Dance Of The Dragons
Chapter 374 : A Beneficial Trade

Chapter 374: Chapter 374 : A Beneficial Trade

That was what Zhang Fengxi planned to do, but the war dragged on for a longer period.

Days morphed into weeks, each dawn marked by the echoes of clashing steel and the acrid tang of smoke. Two whole weeks passed before they managed to push the demonic forces to the edge.

Exhaustion clung heavily to them like a shroud, etched in the lines of their faces and the slump of their shoulders.

"I know that everyone is exhausted," Zhang Fengxi spoke in their strategic meeting that evening. "One last day. Tomorrow will be the deciding battle. Tomorrow we shall send them all back to the Demonic Realm," he promised.

Of his four generals, he lost two during the war.

With General Lan’s passing four days ago and General Hong’s injury a day ago, their command structure suffered a critical setback. They were forced to adapt their tactics, clinging to a precarious advantage against the demonic forces.

Only Wu Shenxia and General Jiang remained to split the remaining troops amongst themselves, their bodies bruised and battered, but their spirits unyielding.

"They were not usually this strong," General Jiang remarked with a hint of frustration. "What in seven hells is happening in the Demonic Realm?"

"The First Demon King stands behind them," Zhang Fengxi remarked. "He hasn’t made his appearance after he deserted Xie Jianzhi five years ago. He most likely is working on strengthening his troops, using the several demon kings under him to test our might again and again."

Wu Shenxia rubbed at her chin.

"Makes sense. All the opponents I fought during the past few days had been extraordinarily strong. One lowly demon could take out two of my soldiers."

"Let’s use the remaining time to restructure our troops," Zhang Fengxi said. "I already sent a message to our base, asking for reinforcement. As we discussed previously, I will take a third of the troops under my command."

"Yes, Supreme General," both of his generals replied in unison. They offered one last bow before they left the tent together.

Zhang Fengxi slumped into a chair, his head lolling back against the rough wood. A hiss of pain escaped him as he stretched his back, a tender ache reminding him of the wound he sustained during a close encounter with the Second Demon King a day ago.

Zhang Fengxi pushed himself to his feet. With nimble hands he took off his armor, letting the metal plates fall to the ground one after another.

Thick bandages were swathed around his stomach, extending all the way to his back and shoulder. Right now, the bandages were dotted with crimson color. His wound reopened from his careless movement, causing blood to seep out.

Zhang Fengxi ripped the bandages off his body and reached for a fresh, new one nearby.

The Second Demon King that Zhang Fengxi remembered was not the same as the one whom he encountered in this war. The current Second Demon King was a mighty opponent who was two times as tall as Zhang Fengxi, wielding a long double-edged blade made out of pure steel.

One swipe could easily kill twenty of his unsuspecting opponents.

Had the demon not missed his target, he might have cleaved Zhang Fengxi in two halves with ease.

Thankfully, Zhang Fengxi managed to kill him and obliterate his troops soon after he received the wound.

It was a worthy exchange, he thought to himself.

The Supreme General looked down at himself after he finished replacing his bandages.

And now, a very good question posed itself. Was he fit to lead the army toward victory?

"Oh, Jianbao," Zhang Fengxi could not help but think about his wife. "If only you were here. I would love to hear your input."

Zhang Fengxi gritted his teeth and clenched his fists.

"Snap out of it, Zhang Fengxi," he reprimanded himself. "You are the Supreme General of the Heavenly Empire. You must not wallow in weakness at this deciding moment."

Zhang Fengxi put on his robe and then his armor plates.

"Ma Dingzi, come in here," he called out to his attendant, who came into the tent as soon as he heard his name being called.

"Yes, Supreme General?"

"My armor," he remarked. "Help me put it on."

"Yes, Sir. Oh, Supreme General, by the way..."

Ma Dingzi kept turning his head toward the tent entrance.

"Uhh, there is a guest for Your Highness."

"Oh?"

Once Zhang Fengxi was fully armored, Ma Dingzi allowed said guest to enter the tent.

A smirk spread on Zhang Fengxi’s face when his special guest made his appearance. It was a useful friend that Xie Jianshen personally introduced to him after he ascended the throne and was no longer able to sneak around to conduct illegal transactions.

"Hello," Zhang Fengxi shook the furry creature’s hand. "About time. Did you bring what I need?"

"Ooooh, ahhhhh~" the trader ape jumped up and down in excitement.

It took off the bundle at its back and unwrapped it. Beneath the ragged cloth lay a black zither that was dripping with demonic aura.

"Perfect," Zhang Fengxi remarked. He then rummaged inside his qiankun pouch and procured a small bag.

"Here you go, the Spiritwood Caps that grow at the base of the Tree of Life."

The ape performed a salute before Zhang Fengxi, showed him his yellowish teeth, and then left with his payment.

While Zhang Fengxi was admiring the zither from all sides, the reinforcement he asked for arrived in the form of Shi Qingyue, who did not at all look pleased to be there.

"With all due respect, Supreme General, did you maybe mean to summon my aunt, the Palace Master? I am an omega, useless on a battlefield," she spat as soon as she arrived.

"Oh, no, I did ask for you," Zhang Fengxi grinned at Shi Qingyue. "You are the best zither player across the Heavenly Realm at the moment. I need you to play a few select tunes for me."

Shi Qingyue let out a sharp gasp when she caught sight of the ominous-looking zither on the ground.

"What kind of cursed zither is that??? Zhang Fengxi, I am going to report you to the Golden Dragon Palace if you try to harm me!"

Zhang Fengxi chuckled.

"Of course not," he said. "I would never hurt my wife’s close friends."