Chapter 206: Power of the Tribe
Chapter 206: Chapter 206: Power of the Tribe
Zhu Ge’s voice echoed across the battlefield, like thunder rolling through the sky.
"The Golden Tiger and the giant python have been refined! All Demons, Ghosts, Spirits, and Monsters, surrender now, or you will be shown no mercy!"
The moment his voice fell, the horde of Demon Beasts, which had been resisting stubbornly, descended into chaos.
"The leaders are dead! The leaders are really dead!"
"Run!"
"What are you running for? Didn’t you hear? We won’t be killed if we surrender!"
"Dead? When did they die? Are you trying to trick me?"
"Believe it or not, you have to. Look over there! Even the Third Realm giant python was refined. What does that make you and me? Nothing!"
The Demon Beasts chattered amongst themselves. Some turned to flee, others stood frozen in place, and a few simply dropped to the ground, burying their heads in the dirt to signal their surrender.
Seeing this, Zhu Ge roared at Zhao Tieshan, "Zhao Tieshan, take your men and stop the ones who are fleeing! Don’t kill those who surrender, just round them up!"
"Yes, sir!" Zhao Tieshan charged out with the Martial Artists, intercepting the Demon Beasts that were trying to escape.
"What are you running for? The Great Master is honoring you by allowing you to surrender!" the Black-Horned Bull boomed, its eyes filled with smug satisfaction.
It was one of Zhu Ge’s own now, so of course, it was eager to prove its worth.
Liu Jianjian was still refining the giant python and couldn’t spare any attention for the situation over here.
However, her Second Realm Demon Beasts had already returned to her hair, replenishing her Demon Qi.
But her very presence was a deterrent to all the Demon Beasts.
"I surrender! I surrender!" a Second Realm Deer Demon was the first to drop to the ground, its front legs bent and its head bowed low.
"I surrender too!" a First Realm Pig Demon immediately followed, its fat body trembling like a leaf.
"Surrender!" "Surrender!" "Surrender!"...
More and more Demon Beasts knelt and surrendered.
It wasn’t that they didn’t want to run; they didn’t dare. After all, the Mengzi City Lord was still standing watch in the sky.
Then, in less than an hour, all the remaining three thousand-plus Demon Beasts on the battlefield, aside from those already slain, had surrendered.
Zhu Ge stood on a large rock, his gaze sweeping over the kneeling Demon Beasts as he calculated silently.
’Over three thousand Demon Beasts. Although most are only in the First Realm, their strength is in their numbers.’
’If I can subdue them, the power of the Six Paths Palace will more than double.’
Just then, Liu Jianjian finished refining the giant python and was sitting cross-legged on the ground, regulating her breath.
Hearing Zhu Ge call out, she opened her eyes, stood up, and ran over.
"Master!"
"Of these surrendered Demon Beasts, how many can you subdue?"
Liu Jianjian looked at the dense horde of Demon Beasts, licked her lips, and her eyes gleamed. "As long as you give me time, I can subdue all of them!"
"But my Demon Hunting Divine Technique consumes Demon Qi. Subduing so many at once might take a few days."
"No rush." Zhu Ge smiled. "Subdue the Second Realm ones first. We can take our time with the First Realm beasts."
"Understood!" Liu Jianjian ran excitedly toward the horde of Demon Beasts.
Tongzhen stood to the side, watching in awe as Liu Jianjian formed a hand seal for her technique. Strands of her hair drifted down, transforming into fine needles that pierced into the Demon Beasts’ bodies.
"Palace Master Zhu, this young lady’s Cultivation Technique... it’s truly wondrous," he said with sincere admiration.
"She was lucky to receive an inheritance from a great benefactor," Zhu Ge said with a smile.
As the matter involved an inheritance, Tongzhen didn’t press for details. Instead, he turned his gaze to the still-busy Soldiers.
"Palace Master Zhu, your people have suffered considerable casualties. You should enter the city to rest and recuperate. I will have my men help guard the Demon Beast captives outside the walls."
"Many thanks, City Lord Tong." Zhu Ge cupped his fist.
Afterward, the gates of Mengzi City swung wide open.
The Soldiers of the Six Paths Palace marched into the city in formation. The wounded were carried in, while the bodies of the fallen were collected, covered with white cloths, and placed on ox-drawn carts.
