Chapter 188 – Let Others Do the Bragging For You
"The Demon King is dead!"
"The Golden-Winged Roc King and the Swallowing Sea Demon King are both dead!"
Panic spread like wildfire among the demon army. This was an event unprecedented in the history of the Ten Thousand Demons Nation. The remaining great demons were frozen in terror.
They stared at Chu Yang in utter fear.
With the sun and moon above his head and a Demon King crushed beneath his feet, he looked like a god descended upon the mortal world!
How could any of them still harbor thoughts of attacking the city?
Shouldn't they be fleeing for their lives right now?!
The lesser spirit demons were the first to crumble under the pressure, scattering in all directions. As the horde of demons stampeded away, the ground trembled beneath their feet.
The great demons who had cultivated human forms turned into dazzling streams of multicolored light, fleeing in every direction like stars streaking across the night sky.
There were simply too many of them. Chu Yang couldn't wipe them all out, so he sent out a few flying swords at random, taking down one or two of the fleeing great demons—just a casual strike against enemies already downed.
"Did we actually hold Jinling City?"
Hua Manlou, unable to see the scene of the demon horde in retreat, could only guess based on the sounds of their frantic escape.
"Mm. We held it—and not just that, it was a resounding victory."
Lu Xiaofeng gazed at Chu Yang, his black hair flying in the wind, and was filled with awe and respect.
When had the human race ever achieved such a sweeping victory against the demon race?
In battles where both sides were equal in number, the humans were always the ones at a disadvantage.
"I wish I could see the Prince's bearing at this moment… he must look truly magnificent."
For the first time in over twenty years, Hua Manlou felt regret over his blindness.
"Even that guy Ximen Chuixue would have to step aside."
Lu Xiaofeng stroked his small mustache, grinning from ear to ear.
"You've never even seen the legendary Sword God's demeanor—maybe we should say even Li Xunhuan would have to give way."
Li Gexiao wobbled over, visibly exhausted, to join the group.
"How are your injuries?" Hua Manlou noticed the labored rhythm of his breathing and asked with concern.
"I just need to rest a bit. Have to say, those Demon Kings really are tough. My blade broke before I could even scratch him."
Li Gexiao grinned, though there was a hint of bitterness in his laughter.
"You're getting cocky now, huh? Acting like Demon Kings are no big deal? In the whole of Great Ming, who besides the Divine Marquis Zhuge would dare say they could definitely defeat a Demon King?"
"You managed to slash one and survive—that's something you can brag about for the rest of your life. What more do you want?"
Lu Xiaofeng shook his head, clearly envious. "Had I known, I would've gone myself. Even if it cost me half my life, I'd have seized the chance to become a legend!"
"From now on, anyone who mentions your name—Li Gexiao—will have to give a thumbs up."
Li Gexiao was glowing with pride. He wanted to laugh aloud to release his excitement, but the movement tugged at his wounds, making him grimace in pain and turn pale.
After the demons retreated, Chu Yang flew back to the top of the city wall and happened to see Li Gexiao in his sorry state. He chuckled and said, "Old Li, you did well. If you hadn't provoked the Golden-Winged Roc King, I might've had a harder time killing him."
Li Gexiao took a deep breath before responding slowly, "During the assault, I noticed that damn bird was incredibly fast—so fast the Anti-Demon Heavy Crossbows couldn't even catch him. If not for General Qi leaving behind so many bolts and Li Xunhuan's Little Li Flying Dagger thinning their numbers, we might not have survived even the first wave."
"I'd already steeled myself to buy time with my life. Didn't expect Your Highness to move so fast and save mine instead."
Chu Yang clapped him on the shoulder and said, "Next time, don't stake your life like that. If we can't kill him this time, we'll get him the next. So long as there's life, there'll be a chance."
Li Gexiao nodded silently, but Chu Yang understood—faced with the same scenario again, Li Gexiao would still make the same choice.
Whether as the Deputy Commander of the Embroidered Guards or as the carefree drunkard he'd become, Li Gexiao had never changed.
"Where's Li Xunhuan?" Chu Yang looked around but didn't see him.
"He's still holding another part of the wall. With him there, it doesn't really matter whether we are or not."
Lu Xiaofeng said with admiration, "Little Li's Flying Dagger lives up to the legend. Aside from the Golden-Winged Roc King, every other demon—be it high-level or beast—was taken down with a single throw. No misses."
Li Gexiao added, "Even his servant, Tie Chuanjia, was ferocious beyond belief. Bathed in blood from battling demon beasts, yet never uttered a single sound. That man's the very definition of a warrior."
