Half a day later, the Great Liang frontier army, which had breached the defense line of the demon army, was reduced to only about half of its original strength. In this great battle, out of the two hundred thousand cavalry army, a full hundred thousand men were buried in the desolate north!
The demon army suffered even more heavy losses, not due to injuries inflicted by the human frontier army, but because the cultivation realm of that powerful emperor was too high. His combat power was truly too terrifying. He would instantly reap the lives of hundreds of demons just by walking through the army formation.
As for those great demons, if they dared to engage in battle with the Great Liang Emperor, they would also pay a heavy price.
The High Priest beckoned, recalling the demon troops who were still eager to hunt them down.
The high-ranking demon general looked unwillingly toward the south and said angrily, "Are we just going to let them leave like this?!"
The High Priest responded, "Do you have a better solution?"
The high-ranking demon general remained silent.
"In fact, we should have expected it. Since even His Majesty couldn't make him stay, then it would be impossible for us to make him stay either. The truth is often hard for people to accept; otherwise, we wouldn't have paid such a heavy price. Let him go back, he may not necessarily find peace. After all, he may not have an easy time in the South."
The High Priest beckoned again, and between heaven and earth, amid the wind and snow, the solemn sound of horns echoed - it was the demons signaling to retreat!
After years of battles and killings in the Northern Frontier, these soldiers had heard such horn signals countless times and naturally knew what it meant. If it were an ordinary day, they would have shouted with joy, but at this moment, no one spoke. Their bodies were incomparably exhausted. Fighting with demons in the snowy weather was not their forte to begin with.
Towards the end of the battle, they were solely relying on sheer willpower to persist.
Now, how could they still have any energy to cheer?
Li Changling was covered in blood, and the large halberd, which he never considered a heavy object on ordinary days, was now trembling in his hand, almost slipping out.
However, he was still very excited. Perhaps for those soldiers, they could not fully comprehend the significance of today's scene, but he knew very well that this battle would be recorded in history no matter what. Countless blood had been shed by both humans and demons on this land of the desolate north.
This time, it was the first time the demons voluntarily retreated.
Just this fact alone would be enough to be remembered throughout history.
And the one who made this possible was probably that man of towering stature who was as massive as a mountain.
The soldiers looked at the Great Liang Emperor one after another, their eyes revealing undisguised fervor. Perhaps there was no Dao teaching or faction in the world that could evoke such fervent looks from its disciples.
From today onwards, they have become the most loyal followers of the Great Liang Emperor.
If the Great Liang Emperor were to say something at this moment, it would have been extremely beneficial for morale. However, he did not even turn around; he kept facing south, leaving everyone with a towering silhouette. Then, a voice resonated in the wind and snow.
"Bring the dead soldiers, We will take you home."
……
……
In front of the Northern Frontier Great Wall, the Great General with weathered frost on his face had a head full of withered white hair. Behind him, various generals and officers stood in orderly rows.
Standing before the Great Wall, the Great General was overwhelmed with emotions. Having been stationed in the Northern Frontier for many years, facing the demons had always been a struggle. Despite meticulous planning and numerous efforts poured into this great battle, there was ultimately still a flaw in their meticulous plan. If it were not for the Great Liang Emperor covering that flaw for them, a complete defeat would have basically been within expectations.
However, the current outcome was virtually the best one. His Majesty returned safely, and the two hundred thousand cavalry force that went to reinforce, although they lost half of their men, managed to come back through the desolate north.
Such an ending was something the Northern Frontier Great General had never anticipated.
He was lost in thought, and the sound of approaching hooves indicated the return of a large army.
The Great General waited until the army was close, then knelt on one knee and said loudly, "Your subject, respectfully welcomes Your Majesty's triumphant return!"
The other generals and officers behind him echoed one after another, their voices excited.
The Great Liang Emperor arrived before the Great General. Looking at the withered white hair on his head, he said calmly, "You've aged."
The Northern Frontier's climate was so harsh, how could one not become old after enduring years in this place?
Every day was filled with worries about the demons breaking through the Great Wall and advancing south. When the time came, countless lives would be lost, and he would become the sinner of the human race. With such worries, how could he not age?
Most importantly, the Northern Frontier Great General had already lived for many years. He was already the Northern Frontier's Great General since the reign of Emperor Lingzong. It had already been many years.
In fact, when the Great Liang Emperor revolted, the only person who could have changed the outcome was this Northern Frontier's Great General. If he had chosen to mobilize the Northern Frontier Army to reinforce the Divine Capital against the rebellion, the Great Liang Emperor might not have had a chance to win.
In fact, imperial edicts from the deposed emperor were sent to the Northern Frontier more than once. But each time, they were suppressed by this Great General.
It was not that he had a long-held disdain for imperial authority after being in command of military power for a long time. Rather, it was because the demons lie north of him, they were the greatest enemies of the human race. Given this situation, he did not dare to act independently. If he were to get involved in the power struggle for the throne and it eventually led to the demons advancing south, the consequences would be much greater than defying the imperial edicts.
Therefore, in the end, during that decisive battle, he chose silence and observed from the sidelines.
When the Great Liang Emperor ultimately emerged victorious and became the true ruler, everyone thought he would purge this Northern Frontier Great General and appoint a trusted confidant to this position of utmost importance. However, that did not happen.
In these dozen over years, the Northern Frontier remained unchanged, with the Great General calling the shots.
Moreover, during these years, the Great Liang Emperor showed even greater support for the Northern Frontier, with no intention of undermining the position of this Great General.
When the Northern Frontier Great General's biological daughter married the First Prince back then, perhaps he had such considerations.
There was no mistrust between sovereign and subject.
While this statement sounded casual, it was not something an ordinary monarch could achieve.
However, now that the Great Liang Emperor said that he was old, it triggered various thoughts in many people's minds.
Could it be that the Northern Frontier's heaven was going to change at this moment?
Previously, the Great Liang Emperor did not touch the Great General because he already had an extremely deep foundation in the Northern Frontier. Even ascending to the throne might not shake the position of this Northern Frontier Great General. But now, with the unparalleled awe of the Great Liang Emperor, would it be easier to shake this Great General?
In that brief moment, the officers kneeling behind the Great General thought of many things.
The Great General looked at the white hair drifted before his eyes and said, "This subject has indeed grown old."
If the Great Liang Emperor mentioned the General's age with the intention of forcing him to step down, the Great General's acknowledgment of his age might indicate his willingness to retire.
What would the Great Liang Emperor do afterward?
Take advantage of the situation and change the Heaven of the Northern Frontier?
The Great Liang Emperor said somewhat regretfully, "Unfortunately, We haven't found anyone to replace you yet. Can you endure a few more years?"
The Great General looked at the Great Liang Emperor before him, and said softly, "This subject can't last much longer."
This statement held too much helplessly and reluctance.
After a moment of silence, the Great Liang Emperor slowly said, "We got it."
......
