Rise of The Demon General Chapter 781. Negotiating With the Enemy

An eternity seemed to pass before Amon finally reappeared, exiting the portal. He promptly closed the box, causing the swirling vortex to vanish, and the box itself soon followed suit.

Xou Liang immediately rose and inquired, "What's the plan now?"

"Our exploration continues," Amon replied.

"Wait!" Xou Liang called out, halting Amon's departure. "I cannot agree to simply wander into more peril without knowing what lies ahead. You possess those battle puppets; utilize them! Have them scout the path forward to ensure our safety before we advance."

Amon fixed Xou Liang with an extended gaze that felt unnervingly long. Finally, he responded, "Naturally. In fact, I have already dispatched several ahead to reconnoiter. A sizable, unoccupied cavern lies in our path, offering a suitable refuge. We shall remain there until my battle puppets locate our objective."

A nod of understanding came from Xou Liang, relieved that Amon was not being difficult.

Amon took the lead, making a left turn at a junction. "Both routes converge on the cavern," he explained, "but the other passage is guarded by a formidable spirit beast. I lost contact with a battle puppet in that direction."

After navigating several more turns, they reached the expansive cavern Amon had described. Numerous large rock formations dotted the space, providing excellent cover. However, uncertainty lingered regarding whether the spirit beasts experienced the same diminished cultivation senses within the cavern. If their senses remained sharp, concealment could prove detrimental, allowing beasts to approach undetected.

To counter this, Amon summoned additional battle puppets, positioning one at each entrance. He also thoroughly swept the cavern himself to confirm no hostile presence remained within.

Next, he summoned Yuka, who expressed awe at the ambient energy before indicating a specific direction with a gesture. She then disappeared once more. Amon dispatched more battle puppets to scout the area Yuka indicated. Subsequently, he assumed a cross-legged position and commenced his cultivation.

Xou Liang marveled at the sheer number of battle puppets Amon could summon, unable to comprehend the method. Witnessing Amon's tranquil cultivation provided him with a measure of calm. He surveyed the cavern entrances, confirming the sentries' positions, before joining Amon in his cultivation.

*

Throughout the long hours of waiting, several spirit beasts attempted to enter the cavern. Fortunately, none possessed the might of the Primeval Scortaur. Amon reacted promptly upon receiving warnings from the vigilant battle puppets. Xou Liang, lacking direct communication with the puppets, responded only when Amon moved.

The sole instance where they were nearly caught off guard involved a burrowing spirit beast, identical to the broad-faced creatures encountered on the surface. A low rumble preceded the ceiling's collapse, revealing three such beasts descending upon them.

Amon, having sensed the imminent danger before the audible rumble, was unfazed. Xou Liang, however, found himself fortunate that the burrowing beasts emerged from above rather than the ground, granting him precious distance and time to react.

The spirit beasts themselves were relatively weak, posing no significant threat once their element of surprise was negated. Amon and Xou Liang swiftly dispatched the trio.

After nearly a full day of patient waiting, Amon finally announced, "Found them."

"You mean the humanoid Cryanids?" Xou Liang inquired.

Amon shook his head. "The Cryanids, yes. And where there are Cryanids, their masters are likely close. However, their numbers are overwhelming. My battle puppets cannot advance further without alerting the entire host."

"So... what is our next move?" Xou Liang asked, a flicker of apprehension crossing his mind at the prospect of battling through a horde of Cryanids. Even facing the lowest-ranking soldiers, he feared their Qi would be depleted long before they could reach the humanoid Cryanids.

Amon cast a glance at Xou Liang, who felt an inexplicable sensation under his gaze.

"I intend to attempt something with my battle puppets. We shall maintain our current position and continue waiting," Amon stated.

Xou Liang offered no objection, grateful that Amon hadn't proposed a direct assault on the Cryanid army.

*

A few more hours elapsed before Amon rose to his feet. "Do not attack," he instructed Xou Liang.

Xou Liang found Amon's command perplexing, still pondering its meaning when he observed the battle puppets in Amon's line of sight receding from the tunnel entrance. Distinct footsteps echoed from within the passage, growing progressively louder until two figures, resembling humanoid insects, emerged.

A wave of tension washed over Xou Liang. Amon's voice, now carrying a sterner tone, resonated once more: "Do not attack."

