“Mr. Song, you’re truly remarkable,” Xing Wu was the first to speak. “Back when I traveled to the north with two of your talismans, I already knew you were an immortal master, skilled in exorcizing demons and subduing evil.”
“It's merely because I've read many ancient texts and learned a few more techniques,” Song You said with a smile. “Now, all of you are aware of these things too, aren't you?”
“The northern frontier people must already know that Bolai didn’t return last night,” Advisor Zhang said, still referring to the shrike as Bolai as he stroked his beard.
He added, “After over a year of dealing with them, we’ve learned that most of the demons in their ranks are as arrogant and combative as the northern frontier people themselves, likely raised on the grasslands. Most likely, by tomorrow at the latest, they'll either launch another assault on the city or come directly to challenge you to a duel.”
“As expected of a strategist.”
“You remain so composed, Mr. Song,” Advisor Zhang said with a smile, then turned to the wiry, dark-skinned man. “Mr. Yin, please keep your ears open today and see if you can catch anything.”
“Of course.”
“Mr. Song, would you like to hear about the abilities of the demons in the northern frontier army?”
Song You glanced down at the calico cat by his feet. Her head drooped low, and she looked like she was about to fall asleep standing up. Though he wasn’t sure why she was so tired, he nodded and said, “It wouldn’t hurt to hear about them.”
“It’s better for us to leave this place for them to arrange their troops. Mr. Song, please come with me!”
With a gesture of invitation, Advisor Zhang led the way out. Song You followed behind him as they walked outside.
The calico cat swayed her head, as though sleepwalking, and trailed along behind them.
“The people of the northern frontier are straightforward, martial by nature, and fiercely brave in battle. They enjoy challenging opponents to duels before their formations. If they win, or if their opponent dares not accept the challenge, they see it as a sign of weakness and fight with even greater ferocity.
“Their strength of ten can become twelve in such situations—a truly beast-like disposition. If their warriors are slain by a barrage of arrows, their rage makes them even more aggressive. Before General Chen arrived, Great Yan’s momentum often faltered against theirs,” Advisor Zhang explained.
He continued, “The demons in their ranks share a similar temperament, equally beastly. In my opinion, they’re likely to come to the city gates to challenge you to a duel.”
“How primitive of them,” Song You remarked.
“Extremely so!” Advisor Zhang agreed. “General Chen understood their nature well. In his youth, he often dared to step forward and challenge them. They couldn’t defeat him, nor could they ignore the challenge, and they didn’t dare resort to tricks. It was a sight to behold—something I wish you could have witnessed, Mr. Song. It was immensely entertaining.”
“I can imagine it.”
“Under the Right Wolf King’s command, there truly is a Wolf King said to have at least two or three hundred years of cultivation. He’s far more formidable than that bird demon. Originally, like the Demon King of Zhaoye City, he was worshipped as a deity by one of the northern frontier tribes. They would often offer him cattle, sheep, or captured southerners in exchange for his restraint in harming people.
“However, his abilities are inferior to the Demon King of Zhaoye City, and he eventually answered the latter’s summons and moved to Zhaoye City.
“The Wolf King is exceptionally fierce. Even the most skilled and well-armed general in our army, clad in full armor, cannot go toe-to-toe with him. He’s stronger than the bear demon.
“Moreover, he wields a flag known as the Wolf Banner. With a single wave, he can summon a pack of wolves, sometimes numbering in the hundreds.
“These wolves are similar to ordinary grassland wolves but are conjured through magic. Unlike normal wolves that can be felled with a single slash or arrow, these require several strikes or arrows to be brought down.
“Even then, when the pack is summoned again, their numbers remain the same. It wasn’t until several skilled folk experts in our army used talismans and magic to kill some of the wolves that their numbers finally decreased upon re-summoning.
“Whenever we encounter him, we have no choice but to have a military strategist skilled in rituals set up an altar and invoke the divine power of the Gold Spirit Official. Only with the general personally guarding the city wall can we barely manage to drive him back.”
Gold Spirit Official was a deity from the Heavenly Palace, the Chief Officer of the War Division.
Song You didn’t find any of this surprising.
After all, every time an army was mobilized, it involved rituals to honor the heavens, earth, and deities. Paying homage to the heavens and earth was standard practice—there was no grand ceremony without such offerings. Worshiping deities, though listed later in the ritual, was the focal point, with the main prayers directed to the gods of the War Division.
These ceremonies, often led by the imperial court, were magnificent and sometimes lasted for days. With so much incense and devotion offered, it was only natural for the gods to protect the army from demonic interference.
The War Division would likely be eager to assist.
First, this war was no trivial matter, as it involved demons. Second, General Chen’s reputation was immense—helping him would yield great benefits, while refusing him could result in significant losses. Third, a legendary general like General Chen, unless his legacy were tarnished or no one advocated for him after his death, would very likely be deified by the court or the people, perhaps even becoming a colleague of the War Division.
Naturally, the War Division would be inclined to help.
“One more thing,” Advisor Zhang added. “The Wolf King seems to have a good relationship with Bolai.”
