Coercion and Bloodshed

As the sun set, it dyed the entire sky a dark red, like blood. In the Yellow Pear Tribe's camp, the campfire burned brightly. In the largest wooden hut, there was a rough long table piled high with food—roasted mutton, stewed pork, hot rice, wild vegetable soup, and several jars of stolen fruit wine.

Xueya sat in the main seat, eating meat and drinking wine heartily. Beside him, a young woman was carefully pouring wine for him, her hands trembling. Some wine spilled and splattered on the table. Xueya glanced at her but didn't say anything. The woman turned pale with fright and immediately knelt down, her forehead pressed to the ground, her whole body shaking.

"Get up," Xueya said calmly. The woman trembled as she stood up, stepped aside, and dared not approach again.

Xueshou and Yexiao sat at the lower end of the table, each with a young woman serving them. Xueshou had his arm around one of the women, who sat stiffly, not daring to move. The woman next to Yexiao was slightly calmer, but her face was still frighteningly pale.

The Duzhu sat in the corner, next to a young boy who looked to be no more than fifteen years old. The boy was handsome and had his head down, trembling all over. The Duzhu reached out and pinched the boy's chin, lifting his face up to examine him closely. The boy's eyes were filled with fear, but he dared not look away.

"Not bad." The Duzhu nodded in satisfaction and pulled him to its side.

The wooden hut was filled with the smell of wine and meat, as well as a faint stench of blood, wafting in from outside. In the camp, the Wolf Tribe warriors gathered around the fire in twos and threes, talking and laughing loudly, eating and drinking recklessly. The young women of the Yellow Pear Tribe, who were locked in the thatched huts, had gradually quieted down their crying, probably because they were tired of crying, or perhaps they had resigned themselves to their fate.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Xueya raised his hand to signal the young women to leave. The women, feeling as if they had been granted a pardon, quickly retreated. Poison Duzhu also waved for the boy to leave, leaving only Xueya, Xueshou, Yexiao, and Duzhu in the cabin.

The firewood in the hearth was burning brightly, and the firelight reflected on everyone's faces, illuminating excited yet fierce expressions. Yexiao spoke first. He was a cautious man who always carefully analyzed things before taking action. At this moment, he had a smile on his face, but his eyes were very calm.

"Chief, our operation this time was very clean; not a single person escaped. This will be very beneficial for our subsequent operations."

Xueshou laughed and spoke up, his voice rough and smug. "Brother, after these three raids, the brothers' morale has finally returned! Now everyone feels that our Wolf Tribe will soon regain its former glory!"

Duzhu also put down her wine glass, a satisfied smile on her face. Although she was a woman, she was more ruthless than most men. Over the years, following Xueya, her hands were stained with just as much blood as anyone else's. "We had a good haul this time," she said, counting on her fingers, "About a hundred ponies, a hundred cattle, a hundred pigs, several hundred sheep, and a good amount of grain. That's enough to feed all of us for a year."

Hearing this good news, Xueya smiled, picked up his wine bowl, took a big gulp, and wiped his mouth.

"Now that our morale is high, there's no need to indiscriminately attack these tribes." He put down his wine bowl, his tone becoming serious. "Our most important task now is to rapidly increase our strength."

He stood up and walked to the simple animal skin map hanging on the wall. This map was what they had gathered over the past few days. It was roughly drawn, but it could roughly show the distribution of tribes in this area.

"We are currently between the Great Boulder Tribe and the Great Luwei Tribe. Both tribes have six or seven thousand people, and with their affiliated tribes, these two large tribes can muster at least two thousand warriors. Although they cannot send out their entire force, it is not difficult for them to send more than a thousand."

He turned around, looked at the three of them, and said, "Our Wolf Tribe only has less than a hundred people right now. Once they realize what's happening, we'll be in trouble."

Xueshou and Yexiao exchanged a glance, both seeing seriousness in each other's eyes. Duzhu also put away his smile and listened attentively.

