Chapter 116: Discussion
For the vast majority of half-urban legend tribes, the only meaning of existence is to wait for their Supreme Shaman Queen to again summon her loyal subjects.
Thus, after the Tuowuali Lei Clan Leader extended invitations to the major tribes, soon tribes of medium size or larger either sent their clan leaders directly or dispatched envoys, arriving at Devil City within an hour, while members of the smaller tribes also sent word that they were on the way.
In a moment, hundreds of individuals with diverse appearances and various non-human characteristics—some robust and mighty, others grotesque and terrifying, or dark and twisted—gathered in Devil City, resembling a chaotic dance of demons.
If all these half-urban legends were to be replaced by full-fledged urban legends, in terms of effective combat power alone, they would almost rival the Hundred Demons Walk of Huacheng, and those present here were not even the entirety of forces each tribe could mobilize for battle.
By the time they actually reach Yumen Pass, the number of half-urban legends could multiply several times.
Those who had little voice, and could almost be deemed as mere observers, gathered at the outer edge of the open plaza formed by the Yadan hills of Devil City, awaiting the outcome of the interest distribution among the three super-large tribes.
The sounds of chatter were loud, occasionally interrupted by chilling low growls.
When the envoys or clan leaders of each tribe had gathered, the Tuowuali Lei Clan Leader finally made a delayed entrance alongside Fang Ji, instantly attracting everyone’s attention.
He moved through the crowd of half-urban legends clustered at the periphery, walking casually forward, fully displaying the temperament of a host and one who held the key to the rescue of the Shaman Queen.
As he approached the center of the plaza, he noticed the envoys sent by the three super-large tribes were whispering to one another, and without hesitation, he walked straight over.
“Long time no see, everyone.” He grinned, revealing his crescent-shaped fangs to the three slightly displeased faces.
“I’m not saying this just to say it… did you forget why we gathered here today? Until I arrived, what could you possibly discuss?”
As he spoke, he sat down, pushing aside a bulky envoy from the Bozi tribe with iron-gray skin, waving his hand dismissively, “But it doesn’t matter, we gathered together after all to join in the celebration, so we needn’t worry about these small details.”
“Continue, continue, let me also hear what you were just discussing.”
To be honest, the Tuowuali Lei Clan Leader initially did not want to appear so ostentatious.
His original plan was to prepare food and fine wine, and to meet this pair of clan leaders and the clan leader’s son who was here as an envoy with a more respectful attitude.
However, as soon as he communicated his idea, he was immediately stopped by Fang Ji.
According to Fang Ji, times had changed; now all half-urban legend tribes needed to rely on him to participate in the rescue mission for the Shaman Queen.
If he showed even a hint of humility, it would make him seem weak and allow others to exploit his interests, or even directly exclude him as the initiator from the operation.
Then, Fang Ji laid out a series of action plans for him.
Even though the Tuowuali Lei Clan Leader initially had his own thoughts, feeling that if he followed the instructions of this left envoy from the Miracle Cult too rigidly, it would make him feel somewhat like a tool.
But now, looking at the three faces he usually only smiled at, he suddenly found that it felt quite refreshing to put on airs.
With that sense of exhilaration, who cares if he’s a tool!
“Tuowuali, look at your pathetic smug expression; I really want to chop you up and feed you to the wolves in the Gobi Desert.”
The strange man, dressed in a black furry cloak, bore a face with a pointed nose and a monkey-like jaw, distinguished by rat-like whiskers and three pairs of small ears hidden among his hair, indicating his identity as a member of the Ana Tribe.
Wu Tayou, meaning Witch Doctor.
This was the one tribe among all half-urban legend tribes where each member possessed fixed characteristics.
This tribe became a super-large tribe not for any special reason but simply because they reproduced much more successfully than the other tribes that faced difficulties in proliferation.
The number of their tribe members is several times, even dozens of times, that of other tribes.
Simply put, more people naturally mean greater power.
And all of this can be attributed to a century ago when one of their ancestors, upon merging with an urban legend, chose a certain kind of aberrant urban legend associated with power and reproduction.
