Bluestone Mountain, the territory of the Demon Wolf Tribe.
Thousands of bloodthirsty demon wolves guarded one side of the territory, while the young, able-bodied Demon Wolf Tribe members stared down below with grave expressions and wary eyes.
"Old chief, the Leopard Tribe has around three thousand troops!"
A burly young man walked up to the old chief and reported the deployment of the invading Leopard Tribe forces.
"I never imagined the Leopard Cat Tribe's forces here were so vast. Even while campaigning against the Dog Tribe, they still have so many troops to send against our Demon Wolf Tribe!"
The old chief looked grim. They had killed some troops of the Evil Spirit Tribe under the Leopard Cat Tribe's command, and only a short time later, the Leopard Cat Tribe had sent the Leopard Tribe against them.
Clearly, the Leopard Cat Tribe currently held the advantage in its war against the Dog Tribe.
After all, the Leopard Cat Tribe had troops to spare for suppressing the other demon tribes of the Western Country. That alone showed how unusually fierce their offensive was.
"Demon Wolf Tribe of Bluestone Mountain, listen up! The Panther Tribe Leader will surely defeat the Dog Tribe and reclaim his throne as overlord of the Western Country!
I advise you to submit to the Panther Tribe Leader as soon as possible, lest your branch of the Demon Wolf Tribe on Bluestone Mountain be wiped out!"
Below, the leader of the Leopard Tribe's vanguard spoke, his booming voice ringing across almost all of Bluestone Mountain.
His aura was even fiercer, carrying a wildly savage bloodlust that weighed upon the hearts of every member of the Demon Wolf Tribe on Bluestone Mountain.
The words of the Panther Tribe Leader flashed through the Leopard vanguard leader's mind. The Demon Wolf Tribe was once a great tribe. Bring them under our command if you can!
If the Demon Wolf Tribe dares resist again, there is no need for further words. Simply kill them.
Such was the tyranny of the Leopard Cat Tribe. All who refused to submit would die!
That was also why so many demons had rebelled against the Leopard Cat Tribe in the past. Their rule had been too tyrannical and cruel; the slightest disagreement could lead to an entire tribe's extermination.
Even now, the Leopard Cat Tribe's methods had not changed in the slightest. They remained as domineering as ever.
"Michinaga of the Leopard Cat Tribe..."
The old chief pondered for a moment. He naturally knew how powerful Michinaga, the Panther Tribe Leader, was. He was a truly formidable Greater Yokai, and no one in the current Demon Wolf Tribe could match him.
Yet making the Demon Wolf Tribe submit completely to the Leopard Cat Tribe would be a disgrace to their ancestors.
The Demon Wolf Tribe had once been a great tribe. How could they bow beneath another demon tribe?
Besides, their Demon Wolf Tribe still had hope of returning to greatness: Mingye!
"Old chief, what should we do?"
The captain of the guards looked troubled. The Leopard Tribe's words were an outright threat, yet he could not bear the thought of surrendering to the Leopard Cat Tribe just like that.
"Old chief, we cannot submit!"
"That's right, old chief! Our Demon Wolf Tribe would rather die than submit!"
"Death before surrender!"
"Death before surrender!"
The Demon Wolf Tribe members' shared resolve blazed to life in their hearts. Their cries rose without end, determination written on every face. They had no fear of the enemy before them!
"Good! You truly are worthy sons of the Demon Wolf Tribe! All warriors of the Demon Wolf Tribe, heed my command!"
"Protect the wives, children, and elders behind us! We must not retreat!"
"Kill!"
The old chief's aged voice echoed across the mountain, carrying the unyielding will of the entire Demon Wolf Tribe. With a mighty roar, he drew his blade and led the charge!
"Kill!"
"Kill!"
"Kill!"
Hundreds of tribesmen directed thousands of demon wolves in a charge toward the Leopard Tribe below!
"Stubborn fools!"
"Leopard Tribe, kill them! Spare no one!"
The Leopard vanguard leader's eyes were cold. He had not expected the Demon Wolf Tribe to be so unafraid of death. He had thought bringing them to heel would be effortless.
They would have to fight after all!
But the Leopard Tribe had no fear of battle either. The leopards surged forward like the raging Yellow River, shaking the ground and shattering rocks.
"Not bad!"
Just as the two sides were about to collide, a cool voice suddenly rang out between heaven and earth!
A brilliant, blazing sword light overwhelmed the surroundings, bursting into being. Before anyone could anticipate it, it stood before the Demon Wolf Tribe members like an enormous pillar of energy!
The fierce, razor-sharp sword energy seemed to possess a mind of its own as it hurtled toward the Leopard Tribe.
"What?!"
"This..."
The vanguard leader and several powerful members of the Leopard People paled, then recoiled in horror, their faces filled with disbelief!
Severed limbs flew!
Blood sprayed everywhere!
For a moment, the place seemed to become hell on earth as every member of the Leopard People came under the sword energy's murderous onslaught!
So sharp!
So fierce!
Sword energy streaked across the sky. The demons of the Leopard Tribe tried to resist, only to discover that their Demon Power and bodies were as frail as tofu before it, pierced with ease!
"Aah!"
"Aah!"
"Save me..."
Agonized screams rang across Bluestone Mountain, but as the sword energy continued slaughtering the leopards, even their vanguard leader died horribly beneath it.
"This..."
"What terrifying sword energy!"
"Incredible!"
"That voice just now sounded like..."
"It was Lord Mingye!"
The Evil Sword stood embedded among the Leopard Tribe's severed limbs. Blood stained the earth red, yet the space around the Evil Sword was like a forbidden zone, untouched by blood or mangled flesh!
The Demon Wolf Tribe members stared in shock. It was simply too terrifying. The Leopard Tribe, a formidable enemy only moments ago, had become a heap of lifeless flesh in an instant!
In the distance, Mingye approached through the air like a god descending to earth, filling every member of the Demon Wolf Tribe with excitement!
"Lord Mingye!"
"Lord Mingye is back!"
"Lord Mingye is so powerful!"
The Demon Wolf Tribe members raised their voices, filled with fervor like worshippers beholding the god of their faith!
"What an overwhelming presence... Truly worthy of Lord Mingye!"
The little monkey marveled as well, unable to hide his admiration.
"With Lord Mingye here, the Demon Wolf Tribe really will rise to greatness!"
Hairinbō had discovered that the Demon Wolf Tribe members were not particularly strong. Just as the rumors claimed, they seemed to have dwindled into a minor tribe.
But now that they had Mingye, this tribe would surely grow powerful again. One man alone could secure the whole tribe!
That was Hairinbō's assessment of the Demon Wolf Tribe.
"He's finally back..."
The old chief's anxious heart settled. Mingye had been away for over a month, and now that he had returned, he was even stronger.
"Clear the battlefield!"
Mingye gave the order. All those severed limbs were food.
"Yes, Lord Mingye!"
The Demon Wolf Tribe members promptly obeyed and began clearing the battlefield.
Mingye reached out with his right hand. Ice-blue Demon Power condensed into a whip of light and coiled around the Evil Sword embedded in the ground. With a gentle tug, he drew the Evil Sword back.
"What exquisite control of Demon Power!"
The old chief's eyes shone. That display of control alone was enough to surpass anyone in the world.
By then, Mingye had walked up to the old chief. He wore an elegant black robe, his black hair hanging loose, with two divine swords at his waist.
The aura surrounding him was as unfathomable as an abyss. At the very least, the old chief could no longer discern how powerful Mingye had become.
"You've grown stronger again, Mingye..."
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