Seeking Aid Again
The urgent report brought by the messenger from the Pottery Salt Tribe was like two Jushi thrown into a calm pond, stirring up completely different waves in the Hundred Crafts Tribe and the Beast Taming Tribe.
When the messenger rushed into the bustling camp of the Hundred Crafts Tribe, Chief Wu Xiong and the First Warrior Kaishan were inspecting a batch of newly forged Shimao. When he heard the news that "more than four hundred people from the Wolf Tribe are heading straight for the Pottery Salt Tribe," Wu Xiong's usually arrogant expression suddenly changed, and the Shimao in his hand fell to the ground with a "clang."
"Four hundred men?!" Wu Xiong's voice was sharp with disbelief. Last year, the Wolf Tribe launched a full-scale attack on the Pottery Salt Tribe, but only one hundred and twenty men were deployed. How long has it been? In just one year, the Wolf Tribe's military strength has more than tripled! This rate of expansion made even the leader, who considered himself the strongest in the surrounding area after the Fish Tribe, feel a chill run down his spine.
He forced himself to calm down, but the seriousness in his eyes lingered. "What did Jia Li say? What preparations has he made?" Wu Xiong pressed for details, his voice low.
The messenger quickly replied, "Our chief has mobilized all two hundred warriors to hold their ground in the fortifications! He has also dispatched messengers to request aid from your tribe, the Beast Taming Tribe, and the Fish Tribe downstream! The chief promises that if the Wolf Tribe is defeated, the previously promised reward will be doubled!"
Upon hearing that Jia Li had not only prepared his own troops but also sought assistance from the Beast Taming and Fish Tribe, Wu Xiong's expression softened slightly. He might hesitate to fight alone, but the situation would be different if several forces joined together.
Kaishan, who was standing nearby, couldn't contain himself any longer. He had benefited greatly from participating in the allied forces' victory over the Wolf Tribe last time. Now, hearing that the Wolf Tribe had returned, he was not afraid at all; on the contrary, his eyes lit up, and he rubbed his hands together, saying, "Chief! What's there to be afraid of! Last time, we beat Xueya so badly that he ran away with his tail between his legs. Even if we have more people this time, the men of our Hundred Crafts Tribe are not to be trifled with! Chief Jia Li is a true friend; we can't stand idly by! Let me lead the troops, and I'll make sure those wolf cubs don't come back alive!"
Kaishan's bravery and fighting spirit inspired many of the soldiers present, who clamored to join the battle.
Wu Xiong quickly calculated in his mind: Should he not send troops? If the Pottery Salt Tribe were destroyed, the Wolf Tribe's power would inevitably surge, and their next target might very well be the Hundred Crafts Tribe. Moreover, it would severely damage the Hundred Crafts Tribe's reputation for "bravery and trustworthiness," making it impossible for them to hold their heads high among the surrounding tribes in the future. Should he send troops? The risks were there, but if they could defeat the Wolf Tribe again, they would not only gain substantial immediate rewards but also solidify the Hundred Crafts Tribe's position as a regional power, deterring other potential rivals. Jia Li's simultaneous request for aid from the Fish Tribe also increased their chances of victory.
Weighing the pros and cons, especially considering the odds of victory and the potential long-term benefits of an allied war, Wu Xiong quickly made his decision. He slammed his hand on the wooden table in front of him and said in a deep voice, "Kaishan is right! The Wolf Tribe is arrogant and treats our Hundred Crafts Tribe as nothing! We were able to defeat them last time, and we can do it again this time! Kaishan!"
"Exist!"
"Immediately gather one hundred of your most elite warriors, take your best equipment, and set off to reinforce the Pottery Salt Tribe! Remember, upon arrival, you are to be under the unified command of Chief Jia Li, and you must demonstrate the might of our Hundred Crafts Tribe!"
"Yes! Don't worry, Chief!" Kaishan excitedly accepted the order and turned to muster the troops. The camp of the Hundred Crafts Tribe immediately resounded with the sound of horns signaling the start of the assembly and the clanging of metal.
Meanwhile, another messenger carrying almost the same message rushed into the Beast Taming Tribe, which was filled with the smell of livestock. Chief Muye and his warrior Liequan were discussing this year's livestock breeding and trading.
