Coercing the Small Tribes

In the wolf den of High Pointed Mountain, the indulgence and commotion that had lasted for more than ten days finally subsided. The stored supplies had been largely depleted, and the warriors' energy had been released in their frenzied outburst. After the initial euphoria and bestial desires were satisfied, what remained was a yearning for more plunder, greater strength, and a touch of boredom.

Xueya felt it was time, so he summoned his core leaders again— Duyan, Shichui, Yexiao, and Tujiu. Xueshou and Duzhu were left behind to guard the mountain of supplies, the large number of prisoners, and the young foals that had not yet grown up in the High Pointed Mountain lair.

"Enough playing around, time to get down to business." Xueya's voice was hoarse, but his eyes were unusually sharp. "It's time to try the method we agreed on last time. Those little tribes in the west that dart around like rabbits are our first target."

He looked at Yexiao and Tujiu: "You came up with the plan, and you'll be the ones assisting this time. Duyan and Shichui will lead the attack, and I'll personally lead the team."

This time, Xueya spared no expense. He gathered almost all the adult ponies of the Wolf Tribe, leaving less than ten in the lair for emergencies, and using the remaining hundred or so to arm the expeditionary force. With the horses newly seized from the north, he barely managed to assemble a cavalry force of about one hundred men, plus three hundred of the fiercest and most experienced infantrymen, for a total force of about four hundred men, who assembled at the foot of High Pointed Mountain.

"Brothers!"

Xueya, riding atop the most magnificent ponies, surveyed the ranks and shouted:

"This time, we're not just going out to plunder! We're going to take all those small tribes to the west under our control! We'll make them our dogs, their dogs, and make them bite for us! From now on, if our Wolf Tribe says go east, they won't dare go west! If we want to attack someone, they'll be the first to charge! Do you understand?"

"Understood, leader!" the four hundred men shouted in unison, their voices echoing through the mountains and forests.

Xueya was satisfied. He cracked his whip, pointing west. "Let's go!"

The caravan, like a greedy black river, left the shadow of the High Pointed Mountain and surged westward toward the area scattered with numerous small tribes. Xueya, riding his horse, sneered inwardly. In the past, these small tribes in the west would immediately flee with their families at the mere sight of the Wolf Tribe's caravan, disappearing into the mountains and ravines, making them very difficult to find. Now, with over a hundred cavalrymen, let's see where they can run now!

A few days later, the team arrived near their first target—a small settlement called "White Stone Tribe." The tribe had a population of about 150, with about 30 warriors. They mainly lived by hunting and gathering, occasionally engaging in some farming, and their lives were very difficult.

Previously, the White Stone Tribe's lookouts would spot the Wolf Tribe's infantry before they even got close, and the entire tribe would quickly pack up their meager belongings and disappear without a trace into the nearby complex forests. But this time, the situation is different.

The cavalry led by the Tujiu had already dispersed, spreading out like a wide net. When the small hunting teams of the White Stone Tribe discovered the large army approaching from afar, they panicked and ran back to the tribe to report the news and prepare to lead their people to relocate. However, when they were about to run away, they found that no matter which direction they ran, Wolf Tribe warriors on horseback were there to block their way, forcing them back to the White Stone Tribe's camp like sheep.

Not long after, Xueya led his main force, appearing in a grand procession at the entrance of the White Stone Tribe's camp. The White Stone Tribe's leader, a man in his early thirties named Baiyan, was deathly pale. Suppressing his fear, he led twenty or thirty equally trembling tribesmen to the outer perimeter of the camp. Addressing Xueya, who was mounted on horseback, he raised his voice and asked, "Chief Bloodfang... Chief Xueya, our White Stone Tribe has always been peaceful and honest. May I ask what brings you here today?"

Xueya, mounted on his horse, looked down at him, exchanged a glance with Duyan and Shichui beside him, and the group burst into arrogant laughter at the same time.

