The borders along Dongguan Province were in worse shape than ever before as the Demon Exorcists from Jin’s store desperately tried to stop the second breach. This time, the Border Guards and Royal Horse had been utterly defeated despite their desperate attempts.
Unlike in Huizhou where Jin had activated the Portals and enhanced them with Black Sludge Crystals to interrupt the Bone Spirit Demons instincts to destroy the city, Dongguan had no such luxury. The portal trucks in Huizhou had also been actively utilised not only by the evacuation but also the military after Royal Snake General Hou Fei told the Central Headquarters to deploy the troops from Shanghai to Huizhou.
This extensively expedited the supply run and it did bring in soldiers to reinforce the border walls around the Huizhou province. A number of high ranking officers were shocked by the leap in technology but did not question it at the time as the defence for the province was more important.
As for Dongguan, the only saving grace was that JODE Chancellor Ma Ge had authorised a few private planes to fetch the Demon Exorcists from surrounding provinces and airdrop them into the cities along the walls. Because of the flight restrictions beyond the border walls, a couple of the planes were forced to make a large detour in case there were flying creatures within that vicinity.
But most importantly, it was mainly due to the Air Force sending a fly by sortie to that area. With the horde increasing in size and appearing unstoppable as compared to the situation in Huizhou, the Chinese Air Force had sent a couple of J-30 fighter planes, the latest multi-role fighter aircraft and one of the proud achievements for the Chinese Air Forces.
Equipped with high-intensity napalm bombs inscribed with Demon Slaying attributes, courtesy of JODE for just such an occasion, the aircrafts dropped those bombs dangerously close to the border walls, igniting the forest repeatedly with layers of strikes. They risked burning the forest entirely but forests, like all the other things natural in Jin’s world, had certain grade to them. A few of the trees still stood tall despite the impactful destruction and unfortunately the same was true for the Bone Spirit Demons.
Anything weaker than Grade 8 was incinerated due to the fire and the special inscriptions attached to the explosive. However, for the higher grades, they were only injured to various degrees but all retained their ability to continue rampaging. Still, that did not mean the napalm bombs were useless as the heat and fire affected their defences, slowing them down for the remaining troops to take a breather.
Also, the Bone Spirit Infused Demons were still animals at their core. The Bone Spirit Demons might have possessed them in order to have a body to run around in the forest, but the animals need to breathe to survive. Heavy smoke and haze from the burning of the forests managed to choke some of the animals that were Grade 8 and higher.
And even if the Demons could survive the smoke and fire, there were incidental infighting because of the animals’ instinct took over the possession momentarily because of primal fear of fire. That caused some minor casualties in the grand scale of the scheme, but it was still worth noting that the rumoured Banned Emperor’s assassins do not have full control over them.
Unfortunately, not all soldiers used that breather the same way. Some of the Royal Horse Battalion Soldiers tried to desert upon seeing the mass destruction was not entirely effective, but the Border Guards prevented their exit. “If you call yourself a soldier! Fight!” The Border Guards punched and later aimed the guns on them, creating unnecessary tension between the two scared and fearful factions.
The Royal Horses had just been stationed here because of their job, but to the Border Guards, their homes and families were at stake. When the second breach occurred, it would mean that they had already failed their job twice, and it would be the lives of their friends and families on their hands. They’d rather face death than the shame they brought to their city.
“Let them go!” A voice echoed as the side doors to the border wall Gates were opened.
“You ass, why did you let an elderly through this dangerous place?!” One of the senior Guard shouted until Grandma Yuan presented her unique Demon Exorcist. For the Border Guards to not know the JODE badges would be a sin, let alone the badge of the Gleaming Griffin.
“You are the infamous District Guardian of Tiangong?!” The Border Guard said as he let go of the Royal Horse soldier who he had just punched.
“Sadly, Yes. I am that District Guardian. Reinforcements are coming, but they will take a while. According to the Chancellor, the cities bordering Dongguan Province have most likely been deemed a lost cause by the higher-ups. Now retreat before the Air Force sends in another airstrike. Pass the message.” Grandma Yuan told him, yet the Border Guard spit right in front of her even though she was of a higher authority.
“This is my home. I will not abandon it. If I have to die in the fire, I will use that fire and fight the remaining horde!” The Border Guard claimed which resonated with the rest of his fellow colleagues while the Royal Horses shamelessly ran out of the city. This attitude of honour inevitably made Grandma Yuan laugh.
“Hahahahah! It seems no matter the time and age, there will always be young ones recklessly trying to throw away their lives for the country. I like your guts, and truth be told, I was the same at your age. Still, if you continue to stay here, you will just die meaninglessly.” Grandma Yuan said as she walked further. “If you want to help the city, you should better use the time to help with evacuations.” Unfortunately, they were unwilling to budge despite the repeated warnings.
As she reached the top of the wall, the stench of death assaulted her nose. Bodies of Bone Spirit Infused Demons were lying all over the place with human bodies beneath or over them. The remaining Guards were patching up the injured as much as they could. Some proceeded to grab the equipment from the dead bodies because of their own lack of firepower. The situation was beyond dire, and it reminded Grandma Yuan about the grim gloomy days during the Second World War.
Right now, they were fighting against insurmountable odds against actual Demons rather than monsters disguised as humans. “Even with time, things never change.” Grandma Yuan sighed as she saw the eyes of desperation, all staring at her as if she was the only saviour in this place as the flame rages in the forest beyond.
“Warning, System has detected a possible manifestation of yet another Loopa Ooofpa in the outskirts of Dongguan Province. System recommends past Sub System User Yuan to evacuate as soon as possible.” The System suddenly spoke out through the ring that it had given her.
“Another?” Yuan asked with her eyes squinted to see beyond the endless flames burning the forest.
“Affirmative. User is currently fighting one with Peppers as well as two particular State Agents. Codenames: Mr Know-It-All and Ryuli.” The System replied, and that response surprised Grandma Yuan.
“Of all the State Agents in the country, Jin had to meet the notorious two.” Grandma Yuan did not know whether this was fate punishing Jin for having the System or there was something else in the grand scheme of destiny.
“Still, that is a lot of firepower gathered in Huizhou. That brat should have at least send someone capable here to keep things in check rather than this rascal here.” Yuan complained as she eyed Yun who came up the stairs subsequently with a Demon Exorcist badge which Yuan considered to be a bad joke.
“For a System clone to wear that Demon Exorcist badge is an utter disgrace to my previous disciple,” Yuan stated, and Yun just looked away without saying a word. She might not like it, but it was her job to protect Yuan as designated by Jin.
“Your hatred towards me is unwarranted. Believe me, I enjoy being here with you as much as you enjoy my presence.” Yun countered in defiance and Yuan snorted.
“To think she has the same attitude as the previous Yun… Whatever.” Yuan thought as she cleared her throat and portrayed her cultivation aura with her eyes staring at a particular emerging silhouette far within the forest.
