Persuading Blackhand

After dinner, the group of four mounted Frostwolves and scattered from the gates of Bandar City.

Blade's Edge Mountain lay between Frostfire Ridge and Gor'dron, so Leolox and Leiluo would reach their destinations the fastest. Durotan had readily agreed, but Leiluo's side would take some effort.

The moment he arrived at the entrance to the Blackrock Clan's settlement, Leiluo was thoroughly shocked by the Blackrock Clan's home. Only then did he understand what a major clan was.

The towering walls stretched across the ground like a sleeping dragon, while the city gate resembled a gaping maw, waiting for people to enter and see what lay within.

The Blackrock warriors guarding the city were all imposing, killing intent visible in their eyes. At a glance, they were battle-hardened elite troops.

Upon reaching the gate, he was required to dismount and lead his mount inside. There, people bustled back and forth in a lively scene, and Ogres occasionally passed along the streets.

The billowing smoke rising in the distance displayed both Blackrock's technology and its powerful muscles.

Only when Leiluo arrived at Blackrock's Chieftain Hall did he truly understand what power and influence meant.

The Chieftain Hall's architectural style was wild and grand, exuding the strong traditional spirit of Orc martial valor.

Its sheer scale reminded Leiluo of the grand halls of the Beijing Imperial Palace he had once seen. One look was enough to inspire a sense of reverence.

Warriors in full armor stood on both sides, weapons gleaming coldly in their hands. Their presence was even more formidable than that of the city guards, every one of them displaying their strength and enhancing the hall's majesty.

Having stabled his mount earlier, Leiluo slowly walked to the entrance of the hall and explained his purpose to the lead guard. Then he quietly waited at the door for news.

The great clan did not try to give him any sort of intimidating welcome. Before long, someone came to receive Leiluo.

That person was none other than Leiluo's idol, and also his former defeated opponent—Orgrim.

When Orgrim saw Leiluo waving at him, he hurried over and immediately gave him a big hug.

"Kid, you doing alright?"

Feeling Orgrim's warmth, Leiluo felt somewhat flattered. He had not expected Blackhand to send Orgrim to receive him.

"I'm fine, Baldy. Ever since I beat you, I've been doing great."

"Heh, this is Blackrock. You'd better watch your mouth, or else... hehehe—"

Hearing Orgrim's joking threat made Leiluo feel even closer to him, and he took the initiative to hug Orgrim again.

"Kid, did you come to join our Blackrock this time?"

The moment they separated, Orgrim impatiently asked.

"No, Uncle. I came to cooperate with Blackrock this time."

Leiluo did not beat around the bush and directly stated his purpose.

"Alright, then come with me to meet our chieftain."

With that, Orgrim grabbed Leiluo and walked into the hall beside him.

Stepping on the soft carpet beneath his feet, Leiluo felt as if the dust of the journey had been washed away. But before he could savor the feeling, he saw Blackhand seated in the center.

He was still the bald man from Leiluo's memory, but he was bare-chested, displaying knotted muscles all over his body as he sat there with an air of command.

Five people sat on each side of him, and there was a lower seat beside his left hand. Orgrim led Leiluo into the center of the hall, then went over and sat there. He leaned forward and began whispering to Blackhand.

Leiluo, standing in the center, became the focus of everyone in the hall. They discussed the battle between him and Orgrim among themselves.

Just as Leiluo was growing bored and looking around, the man seated at the head of the row to Blackhand's left stood up.

The man first gave Leiluo a perfunctory bow, then said, "My father is the Blackrock Chieftain, Destroyer Blackhand. My name is Leid. I heard that you defeated Uncle Orgrim at the martial tournament. Since it is rare for you to visit Blackrock, I would like to spar with you."

His tone was filled with arrogance, as if his father was the greatest under heaven and he himself was second only to him.

Hearing Leid's words, Leiluo looked up at the two big shots whispering to each other above. They had stopped talking and were now watching him with teasing expressions.

Leiluo immediately understood what the two bald men meant. They just wanted him to show off his strength and give Orgrim a way to save face.

It also made Leiluo understand the relationship between these two buddies. It was so close that even a son could not compare. Otherwise, Blackhand would not have indulged his son in challenging him.

So Leiluo readily accepted Leid's challenge.

"Then let the young chieftain make the first move."

"It's too cramped here to fight properly. Let's go to the arena!"

Leid said loudly, hoisting his hammer onto his shoulder.

"Why does everyone use hammers? Fuck."

Muttering to himself, Leiluo pulled out the Battle Axe strapped to his back.

"No need, young chieftain. If it were Uncle Orgrim, there might be a real fight. We can do it right here in the hall. We won't break anything."

"You're looking down on me!"

How could Leid fail to grasp the meaning behind Leiluo's words? With a furious roar, he raised his hammer and charged forward.

Seeing Leid's fierce, all-out strike, Leiluo had already judged his measure.

Although Blackhand's son possessed Gold Tier strength, his combat experience was terribly lacking. He was no expert like Orgrim, who could overpower opponents of the same rank, much less comparable to a monster like Leiluo, who could fight across ranks.

Leiluo put away his Battle Axe, stepped forward, and grabbed Leid's hammer shaft. Then he turned his body and pulled with his hand. Leid lost his weapon and was thrown sprawling.

Leid, having been defeated in an instant, naturally refused to accept it. He scrambled to his feet, let out a Battle Roar, activated Blood Fury, and prepared to charge Leiluo again.

But Blackhand slapped the armrest and spoke up. "Insolence! Look at yourselves! Little Brother Leiluo is a powerful warrior who can even defeat your Uncle Orgrim. What are you showing off for? Stand down!"

Hearing his father's rebuke, Leid did not dare step forward again. He could only take the warhammer Leiluo handed him, turn, and leave the hall.

Just then, the first person seated to Blackhand's right suddenly rose. He bowed to the two leaders in the hall, then to Leiluo, and hurried after him.

"Brother, wait for me!"

"Little Brother Leiluo, the one who ran after him is my eldest son, Maim. The brothers are close, so please don't take offense."

Though Blackhand spoke politely, he did not look the slightest bit embarrassed.

Leiluo paid him no mind. He gave a bow, then simply stood there staring Blackhand down.

"You may all leave first!"

"Yes!" "Yes!"

After dismissing all the subordinates seated in the two rows, only Blackhand, his deputy, and Leiluo remained in the hall.

"I heard from Orgrim that Little Brother Leiluo came seeking cooperation this time. But I believe your little clan has nothing worth cooperating with our Blackrock over."

"Heh, Blackrock Chieftain, don't put it that way. The Stone Clan is a clan of over ten thousand people now, after all."

"Hah, with your policy of treating laborers as clansmen, sooner or later you'll—"

"Heh, the cooperation I wish to discuss is not between our clans. Blackrock Chieftain, you must have also heard that Gul'dan failed in his attempt to seize power and was driven out of the Shadowmoon Clan, right?"