The so-called cooperation was quite straightforward: I was to act as an escort for the pillaging Blood Wolf Knights; each side would get what it needed. My role was to cultivate an atmosphere of terror, plunging the Seal Demon Continent into unease, while the Blood Wolf Tribe secured necessities like grain, meat, and valuables. I was actually quite curious why they bothered robbing material wealth; in my estimation, they couldn't trade those goods with outsiders. It was only when Chi Long explained that they possessed secret channels to convert wealth into essential survival supplies like grain and meat that the puzzle pieces clicked into place.
It seems that illicit markets exist in every world.
At the same time, I learned that Chi Long and the garrison here were the surviving, combat-ready Blood Wolf Knights of the tribe, composed exclusively of able-bodied men responsible for raiding expeditions to procure the food and meat required for the Blood Wolf Tribe's sustenance!
As for the tribe's elderly, weak, women, and children, they were settled in another hidden location. Chi Long did not disclose the location to me, and frankly, I had no interest in knowing. In my view, we were merely collaborating and utilizing one another; there was no need to develop a deeper relationship.
Through Chi Long's introduction, I also learned that the remaining Blood Wolf Knights numbered just over fifty thousand, yet the tribe’s elderly, weak, women, and children totaled a staggering two hundred thousand. Supporting over two hundred thousand giant wolves for those people placed an immense burden on Chi Long and his cohort.
It could be said that they spent the majority of their time in fluid strikes against various cities. However, since the Blood Wolf unrest had persisted for ages, the entire Seal Demon Continent had developed targeted defense mechanisms against their attacks—things like deploying standing armies, heightening city walls, and erecting signal towers across the territory. Upon spotting the Wolf Riders, smoke signals would instantly relay information, prompting coordinated military action from garrisons to launch encirclements. This series of joint operations had progressively shrunk the operational scope of the Blood Wolf Knights, resulting in dwindling spoils.
The survival of the Blood Wolf Tribe was clearly precarious, which perhaps explained why Chi Long dared approach me at such personal risk.
The cooperation agreement was quickly finalized. Based on the intelligence gathered, the Blood Wolf Legion began planning its next operation. For both them and me, this marked a completely new beginning!
The next battle would be our first joint endeavor. Regarding the combat plans and proposals, I was entirely an outsider, simply listening quietly from the sidelines!
Perhaps the addition of the Sky Demon Warriors had completely ignited the fighting spirit of the Blood Wolf Legion; every man looked energetic, eager to test their mettle!
“Boss, why don’t we just take Chila City?” the slight mage Lan Bu suggested, instinctively glancing toward me as he spoke.
“But Chila City is garrisoned by the Seventh Main Brigade of the Soaring Serpent Legion, boasting thirty thousand Magic Cavalry alone, plus thirty thousand Heavy Cavalry, and a full hundred thousand infantry guarding the walls,” Chi Long stated with a grave expression. “More importantly, we have two Rainbow Arch-Mages assisting in the defense. They won't be easy to deal with.”
“The Rainbow Arch-Mages and the Magic Cavalry will be my concern,” I replied calmly.
“..............” Everyone in the tent stared at me in shock, but they quickly seemed to recall something.
“With the Crown Prince here, we indeed have no need to fear Chila City’s Magic Cavalry and Rainbow Arch-Mages,” Chi Long exclaimed joyfully. Recalling how I single-handedly suppressed the Aotian’s strongest mage corps during the Battle of Yung City—a feat that had already made me famous across the continent—they naturally held absolute faith in my capabilities.
“That settles the difficult part,” Chi Long continued. “If His Highness can suppress the magical forces in Chila City, then the remaining Heavy Cavalry and infantry will be walking straight into a death trap against our Blood Wolf Knights.”
The majority of the Blood Wolf Legion consisted of mages, numbering around forty thousand; warriors were only about ten thousand, and Taoists even fewer, at only a thousand. For a long time, in confrontations against conventional troops, the Blood Wolf Knights' primary adversaries were the Seal Demon Army's Magic Cavalry, because the High Furnace Warhorses possessed a speed that was in no way inferior to the Crimson Giant Wolves. Furthermore, the army’s equipment and numbers far surpassed those of the Blood Wolf Legion. Consequently, the Blood Wolf Knights had always avoided the main forces of the Seal Demon Army, employing guerrilla tactics and roving across the continent to target weaker small towns or villages.
Moreover, High Furnace Warhorses were not adept at operations in complex terrain such as deserts, forests, and hills. This was why retreating into forests or deserts when outmatched had become the Blood Wolf Knights’ habitual response!
