Bang!
In order to solve the crisis of the tribe, Xiao Chen, as the chief, has been preparing privately these days. However, it will take some time to succeed.
Once the unity of the clan is shattered, our extinction is not far off!
Bang!
In response to the provocation of the two, Xiao Chen slammed the stone table, stood up, and glared at them.
"Enough! Elder Sun, this is an internal affair of my Gu Yuan Tribe. We don't need your help. Go tell your Bear Clan leader that over ten thousand warriors of my Gu Yuan Tribe are ready to fight bravely! Prepared to fight any enemy day and night."
"Right! Our Chief is correct. Men of Gu Yuan would rather die standing than live kneeling! If any scrappy groups think they can easily bully the Gu Yuan Tribe, even in death, the brave men of Gu Yuan will break their teeth!"
The domineering speech of Xiao Chen roused the warriors of the Gu Yuan Tribe to loudly voice their support for their chief's decision.
Seeing Xiao Chen so resolute in his refusal seemed somewhat unexpected to Sun Diao. His eyes flashed ominously, then disappeared, replaced instead with an innocent expression. "Chief Xiao Chen is indeed a talented leader, with superb tribe management skills. It seems there's a misunderstanding between Chief Xiao and my Black Mountain Tribe. Anyway, our tribes have cooperated against foreign enemies for hundreds of years. Despite our disputes, our connection holds firm. Don't you agree?"
"However, while goodwill is one thing, business is another. The fact that the previous Xiao Clan Leader has not returned is beyond dispute. In the meantime, the Gu Yuan Tribe will inevitably encounter difficulties. How about this — as soon as Chief Xiao offers some generosity, all previous terms will be voided." Without giving Xiao Chen a chance to respond, the old fox suddenly changes the subject.
"Let's see what tricks this old fox is trying to pull." Seeing Sun Diao's frantic attempts, Xiao Chen internally reminds himself to be cautious, sensing a ploy from Sun Diao.
"So, Elder Sun, please say it straight!"
"Arrange a marriage."
"What? Arrange a marriage?"
"Yes, arrange a marriage. In this way, our two families will be related. If Gu Yuan is in trouble, how could Black Mountain not help?"
After hearing Elder Sun's words, a hubbub quickly arose both inside and outside the Great Hall.
"Does this mean, Elder Sun, that you want to offer your daughter to our leader as his wife?"
At this moment, an elder from the Gu Yuan Tribe, who was meditating in the Great Hall, spoke.
This elder, clad in a black beast-skin cape, wears a face marked by the passage of time and streaked with worry. He has been silently present in the Great Hall without uttering a word until he sees Sun Diao plotting something again. Fearing that the young Xiao Chen could be deceived, he interrupts Sun Diao.
This elder is Gu Lin, the oldest elder of the Gu Yuan Tribe. He has served three generations of tribal chiefs and has dedicated his life to the tribe. He commands great respect within the tribe. Xiao Chen's ability to take charge of the tribe at such a young age is in large part due to the strong support of Gu Lin.
"Gu, you've been silent. I thought your last days were near..."
Sun Diao stops his words abruptly, remembering it's a taboo amongst the Gu Yuan Tribespeople. The wise know better than to risk major events for petty gains.
"I heard that the Gu Yuan Tribe has a talented and beautiful young woman named Mu Qing, who also possesses outstanding martial arts talents. She would be a perfect match for my young Tribe Leader."
After a pause, Sun Diao takes a look around, spotting the flaming eyes of the Gu Yuan people all around, and a look of disdain shows at the corner of his mouth.
"Furthermore, the Gu Yuan Tribe is required to offer a hundred young women to Black Mountain every year."
"Xiao Chen, this is the only chance for the Gu Yuan Tribe to survive. I hope you don't make a mistake and risk tens of thousands of lives."
After hearing the conditions of Elder Sun, Xiong Yu, the young leader of Black Mountain, takes control of the situation before Xiao Chen or anyone else could respond.
Mu Qing, the number one talent in the Gu Yuan Tribe, has always excited him. She was an irresistible temptation for someone like him who craved female company. He has long had his eye on this talent of the Gu Yuan Tribe, but has never had an opportunity.
Crack!
"Marrying off?! Offering a hundred young women?! Ha-ha! Do you think Gu Yuan is without champions!?"
