"Boss, wouldn't one hundred thousand soldiers be a bit too few?"

"Yes, the Demon Clan still has so many troops, and considering the long journey, if the main forces really engage head-on, one hundred thousand might be quite dangerous."

"Marquis, when you head to the Demon Clan's west, the supplies behind might not keep up. You must think it over carefully!"

The group had no objections to Qin Tian's decision to detour through the west to attack the Demon Clan.

The debate was about how many troops to bring and who would lead them.

Zhao Lanjin and others felt that Qin Tian, being the backbone of the West State, shouldn't personally lead the troops to the West State; if anything were to happen, the West State would be doomed.

However, at this moment, Qin Tian had already made up his mind.

"If we don't take this risk now, the Demon Clan might not be eradicated for a long time. For us, that's a lasting hidden danger. The Demon Clan is our rear, and I must resolve this issue with the rear once and for all!"

Qin Tian said earnestly, "There's no need for further discussion, as I'm aware of what I'm doing."

"I, along with Zhou Yang, Lin Yu, Xiao Zhuang, Zhao Lanjin, and Duan Xiaodao, will lead a hundred thousand troops to the Demon Clan's west, and of course, we will travel with Princess Liu Fei'er."

"All matters of the West State will be fully handled by General Xu Kuan, with strategist Zuo Yuanhao assisting. Whether big or small, as long as General Xu Kuan, strategist Zuo Yuanhao, and General Ye Kun agree, they can immediately decide."

"That's it, Zhou Yang and Xiao Zhuang will be responsible for selecting elite soldiers."

"Duan Xiaodao, you are tasked with immediately heading to the West Capital to bring Liu Fei'er and her maid here... Ah yes, also bring Du Qiuniang and my mount Atai back."

Qin Tian thought of Du Qiuniang again. With her ability to become invisible and her high cultivation, Qin Tian felt more at ease having her accompany Liu Fei'er to the Demon Clan.

Five days later, everything was arranged, and after Liu Fei'er and the others arrived, Qin Tian and his group, with a hundred thousand men, set out discreetly, targeting Mu City over seven thousand kilometers away.

Meanwhile, Zuo Yuanhao led the remaining soldiers, quietly withdrawing from the Demon Clan's territory, moving closer to the West State.

However, concerned about potential dangers facing Qin Tian, Zuo Yuanhao did not have all the troops completely withdraw from the Demon Clan, leaving fifty thousand men to gather news about Qin Tian and his group at any time.

Should Qin Tian encounter danger, Zuo Yuanhao would immediately dispatch troops to assist.

"Brother Tian, I know the Demon General over at Mu City, called Shi He, who had a good relationship with my imperial brother before. I heard he never submitted to the Yin Yue Demon Venerate. If we can reach Mu City, I could talk to him. Though he only has thirty thousand Demon Clan troops, I think if we can avoid fighting, we should."

On the way to the Demon Clan's west, Liu Fei'er saw the information about Mu City, and said, "Among those Demon Clan generals who haven't submitted to the Yin Yue Demon Venerate, I actually know them all. However, I'm only familiar with Shi He."

"They are all loyal supporters of my father and imperial brother, and I have confidence in persuading them to help me return to the Demon Capital."

Qin Tian nodded, "It's precisely because we considered the possibility of those generals cooperating with us that we chose this route. However, the Demon Clan will eventually discover our intentions, and I think they absolutely won't let us easily reach Mu City."

With such a large action, a one hundred thousand strong army couldn't possibly go unnoticed.

The Yin Yue Demon Venerate was informed on the fourth day after Qin Tian set out.

He called General Hong Qi back, and the two carefully examined the map to study Qin Tian's possible route.

They strategized on how to stop Qin Tian.

"How many troops do we need to mobilize and encircle Qin Tian's hundred thousand men?"

The Yin Yue Demon Venerate asked Hong Qi directly.

Hong Qi furrowed his brows and said, "Your Majesty, it mainly depends on where we encircle them. To coordinate with local forces, we would need to deploy at least over a hundred thousand troops, and we also have to obstruct Shi He of Mu City and others from meeting up with Qin Tian."

"Hmph, do we now have no choice but to watch Qin Tian join forces with the rebels?"

The Yin Yue Demon Venerate sneered coldly, clenching his teeth, shouting angrily, "Cursed Demon Clan and Barbarian Clan, profit-seeking and untrustworthy! Once I've handled Qin Tian, they'll pay for this!"

Hong Qi remained silent, contemplating for a long time, then said, "Your Majesty, we are currently at a disadvantage in the stalemate with Qin Tian. Though he only has a hundred thousand men, with the Qin Family Army as a backing, and eight True Qi Cannons, we, despite our utmost efforts, have only developed two."

"Don't tell me these things. I want you to give me a real strategy! Without tactics to counter, am I to allow the Demon Clan to be annihilated in my hands?!"

The Yin Yue Demon Venerate's anger surged, and Hong Qi dared not object. After the former's anger subsided considerably, Hong Qi finally spoke, "Your Majesty, as far as I know, Qin Tian possesses cultivation at the Great Immortal Realm, either at the Middle Stage or Late Stage... Among our court, very few can contend with Qin Tian... Other than you, no others, including myself... have the absolute confidence to kill Qin Tian one-on-one..."

"What do you mean? You want me to personally lead troops to suppress Qin Tian?"

The Yin Yue Demon Venerate was taken aback, then coldly laughed, "If I leave the Demon Capital and there are those colluding with rebels for a coup, wouldn't we lose everything?"

Hong Qi shook his head, "Your Majesty, you need not personally take action, you only need to visit the Elder Council... The Elder Council has powerful masters capable of subduing Qin Tian."

"The Elder Council?"

Hong Qi's suggestion made the Yin Yue Demon Venerate pause for a few seconds, then he immediately realized that those old monsters of the Elder Council each possessed higher cultivation than himself. Any one of them, should they be willing to act against Qin Tian, would surely succeed without issue.

"Having the Elder Council step in is indeed an excellent choice. However... since I took the throne, the Elder Council has never recognized my position and even refuses to meet with me. What should I do?"

This was also a point of deep distress for the Yin Yue Demon Venerate, as the Elder Council regarded him as having seized power, leading to significant discontent.

Yet the members of the Elder Council, whether in terms of status or power, had all reached terrifying heights, and even as the Demon Emperor, he dared not challenge the Elder Council.

"Your Majesty, times have changed. Currently, with the Demon Clan facing an invasion from the Tianyuan Dynasty, it is impossible for the Elder Council to remain unmoved. The last time the State Preceptor came to the court to offer counsel, it was the best proof of this."

Hong Qi analyzed, "The members of the Elder Council are all part of the Demon Clan's Imperial Family or Royal Family. They won't let their prejudices against us lead to the demon clan's demise. Your Majesty, you can request another audience with the State Preceptor to see the elders. I believe this time, the Elder Council will not refuse."

Seeing the Yin Yue Demon Venerate's continued hesitance, Hong Qi further persuaded, "Even if just one elder from the Elder Council would openly oppose and destroy Qin Tian, we'd have an absolute advantage!"

This remark made the Yin Yue Demon Venerate's eyes brighten.