"Although the Jiang tribe is just a group of barbaric natives from the Heitan Mountain area, when it comes to strength or wealth, they are far inferior to even a small finger of the Wei family, Jiang Xuan's name has still spread to the Wei family and caught the attention of those who like to gossip."

"Fourth Uncle says he doesn’t mind, but in his heart, it must not be easy to bear."

Wei Yuanlang took a sip of tea, put down his cup, and continued, "Only when this matter with the Jiang tribe is settled will Fourth Uncle finally be at ease."

"The tribe’s territory is dangerous, with possible beasts lurking. Young Master Wei, you have the family’s high expectations. There’s no need to go personally," Cao Tai said, considering their safety.

"Uncle Cao, you don’t understand."

Wei Yuanlang shook his head and smiled, "I have to come personally, watch Jiang Xuan die in battle with my own eyes. When I return, won’t I be able to say whatever I want? After all, Jiang Xuan is dead. I’ll say he had no strength to fight back, kneeling and begging for mercy, crying in despair… Who could argue with me?"

"This…" Cao Tai frowned slightly.

"It’s mainly to give Fourth Uncle face," Wei Yuanlang said, a look of complete control on his face. "Fourth Uncle has been under a lot of criticism since his promotion. People are saying he missed the chance to recruit a genius for the family, that he doesn’t know how to recognize talent, only blindly flattering the Jinhe Dong family."

"Hah! These short-sighted parasites, what do they know?" Wei Yuanlang said angrily. "So, I have to help Fourth Uncle!"

"You and Fourth Uncle are like father and son, right?" Cao Tai said.

"Of course!" Wei Yuanlang smiled, clearly pleased with the statement.

Cao Tai didn’t reply, quietly sipping his tea.

He didn’t agree with Wei Yuanlang’s actions, but he wouldn’t argue about it.

The Wei family’s three great geniuses had Wei Yuanlang as the highest ranked, but also the lowest in status. He was of similar age to the other two geniuses, but he was their uncle. This wasn’t because he was a late child, but because he came from a branch of the Wei family in Huaiqing County.

After being brought to Feixue City for training, although the family treated him with importance and provided him the same resources as the other two, his status was still lower, which caused many problems. For example, whenever the main family had exclusive cultivation benefits, it was always the other two geniuses who competed for them, never him.

During his years in the main branch, Wei Yuanlang had witnessed many of these disparities, which led him to seek allies. Wei Hongkuo, originally just one of his targets for flattery, had recently begun to gain prominence, and now with real power, Wei Yuanlang began to court him aggressively.

The other two geniuses didn’t take "Fourth Uncle" seriously.

Only Wei Yuanlang took care of "Fourth Uncle," paying close attention to his well-being.

"Fourth Uncle's power in the family is growing day by day," Cao Tai suddenly remarked.

"Yes," Wei Yuanlang nodded, "Fourth Uncle is truly talented, it’s just that he hadn’t been recognized before."

When Wei Yuanlang spoke of the criticism Wei Hongkuo had received, it wasn’t entirely accurate. The criticism had been mainly in the middle of last month, and it was already over. There had been only a few people talking, and the Jiang tribe hadn’t really been a focus for the Wei family. When they heard about it, they simply spoke a few words, then forgot about it.

A small tribe—what waves could they make?

With the recent collaboration between the Wei family and the Jinhe Dong family, the Wei family, which had been struggling, finally had some relief, and Wei Hongkuo’s influence grew further, nearly rivaling the position of the family patriarch.

The family patriarch was old and had suffered injuries in his youth, so his life expectancy was limited. Rumors circulated that the next patriarch would likely be Wei Hongkuo.

He had decisively seized Jiang Baiyun and Jiang Yao, forced Jiang Yao to change her surname, and arranged a marriage with the Jinhe Dong family!

Thanks to his quick thinking that day, he had prevented the family from losing out!

Compared to stabilizing the family’s position, the news about a young boy from a small tribe was nothing more than a minor issue. At most, it would provoke some jealousy and sour remarks from a few people.

Now, there was no criticism. Everyone was just trying to curry favor with Wei Hongkuo.

Wei Yuanlang was so worried that his flattery wouldn’t be sufficient that he wanted to go to the Jiang tribe’s territory personally.

After their meal, Wei Yuanlang and Cao Tai took a short break before continuing their journey.

August 7th.

Early morning.

The gates of the Jiang tribe’s earth city were wide open. According to imperial law, the life-and-death battles of tribes were open for other tribes to watch. On the 7th, 8th, and 9th of each month, the guards overseeing the city’s order were replaced by the Black Armor Guards under the supervision of the inspector, ensuring no disturbances.

