompassing the intelligence coming from other provinces. Based on the reports, he had deduced the true intentions of the demons.
This understanding was the reason he remained stationed here, even in the absence of significant battles.
He had already seen through the demons’ plans.
“Cangya City has been rebuilt...”
Li Tiangang’s expression darkened as he scanned the report detailing the reconstruction efforts.
Tianmen Pass in the south, where Li Hao was stationed, had also drawn his attention. However, the continuous stream of news from there offered him little solace.
Since Li Muxiu and the Tianji Hall Master, Lu Chunsheng, had assisted Li Hao in repelling the long-entrenched Myriad Mountains Demon King and two other ancient demon kings, Tianmen Pass had experienced a rare period of peace.
During this reprieve, the once-ruined Cangya City had been rebuilt from the rubble.
This would have been a joyous occasion under normal circumstances.
Li Tiangang could understand the sentiment behind it.
However, if it had only been a matter of rebuilding the city and erecting defensive arrays, it would have been acceptable.
But the city gates had been thrown open, allowing people from all provinces to enter freely. Merchants settled there, and even ordinary citizens began migrating to the city. It was developing as though it were a bustling city deep within the borders, rather than a border fortress.
Cangya City was thriving and vibrant, resembling a major city in the heart of the country.
But this wasn’t the interior; it was the frontier!
At any moment, the demons could strike!
Given the current precarious situation in Liangzhou, if the demons targeted Tianmen Pass, it would undoubtedly lead to another bloody battle, with countless lives lost.
“A few accomplishments, and they’ve grown arrogant.”
“Even Hongzhuang doesn’t stop this. She’s spent years at the border; surely she can see through this illusion of prosperity!”
Li Tiangang’s face darkened further. It seemed that everyone close to Li Hao was overly indulgent of him, allowing him to act recklessly.
Second Uncle, Fifth Uncle, Sister-in-law—all of them were the same. And now even his little sister, a seasoned warrior of the frontier, had joined them!
Was it simply because of Li Hao’s unparalleled talent?
Li Tiangang acknowledged Li Hao’s exceptional gifts, far surpassing his own. But it was precisely because of this that indulgence was dangerous!
Li Tiangang blamed himself for failing to intervene earlier. The prolonged war in Yanbei had kept him away from the family, and this weighed heavily on his heart.
“Bring me paper and brush,” Li Tiangang commanded. He intended to issue a military order instructing Li Hongzhuang at Tianmen Pass to disperse the civilians in Cangya City.
As a border city, it required only a minimal population to maintain the flow of resources. The current influx of civilians was a disaster waiting to happen.
Li Fu moved to fetch the writing materials, but before he could leave, a thunderous roar echoed from the distant border:
“Li Tiangang, come out and meet your end!!”
...
A terrifying sound wave shook the air, causing the tent flaps of the military camp to tremble violently.
Li Fu, who had just stepped outside, froze, his face shifting between anger and alarm. A burst of spiritual energy erupted from his body, lifting him into the air as he looked toward the border.
In the distance, a tiny black figure hovered in midair, arms crossed. The figure wore an opulent gilded battle robe and gazed down coldly.
Li Fu’s expression changed. Even from afar, he could feel the overwhelming and suffocating pressure emanating from the figure, as deep and vast as an abyss.
From years of fighting alongside Li Tiangang, Li Fu immediately recognized what he was facing: a demon king!
Before Li Fu could return to report, the commotion had already alarmed the entire border camp.
Li Tiangang’s eyes narrowed at the sound of the roar. These beasts had finally run out of patience.
Taking a single step forward, he strode out of the camp and ascended into the air, locking eyes with the demon king standing beyond the defensive line.
“Still alive, are you?”
Feng Shanjun exhaled heavily upon seeing Li Tiangang, as though he’d been holding in a great fury that he could finally unleash.
“That damned brat destroyed one of my lives!” Feng Shanjun roared internally. The chance to reverse fate, an opportunity that only came once in a lifetime, had been wasted. To him, this was equivalent to a blood feud.
