Chapter 172 - 157: Falling into the Trap

To best counter the Heavenly soldiers, it is advisable not to let them form battle formations. Instead, leverage the Demon Clan’s strength in guerrilla warfare to fight them.

The Heavenly soldiers were aware of this situation too, but because Yin Qi had just ascended to his position and was trying to stabilize it, he had made large-scale adjustments. Some of the veteran soldiers had been sidelined by him, which meant these Heavenly soldiers lacked the usual synergy, therefore, they were more than a beat slower than before.

This slight delay immediately changed the situation as countless Heavenly soldiers, unable to form their battle formations in time, were slain by the Demon Clan. As their numbers dwindled, even their formations, when finally assembled, were significantly weakened, and they soon found themselves at a disadvantage.

For the Demon Clan, witnessing the weakened combat strength of these Heavenly soldiers was a pleasant surprise. Skilled in hit-and-run tactics, they seized this opportunity and began a highly efficient slaughter.

This turn of events put the Heavenly soldiers in a downward spiral, their morale plummeting.

Yin Qi, standing on a high point, had a clear view of the battle below and understood that it was time to step in and stabilize the situation. Otherwise, a collapse in morale would make his battle debut a joke.

With a leap, he jumped into the midst of the battle, swinging his long halberd and sending numerous monsters soaring through the air.

Although his position as Marshal was somewhat fortuitous, he was, after all, a man of some genuine skill and talent, evident from the moment he took action.

"Look at that kid on the other side, he can’t wait any longer," the Black Demon King laughed loudly, his expression smug. In a battle between two armies, whichever general moves first indicates which side is in a disadvantageous position and thus needs to seek change.

After many years of fighting, this was the first time the Demon King had forced the opposing commander to enter the fray himself.

"Hmph, if he doesn’t go down there soon, morale will collapse, and the Celestial River Naval Forces’ reputation will be tarnished today," Bai Military Advisor remarked, showing a glint of delight.

This was favorable, as it would show everyone that the current Celestial River Naval Forces were no longer as formidable as before. He knew well that the demon lords of Luzhou in the North were all bullies who feared the tough.

If the Celestial River Naval Forces were strong, they naturally wouldn’t dare make a move, but if they appeared weak, they would swarm like hyenas drawn by the scent of blood.

"Haha, in that case, it’s time I met this new Marshal Tianpeng," the Black Demon King laughed heartily. He grabbed his Reclining Moon Sword and leaped onto the Treasure Ship.

Blocking Yin Qi’s long halberd, the Black Demon King taunted arrogantly, "You blond brat, Grandpa’s here to meet you!"

"Braggart!" Yin Qi scoffed coldly. His halberd, like a ferocious flood dragon, lashed out at the Black Demon King.

The Black Demon King was not intimidated by his attack, and the two of them started an intense battle.

Loud noises echoed throughout the Treasure Ship, and the gusts from their exchanges blow the battling monsters and Heavenly soldiers into the sky, wreaking havoc on the ship.

Seeing this, Yin Qi furrowed his brow slightly. The Treasure Ship was a prized possession of the Celestial River Naval Forces and seeing it damaged by these monsters fueled his anger.

His mana surged, and with his long halberd, he knocked the Black Demon King away, his eyes wide with fury, shouting, "Monster, meet your doom!"

His formidable presence indeed invigorated the Heavenly soldiers’ morale, unleashing powerful combat strength that started to reverse what had seemed like a precarious situation.

The many demon lords cowering to the side also inhaled sharply in surprise.

"This old boy has some real strength!"

"Nonsense, the strength required to hold the position of Marshal Tianpeng must be substantial," someone retorted. It must be said that the Heavenly Court is teeming with talent, and just pulling anyone out would ensure that there aren’t any major issues with their strength.

"What’s there to fear? No matter how strong he is, he’s just a brute, as long as he’s not that shameless Zhu Gangliao," another chimed in.

At the mention of the previous Marshal Tianpeng, the Demon Kings all frowned. That guy’s strength wasn’t the strongest, but he was certainly the most shameless.

Because of this, all the monsters in Luzhou in the North deeply dreaded him. Fortunately, that guy had been demoted to the Mortal World and, reportedly, had even turned into a pig, which was a cause for great satisfaction.

"Aren’t any of you going to teach this brash young lad a lesson?" someone whispered with a chuckle.

Several Demon Kings leaped out of the dense forest in unison. They didn’t go after Yin Qi but targeted the other Treasure Ships instead.

"This is bad, they’re after the ships!" Yin Qi realized the monsters’ intentions instantly and clenched his teeth, preparing to fight.

However, within the smoke, the Black Demon King revealed his figure, bloodied and beleaguered yet oddly exhilarated.

He lightly licked the fresh blood on his body, eyes gleaming with excitement, and gritted his teeth, "Boy, fighting your grandfather feels exhilarating."

Having said that, he charged again with his weapon, his objective clear, to engage Yin Qi and prevent him from counteracting.

"Damn it," Yin Qi naturally sensed the opponent’s tactic.

But he had no good solution, for with the opponent’s strength, if intent on battling it out, he himself couldn’t break free to support his allies.

"Since you are so eager to die, I will fulfill your wish," Yin Qi said coldly, his eyes filled with icy murderous intent, planning to dismember the monster before him.

The long halberd came down hard, and the Black Demon King struggled to block it, feeling his arms crush under a mighty hammer, alarm rising within him. This guy seemed even stronger than before.

Not daring to take any chances, he rolled on the spot, releasing the force through the deck, which emitted a crisp crack, surprisingly causing a slight crack in the ultradurable deck of the Treasure Ship.

The Black Demon King looked up at the imposing Yin Qi, his face grave. This guy truly wasn’t famous for no reason—his strength was formidable.

But Yin Qi, relentless, blitzed forward again, his halberd like a flood dragon, continually tearing at the Black Demon King’s flesh, leaving him riddled with wounds.

In less than a moment, the Black Demon King seemed drenched in blood, his body crimson. Seeing his miserable state, Yin Qi let out a mocking laugh, "A rat will always be a rat, don’t think you become a lion just because you’ve gained some weight."

Halberd in hand, he slowly walked towards the Black Demon King, ready to finish off this audacious demon, only to suddenly find a strange smile creeping across the exhausted face of the Black Demon King.

Sensing something was wrong, he swiftly dodged.

However, the Black Demon King, having laid his plans for a long time, wasn’t about to let him escape that easily. A dark shadow flickered behind his head, revealing a tail adorned with a long, spiked barb that shimmered with a dim light under the sunlight.

The tail slashed through the air, aiming directly for Yin Qi’s forehead. Yin Qi, quick to react, stepped back. The tail missed his head but instead plunged into his arm.

Suddenly, an excruciating pain that penetrated to his bones swept through his body.