Chapter 168 - The Beast Army Arrives

The emperor ordered everyone to prepare for the incoming beast tide. The odds might be against them, but they should be prepared when the savage beasts will come.

All the nobles became very busy as they designated orders to their servants and subordinates. Although they felt reluctant to send their soldiers, they didn't have a choice. If the Celestial Sword Empire will fall, then all the wealth and authority they gained will be for naught. Thus, to preserve their identities as nobles, they sent their soldiers to prepare for the incoming beast tide.

The Death Forest was located in the northern part of Sword City. The purpose of building their capital city in that place was also to fend off the beast tide. Only the capital city had the power to repel hundreds of thousands of savage beasts. Thus, the first emperor decided to build Sword City in that location.

The soldiers placed traps that will help in slowing down the army of savage beasts. It might do little against the million-strong army of savage beasts, but it was still necessary in order to help the soldiers build their morale.

Meanwhile, inside Cale's villa, Aurora arrived with a solemn look on her face.

Cale glanced at her with furrowed eyebrows. "What did you see there, Aurora?"

Aurora bowed her head gently and said in a serious voice. "My lord, more than a million savage beasts are coming towards the Celestial Sword Empire as we speak. With their speed, they will arrive by tomorrow morning."

Cale frowned after hearing her report. He was surprised that the huge savage beast army was able to march at such a shocking speed. "I must inform his majesty about this as soon as possible. Aurora, go call Wenren Wushuang... No, wait... I will go to the palace in person." 

Cale did not wait for her reply and became a streak of light as he flew towards the imperial palace. 

* * *

In the imperial palace, a handsome young-looking man with long silver hair slowly descended from the sky. Cale flashed his first rank token and was immediately allowed to go inside the palace. The gate guards were already informed that if Cale came, he will be allowed to go inside immediately. 

Cale arrived outside of the imperial chamber. He glanced at the soldiers guarding the entrance and spoke. "I have a piece of urgent information for the emperor. Please tell him that I am here." Cale showed his first rank token to them. 

After seeing his token, the soldiers' expression changed into that of respect. "Please wait for a moment, sire."

Cale nodded his head calmly.

"You may go in, young man." Cale heard the emperor's familiar voice from inside the imperial chamber. He went inside and saw the emperor sitting on a chair with tired eyes. "It has been hard on you, your majesty." Cale bowed slightly and said with a soft sigh.

Emperor Aventus shook his head and glanced at him. "No need for formalities, young man. Your strength is already on par with me and you don't have to bow to me anymore. Anyway, what is the purpose of your visit?" 

Cale sat down and said with a solemn expression. "Your majesty, I sent one of my subordinates to investigate the Death Forest. She told me that the beast tide will arrive by tomorrow morning."

The emperor's eyes turned gloomy all of a sudden. "They have come earlier than expected. Good job in informing me of this important news. Don't worry, I will immediately tell everyone to prepare as soon as possible. You may take your leave." 

Cale bowed his head and left the imperial chamber. 

* * *

The next day, more than several hundred thousand soldiers stood outside the city's walls. The strategy this time was to clash with the savage beast army after they had stepped on the traps they laid. 

The emperor did not want to just passively defend the city or they might be overwhelmed by the huge number of savage beasts. 

"Rumble! Rumble!"  The earth trembled to signal the coming of the savage beast army.

A few thousand meters ahead of them, a huge cloud of dust can be seen as all sorts of savage beasts were dashing towards the direction of Sword City. 

The soldiers revealed fear in their eyes, but none of them ran away. Behind them was where their families and friends live, so despite their trepidation, they remained standing in their positions.

Atop the city walls, Cale swept his glance at the huge army gloomily. 'A lot of soldiers will die today. Sigh!'  Cale sighed in his heart.

"They will step on the first trap we laid for them. Based on my calculations, thousands of them will die." Old Zhang spoke while rubbing his long white beard. 

Cale nodded his head in agreement. "Indeed, we were only able to set up two levels of traps due to the lack of time. But it should be enough to boost our soldiers' morale. Once that happens, I hope that elder brother will lead the charge with me." Cale said with a faint smile on his face.

"No problem at all. But are you sure about your plan? After all, it's not easy to find their leader with all those beasts on the battlefield." Old Zhang said with a bit of worry.

Cale's expression turned somber after hearing his words. "To be honest, I'm not that sure myself. But I have to do it because only I am able to pinpoint his location."

Old Zhang sighed and shook his head. His aged face was painted with worry as he glanced at the incoming savage beast army.

The beast army stepped on the first trapped set up by the soldiers. It was a deep pitfall with long metal spears waiting down below. 

Countless beasts fell into the trap and they emitted pained shrieks as their bodies were impaled on the spears below the pitfall.

The soldiers cheered after seeing the scene.

Thousands of beasts fell into the pitfall but their charge never stopped. More and more beasts fell into the trap. Dead savage beast's bodies filled the pitfall in less than a few minutes. 

After filling the pitfall with the bodies of their dead brethren, the beasts stepped on them with savage glints. 

"Shit! To think that the leader of this beast army was cruel enough to fill the pitfall with the savage beast's corpses just to continue their charge!"

"Don't worry, there is still the second trap. It should be enough to slow them down." 

"Everyone, prepare for battle!" Grand General Ling Tian shouted at the top of his lungs after seeing the fearless charge of the savage beasts.

All the soldiers grabbed their weapons tightly while eyeing the incoming beasts with cold gazes. Everyone's hearts were in their throats as time tickled by.