When Thunder Supreme returned to the Demon Capital, he berated Yin Yue Demon Venerate, who had previously deceived the Elder Council by claiming that all the Demon Emperor's people, including Liu Fei'er, were dead.

Yin Yue Demon Venerate was left stunned by the scolding, while also receiving news that Qin Tian was still alive, and Liu Fei'er was doing well.

This threw him into panic.

At this time, the forces of Shi He and others had formed an alliance with Qin Tian, suddenly raising Qin Tian's troop count to 160,000!

Previously, Yin Yue Demon Venerate found it daunting to deal with the 60,000 rebellious troops led by Shi He and others. Now, with Qin Tian's 160,000 troops marching in, Yin Yue Demon Venerate was completely flustered.

He knew that Qin Tian's goal was undoubtedly to attack the Demon Capital, targeting him specifically.

Hence, when unable to find reinforcements, Yin Yue Demon Venerate immediately pulled back all his troops, instructing Hong Qi and the frontline units to fortify around the Demon Capital.

At this moment, the Demon Capital's combined forces totaled around 280,000, and Yin Yue Demon Venerate was confident he could battle Qin Tian.

Qin Tian perceived Yin Yue Demon Venerate's intention. He led his troops towards the southwestern Demon Capital while monitoring the situation in the West State and Imperial City.

Attacking the heavily fortified Demon Capital with their 160,000 troops would likely lead to rivers of blood and heavy casualties.

This was something Liu Fei'er didn't want to see.

Of course, Qin Tian also didn't want to pay such a steep price.

Therefore, when they reached 800 kilometers from the Demon Capital, Qin Tian's forces halted for resupply and deliberated on a less costly attack plan.

Meanwhile, explosive news came from the Imperial City!

The God of War has emerged!

The God of War, who has been living in seclusion for years, has returned!

Hearing this news was a bolt from the blue for Qin Tian!

Because the information received by Gongsun Sanniang and Xiao Zhuang indicated that as Xu Fengnian's troops prepared to move south towards the Imperial City and the North had already lost several cities to Xu Fengnian, the Fourth Prince seemed somewhat stretched thin, and the God of War's emergence clearly aimed to assist the Fourth Prince!

The God of War, a legendary figure and one of Qin Tian's father's murderers, had remained obscure for decades, now his return shook the world!

Qin Tian recalled the words of King Wu, who had told him before his death that even the God of War was willing to pledge allegiance to someone, and that someone was the Fourth Prince?

From this, it seems the God of War hadn't actually been in seclusion, but was secretly aiding the Fourth Prince, possibly discovered by King Wu, who found clues unwritten.

"Haha, so the God of War actually serves him. I really don't get it, what merit does the Fourth Prince possess to warrant the God of War's submission?"

Qin Tian truly couldn't understand.

But there are so many things in this world that are incomprehensible.

"Old Three, keep an eye on the northern battlefield of the Imperial City. The God of War's emergence is no small matter, aiding the Fourth Prince, will surely be our fierce adversary in the future!"

Qin Tian said to Xiao Zhuang.

Xiao Zhuang nodded: "I understand. I've heard that five days ago, the God of War rapidly gathered his troops, 100,000 strong, swiftly mobilized, and they should have engaged with Xu Fengnian's vanguard by now."

Zhou Yang exclaimed: "100,000 men to counter Xu Fengnian's over 200,000, the God of War's courage and confidence are immediately apparent."

Lin Yu was surprised: "Are you saying the God of War with 100,000 men can actually deal with Xu Fengnian's over 200,000? Impossible!"

Qin Tian and Zhou Yang exchanged glances and both shook their heads. The God of War surely hadn't retired into obscurity all these years, but must have been preparing something.

Being willing to lead troops for the Fourth Prince, suppressing opposition, must mean he's fully prepared.

We must know, the God of War was famed as such because he wielded troops like a deity, never losing a battle!

Rumor has it the God of War fought over a thousand times of battles after his debut, never once tasting defeat!

Of course, these are just historical rumors, but Qin Tian had researched his father's killer, and indeed, in several major battles involving the God of War, he emerged victorious.

"The God of War holds a nearly perfect victory rate, do any of you think his first emerging battle this time will be a failure?"

Qin Tian pondered and asked everyone.

Everyone gave a wry smile, clearly without sufficient preparation, perhaps the God of War wouldn't confidently head north with 100,000 troops.

In the meeting room, everyone's expression was deeply grave.

Qin Tian said: "Currently we can't do anything else. The Demon Capital can't be taken hastily, and the situation at the Imperial City changes too fast, I'm concerned the West State might be affected."

Zhou Yang said: "Boss, I've communicated with Zuo Yuanhao before, Zuo Yuanhao's suggestion is, our main forces in the West State march westward, leaving only a small unit in the West State."

"Ah? What does that mean?"

Lin Yu was puzzled, "He wants us to abandon the West State? No way, that's our base camp!"

Zhou Yang said: "Marching west offers two advantages."

"Firstly, the Eastern Demon Clan is largely undefended nowadays. Yin Yue Demon Venerate has concentrated nearly all his forces at the Demon Capital to defend against our attack, other regional troops are minimal, the most being around 10,000, if we march west, these cities will be ours for the taking."

"Of course, most importantly, if we march west, we can exert pressure on Yin Yue Demon Venerate, eventually encircling the Demon Capital from both east and west. The 200,000-odd troops in the Demon Capital will be trapped without escape. It will be a sure-win war."

"Secondly, after the God of War emerged, Zuo Yuanhao assessed his sharpness is intense, we might not be a match for the God of War, hence he suggests our focus can shift towards the Demon Clan while retaining a hold on the West State. However, if in the future, we face the God of War directly and cannot prevail, moving to the Demon Clan would be quick and would reduce lots of losses."

"Haha… lacking confidence?" Lin Yu sneered upon hearing Zhou Yang's words: "The God of War is quite the age, his emergence is impressive? Our army of 400,000, could we really fear him? If he dares to attack the West State, I'd use my True Qi Cannon to blow him to smithereens!"

Qin Tian didn't mind Lin Yu's furious remarks, instead turned to Zhou Yang: "Old Zhou, what do you think of Zuo Yuanhao's suggestion?"

After a brief pause, Zhou Yang said: "I think it has merit. Marching west will definitively aid us in capturing the Demon Capital smoothly. As for whether to abandon resistance against the God of War, I haven't researched the God of War much, and I'm unaware of his true capabilities, so I can't comment on that."

"However," Zhou Yang continued, "it is said Zuo Yuanhao has studied the God of War thoroughly, especially his character and military strategy. I think his suggestion might be based on research and prediction."