At the city gates.

Teams of carriages and horses were entering, and some people were getting out to chat.

"Shentu clan leader, congratulations in advance for your clan becoming the largest in Heitan Mountain!" A tall, one-eyed elder was conversing with Shentu Lie.

"Not at all, Nalan brother!" Shentu Lie waved dismissively. "Even if my clan devours the Jiang tribe, we still can’t compare to the Nalan clan! The most fertile and safest lands in Heitan Mountain are in your clan’s territory."

"You flatter me, Shentu clan leader," the one-eyed elder grinned like a smiling tiger. "After Jiang Hanfeng went missing, you became the number one warrior of Heitan Mountain. It seems Jiang Hanfeng won’t be coming back—he must have died in the Ten Directions Dead Zone. After your Shentu clan devours the Jiang tribe, you’ll naturally become the number one clan. We can’t compare."

"Number one warrior? Nalan brother, you overpraise me! Hahahaha."

After some pleasantries, the one-eyed elder joined his team and entered the city.

Shentu Lie watched the one-eyed elder’s back, his smile slowly fading until he gave a heavy "hmph!"

"Dad, he was mocking you, saying your title of number one warrior isn’t earned by fighting, but because Jiang Hanfeng went missing…" Shentu Yu stepped forward and said.

"That old man is just jealous! He’s never accomplished anything like devouring a thousand-year-old tribe, while I’ve managed to do it!" Shentu Lie sneered. "He’s jealous now, and once the mine matter becomes public, who knows how he’ll twist his words."

"By then, he won’t dare mock us, he’ll definitely be trying to flatter us," Shentu Yu said, then turned to her father. "By the way, dad, I want to travel."

"When?" Shentu Lie asked, looking at his daughter.

"Once we’ve devoured the Jiang tribe, I’ll leave," Shentu Yu said.

"Alright… I’ll hire some congenital warriors to guard you and ensure your safety when the time comes," Shentu Lie said grandly.

"Thank you, dad," Shentu Yu smiled.

"Don’t mention it, we’re the last ones left in the family, it’s only right I look after you," Shentu Lie replied. His wife died early, and several of his brothers had also died. The last one died last month at Jiang Xuan’s hands. He had two sons, but one was killed by a beast, and the other died in battle.

Though there were many members of the tribe, only his daughter remained close to him.

"Shentu clan leader, congratulations in advance!" A voice came from behind.

Shentu Lie turned with a smile, welcoming the newcomer. "Clan Leader Sha, you came personally, haha, please come, please come…"

Three years ago, the Jiang tribe’s life-and-death battle with the Shentu tribe had gone mostly unobserved by other tribes, as it didn’t hold much meaning; killings were common in Heitan Mountain.

Today was different.

The Jiang tribe now only had one remaining man. An ancient tribe was about to be destroyed, and many tribes had already bought war spoils from the Shentu clan in advance.

So, they all came.

The major tribes—Nalan, Hu, Sha, He, and others—sent important figures to witness the event. Interestingly, the Huyan clan, which had made a grand show of buying Jiang Qinghong for a high price, had not shown up today. Instead, the He clan, which had close ties with the Huyan clan, brought news that Huyan Shao was missing, and the entire clan was searching for him.

"This bunch of barbarians really stink," two people in long robes with hoods entered the city, keeping a considerable distance from the other tribal groups. Wei Yuanlang frowned as he watched the tribe members, dressed in furs and adorned with various tribal accessories.

"Young Master, be careful not to be overheard," Cao Tai reminded, frowning.

"So what if they hear? Who among them is your match, Uncle Cao?" Wei Yuanlang replied.

"Two fists can’t fight four hands," Cao Tai said. "It’s better not to make trouble… Look over there! That man is the current number one warrior of Heitan Mountain, Shentu Lie, the leader of the Shentu clan! He’s undefeated with his spear, known as the Spear Overlord!"

Wei Yuanlang turned in the direction Cao Tai pointed.

The murderous aura around Shentu Lie made Jiang Xuan’s eyelids twitch.

"He looks like he has some real skills," Wei Yuanlang said, then his eyes shifted. He spotted a fair-skinned girl, stunningly beautiful among the tribal women who usually had sun-kissed, tanned skin.

"Uncle Cao, who is the girl next to Shentu Lie? His young wife?" Wei Yuanlang quickly asked.

"That’s his daughter, Shentu Yu. She’s exceptionally talented and is known as the number one talent of Heitan Mountain," Cao Tai replied. "I saw her many years ago during the Heitan Mountain Warrior Tournament when she was just a child."