"So," Xueya pointed to an area in the east of the map, "Our Wolf Tribe's next goal is to immediately expand our strength and quickly grow Wolf Tribe warriors to five hundred to a thousand. As long as we have about a thousand men, we won't have to hide anymore."

He paused, a fierce glint in his eyes, and said, "Even if our Wolf Tribe isn't their match, our defense should be fine. As long as we hold our ground for a while and train the new recruits well, we can grow even stronger. That will be the time for us to cause trouble for those two large tribes!"

Xueshou was thrilled and slapped his thigh, exclaiming, "Big Brother! So, what's our next step?"

Xueya walked back to his seat and slowly said, "Although the large tribes in the lower reaches of the Fish River are relatively wealthy, the small tribes with only a hundred or so people are struggling to make ends meet. We don't have many people right now, and the larger tribes may not be willing to follow us, and we would have difficulty assimilating them. On the contrary, these small tribes are our best target at the moment."

He pointed to the east on the map and said, "Those fertile areas have all been occupied by the larger tribes. If we go east, the land there is relatively barren, and water resources are scarce. The larger tribes don't want it, but many small tribes are scattered there."

Yexiao Owl nodded, his eyes gleaming, and said, "That area is a power vacuum between the Great Luwei Tribe and the Great Boulder Tribe. Even if we cause some trouble, they won't care too much."

Xueya laughed and said, "Yes, you guys get ready first. We'll set off first thing tomorrow morning. Our first target is the Mound Tribe. They're about two sunsets away from here, and their population is only about a hundred people. They're exactly the kind of people we want to take down."

The three answered in unison, "Yes!"

Before dawn, the Mound Tribe's camp was still shrouded in morning mist. Dozens of thatched huts and wooden houses were scattered on the gentle slope, quiet except for the occasional crowing of a rooster. Xueya led the Wolf Tribe to the camp entrance without making a sound. With a wave of his hand, ninety warriors rushed into the camp like ghosts. Screams, cries, and shouts instantly shattered the morning tranquility.

Many people from the Mound Tribe were awakened from their sleep. Some were pinned to the ground before they could even react, while others grabbed their weapons to resist. But when they saw the fierce-looking Wolf Tribe warriors, they were so frightened that they dropped their weapons. In less than a quarter of an hour, the entire camp was under the control of Xueya and his men.

More than twenty young men were herded together, squatted on the ground, covered their heads with their hands, and trembled. Their leader, Daqiu, was brought before Xueya. He was a middle-aged man in his forties, with a lean build. At this moment, his face was pale and his legs were shaking.

He forced himself to stand up, his voice trembling, and said, "Fellow warriors... I am Daqiu, the chief of the Mound Tribe. May I ask what brings you all here? Our Mound Tribe has failed to provide adequate hospitality, and we apologize in advance!"

Upon hearing this, Xueya and several other leaders burst into laughter, their laughter echoing jarringly through the camp in the early morning.

After laughing, Xueya slowly spoke, "We are from the Wolf Tribe in the south. We came here because we are heartbroken to see our brothers toiling away all year round, barely able to feed themselves."

He approached the Daqiu, looking down at him, and said, "Our Wolf Tribe has a great way to make money, so we've come to invite you brothers to join us. I guarantee that as long as you work hard with us, you'll have no problem making a living, and you can even have a big feast occasionally."

Daqiu's heart skipped a beat as he looked at the dried bloodstains on Xueya's body. Of course, he didn't believe it. What kind of way to get rich? It was clearly... But he dared not question it. The lives of his people were now in these people's hands, so he could only brace himself and cautiously ask, "I... I wonder what kind of way to get rich this chief is talking about?"

Xueya laughed, a smile that looked particularly sinister in the morning light, "You'll find out what it is once you follow us. First, have a good meal."

With a wave of his hand, Duzhu led his men to move the supplies looted from the other three tribes into the camp. Some sheep and pigs were brought out to be slaughtered, and the grain was moved into the warehouse. The people of the Mound Tribe looked at the supplies that were still stained with blood, full of doubts, but under the pressure of the blade, they could only bite the bullet and start cooking.

