Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters-Chapter 970 - 41st Chapter_2

Chapter 970: 41st Chapter_2

Nine Herders elders first blessed the White Lion and then toasted him.

The White Lion took the golden cup and drank up the milk wine: “[Herde Language] having said that, elders, you may ask for anything. Whatever you desire, I shall grant.”

“[Herde Language] Wise White Lion, Merciful White Lion, Powerful White Lion.” Tashyi bowed deeply: “[Herde Language] Please spare the living creatures in the pen, let them go to places with water and grass to breed, let the next great hunt harvest beasts from mountains and valleys, let your wise and merciful renown spread across the plains.”

The White Lion nodded in agreement.

The dull sound of the horn reverberated through the hunting ground, it was the command of forgiveness, the signal to cease the slaughter.

The hunters who were still chasing the game reined in their horses upon hearing this, and even those who were not yet satisfied dared not draw their bows again. A large gap was torn open in the felt walls, allowing the lucky surviving animals to escape and return to the embrace of the wilderness.

Releasing the last game in the enclosure is a tradition among the Herders, and no one was surprised.

What really made the tribal leaders break out in a cold sweat was what Old Tashyi said next: “[Herde Language] Wise White Lion, Merciful White Lion, Powerful White Lion. Spare the lives of the creatures, for they can breed. Let wild fires rage on, for they will only spread. Those tribesmen who defy you, please eradicate them like ash, let every pasture, every river know of your power!”

Without needing an indication from the White Lion, the palace guards of the Red River Tribe had already brought a group of heavily bound captives to the front of the golden tent.

Among these captives were nobles and warriors from both Haidong Tribe and Suz Tribe, as well as leaders from the vassal tribes of Red River Tribe who had been turned against them.

Some captives glared with fury and struggled fiercely; some had weak knees and pleaded with nods and bows; others were like walking corpses, already broken in spirit.

While the tribal hunters were busy hunting, the warriors of Red River Tribe were chasing down the fleeing enemies across the hills and fields.

This time, the White Lion did not immediately agree to Old Tashyi’s request. He took a silver jug and personally poured half a cup of wine.

The Head of the Guard understood, holding the horn cup with both hands he slowly walked to the captive on the far left.

“[Herde Language] Would you drink this wine?!” The Head of the Guard shouted loudly.

The palace guard removed the wooden gag from the captive’s mouth.

The captive took a deep breath, his eyes widened in anger, ready to curse. However, just as he let out a piercing sound, another palace guard behind him had already beheaded him with a single strike.

The unsupported head fell to the ground with a clear “thud”. The body slowly tilted, staining the beautifully embroidered carpet with blood.

None of the tribal leaders under the tent were without blood on their hands, but for some reason, seeing the ruthless slashing by the palace guard of Red River Tribe just now, everyone felt a chill down their spine.

The Head of the Guard walked up to the second captive, this time the palace guard escorting the captive was wise and did not remove the wooden gag at all, allowing the captive to only nod or shake his head in response.

The second captive was a warrior from the Suz Tribe, his gaze struggled intensely but in the end, he slowly shook his head.

The palace guard thrust a blade into the captive’s heart from behind, leaving an intact corpse.

For the third captive, there was no need to ask. He desperately nodded his head, with such vigor that it almost seemed his neck might break.

The Head of the Guard fed the third captive a small sip of wine—there were others to consider.

“[Herde Language] Having drunk from this cup, you are now my guest.” the voice of the White Lion came from inside the golden tent: “[Herde Language] Your life is my gift; your tents, slaves, and herds must all be handed over, as a compensation for the deceased and injured among the tribes, as your gift.”

The White Lion was not asking, but rather issuing a judgment directly.

The captive who just barely saved his life hadn’t yet had the chance to rejoice when he heard that all his possessions were to be deprived, and could not help but feel profoundly sorrowful. However, he was quick-witted—his properties would not be preserved if he were killed anyway, after doing the math, he still profited a life.

The third captive suddenly threw himself to the ground, sobbing and praising the mercy of the White Lion.

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The Head of the Guard slightly lowered his eyes, and the palace guards took the third captive away.

Most of the tribal leaders under the tent were visibly pleased; during the recent upheaval, many tribes had suffered losses, and obtaining some compensation was indeed best.

Only a few astute chiefs slightly frowned—judging by the way things were divided today, even with compensation, it was unlikely to be given to the chiefs themselves.

One captive after another was questioned, and it did not take long before all were dealt with. Both the living and the dead were taken away, leaving only a few pools of blood on the carpet.

A leader from a small tribe initiated, and many chiefs and leaders raised their drinks to praise the mercy of the White Lion.

Mercy is a relative concept. Part of the reason why Red River Tribe was able to expand rapidly was that the White Lion rarely used ruthless means of eliminating dissent.

In the process of the Herders tribes annexing each other, beheading above the wheel was a common practice—men taller than a wheel killed outright, young children who had no memory of events taken in to be raised, women redistributed as resources. The reason was simple: only one’s own people can be trusted, and only those raised from young can be reassured.

The Red River Tribe, most of the time, however, would accept the adult males of the defeated tribes. Last year, the White Lion subdued the Zhu’er Qin Tribe, and this year, the Zhu’er Qin people had already become part of the Red River Tribe. Even among the archers in the palace tent today, there were no shortage of Zhu’er Qin people.

Due to the White Lion’s reputation for “justice”, the lower members of the tribes aspired to join the Red River Tribe. But tribal leaders and nobles wished to affiliate with the Red River Tribe, due to the White Lion’s reputation for “mercy.”