A Peerless Sage

The moment Kubana entered, he saw Hu'erlun still seething with anger.

Before Hu'erlun could speak, Kubana presented him with a bowl of fragrant, steaming soup.

"Chief, have a bowl of Spirit Nourishing Soup. Don't be anxious; there will always be more solutions than difficulties."

Only after seeing Kubana, an elder he respected, did Hu'erlun's expression ease somewhat. He accepted the Spirit Nourishing Soup, inhaled its scent, and said with a look of intoxication, "Fortunately, Sage, you understand plants. That is why I recovered so quickly. Every time I drink your medicinal soup, I feel full of energy, as though I have strength I can never exhaust. Sage, you will become the backbone of the Eagle Alliance."

With that, he held the stone bowl and drained it in one gulp, then smacked his lips as if he still wanted more.

Kubana took the empty bowl and placed it on the nearby table. "How could I be the backbone of the Eagle Alliance? In this unprecedented great alliance of mankind, you alone are its core.

"There is no doubt about it. Other than you, no one can stop the endless tribal wars or prevent the continued suffering of blood and tears. You are the one chosen by the gods, someone who is destined to be remembered by all humanity.

"As for me... I am merely your assistant. I am hardly worth mentioning."

Although Hu'erlun spoke modestly, being praised so lavishly by an elder he respected filled him with immense satisfaction.

Something called vanity swelled invisibly within him, and he came to trust Kubana even more.

Hu'erlun waved a hand. "My name will surely be remembered by future generations. For that, I will rely on you, Sage, to preserve my deeds and spread them far and wide.

"This is not arrogance. It is what I deserve. Only then can I better spread the correct faith for my lord, Pantheon."

Kubana nodded, his eyes clear. "Praise Pantheon... You are right. As a Divine Apostle, your reputation is already inseparably bound to that of my lord Pantheon."

Hu'erlun nodded in satisfaction. "I alone am the one true Divine Apostle! I called you here today to discuss precisely this matter.

"The Blazing Flame Tribe has actually copied us. They claim their shaman received the ability to communicate with ferocious beasts from a deity, saying that they are the tribe chosen by the gods!

"Utterly absurd!

"The Sun God? Is the Sun God some being that controls wild beasts?

"It is nothing but a monstrous lie!"

Kubana flattered him, "That is right. Only you and my lord Pantheon are the rightful, supreme deities. The others... are merely false gods fabricated by the Blazing Flame Tribe.

"Time will prove everything. Strength and defense reign supreme. The God of War shall endure forever."

Delighted, Hu'erlun said, "So the Sage thinks so too! Exactly. The Sun God, the embodiment of the greatest strength and defense in the world... If Loserius had obtained the power of flames, I could barely acknowledge him.

"But communicating with wild beasts is nothing more than heresy, a beast-taming ability imagined up by shamans. Any human can communicate with tamed beasts. Loserius merely possesses some sort of technique that lies beyond our current understanding.

"Just like... when you first tamed a hunting hound beast cub all those years ago."

Kubana nodded. "Exactly. It is a technique that ordinary people can learn. The shaman of the Blazing Flame Tribe simply does not wish to spread it.

"However, until we obtain the same technique, Chief, we must still carefully consider the Eagle Alliance's expansion."

Hu'erlun agreed deeply. "You are right. That is what troubles me the most. A mere mortal pretending to be divine can actually contend with me, a Divine Apostle.

"My expedition against the Blazing Flame Tribe was my first setback. In a frontal battle, I cannot fight so many savage beasts.

"The Blazing Flame Tribe has already imitated us and formed the 'Blazing Flame Alliance.' Some tribes in our border territories are beginning to waver.

"Sage, do you have any good ideas?"

Kubana smiled. "Naturally. Since I chose to follow you, I will certainly devote myself wholeheartedly to using my mind."

Hu'erlun's eyes lit up. "Please, Sage, tell me?"

Kubana nodded. "First, we must strengthen our control over the other tribes. The Eagle Alliance expanded too quickly, after all. We absorbed groups with different customs and beliefs, and our control over distant tribes is insufficient.

"So my proposal is to dismantle the loose Eagle Alliance and establish the Eagle Empire!

"And you will be the empire's first ruler, one bestowed by the gods, with the authority to appoint the chiefs of other tribes.

"Were there not some tribes that refused to submit to your rule before? In the name of the gods, even if you must fabricate an incident, you should denounce them as heretics.

"Then choose those who obey you to become the chiefs of those tribes, strengthening your control."

Hu'erlun frowned at this. "But in terms of direct strength, we are no match for the Blazing Flame Alliance. What use would that be?"

Kubana sighed inwardly. Why were there so few people who knew how to think?

Yet outwardly, he continued to explain patiently. "Since we are no match for them head-on, then we will not clash with them head-on for now. So long as we secure your legitimate authority, balance favor and intimidation, turn the leaders and potential leaders of the large tribes into your people, and strengthen control, the Eagle Empire will become a solid iron plate that cannot easily be shaken.

