Otherworld Advance Team
Chapter 1366 - 1359: Stabilizing the Troops’ Morale

Chapter 1366: Chapter 1359: Stabilizing the Troops’ Morale

Carrying everyone’s worries and the finest equipment, the three of them mounted their horses and followed the Demon Clan’s army as they left Ziye Ning, officially starting their journey to the front lines.

This time, the Demon Clan’s army had gathered a force of thirty thousand, significantly fewer than before, but one must remember that this was the result of the Beast Head Tribe’s withdrawal from the war.

The thirty thousand troops were the main fighting force, not including logistic support; if logistics were counted, the total size of the Demon Clan’s army would be around one hundred thousand.

But as said before, in the East Continent, neither the Demon Clan’s army nor the Human Race’s army particularly liked to emphasize the number of troops, so thirty thousand main forces remained thirty thousand troops, without deliberately inflating the number to one hundred thousand.

The Dongsheng Empire’s army was especially so, for with an ample supply of Cultivators to replenish their ranks, they preferred to emphasize the number of Commanders rather than soldiers, being quite honest about their troops.

In fact, if logistic support were included in this expedition of the Dongsheng Empire, the Dongsheng forces would have mobilized close to five hundred thousand troops, with over one hundred thousand of these being captives conscripted by the government; one can imagine how vast the Dongsheng army’s scale was.

However, conscripts couldn’t immediately be transformed into effective fighting forces, so generally, the quality of an army was seen in its main combat troops. Peasant uprisings at the end of dynasties were often crushed by smaller official forces, largely because the peasant troops lacked quality.

While the quality of Dongsheng’s army troops couldn’t be said to be poor, they did fall a bit short compared to the Demon Clan’s army, which had begun to modernize. Coupled with a high command fond of making a mess of things, they ended up losing several cities in a row, retreating south in disarray.

Of course, it’s the same old story, the collapse of the Dongsheng army was not solely due to their defeat by the Demon Clan’s army but more importantly, due to their contraction strategy.

Regarding the issues with West Outer Heaven and the Demon Clan, the Dongsheng Empire seemed to have significant internal disagreements, which is why the Dongsheng forces would rhythmically expand and contract their presence in West Outer Heaven.

But this time, the people of the Demon Clan had no intention of dragging things out any longer. With a stable base and a year of development, Linglan had barely managed to muster the military force necessary for a southern expedition, determined to drive out the entire Dongsheng Empire’s influence.

After five days of marching, the massive army moved from Ziye Ning to the frontline base, Qu Creek City. After a day of reorganization, they began to advance towards Big South East Peace.

This time on their campaign, the Demon Clan was resolute, even going so far as to appoint Yunji, the former Leader of the Jin Qian Clan, as the Du Du in charge of this warfare determining the fate of the Demon Clan.

After the establishment of the Southern Yao Race, the original clan leaders lost their former roles. The Leader of the Qingqiu Clan, Linglan, became the supreme executive, while the leaders of the Maoyou Clan, Zisu and Ziyu, both joined the cabinet, and Yunji of the Jin Qian Clan became the Du Du of the Demon Clan’s army due to her leadership abilities.

The news of the Demon Clan’s army’s advance quickly reached the ears of the Dongsheng forces guarding Big South East Peace, prompting the Dongsheng army to make corresponding adjustments and dispatch ten thousand troops in light armor to intercept, striving to keep the Demon Clan’s army outside the city.

On the fifth day of marching from Qu Creek City, the Demon Clan’s army encountered the intercepting Dongsheng forces about a hundred kilometers from Big South East Peace. Both sides unfurled their banners and prepared for battle.

Faced with the fierce incoming Dongsheng army, Yunji was not in the slightest bit flustered, ordering her forces to deploy, with the infantry lines already queued up and various types of artillery positioned, ready for the Dongsheng army to initiate an offensive.

"The Demon Clan’s army advances south with thirty thousand troops, and the Dongsheng army actually sends ten thousand to intercept. Should we call them brave or foolish?" Cheng Ziang couldn’t help but remark as he viewed the distant Dongsheng forces through his binoculars.

"Didn’t you hear what Du Du Yunji said? This is just the vanguard, and the follow-up troops will arrive in a day or two," Hu Daoke chimed in.

