My strength increases by one percent every day; I can destroy stars with my bare hands.

The next morning, the people couldn't wait to come out of their houses, eager to know what had happened the night before.

The battlefield had been cleaned up, and the people, having gained nothing, looked at each other in bewilderment.

"What happened last night? Why are you acting like nothing happened?"

"Were the demons actually defeated?"

"Can anyone tell me what happened last night?"

"..."

The people were puzzled and curious.

Before long, the government issued a notice to answer the people's questions.

"Last night, three zombies caused trouble, but they were surrounded by the army and burned to ashes."

"Hahaha, great! The blood-sucking demon has been dealt with."

"I hope Lord Li can deal with the other demons as well."

"..."

In a short time after taking over the security of the county town, Li Xuancang eliminated three demons. The people placed high hopes on him, hoping that he could also completely eliminate the other demons.

More than half a month passed quickly. Since Li Xuancang took charge of the city's security, he patrolled day and night and personally killed demons. In a short time, most of the evil spirits that were causing havoc in the city were wiped out.

The heart-devouring monsters, the blood-sucking zombies, and the evil spirits that manipulate the ghostly mist were either severely injured and killed by him, or feared his ruthless methods, and all of them hid in the shadows, no longer daring to cause trouble easily.

The county town, which had been filled with terror every night, has finally returned to peace.

Although the streets and alleys remained deathly quiet after nightfall, there were no more horrific murders, and people no longer had to lock their doors and windows and tremble in fear.

During the day, the market gradually returned to its bustling state, with children playing and vendors hawking their wares. The long-lost lively atmosphere once again enveloped the city, and everyone was grateful for General Li's kindness in protecting the city and its people.

Inside the county government office, Li Xuancang removed his heavy armor, changed into casual clothes, and reviewed the city's security records.

After days of suppressing demons, his murderous aura intensified, yet he could not hide the faint weariness in his eyes.

The patrol team under his command reported that there were no more evil spirits causing trouble in the city, and the streets and alleys were peaceful and quiet, requiring only routine guard duty.

But this hard-won peace is only temporary. The demons cannot be completely eradicated; they merely lurk in the shadows, ready to strike again at any moment.

Just as Li Xuancang was pondering how to lure out the demons and eliminate the threat forever.

An urgent report, like a thunderclap, shattered the peace of the county town, plunging the entire population into boundless panic once again.

"The barbarians, in alliance with the demon race, have amassed tens of thousands of troops and are rapidly approaching the city. Within three days, they will be at the city gates."

When this news arrived, the entire city was gripped by fear, and all the people were filled with anxiety.

The barbarians are fierce and bloodthirsty, and the demon army is brutal and tyrannical. The county town only has three thousand soldiers, and the disparity in strength between the two sides is too great to resist.

The news swept through the city like a storm, and fear and anxiety spread to every corner.

Vendors at the market hurriedly packed up and closed their stalls, and people in the streets and alleys spread the news, everyone with a worried look on their faces.

Cries, sighs, and murmurs rose and fell.

Some people packed their bags, wanting to flee again, only to find that the city was under martial law and they had nowhere to go.

Some people hoarded food and supplies, locked themselves in their homes, and fell into despair.

The streets and alleys were filled with a sense of panic and unease; the lively atmosphere that had just returned was instantly shrouded in heavy fear.

The people knew that once the city fell, what awaited them would be burning, killing, looting, and widespread destruction, far more tragic than the previous demonic rampage.

Amidst the city's widespread panic, Li Xuancang also received Zhou Xingzhan's military order.

The messenger rode straight to the government office and loudly proclaimed the general's order.

"Commander Li Xuancang, listen to my command: the barbarian and demon armies are approaching. Immediately relinquish your duties of maintaining order in the city, return to the military camp to reorganize your five hundred troops, and do your utmost to prepare for defense, guard the city, and repel the invading enemy."

The chaos caused by demons had just subsided when war broke out again; it was truly a time of great turmoil.

Li Xuancang received the military order with a solemn expression.

Tens of thousands of barbarian troops, allied with the demon race, have come to attack with overwhelming force. The strength they have mobilized is beyond doubt, and the county city is very likely to fall.

If the city falls, he has no confidence that he can survive, let alone take care of his family.

Li Xuancang was filled with mixed emotions, but he dared not delay. He immediately finished explaining the follow-up security matters in the city and quickly returned to the military camp.