After laughing for a while, Xueya stopped and said in a "I'm very reasonable" tone, "Chief Baiyan, don't be nervous. We're not here for anything serious. It's just that our Wolf Tribe has recently discovered a good route, but we're a bit short-handed. We've heard that the warriors of your White Stone Tribe are quite capable, so we've come to invite you to join us in this 'good deed.' You'll definitely get your share of the rewards after it's done!"

Then, following the Yexiao's instructions, he began to "explain" in detail: it was nothing more than that they had discovered a certain tribe was relatively wealthy, but its defenses were lax, and the Wolf Tribe planned to "borrow" some things, hoping that the White Stone Tribe could send some strong young warriors to "help." Of course, it was only "help," and the White Stone Tribe would "get their share" of what they stole, and so on.

The Baiyan chieftain was dumbfounded, his heart growing colder with each word. This wasn't an invitation; it was clearly forcing them to become bandits, to plunder other tribes! Once they did such a thing, the White Stone Tribe would be irreversible, becoming the object of contempt and hatred from all other tribes!

He shook his head repeatedly in fright, almost crying, "Chief Xueya, we appreciate your kindness! But our tribe is small, with few people, and we're too timid to participate in such a serious matter. Although we are poor, our people are hardworking; they hunt and gather fruit, and we can barely make a living. We won't trouble you any further..."

Before he could finish speaking, Shichui roared impatiently, his voice like thunder. "Bullshit! You shameless bastard! The chief is being kind to you, that's giving you face! And you dare to make excuses?"

Xueya's face instantly darkened. He dropped his pretense and roared at the leaders around him, "Brothers! It seems the White Stone Tribe doesn't know what's good for them! Wipe them out! As for Baiyan, leave him alive; I still have a use for him!"

"Kill!" The Wolf Tribe leaders, who had been waiting impatiently, responded in unison, grinning maliciously as they urged their men to unleash a massacre.

The thirty or so warriors of the White Stone Tribe, armed with rudimentary weapons, were like leaves in Kuangfeng before hundreds of ferocious enemies. With a single charge, their formation was completely shattered, and what followed was a slaughter without any suspense.

Screams, cries, the sounds of weapons piercing flesh, the crackling of houses being set ablaze... instantly filled the entire White Stone Tribe. Resistance quickly crumbled, followed by one-sided slaughter. Young and strong men who tried to resist were prioritized for being cut down, while the elderly and children were caught and killed while fleeing. Only a few young women were deliberately spared, but their fate was more tragic than death; they were soon dragged into the shadows of the ruins, enduring inhuman humiliation.

The battle, or rather the massacre, ended quickly, leaving behind a heavy smell of blood and burnt flesh.

Duyan, carrying a still-dripping Shifu, led several of his men and dragged the wounded and dying Baiyan to Xueya Horse like a dead dog. Baiyan's leg seemed to be broken, his face was a bloody mess, and his mouth was slightly open, but he could only make hoarse gasps and could not speak.

"Chief, this old bastard still has some strength. He fought back and injured two of our brothers. What should we do now?" Duyan asked.

Xueya looked at the Baiyan on the ground, which resembled mud, a cruel pleasure spreading across his face. He didn't answer immediately, but turned to the other leaders beside him and ordered, "Shichui, you take fifty brothers and stay here. Clean this place up. Take everything you can, and burn what you can't! Tie up the women too, and take them with you later. After that, meet us at the next location."

Shichui Hammer grinned. "Don't worry, Chief! I'll make sure everything is spotless!"

Xueya then looked again at the dying Baiyan on the ground, a cold glint in his eyes. "Take him with us, let's go! To the next place— White Creek Tribe!"

The group set off again, with over three hundred people escorting the dying Baiyan towards the White Creek Tribe not far away. The small tribes in this area were more densely distributed and slightly larger than those in the upper reaches of the Fish River, but they still posed no threat to the Wolf Tribe.

