CHAPTER 72: CHAPTER 68: CHARGE! CHARGE! CHARGE!

Outside the Blade Mountain Range, in a grove on a hill.

"Thank you for your generosity, esteemed Lord Baron of the Broken Rock Empire."

The elderly Prophet bowed deeply, a slight caution in his aged voice.

Although he was cloaked in coarse animal skins, with traces of grime, his demeanor possessed an etiquette rare among Wildmen.

A knowledgeable Wildman indeed stood out.

Luo De mused silently, his gaze scrutinizing the Prophet.

"It seems my generosity didn’t sway you."

Luo De examined the group following the Prophet, noting only four spear-wielding Wildmen behind him.

"I thought you would bring all your people directly to pledge allegiance to me."

Not seeing the relocated White Frost Tribe, Luo De felt a bit annoyed.

Unwilling to be courteous with this Wildman Prophet.

"I apologize for disappointing you."

A trace of apology appeared on the wrinkled face of the Prophet, his fingers nervously entwining.

His gaze flickered, neither daring to meet Luo De’s eyes nor willing to bow completely, he hesitated for a moment before continuing:

"I do not wish for my people to remain slaves forever."

"Do you have any other skills?"

He took a step forward, pressing the Prophet and questioned: "Farming? Blacksmithing? Animal husbandry?"

"I admit some of your people are skilled at hunting, but I won’t let you wander freely in my domain now."

"Moreover, haven’t those who can hunt in your White Frost Tribe already become my slaves?"

Luo De was not a benevolent Lord; these Wildmen could only exchange work for food, not freedom.

Unless the entire White Frost Tribe were craftsmen, there would be room for negotiation.

Prophet Bai Shuang did not expect Luo De to refuse so swiftly, awkwardly explaining, "We do know some farming..."

His voice grew quieter until it nearly turned into muttering to himself.

"That’s not farming, that’s wasting food."

Luo De had asked Tasa in detail about the lifestyle of the White Frost Tribe; their farming was more primitive than in Frost Leaf Town.

No land clearing, no tilling, no seed screening, they simply chose a plot and scattered seeds, leaving it to fate.

Ironworking was even less mentionable; the White Frost Tribe used stone tools.

From Tasa, he learned that these Wildmen could weave baskets and fire pottery.

But during negotiations, how could Luo De willingly bring up the strengths of the other side?

The Prophet laughed awkwardly.

He knew well that the knowledge he prided himself on among his people was insignificant in the eyes of these Imperial People.

The only power he could demonstrate was his divination ability.

It had always guided the White Frost Tribe’s survival, choosing the path of contention.

The previous night, the Prophet had performed a divination, and the result indicated that joining Frost Leaf Town was a good outcome, but becoming slaves was not.

For the White Frost Tribe, there were better options.

As for what exactly, the divination gave no answer.

Prophet Bai Shuang stayed up all night, finally coming up with an idea.

"Esteemed Lord Baron of the Empire, if I use some slaves to exchange with you, would you grant the White Frost Tribe citizen status?"

Luo De was somewhat surprised, "Your White Frost Tribe still has slaves?"

Tasa had not mentioned this matter.

Could those people still capture slaves?

The Prophet shook his head slightly, "We have no slaves, but I can help you capture some."

As he spoke, a cunning smile appeared on his wrinkled face, his eyes narrowed into slits,

"Not far from our tribe are the Gray Stone and Giant Wood Tribes; they can be your slaves."

Luo De understood.

This Prophet wanted to sell other tribes to him.

Others can be slaves, but not themselves, right?

Luo De’s lips curled into an amused smile, "Alright, just bring them here, one slave for one citizen identity."

"We can’t capture them..."

The Prophet once again found it difficult: "We need your soldiers’ assistance."

"So you’re just talking, telling me about those two tribes, right?"

Luo De shook his head slightly, "I won’t let my soldiers enter the Blade Mountain Range."

The Blade Mountain Range was a densely lush forest, without fixed paths, filled with steep cliffs and endless abysses, not to mention venomous snakes and fierce beasts.

Entering such a perilous, unfamiliar land recklessly would easily lead to getting lost.

Even with the White Frost Tribe leading the way, Luo De wouldn’t risk his soldiers venturing in.

No need.

"Your soldiers don’t need to go deep."

The Prophet lowered his voice, his eyes gleaming with slyness,

"You only need to set up a bait, and I’ll lure them all out."

Luo De’s lips slightly curved upwards, reassessing the Wildman Prophet before him.

This guy indeed differed from ordinary Wildmen, solving problems with his mind instead of force, with a mind sinister enough.

How could such a person emerge among a bunch of Wildmen?

Bloodline awakening?

Or a Prophet’s legacy enlightenment?

Luo De nodded slightly, putting aside his curiosity, and asked, "The idea is good, but will they listen to you?"

The Prophet’s face bore confidence,

"Hunger will make them believe."

...

...

The sky pressed gloomily towards the earth, layers of clouds like a black curtain shrouding the Blade Mountain Range.

A gentle breeze swept through the grass on the wilderness, producing a faint rustling, as if whispering the secrets hidden in the wild.

Not far away, three carriages were slowly moving forward, the sound of wheels crushing the soil piercing in the oppressive atmosphere.

The carriages were loaded with bulging goods, covered with rain-proof tarpaulins, appearing extremely tempting.

And in the distant woods, a large group of Wildmen lay prone in the grass, staring intently at the caravan ahead.

"Prophet Bai Shuang, are you sure these carriages are loaded with rye?"

Gray Stone Leader swallowed forcefully, while the Giant Wood Leader beside him wiped at the corners of his mouth.

Sweet, delicious rye!

It was right in front of them!

"Covered with tarpaulins, I’m not certain, but you saw the results of my divination."

The Prophet said calmly: "As long as we seize this convoy, we’ll all have rye to eat.

It depends on whether you dare or not."

"Why wouldn’t we dare?"

Gray Stone Leader’s face bore mockery, "You think I’m your White Frost Leader, who runs away scared after encountering ten people and gets caught?

This time we brought... several tens!"

Gray Stone Leader excitedly stretched out his ten fingers, realizing he couldn’t count clearly.

"Anyway, it’s much more than those caravan people!"

Unable to count to eighty-five.

Prophet Bai Shuang sneered inwardly, yet remained expressionless.

"Stop boasting, let’s take down this caravan first."

Prophet Bai Shuang spoke in a calm tone, further provoking Gray Stone Leader’s emotions.

"The White Frost Tribe doesn’t deserve a Prophet; after we rob this caravan, you can come to our tribe!"

With that, Gray Stone Leader jumped up, ignoring the Giant Wood Leader beside him, waving his spear,

"Gray Stone warriors, charge!"

"Oulah!"

Gray Stone Wildmen screamed and sprang up, following their leader to charge!

"Fools!"

Prophet Bai Shuang cursed under his breath, promptly kicking the Giant Wood Leader beside him, reminding: "If you don’t go now, they’ll take everything!"

Giant Wood Leader immediately reacted, jumping up and shouting: "Giant Wood Tribe, charge, charge!"