“Mm,” Song You responded with a simple nod, his expression unchanged.
Advisor Zhang glanced at him but continued speaking.
Song You wasn’t worried about these demonic warriors or generals. If it were the Demon King of Zhaoye City himself, that might be a different story. Still, understanding the enemy made things easier and gave him more confidence, and he found the accounts fascinating.
Not just the demons and their strange, varied abilities, but also the ways the army dealt with them.
Some methods relied on brute strength, ensuring the demons understood who reigned supreme in this era. Others employed traditional tricks and tools, some called on the expertise of the Special Talents Division’s folk experts, while others involved setting up altars and invoking divine assistance.
He listened intently, finding it all the more captivating.
Meanwhile, the calico cat seemed torn between listening intently and succumbing to her drowsiness. She kept nodding off, her head drooping low, only to jolt awake when she remembered she was trying to listen to the story.
This cycle repeated several times.
In her haze, she couldn’t tell whether the story had turned into vivid images in her mind or if she had dozed off and started dreaming. She found herself imagining a wolf demon coming to challenge them.
All around her, she seemed to hear the howling of wolves.
***
There was no need to wait until the next day; by that very afternoon, Lady Calico’s dream became a reality.
Outside the city, the northern frontier people were issuing a challenge.
In the distance, a giant wolf prowled.
Even from afar, the wolf appeared larger than a horse, its frame majestic and powerful. It paced back and forth in the distance, not approaching the walls but clearly visible. Meanwhile, a northern frontier rider came to the city wall, issuing a challenge on behalf of the wolf, demanding that the Daoist who had slain the bear demon and come to assist Yuanzhi City step forward for a duel.
The soldiers on the city wall stood ready, their bows drawn and crossbows loaded, all aimed toward the challenger in the distance.
Generals lined up along the battlements.
Inside the city gates, another group of officers and soldiers stood at attention. Among them was a lone Daoist priest.
Faintly, the taunts of the northern frontier man could be heard outside. His pronunciation was off, and it sounded unpleasant.
“Sir,” said the mace-wielding general, his body radiating a fierce and murderous aura, “that wolf demon is ferocious and has many smaller wolves under its command. Should we accompany you to support your duel?”
“That won’t be necessary. As I mentioned yesterday, from now until my departure, all matters concerning demons are under my responsibility,” the Daoist replied calmly. “I only ask for one or two officers who understand the northern frontier language to accompany me outside, in case their assistance is needed.”
“Then please, take every precaution!”
“Open the gates, please.”
“Open the gates!”
The city gate began to slowly creak open. The shouting northern frontier warrior outside immediately fell silent.
From the opening emerged a young Daoist priest, followed by a calico cat. Behind him was a group of soldiers, including two officers, accompanying him out.
The northern frontier warrior stared with wide eyes.
Curiously, despite his previous vulgar and aggressive jeering, as soon as the gate opened and he saw Song You, his demeanor shifted. Sitting on his horse, he addressed Song You politely, “Are you the Great Yan Daoist who last night summoned the stone giant and slew our bear general?”
“I am.”
“Was General Bolai also killed by you?”
“The idea was mine.”
“Yesterday, you injured the bear general but spared our warriors, which tells us you came specifically for the demons. Today, the General Wolf has come to challenge you. Do you dare step outside the city and fight him in a duel?”
“Naturally,” Song You replied, looking up at him. However, he paused before asking, “But what happens if I win?”
“If you win? What do you mean?”
“Will there be another general after him?”
“You arrogant fool!”
The northern frontier warrior spurred his horse and galloped away.
He rode up to the giant wolf in the distance, leaned down to whisper something in its ear, then turned and rode farther away.
Song You gestured behind him, signaling for the city gate to be closed.
“You all remain here,” he said to the officers and soldiers behind him. Then, gripping his bamboo staff, he stepped forward, heading toward the distant wolf.
Only a drowsy calico cat followed him, pacing sleepily at his side.
“Boom, boom, boom...”
Suddenly, the military drums on the city walls began to thunder.
The steady beat filled the air, and an intense, murderous aura surged across the battlefield.
This land bore the scars of countless battles. The ground was littered with arrows, blades, spears, and boulders. Corpses, some fresh and others long decayed, filled the air with a foul stench. As Song You walked through, he had to lift his feet high to avoid the debris, while the cat occasionally had to take a detour.
He stopped and looked up.
In the distance, the northern frontier encampments stretched endlessly. A massive wolf stood at the forefront, staring coldly at him.
Their eyes met.
The wolf demon’s gaze was filled with hostility, but it didn’t approach. Instead, it raised its head and let out a long howl, releasing a thick cloud of black smoke. In an instant, the smoke transformed into a human form.
It became a burly man with a bare chest, disheveled hair, and a wild beard, exuding a rugged and fierce aura. His eyes, sharp as a wolf’s, remained fixed on Song You. Without moving closer, he drew a small flag from his waist.
“Whoosh...”