Xou Liang remained still, his body taut, observing the two humanoid Cryanids who had halted near the cavern’s opening. He sensed these were not the same creatures they had encountered during the Cryanid assault on Defunct Edge City, not due to their appearance, as they all seemed identical to him, but due to their demeanor.

Despite his dulled cultivation senses, Xou Liang could discern that both these humanoid Cryanids possessed a strength superior to their previous adversaries.

The one positioned behind, resembling a female in form, deliberately projected an aura befitting a Beginning Supreme Stage cultivator, likely as a show of intimidation. The leading humanoid Cryanid, however, emitted an aura that remained inscrutable to both Amon and Xou Liang. Even with their dampened cultivation perceptions, they were certain this male Cryanid surpassed his companion in power.

A silent standoff ensued as the two creatures fixed their gaze upon Amon and Xou Liang.

The quiet was shattered by the rhythmic tramp of innumerable feet, and countless crimson eyes ignited the tunnel stretching behind the two dominant Cryanids, revealing the presence of numerous Cryanid Soldiers.

Cryanid Soldiers began to pour out not only from the tunnel behind them but also from various other cavern entrances.

"We… we are encircled…" Xou Liang voiced his apprehension.

The watchful battle puppets retreated towards Amon, forming a defensive perimeter around him and Xou Liang.

Upon entering the cavern, the Cryanid Soldiers ceased their advance, with the exception of two individuals behind the humanoid leaders. These two moved forward, burdened by objects on their backs, which they deposited before the foremost humanoid Cryanid before rejoining the rear ranks.

It took Xou Liang several moments to comprehend that the discarded items were the fragmented remains of a battle puppet.

Finally, the leading humanoid Cryanid broke the silence, stating, "This automaton informed us you wished to parley. Frankly, I see little reason to converse with primitive apes such as yourselves, yet our esteemed elders held a differing view."

"Ne–Negotiate...?" Xou Liang questioned, confusion evident on his face as he turned to Amon for clarity.

Amon, his gaze fixed intently on the speaking humanoid Cryanid, paid no heed to Xou Liang.

"Why do you wage war against the Mercy Faction?" Amon inquired.

"Mercy Faction?" The humanoid Cryanid emitted a peculiar sound, akin to a dry chuckle. "We pay no mind to the territorial designations of apes. You are all indistinguishable to us."

Amon nodded slowly. "I had anticipated as much. Your forces have abducted numerous humans during this conflict. Even prior to the war, your kind had secretly captured many humans. Is this the objective of this war? Do you require humans for a specific purpose?"

"You have no need to understand our reasons for desiring your kind. What you need to know is that you are our adversaries, and we shall not rest until all the territory within this Demon Realm is wrested from your pathetic grasp."

Amon detected a profound animosity resonating within the humanoid Cryanid’s voice.

"If your intention in seeking dialogue was to persuade us to abandon our invasion, then your efforts have been in vain. You have journeyed here for naught. However, rest assured, your kin back home will soon experience the might of our brood. As for you, this shall be your…"

"I will assist you."

The humanoid Cryanid’s pronouncement halted mid-sentence. He was not the sole individual taken aback by Amon’s declaration; Xou Liang stared at Amon, his expression a mask of utter disbelief.

"I will help you," Amon reiterated. "However, I will not concede all the territory within this realm. Half. We shall divide this land."

"Sir… Sir Amon… What are you proposing?" Xou Liang stammered.

Amon disregarded him, his focus unwavering on the humanoid Cryanid. "You must have witnessed it during this war. The human army is not a force you can overcome. Those engaging your troops are merely a fraction of the human strength within this realm. The sole reason you have not been annihilated thus far is our internal conflicts. Should you provoke us further and compel us to unite, even your sanctuary within this misty border will not shield your kind. If you are not blinded by delusion, you must grasp the truth in my words. You cannot prevail in this war alone, but with my aid, victory is attainable."

"Sir Amon! What are you doing? This is betrayal! I will not stand idly by and permit this!" Xou Liang cried out in protest.

"Hehehe," the humanoid Cryanid let out a soft, amused sound. "It appears your associate does not share your sentiments."

Amon offered a slight grin. "He is not my associate."