Corpses floated to the surface of the oil fryer; soon the fryer was overflowing.
The protesters, proud and Pride, stared defiantly at the Chen Stormstout on the city walls, their voices booming as they demanded the release of Thrall.
"Have they all gone mad?" Chen Stormstout grabbed his hair, unable to believe what he was seeing.
Khadgar said in a low voice, "Nothing is more precious than one's own life. To make someone die for another is the greatest barbarity and injustice."
Chen Stormstout was pacing anxiously, saying, "They're not even afraid of death, what... what should we do?"
Khadgar sighed and said, "I never expected it to be like this. There really is someone willing to die for Thrall."
Driven by rage and the strong Chen Stormstout ordered, "Immediately change the oil in the pot. Since they died for Thrall, they might as well all die!"
The Broken Isles, Highmountain, the home of the Highmountain Tauren.
The Highmountain Tribe welcomed a guest.
The young Mela Gaoling, who had recently inherited the position of Warchief of the Highmountain Tribe, hurriedly got up and went out to greet him.
Many years ago, Thrall led the Dragonblood Orcs to attack Highmountain, and four-fifths of the Highmountain Tauren were brutally skinned and Eviscerate.
Mela Gaoling's father, Ulan Gaoling, was captured by Thrall and eaten alive.
After that, the Highmountain Tauren found themselves in trouble.
The four tribes of Gaoling, Hezong, Tianjiao, and Bloodtotem, who were originally united, split due to their different attitudes toward the Horde.
Meera Highmountain dared not hold a grudge against Thrall, believing that her father's being eaten by Thrall was a great honor, a glorious sacrifice for Azeroth.
The Skyhorn Tribe shared the same idea as Mela Highmountain: they believed they should endure the humiliation for the time being and not become enemies with the Horde.
Unfortunately, the Skyhorn Tribe was attacked by the Harpies, and their former ally Drogbar, also betrayed them, leaving them preoccupied with their own problems.
The Riverbend Tribe was a peaceful, farming race that had no inclination to resist. They suffered the most heavy losses in Thrall's massacre, nearly bringing them to the brink of extinction.
Bloodtotem withdrew from the Highmountain Alliance and sought other forces to fight against Thrall's brutality.
For many years, Meera Highmountain has groveled at Thrall's feet, selecting the best of her people and sending them to Orgrimmar for Thrall to eat.
In order to set the record straight, Mela Highmountain sanctified the selection process, portraying being eaten by Thrall as an ascension ritual.
Legendary in Highmountain tells of a man who, if consumed by Thrall, can enter the immortal realm of the ancient Tauren hero Huln Highmountain.
This sacred ritual was discontinued only after the destruction of Orgrimmar and was gradually forgotten.
The visitor appeared to be human, his face concealed by a cloak.
"I used to use a name, Gudan."
Gudan took the seat of honor without any ceremony, while Mela Gaoling could only sit beside him.
"You should have heard that the great Savior Thrall was ambushed by the Destroyer Chen Stormstout and imprisoned in Orgrimmar. When Thrall was Warchief, he took great care of the high-ranking tribes. If it weren't for Thrall's help, you would have been wiped out long ago. I urge you to repay Thrall's favor and go to Orgrimmar to protest."
Mela Gaoling remained silent, pondering the identity and origin of the visitor.
Beside him, a young Highmountain Tauren couldn't help but say:
"Thrall brought only bloodshed and oppression to Highmountain; countless of our people were killed or eaten by Thrall."
Gudan slammed his fist on the table in anger. "Nonsense! To repay kindness with enmity, is this the character of you Highmountain Tauren?"
The young Tauren's eyes didn't blink as he slumped to the ground, lifeless.
The method of killing without leaving a trace was terrifying, Highmountain Tauren present were terrified.
Meera Highmountain smiled apologetically, "The great Savior has saved the Highmountain Tauren countless times; we will never forget this kindness."
"Not all Highmountain Tauren are bastards; at least some are reasonable."
Gudan sneered, "It's good that you know how to be grateful. You must remember this: rescuing Thrall is saving Azeroth; Thrall is Azeroth. If you don't appear at the gates of Orgrimmar in three days, the Highmountain Tauren will be history. I still need to persuade the other races to work together to save Thrall. Farewell."
After saying that, Gudan stood up, walked straight to the door, and disappeared.
After carrying away the young Tauren's corpse, a Priest gritted his teeth and said in a low voice:
"There's only one way now: ask Neltharion for help."
Neltharion's Lair was originally the base of the Black Dragonflight, and for thousands of years it has been secretly protecting the Highmountain Tauren.
Before the Black Dragonflight withdrew from Azeroth, they extended an invitation to the Highmountain Tauren to settle in the New World together.
However, he was rejected by Meila Gaoling's father, Ulan Gaoling.
Before parting, Deathwing gave Ulan Gaoling a beacon.
In times of crisis, the device in Neltharion's Lair can be used to contact the Black Dragonflight.
The beacon came into the hands of Mela Highmountain, who, like her father, did not have a high opinion of the Black Dragonflight.
Mela Gaoling shook her head and said:
"The Black Dragonflight is no match for the Holy Light and the Burning Legions. The Highmountain Tauren have no choice but to adapt to the changing circumstances if they want to survive."
When the Highmountain Tauren appeared at the gates of Orgrimmar City, Chen Stormstout nearly collapsed.
"I heard that the Highmountain Tauren were Thrall's special food source. After I became Warchief, I abolished this barbaric practice. What reason do they have to protest?"
A wave of disillusionment washed over Chen Stormstout; he felt he was unfit to be the Warchief.
Khadgar was also bewildered; he wouldn't face the challenges of Warchief unless he became Warchief.
"Although Mela Gaoling is timid and cowardly, she is certainly not incapable of discerning right from wrong; there must be some hidden story behind this."
Chen Stormstout, carrying Khadgar, privately received Meera Highmountain.
Khadgar was the first to ask, "Were the Highmountain Tauren coerced?"
Mela Gaoling's eyes widened, and she said righteously:
"No one can coerce the descendants of Huln Highmountain. We have come for the light and Justice of Azeroth. The great Savior Thrall has saved the Highmountain tribe many times, and we will forever remember his kindness. We will build a statue of Thrall in Highmountain, Highmountain Tauren will be grateful for Thrall's kindness for generations to come."
"We have only one purpose in coming here: to unconditionally release the great Savior Thrall. Chen Stormstout must relinquish his position as Warchief and apologize to the Savior."
Chen Stormstout, his eyes turning red, sneered, "If eating the Highmountain Tauren is a favor to you, then I can do it too."
Mela Gaoling glared at him angrily. "You don't deserve it."
"Woman, do you want to die? I'll eat you up right now." Chen Stormstout.
Mela Gaoling was frightened; her face turned pale.
In her mind, the Pandaren were simple and kind, which was the courage to confront Chen Stormstout.
Khadgar quickly gave a wink, stopping Chen Stormstout, and said politely:
"Chief Mela Highmountain, I hope you will carefully consider this and stop this unwise move. Goodbye."
After Mela Gaoling left, Chen Stormstout sat on the ground and cried.
"You know what? I always thought I could be a good chieftain, unlike Thrall was so cruel. Who knew being the Warchief wasn't so easy? Now I'm starting to understand Thrall."
Khadgar remained silent.
In a daze, it seemed as if Chen Stormstout and Thrall's figures overlapped.