He waved the flag to his left, releasing a stream of black smoke. When the smoke hit the ground, it transformed into a pack of robust wolves, which immediately charged toward Song You with ferocious speed. Then he waved the flag to his right, summoning another wave of wolves from the black smoke.
After several such gestures, the plains before him were filled with hundreds of wolves, spreading out and charging at Song You like a pack of predators encircling their prey. There could never be such a massive wolf pack in the natural world.
Yet, the wolf demon still didn’t dare to approach directly.
Song You quickly grasped his intent.
It was clear the demon knew of Song You’s ability to summon stone giants and was wary of facing them head-on. Assuming Song You’s mortal body couldn’t endure prolonged attacks, the demon had lured him out of the city and kept its distance, opting to assault him with summoned wolves.
The calico cat, now fully alert, immediately snapped out of her drowsiness. She darted to stand in front of Song You, hissing at the advancing wolf pack.
“Ha!”
Song You chuckled lightly, letting the wolf pack charge forward.
Only when the wolves drew near did he casually remark, “Since they’re false, let them all disperse.”
He raised his bamboo staff and struck it against the ground.
Whoosh…
From the point where the staff touched the ground, a ripple spread outward, like a gentle breeze sweeping over the earth or a shimmer of light diffusing through the air.
As the ripple passed, the wolves dissolved into black smoke, which quickly dissipated into the sky.
“Eh?” The calico cat blinked, looking left and right in confusion.
“It’s a Dispelling Incantation.” The Daoist’s voice came from behind her.
The cat turned back and saw him looking at her. “These wolves were illusions conjured by the wolf demon. Though false, they were close to real—more real than a painted tiger brought to life. This Dispelling Incantation requires unwavering resolve to learn and a high level of cultivation to wield. It can unravel techniques that use magical abilities and divine powers to turn real objects into illusions. Would you like to learn it?”
In the cat’s eyes, the Daoist’s figure was reflected clearly. For a moment, her mind went blank.
The Daoist continued speaking to her, but his hands remained in motion. He formed another hand seal, then flicked his wrist, sending out several streaks of glowing light toward the front.
The calico cat instinctively followed the streaks of light with her gaze, turning her head to watch them streak toward the front. There, she saw the burly man’s figure suddenly swell, transforming in the blink of an eye into a massive wolf—larger and more powerful than the horse ridden by the one they called General Chen.
The giant wolf was terrifying, exuding immense power. But instead of immediately charging toward them, it seemed to sense something amiss in that split second and turned to flee.
Its four legs pounded the ground like the wind.
But how could it possibly outrun the speed of the streaking light or the fury of lightning?
“Boom!”
Thunder roared, and bolts of lightning descended chaotically from the heavens.
The lightning struck the giant wolf directly.
“Crack...”
Sparks flew in all directions.
The massive wolf stiffened instantly and collapsed sideways to the ground, unmoving.
“Earth Thunder Technique, designed to destroy demons and evil,” the Daoist’s voice sounded from behind the calico cat. “Many demons cannot learn thunder techniques because they only cultivate yin energy. You, however, cultivate both yin and yang, so you could certainly learn it. But as a demon, to master thunder techniques, you must first overcome your fear of them.”
The calico cat turned back to stare at him, her expression blank and slightly dazed.
Behind her, the squad of soldiers and officers, along with the generals and strategists on the city wall, were almost dumbfounded.
Before they could fully process what had happened, the Daoist had already walked back to stand before them, lifting his gaze to meet theirs.
“Generals,” Song You called out.
“Y-Yes, sir! How can we help you?” The officers quickly composed themselves, standing at attention as they asked.
“I'm not skilled in issuing challenges, nor do I speak the northern frontier language. Could I trouble you to handle this and make the trip for me?”
“You want to issue a challenge, sir?”
“Naturally.”
The demons in the northern frontier army clearly understood that he had come specifically for them, so they initiated the challenge, inviting him to step outside alone for combat. There was a certain boldness in their gesture. Since that was the case, Song You decided to oblige them and invite them to fight a few more rounds.
He wanted to strike while the iron was hot and slay as many as possible.
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Otherwise, if these reckless demons caught on and stopped coming, it would only create more trouble later.
“Rest assured, sir! I’m an expert at issuing challenges! With the temperament of these barbarians and my unyielding three-cun long tongue, even if they don’t want to fight, I’ll provoke them into it!”
“Then I’ll trouble you, General.”
“Consider it done!”
With a loud shout, the officer spurred his horse and galloped forward.
Song You withdrew his gaze and continued walking forward with his staff, the cat trailing behind him in a daze. The man and the cat soon arrived before the massive wolf demon, which was still trembling on the ground. Song You switched his staff to his left hand, raised his right, and lightly gestured. A small flag floated up from the giant wolf’s body.
The flag was no larger than a palm. One side bore the image of a wolf’s head, while the other was inscribed with northern frontier runes. Attached to a short wooden rod, no longer than a forearm, the flag was exquisitely crafted.
“A gift for you, Lady Calico.”
The Daoist bent slightly and handed the flag to the cat.