"Do you think they can hold on for a day or two?" Cheng Ziang turned and glanced at him.

"They’re not so bad," Hu Daoke shrugged his shoulders, feeling his own reasoning stretched thin.

"Dongsheng’s army is still at a feudal military level, while the Demon Clan’s army has become a modernized force. Whether in terms of weaponry or morale, they are far superior to the Dongsheng forces. Even deploying thirty thousand of their own would be a stretch, yet they actually believe that a mere ten thousand can hold us for a day or two," Cheng Ziang looked again with his binoculars and shook his head with a sigh.

"Who cares, there’s going to be a good show this time," Hu Daoke declared, not without feeling lingering fear as he asked, "It’s not going to collapse again this time, is it?"

"Crows’ mouths..." Cheng Ziang gave him a glare, but then smiled.

As the two were chatting, they saw a messenger from the Demon Clan galloping towards Cheng Ziang. He respectfully declared, "Mr. Leon, Yunji Du Du invites you!"

"What’s the matter, do they want us to go first?" Hu Daoke’s eyes widened with a hint of nervousness in his voice.

"Are you stupid? Don’t forget why we joined the army," Cheng Ziang shook his head and said to the messenger, "Lead the way!"

Following the messenger, Cheng Ziang and his entourage arrived in front of Yunji. Seeing Cheng Ziang, Yunji seemed as if she had seen her savior, and hurriedly said, "Mr. Leon, a battle is imminent, but those from Kyushu appear to be hesitating. I hope you can lend a hand."

Hearing her words, Cheng Ziang turned his head to glance at the neatly formed lines of infantry soldiers. Facing the Dongsheng troops, these civilians from Kyushu were whispering to each other, their lingering attachment to the Dongsheng military evident in their exchanges.

"Leave it to me!" Cheng Ziang’s eyes returned from the troops, his intent clear, and he nodded lightly.

"Thank you, sir," Yunji expressed her gratitude.

After exchanging pleasantries with Yunji, Cheng Ziang turned around and shouted without niceties, "Old Hu, come over here, it’s your turn to take the stage."

"Why am I going up? Didn’t the boss call you?" Hu Daoke pointed to himself, perplexed.

"You’ve got a loud voice, sweet talker," Cheng Ziang complimented him.

"Nonsense, I don’t even know what to say," Hu Daoke said, a troubled expression on his face.

"I will draft something for you, just follow it and shout," Cheng Ziang replied.

"But my Kyushu language is terrible..." Hu Daoke continued.

"No problem, just speak in the Demon language, they will understand," Cheng Ziang shrugged.

"You’re pretty confident, aren’t you..." Hu Daoke asked with a wry smile.

"Cut the crap," Cheng Ziang replied, his expression turning serious, "We are on the verge of battle. Don’t joke around at a time like this. Even a slight misstep could cause a one hundred and eighty-degree turn in the war situation, so don’t accidentally become a criminal by obstructing."

"I get it, why put on that nasty face," Hu Daoke sighed and shrugged his shoulders.

After some discussion, Hu Daoke managed to memorize the content he was meant to deliver. He then rode his horse to the front of the infantry line, cleared his throat slightly, and called out loudly, "OK, brothers, look at me, focus on me, everyone look here!"

His voice was loud as he called to the civilians from Kyushu in a mix of English and the Demon language. Not knowing his intention, they stopped chattering and stared at him with wide eyes.

"You better not screw this up..." Cheng Ziang couldn’t help but feel a bit more worried, watching Hu Daoke’s zealous manner.

"I know what you are thinking, I know what you want to do. My brothers, fellows, the ones you now face, they are not your masters, not your brothers, and certainly not your family.

They are your enemies, the enemies you must defeat. Do not forget, you have joined the Demon Clan, and you have laid down your roots in West Outer Heaven. You have land, houses, and some of you have even married women as beautiful as flowers.

Are you really willing to abandon all that? Do you truly want to return to Kyushu and become mere dust again? Don’t you want to return home after the war and reunite with your families, to continue loving your wives?

I know some might forsake all this, but they mustn’t forget that the Dongsheng army will not tolerate traitors. If you run to the other side, and defect to your enemies, do you think you will be treated well? They will treat you just as they treat members of the Demon Clan, so do not harbor any illusions about the enemy!"