Chapter 211: Huang Gangshi

Lu Fang didn’t even glance at Song Ce; he already had several good ideas in mind but had no intention of revealing them. “You clever humans always have plenty of plans—can’t you think of a better one?”

In the journal entries, the Bai Yuying demon had used many cunning words to describe Song Ce, which was why he said that.

Song Ce squinted and said, “Actually, there is a way. That swarm of Shire Fei Yi is indeed formidable, but clearly, they won’t chase beyond a certain distance.”

“We can send out some fast demon clan members to draw the swarm’s attention—then the other demon barbarians can slip past.”

“If possible, I hope you’ll send your fastest demon clan members to draw fire. I’m not targeting you—your demon clan simply move faster.”

Song Ce spoke seriously.

All the demon clan members turned to look at Lu Fang at once.

Whoever looked at it, drawing the Shire Fei Yi’s attention was extremely dangerous.

Lu Fang could have simply agreed, but to put on a show, he feigned hesitation, then turned to the fourth-rank Horse Demon beside him: “Choose a few demons with speed talent to draw the Shire Fei Yi’s attention.”

The Horse Demon loudly replied, then skillfully selected six bird-like demons—three of the eagle demons who had previously searched for Bai Yuying were among them.

Though visibly reluctant, the six bird-like demons obeyed and slowly flew toward the location of the Shire Fei Yi.

As expected, the moment they drew near, tens of thousands of Shire Fei Yi surged out in a frenzied swarm.

“Now! Move while we have the chance!” Song Ce shouted triumphantly and led the way, flying swiftly in the opposite direction.

Almost simultaneously, Lu Fang also flew toward the small barrier.

With the two of them leading, the other demon barbarians had no hesitation—they surged forward at top speed.

Of the six bird-like demons, the three slower ones were immediately devoured into white bones by the Shire Fei Yi; only three survived.

With no targets left in the area, the swarm circled once, then dove back underground into the same spot.

Seeing the plan worked, the barbarians around Song Ce began showering him with praise. He raised an eyebrow at Lu Fang and said, “Looks like my plan was useful after all.”

Lu Fang’s face remained expressionless. “Enough talk. We just sacrificed lives so you could pass safely—now it’s your turn to scout ahead.”

Song Ce nodded. After observing for a long while and seeing no danger ahead, he whispered to the Cloaked Man-Yong: “Take a few of your people and scout ahead carefully—safety first.”

The Cloaked Man-Yong obeyed and casually selected a few barbarians—all of them weak, none strong.

Clearly, he had his own agenda: if danger struck, as long as someone else ran slower than him, he’d be safe.

Still, he had to maintain appearances. He pointed at one barbarian and said sternly: “You lead. Move carefully—I’ll be right behind you. If danger comes, I’m here. Don’t panic.”

The barbarian looked frightened but had no right to refuse. Trembling, he agreed and began inching forward, testing each step.

Watching the barbarian’s panic, the Cloaked Man-Yong said nothing. Slow was fine—better for him.

If danger came, he’d have time to retreat.

Just as before, they encountered no danger along the way and reached the edge of the mist—ten paces ahead lay the boundary of the small barrier.

Remembering the fate of the fellow who had touched the mist earlier, the barbarian at the front stopped dead. No matter how much the Cloaked Man-Yong urged him, he refused to move.

“Worthless fool!”

The Cloaked Man-Yong sneered, slapped the barbarian’s back—and with the force, the barbarian tumbled headfirst into the mist.

In an instant, the surroundings changed.

The mist and the small barrier vanished. But this time, the barbarian who touched the mist did not turn to bone. Instead, a massive mountain appeared before them, inexplicably.

No danger this time—only a great mountain now stood in their path.

The Cloaked Man-Yong, who had already retreated far, confirmed there was no threat, then called to Song Ce: “Commander Song, a mountain has appeared here—it seems harmless.”

Song Ce nodded, his full attention fixed on the sudden mountain, his eyes filled with confusion.

This place was too strange.

The poison marsh and the Shire Fei Yi were understandable—but a mountain appearing out of nowhere? Unthinkable.

Lu Fang was equally startled. Everything here was stranger than he’d imagined. What exactly was here? Why did the demon barbarians care so much—and believe it could overturn the war between the Northern and Southern Realms?

“Climb to the summit. See if the mist barrier lies on the other side.”

He ordered the Cloaked Man-Yong.

With the mountain blocking their view, they could no longer see the mist barrier from the base.

The Cloaked Man-Yong swallowed hard and replied calmly: “This mountain must be dangerous. We should deliberate further. I take orders only from Commander Song. If you wish to reach the summit, send your own demon clan members to fly up and scout.”

Lu Fang raised an eyebrow and turned to Song Ce: “What do you say?”

Song Ce frowned, hesitated, then said to the Cloaked Man-Yong ahead: “Go to the summit. Check if the mist barrier still exists on the other side.”

Though he disliked Bai Yuying, he didn’t want to alienate it now—and he wanted to know what dangers the mountain held.

Either way, they had to scout. Why not go along with it?

Hearing this, the Cloaked Man-Yong cursed inwardly, looked up at the hundred-zhang-tall mountain, and ordered the unlucky barbarian ahead: “You climb first.”

The unlucky barbarian glanced back at the Cloaked Man-Yong’s grim face, cursed silently in his heart, but still bowed with a forced smile.

Since even the lowest were sixth-rank Man-Yong, their climbing was swift.

Of course, this was only under the Cloaked Man-Yong’s pressure—otherwise, the leading barbarian would have moved as slowly as possible.

Soon they reached one-third of the mountain’s height, when the Cloaked Man-Yong suddenly called a halt, crouched down, and picked up a stone, excited: “There’s plenty of second-rank Huang Gangshi here.”

Before long, the unlucky barbarian at the front also crouched and exclaimed excitedly: “There’s Huang Gangshi here too.”