Upon hearing the news that "more than four hundred members of the Wolf Tribe are attacking," Muye's face turned pale instantly, and the bone cup in his hand slipped from his grasp, spilling water all over the floor. He had long heard from various sources that the Wolf Tribe's strength had greatly increased, and he had been on tenterhooks all along, but when this terrifying number was actually right in front of him, fear still gripped him instantly.
The messenger urgently recounted Jia Li's plea for help and the various benefits and rewards promised. But Muye listened silently, his eyes darting around, his fingers unconsciously tapping the table, clearly torn between his inner turmoil. Although the other leaders, including the Liequan, also looked worried, seeing their leader's hesitation, they didn't say anything more.
The messenger, seeing that he had almost talked himself hoarse but Muye still hadn't given a response, grew increasingly anxious. He knew that before coming, Chief Jia Li had repeatedly warned him not to say those words unless absolutely necessary, because it was almost a form of "moral blackmail" and a risky arrangement. But now, the hesitation of the Beast Taming Tribe might cause the entire rescue operation to fail.
The messenger gritted his teeth, then knelt on one knee with a thud, his voice trembling with tears and determination. "Chief of Muye! Fellow chieftains! Please hear me out! The Wolf Tribe is notorious for its ferocity and vengefulness! Last time, several tribes joined forces to repel them, and the Beast Taming Tribe also contributed! That madman Xueya will never forget this debt! Today they come to attack the Pottery Salt Tribe. If they succeed and taste the Tiantou of victory, they will become even stronger and more arrogant! Tomorrow, the day after, who will their swords be pointed at? The Hundred Crafts? Or... our Beast Taming Tribe?!"
He raised his head, looking directly into Muye's terrified eyes. "Our chief Jia Li asked me to convey a message: if the Beast Taming Tribe is willing to lend a helping hand today and jointly repel the wolves, from this day forward, the Beast Taming Tribe will be a brother of the Pottery Salt Tribe, sharing life and death! If the Wolf Tribe dares to invade the Beast Taming Tribe in the future, our Pottery Salt Tribe will definitely do everything in its power to come to our rescue at the first opportunity! This promise is witnessed by heaven and earth!"
These words were like a cold key, unlocking the floodgates of Muye's deepest fears. Yes, the Wolf Tribe would remember every enemy. You might dodge the first day, but you couldn't dodge the fifteenth. If you stood idly by today, you might be left isolated and helpless tomorrow!
The Liequan couldn't hold back any longer and stepped forward, saying, "Chief! The messenger is right! Wolf cubs are never satisfied! If we don't teach them a lesson today, they'll come back to bite us tomorrow! We can't just watch the Pottery Salt Tribe be wiped out!"
The other high-ranking officials chimed in, "Yes, leader, if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold!"
"Chief Jia Li's promises are worth believing!"
"Let's send troops!"
Looking at the anxious eyes of Muye men and listening to the messenger's earnest vows, and thinking of the Wolf Tribe's bloody and cruel reputation and its ever-growing strength, the last bit of hope and hesitation in his heart was completely crushed by immense fear and helplessness. He closed his eyes in pain and let out a long sigh, as if he had used up all his strength.
"That's enough..." Muye's voice was hoarse and weary. He opened his eyes and looked at the Liequan. "Liequan, you participated last time, so you know the Wolf Tribe's methods and ferocity even better. You... you gather eighty warriors and set off immediately for the Pottery Salt Tribe!"
He then turned to the messenger, his gaze complex. "Go back and tell Chief Jia Li that our Beast Taming Tribe sent troops today because we believed his words, and also to fight for a way out for our tribe's future. We hope he... will not forget his promise made today."
The messenger, feeling as if granted a pardon, kowtowed repeatedly. "Chief Muye is truly righteous! I will deliver your words without fail! The Pottery Salt Tribe will never forget the Beast Taming Tribe's kindness in helping us today!"
Soon, the Liequan had gathered eighty warriors from the Beast Taming Tribe, most of whom were skilled at using Liequan in coordinated combat. Once the team was assembled, the messenger went ahead to report the news, while the Liequan led the team on their way to support the Pottery Salt Tribe.