Chapter 166: Welcoming the Doomed

Qian Ye stood with his hands behind his back, watching the soldiers clean up the battlefield. At this moment, Old Marshal Liu Chengyun walked over and said, “Lord Qian Ye, should we consider relocating our position? Soon, those who escaped will bring reinforcements.”

“Build defenses on the spot. We’ll deal with these reinforcements first.”

At this moment, Qian Ye’s authority was at its peak. With a single command, the three armies sprang into action. In no time, they had constructed simple fortifications in the advantageous terrain outside the valley. The prisoners were gathered in a sealed cave. If anyone tried to rebel or escape, simply blowing up the entrance would bury them alive.

Just as the defenses were set up, dust rose from the distant horizon once more. Three dark race armies appeared from different directions, each numbering around thirty thousand. Their military strength was already double that of the Empire’s. Adding to this, the exceptionally high number of powerful elites in Hei Ri Valley, their overall combat strength assessment needed to be adjusted upwards.

Before the dark races’ army could even arrive, a terrifying aura surged towards them.

Liu Chengyun’s face changed slightly, “That’s a Duke! My Lord, if we retreat now… it’s still not too late.”

Duke Ming Hai and Duke Wen Yuan both wore strange expressions but remained silent, waiting for Qian Ye’s decision.

A Duke of the Evernight, a figure who could instill fear in any region and was qualified to run for the Imperial Council. Qian Ye’s three subordinates were all lower-rank divine generals who had exhausted their potential. They lacked equipment and power, and while they could handle ordinary elites, against a Duke, escaping would be difficult.

The Duke leading the enemy forces, judging by his imposing aura, was in his prime, not an old man nearing the end of his life. Facing such an opponent, their concerns were justified. Even Zhao Jun Du, before his rebirth, would have needed various means to maintain a draw against a Duke.

Qian Ye stood firmly, “What, are you afraid?”

Liu Chengyun and Duke Ming Hai did not answer, but Duke Wen Yuan still had some spirit left, “I’m not afraid. If you, my lord, have a plan, then I’ll put my life on the line. But as the commander-in-chief, you must be cautious. You cannot act rashly. Your orders affect the lives of thousands here.”

Qian Ye replied, “You speak wisely. Since you’re not afraid, then it makes things easier.”

He pointed towards the Duke’s aura in the distance, “Their central army must be there! I plan to charge directly into their central forces and challenge their commander. Who among you dares to follow me?”

Liu Chengyun’s face changed, and Duke Ming Hai also fell silent, deep in thought, avoiding Qian Ye’s gaze.

Qian Ye understood that sometimes the older one got, the more afraid of death they became. Although they came here with a death-defying resolve, survival was always preferable.

Only Duke Wen Yuan, Chen Tong Qi, spoke up, “If you, my lord, are charging, I will follow! I am already a dead man. Dying on the battlefield is better than on the execution ground.”

“Good to have you.” Qian Ye nodded, then looked at Duke Ming Hai and Liu Chengyun, his voice turning cold, “My orders are clear. I hold the power of life and death on the front lines, and no one is exempt! That was not a suggestion, but a command! If you two refuse to fight, do you think I won’t kill? My ranks do not lack for divine generals like you!”

Liu Chengyun could not hold his temper, “Young man, don’t be so arrogant. When Duke Ming Hai and I broke through the divine general’s barrier, you weren’t even born yet! I was once the deputy of the Grand Marshal, so don’t think your scepter is so special.”

Qian Ye remained calm, “So, you want me to execute you according to military law?”

Liu Chengyun retorted, “A battle is about to start, and you’re going to cut down your generals! Are you loyal to the Empire? Do you think we won’t resist such a reckless order?”

Qian Ye replied coolly, “Whether you flee or fight, use whatever means you can. If you dare to attack, I’ll have your family collect your body within three moves.”

Seeing the tension, Duke Ming Hai hurried to mediate, “The enemy is right in front of us. Why are we fighting among ourselves? Lord Qian Ye, Marshal Liu has been a soldier all his life and is a bit blunt. Please be understanding. We are here, how can we be cowards? If you want to charge, we’ll give you our lives. It’s better to die by the enemy’s hand than by one of our own.”

Reluctantly, Liu Chengyun said, “If you, my lord, want this old life, then it’s yours.”

Qian Ye nodded, “Good. Order! All troops, prepare to move out! Gather all the generals in the central camp!”