In the afternoon, Xueya's forces approached the settlement of the White Creek Tribe. The Tujiu's cavalry once again proved effective, driving all the White Creek Tribe members who were out working or on guard duty back to their camp.

The White Creek Tribe was similar in size to the White Stone Tribe, with about 150 people. Their leader was a man around forty years old. When he saw the hundreds of people approaching from afar, and then saw the familiar figure on horseback with a hideous scar on his face, his heart sank to the bottom. But he had no choice but to steel himself and lead about thirty equally pale-faced warriors from his tribe to the edge of the camp. Standing a short distance away, he called out loudly, "Chief Xueya! May I ask... may I ask what good news you have brought to our White Creek Tribe with so many people?"

This time, Xueya skipped the formalities and, mounted on his horse, repeated his invitation (actually a coercion) to "get rich" together. Finally, he "kindly" added, "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Follow our Wolf Tribe, and you'll live the high life!"

The chief of the White Creek Tribe listened, his expression shifting rapidly. He knew perfectly well what this meant, and he was extremely unwilling. He hesitated, trying to stall. "Chief Xueya... this matter is of great importance, I... I need to discuss it with the elders of the tribe..."

"Discuss?" Xueya sneered, completely losing his patience. Too lazy to waste words, he simply waved his hand. "Bring that ungrateful bastard up here!"

Two Wolf Tribe warriors immediately dragged the dying, sack-like Baishi chieftain Baiyan, to the front of the battle line and threw him onto the open ground between the two armies.

Xueya pointed his whip at the Baiyan on the ground, his voice cold and cruel, clearly reaching the ears of every member of the White Creek Tribe tribe. "See that? That's Baiyan, the leader of the White Stone Tribe! They lived nearby, you should know them, right? Our Wolf Tribe kindly invited them to get rich together, but they refused. Now, the White Stone Tribe has been wiped out by our Wolf Tribe! This is what happens when you disagree with us!"

After saying that, he gave the Duyan a fierce look.

The Duyan understood, grinned maliciously, stepped forward, swung his heavy Shifu, and, under the horrified gazes of everyone, slammed it down on Baiyan's neck!

"Pfft!"

Blood gushed out! Baiyan's mutilated body convulsed violently a few times before becoming completely still. His head was almost separated from his body, and the scarlet blood quickly stained the ground beneath him.

This sudden and extremely brutal scene struck the hearts of every member of the White Creek Tribe like a heavy hammer.

"Ah--!" someone screamed shrilly.

"Ugh..." Someone bent over and started dry heaving.

Many more collapsed to the ground, their legs giving way beneath them, their faces ashen, their bodies trembling like leaves in the wind. Several soldiers at the front even dropped their weapons.

Xueya spurred his warhorse forward, its hooves almost trampling the face of the limp White Creek Tribe chief. He leaned down, his voice as cold as the winds of the underworld. "Now, tell me. Do you agree to join us, or do you want to disagree like him?"

The leader of the White Creek Tribe raised his head, looking into Xueya's emotionless eyes, then glanced at the gruesome corpse and the glaring blood not far away. Boundless fear completely overwhelmed him. He knew that refusal meant the extermination of his tribe; agreeing, though shameful and plunging the tribe into an abyss of no return, at least... meant survival for now.

His lips trembled, and with all his might, he forced out a few broken syllables from his throat. "We... agree... we... agree to join..."

After saying those words, he seemed to have all his soul and strength drained away. He collapsed to the ground, his eyes tightly closed, and suppressed, desperate sobs escaped his lips.

"Hahaha!" Xueya laughed loudly, his laughter filled with the joy of conquest.

"Hahaha!" Duyan, Shichui, Yexiao, Tujiu, and all the Wolf Tribe warriors around them also burst into wild laughter. Their laughter echoed across the land that had just witnessed the bloody massacre, sounding particularly jarring and terrifying. Then, Xueya led the Wolf Tribe to rest for a night in the White Creek Tribe, preparing to set off for their next target early the next morning.