The Name of Eternals

Chapter 185: The Demons All Know

Watching Li Hongzhuang's departing figure, Li Xuanli, Li Qingling, and the others were filled with worry.

Without the demon kings' involvement, they were top-tier combat forces capable of influencing the battle's outcome. However, once the demon kings engaged, they were forced to hide and avoid direct confrontation, unless protected by a Four Pillars Realm expert. But such powerful warriors were scarce. If there were many of them, the demons wouldn't have launched such a massive invasion of Liangzhou in the first place.

Even if reinforcements from the Four Pillars Realm were on their way, it would take time. For now, their only hope rested in the battle flags Li Hongzhuang carried.

In Liangzhou's eastern region, on a vast plain, the beacon fires shot into the sky, visible from great distances. Tens of thousands of soldiers from the Yuanzi battalion, along with tens of thousands of border troops, retreated while providing cover.

Behind them, the demon horde wasn't pursuing. Only six demon kings were chasing after the tens of thousands of troops. Other demon kings, including the Yin Lady, were absent, likely occupied by the Desert Sword Saint. Without this, the Yin Lady's pursuit would have been impossible to escape.

"Hold on a bit longer, the second defensive line is just ahead!"

Li Tiangang, covered in blood, had once again utilized his Undying Power, temporarily halting the demon kings' advance, buying time for the army's retreat. Now, his injuries were slowly healing, but the repeated trauma had slowed his recovery. Despite using medicinal powders and swallowing a bellyful of healing elixirs, the effects weren't immediate, requiring one to two hours for absorption and transformation.

"Follow me to stop the demons!"

A general roared beside him.

Li Tiangang turned to see another ten thousand-strong Yuanzi battalion slowing down to obstruct the demon kings. This scene had repeated several times along their retreat. His face darkened, but he felt powerless to stop it.

Even though flags of command had been sent out, reaching tens of thousands of miles across various provinces, the reinforcements needed time to arrive. Meanwhile, the demons gave them no respite, launching a swift border assault that hadn't even seen the sun set.

"Faster, keep going!!"

Li Tiangang roared. He hadn't lost hope. With tens of thousands of soldiers behind him, he intended to lead them to safety.

Boom! The ground shook behind him. The recently stationed ten-thousand-strong battalion, having just formed their formation, was obliterated by the combined assault of five demon kings. They were annihilated in moments.

This battalion, capable of conquering a city, was helpless before the demon kings, only managing to delay them for a few seconds.

The sound of hooves pounding in his ears, Li Tiangang could almost hear the heart of his mount, the Red Blood Horse, thundering in his chest. The horse, too, was exhausted but continued galloping, knowing that stopping meant death.

The setting sun, shining from the plains ahead, was blinding. Its orange hue, like spilled blood, bathed the armor of these weary soldiers, casting a desolate glow.

Li Tiangang saw the distant city, the second defensive line. But despite seeing it, he knew he couldn't reach it. His journey would end here.

Is this my twilight? Li Tiangang gazed ahead, feeling more melancholy than anger. After a lifetime of battles, killing countless demons, was he to fall here?

Big brother, second brother, third brother... As the faces of his brothers appeared before him, Li Tiangang found that death wasn't so terrifying. His father and brothers were waiting for him on the other side.

But... Qingqing.

Thinking of his beloved wife, his heart ached. He had hoped to reach the peak of the Four Pillars Realm, pacify the demonic calamity in the four states guarded by the Li family, and then venture to the Great Wilderness to find her.

Now, that dream was shattered. The parting in Yanbei would be their final farewell.

Li Tiangang also thought of another figure, that stubborn young man. He sighed inwardly, knowing he would never get the chance to teach him again. Hopefully, his second uncle wouldn't continue to indulge him. Once he was dead, the boy would return to the Li family. Then the true dragon's mantle would have a successor.

But could he bear this responsibility and lead the Li family forward?

The setting sun illuminated Li Tiangang's face, reflecting the many regrets in his eyes. He sighed softly, realizing they couldn't reach the defensive line. Someone had to stay behind to hold off the demon kings.

It could be the entire Yuanzi battalion, giving their lives to buy him time, or it could be him alone, buying time for tens of thousands of soldiers.

The choice was clear.

Li Tiangang gently patted the Red Blood Horse beneath him and whispered, "You're tired too. Go on."

The horse seemed to understand, tears welling in its large eyes.

Li Tiangang hovered in the air, watching as the horse slowed and stayed behind, refusing to leave. He couldn't help but smile.

