Turning back, Huo Hai did not sneak along the narrow paths alone this time. Instead, he traveled openly along the main road. Whenever he passed a fortress, the soldiers around him would stand and salute him with their eyes once they learned his identity.
Huo Hai could feel the admiration and awe in their eyes without even looking. "It felt pretty good at first, but now it's really getting uncomfortable." After a day, he finally could not stand it anymore. Clearly, he was not cut out to be a celebrity.
Shaking his head hard, Huo Hai quickened his pace. In less than another day, he withdrew from the eastern front. By now, the Demonfolk army on the eastern route had been completely depleted. To prevent any mishaps, the Demonfolk armies on the other routes also began retreating, drawing their forces together to concentrate on defense. Everyone's attention seemed to be focused on Huo Hai.
As soon as Huo Hai emerged, he spotted a familiar face. "Sir, you're finally here! Come aboard the Airship. Our squad will be taking you back this time." These were the same people who had brought Huo Hai to the front aboard an Airship before.
Huo Hai looked around, then asked, "Is this a new Airship? Why aren't you using the old one?" A trace of puzzlement flashed through his eyes. This was not the Airship he had seen last time. Surely they had not thrown the previous one away?
The corps commander replied somewhat awkwardly, "The previous Airship was badly damaged, so it was cut into several sections and transported back. But we're short on some materials, and we don't have enough Spirit Formation Masters either. Repairs may take several months. This Airship is a reserve vessel that's only been lent to us temporarily." Having