Martial Cultivator
Chapter 781: We Have Returned

The thirty thousand miles of the desolate north was still considered a forbidden zone, but in truth, everyone knew that this so-called forbidden zone was gradually becoming unworthy of the name. In the past, anyone who entered from Nepenthe would surely die inside. But now, both human and demon cultivators who came to explore could clearly sense that those terrifying auras were weakening.

And the rate of weakening was not slow.

Originally, both sides had believed it would take at least over a dozen years for the desolate north to return to normal. But now it seemed that only a few years would be enough for things to return to how they once were.

Upon learning this news, the Great General of the Northern Frontier, Ning Ping, felt somewhat melancholic. On that day, during a meeting attended by over a dozen key military officials of the Northern Frontier, Ning Ping, the Great General himself, drifted off in thought several times, causing the officials present to feel rather worried.

Only after the meeting finally concluded did this Great General, in a rare occurrence, not rise to see the officials out. Instead, he sat in his chair in a daze, lost in thought.

About half an hour later, Ning Ping slowly returned to his senses, only to find a young man sitting across from him, drinking by himself.

“You're in quite the mood.”

Ning Ping glanced at the young man, who now faintly held the highest prestige among the younger generation in the north, and asked casually, “What alcohol?”

“I'm not the Great General. I don't have to worry about military matters all day. Now that there's no war, what else can I do but drink?”

“'Waiting for Husband's Return' - the name sounds nice. It's brewed by a woman whose husband died in the north. Legend says her tears are in the wine, so besides the taste of alcohol, there's a trace of bitterness in the aftertaste. Not many in the Northern Frontier like it, but I think it's pretty good, so I often go buy it.”

Gao Xuan poured a full cup for the general in front of him and glanced at the faint foam spreading on the surface of the wine.

"'Waiting for Husband's Return'? Will he return?”

Ning Ping took the cup and drank a mouthful. A moment later, he frowned slightly. As expected, once swallowed, a trace of bitterness quickly rose in his throat.

Gao Xuan said calmly, “That woman won't be able to wait anymore, but perhaps other women still have hope.”

Ning Ping glanced at Gao Xuan before him and said indifferently, “No one wants to go to war. I don't either.”

Gao Xuan said softly, “That's why Great General lost focus several times earlier. Is it because another great war is coming?”

“It won't be long. Once the desolate north returns to normal, there'll likely be a war. Last time, the demon race lost to us, they won't take things lying down.”

“As for the prediction of several years, I think that's still too optimistic. I fear that after this winter, there'll be a great war next year.”

Ning Ping narrowed his eyes and looked at Gao Xuan. “I haven't told anyone else that.”

Gao Xuan gave a bitter smile. “Then should I cut my tongue out now?”

Ning Ping just laughed it off.

“Great General, if the war breaks out next year, do you have confidence in our chances?”

Gao Xuan was somewhat worried. In every large-scale war between the demon race and Great Liang, Great Liang had always been at an absolute disadvantage. If war broke out again, the outcome was hard to predict.

Especially with how unstable things looked in the Divine Capital now. Without His Majesty in command to secure supplies and logistics, Gao Xuan was uneasy.

Ning Ping shook his head and said bluntly, “Gao Xuan, this is my first time serving as Great General. Although I've become familiar with the northern military, if you ask me whether I have confidence, then I can only tell you, I don't.”

“Great General... you're really... honest.”

Gao Xuan sighed, “Then let's just wait for our country to die.”

Ning Ping smacked Gao Xuan on the head and scolded with a smile, “Your Father was just being modest, and you little bastard act like Your Father is definitely going to lose?”

Gao Xuan grinned but did not reply.

Though it looked relaxed, everyone knew that none of them felt at ease.

“As for Xie Nandu, you can tell her my prediction, but don't spread it too widely.”

Ning Ping suddenly remembered that woman who had recently arrived in the north. She was already his subordinate now.

As for women joining the military, Ning Ping had always found it awkward. Not just him, even the generals in the General's Office, from the decorated veterans to the young officers, all felt somewhat uncomfortable.

Letting a woman stand among them, no matter what, it felt wrong.

What kind of world lets a woman die before this group of grown men?

“No need. Before I came, I just spoke with that Xie...General Xie, she had already come to the same conclusion. What she deduced was nearly identical to what the Great General just said. This general didn't believe it before, but now, hearing your words, I can only say that General Xie truly is remarkable.”

Gao Xuan sincerely believed that woman to be one of the finest women of this age.

Ning Ping laughed. “Admiration is fine, but don't fall for her. That girl's already been seen as a precious treasure by that brat. If you fall for her, be careful he comes after you carrying a saber. On the battlefield, you might be far better than him, but one-on-one? Even ten of you wouldn't be enough for him to kill.”

A trace of regret flashed across Gao Xuan's eyes, but he quickly smiled and said, “That Lord Warden Commander is strong in martial ability, but it may not necessarily be useful on the battlefield.”