Taking a deep breath, he turned and roared, "Everyone, move forward at full speed!!"

"The second defensive line is just ahead!"

"Charge!!"

His voice echoed far and wide. Tens of thousands of soldiers heard him, saw him stopping, some realizing what was happening, their eyes reddening.

"Now, it's up to you, Fifth Brother..."

Li Tiangang glanced at the distant city walls, wondering if his fifth brother was there. Unfortunately, they wouldn't meet one last time.

He smiled softly, about to look away when he saw a black dot in the distance. Surprised, he focused his vision, recognizing the figure—it was his younger sister.

Li Tiangang's heart trembled, remembering his signal for help. He had hoped for reinforcements from the garrison or Four Pillars experts. Instead, only his sister had come, alone.

His face darkened as he roared, "Hongzhuang, don't come!!"

"Too late!"

As her voice echoed, six demonic presences surged behind Li Tiangang. The vine demon elder struck first, a thousand vine whips lashing out to capture Li Tiangang and redeem his previous failure.

Li Tiangang roared, his aura boiling as he drew his divine blade. But the other five demon kings also attacked, sending him flying, crashing into the ground, sliding over a hundred meters before stopping.

The six demon kings moved like thunder, closing in. Suddenly, a battle flag whistled through the air from tens of miles away.

Whoosh! The flag flew, exploding before the six demon kings.

Li Hongzhuang had destroyed the flag, releasing the sword formation.

A brilliant sword light swept out, forcing the demon kings back, but the light quickly dissipated. In the brief respite, two more flags flew in, landing before Li Tiangang, protecting him.

Just as he struggled to rise, preparing for a desperate fight, he saw the unexpected turn of events. Stunned, he watched as Li Hongzhuang arrived beside him.

"Seventh Brother, are you okay?"

Li Hongzhuang immediately stood in front of him, eyeing the six demon kings warily. Despite the battle flags on her back, she felt uncertain. She thought the situation with her fifth brother was bad, but this was worse.

"Why did you come? Leave now!"

Li Tiangang roared.

"Let's leave together!"

Li Hongzhuang quickly replied.

"Then none of us will leave!"

Li Tiangang was furious. Though he appreciated her intentions, this was no time for hesitation.

"No, we can leave with Hao'er's battle flags protecting us!"

Li Hongzhuang quickly said.

Li Tiangang, momentarily stunned by her words, saw the flag planted before him, bearing the name "Haotian."

"Did he come too?"

He wanted to look around for Li Hao.

Li Hongzhuang transmitted her voice, "Hao'er is holding Tianmen Pass. He sent me with his flags to help."

"How can his flags help..."

Li Tiangang, hearing Li Hao was still at Tianmen Pass, felt anger rising. The situation was critical; they should consolidate defenses quickly. Holding Tianmen Pass would only allow demons to break through elsewhere. If Liangzhou fell, what was the point of holding one pass?

Though he was angry, he knew Li Hao was young and inexperienced in warfare. But didn't the Four Pillars expert with him understand?

Before Li Hongzhuang could explain the flags' power, the six demon kings, wary of the sword formation from the shattered flag, eyed the numerous flags on her back with apprehension.

Realizing the demon kings knew of Li Hao's reputation, Li Hongzhuang saw an opportunity.

"Let's go!"

She urged Li Tiangang, leading the retreat. He gritted his teeth, realizing they had no choice but to fight while retreating.

The demon kings, poised to pursue, hesitated as Li Hongzhuang detonated two more flags, releasing sword auras that forced them back.

Seeing this, Li Tiangang understood the power of the flags, realizing the sword auras weren't Li Hongzhuang's attacks but something else.

"What is this?" Li Tiangang asked urgently.

"A sword formation," Li Hongzhuang quickly explained. "Hao'er's flags contain a sword formation, as powerful as a Dao Heart attack."

Stunned, Li Tiangang realized these flags held such power. He wondered how such formations could be embedded in flags, suspecting a secret technique from the Celestial Monitors. But why use this secret technique on Li Hao's flags?

In all his years of war, he had never received such support. Perhaps it hadn't been developed then? Or maybe, the Emperor, recognizing Li Hao as the future True Dragon of the Li family, had granted these resources, including a famous sword and high ranks.

Understanding this, Li Tiangang sighed, realizing the Emperor's favor was more extensive than he imagined. As long as Li Hao didn't act out of line, he wouldn't intervene anymore.