"His daughter? His real daughter? Tsk!" Wei Yuanlang said as he walked, his eyes never leaving Shentu Yu. "I never thought there would be such a beautiful girl among the tribe."

Cao Tai glanced at Wei Yuanlang but didn’t say anything.

At the martial arts arena, in the tower.

"Shentu Lie is greeting the major tribes at the city gate as if this place already belongs to the Shentu clan!" Jiang Cuiyun said angrily.

"He won’t be arrogant for long!" Granny Jin Hua spoke with hatred in her voice. "Today, even if the Jiang tribe is destroyed, we’ll still take a piece of flesh from them!"

"Yes! Take a piece of flesh!"

"At the moment Jiang Xuan dies, we will fight to the death!"

"Kill!"

"Kill!!"

In the tower’s great hall, every corner, every stairway, the second and third floors were filled with women in fur armor, carrying bows and knives, full of murderous intent, their war cries shaking the heavens!

After the fervor, the hall quickly fell into an eerie silence.

Sadness appeared on every face.

Gradually, the faint sound of sobbing could be heard.

Speaking of fighting to the death is easy, but not everyone has such strong conviction, nor is everyone driven by the group’s momentum... If they could live, who would choose to die? If not for the possible fate worse than death after, who would choose death?

"Stop crying!" Granny Jin Hua suddenly raised her head.

The hall fell silent again.

Creak!

The door to the tower suddenly opened, and a fully armored woman ran inside. "Xiao Xuan has returned from the back mountain."

"It’s time, let’s go!" Granny Jin Hua said.

By the time the sun had fully risen, the Jiang tribe’s martial arts arena was packed with people.

Inspector Lei Hong sat on a high platform, looking at the crowd gathered on one side of the arena, and then at the Shentu clan’s people on the other side, and finally at the fully armed women of the Jiang tribe. His expression remained cold and indifferent, as if nothing could stir his emotions.

Although he could tell that the women of the Jiang tribe were preparing for their last stand, to him, they posed no threat.

Anyone who dared defy the imperial law before him would die!

"Dad, they seem to be getting ready to act," Shentu Yu whispered to her father.

"With the Inspector General here, once they make a move, the Inspector General will kill a few with ease, and the rest will be too frightened to act. In front of real strength, their resolve will break in an instant…" Shentu Lie sneered.

"They’re truly clueless, stubborn as hell." Shentu Yu said, but her words weren’t directed at the women of the Jiang tribe. She was talking about the man surrounded by those women—Jiang Xuan!

"…"

"I heard he got married a few days ago, to Jiang Qinghong, the one the Huyan clan bought for a high price. The next day, Jiang Qinghong disappeared, and the informant says she escaped, not sure how she broke the blockade…" Shentu Lie said, seemingly recalling something amusing. He grinned and said, "At least he got to experience a woman’s taste before he dies."

"Disgusting!"

Shentu Yu couldn’t help but curse, then added, "But now that Jiang Qinghong has run away, if the Huyan clan asks us for the person…"

"If we win the life-and-death battle, the mine will be ours. Why care about this little loss?" Shentu Lie said dismissively.

"True," Shentu Yu nodded.

Suddenly, someone kissed Jiang Xuan on the left cheek.

Jiang Xuan jumped in surprise, turning to stare in confusion. He wiped his cheek and said, "Sister Banshue, what are you doing?"

"I’ve watched you grow up. Can’t I kiss you?" Jiang Banshue, who had a long knife on her back, rolled her eyes.

"I’m kissing too!" From the other side, someone jumped in, it was Jiang Qianhe, a bold woman who was over ten years older than Jiang Xuan. Her first husband died abroad, and her second husband died in a life-and-death battle.

"I’ll do it too!"

"Since we’re all going to die, Xiao Xuan, just kiss me."

Jiang Xuan was the tribe leader, but he was also their younger brother. They had watched him grow up, and some had helped take care of him when he was younger. At the end of their lives, they probably just wanted to relieve the mental pressure, lighten the sadness.

At this moment, Jiang Xuan couldn’t run away, almost begging for mercy.

"Alright, stop fooling around! It’s starting soon!" Granny Jin Hua said.

Shentu Yu looked in Jiang Xuan’s direction, her face full of frustration.

The more she thought about it, the more she felt that asking Jiang Xuan for marriage had been a foolish decision—one of the greatest mistakes of her life.

"Jiang Xuan! You rejected me back then, rejected the marriage, do you regret it now?" Shentu Yu suddenly shouted, staring in Jiang Xuan’s direction.

She wanted to give Jiang Xuan one last humiliation.