The cold wind blew fiercely through the camp, carrying with it the weight of growing distrust. As the camp's fires flickered against the darkness of the North Plains, shadows danced, flickering between figures who huddled closer, whispering about survival and the ominous reports of a beastman horde approaching. Tension clung to the air like frost on the trees, and in the heart of the unease, Hui Jian moved silently, unseen.
The time had come for his next move.
Wei Shuang, oblivious to the intricacies of Hui Jian's plans, had begun to rise in prominence. He had taken a firmer stance in the recent council discussions, advocating for more aggressive strategies, rallying those who sought strength and action over Ren's measured approach. In the eyes of the camp, he was becoming the man who could lead them out of desperation. And that was exactly what Hui Jian wanted—for now.
From the outskirts of the camp, Hui Jian watched as Wei Shuang addressed a group of Gu Masters, his voice loud and confident. Wei Shuang's leadership had sparked a small but growing faction within the camp, drawing the support of those too impatient to rely on Ren's quieter, defensive strategies. But Hui Jian had already sown the seeds of discord within this group. He didn't need Wei Shuang to fail completely—at least not yet. He only needed to ensure the rise wasn't too steep.
A flick of Hui Jian's wrist released a subtle pulse of primeval essence into the Beast Strength Gu, a gentle reminder of the power he held in reserve. That Gu had been his secret weapon, but he was no longer content to wait in the shadows indefinitely. His plans required more than strength—it required finesse, a carefully constructed web that would entangle anyone who opposed him.
Ren's camp was further back, quieter than Wei Shuang's growing faction. There, Hui Jian knew, rested the remnants of those loyal to Ren's calm and measured rule. It was an interesting division—those who supported strength and action versus those who valued careful strategy and survival. Hui Jian's role was to walk the line between both, stirring the pot from both sides, while ensuring neither Ren nor Wei Shuang could rise too far without tripping on the threads he laid.
As the camp settled into a restless quiet, the scouts returned with news that would unsettle even the most confident of leaders. The beastmen horde, once a distant threat, had grown bolder. Their numbers swelled, and they were moving closer—too close for comfort. Panic spread like wildfire, and both Ren and Wei Shuang were forced to come together, albeit reluctantly, to address the news.
"We need to strike now," Wei Shuang argued, his voice rising above the murmurs of the other council members. "Waiting for them to bring the fight to us will doom us all. We should gather our strongest and launch an attack."
Ren, ever cautious, shook his head. "If we rush in without a plan, we'll only lose more people. We should fortify the camp, prepare for a siege, and hold them off until we can find a better opportunity."
The two leaders exchanged tense glances, their followers watching with bated breath. Hui Jian, standing on the periphery, could already feel the tension rising. It was exactly what he had intended. Let Wei Shuang push too hard, and Ren would look like the better choice. But if Ren hesitated too much, it would strengthen Wei Shuang's position. Both options played into Hui Jian's hands.
As the council dissolved into another heated debate, Hui Jian slipped away unnoticed. He had already planted the idea in Wei Shuang's mind earlier that day, subtly suggesting that a small reconnaissance mission to scout out the beastmen's position could turn the tide of the looming conflict. He had made it sound like a simple, straightforward mission. Yet, in the shadows of Hui Jian's thoughts, it was a carefully laid trap.
Later that evening, Wei Shuang approached Hui Jian's tent, his expression grim but determined. "You were right. The camp is too divided. If we're going to survive this, we need to take action. I'm gathering a team to scout the beastmen's camp, just like you suggested."
Hui Jian nodded, masking his satisfaction with a look of quiet contemplation. "A wise decision. If we know their numbers and movements, we'll have the upper hand. But be careful, Wei Shuang. The terrain is treacherous, and the beastmen will be on high alert."
Wei Shuang nodded. "I'll lead the mission myself. If we succeed, the camp will see that action is the only way forward."
Hui Jian gave a small smile, hidden by the flickering shadows. "I have no doubt."
As Wei Shuang left to prepare, Hui Jian's thoughts shifted to the next phase of his plan. The scouting mission would not go smoothly—he had ensured that. Yong, one of Wei Shuang's closest allies, had unknowingly been positioned in a vulnerable spot, destined to fall during the chaos of the mission. It would be enough to shake Wei Shuang's confidence, but not enough to destroy him. The goal was to weaken his standing, to allow Ren's cautious approach to regain ground while keeping both leaders in Hui Jian's grasp.
The following morning, as Wei Shuang led a small group of Gu Masters toward the beastman territory, Hui Jian watched from the edge of the camp, his eyes cold and calculating. The camp buzzed with nervous energy, the anticipation of conflict weighing heavily on everyone's minds. The beastmen were close, and the camp was not prepared for an all-out assault.
As the hours passed, the silence in the camp became suffocating. Hui Jian remained in the shadows, waiting for the inevitable news of the scouting mission's outcome. When the group returned, battered and bruised, the camp erupted into a mixture of relief and concern.
Yong had been killed during the mission, struck down by a beastman ambush that Wei Shuang had failed to anticipate. The others, though alive, carried the weight of their leader's failure in their eyes. Whispers spread like wildfire—was Wei Shuang truly fit to lead them?
That evening, as the camp gathered around the fire, Ren spoke in his calm, measured tone. "We need to learn from today's mistakes. Rushing into danger will only cost more lives. We must be patient, and use our strengths wisely."
Hui Jian watched as the camp's mood shifted once again. Wei Shuang's rise had been tempered, his followers now uncertain of his ability to lead them to victory. Ren, though still cautious, began to regain some of the trust he had lost. It was a delicate balance, and Hui Jian was content to let both sides simmer for a while longer.
But the beastmen were still out there, their presence a constant threat. And as Hui Jian gazed into the flickering flames, he knew that the true battle for the camp's survival—and his control over its future—was only just beginning.