Human Clan Defender

Jincheng has fallen!

Upon hearing this news, the expressions of the few people present did not change significantly. Dongyang and Nangong Yu, in particular, knew that Jincheng was defended by only 12,000 soldiers of the Black Tiger Army. Against 120,000 members of the Barbarian Clan, this force was insufficient, so its fall was to be expected.

If it were merely the fall of Jincheng, the news wouldn't be considered too severe. However, seeing the officer had more to say and hadn't finished, no one interrupted him hastily.

"Jincheng has fallen, and General Chu Ding led thousands of the Black Tiger Army to break through. Behind them, Shen Changqing of the Demon-Subduing Division covered their retreat—"

The officer continued to kneel on one knee, reporting the news.

"Wait!" Dongyang interrupted him.

"You're saying the Black Tiger Army retreated, and people from the Demon-Subduing Division stayed to cover their retreat?"

Nangong Yu and Guang Heng both frowned. Trouble! The same thought immediately surfaced in both their minds.

For the Demon-Subduing Division to cover the retreat was akin to sending themselves to their deaths.

"What was Chu Ding thinking, letting the Demon-Subduing Division's people stay to cover the retreat? Is he incompetent? If word of this reaches the Demon-Subduing Division, it's bound to cause considerable trouble," Dongyang couldn't help but curse angrily.

Every civil and military official in the Imperial Court knew very well how difficult the Demon-Subduing Division could be. No one wanted to provoke them without good reason.

Now that the Barbarian Clan had breached Jincheng, and those left to cover the retreat were from the Demon-Subduing Division... If the Division chose not to make an issue of it, that would be one thing. However, if they did, it would be a difficult problem to resolve.

"Continue," Nangong Yu said, lifting his hand to signal Dongyang not to interrupt for the moment. His gaze remained fixed on the officer.

Hearing this, the officer steadied himself and continued his report. "Shen Changqing of the Demon-Subduing Division stayed behind to cover the retreat. He held off an 80,000-strong Barbarian Clan Army for twelve to fourteen hours. Finally, after killing the Barbarian Clan commander Mairba amidst the chaotic battle, he departed unhindered."

BOOM!!

A gust of wind seemed to surge within the hall.

A powerful aura erupted from Nangong Yu, and his calm eyes became grave. "You're saying someone from the Demon-Subduing Division killed Mairba?"

"Yes, yes!" Overwhelmed by that powerful aura, the officer trembled in body and mind.

After a moment, Nangong Yu realized his lapse in composure and quickly contained his aura, gesturing dismissively with his hand. "Is there anything else? If not, you may withdraw for now!"

"This subordinate takes his leave!" The man bowed and withdrew.

Watching him leave, Dongyang's face also held a shocked expression. "Since when did the Demon-Subduing Division have an expert named Shen Changqing, capable of killing Mairba amidst tens of thousands of troops? Such prowess must at least be at the level of a Defender Envoy!"

Although the Demon-Subduing Division had many Defender Envoys, each was a well-known figure.

Dongyang searched his memories but could not recall any Defender Envoy named Shen Changqing.

"Could it be someone from the Shen Family of the southern seclusion?" he wondered, somewhat uncertain.

Nangong Yu pondered for a moment. "It's unlikely to be someone from the Shen Family of the southern seclusion. While the Shen Family is strong, we are familiar with their experts from past generations, and none were named Shen Changqing. As for the prominent figures of the current Shen Family, the names don't match either. Moreover, few in the Shen Family could kill Mairba; the likelihood of this person belonging to the Shen Family is low."

Hearing this, Dongyang silently nodded. It had just been a casual remark on his part.

Although the Shen Family of the southern seclusion was strong, their experts of such caliber were all well-known. Furthermore, they were all based in the southern seclusion, making it impossible for them to be in the Great Wilderness Prefecture.

"The Demon-Subduing Division's hidden depths are too profound. An unknown expert was able to kill Mairba amidst tens of thousands of troops—" Nangong Yu sighed.

If the Demon-Subduing Division could conceal one Shen Changqing, they could hide a second. Such deep reserves were incomparable to other factions.

Afterward, he collected himself, a smile appearing on his face. "Let's not dwell on the Demon-Subduing Division for now. Mairba's death is a significant loss for the Barbarian Clan. This weakens their strength and gives us a considerable advantage in combating them."

"Indeed. It's a pity Mairba died at someone else's hands; otherwise, I would have relished a proper contest with him!" Dongyang's eyes were cold, his words filled with murderous intent.

He harbored a great fighting spirit towards this Barbarian Clan expert who had once destroyed the Hundred Rivers Sect.

Regrettably, the last time Mairba entered the Great Wilderness Prefecture and subsequently retreated, Dongyang had no opportunity to face him. This time, Mairba had met his end at the hands of the Demon-Subduing Division.

"Alright, you two go handle matters. I hope that within two days, the Great Wilderness Prefecture can gather all its forces to ambush and intercept the Barbarian Clan, preventing them from rampaging further within our territory," Nangong Yu spoke gravely.

Upon hearing this, both Guang Heng and Dongyang clasped their fists and bowed. "Rest assured, Lord Nangong. We will not fail our mission!"

"That would be best." Nangong Yu nodded in satisfaction, a faint smile on his face.

