104. The Road to Adventure (Part II)

Under the escort of eighty heavily armored death cavalry, Mo Fei slowly approached with Ailin and Vivian, along with Udos Naplin. Along the way, Ailin was like a little bird that had escaped its cage, gazing left and right with endless chatter. After getting to know Udos Naplin, he finally understood why these berserk warrior cavalrymen all doted on Ailin. He had assumed it was due to Li Tian’s influence, but the girl’s kindness, innocence, and adorable demeanor had touched even him, who had no siblings. In his heart, he came to regard Ailin as his own little sister. Whenever they reached a major city, he would instruct that at the next rest stop, bear clan members would always bring Ailin gifts that made her jump and cheer. Along the journey, Ailin was overjoyed, and Mo Fei observed it all without comment. Ailin was simply that kind of innocent girl who was easily satisfied.

In every large and small city and town, Mo Fei also saw the bear clan’s posted notices calling for a ceasefire, urging them to locate the Bull Clan’s stronghold and declare an end to hostilities. Of course, such a thing was unlikely. Over the past century, the Bull Clan had endured too much hardship at the bear clan’s hands. Without a leader, no outsiders knew their hiding place. Thus, the bear clan posted the notices along the main roads of every city and even more so in outlying areas where their strength was thinner.

As Mo Fei traveled, he encountered these notices in several small towns near the forest. Gradually, his group began to spot Bull Clan members, who also started appearing outside larger cities, testing the waters.

Observing Udos Naplin, Mo Fei felt genuine admiration for this young clan leader who had only recently assumed authority over the bear clan. Within just a few days, orders had reached the remote towns far from the cities, proving how well he was supported by the bear clan and how the command was backed by the entire people. After years of war and constant vigilance against the Bull Clan, even the strongest among them would eventually grow weary. Only when the world achieved peace would everyone’s lives truly improve.

“Enemy ambush!”

A thunderous shout shattered Mo Fei’s thoughts. After the squad leader raised the alarm, the eighty heavy cavalry swiftly formed up in a charging array, with twenty riders posted on either flank to guard their sides.

“What’s happening?” Mo Fei rode forward.

“Master, our dispatched elf scouts have signaled that a large force of unidentified warriors lies in ambush ahead.”

Before Mo Fei’s party departed Gale City, Kane had already sent elite elf scouts along the planned route, and a detachment of nearly three hundred berserk warrior heavy cavalry trailed closely behind. Whenever Mo Fei stopped to rest, these three hundred knights relieved the eighty for a turn to recover. Mo Fei found no fault in the arrangement and allowed it to continue.

Following the squad leader’s alarm, the three hundred heavy death cavalry far in the rear received the transmitted combat order. Hooves thundered as the knights split into two columns and swept forward from both sides, blocking the path.

“Order the elf scouts to scout the enemy’s identity. No unauthorized attacks.”

Mo Fei issued the command.

Not long after, a returning berserk warrior reported. Upon learning the ambush was by the Bull Clan, he breathed a sigh of relief. Perhaps they still did not know of the bear clan’s reconciliation notice.

“You stay here. If trouble arises, I will have the guards escort you ahead.” Mo Fei told Udos Naplin, then walked forward with Ailin under the lead of the scout.

“How can that be? If we must retreat, it should be Ailin who goes first. I am a man—what do I have to fear?” After speaking, Udos Naplin waved off the bear clan guards who tried to follow and quickly matched pace with Mo Fei.

Mo Fei found himself unable to withhold admiration for this new bear clan leader who remained so composed before his mortal foe. That calm under pressure was no small gift. No one had managed to evade his elite scouts and confirm troop strength in such a way. Yet these fierce Bull Clan warriors had done so. Their daring to ambush a four-hundred-strong elite cavalry force implied they outnumbered Mo Fei’s men by at least two to one. Otherwise, how could they believe they could challenge heavily armored riders?

The hidden Bull Clan warriors, seeing their ambush uncovered, stepped out from the trees and underbrush along the roadside.

“They were not specifically targeting us.” Mo Fei noticed the elderly, young, women, and children trailing behind them and realized it was mere happenstance.

Still, the group numbered nearly five thousand, with nearly three thousand Bull Clan warriors in the initial ambush.

“We have not met before, so there can be no grudge between us. Why ambush us?”

Mo Fei advanced and asked.

“As long as you stand with our enemy, you are the Bull Clan’s foe.” An ancient Bull Clan elder rose up, his temper as explosive as his name suggested.

“Oh?” Mo Fei’s interest kindled. “You mistook us for your enemies because some of us were bear clan members?”

“Isn’t that right?”

“Of course not.” Mo Fei answered without hesitation.

“......?”

“Only days ago we were still your enemies. Since the war began, we have slain no fewer than one hundred thousand bear clan warriors. Do you consider us your foes?”

“You are......” The old bull was stunned. They had killed one hundred thousand. The young bear clan man at his side offered no denial. It was true.

“We are not from this continent.” Mo Fei smiled. “We come from the far side. You know well of the bear clan’s great invasion. We appeared here to ensure they would never again set foot on our lands.”

“Then why stand with the bear clan?”

“We have made peace.”

“Peace?”

“Indeed. Did not the bear clan post notices seeking reconciliation with you? Why ambush us here?” Mo Fei inquired.

“Who knows if that is the bear clan’s trickery?” The old bull grew furious.

“Strange. Did you not see the bear clan withdrawing all forces into their barracks? You have traveled far; did you not suffer another defeat?”

“This has not occurred.”

“In territories where the bear clan holds advantage, you five thousand strong would presume to slip past the eyes of their elite warriors?”

“......”

