The fall of the Great Black Stone Tribe

The next morning, before dawn, the Earth Root Tribe's camp was bustling with activity. Nearly two thousand people formed a dense, dark mass, stretching as far as the eye could see. Some were talking in hushed tones, some were laughing, and some were cursing and urging those around them to hurry up. After several days of continuous combat, these new recruits were no longer as timid as when they first arrived. Their eyes had changed, their movements were more agile, and they were beginning to show the bearing of veterans.

Xueya nodded, his gaze sweeping over the warriors, and shouted, "Move out!"

Nearly two thousand people left the Earth Root Tribe and headed towards the Great Black Stone Tribe. The group traveled along the mountain road, and two days later, at dusk, the Great Black Stone Tribe's camp came into view.

The Great Black Stone Tribe was built on a patch of black rock. It was a large tribe, on a completely different scale from the smaller tribes of a few hundred people that had been there before.

Xueya reined in his horse, raised his hand to signal it to stop, and his gaze swept across the camp and then over the surrounding terrain. He ordered Xueya and Yexiao to take their men into hiding. After Xueshou and Yexiao had arranged their men, they came to Xueya's side.

Xueshou spoke first, his voice low as if afraid of being overheard. "Brother, this Great Black Stone Tribe is the largest core subordinate tribe of the Great Boulder Tribe, with a population of over two thousand and nearly five hundred warriors. They have some strength. Should we still launch a sneak attack like before?" His brows were slightly furrowed, unlike his usual carefree demeanor.

Xueya nodded and said, "Yes, this Great Black Stone Tribe is quite powerful. Although we can annihilate them in one fell swoop with a frontal attack, we will also lose a lot of manpower due to their fierce resistance. These manpower are what we have worked hard to accumulate over this period of time. It would not be worth it to lose them for nothing. Every one that dies is one less, and it is not easy to replenish them."

He paused, then continued, "Moreover, a direct assault might result in some people escaping, making it even more unprofitable. If one or two escape, they might report back to the Great Rock, and if that happens, our subsequent operations will be in trouble. This time, our operation needs to be swift and decisive. We can still manage to take down one or two of the Great Rock 'Great Boulder Tribe six core subordinate tribes. These core subordinate tribes of the Great Rock will not submit to our Wolf Tribe; they are die-hards, the Great Rock's loyal lackeys. If we're going to strike, we must strike with deadly force, leaving no survivors, not a single one."

Yexiao nodded and said, "That's good. It will severely weaken the Great Boulder Tribe and completely cut off these new recruits' escape route. They killed the Great Rock Great Boulder Tribe's people, making them their mortal enemies. The Great Rock won't let them go. They have no choice but to follow our Wolf Tribe. If they follow us, they'll have a chance to survive."

Xueya nodded and said, "Yes, but this Great Black Stone Tribe has nearly five hundred warriors. We still need to make some plans. We can't be careless, or we'll suffer losses."

He pointed to the camp of the Great Black Stone Tribe, drew his finger in the air a few times, and said, "Tomorrow, you two will each lead eight hundred elite troops to launch a surprise attack on the Great Black Stone Tribe from both sides. Attack from both sides simultaneously, so they can't defend one side at a time. I will lead the remaining three hundred or so to guard the outside of the Great Black Stone Tribe camp to prevent anyone from escaping. Try not to let a single person escape this time. We will launch the surprise attack before dawn tomorrow."

Xueshou and Yexiao nodded and went to make their own arrangements. Xueshou walked up to his group of eight hundred men and gave them instructions in a low voice, barely audible. Yexiao was doing the same thing on the other side. The soldiers checked their weapons, fed their horses, gave them rations and water, and then leaned against tree trunks to rest with their eyes closed. No one spoke, except for the occasional snort from the horses, which was particularly clear in the quiet night.