To this, the Seal Demon Army was helpless, as forests, hills, and deserts were the areas where the Blood Wolf Knights excelled in combat.
Clearly, my inclusion convinced them to attempt a massive undertaking.
“If we succeed in capturing Chila City this time, we can seize a large amount of mage equipment,” Lan Ka added. “If Your Highness can seize the Arch-Mage Cloaks while eliminating those two Rainbow Arch-Mages, my magical strength will increase significantly—that would be even more wonderful.”
“To wear an Arch-Mage Cloak, one must possess at least Grandmaster-level cultivation and a suitable constitution,” I said with some curiosity. “Do any within your Blood Wolf Tribe qualify?”
“Your Highness may not know,” Chi Long stated proudly. “Fifty years ago, the Blood Wolf Legion had three Sky Demon Warriors, and eight of the other ten generals were Rainbow Arch-Mages. Our Blood Wolf Tribe’s shamans are innate mages. If we had enough Arch-Mage Cloaks now, we could establish at least four Rainbow Arch-Mages.”
“What!” This time it was my turn to be utterly astonished. Four Rainbow Arch-Mages—I could hardly believe it. The entire Demon Dragon Empire possessed only three Rainbow Arch-Mages, yet the Blood Wolf Tribe could potentially birth four. What astounding magical aptitude!
Thinking of this, I instinctively glanced around, trying to identify the Grandmaster-level mage experts Chi Long had mentioned.
“All four shamans remain at the main settlement, responsible for ensuring the safety of our people; they did not accompany the army on this campaign,” Chi Long explained, seeming to read my mind. “However, if Your Highness successfully seizes the Arch-Mage Cloaks, we can summon them at any time.”
“Very well, securing the Arch-Mage Cloaks will be the primary objective of this operation,” I stated seriously.
If the Blood Wolf Legion could possess two Rainbow Arch-Mages in addition to myself, a Sky Demon Warrior, just how terrifying would their combat power become!
This immense potential made even the composed Chi Long visibly agitated!
The battle plan and its finer details were quickly laid out!
To be honest, as a person from the modern era, coupled with the experience gained from the Battle of Yung City, I had always considered myself knowledgeable and well-versed. Yet, watching Chi Long and the others design an entire sequence of actions and contingencies based on the sand table meticulously crafted to resemble Chila City, I was genuinely stunned!
It was hard to imagine that such exceptionally talented military minds existed within the small Blood Wolf Legion. Among everyone I had met, perhaps only Jin Yao could compare to Chi Long!
But unlike the Prague Legion, the Blood Wolf Legion's strategy was collaboratively formulated by all the generals present.
It seemed the Blood Wolf Legion had talent in abundance! I sighed inwardly. I felt more confident than ever about this impending operation!
Beneath the gloomy sky, a vast crimson cloud flashed forth, surging toward the distant horizon at an astonishing speed! Looking closely, the red cloud was composed of countless giant wolves galloping furiously, with masked knights upon their backs! Because the sheer number of giant wolves was so immense, from a distance, they resembled a swiftly moving red mist!
There was no thundering sound of ten thousand hooves, nor even the slightest tremor could be perceived. The only sounds were the deep, labored breaths of the giant wolves running at high speed, and the blurry whoosh of the wind rushing past the ears!
These were the Blood Wolf Knights. On the Marfa Continent, only the Mammoth Iron Cavalry and the Blood Wolf Knights could run at top speed without making much noise. Hence, they were known on the continent as the Ghost Knights, always able to approach their opponents silently before launching a sudden, fatal attack!
This ability was entirely due to the thick paw pads of the giant wolves, allowing them to move like enormous cats at full gallop, emitting no sound whatsoever.
I was riding one of the giant wolves myself. It was Chi Long’s mount, specially yielded to me to show respect. Although wolves are inherently stubborn, this giant wolf was clearly highly intuitive. After Chi Long soothed it, it docilely became my mount. However, having grown accustomed to the Cloud Thunder War Beasts and High Furnace Warhorses, the wave-like, fluctuating motion of the giant wolf’s back at high speed made me extremely uncomfortable.
The biggest difference from the High Furnace Warhorses and Cloud Thunder War Beasts was that the saddle on the giant wolf was not strapped around its waist, but rather fastened around the shoulder blades protruding near its neck, just behind its front legs. This created a feeling of hollowness in front, making me constantly fear losing my balance and tumbling off.
Fortunately, after Chi Long taught me a few tricks, I managed to adapt! Once accustomed, the feeling was no different from riding a Cloud Thunder War Beast!
