The Strongarm Bull Devils don't use standardized weapons, but one thing is clear—they all prefer heavy weaponry.
The battle was brutal.
In less than ten breaths, casualties appeared. The battle formation of nine patrol warriors was smashed apart, and one soldier's head was completely pulverized.
Liam Liang didn't show a hint of sadness—not because he was cold or heartless, but because he'd seen too much of this in recent months. He was used to it; rather than waste time grieving, he'd rather think about how to kill more Devils.
At the same time, Liam Liang was entangled with three Strongarm Bull Devils, each three meters tall.
With his domain supporting him, he barely managed to withstand attacks from the three Devils.
But he knew he couldn't last even half a quarter-hour; if reinforcements didn't arrive, he'd probably die here today.
"Your little master will fight you to the end!"
Seeing the old soldiers who'd been joking with him just moments ago fall one after another, Little Pillar snapped, swinging his blade recklessly.
"Slash! Slash!"
With a single slash, he chopped off a Strongarm Bull Devil's head, but moments later, another Devil smashed his skull in.
A life for a life!
The fight continued.
Five of the nine patrol warriors were already dead; the remaining four struggled desperately to hold on.
There was another Devil standing outside the circle, not bothering to join in—his subordinates were more than enough to handle a human patrol squad.
In the blink of an eye, dozens more breaths passed.
Of the four patrol warriors who'd been holding on, three more were killed.
The last surviving soldier, knowing escape was impossible, chose to perish together with a Devil.
Even after months of witnessing death, Liam Liang still felt a surge of grief in his heart.
Armor cracked loudly—"Crack! Crack!"—as the iron hammers smashed into his chest.
A brief lapse in focus let three Devils seize the opportunity—massive iron hammers crashed into his chest, blasting him dozens of meters away.
Just as the three Devils rushed up to finish him off, the one who hadn't joined the fight suddenly shouted, "Retreat!"
"Rumble! Rumble!"
The deafening thunder of hooves echoed—it was the general of Dawn Battalion personally leading several hundred cavalry.
Seeing this, Liam Liang knew he'd survived by sheer luck once again.
That's right—luck.
On the Blood River Battlefield, even Grandmasters—let alone ordinary ones—have a high chance of dying.
The Strongarm Bull Devils withdrew swiftly into the Blood River, while the humans couldn't pursue.
It was a bitter pill to swallow.
In Blood River City, a flash of light burst from the teleportation array—thirteen figures appeared: Leon Huang and Lance Xuanyuan's group.
As soon as they stepped out of the array, the metallic tang of blood filled their noses.
The commander of the million-strong Human army on the Blood River Battlefield was Raymond Lei, a late-stage Martial Saint and top young powerhouse, forty-five years old.
A quarter-hour later.
Leon and the others met Raymond Lei's deputy, Fiona Li. Fiona was about thirty-seven or thirty-eight, having just stepped into the Martial Saint realm.
Fiona was polite to everyone, but her nearly tangible killing aura made the group tense up.
Fiona already knew why Leon and Lance were there. She stated directly that tomorrow they'd each be given enough soldiers to form two hundred-man patrol teams, which they'd personally lead.
Once settled in, since it was still early, Yoon Zhengyang and the others wanted to look around the city.
The architecture in Blood River City was rough and utilitarian.
After a quick lap, everyone lost interest—the city was just too monotonous.
Aside from taverns and brothels, there was nothing special in the whole city.
Just as Leon and the others were about to head back to camp, they ran into someone unexpected.
"Leon Huang, it's you! Didn't expect to see you in Blood River City!"
Liam Liang's expression was complicated. He didn't have proof, but he was sure the one who schemed against him before was Leon.
When he first arrived at the frontier, he hated Leon, but over time, he simply didn't have the energy to keep hating. Compared to the enmity between Human and Devil Races, his personal grudge with Leon was nothing.
"Liam Liang, glad to see you're still alive!"
Leon replied with a smile, his gaze unconsciously sweeping over the bloodstains on Liam's armor.
"Not bad, still kicking!" Liam said flatly. "Feel like grabbing a drink together?"
"Sure!"
Leon agreed without hesitation.
Soon, the group found a tavern.
Business was booming—nine out of ten patrons were soldiers.
As soon as they entered, some familiar faces greeted Liam with crude jokes, and he responded just as easily.
This made Leon realize the former pampered playboy had changed—a battlefield really does forge people.
Soon, the food and drinks were served.
Here, they didn't use cups for drinking—instead, big bowls. The food wasn't fancy either, just huge chunks of meat.
Drinking from big bowls and eating big chunks of meat—this was a soldier's life.
Liam Liang raised his bowl. "A toast to everyone!"
In no time, Liam had downed three bowls—probably close to a kilo. His eyes reddened and he started talking more.
Everything he talked about was from the battlefield.
As he spoke, Leon and the others realized the battlefield was even crueler than they'd imagined.
Liam Liang had only been here a few months, yet he'd been injured more than twenty times—five times nearly dying.
In those months, he'd cycled through six patrol teams; now, he was captain of one—but today, all his men were killed in action.
As for his previous teams, word was only five members in total survived.
In the end, Liam drank himself into a stupor.
Drunk, he wept and raged, shouting about avenging his fallen men.
Seeing this, Yoon Zhengyang and the others felt a pang of sorrow—their hearts were heavy with emotion.
The tavern had guest rooms upstairs.
Leon and the others settled Liam in a room and left.
Back at camp, everyone felt weighed down.
Leon looked at everyone. "If anyone wants to quit, now's your last chance. After tomorrow, leaving means desertion!"
"Brother Huang, what are you saying? Since we're here, even if it means death, I'm not leaving!"
Benson Bai nodded solemnly. "That's right. Think about it—our easy lives at the academy were bought with the lives of these frontier soldiers. I swear, if I don't slay ten Devils, I'll never return to the academy!"
"Not going back until I've killed ten Devils!"
Zhou Yi pumped his fist, face full of resolve.
Leon looked at the others—they all voiced their determination not to back down.
Leon was very satisfied. As long as they had fighting spirit, that was enough—he only worried they'd be scared off by the Devils.
The next morning, Fiona Li arrived. She brought Leon ninety-two warriors, eight sets of armor, eight long sabers, a hundred warhorses, and Commander Raymond Lei's official appointment.
Leon was appointed captain of Special Patrol Team Two, answering directly to the commander.
As for Special Patrol Team One, of course Lance Xuanyuan would lead it.
Among the ninety-two, there were nine Grandmasters—one of whom, by coincidence, was Liam Liang.