Xueya leaned against a large tree, his eyes closed but not asleep. His ears were perked up, listening to the sounds around him. In the distance came the mournful, drawn-out hooting of owls, like the cries of a baby or the wails of a woman. His mind was racing, considering tomorrow's plan. The Great Black Stone Tribe, over two thousand strong, with nearly five hundred warriors. This was the largest tribe they had encountered since they set out. If they could defeat it, the Wolf Tribe's strength would rise significantly. If they failed, all their previous efforts would be in vain.

Early in the morning, Xueya opened his eyes, Xueya around, and looked at the warriors who were waking up.

"Get up! Get up! Prepare to attack!"

Xueshou and Yexiao immediately understood. They exchanged a glance and nodded. Xueshou drew his Shifu from his waist, weighing it in his hand; the axe was heavy. Yexiao also drew his weapon, and the two of them, each leading eight hundred elite troops, fiercely charged towards the Great Black Stone Tribe.

Xueya led the remaining three hundred-odd men, spreading out outside the camp to form a loose encirclement. Xueshou and Yexiao's cavalry quickly stormed into the Great Black Stone Tribe's camp. The Great Black Stone Tribe members awoke from their sleep. Unlike the people of the smaller tribes before them, they reacted faster and resisted more fiercely. However, most of their able-bodied men were still asleep, and less than a hundred men actually organized a resistance. These able-bodied men rushed out of the thatched huts, some carrying Shifu, some carrying wooden clubs, and some carrying bone knives, charging towards the Wolf Tribe's cavalry.

Xueshou led his men to meet them, swinging his Shifu and felling one with each blow. His eight hundred men followed behind him like a pack of hungry wolves, pouncing on the able-bodied men. In a single exchange, the able-bodied men were scattered; some were cut down, some were impaled, and some were trampled to death by horses' hooves. The rest turned and ran, only to be chased by the cavalry and cut down one by one.

Zhuangshi, the leader of the Great Black Stone Tribe, rushed out of the largest wooden house. He was burly and strong, even bigger than Xueshou. He held a bronze broadsword in his hand. The blade was wide and sharp, gleaming with a bluish-green light in the morning light. His eyes were bloodshot, as if he wanted to devour people. He brandished the broadsword and charged towards the Wolf Tribe's cavalry.

"I'll fight you to the death!" he roared, his voice like thunder, making everyone's ears ring.

With one slash, a Wolf Tribe warrior fell to the ground. With another slash, another warrior's arm was severed, and he screamed as he fell from his horse. With yet another slash, another warrior was cut down, a long gash opening in his chest, blood gushing out. He had cut down three Wolf Tribe warriors in succession. Zhuang Shi fought with Zhuangshi, like a mad bull, rampaging through the crowd.

Xueshou saw it, his eyes lit up, and he spurred his horse forward. Zhuangshi also saw him, brandishing his Zhuangshi to meet him. The two clashed, Shifu against bronze sword, the sounds of their blows ringing out. Zhuangshi was strong and his swordsmanship fierce, each strike accompanied by a whistling sound. Xueshou was no less formidable, his Shifu swinging, each move deadly. They fought for over a dozen rounds, neither gaining the upper hand. Xueshou feinted an Zhuangshi strike, Zhuangshi raised his sword to parry, Xueshou seized the opportunity to spur his horse to his side, cleaving his axe into Zhuangshi's shoulder. Zhuangshi screamed, his broadsword falling to the ground, and he collapsed. Several Wolf Tribe warriors rushed forward, pinned him to the ground, and tied him up.

Xueshou dismounted, picked up the bronze broadsword, and weighed it in his hand. The sword was heavy, the blade was wide, and the edge was sharp. The hilt was wrapped with hemp rope, making it easy to grip. He grinned, revealing a set of yellow teeth, then mounted his horse and galloped towards the center of the camp.

Xueya had already led his men in, and the camp was already a river of blood. Xueshou rode up to Xueya, dismounted, and presented the bronze greatsword to Xueya like a treasure, his eyes shining like a dog offering its prey. He said, "Brother, I've got a real gem! A bronze weapon! It belongs to Zhuangshi, the chief of the Great Black Stone Tribe!" His voice was full of pride, and his mouth stretched to his ears.