"How are the civilians?" Chu Yang asked.
"Not a single demon beast made it into the city," Li Gexiao replied. "They should be safe."
"And the city guards?"
"More than half are dead or wounded—all of them fell defending the walls. Not one deserter."
Chu Yang nodded. "From now on, everything they did under Magistrate Xu is wiped clean. Those who died in battle are to be honored as soldiers, and their families treated accordingly."
Li Gexiao bowed solemnly. "Understood."
"Come on, let's go check the situation."
Chu Yang led the way down from the wall, and the others followed.
As they made their way through the city, countless civilians peeked from windows, anxiety on their faces. They didn't know whether these men had successfully defended the city or not.
So many hopeful eyes made Lu Xiaofeng's scalp tingle. He finally couldn't hold it in and shouted, "The demon army has retreated! Jinling City is safe!"
His voice was like a spark, igniting light in thousands of homes through the darkness.
Only the mansions of the rich remained dark, but even that tiny pocket of gloom was quickly drowned by the flood of brilliant lights.
Cheers erupted like a tidal wave.
People wanted to approach and express their gratitude, but Chu Yang's presence was too intimidating. No one dared step forward.
"Lu Xiaofeng, stay here and talk to the people."
"Me?"
"Who else? You love being the center of attention. Isn't this the perfect chance?"
"Heh heh…"
Lu Xiaofeng coughed awkwardly and swaggered into the crowd, stopping beside a group of pretty young women, so excited even his four eyebrows were twitching.
"Listen well, everyone! This demon siege was incredibly dangerous. We held the city only because we fought with our lives…"
As his boasting voice faded into the distance, Chu Yang and the others continued walking away.
Hua Manlou sighed and asked, "Your Highness, must those in power always stand alone?"
Chu Yang shook his head. "I don't think so. Most rulers distance themselves to maintain authority—but that's really just insecurity."
Hua Manlou asked curiously, "Then why didn't you speak more with the people, so they'd know who saved them?"
Li Gexiao rolled his eyes but remembered Hua Manlou couldn't see, so he awkwardly said, "Master Hua, you just don't get it—bragging is something others should do for you!"
Hua Manlou was stunned, then burst into laughter. "Brilliant! Truly brilliant! Your Highness, you're a remarkable man—ha ha ha!"
Chu Yang and Li Gexiao exchanged a glance and laughed as well.
As the last demon beast was slain by a flying dagger, cheers erupted around Li Xunhuan.
The guards, having brushed death at the gates of hell, were now all in tears of joy.
The battle was over—they had won the right to live on.
"Little Li Flying Dagger—never misses. The name rings true."
Hearing the voice, Li Xunhuan turned to see Chu Yang and the others approaching.
"But it's nothing compared to Your Highness killing two Demon Kings alone. That kind of feat hasn't happened in decades in Great Ming. You've brought glory to the human race."
Li Xunhuan spoke with heartfelt respect.
Beside him stood a burly man with a beard like bristles and hawk-like eyes, studying Chu Yang with admiration.
Chu Yang noticed the blood-drenched warrior and asked, "You must be Tie Chuanjia?"
The man nodded. "That's me."
Though he claimed to be Li Xunhuan's servant, Tie Chuanjia's strength was anything but ordinary. Chu Yang noticed faint traces of gold in his blood—a sign of deep Buddhist cultivation.
A Vajra.
Equivalent to a Grandmaster among martial artists.
In the wider martial world, that level would make one the abbot of a major temple or the head of the Damo Academy. Yet this man followed Li Xunhuan without complaint—proof of his loyalty.
"You're a rare hero, Brother Tie. We've only just met, but I already admire you."
Remembering how Tie Chuanjia had shielded Li Xunhuan with his own body during the battle, Li Gexiao couldn't help but show respect.
"You flatter me."
Tie Chuanjia was a man of few words. After saying those two, he fell silent again, unmoved even by continued praise, standing guard beside Li Xunhuan like a statue.
"Your Highness, now that Jinling is safe, what are your next plans?" Li Xunhuan changed the topic, seeing Li Gexiao growing awkward.
"We'll wait until dawn and see what news Duan Tianya brings back," Chu Yang replied, gazing solemnly toward the city gates.
"You still plan to go to Wanglong City?"
Li Xunhuan frowned. "Forgive my bluntness, but Your Highness should not take such risks. Jinling is safe for now—why not wait for reinforcements?"
