Chapter 71: Chapter 42: Plotting Against the Upper Lake Division, Striking First to Gain the Advantage

For the past two years, under their very noses, the Blazing Flame Tribe selected artisans and women from among the slaves, enriching their own tribe, and even took back the grain grown by the slaves.

When questioned, they said it was done according to the demands of Young Master Fu.

It left Cang Hex and Ape Peak with no room for response.

Young Master Fu demanded a genuine scene of tribal life, and what Blazing Flame Tribe did was indeed not out of line.

But the more they thought about it, the angrier they got, and the angrier they got, the more they thought about it.

Scheming people.

Opportunists.

All the slave work was done by them, blatantly showing favoritism right in front of them.

Is it just because their tribe is near the Great Marsh, taking advantage of the proximity to the water, allowing them to meet Young Master Fu more frequently than us!

Not every time did Cang Hex and Ape Peak follow along.

Now, as time passes after the flood, there aren’t many slaves left for them to capture nearby.

This time’s delivery of slaves was the least in the last two years.

“I wonder if we’ll meet Young Master Fu this time.”

Ape Peak pondered, having come many times over the two years to present gifts, they had only met Young Master Fu twice.

Most of the time, Young Master Fu kept to himself, either cultivating witchcraft or taking the Ironwood Ship into the Great Marsh.

Thinking about the Ironwood Ship, the two clan leaders felt another wave of resentment towards Blazing Flame.

Once Young Master Fu returns to Lingyu, there’s no doubt this ship will belong to the Blazing Flame Tribe.

Down the mountain.

Huo Chang had Huo Qii escort the slaves ahead to the settling point and walked towards Cang Hex and Ape Peak.

“Clan Leader Huo looks radiant; it’s different when you can sit and reap the benefits.”

Upon reaching the mountaintop, Ape Peak’s voice resounded in Huo Chang’s ears.

Huo Chang didn’t mind at all, being used to this scene for the past two years.

“I can’t help it if my Blazing Flame Tribe is lucky.”

Seeing Huo Chang looking so smug, Ape Peak became even more frustrated.

He wished for the same, but his ancestors hadn’t opened their eyes, not blessing him.

“Clan Leader Huo is favored by Young Master Fu, whereas our two tribes are just doing the work.”

Cang Hex stopped Ape Peak from saying more and continued, “You’ve seen that the slaves are dwindling. We are still quite short of the fifty thousand slaves requested by Young Master Fu; it’s time to report to him.”

“How would I know where Young Master Fu is?” Huo Chang spread his hands.

“You bring however many slaves, I’ll settle however many.”

“But there aren’t many slaves left to catch.” Cang Hex also spread his hands, then changed his tone, “It’s not that there aren’t any slaves left; it just depends on whether Clan Leader Huo is willing to do it or not.”

Ape Peak chimed in, “Thanks to Young Master Fu looking favorably upon our little tribe, we are willing to catch more slaves for him; it just depends on whether Clan Leader Huo is willing or not.”

“The two leaders might as well speak directly.”

Huo Chang knew these two were waiting for him, there must be something.

“Then I’ll be direct. Two years ago, Young Master Fu mentioned that the Upper Lake Tribe borrowed the Blood Witch to annihilate the Upper Huang Division. Now that the number of slaves is insufficient, shouldn’t the Upper Lake Tribe pay it back?”

Cang Hex spoke, glancing at Ape Peak.

For the past two years, the Upper Lake Tribe had frequently sought contact with their two great tribes, trying to use them to get close to Young Master Fu.

But the Upper Lake Race Leader had offended Young Master Fu; even with hundreds of years of friendship among our three tribes, we couldn’t side with the Upper Lake Tribe.

Fools know that this time we should side with the Lingyu Tribe.

Now, they not only don’t want to help Upper Lake but actually want to take a bite out of it.