Ning Ping gave Gao Xuan a look, as if seeing through the implication behind his words, and shook his head. “Can't say for sure. At the rate that stinking brat's growing, even I might not be able to beat him before long.”

Gao Xuan was stunned, then quickly changed the topic. “I heard that Lord Warden Commander killed Su Tong in Jiang'an Commandery.”

“That scum? If he killed him, so be it. There were people saying that brat was ignoring the frontier army by doing so, I didn't bother to respond. If I'd known Su Tong had done such things, I would've personally killed him myself.”

Ning Ping narrowed his eyes and said with a sigh and a smile, “But that brat sure acts a lot more impressively as Lord Warden Commander than I ever did. I didn't even know the Lord Warden Commander could act like that.”

Gao Xuan gave a bitter smile. Although this Great General was currently serving in the Northern Frontier Army, it was clear that the one he admired most was still that former subordinate of his, now a young man of equal rank.

It was not that the young men of the Northern Frontier Army were not outstanding, it was just that the young Lord Warden Commander truly stood too far above, so much so that just looking at his back made one feel it was impossible to catch up.

This feeling did not bother Gao Xuan much, but he figured that the other young men in the Northern Frontier probably would not feel too comfortable about it.

Ning Ping seemed to see through Gao Xuan's thoughts and squinted with a smile, saying, “When the lotus bud just shows its tip, the dragonfly has already landed atop.”

Gao Xuan had read many military texts, but he did not much like the poetry beloved by scholars, so he looked slightly confused.

“To tell you the truth, Gao Xuan, if that brat weren't in the Divine Capital serving as Lord Warden Commander, I wouldn't have even a shred of confidence in this coming war. But since he is there, at least for now, I feel at ease.”

Ning Ping took a deep breath and slapped the table hard in front of him.

......

......

In the desolate north, near the demon territories, armies had already begun to gather days ago. Countless demon armies came from all over, eventually assembling on this side.

These elite demon armies could originally only be mobilized by the Demon Emperor himself. But now that the Demon Emperor was absent, the one commanding them was naturally the High Priest.

The High Priest now stood atop a hill in front of the neatly arrayed army.

Beside him stood several figures exuding terrifying auras, each one shrouded in thick demonic qi, their true faces obscured.

“High Priest, you say His Majesty will return to the demon realm from this location. With such a grand mobilization, if His Majesty does not appear, what then?”

A deep voice rang out, ancient and desolate, as if it came from primordial times.

The High Priest, still hidden within his voluminous black robe, said calmly, “His Majesty will appear. Your worries are unnecessary.”

“If it is His Majesty returning, why is Her Highness the Princess not present?”

Another old voice sounded, asking the question that everyone present wanted to know.

The return of the Demon Emperor was undoubtedly a major event for the demon race. All the other princes were here, yet the most beloved princess was not. How could they not suspect?

The High Priest remained silent, clearly not intending to answer this question.

Thus, there was a long silence.

“High Priest, since you say His Majesty will soon return, do you know whether that human emperor died by His Majesty's hand?”

Another voice sounded out.

The High Priest answered as a matter of course, “Since His Majesty is returning, that human emperor naturally died at His Majesty's hands.”

“I know many do not wish for His Majesty's return. But nothing can stop His Majesty's footsteps. Those with treacherous hearts will face punishment.”

The High Priest sneered. “Many think the heavens will change, but the heavens will not.”

As the High Priest said this, the atmosphere over the desolate north suddenly surged. The terrifying auras parted to either side, forming a passage.

Everyone held their breath, and the demon soldiers' eyes burned with fervor. Ever since they learned that the Demon Emperor had vanished into the desolate north, they had constantly longed for His Majesty's return.

Now that His Majesty was finally returning, how could they not be excited?

All gazed eagerly ahead.

A terrifying pressure emerged before the figure they had longed day and night to see. The oppressive force swept across heaven and earth, making it difficult to breathe.

It was as if a wind had risen between heaven and earth at this moment, blowing away the demonic qi from all the great demons.

The powerful figures of the demon realm were all silent.

From this overwhelming pressure, they understood one thing clearly - this Demon Emperor had likely not just fully recovered, his cultivation had probably also surpassed what it once was.

This monarch's strength had likely already stepped beyond the end of Nepenthe.

At this thought, many hearts were filled with despair.

Moments later, the Demon Emperor appeared at the border of the desolate north, with a pale-faced woman standing at his side.

The Demon Emperor looked at his demon subjects silently, and at the great demons.

“Welcome back, Your Majesty!”

The High Priest descended from the hill and knelt on one knee.

Behind him, the gathered great demons also stepped forward and knelt.

“Welcome back, Your Majesty!”

Voices echoed, the cries of the demon army soaring to the heavens.

The Demon Emperor's face remained expressionless. He simply looked ahead and said calmly, "We have returned."