“I see.” Mo Fei seemed to grasp something. “Old fellow, you are either a clan leader or an elder of theirs. You saw our small force and wished to slaughter us, eh? Truly shameless. The bear clan never attacked you, yet you eyed our weakness and sought gain?”

Mo Fei’s words left the old bull speechless. The hidden warriors lowered their heads; they clearly did not wish to proceed.

“I am thinking. Judging by your age, if I am correct, you were once an elder of the old Bull Clan. If I am not mistaken again, there is a young clan leader among you—perhaps the one left by the former leader. He is now your clan leader? It seems you few elders still hold sway. Where is your present clan leader?”

“How do you know?” The old bull stiffened.

“In my Gale City, a new Bull Clan elder council has been established. They no longer recognize the old council or the few elders among you.”

For such a shameless rogue, Mo Fei offered no mercy.

“You...... they......”

“Want to know why?” Mo Fei smiled coldly. “Because of you few elders, the once-mighty Bull Clan crumbled overnight. You knew nothing of your actions before the bear clan war, failed, and blamed others instead. What right do you have to call yourselves elders?”

“If not for their bear clan’s shameless treachery, we would not be as we are.” The old bull was driven to fury by Mo Fei’s cutting words.

“Is that so? Are the bear clan truly shameless?” Mo Fei sneered. “In my view, the greatest shame belongs to these few elders of yours. On what grounds do you accuse them of treachery? Listen, old fellow. Our Death Empire was once merely a stronger band, fewer than two hundred thousand strong. Yet my warriors, through courage alone, carved the name Death Cavalry in the Death City of our continent. Our enemies never dared confront us directly. Whenever our knights appeared, foes fled in terror. Thus we built our empire. Can you call us shameless? The bear clan did the same—used their methods to claim what they desired. Old fellow, do not claim the Bull Clan received its strength by birthright. You took it, grew complacent, and when stolen, cried that others were treacherous. Old fellow, I say you are the most shameless of all. Look at you—you truly believe your three thousand warriors can gain ground against our Death Cavalry, who have never lost a battle in a hundred?”

Mo Fei laughed heartily. “Let me tell you, I am the emperor of the Death Empire. The man beside me is the new clan leader of the bear clan. If you wish to try, see whether our warriors match my words—fierce indeed. Form ranks. If they dare move, spare them no mercy. Slaughter them all.”

“Understood!” Three hundred black-armored berserk death cavalry instantly deployed into battle formation, giant crossbows rising with a hiss.

The orderly, bloodthirsty ranks spread a wave of deathly chill through the Bull Clan. The knights’ intimidating presence and the cold gleam of their arrows struck the warriors with bone-deep cold, making them retreat a step.

“Have something to say, this......”

“You may call me Emperor or Mo Fei. The new elder council’s members all use that name.” Mo Fei gestured to the squad leader to hold, then stepped forward again.

The old bull who had emerged was momentarily stunned. Mo Fei had not specified the title yet offered two. Calling him by name would be rude; calling him Emperor felt awkward.

“This...... Your Majesty, have something to say.” The old bull realized that even if they fought, they were outnumbered and outmatched by the enemy’s towering beast riders and massive arrows. He jumped forward at once.

“Oh? What would you say?”

“We never truly meant to ambush you.” The elder drew a breath. “We heard of the reconciliation between the bear clan and you and wished to return to our own people. Who knew we would meet like this? The old grudge between us caused the misunderstanding. Please forgive it.”

“Oh, so you wish to reach my Gale City?” Mo Fei sounded surprised.

“Yes. Our warriors learned that many of our kin are there, so we brought the whole clan.”

“You may go. No one will stop you. But remember to behave. Do not stir up further trouble.”

“I can promise you that the bear clan truly wishes peace with the Bull Clan. As long as you do not attack us, we will not harm you. You may travel safely to Gale City and reunite with your people.” Udos Naplin stepped out as well.

With the clan leader of the capable race speaking on their behalf, there was little left to say.

“Still, I warn you: the Bull Clan there has united and formed a new elder council. According to their rules, each returning band may choose a respected elder or other member to join the new council. Your former status is no longer recognized. If you truly reach my Gale City, heed my words: do not put on airs. Otherwise, it will......”

“This is our Bull Clan’s affair—what business is it of yours?” It was the old bull again. A companion quickly pulled him back.

“How can it have nothing to do with me?” Mo Fei smiled. “If it were not for me, they would not exist today. I do not wish to see the Bull Clan suffer any discord. Do you understand? I need a powerful ally, not a noisy, fractured one. Understand? If not, I suggest you turn around and return home. Here I will not slaughter you all, but it does not mean that when you reach Gale City my warriors will spare you.”

“You......” The old bull seemed to grasp only part of Mo Fei’s meaning.

“It is simple. Our Death Empire does not trust the bear clan. Though we have reconciled for now, their great army still stands. No one can guarantee they will never cross this sea again. Therefore I require a strong ally here. Understand?” Mo Fei paused. “For certain reasons we chose the Bull Clan. I do not wish to see any discord among them that I cannot bear. Their strength will restrain the bear clan. Basing ourselves in Gale City will keep the bear clan from daring another large crossing. If your few elders cause me to witness a situation I cannot accept, I will slaughter you all. Without hesitation.”

From Mo Fei’s fierce threat, cold sweat ran down the backs of the old bulls. They had imagined reuniting with their kin would restore their former status. Now it was clear that was no longer possible.

Watching Mo Fei and his party depart at ease, the Bull Clan halted. What path lay before them? To seek their people and grow stronger, or to return? Returning? The eyes of the three thousand warriors were no longer the same. Did they still have a way home?