"Great spirits above! A fortress this big? It's actually your stronghold?"
"Of course! I was born in this stronghold, and I've lived here for more than twenty years. Of course it's my stronghold, the stronghold of our Duo'er Tribe!"
"I mean, this is a stronghold you people could build?"
"My ancestors witness me! I don't know who built it. Anyway, it wasn't me, and it wasn't my ama. Maybe it was some mafa grandfather I've never met? But this stronghold's tamped earth and stone bricks are so solid—if Grandfather built it, that doesn't seem too likely either?..."
".?"
Three days had passed since the ambush and capture that day. The Kingdom's party of one hundred and fifty men had captured thirty-three able-bodied men of the Duo'er Tribe, killed only one, and in total seven or eight had been wounded, all of whom the Kingdom Warriors had carefully bandaged. Aside from that, the Kingdom had also gained seven lean horses, only they were not fit to ride for now and had to be nursed along the way.
Maha Aguda ate one meal of dog meat and two meals of horse meat, then, in a fury, took out his whip and thrashed Maha Wuzhu again. This Great Chieftain's authority was growing by the day, and now he had the divine blessing of the Kingdom's Priest as well. This time Wuzhu did not dare run, and could only obediently take it.
And after that single combat, the Duo'er Tribe chieftain Uduwen became downcast and turned into Aguda's horse-leader. Though his head did not work very well, he had strength to spare, and he was willing to accept defeat after a wager; if he said he would lead the horse, he led the horse. Aguda trusted him well enough too. Seeing his powerful build,