"After all, in terms of individual strength, no one in the world is stronger than you. Those tribes that dare side with the Blazing Flame Alliance should be punished directly in the name of betraying Pantheon.

"In this way, the potential leaders will gradually realize that betrayal only brings a bloody price, while flattering Pantheon and you is the only way for them to obtain power."

Hu'erlun slapped his hand against his palm. "Excellent, Sage! You truly have a way. In that case, the leaders of the other tribes will gradually become my people.

"But...

"What if the Blazing Flame Alliance simply declares that it will protect those who defect? What do we do then?"

Kubana sighed. "Do you still not understand? The Blazing Flame Alliance would not dare!"

Hu'erlun frowned. "Why would they not dare? I still do not understand. Explain it clearly!"

Kubana said speechlessly, "Did I not say it already? In terms of individual strength, you are invincible. If the Blazing Flame Alliance dares launch a large-scale attack or encroach upon your territory, simply abandon your own territory.

"Go raid their home!

"Your movement speed is faster than that of savage beasts. Once they launch a large-scale attack, charge into their homeland from the flank and slaughter them!"

This time, Hu'erlun understood completely. He looked at Kubana in admiration and exclaimed, "With the Sage here, the Eagle Empire shall endure forever! I understand. Even if we cannot defeat the Blazing Flame Alliance in a frontal battle, then we simply will not confront them head-on!

"As long as they fear my existence, they will not dare make large-scale incursions into our territory!

"Strength, speed, and defense—all unmatched. Those are my advantages!

"Following the Sage's words, so long as we strengthen the empire's control, even tribes that submit in word but not in heart will not dare rashly side with the Blazing Flame Alliance!

"Then our advantage is actually greater than that of the Blazing Flame Alliance!

"Because our people will not dare rebel no matter what, and the Blazing Flame Alliance will not dare launch a large-scale attack. Once we stabilize the situation, we can instead gradually devour the enemy's territory!"

Only then did Kubana nod in satisfaction. "That is right. Sometimes, advantages and disadvantages are not as simple as they appear on the surface. If we use every resource at our disposal, we will be no worse than the Blazing Flame Alliance."

"Mm, mm!"

Hu'erlun agreed. "The Sage truly is clever. But I still have one question. My tribe... was wiped out. If certain tribes refuse to obey us and we need to send people over to take control, whom should we send?

"Other than you, Sage, I do not have anyone I truly trust now."

Kubana's gaze turned subtle. "You may send members of my tribe. My tribesmen have a good reputation among the many tribes, so they will be easily accepted, and they obey my control.

"When the time comes, we can claim that they are spreading the survival knowledge I have newly discovered to those tribes. With the legitimacy of orthodoxy on our side, I believe we will be able to control the Eagle Empire after some time.

"And as long as I submit to you and believe in the god Pantheon, no one will harbor disloyal thoughts."

Hu'erlun furrowed his brow and thought carefully.

It seemed...

That really was the case!

The Sage was right!

As long as Kubana remained by his side, those people sent out would not rebel.

Hu'erlun did not think any further than that.

There was no need to.

Strength!

His strength was right here!

How could such a good man as the Sage rebel without knowing his place?

Even if Kubana rebelled...

Was he not right at Hu'erlun's side? Hu'erlun could take him down at any time!

Thinking of this, Hu'erlun admired the Sage even more.

Amazing!

After spending so much time with the Sage, even I have become smarter!

He had originally been unable to think of the consequences that power struggles might bring, but the Sage's reminder allowed him to deduce it too. What if, perhaps, possibly, the Sage also had a chance of rebelling?

But that chance was tiny, practically nonexistent!

Because if the Sage wanted to become a ruler, then with his reputation, he would have long since built his tribe into the largest tribe on the Canghuang Continent. Perhaps he would have formed a tribal alliance system many years ago.

But the Sage had never done so. Instead, he selflessly offered knowledge and brought humanity the power and light to drive away wild beasts.

That was enough to prove that he had no ambition to compete for dominance!

Besides, even if he did, so what?

He would always remain by Hu'erlun's side!

He could not run. The moment he showed himself, Hu'erlun could easily kill him amid an army with his speed and endurance!

Thinking of this, Hu'erlun's respect for the Sage swelled as never before.

He even blamed himself. How could he suspect such an excellent Sage, a pioneer of all humanity, in such a manner?

Next time, he could not use the heart of a petty man to judge the Sage's intentions!

He had to treat the Sage as an elder, like a true father!

Only then would the Sage devote himself fully to helping him dominate this continent!

Hu'erlun gathered his thoughts and said solemnly, "Good! Everything will be done as the Sage says. The Canghuang Continent will remember your contributions forever. You will become the greatest legend beneath the gods and those chosen by the gods! Even I, one chosen by the gods, am willing to heed your teachings forever!"