"You say you're our savior, I want to hear your reasons!"
Chief Kukan looked at Vol'jin strangely. He suddenly had a sense of familiarity. Warchief Sen'jin also liked to deceive them with all sorts of lies, and the two of them looked remarkably alike.
Surrounded, Vol'jin was prepared and calmly asked:
"Elder Chieftain, let me ask you this: how did Chief Sen'jin escape from the Orcs' encirclement?"
The old patriarch's eyes narrowed sharply, and his brows furrowed, revealing the very question that had been nagging at him.
A member of the Kukan Family proudly replied:
"God bless my Darkspear Tribe! Our Warchief Sen'jin Invincible and invincible, unparalleled in the world. He led 50,000 elite Darkspear warriors to kill 500,000 Orcs, sacrificing the lives of his last soldier. Chieftain Sen'jin's sorcery Invincible; he single-handedly Execute 250,000 Orcs, forcing Thrall to his knees begging for mercy, and Saurfang crying for his father and mother."
Vol'jin just smiled and remained silent. This was the so-called "truth" about Tidal Bay that was circulating among the Darkspear Tribe. Ordinary soldiers couldn't help but feel excited after hearing it, praising their chieftain as truly great and amazing.
"Shut up!" The old chieftain angrily reprimanded his people. This was just a lie, only enough to fool ordinary tribesmen. The old chieftain looked intently at Vol'jin: "What, Vol'jin, do you know the truth?"
"Of course I know. Don't forget, I'm in the Orcs camp."
Vol'jin spoke mysteriously in a low voice, "In fact, Sen'jin had already been captured by the Orcs. He knelt on the ground, licking Thrall's filthy toes, begging for his life, and promising to offer the lives of all the Darkspear Tribe before Thrall released him. He had already betrayed the Darkspear Trolls; you have all been betrayed."
These words caused an uproar among the Darkspear Tribe present. Despite Sen'jin's killing of most of the Kukan Family members, they still genuinely wanted to uphold their chieftain's honor. The Kukan Family members loudly cursed Vol'jin.
"Shut up, you bastard of unknown origin, stop spouting nonsense."
"You will not be allowed to insult the Warchief. I will cut off all your flesh and feed it to the Swamp Hydra."
"Vol'jin, you traitor to the Darkspear Tribe, I'll skin you alive!"
The old chieftain raised his right hand to stop his enraged tribesmen, and asked doubtfully, "Vol'jin, I don't believe your lies. If Chieftain Sen'jin had betrayed the Darkspear Tribe, we would have been slaughtered by the Orcs long ago."
Vol'jin sighed regretfully and said with great disappointment:
"Elder Chieftain, can't you see the situation clearly? This is merely a bargaining tactic between Thrall and the Burning Legion. Thrall wants to secure more benefits for the Orcs, and Sen'jin is cooperating—that's all. Haven't you noticed? As soon as Sen'jin returned to the Royal Palace, he found an excuse to kill tens of thousands of his people, and now he's slaughtered your Kukan Family."
The old patriarch glared angrily at Vol'jin: "You're the one who ruined our Kukan Family!"
Vol'jin nodded in admission. "Yes, it was my fault. I overheard Thrall and Sen'jin's plot in the Orcs camp. They planned to use a rebellion as a pretext to slaughter all the noble families of the Darkspear Tribe. Out of consideration for our past relationship, I risked infiltrating the Royal Palace to see you and warn you to flee. But you refused to see me, so I had no choice but to resort to this. In any case, the elite of the Kukan Family are still alive; they weren't all killed by Sen'jin. That's already a pretty good outcome."
The old patriarch stared coldly at Vol'jin, still refusing to believe. "Evidence, I need evidence."
Vol'jin smiled mysteriously, pointing to his sharp fangs:
"I am the best proof. We were surrounded by the elite guards of the Darkspear Tribe. Your family guards fought desperately and barely managed to break through to save your life, while I was alone but unharmed. Do you know why? Because Sen'jin knows that I hold a very high position in the Burning Legion, on par with Thrall. He wouldn't dare kill me."
Unwittingly, Vol'jin elevated himself to a position on par with Thrall, instantly touching the old chieftain's heartstrings. Because of his fear of the Orcs, the old chieftain dared not lead his people to join the Burning Legion. With Vol'jin, who could rival Thrall, as his backer, the Kukan Family would have no worries.
Seeing that the old patriarch was tempted, Vol'jin decided to press the issue further. He shook his head and said sarcastically:
"And look at your terrible idea, to actually think of joining the Scourge. Actually, I've been hiding here for a long time, not wanting to meet you and part ways, but your foolishness compels me to step forward and give you some pointers. The Echo Isles are far from Lordaeron, and whether you can even reach Lordaeron safely is a question. Arthas may be a benevolent Prince, but only towards humans. His hatred for other races runs deep. His actions in Northrend, how he treated those other race mercenaries—haven't you heard?"
The old patriarch fell into thought, and the patriarchs were persuaded, all eyes focusing on him.
"Your choice is yours, Elder Clan Chief. I have said my piece. If you wish to kill me, your savior, I will not resist. After all, it was I who brought ruin upon the Kukan Family."
Vol'jin felt his performance was spot-on. Man proposes, God disposes. His expression remained calm as he awaited the Kukan Family's decision, though his mind was in turmoil and he was terrified.
The Darkspear Trolls, accustomed to cruelty, lack complete logical thinking; they rely more on unreliable intuition and fail to notice the obvious flaws in Vol'jin's words.
The old patriarch seemed to see the Kukan Family's only lifeline. He knelt down with a thud, hugged Vol'jin's legs, and wept bitterly, saying, "My benefactor, I wronged you. Please forgive the foolish Kukan Family."
"Old patriarch, please rise and speak. Why bother?" Vol'jin feigned humility, but inwardly he was overjoyed. He hadn't expected his flawed lie to have such a miraculous effect. He waved his hand and said modestly, "I am very pleased that you believe me. Remember, never join the Scourge. It's a dead end. Farewell."
The old patriarch clung to Vol'jin's legs, refusing to let go, pleading, "Vol'jin, you will always be our master. Although the Kukan Family has escaped, we are truly desperate. We beg you, master, to have pity on us."
The other members of the tribe also knelt on the ground, pleading, "Great Master Vol'jin, we wronged you. Thanks to you for saving the Kukan Family, please forgive us and help us."
"This!" Vol'jin deliberately feigned reluctance, and the old patriarch quickly swore an oath. "Our Kukan Family is willing to join the Burning Legion, willing to fight for the Legion's great cause, even at the cost of our lives."
Vol'jin declined again before reluctantly agreeing, "Alright, I'll take you to the Orcs camp first to familiarize you with the environment, then you can make your choice. If you feel it's not suitable, you can leave at any time; I absolutely won't force you."
The Kukan Family expressed their deepest gratitude and escorted Vol'jin toward the Orcs camp, a massive Slaughterhouse of Darkspear Trolls.
Inside the Orcs camp, Thrall was frowning in worry, and Varimathras was also feeling frustrated and defeated.
The patriarch of the Kukan Family, whom they had painstakingly rescued, turned out to be an imposter, and all their efforts were in vain.