As soon as Li Xuancang returned to the military camp, he was taken to Zhou Xingzhan's tent.

The lights in the central command tent burned continuously, creating an extremely oppressive atmosphere.

All the battalion commanders and above were present, except for Li Xuancang.

As Li Xuancang stepped into the tent, everyone nodded to him, showing their goodwill.

Li Xuancang first killed Huyan Zhuo, and then successively killed many demons. His strength made everyone feel inferior, and no one dared to underestimate him in the slightest.

"Greetings, Your Excellency."

Li Xuancang bowed to Zhou Xingzhan.

"Please sit down!"

Zhou Xingzhan said gently.

Immediately, someone brought up the sand table, and everyone stood up, gathered around it, and stared intently at it.

The combined forces of the barbarian demons far outnumbered the defending troops and were extremely fierce. Once the battle began, all four sides of the city walls would be a desperate situation with a slim chance of survival.

With the sand table laid out, the strengths and weaknesses of the city's defenses on all four sides are immediately apparent.

The city walls on the east, west, and south sides were relatively wide, making it easier for reinforcements to arrive and resulting in relatively fewer casualties.

The north gate, however, is situated in a low-lying area with a narrow pass, offering no natural defenses and making it the primary target of the main barbarian demon army's fierce attack.

It is the most dangerous, deadliest, and most likely to result in the annihilation of the entire city's defenses.

Zhou Xingzhan's gaze swept over the group of generals, and he solemnly assigned defense duties.

"The enemy's main force will definitely attack the north gate. This place will face the greatest pressure and suffer the heaviest casualties. I will personally oversee the defense. Which battalion commander is willing to lead the troops to garrison it?"

As soon as he finished speaking, all the generals lowered their heads and looked at each other, but no one responded.

The candlelight flickered inside the central command tent, which was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

The officers who had been whispering just moments before all lowered their heads, avoiding Zhou Xingzhan's gaze, shrinking back as if afraid of being called out by name.

After a brief silence, voices of shirking responsibility rose and fell, everyone finding excuses to avoid the deadly North Gate defense line.

A slightly overweight battalion commander spoke first, his eyes darting around, and he declined with a cupped hand.

"General, my soldiers have suffered heavy casualties in the previous battle. The new recruits are still under training and their combat strength is weak. It is really difficult for them to defend the dangerous North Gate."

No sooner had he finished speaking than another older battalion commander hurriedly spoke up, his face full of embarrassment.

"My old injury has relapsed, and I am always exhausted during major battles. I am afraid I will be unable to hold the fort and may delay the city's defense. I am truly unable to shoulder this heavy responsibility."

Another battalion commander stepped forward, pretending to be calm and making an excuse.

"General, I am in charge of food and military supplies and need to coordinate the supply of materials throughout the city. I am simply unable to spare the time to guard the North Gate. I hope you will understand."

"..."

Various excuses and pretexts emerged one after another. No one was willing to face the main offensive of the barbarian demons. Everyone was afraid of death and only cared about preserving their lives.

They preferred to stay at the relatively safe East, West, and South gates to preserve their strength, rather than step into the North gate and completely avert this certain death.

As Zhou Xingzhan watched his generals cower and make excuses, his expression grew increasingly grim.

His fists were clenched tightly, his knuckles turning white, and his tone was filled with intense anger.

"In ordinary times, everyone is vying for credit and personal gain, rushing to be the first to step forward. Now, with the city's survival at stake, not a single one dares to stand up. What use are you to the court?"

The entire tent fell into dead silence. Everyone was reprimanded and kept their heads down in silence, but still no one was willing to step forward and take on the heavy responsibility of the North Gate.

Zhou Xingzhan was greatly disappointed and looked at Li Xuancang, his purpose self-evident.

Li Xuancang did not disappoint him; his tall figure strode out with his head held high.

"This humble servant is willing to lead his five hundred troops to defend the North Gate to the death. As long as we live, the city will stand, and we will never let the barbarians or demons set foot across the North Gate."

Without uttering a single excuse or flinching, they volunteered to take on the most dangerous and brutal death line in the entire city.

All the officers in the tent were stunned, looking at Li Xuancang in astonishment, but at the same time, they were somewhat relieved.

If anyone were willing to take on the perilous northern city, it would only be Li Xuancang in the entire military camp.