The Wolf Tribe Returns to Its Den

After a series of burning, killing, and looting sprees, leaving behind the stench of blood and the spoils of plunder, Xueya and his hundred-odd remaining soldiers were finally able to catch their breath from the shadow of the devastating defeat at the hands of the Fire Tribe. The ravages of the weaker seemed to have become a cure for their "wolf-like" nature.

With their morale slightly boosted, the team did not return directly to High Pointed Mountain. Instead, like a real wolf pack, they lingered on their way back, searching for their next target. They took a detour and "visited" five or six small, scattered tribes or settlements along the way.

These tribes mostly consisted of only about a hundred people. Seeing this group of villains who had just experienced a bloody battle, with fierce eyes and dried blood still on their weapons, they couldn't even muster the thought of resistance. Faced with the gleaming blades of the Wolf Tribe and the naked threat of death, there was no other way but to submit.

Coercion, bribery, intimidation... simple, brutal, yet extremely effective. These five or six small tribes, totaling about five hundred people, along with their meager possessions and about a hundred relatively strong men (referred to as "warriors"), were all captured by the Wolf Tribe and coerced into joining this ever-expanding, oppressive, and fear-filled army, like herding a flock of sheep.

The newly joined 500-plus men filled the gap left by the losses outside the White Pig Tribe. Looking at the large force behind him, a mix of veterans, newly captured people, and prisoners (though their fighting strength varied greatly), Xueya's mood improved somewhat. Although they had lost over eighty capable brothers, they had gained about a hundred new "soldiers," and several hundred family members who could be used for work, attrition, or as hostages. More importantly, they had seized food, so they wouldn't have to worry about food for the time being.

"Take these people back first and give them a good 'training.' Keep the obedient ones, and deal with the disobedient ones." Xueya instructed the leaders around him. "Although we suffered a loss this time, the core of our Wolf Tribe hasn't been damaged! On the contrary, the brothers who survived these battles are even more ruthless!"

He was telling the truth. Although they were badly beaten by the Fire Tribe, the subsequent bloody purge of weaker tribes reignited and solidified the ferocity of these Wolf Tribe veterans. They might hesitate or even be afraid when facing a powerful enemy like the Fire Tribe, but when dealing with the defenseless weak, they would be incredibly cruel and efficient killing machines.

After a slow trek of about half a month, the familiar yet treacherous outline of High Pointed Mountain finally appeared on the horizon. Looking at his old lair, Xueya was filled with mixed emotions. This trip south had at least brought back some things and taken some people with him, so he hadn't returned empty-handed.

At the foot of the mountain, Xueya ordered several Xiaotou to escort the main force slowly up the mountain, while he himself, along with Shichui, Duyan, Yexiao, Tujiu, and a few trusted personal guards, rode ahead on ponies, heading straight for the camp halfway up the mountain.

Around noon, they arrived outside the camp. Xueshou, the younger brother, and Duzhu, the leader who had stayed behind, had already received the news and were waiting for them at the camp gate with their men.

"Big Brother!" Xueshou came up to greet them. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that Xueya and the others had returned safely, though they looked travel-worn. But when he saw the sparse group and the horses behind them, a hint of doubt and inquiry flashed in his eyes.

"Let's go inside and talk." Xueya patted his younger brother's shoulder, his face grim.

The group entered the largest and most fortified cave in the camp. Inside, hot food had already been laid out, clearly prepared in advance by Xueshou.

Xueya plopped down on the stone seat covered with animal hide, grabbed a piece of roasted meat and took a big bite, then gulped down a mouthful of goat milk before letting out a long sigh.

Xueshou and Duzhu sat at the lower end of the table, watching Xueya and the other leaders, who looked both fearful and trying to remain calm. They knew that this trip south was bound to be unsuccessful.

"Big brother, what about the Bison and White Pig..." Xueshou asked tentatively.

"We looted it, and we burned it too," Xueya muttered, taking another bite of meat. "It went smoothly at first; the Bison Tribe was completely unprepared. The White Pig Tribe ran fast, but they still lost quite a bit."

"And... what about the Fire Tribe?" the Duzhu asked in a shrill voice.

Mentioning the Fire Tribe caused a noticeable pause in the atmosphere inside the cave. Xueya slowed his chewing, and Shichui and the others lowered their heads, some drinking goat milk, others staring at the fire.