Although they didn’t know why, after Shui Miao’s death, the Upper Lake Tribe wasn’t implicated, they thought Young Master Fu would be pleased to wipe out Upper Lake.

These past two years, with the Blazing Flame Tribe’s proximity to the Great Marsh, they have gained greatly.

But Upper Lake is closer to our two tribes; it’s about time our two tribes get a piece of the pie.

Not only can we use the Blazing Flame Tribe’s strength, but also please Young Master Fu, and divide up the resources and land of the Upper Lake Tribe, even capturing its people as slaves.

Multiple benefits in one stroke.

The Upper Lake already has a path to destruction.

Huo Chang didn’t expect Cang Li and Ape Peak to set their sights on the Upper Lake Tribe.

With the rise of the Blazing Flame Tribe, the three tribes at the Ruins Market under the influence of ’Young Master Lingyu’ were now nominal, replaced by the new trio of the Blazing Flame, Cyan Bird, and Ape Mountain.

It’s clear how anxious the Upper Lake Tribe has been these two years, constantly sending martial artists to scout here, even embedding in the slaves they sent.

You could say there’s been no lack of strife.

“Clan Leader Huo, shall we three tribes act together, and then split the spoils evenly? What do you think?”

Hearing this, Huo Chang pondered for a moment before speaking.

“Upper Lake is a nearly thousand-year-old tribe; it might not be easy for our three tribes to attack Upper Lake. Since you two have a plan, you must also have a strategy, right?”

“Clan Leader Huo, these two years the Upper Lake Tribe has been continually sending people into the forests. I don’t believe they haven’t clashed with your tribe.”

Cang Hex opened his mouth, “I and the Ape Race Leader have planned; since Upper Lake has always been looking for the deceased Shui Miao, we can use this to draw out some people and take them down.

Then spread the word that the Upper Lake Tribe colluded with the Blood Witch, using evil witchcraft to destroy tribes, causing chaos in their ranks, and finally, we join hands to act.”

Huo Chang pondered, “I must report to Young Master Fu.”

Upon hearing this, Ape Peak snorted coldly.

“No wonder your tribe has flown so high in just two years; turns out Clan Leader Huo is truly a perfect servant.”

Huo Chang scoffed, “Feeling bad that you couldn’t achieve this?”

“You!”

Cang Hex stopped the somewhat furious Ape Peak.

“There’s no need to tell Young Master Fu. Back then, Upper Lake’s Shui Miao antagonized Young Master Fu, but given his great generosity, he might have already forgotten about it.

Besides, it’s also for gathering more slaves; there are no slaves to capture nearby.

Upper Lake Tribe has over tens of thousands of people, and four to five thousand slaves.

After this is done, our three families will have merits with Young Master Fu. Maybe the Young Master will reward us with more items from the Upper Division.”

Huo Chang regained his composure, “I just follow orders to place the slaves wherever Young Master Fu tells me to.”

This time, Cang Hex couldn’t help but heavily ’praise’ him.

“With a clan leader like you, who listens so well, it’s no wonder the Blazing Flame Tribe thrives.”

…

Naturally, seeking out Young Master Fu is impossible, as he’s ventured into the Great Marsh again.

It wasn’t until half a month later.

Huo Chang, Cang Hex, and Ape Peak met with Huo Shan, the impostor leader of the guardians.

“Do we need to report such trivial matters to the Young Master?”

Prepared ahead of time, Huo Shan spoke, “As for Upper Lake, the Young Master probably doesn’t even remember it, though your actions are well-intentioned.”

Then, Huo Shan untied a beast hide bag from himself, reached in, and pulled out several Witch Talismans.

“Two talismans for each.”

“Even if the Young Master has forgotten, a small tribe that colludes with the Blood Witch indeed deserves death.”

The three of them felt the aura on the Witch Talismans and carefully stored them away.

Although they are Tier Two Talismans, they were crafted with Witch Ink made from Auspicious Beast and Tier Three Water Beast Essence Blood, enough to severely injure or kill a standard Celestial Vein Martial Artist.