"With the Qi Army's strength, they should be able to hold Wanglong. If the two forces coordinate, success is assured."
Hua Manlou caught something in his tone. "You suspect there are more Demon Kings at Wanglong? Perhaps even more than one?"
Li Xunhuan sighed. "It's just my guess. The demons came far more aggressively than usual—even Jinling faced two Demon Kings. I fear General Qi faces worse."
"From the demon's perspective, killing Qi Jiguang is far more valuable than taking Jinling."
Li Gexiao frowned. "Sounds like the demons are going all in—pulling so many troops… are they abandoning their own territory?"
Li Xunhuan's expression grew grim. "They may truly be facing extinction. Cornered beasts are the most dangerous."
Chu Yang narrowed his eyes. "Has the Ten Thousand Demons Nation lost control of its internal demon plague?"
"Please don't say such ominous things, Your Highness," Li Gexiao said with a wry smile. "If they've really lost control, we'll be facing billions of demon beasts turning into demons themselves."
Everyone shuddered at the thought.
"I doubt it's that bad yet," Li Xunhuan said. "Otherwise they would've launched a full invasion—not just sent two Demon Kings."
Even so, the grim mood didn't lift from their faces.
"We don't know anything for sure yet. No point making baseless guesses. But if it really is that serious—then we'll fight!"
Chu Yang laughed boldly. "So what if they're demons? Just means they're a bit tougher to kill than beasts."
Hua Manlou smiled. "Your Highness, your boldness truly puts the heart at ease."
Li Xunhuan and Li Gexiao nodded in agreement.
As their laughter pushed away the shadows of doubt, time passed, and Jinling welcomed its first ray of dawn after the battle.
Cries rang out from outside the gates.
It wasn't Duan Tianya who returned first, but the maidservants and servants who had been abandoned along the road.
The Golden-Winged Roc King didn't bother wasting time on the "small fry" that had escaped along the way. After devouring the nobles and their convoy, it flew straight toward Jinling City to join the assault.
This stroke of luck was what allowed those few to survive.
The corpses of two monster kings lay piled like mountains at the city gate. Among them was the Golden-Winged Roc King, which had devoured countless people and now terrified those who had returned.
That once-dominant Golden-Winged Roc King had left a deep psychological scar on them.
Only after confirming again and again that the monster kings were truly dead did the survivors burst into loud sobs. If they'd known this would happen, why had they scrambled to flee the city in the first place? They had suffered terribly for nothing.
The city guards didn't dare act rashly when they saw people outside the gates. They feared a powerful monster might be disguising itself as a human to slip into the city, so they immediately ran to report the situation to Chu Yang.
Chu Yang said, "Let them in. Also, Jinling can return to normal passage. But you mustn't neglect your duties as before—if it happens again, there will be no mercy."
"Thank you for your grace, Your Highness!" The guards dropped to their knees in panic, banging their heads on the ground several times before hurrying away.
The city gates swung open. The refugees poured back into the city. Seeing familiar faces, they didn't even care who was who—they immediately began sobbing and recounting their harrowing experiences.
When they heard that many who had fled earlier had been swallowed whole by the demon king, those who had remained in the city turned deathly pale and silently gave thanks that they hadn't left.
"We really have to thank that man who stopped us from leaving the city earlier!"
The scholar who had once argued with Chu Yang now stood among the crowd and shouted, "If not for him, we'd all have followed the crowd out of the city. We'd have ended up in the monsters' bellies by now!"
Others quickly echoed his words.
"That's right!"
"We owe him our thanks!"
"Not only that—we even cursed him back then. We have to apologize to him in person, or we'd be no better than ungrateful traitors!"
"Yes! We must apologize and ask for his forgiveness, or we won't sleep soundly at night!"
Just then, another voice rang out from the crowd.
"Wait! Don't call him 'mister'—the man with four eyebrows said he was a prince!"
"A prince?!"
"Are you sure you heard that right?"
"I definitely heard it! That four-eyebrowed guy really called him that!"
"Hey, I think I heard the city guards calling him 'Your Highness' too!"
"Come on! Let's go ask the guards and find out for sure!"
The crowd surged toward the city gates again, making such a commotion that the guards thought a riot was about to break out. It wasn't until the scholar stepped forward and explained that they breathed a sigh of relief.
"Yes, the one who fought off the monsters alone on the city wall last night really was—"
Before he could finish, Lu Xiaofeng suddenly appeared and called out loudly, "That gentleman's surname is Chu! You can just call him Lord Chu!"