Tang Dynasty Demon Suppression Division

Seeing his haste, Zhao Wuji quickly said, "You've come from afar, there's no rush. Why don't you eat something first before you leave?"

"Alright, thanks to you for your help last time, I haven't properly thanked you yet."

Li Yuan knew he had been too hasty. Last time, he had taken advantage of Zhao Wuji. Although it was a win-win situation, he had been the one who had schemed first, and he owed Zhao Wuji a favor both morally and logically.

"Bring wine and food!"

Zhao Wuji was a man of strong emotions, and he was overjoyed to hear this. It was rare to meet someone with a similar temperament, and he had long wanted to make friends with him.

Unfortunately, Li Yuan needed to recuperate from his injuries in Suzhou, and he was also busy suppressing the Anxi army, so he simply couldn't spare the time.

Several guards carried in a whole roasted lamb and large chunks of beef. Zhao Wuji picked up a jug of wine and handed it to them: "It's wartime now, so we don't have any decent food or wine. Let's just have some fun. Come on, let's drink to victory!"

"Cheers!"

Li Yuan raised the wine jug, the two exchanged a smile, and then drank the wine down their throats.

"Haha, that was fucking awesome!"

Zhao Wuji wiped the wine from his mouth and laughed heartily, "I've heard about you before, and I thought you were like those vagrants, all high and mighty."

"I didn't expect you to be just like me, with a straightforward and honest personality. I, Lao Zhao, like people like you."

As he spoke, he raised the wine jug again and drank deeply. Li Yuan couldn't help but smile slightly. He was a soldier at heart and liked this kind of hot-blooded man who would die on the battlefield. It suited his taste.

"Brother Zhao, I've decided to be your friend. Once the war is over, we'll have a good drink together."

"Well said, I believe that day will come."

The two clinked glasses and chatted, finding themselves getting along very well. Before long, they were as familiar as old brothers.

When the wine was flowing freely, Li Yuan cupped his hands and said, "Brother Zhao, I have a favor to ask."

"you say."

"I don't have enough manpower," Li Yuan said. "Although Wu Yu and the others are all top-notch and experienced, they are not enough to handle the situation in Shule."

"I understand what you mean, no problem." Zhao Wuji slapped his thigh. "I'll allocate one hundred elite troops, plus two hundred soldiers, all under your command."

Li Yuan shook his head: "There are troops stationed in Shule. I mainly need to act flexibly. More people would be a burden."

"Here's what we'll do. Give me fifty elite troops, that'll be enough. Keep the garrison for you to defend the city. They won't be of any use if they come with me to fight guerrilla warfare."

At this point, Li Yuan cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to him, "However, I need some supplies."

Li Yuan's unceremonious manner actually made Zhao Wuji feel very comfortable, as if he were one of his own, and he immediately took on all the responsibilities.

"You don't need to tell me, I'll provide that," Zhao Wuji said. "I'll do my best to ensure supplies and intelligence. When do you plan to set off?"

"First thing tomorrow morning."

That night, Li Yuan learned that Ji Fanghua had gone on a mission, so he wrote a letter to Zhao Wuji, asking him to stay in Kucha and not to rush to find Yu Ling'er. He told her to wait until he settled down in Shule before making further plans.

The following morning, Zhao Wuji dispatched fifty elite soldiers and provided him with supplies. The two then bowed and said goodbye.

The group left Kucha and rode at full speed towards Shule.

The journey from Kucha to Shule took about three days, and the group traveled day and night without daring to slacken their efforts.

Two days later, they entered a vast Gobi Desert area. The terrain here was complex, with gullies formed by wind and sand erosion everywhere, making it easy to hide and ambush troops.

"Stay vigilant!"

Li Yuan gave the order for the troops to slow down and maintain their battle formation as they advanced.

This is a battle zone, and we could be attacked by the demon race at any time, not to mention they have supplies.

On the afternoon of the third day, after rounding a huge mound, the sight ahead made everyone rein in their horses, their expressions changing drastically.

From afar, it was a scene of utter carnage.

Dozens of corpses lay scattered on the ground, some human, some demon, most of them dying horribly, their blood staining the sand and gravel, the air thick with the stench of blood.

Several carriages lay overturned to one side, their goods scattered on the ground, most of them looted. Vultures circled low in the sky, emitting piercing cries, waiting to feast.

"Stand guard! Wu Yu, take a few men and come with me to check this out."

Li Yuan dared not be careless. He spurred his horse toward the battlefield. When he got close, he dismounted and opened his divine sense. In the turbid atmosphere, he sensed a faint life force.

There are still people alive.

Li Yuan quickly walked over and saw a young female cultivator in a blue Taoist robe sitting next to an overturned carriage. She had a shocking, penetrating wound in her chest, her face was as pale as paper, and her breath was so weak that it was almost imperceptible.

He quickly stepped forward, knelt down, and examined her injuries. The wound was deep, almost piercing through her entire left chest. Fortunately, it hadn't hit her heart; she had only lost too much blood.

Seeing that there was still hope, Li Yuan quickly took out a healing pill from his bosom and fed it to her. He then applied hemostatic powder to her and channeled a stream of Yuan energy to protect her heart meridian.

Before long, the female cultivator slowly opened her eyes. She was startled when she saw Li Yuan, but relaxed when she saw the Demon-Suppressing Commander's badge on his waist.

"Quickly, save them!" She pointed westward, "The demon race has captured our people."

Li Yuan's heart sank: "How many demons are there? How many people have they captured?"

"There were thirty or forty demons, led by a demon king, and eight cultivators. They've all been taken away," the female cultivator said, tears welling in her eyes. "Please, save them..."

"Rest assured, this is my duty."

Li Yuan stood up, turned to Wu Yu and said, "Arrange for two people to look after her. I'll go after her first, and you can bring your men to follow."

Wu Yu's expression changed: "Brother Li, be careful!"

"I know you should also proceed with caution."

Li Yuan nodded to him. Regardless of whether what the woman said was true or false, he could not sit idly by.

As soon as he finished speaking, his figure transformed into a streak of light and sped off towards the west.

In less than a quarter of an hour, they had already chased after the monster for twenty or thirty miles. There were many messy footprints on the ground, which were clearly the claw marks of the monster, stretching all the way westward.

After chasing for another five or six miles, a group of black dots appeared on the horizon ahead, filled with demonic energy, and there were clearly fluctuations at the level of a demon king.

A hint of murderous intent flashed in Li Yuan's eyes.

He did not slow down, gripping the sword with both hands, becoming one with the blade, and a huge, burning sword shadow roared towards the demon horde with astonishing force.

Sensing the chilling intent of the blade in the air, the demons looked up and saw a huge, fiery red blade of light, carrying raging flames, rapidly approaching them.

The overwhelming force terrified the lesser demons, who scattered and fled in all directions.

"Awooo!"

Seeing that the situation was not good, the demon generals immediately joined forces to fight against the enemy, baring their fangs and claws as they pounced on Li Yuan, trying to stop him.

"Star Flame Slash!"

Li Yuan was in mid-air when his eyes sharpened. With a flick of his wrist, a dazzling flame erupted from the blade as he slashed down fiercely.

"Whoosh!"

The crescent-shaped blade of light swept across, so fast that the demon generals had no time to react. They could only watch helplessly as the blade of light swept past their bodies, severing them all in half at the waist.

Black blood splattered, and the upper bodies of several demon generals remained in a pouncing posture, but their lower bodies had already separated from their bodies and crashed to the ground.

Internal organs and intestines were spilled all over the ground, emitting a strong, fishy stench.

With one strike, all four demon generals were killed.