Both men then rose and took their leave.

After the two had departed, the smile on Nangong Yu's face vanished, replaced by perplexity. Demon-Subduing Division's Shen Changqing! he muttered softly to himself.

An unknown expert had suddenly appeared in the Great Wilderness Prefecture. As the prefecture's most prominent public figure, Nangong Yu couldn't help but pay close attention.

This person must not be from the Demon-Subduing Divisions of Ye, Panlong, or Beihuang cities. Although those divisions are strong, it's impossible for them to cultivate such a high-level expert right under my nose. This indicates he must be from another prefecture. Could it be—the Capital City?

Nangong Yu's fingers tapped unconsciously as thoughts swirled in his mind.

Among all the Demon-Subduing Divisions, the one in the Capital City has the strongest foundation. Similarly, the Capital Demon Suppression Division is the major power that overshadows other factions. Only the current Emperor has the authority to issue direct orders to the Capital's Demon-Subduing Division.

After pondering for a long time, Nangong Yu clapped his hands. A figure seemed to emerge from the shadows and knelt on one knee before him. "Your Lordship, what are your orders?"

"Investigate this Shen Changqing for me. I want to know everything about his past, every single detail, without any omissions."

"Yes!" The man accepted the order and then slowly retreated into the darkness, vanishing completely.

A faint smile finally returned to Nangong Yu's otherwise indifferent face. I'm eager to see just what kind of background you have!

「 」

News of the Barbarian Clan's invasion of the Great Wilderness Prefecture had spread completely. Simultaneously, the armies stationed in various cities made urgent deployments.

In Xuan City, the 200,000-strong Black Tiger Army mobilized to assist other forces in intercepting the Barbarian Clan's advance.

In less than three days, a defensive line primarily aimed at intercepting the Barbarian Clan was fully established within the Great Wilderness Prefecture.

All cities began to take in refugees to prevent any significant disturbances they might cause.

Elsewhere, Shen Changqing followed the Black Tiger Army toward other cities.

Along the way, Chu Ding recruited other stragglers, temporarily incorporating them into the Black Tiger Army, increasing their ranks from the original 2,000 to over 8,000.

The large contingent generated considerable momentum.

Any Barbarian Clan Cavalry units that ventured deep alone and encountered this force were slain on the spot.

There was no other way.

The Barbarian Clan Cavalry penetrated deep into enemy territory primarily to gather military intelligence or to intercept scattered soldiers and refugees. To avoid encirclement by larger forces or drawing too much attention, each cavalry detachment was inevitably small.

In that case, even the original 2,000-strong Black Tiger Army could have contended with such cavalry units, let alone the current force of over 8,000.

Moreover, with Shen Changqing, a god-like figure, anchoring the Black Tiger Army... 80,000 barbarians and Mairba had not been enough to stop him. A few hundred or a thousand light Barbarian Clan Cavalry were even less of a threat; they were like paper before him.

The Black Tiger Army hardly needed to lift a finger; Shen Changqing alone wiped out all the Barbarian Clan soldiers they encountered.

"Lord Shen, in another half-day, we will reach Fengcheng. 30,000 to 40,000 Black Tiger Army soldiers are stationed there. Even if the Barbarian Clan Army attacks, we should be able to hold out for some time. Enough time has passed; the Great Wilderness Prefecture must have responded by now," Chu Ding said to Shen Changqing, riding in the middle of the column.

Although he was the commander-in-chief, the true backbone of the force was not himself but the man before him.

"General Chu, make your own decisions. I have no objections," Shen Changqing replied, shaking his head slightly.

It made little difference to him where the Black Tiger Army made its stand. He was heading north anyway, as if on his journey to the Capital City.

"What are your plans once we reach Fengcheng, Lord Shen?" Chu Ding asked tentatively.

Shen Changqing was not strictly a military man, and Chu Ding was uncertain if he would choose to stay.

Shen Changqing replied, "Once we reach Fengcheng, I need to return to the Demon-Subduing Division to report. As General Chu said, the Great Wilderness Prefecture has likely responded by now. With the Prefecture's strength, dealing with the Barbarian Clan won't be difficult. There would be no need for me to stay then."

He had never believed that a single person could always turn the tide of events.

Especially after plunging into an enemy formation alone, Shen Changqing understood even more clearly that one person's power was largely ineffective against a large army.

Furthermore, he did not believe that the vast Great Wilderness Prefecture lacked powerful individuals to take charge.

Strong as he was, there were undoubtedly even stronger individuals in the Great Wilderness Prefecture.

With that in mind, Shen Changqing felt there was even less reason for him to stay.

Chu Ding's expression showed some regret, but he nodded in acceptance. "The strength of the Great Wilderness Prefecture is indeed formidable. If Lord Shen has important matters, it is up to you whether to stay or leave. I only hope that after you return to the Capital City, you will still remember me in the days to come. That would be enough."

"General Chu, you are too kind," Shen Changqing laughed. "If I have the opportunity in the future, I will certainly return to the Great Wilderness Prefecture to meet with you and the others again."

"Then it's a promise," Chu Ding replied.

As the two conversed, the column pressed on without pause, and the silhouette of a city gradually began to emerge in the distance.