The Witch Talismans have been imbued with Jifu’s aura, depicting them at Shen Can’s behest after learning Cang Bird and Ape Mountain planned against Upper Lake.

Infusing Jifu’s aura was also to leave a contingency.

Primarily because these two clan leaders might not be willing to use these two talismans; with Jifu’s aura left, who knows if they will become useful someday.

Even if they’re not, he doesn’t suffer any loss.

Though they hadn’t seen Young Master Fu, with the Witch Talismans in hand, Cang Hex and Ape Peak were more resolute about acting against Upper Lake.

The three began to discuss how to conquer Upper Lake, how to deploy troops, and distribute the spoils.

…

The plans of the three clans were clear to Shen Can.

When the three clans started to mobilize against Upper Lake Tribe, he discreetly headed towards Upper Lake Tribe with Huo Shan.

With Huo Chang coordinating externally with the two clans, he planned to see if he could seize some opportunistic gains.

Bringing Huo Shan was to allow him to stretch his muscles, perhaps boosting his Qi Strength upon returning.

Huo Shan possesses Power of Seventy Desolations, capable of rivaling Huo Chang who has unlocked two Celestial Veins.

Of course, it’s likely not comparable to Lingyu Tribe’s Celestial Vein Second Layer, but it’s adequate for this remote area.

As for Shen Can, there’s no need to mention.

Would he venture out without confidence?

Outside the mountains, Blazing Flame lacks the advantage of geographic familiarity.

Why not slip in before Upper Lake is besieged by the three clans to extract some treasures, rather than splitting the spoils with Cang Bird and Ape Mountain?

Additionally, Shen Can hoped to find clues about the Sacrificial Artifact.

For quite some time, Upper Lake Tribe has been sending people into the mountains.

The race leader and three hundred clan soldiers perished inside; even sending a stronger clan force to penetrate deeper would be normal.

Yet oddly, only scattered martial artists are sent, including inserting agents among the slaves. It doesn’t seem like they’re seeking the race leader, more likely searching for the two ’Iron Woods’ left by the Blood Witch.

Thus, Shen Can speculates that Upper Lake Tribal leaders are likely aware of ’Iron Wood’.

Iron Wood absorbs blood of the Human Race; the Sacrificial Artifact thrives on offerings, refining Desolate Beast Blood. They share similarities, perhaps leading to clues about the Sacrificial Artifact.

…

Upper Lake Tribe.

Residing by the small marsh, abundant in water elements, interconnected lakes surround the clan land.

Islands adorn the lake, with lakes atop the islands.

The clan land’s Ancestral Temple rests upon a small island.

Upon seeing this expanse of lake and wetland, Shen Can immediately felt Upper Lake Tribe was predestined for him to exploit.

Deep waters abound at Great Marsh, while here the shallows suit him perfectly.

Arranging for Huo Shan to intercept outside Upper Lake Tribe, Shen Can dove straight into the water.

Externally, Upper Lake Tribe appeared still bustling.

But once Shen Can entered the water, a variancy became evident.

The water was off.

His sensitivity to water was peerless, detecting a hint of ’foulness’ akin to the Blood Witch’s presence.

Following the densest point of ’foulness’, Shen Can employed thirteen zhang of Divine Sense, slowly sensing the way, uncovering a cave below Upper Lake Ancestral Temple.

Inside the cave, eerie laughter echoed.

The ground was littered with white bones.

A massive shadow, cloaked in black fur with an enormous skull and a wide lower lip, emanated eerie laughter at several restrained young members of the Human Race before it.

Laughter caused the lower lip to flip onto the forehead, covering mouth, nose, and eyes entirely.

After the laughter ceased, it reached forward with a large hand, revealing sharp fangs.

With a ’puff’, the elderly man hiding at the cave entrance shivered in fright, his face filled with alarm as he swiftly exited.

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