"They're here." Xueya's voice was hoarse. "They came too fast. We just finished fighting the White Pig Tribe and hadn't even had time to withdraw completely when they arrived."

He put down the meat, wiped the grease off his hands, and a hint of lingering fear flashed in his eyes. "We fought a battle outside the White Pig Tribe. We... lost."

Despite having a premonition, Xueshou and Duzhu were still taken aback. They'd never fought them before?

"There are a lot of them?" Xueshou pressed.

"Not many!" the Duyan beside him couldn't help but interject, his tone filled with resentment and a hint of barely concealed fear. "Fewer than us! Probably only a little over a hundred!"

"How could that be...?" the Duzhu asked, puzzled.

"Amazing!" Shichui Hammer uttered in a deep voice, pointing to several new scars on his body. "Their warriors were dressed like hedgehogs (referring to rattan armor), their shields were better than ours, their weapons were newer, better, and more complete, they were stronger, and their teamwork was better! Our people not only had many new recruits, but their weapons and equipment were also much worse... We didn't win."

Yexiao added, still shaken, "The key is those leaders... Jianshi... they're inhuman! Even the four of us together," he pointed to Xueya, Shichui, Duyan, and himself, "Could only barely hold them off, we couldn't even get close! And his son, Flame, so young, but incredibly ruthless!"

The Tujiu didn't speak, but silently raised its still-bandaged arm.

Several leaders who had personally experienced the battle recounted the details of the fight, especially the inhuman bravery of Jianshi and the formidable fighting prowess of the Fire Tribe warriors. Xueshou and Duzhu listened with expressions of utter shock.

"So... the Fire Tribe is now even more difficult to deal with than the Fish Tribe?" Xueshou's voice was a little dry.

"At least they're no worse than the Fish Tribe!" Xueya affirmed, taking another swig of goat milk. "In the water, the Fish Tribe is king. But on land, especially in a head-on clash... I now think the Fire Tribe is tougher!"

A brief silence fell over the cave, broken only by the crackling of the firewood. The threat posed by the Fire Tribe was far greater than they had anticipated.

"However, we didn't lose everything." Xueya broke the silence, a fierce glint in his eyes. "On the way back, we slaughtered those three small tribes that were flirting with the Fire Tribe, and also took five or six other small tribes hostage, bringing back over five hundred people, including about a hundred capable fighters. We also stole some grain. We've almost made up for the manpower we lost."

Hearing this, Xueshou and Duzhu's expressions softened somewhat. As long as the population and food supplies could be replenished, the Wolf Tribe would remain the same hungry wolves.

"Brother, what do we do next?" Xueshou asked. "What about the Fire Tribe...?"

Xueya waved his hand, a clear look of apprehension on his face. "The Fire Tribe... we can't touch them for now. That bone is too hard; we can't gnaw on it, and it'll break our teeth." He paused, a calculating glint in his eyes returning. "Let's rest for a month! Let the newcomers familiarize themselves with the rules, and let our own people catch their breath."

He leaned forward and lowered his voice. "A month later, we'll change direction! Head north, to the outskirts of the Horse Tribe's territory!"

"The outer perimeter of the Horse Tribe's territory?" Xueshou's eyes lit up.

"Yes!" Xueya nodded. "We were able to escape this time thanks to these ponies! These things are much faster than a human on plains and gentle slopes, and they have great stamina! They're great for chasing enemies or escaping! The smaller Horse Tribe over there also have some ponies. We won't go to the core territory of the Horse Tribe; we'll just wander around their outskirts and target those small settlements or lone ponies! Steal what we can, trade for what we can, and bring back as many horses as possible!"

This suggestion was immediately approved by leaders such as Shichui and Duyan. This experience of retreat made them deeply realize the importance of mobility.

"Great! Let's do it this way!" Xueshou exclaimed excitedly. "With more horses, we'll be as swift as the wind, making us much more agile in raiding or dealing with the Fire Tribe and the Fish Tribe!"

"Hmm." Xueya leaned back on the stone seat, his eyes fixed on the cave entrance with a sinister gaze, as if they could pierce through the mountain rocks and see into the distant south. "Fire Tribe... I'll let you be smug for now. Once I've gathered enough horses and recovered my strength... we'll settle our score slowly!"