“Die!”
Feng Shanjun bellowed as a blazing crimson spear appeared in his hand, surging with fiery light. He shot forward with unparalleled ferocity.
Behind the defensive line, soldiers were stunned and horrified.
This was the first time a demon king had brazenly attacked a border fortress, issuing a solo challenge. The sheer audacity left them reeling.
“Activate the array!”
Li Tiangang’s cold and commanding voice rang out, cutting through the chaos. His shout steadied the troops, quelling the momentary panic.
The demon king's spear, blazing with fiery divine light, struck the defensive line and triggered the array.
Golden rays shot out like thousands of blazing suns, forming a protective shield that enveloped the defensive line.
The shield shimmered with intricate golden runes, resonating with the mysterious power of celestial bodies and the essence of nature.
Feng Shanjun’s attack slammed into the array, sending ripples of light cascading through the shield. Though the array absorbed the impact, it trembled under the force, the golden runes flashing erratically as they strained to contain the energy.
Undeterred, Feng Shanjun’s fiery eyes glowed as he unleashed a relentless series of attacks. His spear hammered at the array again and again, shaking it to its core. Golden light scattered in all directions, the shield pulsating with energy.
Inside the defensive line, the soldiers wasted no time. Swiftly and efficiently, they formed ranks, prepared for battle.
The first to assemble was the elite Yuanzi Army, the Li Family’s strongest unit.
Ten thousand soldiers channeled their power into the Six Phases Star Formation, merging their strength with the array.
Under their control, the celestial formation could withstand the attacks of a demon king for the time it took to burn one incense stick.
“Yu Xuan, notify the other units immediately. The entire defense line must enter a state of full battle readiness. The demon army could strike at any moment!”
Li Tiangang issued the command to Yu Xuan, who hesitated for only a fraction of a second before understanding.
This demon king had likely come to draw attention and provoke a reaction. The absence of demonic hordes in the surrounding region suggested their forces might be advancing elsewhere along the defensive line.
Yu Xuan bowed and departed swiftly to relay the orders.
Moments later, the blaring sound of ancient war horns filled the air, their low, resonant tones reverberating across the battlefield.
The call to arms echoed throughout the defense line, triggering a flurry of activity in every camp. Soldiers donned armor, grasped weapons, and took their positions with urgency, ready for battle.
At the farthest edges of the defensive line, the ground began to shake. A dark, rolling mass of shadows appeared on the horizon, moving with the unstoppable force of a mudslide.
It was a demonic horde, a black tide surging forward with an earth-shaking roar.
Signal flares shot into the sky from the distant defenses, their sharp whistles piercing the air. Each flare blazed brightly, a warning visible across the entire line.
Li Tiangang’s gaze shifted toward the horizon. As expected, his deductions had been correct.
“Kill!”
The killing intent in his eyes burned fiercely. Looking at the demon king assaulting the array, Li Tiangang took a step forward. Drawing upon the power of the formation, he summoned one of the sealed demon souls within it.
However, he did not unleash the full power of the array. The battle ahead required its strength to withstand the larger assault.
Instead, he called forth a single demon soul and fused it with his own body.
From the military camp, a brilliant divine blade shot into the air, drawn by his summons. At the same time, pieces of battle armor flew toward him: shoulder guards, a protective heart mirror, arm bracers, greaves, boots, and a billowing cape.
The armor snapped into place with practiced precision, encasing him fully in gleaming plate. The divine blade in his hand flared with radiant energy, its edge alive with blazing power.
“Die!”
With a single step, Li Tiangang charged out of the protective array, heading directly for the demon king.
“You think a mere Three Immortals warrior dares to seek death so boldly?”
“Just like your accursed brat of a son—both of you are fated to die by my hand!”
Feng Shanjun sneered as Li Tiangang approached. His mocking laughter turned to fury, the flames in his eyes flaring dangerously.
The crimson spear swept out in a wide arc, its fiery glow scorching the air as it struck with precision.
...