The Third Line of Defense

The third line of defense was built behind a naturally low-lying area.

The low-lying area resembled a dried-up moat, stretching dozens of feet in front of the defense line.

On the high ground behind the low-lying area, thousands of warriors from the Demon-Slaying Bureau stood in dense formation, defending the area.

Ahead of the low-lying area lies a wide-open plain with excellent visibility; any monsters that appear can be clearly seen from miles away.

Life on the front line is quite leisurely.

These martial artists had been here for over a month and had only encountered a few dozen demonic beasts in total. All of them had sneaked in under the cover of night and were killed on the spot when discovered by the patrolling scouts.

Most of the people stationed here haven't even managed to touch a single demon beast.

As time goes by, it's inevitable to become lax.

Among the crowd, three or five martial artists leaned against the flagpole, chatting idly.

"Have you heard? The fourth gate of the first line of defense was besieged by a large number of demonic beasts a few days ago. I wonder how it is now."

"With the support of the four cities 'Demon-Slaying Bureau ' genius disciples, holding out shouldn't be a problem, right?"

"It's a pity it's not our turn to provide support. I've been stationed at this third line of defense for over a month, and my legs are almost numb. I really want to go to the first line of defense and kill a few monsters."

"Those are all merit points! One hundred merit points for each first-tier demon beast, killing two can be exchanged for a Jin Origin Pill, which might even help you break through to the Nei Jin."

"Who says otherwise? I've heard there are tens of thousands of demonic beasts outside Severed Cloud Pass. Even a few that slip through would be good."

Despite saying that, everyone knew in their hearts that the first line of defense was narrow and could not accommodate too many people, so ordinary disciples like them would not be able to get a turn.

"Er Lengzi, what are you doing sitting here all alone, just spacing out?"

A slender martial artist approached a silent young man in the corner and nudged him with his elbow.

Most of these people came from nearby villages and didn't have proper names when they were young, so they called each other by nicknames.

The silent young man suddenly raised his head, his face flushed. "Gong Ji, if you call me by my nickname again, I'll call you Big Rooster! I'll say it again, I have a name, my name is Zhang Li!"

"I remember you only got married not long ago, what brings you to the front lines? Did you finally give in to your shrewish wife at home?"

Zhang Li's face immediately turned gloomy.

The martial artist named Gong Ji was taken aback and was about to retort when he was pulled back by an older companion behind him.

His companion leaned close to his ear and whispered a few words.

"Zhang Li Li's village... was massacred not long ago? The entire family, not a single one left?"

"Don't joke with him like that. That kid's got a temper tantrum going on."

Gong Ji suddenly stood up and walked a few steps to Zhang Li.

The smile on his face had completely vanished, replaced by regret and fear.

"Zhang Li, I'm sorry. I didn't know... You can hit me."

He grabbed Zhang Li's hand and slapped it against his own face.

Zhang Li pulled his hand back.

"It's not your fault."

He turned his head, his gaze fixed on the dark horizon at the edge of the plain. His tone was calm, but a chilling glint lurked in his eyes.

"It's all the monsters' fault."

"My parents were also killed by demonic beasts."

Gong Ji lowered his head, his voice muffled.

I'm so sorry.

Zhang Li didn't say anything more, he just stared into the distance.

Behind him, the martial artists who had been laughing just moments before also fell silent.

On the high ground behind the defensive line, Guan Shanhai stood with his hands behind his back, flanked by two Great Grandmaster.

The three of them were all looking at the edge of the plain to the south, their faces full of smiles as they talked about something.

Just then, Guan Shanhai took the token from his waist.

A moment later, his expression suddenly changed drastically.

"Brother Guan, what happened?"

The middle-aged Great Grandmaster beside him noticed his unusual expression and immediately pressed him for details.

Guan Shanhai's grip on the token tightened slightly, his voice so deep it was almost inaudible:

"The White-Foreheaded Demon King personally led a force of two Fifth-Tier Demon Lord and over a dozen fourth-tier Demon King, launching a fierce attack on the seventh gate of the first line of defense. The seventh gate has been breached."

"The second line of defense has also fallen. They're advancing towards us."

"What? The second line of defense has been breached?" The middle-aged Great Grandmaster's face drained of all color.

Didn't we send people to reinforce the first line of defense?

"We are supporting the fourth entrance."

Guan Shanhai slowly lowered the token, his brows furrowed.

"The monsters are targeting the seventh entrance. They planned this from the beginning. The fourth entrance is bait; the real attack will be on the seventh entrance."

The two Great Grandmaster exchanged a glance, both seeing the same shock in each other's eyes.

When did monsters become so clever, even resorting to luring the tiger away from the mountain?

"The order has come from above: the White-Foreheaded Demon King must be killed."

Guan Shanhai then leaped into the air and landed on the high platform at the forefront of the defense line.

"Quiet."

Guan Shanhai only uttered two words, and the thousands of people on the entire defense line instantly fell silent.

"Just received news! The first and second lines of defense have been breached, and the monsters are advancing towards us!"

As soon as Guan Shanhai finished speaking, the expressions of thousands of martial artists below the platform changed repeatedly in just a few breaths.

"The first and second lines of defense have been breached? How is that possible? Didn't the genius disciples from the five cities and the officials from various departments all send people to provide support?"

"Perfect timing! Killing one is no loss, killing two is a huge profit!"

Some were uneasy, while others gritted their teeth.

But most faces did not show fear.

Guan Shanhai stood on the high platform, looking down at the young faces below.

He paused for a moment, then suddenly raised his voice:

"The monsters are coming! I'll ask you one question: are you afraid? If you're afraid to die, leave now and I won't pursue the matter!"

"I'm not afraid!"

Thousands responded in unison.

A look of satisfaction appeared on Guan Shanhai's face.

He nodded and said in a deep voice, "Very good. As expected of the disciples of my Demon-Slaying Bureau, not one of them is a coward. Now listen to my assignments!"

He pointed to the left. "Mo Feng! You lead a team to ambush from the left flank. Once all the monsters have entered the pit, attack from the flank and cut off their retreat!"

"Qu Gu! You take a team and ambush from the right flank. Again, wait until they're all inside before making your move!"

"The rest of you, follow me to face the enemy head-on!"

As instructions were given one after another, the crowd quickly and orderly dispersed.

Mo Feng and Qu Gu each led a team of elite troops, and under the cover of dusk, they silently disappeared into the shadows on both sides of the low-lying area.

The crowd in front of them then closed up, forming a thick wall of knives behind Guan Shanhai.

Not far from the third line of defense, a group of monstrous beasts were galloping across the plain.

There weren't many, only twenty or thirty.

At the very center of the group stood a massive White-Foreheaded Tiger Demon King, with three white stripes on its forehead.

It was flanked by a fifth-tier tiger king on each side, exuding a powerful aura, and behind them were more than a dozen fourth-tier Demon King.