Around noon, the meat was roasted and the rice was cooked. The able-bodied men of the Mound Tribe were forced to sit down and eat. At first, they didn't dare to move, but when they smelled the aroma of the meat and their stomachs rumbled, they couldn't help but start eating. After taking a bite of meat, their eyes lit up. Many of them hadn't eaten such good food in a long time.

Xueya sat to the side, watching these people wolf down their food, a smile appearing on his lips. "Eat up. After you're done eating, it'll be time to get back to work."

After finishing his meal, Xueya stood up and said, "Duzhu, you stay in the Mound Tribe to guard the supplies and prisoners, and take twenty brothers to guard this place."

The Duzhu nodded and said, "Understood."

Xueya looked at the able-bodied men of the Mound Tribe and said, "You people, come with us."

More than twenty able-bodied men from the Mound Tribe were herded up and followed more than seventy Wolf Tribe warriors on horseback toward their next destination. Some of the men were terrified, some were bewildered, and some even had a hint of anticipation in their eyes—the meat they had just eaten was indeed delicious.

As evening fell, the camp of the White Mist Tribe came into view. This tribe consisted of only about a hundred people, with dozens of thatched huts scattered at the foot of the mountain, and wisps of smoke rising from their chimneys.

Xueya reined in his horse, bringing the group to a stop, and ordered, "Let's hide and rest for now, and make our move at daybreak tomorrow."

As dawn broke, the Wolf Tribe warriors stormed into the White Mist Tribe's camp. Many White Mist Tribe members were still asleep and had no time to react before more than twenty able-bodied men were dragged out of their thatched huts! In just five days, Xueya and his men swept through five small tribes of about a hundred people each. In each tribe, they used the same method—controlling, coercing, and taking away the able-bodied men. All five tribes and more than a hundred able-bodied men were incorporated into the Wolf Tribe.

The Wolf Tribe's group grew from less than a hundred people to about two hundred. On the sixth day, they arrived at the Cowhide Tribe, which was larger than the previous ones, with more than one hundred and fifty people, including more than thirty able-bodied men. Their camp was built on a high ground, surrounded by a wooden fence, and looked quite impressive.

Xueya observed for a while and was about to order an attack when dozens of people suddenly rushed out of the camp, armed with weapons, and lined up in a row. The leader was a middle-aged man, burly and with a face full of scars. He was Zhuangniu, the leader of the Cowhide Tribe. He stood at the front, holding a Shifu, and glared at Xueya.

"Who are you people? How dare you cause trouble in our Cowhide Tribe!"

Xueya sneered and waved his hand. "Kill!"

The Wolf Tribe warriors surged forward like a tide. Although the able-bodied men of the Cowhide Tribe fought back fiercely, they were no match for these ferocious enemies. In less than two rounds, more than thirty able-bodied men were cut down, and Zhuangniu was pinned to the ground by several Wolf Tribe warriors, covered in blood and unable to move.

The battle ended, and the Cowhide Tribe's camp was brought under control. The old people and children were herded together, the young women were singled out, the Zhuangniu were brought before Xueya, and Daqiu was also summoned.

Xueya looked at the Daqiu and suddenly asked, "This Cowhide Tribe seems a little different from other tribes, doesn't it?"

Daqiu's expression changed. After hesitating for a moment, he still said, "The eldest daughter of Zhuang Zhuangniu, the chief of the Cowhide Tribe, was married to the eldest son of the second elder of the Great Boulder Tribe..."

Xueya, far from being worried, laughed and said, "No wonder you're so arrogant. Isn't that even better? I was just worried about not finding someone to operate on, and now one has come knocking on my door so quickly."

He looked at Daqiu with a meaningful gaze and said, "Daqiu, this Cowhide Tribe must have been very arrogant around here before. Today is your chance to vent your anger. Go and chop down this ignorant Zhuangniu."

