Socially anxious people transmigrate to another world; living in seclusion is too difficult.

With a bloody crackdown that was both overt and covert, the Demon Kingdom successfully completed its power restructuring in full view of everyone. The era in which the royal family and nobles had been rivals for centuries had finally come to an end. The rise of a new king seemed unstoppable, but external threats remained unresolved and threatened to overthrow the kingdom.

Although all the guards of the lower-ranking nobles, including barons and viscounts, had been transferred to the front lines, they were like stones sinking into the sea, unable to withstand the rapid offensive of the allied forces. In the eastern front of the Demon Kingdom, starting from the City of Dry Bones, more than ten cities had been captured in less than five days. The three armies led by Chu Angjie were further divided into more than ten groups, which dispersed to attack various cities in the east. Their motto was "take advantage of your weakness and kill you."

In particular, Lu Kun's 500,000 troops had already captured four cities since their invasion. Under his orders, these four cities were massacred, with men, women, and children all killed. In his words, this was not just a war between humans and demons, but a holy war. This was because he was also a devout follower of the Holy Church. When news of his actions reached the Kingdom of Delin, he was hailed as a "holy man" within the Holy Church. But that's another story.

Although the soldiers temporarily transferred to the front lines were just filler soldiers, the elite troops drawn from the territories of dukes, marquises, and earls were not much better off after arriving at the front lines. They suffered three consecutive defeats as soon as they arrived on the battlefield. Fortunately, Cai Ran was appointed to take command of the troops on the eastern front. Otherwise, the allied forces would probably have reached the royal city of Damonlit in just half a month.

Cai Ran lived up to his reputation as the commander who had defeated the Imperial Army and the Allied Forces on the battlefield of the Tianyun Empire. After he took over, the battle line quickly stabilized along the line from Nanhuo City to Sitai City. These two cities were located in the central part of the eastern region and were important fortresses. To the north and south of the two cities were towering mountains, and between the two cities was a vast plain. A large river called Huanshui flowed through the two cities, forming a natural moat.

This terrain was advantageous for the Demon Kingdom's defense. Relying on this location, Cai Ran successfully halted Chu Angjie's advance, creating a stalemate between the two armies and forcing him to seek another direction for attack.

Inside the central command tent, Chu Angjie, Lu Kun, and Baird gathered, frowning as they faced the terrain map. The Demon Kingdom's defenses were impenetrable, and for days the three of them had tried various offensive methods, including night crossing, direct assault, catapults, and elemental magic arrays, but none of them could penetrate the defenses in front of them.

The three had also tried sending soldiers of elemental rank four or higher to fly over the water to attack, but they were met with a barrage of elemental skills halfway across, resulting in the complete annihilation of their first thousand-strong force. They abandoned this approach. Looking at the terrain map before them, the three couldn't come up with a better idea or find a suitable attack route, and they were at their wits' end.

At this moment, a guard entered the tent and brought a report. Chu Angjie took it and read it, and his face immediately lit up with joy, but he quickly became worried. Lu Kun, who was standing next to him, was puzzled and asked, "Why are you so happy one moment and worried the next?"

Upon hearing this, Chu Angjie handed him the intelligence report. Lu Kun and Baird took a look and saw that it read: "The Beast King led the berserk troops to break through the enemy's frontal defenses. The southern front has broken through the Demon Kingdom's defenses. The allied forces have captured more than ten cities in three days. Regent King Lati invites the three commanders to meet at Baguan City in twenty days."

The two men, upon seeing this, shared the same expression as Chu Angjie. Only then did they understand why Chu Angjie was filled with mixed feelings of joy and worry. He was joyful because the southern front had made a breakthrough and progress, but worried because the Beast King was in charge of the southern front. With his and the berserk troops' strength, they could completely overwhelm the elite ascended warriors of the Demon Kingdom. Moreover, the number of troops from the Beast Kingdom alone on the southern front had exceeded one million, and with the reinforcements from the other three kingdoms, the total strength would easily exceed two million. Yet, their own side had stalled. The Eight Passes City was still six or seven hundred miles away from here. How could they possibly reach it within twenty days?

"Twenty days? That's way too rushed. Let alone twenty days, even forty days might not be enough, given the current situation." Lu Kun was somewhat discouraged. They all wanted to compete for Glory, but the conditions were far too harsh.

Even Byrd, who was also an orc, thought it was impossible: "There are mountains to the north and south. If we can't break through this defensive line, how can we reunite? My brother is really something. He gets all excited about killing as soon as he gets on the battlefield."

Just as the two were complaining, Chu Angjie stared at the topographic map without saying a word, his hands constantly measuring something on the southern mountain range. Seeing him gesturing, Lu Kun walked over and asked, "Brother Chu, what are you gesturing about?"

After a long pause, Chu Angjie tapped the terrain map heavily and said, "Gentlemen, I have a plan that can break through the current defenses."

"Oh? What plan? Tell me quickly!" Byrd asked impatiently.

Chu Angjie dismissed his men and whispered, "Cai Ran previously used a feint to break our first allied offensive. In terms of warfare, we are the more advanced side. If Cai Ran can use a feint, we can use one too. Starting today, reserve 100,000 troops to launch daily feint attacks while the rear army quietly retreats and heads towards the southern mountains. We will scout ahead and cross the mountains as we go. Once we cross these mountains, we can attack from the rear. When we attack from both sides, we will surely defeat him."

Before Lu Kun could speak, Baird exclaimed excitedly, "Great! Let's do it! I was right to recommend you as head coach back then, you have a good idea!"

"Hehe, you flatter me, General Baird. Why don't you go and make the arrangements right away?" Chu Angjie waved his hand and suggested.

"Alright, I'll go right away!" Baird, without suspecting anything, immediately left the main tent to make arrangements. Lu Kun could tell that Chu Angjie had something to say, so he said, "Just say it. This feint will definitely not fool Cai Ran. There must be preparations in the rear. What other tricks do you have up your sleeve?"

"I can't hide it from you, Brother Lu, but I don't intend to hide it from you."

"Then why did you send Byrd away?"

“Alas,” Chu Angjie sighed and said, “Although Baird is brave, he is still an orc. He is straightforward and cannot keep secrets. If he finds out the whole plan, the Demon Kingdom’s spies will probably know about our plan before tomorrow. Brother Lu, you are calm and composed, so I can only explain the whole plan to you.”

“Come and see.” With that, Chu Angjie beckoned Lu Kun back to the topographic map. He pointed to the southern mountains and Baguan City and said, “It is both a feint and a delaying tactic. My plan is to set up a feint, with Byrd spreading the word to disperse the forces on the opposite bank to defend the rear. Our main force will cross the mountains and valleys, and half a million troops will be divided to launch surprise attacks on towns along the way from several mountain passes to attract the enemy’s attention. The main force of a million troops will be lightly armed and march straight to Baguan City. We will be able to reach the vicinity of Baguan City in less than fifteen days.”

"If the army moves, Cai Ran will surely find out. What if he crosses the river and launches a surprise attack?"

“So this is 100,000 elite warriors!” Chu Angjie said, staring into Lu Kun’s eyes.

"You, you mean, all 100,000 people are going to..." Lu Kun broke out in a cold sweat, not daring to voice his conjecture any further.

"It all depends on Cai Ran's decision." Chu Angjie turned his back and sighed deeply.

"This sacrifice is far too great."

“If we don’t do this, when will we be able to break through this defensive line? Brother Lu, if you are so soft-hearted, it will really be a good thing for my Heavenly Fortune Empire.” Chu Angjie turned to look at Lu Kun and smiled.

"Well... alright, let's do it your way."