Chapter 455: This Is No Victory (1/2)

”Fall back! Retreat!”

Shi Hou faltered for a moment before continuing his escape with his near-death lord. Despite losing his arm and his horns, he did not stop running. And his voice was even greater than before, overtaking every other voice and sound.

Huo Shen and Ao Shuang stopped mid-air, no longer chasing at Ling Xue.

They looked at each other before glaring at the Yao Princess.

”This isn't over.”

They turned away and returned to their clans, retreating from the fight. She watched them go, breathing heavily as the crimson aura dissipated. The flute fell to her side as the Yao Demon descended down to her clan.

”Princess! Are you okay?” the clan members asked.

She nodded while her eyes continued to stay on them.

”Yes, I'm fine. Of all the clans to have joined them, I didn't expect it to be the Huo Clan and the Ao Clan. Those two are mad”, she muttered.

”Are we giving chase?” they asked.

Ling Xue was quiet, looking towards the other soldiers and towards Du Xiu. The commander had returned to his original form, no longer emitting the powerful heat. He walked forward casually, heading towards his halberd axe.

What remained of Kong Zhi's army had quickly run away. But there were plenty who sought to take Du Xiu's weapon for themselves, having witnessed the power he displayed. Unfortunately, that was just wishful thinking.

The halberd axe was still glowing white. It was still hot enough to melt the stone it was laying on. Those that tried could only scream and pulled their hands back, their flesh blackened and burnt. Those who could withstand the heat couldn't lift it from the ground.

Even as he was walking towards them, there were several who still tried and failed, running off at the last moment.

Du Xiu let them go and looked down at his weapon, slowly wrapping his fingers around it and lifting it up with ease. Under his grasp, the halberd axe dimmed and returned to its black luster.

”I really am getting too old.”

He sighed before resting the halberd on his shoulders and walking back to the North Fort. His other hand was still over the wound caused by Shi Hou, Blood spilled through his fingers, dripping down as he returned.

”Commander! Please head to the infirmary!”

The various captains all saw the state of his body and went to escort him back. But he waved them away.

”It's just a flesh wound, I can go by myself. Focus on recovery and repair! Any news about the South is sent straight to me, understand?”

”Yes, commander!”

They saluted to him before marching off, working together to clean up the mess of this battle. He watched them go before making his way to the infirmary where he was swiftly treated. A day later, he was back within his quarters, reading through documents and reports.

Outside, the North Fort was bustling with noise as soldiers moved about.

The farms and storage houses had been trampled on. From the crushed crops to the broken buildings, months of work and care had been destroyed. The surrounding land was the same. Although there wasn't much to see, with only flat plains and rocky terrain. But the battle had left it a complete mess.

Numerous cracks and craters, blackened ground, and singed grass, there was little left.

The stench of blood was still thick despite the corpses of demons and humans being given a proper burial. Squads of soldiers were scattered everywhere, working to clean and restore what they could. Those of the Yao Clan as well as other demons that took refuge helped as well.

Among them was Ling Xue, working clearing out and cleaning the rubble. Her sleeves were rolled up and her crimson hair was tied to a bun. Looking at the rocks in front of her, she grabbed them one by one in her hands, crushing them to dust.