Ch. 401The Correct Way to Use a Barbarian Slave! Chen Mo's Gift!
Summary of Chapter: "The Correct Way to Use a Barbarian Slave! Chen Mo's Gift!"
1. Key Plot Points & Events
- Ye Linghan views an Image Recording Stone and learns of the barbarian conspiracy; she is furious and wants the plotters wiped out.
- Chen Mo offers his own scheme: use the captured Barbarian Slaves against the Bone-Eroding Tribe. Through his Blood Spirit Seed and “hypnosis,” the slaves become loyal suicide weapons.
- Ye Linghan reports to the Eldest Princess (Chu Yanli), who orders immediate total extermination of the Bone-Eroding Tribe. She also demands Chen Mo accompany the army as a “lucky charm.”
- At the Bone-Eroding Tribe’s camp, Wu Ge returns wounded from an ambush, claiming no one followed him. Shaman Pale Fang plans to relocate the tribe.
- Chen Mo’s controlled slaves return to the camp, claiming Kalin’s guidance. Tana announces “Barbarian Slaves are useless” and detonates herself; all the slaves explode, releasing a lethal toxic blood mist that cripples the tribe.
- Great Yuan’s flying ships and cavalry arrive. Ye Linghan orders a massive arrow volley, massacring the barbarians. Pale Fang tries to block the arrows with magic, but the situation is hopeless; Ye Linghan prepares the final killing stroke.
2. Character Developments
- Chen Mo: Reveals a ruthless, strategic side — using enemy slaves as biological weapons and psychological tools. He is confident and slightly amused at being treated as a lucky charm.
- Ye Linghan: Devoted to Chu Yanli, bloodthirsty, and a capable commander. She trusts Chen Mo’s plan and leads the slaughter without hesitation.
- Xu Lin: Becomes a comic-relief foil; he is sidelined from military secrets and assigned menial tasks (watching Jiao Yu, supervising shrine construction).
- Wu Ge: Shown as a strong but tactically foolish warrior — wounded, humiliated, and unknowingly leading destruction to his tribe.
- Pale Fang: Sole surviving shaman and acting chieftain; cautious and calculating, but ultimately overwhelmed by Chen Mo’s scheme.
- Tana: A brainwashed slave transformed into a fanatical puppet, sacrificing herself for her “god.”
3. Significant Themes
- Racial/ethnic hatred: “Those not of our kind are bound to have different hearts” — used to justify total extermination.
- Cunning vs. brute force: Chen Mo’s deceptive, low-cost biological warfare trumps barbarian physical strength.
- Total war: No distinction between soldiers and civilians — the massacre is portrayed as necessary and merciless.
- Fortune vs. planning: Chu Yanli attributes Chen Mo’s value to “luck,” but his success comes from deliberate manipulation.
4. Character Interactions
- Chen Mo & Ye Linghan: Cooperate smoothly; she respects his methods, he defers to her command.
- Chen Mo & Xu Lin: One-sided authority; Chen Mo gives orders, Xu Lin grumbles but complies.
- Ye Linghan & Chu Yanli (off-screen): Ye receives orders through a bronze token, showing the princess’s high trust in Chen Mo.
- Wu Ge & Pale Fang: Tension over Wu Ge’s failure, but Pale Fang tolerates him because his strength is still useful.
- Tana & the barbarians: A shocking betrayal — the “slaves” return as living bombs, destroying the tribe from within.