Xueya took the knife, examined it for a moment. The blade was broad and sharp, with simple patterns engraved on the back. Hemp rope was wrapped around the hilt. He swung it, the blade whistling through the air with a soft "whoosh." He handed the knife back to Xueshou, saying, "This is your trophy. Here you go. This bronze knife is enough for me." He patted the bronze knife at his waist.

Xueshou took the knife, beaming with joy. He looked at it over and over, clearly delighted, and exclaimed, "Thank you, brother! Thank you, brother!" He almost wanted to hug the knife and kiss it.

Yexiao also came over, a smile on his face, and said, "Chief, this time we didn't let a single one escape. Not a single member of the Great Black Stone Tribe got away. We also seized more than twenty bronze weapons, more than four hundred ponies, nearly two hundred cattle, and a lot of supplies! Grain, animal hides, pottery, tools, piled up like Little Mountain!" His voice was full of excitement as he rubbed his hands together, as if counting treasures.

Xueya nodded, satisfied. "Very good, you did a great job this time."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the elderly, women, and children who had been herded together, as well as the young women who had been dragged out, and said, "Also, let these newcomers see blood from the elderly and weak. As for the young women, let the brothers relax and vent their frustrations. Everyone has worked hard these past few days, it's time to reward them."

Xueshou and Yexiao Owl nodded and went to make their own arrangements. Xueshou led the veterans to herd the new recruits towards the elderly, weak, women, and children. The new recruits were no longer as afraid as they had been the first time. They raised their knives and slashed down, their faces expressionless, as if they were chopping wood. Some even rushed to do it, wanting to show off in front of the veterans. Screams, cries, and pleas for mercy mingled together. Xueshou stood aside, watching the new recruits chop down with each stroke of their knives, a slight smile playing on his lips.

The young women were dragged into the thatched hut and became the targets of the Wolf Tribe warriors' venting. Cries, screams, and savage laughter came from the hut, piercing and shrill. Xueya, Xueshou, Yexiao, and some leaders took turns picking them. The rest were given to the warriors who performed well. The new recruits lined up, waiting eagerly, swallowing their saliva, like a pack of wolves waiting to be eaten.

The camp of the Great Black Stone Tribe had become a living hell. The screams gradually subsided around noon. Xueya, Xueshou, and Yexiao were in the largest house of the Great Black Stone Tribe, eating and discussing their next move. The house belonged to Zhuangshi and was quite spacious. Roasted mutton and fruit wine were laid out in front of them. The meat and wine were from the Great Black Stone Tribe Great Black Stone Tribe.

"Our operation this time was swift and efficient, and the news shouldn't have spread yet. The Great Boulder Tribe has six core subordinate tribes, and we can still find a way to wipe out one or two more." Xueya's voice was low and slow, as if squeezed out from his chest.

Yexiao put down his wine bowl and said urgently, "Chief, what about the supplies we seized from the Great Black Stone Tribe? The grain is piled up like a mountain, we can't take it with us, and those female prisoners, more than two hundred of them, are also difficult to carry."

Xueya thought for a moment, then gave a sinister smile and said, "Use cattle and horses to carry the supplies that can be taken. Burn the rest. Don't let the Great Boulder Tribe get away with it. Burn the grain, burn the houses, burn everything. If they come, they won't get anything."

He paused, then continued, "After all that trouble we've caused, there are less than two hundred young women left. We'll keep a dozen or so of the better-looking ones to take with us, and get rid of the rest. Those we can't take, we can't leave with Great Rock. Let the brothers have a good time today. Tomorrow morning we'll head to the Black Wood Tribe. That tribe only has about two thousand people, with only about four hundred warriors. If we take them down, two of Great Rock's six core subordinate tribes will be gone."

Xueshou slapped his thigh and said, "Alright! Let's do it! Have a good time today, and we'll pull off another heist tomorrow!"

Yexiao nodded and said, "The Black Wood Tribe is a bit smaller than the Great Heishi, so it should be easier to take it down."

The three discussed it further, and Xueshou and Yexiao went down to prepare.