At first, when Yan Xiaobao contemplated this issue, he thought about crafting armor for the beasts, similar to the wildman’s armor, but he quickly abandoned this idea. Although humans could fight while armored, it was entirely different for beasts. They needed to rely on their agility, the ability to change direction quickly or make other sudden movents; however, wearing armor would only hinder them.
Sighing, Yan Xiaobao lifted his head and gazed at the blue sky above, walking steadily all the while. The sun’s scorching rays beat down upon the beasts moving beneath it. Although these beasts, like Yan Xiaobao, were of the rank of King or higher, they soon began to notice the oppressive heat of the sun. Sweat appeared on their foreheads, and thirst started to make their throats uncomfortable.
"We’d best take a break," Yan Xiaobao muttered to himself as he surveyed their surroundings. The barren sandy ground stretched on endlessly with hardly any vegetation in sight, but in the distance, he spotted what seed to be a small area with taller plants. He had a feeling this place could offer them shade where they could rest, recuperate, and wait for nightfall before resuming the march. As noted earlier, Yan Xiaobao felt no pressure to rush toward their enemies.
Redirecting the army’s course wasn’t difficult. Everyone followed behind Yan Xiaobao and the Saints, and when they spotted the tall trees in the distance, smiles lit up their faces. It was easy to discern the intention of their Great Marshall without needing any explanation.
The distance turned out to be even greater than Yueyue had estimated. As they approached the area, he realized that the trees he initially guessed to be three to four ters tall were actually twenty to thirty ters high.
Underneath the trees were tents sewn from beast hides. The scene was bustling with activity as humans darted back and forth, their movents frantic. It was evident that fear gripped everyone there as they hurriedly dismantled their camp, preparing as best they could for the incoming Beast Tribe. Yan Xiaobao couldn’t help but sigh at the sight. This was the natural reaction humans should have when faced with such a massive group of beasts, yet Yan Xiaobao had already reached an agreent with the Saints. Even though these beasts were bloodthirsty, they would not attack humans unless provoked first.
Just as Yan Xiaobao was about to send a ssage to so of the experts, declaring that they would not harm these nomads as long as they didn’t start a fight, he saw a large group of n charging toward them on proportioned horses and blood-streaked unicorns. Their faces were pale but resolute; their weapons were raised high as they shouted, attempting to incite their bloodlust to a fever pitch, hoping to drag as many enemies as possible into the grave. Their losses were already foreseeable, but they hoped to buy ti for their families to escape. For their loved ones, they were willing to engage in such suicidal acts. Their determination earned great respect but was also recognized by Yan Xiaobao and the other beasts.
"Stop! As long as you do not harm us, we will not harm you," Yan Xiaobao finally shouted. His voice echoed through the air, making it easily audible to every nomad and even those within the oasis. Because everyone froze in place, no one moved. The language Yan Xiaobao spoke was indeed that of the Three Kingdoms, but it was hard for these people to believe his words. Were they rely being lulled into a false security, only to be used as food for his Beast Army later?
No one could say for certain, leaving Yan Xiaobao to sigh once again. He signaled for the army to halt and then ascended into the sky. Golden light radiated once more from his back as he flew alone toward the oasis. No one followed him—not even the two shadowy figures. As he drew closer, everyone stared at him in astonishnt. Even amid this barren desert, he seed almost celestial.
When he reached the center of the tent camp, he looked back at his wings. "Let speak with your village elder," he requested, his voice lodious and calm, devoid of hostility. Everyone avoided him except for a single young man with black hair and black eyes.
When Yan Xiaobao observed the young man, he noticed the sa pride and detachnt he had seen in Liluo City’s aristocratic families. There was a certain level of arrogance and confidence that only soone in a high-ranking position would possess. By simply looking at this young man, Yan Xiaobao imdiately knew he had found the village elder.
"Greetings," Yan Xiaobao said, tilting his head slightly in a polite gesture. This was a display of courtesy that no beast would ever show him. The faint growl of a beast underscored the scene as the elder, surprised by this behavior, quickly responded with a sign of friendship.
"Tell , what do you need for you to leave us alone?" the elder asked through gritted teeth. While Yan Xiaobao had revealed an air of politeness, the beasts behind him invoked the wild and brutal nature of their kind, making their savagery easy to imagine.
"As long as no one attacks us, we will not touch you or your people. All we seek is shelter in the shade until the sun sets so we can move on once more. We have our own water, so you need not fear us taking yours," Yan Xiaobao said calmly. Without waiting for a reply, he spread his radiant wings once more and soared back into the sky, returning to the tribe that awaited him.
"If they attack us first, that is the only ti we will strike back. For now, find a quiet spot in the shade to relax. When the sun sets, we will resu the march. If at any point you run out of water, go to your commander and request so. Do not provoke the humans; we do not want our war to begin with a massacre."
"’You do not want our war to begin with a massacre?’" soone muttered, but before Yan Xiaobao could respond to the voice, the figure beside him vanished in an instant. A pained scream pierced the air. Turning to the source of the sound, Yan Xiaobao saw an Emperor sprawled on the ground, blood spilling steadily from his lips as his hand clutched his face. His eyes were bloodshot, and his swollen cheeks bore the unmistakable mark of a ferocious slap.
The sight was all too familiar to Yan Xiaobao. Glancing around, he noticed most of the Saints either covering their faces in disbelief or wearing expressions of dismay, though a few distantly showed traces of sympathy. It was clear that, regardless of the Saint’s title or power, they were well-acquainted with the Queen’s trademark slap.
"Stand up. That slap wasn’t so bad," Yan Xiaobao said in a stern voice, his tone full of displeasure toward the outspoken Emperor. What Yan Xiaobao needed was an army that would follow his orders unconditionally. If one beast was allowed to challenge the authority of the Grand Marshal, who was to say others wouldn’t follow suit? Perhaps the entire battalion would begin acting independently rather than adhering to his commands.
The Emperor rose, his gaze fixed on Yan Xiaobao, his eyes brimming with hatred. He felt humiliated, believing this silver-haired young man was solely to bla for his disgrace in front of the army.
Yan Xiaobao let out a deep sigh and stepped closer to the disobedient expert. "When I give an order, the only thing I want to hear is, ’Yes, sir!’ If I tell you to et with humans, then you will do exactly that!" Yan Xiaobao declared, his voice showing not a shred of fear toward soone of greater individual strength.
"I am the Grand Marshal of this war. Even the Lord you idolize follows every command I give him. Who do you think you are to defy my orders?" Yan Xiaobao sneered. The more he spoke, the paler the Emperor’s face grew, yet his eyes remained filled with resentnt and anger.
"We haven’t even entered the battlefield yet, and you’re eager to fight amongst ourselves? We might inevitably lose so comrades, but I want to minimize casualties as much as possible. I swear, I will ensure as many as I can survive this war, but I can only do that if you’ll stop being foolish and start following my orders!" Yan Xiaobao raged, every word a verbal slap to the already chastised expert. Before long, the Emperor hung his head, trying to make himself as small as possible, avoiding the many judgntal gazes directed at him.
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