He drew a bone knife from his waist and handed it to him. The hilt was still stained with blood. Daqiu's hand trembled as he took the knife. His hand was shaking, and the tip of the knife was also trembling. He dared not look into Zhuangniu's eyes, nor into Xueya's eyes. He stood there, like a piece of wood.

Xueshou, growing impatient, shouted, "You want to know what the Wolf Tribe does? We're a tribe that raids everywhere! Our way to get rich is through plunder! Today is the day you see blood!"

He walked up to Daqiu, grabbed him by the collar, and dragged him in front of Zhuangniu.

"Wait, everyone in the Cowhide Tribe here will be slaughtered! If you don't dare to do it, you and your tribe will suffer the same fate! Follow our Wolf Tribe and you'll eat meat and drink wine to your heart's content! Those who don't follow our Wolf Tribe will suffer the same fate as these Cowhide Tribe people!"

Daqiu trembled with fear. He turned his head and saw the Wolf Tribe warriors surrounding him menacingly, their knives dripping with blood. He then looked at the able-bodied men of his own tribe staring at him in terror. Daqiu knew he had no choice.

He closed his eyes, gritted his teeth, and plunged the bone knife into the Zhuangniu's chest. The Zhuangniu let out a miserable cry, but didn't die. Its eyes widened, and it cursed, "Daqiu! You dog! The Great Boulder Tribe will not let you get away with this! You will all die!"

Daqiu was so frightened that his hand went limp, and he almost dropped his knife. Xueya his hand, and the other four tribal leaders who had been coerced were also forced forward by Yexiao. Each of them held a knife in his hand. They trembled and, under Yexiao's coercion, hacked at Zhuangniu's body with their knives.

One cut, two cuts, three cuts... Zhuangniu's curses grew weaker and weaker, finally turning into groans, then silence. He fell into a pool of blood, his eyes still open, dying with unresolved grievances! Xueya nodded in satisfaction. He looked at the young men who had been dragged along. Some were trembling, some were retching, and some had pale faces and empty eyes.

"It's not over yet," Xueya said coldly. "Kill the old and young of the Cowhide Tribe."

The able-bodied men were stunned. Kill the old and young? Kill those who couldn't resist?

"Attack!" Xueshou shouted.

Forced by the Wolf Tribe warriors' blades, the young men finally raised their weapons, trembling. The first strike was the hardest; some closed their eyes and slashed wildly, warm blood splattering on their faces, and some couldn't help but gag. But with the second, the third... they gradually became numb.

Screams, cries, and pleas for mercy echoed in the air. Xueya watched all this indifferently, his heart unmoved. He knew this step was necessary! Only by letting these newcomers shed blood with their own hands would they completely give up any thought of turning back and truly become part of the Wolf Tribe.

Around noon, the massacre ended. The camp of the Cowhide Tribe was littered with corpses. Some of the newly captured young men slumped on the ground, their eyes glazed and their bodies trembling. Some held their heads and wept. Some knelt on the ground and retched. Some stared blankly at their blood-stained hands, as if they did not recognize them as their own.

Xueya ordered that all the looted grain and meat be laid out so that everyone could have a good meal. The meat was roasted and the wine was brought out. The newcomers were forced to sit down and eat by the Wolf Tribe warrior Blade. At first, they couldn't eat much, but when they smelled the aroma of the meat and their stomachs rumbled, they couldn't help but start eating. After taking a bite of meat, their eyes lit up.

Xueya picked out a dozen or so promising new recruits and sent them to vent their frustrations on the young women of the Cowhide Tribe. The dozen or so hesitated for a moment, but under the instigation of the Wolf Tribe veterans, they went anyway. When they returned, their eyes had changed; they were no longer filled with fear and confusion, but with a ferocity and greed like wild beasts.

Xueya looked at them and nodded in satisfaction. These people were beginning to show the aura of the Wolf Tribe warriors. He stood up and looked towards the east, where there were more small tribes, more able-bodied men, and more supplies. The Wolf Tribe would soon rise again!