Xiao Chen countered calmly, his eyes defiantly locked onto Xiong Yu, his teeth bared, and spoke one word after another.
"The safety of our Gu Yuan Tribe is earned by our warriors with real swords and spears, not by cowardly negotiations. To trade the safety of our women for the peace of our tribe, sorry, I cannot accept that. I, Xiao Chen, stand by this, and our gallant men of Gu Yuan Tribe are not yet extinguished!"
In the desolate ancient land, population is a crucial resource for a tribe. The larger the base, the greater the chance of cultivating more strong ones. Therefore, young women hold an important position in tribal inheritance and reproduction.
Conversely, if a tribe has fewer women, the number of newborns will be relatively less, unable to compensate for the depletion of the tribal population, leading to the slow decline of the tribe. After all, this continent is no paradise on earth; death is an ever-present fact of life.
Therefore, presenting young girls to the Black Mountain Tribe is tantamount to uprooting the Gu Yuan Tribe!
"You…!"
Xiong Yu felt as if he was facing a bloodthirsty beast under Xiao Chen's fiery gaze. A chill ran down his spine, followed by a surge of rage. He felt humiliated being intimidated by Xiao Chen.
Without their powerful Blood Refining Realm experts, he saw the Gu Yuan Tribe as a lamb ready for slaughter, on the verge of annihilation. Xiao Chen was nothing more than a foolhardy jester. And he, Xiong Yu, was the young leader of the Black Mountain Tribe, the legitimate son of a powerful Blood Refining expert, he couldn't accept this.
Just as Xiong Yu was about to explode, Elder Sun held him back, signaling him not to provoke the Gu Yuan tribespeople again. "Chief Xiao Chen, don't act rashly and send countless tribespeople to their death."
"We hope to see Miss Muqing and a hundred young girls in our Black Mountain Tribe within five days."
"Excuse us! Ha ha…"
With that, they left laughing uproariously.
Watching the pair's blatant departure, Xiao Chen clenched his teeth, his veins popping out, a cold smirk appearing on his face.
"Who's the hunter and who's the game? That remains to be seen! Since you're courting death, don't blame me for making an example."
Since becoming the tribe's Chief, Xiao Chen felt the increasing burden of leading a tribe. With the old leader of the Gu Yuan Tribe missing, to everyone in a ten thousand mile radius, they were a lamb ready for the slaughter, people licking their lips for a taste. All the tribes were watching, the Black Mountain Tribe was just the first to lose patience and jump out.
"Chief, rest assured. If necessary, I'll give my life's worth to foil them. I've lived nearly a hundred years, experienced countless storms, and slaughtered countless enemies. Now that I'm old and my vitality has withered, if I can't die on the battlefield, let me exert my last bit of strength for our tribe! As long as there are people, our Gu Yuan Tribe will rise once again. "
Seeing Xiao Chen's still gaze and unmoving figure, Gu Lin gripped his arms and said with determination.
Earlier, the elder hadn't said much. After so many years and experiences, he could clearly see the Black Mountain Tribe's wild ambitions. Even an alliance wouldn't deter them from swallowing up the Gu Yuan Tribe. He didn't completely agree with Xiao Chen's decision, but once something happens and it cannot be avoided, they should fight it out. Victory leads to rebirth; defeat to glory.
"I'm here too!"
"Count me in!"
...
Seeing the elderly man's words, the lingering tribespeople began to shout in response.
Xiao Chen helped the old man back to his stone chair, waved his hand for everyone to quiet down, and swept his gaze over all of them.
"I know you all feel wronged. You find me, your Chief, disheartening. People are bullying us at our doorstep, yet we do nothing. But if it really comes to a desperate fight, I, Xiao Chen, swear that I will fight in the front line. If I take one step back, anyone can sever my head. Unless I die in battle, no one in our tribe, old or young, will be bullied by another tribe. In this time of crisis, everyone should get ready and watch out for sneak attacks from other tribes."
After pacifying everyone, and when they all dispersed, Xiao Chen turned to Gu Lin and said, "Old ancestor, we have thousands of fighters in Gu Yuan. Why would we need you to take action? Additionally, our tribe will also have a Blood Refining Realm warrior!"
"What did you say?"
Perhaps he was too old, Gu Lin didn't quite catch what Xiao Chen said.
Faced with the elder's query, Xiao Chen didn't answer, but gave him a mysterious smile.
The destiny is not to be revealed!