The Valley Tribe's Vigilance and Response
News of the Wolf Tribe's rampage in the Great Boulder Tribe after the autumn harvest quickly reached the Valley Tribe. The news traveled all the way from the north, passing through several tribes before finally reaching the ears of Daiyue, the Valley Tribe 'Valley Tribe leader. Daiyue sat in the council hall, listening to the scouts' reports. His brows furrowed slightly, forming a small knot, and deep lines etched on his forehead. The firewood in the hearth crackled and burned brightly, making the room warm and cozy, but a chill ran through him, as if a block of ice was lodged in his chest.
The scout knelt in the center of the council hall of the Valley Tribe headquarters, drenched in sweat, his clothes soaked through and clinging to his body. His voice was hoarse, as if he had sand in his mouth, his lips were chapped and Baipi, and his throat was practically on fire.
He rattled off all the information he had gathered in one breath, like spilling beans, recounting everything in detail without stopping. "Chief, the Wolf Tribe caused another major disturbance in the Great Boulder Tribe's territory this autumn. This time, the Wolf Tribe, with over two thousand able-bodied men, wiped out the Great Boulder Tribe's last two core subordinate tribes. These two core subordinate tribes of the Great Boulder Tribe are now practically wiped out; their houses were burned, and their food was looted by the Wolf Tribe. The Great Boulder Tribe's Shishan chief led his men to pursue the Wolf Tribe Wolf Tribe, engaging them in several battles on the main battlefield. Both sides suffered losses, but neither side gained the upper hand. Now, the Wolf Tribe's forces have swelled to over five thousand men, all cavalry, one man on horseback, moving swiftly like the wind. The Great Boulder Tribe's prestige within its own territory has plummeted, and the smaller tribes subordinate to the Great Boulder Tribe are now filled with trepidation."
After listening, Daiyue remained silent for a long while. He raised his head, sighed, and said, "This Wolf Tribe is truly a menace. Like weeds, they keep coming back after being cut down. The Wolf Tribe was driven away from our side by our Little Valley Camp and slunk off to the north. I never expected Wolf Tribe to rise to prominence so quickly, their strength snowballing. The Great Boulder Tribe is an old and established tribe in the lower reaches of the Fish River. They've been operating for decades, deeply rooted and powerful, yet they've been ravaged like this by the Wolf Tribe."
The Second Elder Hefeng, stroked his beard, his fingers trembling slightly like leaves in the wind. His hair was white as snow, and his face was deeply lined, like a cracked riverbed.
His voice, aged yet Chenwen, said, "Chief, this Wolf Tribe is fierce and cunning, with cruel methods. Like mad dogs, they slaughter entire tribes at the drop of a hat, sparing neither the old nor the weak. The more trouble they cause at the Great Rock, the faster their strength grows. If one day they turn around and seek revenge on our Valley Tribe, it will be a real problem."
The Third Elder Jin Ye, slammed his hand on the table with a loud bang, causing the bowls and plates to clang and the tea to spill out.
His voice, like thunder, echoed through the council hall, shaking the dust off the rafters. "What's there to be afraid of! Our Valley Tribe now possesses bronze weapons from the Fire Tribe. Our warriors are better equipped, their morale is higher, and they stand taller. If the Wolf Tribe dares to come, we'll make sure they don't return. We'll kill one if they come, and two if they come!"
Daiyue raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet, pressing his palm down slightly. Once the murmurs subsided, he slowly spoke, "We can't ignore the Wolf Tribe's affairs, but we can't just handle them all. The Great Rock Tribe has already suffered a great loss, like a piece of their flesh has been bitten off; the Great Luwei is watching and wavering like a weather vane; the Bear Tribe is hoping we fight the Wolf Tribe, causing both sides to be severely weakened, so they can reap the benefits. We need to think of a safer approach."
He looked at Fengren, who was sitting below him. Fengren was tall and strong, with a straight back. He wore leather armor and had a bronze sword at his waist. The scabbard was engraved with simple patterns. He sat there like a mountain.
Daiyue said to Fengren, "Chief Fengren, take some men to the Fire Tribe Fire Tribe and tell them everything about the Wolf Tribe. Make sure you don't miss anything. Ask the Fire Tribe what they think. The Fire Tribe and our Valley Tribe are allies now, so we need to discuss this matter. Our Valley Tribe can't make decisions on its own."
Fengren nodded, clasped his hands in a salute, and said, "Yes, Chief. I will send people out tomorrow. I will make things clear to the Fire Tribe and convey their message."
Daiyue then turned to the crowd, his gaze sweeping over everyone present. His voice Chenwen and powerful, carrying an undeniable authority as he spoke, "From now on, our Valley Tribe must also strengthen our defenses. We cannot be careless. At the Little Valley Camp, send more men and reinforce the soldiers. Patrol day and night, guarding it strictly. Raise the fences and deepen the trenches. We cannot let the Bear Tribe find any loopholes; we cannot let them touch our borders."
Everyone responded in unison, their voices loud and clear. After the meeting, everyone left one after another.