CHAPTER 1073: CHAPTER 1029: UNEXPECTED JOY

Ma Chao kicked off the head of Yue Ji’s long-handled iron hammer with one foot, and then, under the opponent’s shocked, confused, and incredulous gaze, he fiercely kicked Yue Ji towards the earth. Accompanied by the earth’s cracking and the rapidly expanding mushroom cloud, the battle between Yue Ji and Ma Chao came to an end.

After the dust settled, countless Qiang people cheered and rushed towards the central pit, where Ma Chao stood, and Yue Ji lay on the ground as if dead. Despite Ma Chao’s disheveled hair and the sweat constantly dripping, his image was not diminished; rather, it further validated his strength.

"King, King, King!" Someone shouted first, and then a multitude of Qiang people shouted together.

Next, the largest tribe of Qiang brought out the preserved weapons and armor, a complete set of battle armor, the finest they possessed. As for the battle armor of the Qiang King they once collected, it had long been replaced by better armor and weapons. What the King wore must be the best.

This is a world transformed by a meteorite, and naturally, meteorites have a very magical legend in this world. Now the Qiang people have offered Ma Chao equipment forged primarily from meteoric iron, akin to a divine weapon.

Although this meteoric iron is not as terrifying as a divine stone, in this era, it is already the best material. Similarly, weapons and armor forged by an aristocratic family using ancient techniques can be considered the best in the world. Furthermore, the Qiang tribe has guarded this set of equipment for nearly two hundred years.

Nurtured constantly by Inner Qi for nearly two hundred years, it has reached a certain limit. However, no one had ever worn this equipment. This close to religious faith has finally awaited its rightful owner.

As they say, "Clothes make the man"; after Ma Chao donned this set of equipment, his originally handsome and suave appearance was accentuated by a few degrees of might. Whether it was fate or some other reason, this armor, which had been passed down for two hundred years, fit Ma Chao perfectly. Similarly, the dragon spear brought by the Xianling Qiang was also very handy, as if all of this was tailored especially for him.

"King, please enter the tent!" Just as Ma Chao changed armor, the King’s tent had already been set up. Though some tribes were unwilling, all knew that the appearance of the Qiang King was a good thing, marking an end to internal conflicts among the Qiang people.

In such circumstances, everything equipped for the Qiang King, by the tribes and elders of the ancestral land, was quickly offered. These tribes would remember to bring these items during each Qiang King selection.

As for the former Grand Elder Yue Ji, he was merely helped up, standing outside the tent, ready to welcome Ma Chao’s ascension as Qiang King. After being completely defeated by Ma Chao, Yue Ji was thoroughly convinced, greatly acknowledging this young man!

The Qiang King battle selects the strongest warrior of the Qiang clan, and now that Ma Chao has subdued everyone and ascended, it is only natural. As for his position as Grand Elder, whether he can continue depends on Ma Chao’s decision; the absolute martial force of the Qiang King equates to absolute power within the Qiang clan!

Unlike the Han Court’s values of benevolence, righteousness, wisdom, faith; here, everything is determined with fists. Ascending as King theoretically allows nullification of all previous tribal chiefs; from now on, after Ma Chao, only the concept of the Qiang clan exists!

"King, please enter the tent!" Tribes of the Hundred Qiang formed a line and respectfully invited Ma Chao into the tent.

Ma Chao flicked his cape and strode towards the King’s tent. However, at the moment of entering, Ma Chao turned and asked Yue Ji, "Can I bring people in?"

"King sets all the rules; you own everything of the Qiang, including our lives!" Yue Ji knelt directly, raising the loyal knife over his head, a gesture completely different from his past wildness, but his pale face clearly expressed his submission to Ma Chao.

The strike by Ma Chao that broke Yue Ji’s weapon not only severely injured him but also shattered his confidence and envy. The Qiang people submit to strength, and Ma Chao, young and powerful, most importantly possessing Qiang blood, had Yue Ji submitting at his feet without the slightest pressure.

"I’ve received your loyalty." Ma Chao, noticing Yue Ji’s expression, hesitated slightly, then laughed heartily while accepting Yue Ji’s knife. Concurrently, the chiefs representing the Western Qiang Tribe alongside Yue Ji smiled bitterly and quickly knelt, offering their loyalty and acknowledging Ma Chao’s position.

The Second Elder and Fourth Elder, always led by Yue Ji, seeing Yue Ji had no intention to confront Ma Chao, knew they couldn’t hold out anymore.

With Yue Ji’s experience and connections as Grand Elder for many years, even if Ma Chao did nothing, these two could only hold out for so long. Rather than struggling, they might as well offer their loyalty now, fulfilling the ancestral teachings of the Qiang clan, and leaving a good impression on the new young Qiang King.

"Yardang, Che Ercha greets His Majesty!" Both the Second Elder and Fourth Elder made the same choice as Yue Ji.

Similarly, the tribes represented by the Second Elder and Fourth Elder, Qingpian and Xianling, also submitted under Ma Chao’s feet. With three major tribes making the same choice, Ma Chao unknowingly grasped the major trends within the Qiang clan.

With collective loyalty from three major tribes, smaller tribes could only express allegiance similarly. Eventually, only the tribes of the former three elders remained, but in such circumstances, opposing Ma Chao was naturally unwise. Reluctantly, the tribe represented by the Third Elder Beheng Qiang could only submit.

In this way, even before understanding what had transpired, Ma Chao had successfully taken over more than seventy tribes.

"Mr. Xun, you come too; I think we need a talk." Ma Chao turned to Xun Youi and Dian Wei and said.

Xun Youi nodded and led Dian Wei in. After entering the King’s tent, Ma Chao seated himself on the royal throne, facing the chiefs from various tribes with no expression on his face, but his heart was filled with joy.

It should be known that Ma Chao, who is after all a descendant of Duke and Marquis, although the family had fallen into distress, was ultimately educated by the Han Dynasty. Therefore, in his view, the Qiang King selection battle is merely a standard.

Ma Chao did not believe passing the Qiang King selection battle entitled him to the status of Qiang King. Fortunately, what he sought was merely the grand principle of the Qiang King. He never imagined that after passing the selection, he could attain the position, so he had already thought about his actions after the selection.

But the reality is unpredictable; now, Ma Chao could not be more delighted with the surprise he received!

The first item on the agenda after entering the King’s tent is the formation of thirty thousand Royal Guard Cavalry Soldiers, personally selected by the new Qiang King Ma Chao, and every tribe must let go of their members. With weapons and equipment, all clans jointly offering contributions! (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to vote recommendation tickets and monthly tickets at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com for reading.)