Soon, the faint sun dipped below the western hills, and a silver moon gradually ascended! The wind in the wilderness continued to blow incessantly. After riding for an unknown length of time, a hazy black line stretching out in all directions appeared in the distance!
The wilderness was silent, permeated by a heart-stopping stillness, and Chi Long raised his right hand, gripping the Moon in the Well, high above his head!
Swish! The stampeding pack of giant wolves instantly halted their furious charge! The fifty thousand Blood Wolf Knights displayed astonishing coordination. This seamless integration of advance and retreat, this fluid transition between motion and stillness, was no less impressive than the Cloud Thunder Legion I had witnessed before.
However, there was a distinct difference between the two. The Cloud Thunder Legion’s advances and retreats were imbued with terrifying impact and shock. Once charging, their might was like the furious, endless waves of the ocean, shattering anything blocking their path. Their signature skill, the Cloud Thunder Roar, pushed this astonishing destructive power to its absolute limit.
But the Blood Wolf Knights were an entirely different style: their maneuvers emphasized agility and swiftness. If the Cloud Thunder Iron Cavalry was an ocean surge, an iron torrent capable of smashing anything into pieces, then the Blood Wolf Knights were a swift, deadly, piercing gale.
That extreme sharpness could easily tear through any obstacle, permeating everywhere! Although I hadn't yet witnessed their combat style, my instinct told me that the Blood Wolf Knights specialized in guerrilla warfare: annihilating the enemy while in motion!
“Your Highness, that is Chila City ahead,” Chi Long said, approaching respectfully.
“I will follow the Chieftain’s arrangements in everything,” I replied. I understood nothing of military strategy, but that was irrelevant; Chi Long beside me was an expert in marching formations, besieging cities, and capturing strongholds. With him, I had nothing to worry about.
As if surprised by my swift compliance, a flash of astonishment crossed Chi Long’s eyes, though he quickly regained his composure. “I apologize for the imposition, Your Highness.”
“Blood Wolves! Attack!” Chi Long pointed his massive saber toward the distant, hazy city walls!
The silver moon hung high, the scattered gloomy clouds covering more than half the sky, making the moon look somewhat solitary and bleak.
Yet, those scattered clouds surged with a strange and ominous aura. Teng Jiao, the Rainbow Arch-Mage seasoned by countless battles, felt a murderous intent that made him uneasy and unable to remain seated in the command tent. He took his personal guard, donned his Arch-Mage Cloak, and personally ascended the city walls to patrol, clutching his Blood Drinker saber.
He had just reached the ramparts!
Whooo-whooo! A world-shaking horn suddenly blared! A messenger from the North Gate rushed toward him, his face contorted with panic!
“Dun An?” Teng Jiao immediately recognized the young mage, seizing the defending general by the shoulder and demanding sharply, “What is happening? Why sound the alarm?”
Dun An spoke anxiously, “General Teng, the Blood Wolf Legion is closing in on the North Gate!”
“The Blood Wolf Legion.” Teng Jiao gasped in shock. The Soaring Serpent Legion had stationed numerous scouts around Chila City, yet not a single one had reported anything; the Blood Wolf Legion was already at the city walls before the alarm was sounded. Years of combat experience allowed Teng Jiao to instinctively grasp the unusual nature of this attack. Logically, Chila City was a heavily fortified metropolis, further guarded by myself and another Rainbow Arch-Mage; the Blood Wolf Knights, no matter how bold, should never dare attack here. But recalling his recent unease, Teng Jiao made a swift decision: “Immediately send word to notify Bai City to reinforce the city!”
“Yes!” Dun An accepted the order and left!
Teng Jiao quickly moved to the top of the North Wall’s gate tower.
Not long after the horns echoed across the sky, countless defenders rushed onto the ramparts! The mages tossed numerous brilliant magical illumination flares into the high altitude!
The dazzling light instantly burst open, mimicking daylight. On the open ground north of the wall, a vast expanse of crimson appeared—it was the Blood Wolf Knights, fierce and cunning raiders!
They stood silently just outside the established perimeter, initiating no attack! However, that cold, steady presence sent an inexplicable feeling of unease through Teng Jiao!
The Blood Wolf Knights excelled at fighting on plains, in forests, hills, and deserts, but siege warfare was clearly not their forte. Why were they behaving so contrary to custom with such a reckless display?
When things defy expectation, there must be a hidden plot! Teng Jiao instinctively tightened his grip on the Blood Drinker saber!
Come on! Blood Wolf Legion, let me see what trump cards you possess!