In a moment, all the generals arrived.

Qian Ye scanned the group, pointing out individuals, “You, you, and you, step out and gather over there.”

In a flash, most of the generals were singled out, leaving only a dozen or so. Those remaining were either old, had long worked in non-combat roles, or were wounded.

After selecting the personnel, Qian Ye said, “You have all been through countless battles and have survived. But let’s be frank, many of you were discarded by the Empire, seeking to die for your families. Some have committed crimes. Finally, there are those who are truly loyal, though how many there are, remains to be seen.”

The generals looked at each other, surprised by Qian Ye’s bluntness. If word got back, it would stir up much criticism. But in Hei Ri Valley, where everyone’s life hung in the balance, who cared about such political games?

Qian Ye continued, “Zining is my brother, as is Jun Du. They’ve led troops to many victories.”

The generals perked up, “Exactly! Back then, didn’t they make the dark races cry for their mothers?”

“Though the battles were hard, it was satisfying to the heart!”

Once the crowd quieted, Qian Ye said, “I came from Yon Lu to lead you to victory, but my methods differ from Zining’s. You need to adapt.”

“What methods? Just tell us, my lord!”

“Yeah, the enemy is already attacking!”

Seeing their anxious faces, Qian Ye paused, then said, “My method is straightforward. A frontal assault, straight into the central forces. Follow me if you’re not afraid to die!”

Without further words, Qian Ye strode forward, heading toward the central forces of the dark race. The generals, fired up, followed him.

The imperial soldiers parted like a sea, letting Qian Ye pass, then converged behind him, following him to meet the dark army.

“Arrogant!” In the central army of the dark races, a demonic Duke slapped a table, causing it to collapse, and even the massive spider-servant beneath him to sink.

He turned to a bloodline noble, “Is he the one who made you abandon your troops and run back in fear?”

The bloodline noble was the Marquis of Honor, the very commander who had fled from Qian Ye earlier.

Unable to bear the ridicule, he replied, “The person opposite is no ordinary strongman. Many renowned figures have fallen to him.”

“Just Qian Ye? Calling him ‘the person opposite’.” The demonic Duke sneered.

The Marquis of Honor replied, “He was once the beloved of Her Highness. Anyone she chose must be far stronger. Let’s hope you don’t flee before the battle starts.”

The demonic Duke roared, “How dare you insult me! I can kill you right now!”

The Marquis did not back down, “That’s not an insult. Also, remember, it’s Her Highness who is in charge. On this battlefield, you demons have no say. If you dare to kill me, do you think your small family, with just two dukes, can withstand Her Highness’s wrath?”

The demonic Duke snorted, “Sir Margot, when have I ever fled? Watch and see.”

He rose into the air, shouting, “All troops, engage! Let’s see if these lowly humans can reach me! Of course, Sir Margot and his followers don’t need to fight; they were never brave enough. Oh, I forgot, does Sir Margot even have followers left?”

Laughter erupted, mostly from the demonic and werewolf troops, while the bloodline nobles looked embarrassed.

Marquis Margot, face red with rage, gritted his teeth, “Sir Largos, I will remember this!”

Largos showed no respect, “When you can challenge me, at least a hundred years will have passed. You’d better remember that well!”

Margot huffed, saying nothing more.

As the battle began, Largos urged his spider-servant forward, ignoring Margot.

Qian Ye, leading the three divine generals and the rest of the officers, formed the cutting edge of the army. In a blink, they crossed the range of the original force guns and plunged into the dark race army.

Qian Ye stayed on the ground, advancing steadily, wielding the East Peak sword, each blow of the Extinguish Slash clearing a path over ten meters. This was a sword technique he had created in his early days, now perfected and powerful as a divine general’s skill.

Each Extinguish Slash felled the dark warriors like grass. Behind him, the three divine generals and the other officers fought fiercely on the flanks, expanding the breach. Not far away, the imperial army surged forward, charging into the gap in the defense line.

As Qian Ye marched on, a projectile of original force energy whistled towards him. Its angle was tricky and its power immense. Qian Ye had to interrupt his sword stroke to parry it.

Two swords then thrust at him from the side, both lightning-fast.

Qian Ye calmly blocked them, glancing around to find himself surrounded by numerous Evernight strongmen, while the three divine generals were held back by several dark marquises, unable to come to his aid.

Qian Ye swung his East Peak, laughing coldly, “Welcome to your doom!”