The city’s common folk lined the streets to welcome them. Some cried, some laughed, and some knelt on the ground, kowtowing.
"Thank you! Thank you!"
"You are our saviors!"
"Long live the Six Paths Palace!"
Zhu Ge walked at the very front of the procession, waving to the common folk.
His clothes were stained with blood, his face smudged with soot and sweat, but in the eyes of the people, he was a hero descended from the heavens.
Tongzhen walked beside Zhu Ge and said in a low voice, "Mengzi City was under siege for three months. The people have suffered terribly. With your arrival, Palace Master Zhu, you have saved an entire city’s worth of people."
Zhu Ge couldn’t help but sigh softly.
’Compared to Mengzi City, Jianshui City had it much better. That’s why the people inside Jianshui City didn’t really feel the pressure. But Mengzi City... it looks like it’s been through hell.’
"Come, let’s go to the City Lord’s Mansion. I’ve already had a feast prepared."
Tongzhen gestured forward, leading the way.
After a few streets, they arrived at the City Lord’s Mansion.
The City Lord’s Mansion was not large, built with green bricks and gray tiles. An old locust tree grew in the courtyard.
Several tables were set up beneath the tree, laden with food and wine: stewed meat, roasted chicken, fish soup, rice, and several jars of aged wine.
"Mengzi City’s resources are scarce, so this is all we could scrape together. I hope Palace Master Zhu won’t mind," Tongzhen said apologetically. "I should have treated you to ’crossing-the-bridge’ noodles, but that’s a breakfast dish. I’ve already arranged for it to be prepared for tomorrow morning."
"This is more than enough," Zhu Ge said with a smile as he sat down.
They then ate a simple meal.
After the meal, Tongzhen led Zhu Ge to a tea room, where they began to drink tea.
Drinking tea was secondary; the main purpose was to discuss business.
Tongzhen took a sip of tea and said thoughtfully, "Is Palace Master Zhu planning to liberate all of our cities along the way before heading to Yuan Yang City to provide support?"
Zhu Ge nodded. "Yes. We train as we march, and my army’s combat strength grows stronger and stronger."
"That is an excellent method," Tongzhen said. "However, Palace Master Zhu, you shouldn’t overlook the power of certain tribes."
Zhu Ge was slightly puzzled. "Tribes?"
Tongzhen nodded with a smile. "Yes. I myself am a Witch from one such tribe. My tribe specializes in fire techniques, and we have an annual festival called the Lantern Festival."
"You mean..." Zhu Ge’s eyes lit up.
Tongzhen nodded. "Exactly. The Witches in some tribes are only at the First or Second Realm, but I know of some tribes that have Third Realm Witches. It’s even rumored that our Red River Prefecture has a Great Witch."
A Great Witch!
Zhu Ge was inwardly shaken, and he nodded thoughtfully.
"However, it’s difficult to persuade a Witch or any others to leave their tribe," Tongzhen said, shaking his head.
"The Jingzhe Officials of the Da Sheng Dynasty are too tyrannical. They’ve clashed with many tribes, causing them to go into seclusion."
"Though we are all of the Human Race, we are not of one mind."
"But now, with the Demon Beasts running rampant, who knows how many tribes have already been wiped out."
Zhu Ge understood completely.
Jingzhe Officials like the Raincoat Fisherman were truly detestable.
"I wonder if City Lord Tong knows a Yang Qiaosui?" Zhu Ge asked. "A woman from my former Jianshan Village survived. We call her Sui Niang. Her family is from one of the tribes."
"Her surname is Yang? Yang Qiaosui?" Tongzhen looked thoughtful, then shook his head. "I know the major surnames of some tribes outside the city, but I don’t believe Yang is among them."
"If you happen to meet her, I must trouble the City Lord to help protect her," Zhu Ge said, cupping his fist. He sighed with emotion. "Only a few of us from Jianshan Village survived. Sui Niang... she used to have a daughter..."
Zhu Ge recounted what had happened to Jianshan Village, and Tongzhen’s expression grew solemn.
"Rest assured, Palace Master Zhu. You continue your quest to save the Human Race. I will have my people keep an eye out."
"Also, Mengzi City has few Soldiers left now. I can only offer you these humble gifts. I pray Palace Master Zhu will not find them wanting."