The atmosphere of the banquet gradually reached its peak with rhythmic percussion and the intense dance of the dancers. The drunken demons tore off their gentlemanly masks to reveal their wild nature. The more reserved ones continued to tap their empty glasses against the table to the beat of the drum, while some directly drew their longswords and jumped into the fray, pairing with the dancers to perform sword dances. The intense atmosphere led to waves of applause in the banquet hall.

Sitting at the podium, Pei Yan was enjoying the demon's performance while savoring the exotic food stimulating his taste buds. Just as he raised his glass once again to toast with Bailang beside him, Bailang took the opportunity to turn his head and quietly asked, "Mr. Shitang, what are your plans for the upcoming action?"

"Bang!" Pei Yan took a sip from his glass, smacked his lips, placed the glass back on the table, and said with a smile, "I intended to discuss this after the banquet, but since Mr. Bailang asked, I'll inform you in advance. We plan to begin repatriating this batch of prisoners to my world right after the banquet. Although we've gained a major victory in this battle, I must say that your situation still doesn't look optimistic! It's truly a race against time at this point."

"Mr. Shitang's cooperation with genuine dedication makes us feel truly ashamed! I toast to Mr. Shitang here, may all past misunderstandings and unpleasantness disappear in the air and be wiped away!" Hearing this, Sifuer raised her horn cup and stood up, and Pei Yan, seeing this, also raised his glass and stood up to return the toast.

People in the banquet hall saw the two stand up and all stopped their actions, turning their gaze. Sifuer raised her glass high and shouted, "To Mr. Shitang, to the warriors from the Keystone Plane!"

"To Mr. Shitang, to the warriors from the Keystone Plane!" All the demons raised their glasses and echoed.

"To the great Demon God, to Lord Sifuer!" Pei Yan also raised his glass and shouted back.

One drink after another, Sifuer gestured for her subordinates to continue the celebration and returned to her seat. Pei Yan took the lead to speak, "Miss Sifuer, what are the casualties under your command in this operation?"

"The casualties are indeed significant. Even without the Red Disaster overshadowing us and with Mr. Shitang's assistance, we still suffered over 800 casualties, and the remaining participants will need at least half a month of rest to fully regain combat readiness. Before the next Red Disaster period, we won't be able to launch a new offensive!" Hearing this, Sifuer expressed her grief with a shake of her head, appearing regretful.

Pei Yan nodded, predicting this outcome. He wasn't planning to launch the next offensive very soon. Tapping his fingers on the table, he spoke with difficulty, "Waiting half a month isn't a big issue, but it's not a long-term solution. According to my plan, we should take advantage of the fact that the Disaster Legion hasn't figured out our situation, and use fast attacks to create a time difference and expand the results of the battle. But looking at your department's situation, if we proceed with two or three more operations, even if victorious, your follow-up reinforcements will not be replenished in time."

Listening to Pei Yan's words, Sifuer and Bailang exchanged a smile. Bailang interjected, "Mr. Shitang, we have anticipated this as well. Please believe that the problem will be resolved quickly. The sooner the next operation, before the slowest next battle, reinforcements will not be a problem."

"Oh!" Interested, Pei Yan leaned forward slightly with a smile, "Could it be that your Kataraga Autonomous Territory still has scattered reinforcements outside?"

"Indeed, we have scattered forces that haven't made it here yet, but that's not the key to solving the problem." Sifuer said, picking up a napkin to wipe her mouth, "We have found a way to convey the results of this battle to the Holy City. Seeing our accomplishments, the elders within should understand what this means. As long as we get their approval and response, we will have the right to muster troops from various safe havens, and reinforcements will naturally gather continuously."

"Oh!" Pei Yan exclaimed again, though he had guessed that Sifuer and others had a way to contact the Holy City but pretended to be surprised, "You can connect with the Holy City? Aren't they surrounded?"

While expertly cutting the steak presented by a maid, Bailang placed a juicy piece of meat into his mouth and mumbled, "Mr. Shitang, we've always maintained contact with the Holy City, and not just us. All local safe havens can reach the Holy City, although it is a time-consuming and laborious process! The Holy City is besieged, but the Disaster Legion's defense can't cover every detail. A large-scale military breakthrough would obviously catch their attention and lead to a siege, but some less traveled mountain paths, one or two mid-level messengers who won't easily attract detection, can still deliver messages within."

"Then if your department connects with the people in the Holy City and the higher-ups assign further tasks, can your department still lead the next actions?" Pei Yan pretended to fiddle with his cuff, speaking nonchalantly.

,

Knowing the main point had come, Bailang put down his knife and fork, took a sip of wine, and chuckled, "Mr. Shitang, rest assured on this point. Though the Kataraga Autonomous Territory has fallen, we still have our power base in the Holy City. As long as this great victory news is sent back, our allies in the Holy City will fight for us to lead the army's authority."

"That's good, after all, we've become quite familiar, even extraordinarily close, haven't we! Ah! Truly switching to someone unfamiliar would make me uncomfortable!" Pei Yan raised his glass pretending to be bold.

"Then here's to a pleasant cooperation!" Bailang and Sifuer raised their glasses in mutual understanding and returned the toast.

"To a pleasant cooperation!"

Just as Pei Yan and Sifuer finished their toast and drank, the door to the banquet hall was suddenly pushed open from the outside. Two fully armed soldiers supporting a breathless, wounded young man strode in.

Seeing this, the bustling banquet hall instantly went silent. Pei Yan, holding a wine glass, exchanged a look with Ye Ruozai seated lower, both puzzled at what trick the demons were up to this time.

What they didn't know was that all the demon commanders, including Sifuer Bailang, were equally bewildered, frowning slightly at the scene before them. Since her lord couldn't get angry, Leohard had to step in. Slapping the long table and standing up, he pointed at the two soldiers and shouted, "What are you doing? Do you know what day it is today? Lord Sifuer is hosting a celebration banquet, inviting Mr. Shitang and those who have excelled in battle. Your actions are too reckless!"

"Lord Leohard, we had no choice. This person has urgent military information to report to Lord Sifuer!" one of the demon soldiers supporting the wounded person straightened his helmet with a helpless expression.