That rat-like appearance is indeed a characteristic of that urban legend.
“Oh? Then go ahead and try!” The Tuowuali Lei Clan Leader retorted, “If I d*e, you’ll only be wasting your trip even if you manage to get into Yumen Pass.”
As the two quarreled, the Bozi tribe’s envoy remained silent, merely shaking his large head, resembling someone who might fall asleep at any moment.
Seated in the center of the plaza were the clan leaders of various tribes; he, a clan leader’s son, felt like he had suddenly joined an elders’ meeting discussing significant matters, quite constrained.
Thus, he could only follow his sick father’s advice and speak little while watching closely, intervening only when it directly related to the tribe’s interests.
After exchanging a retort with the Wu Tayou tribe leader, the Tuowuali Lei Clan Leader waited for a moment, noticing that the three present had no intentions of speaking, and began speaking for himself.
“Since you all aren’t saying anything, then I shall have a few words?”
He paused, a smile appearing on his face, and stated directly, “I believe you’ve felt that the wind has picked up on your journey here; soon, we will have to spring into action.”
“This operation is unlike previous dealings with the Siye Society or the Yumen Sands Sea Branch; going about things independently will not yield good results. We should first choose a leader; my suggestion is to elect me.”
“Are you daydreaming?” The Aluslan Clan Leader, who had been silent for a long time, shot him a cold and fierce glance. “The dangers within Yumen Pass will undoubtedly be extreme; if you take the lead today, tomorrow you might meet with an accident and d*e in the wilderness, wouldn’t that create chaos?”
“In my view, the leader should be chosen based on who is most capable in battle.”
There was a hint of threat in his words; after all, unexpected troubles might not necessarily arise solely from Yumen Pass.
The Aluslan tribe had always been known for their fierce combat abilities, making it not particularly difficult to discreetly eliminate the Tuowuali Lei Clan Leader.
“Gur Aluslan, you should know me; I have always respected your strength.” The Tuowuali Lei Clan Leader shook his head and sighed, “But this time is different!”
“This time, it isn’t just our tribes’ members moving together; there will also be members from the Miracle Cult. Given your temperament, you will surely clash with them. And when that time comes, in a moment of passion, if you turn on our allies in battle, that will truly be detrimental!”
Furthermore, who will meet with an accident is still uncertain! The Tuowuali Lei Clan Leader added internally.
Previously, when Fang Ji urged him to secure this leadership position, he promised that if anyone opposed him, he would help him eliminate the opponent and ensure it would be done discreetly, so that even the Heavenly King would regard it as an accident.
After all, the left envoy from the Miracle Cult was particularly skilled at causing misfortune and triggering accidents.
As soon as these words were spoken, the members of the medium-sized tribes on the periphery were thrown into an uproar.
“The Miracle Cult? Why would we cooperate with them?”
“d*mn, this Tuowuali must have lost his mind! The Miracle Cult has always been our enemy across generations, right?”
“……”
While the half-urban legends engaged in discussion, the Tuowuali Lei Clan Leader raised his voice a few notches and said, “There is never absolute hatred in this world, only absolute interests. Although the Miracle Cult has been our deadly enemy in the past, that doesn’t mean they are still our enemies now…”
“Currently, the Miracle Cult has found the legendary treasure left behind by the Rainbow Debater, and they are absolutely confident in being able to awaken the urban legend. At that time, everyone will be able to fulfill a wish, which will undoubtedly be beneficial to our rescue of the Shaman Queen.”
“And furthermore, after we enter Yumen Pass, the Miracle Cult will do their utmost to assist us…”
As he spoke, seeing the outer half-urban legends gradually quiet down and fall into contemplation, the Tuowuali Lei Clan Leader withdrew his gaze and looked at the three heavyweight figures beside him, revealing a meaningful smile.
“You might think that anyone can lead and collaborate with the Miracle Cult, that it would be the same without me. But if you truly think that way, you’ve miscalculated. Without me, the Miracle Cult will absolutely not cooperate with you.”
Having said this, he turned to look at Fang Ji.
Fang Ji met his gaze with a nod of agreement.
The faces of the representatives from the three tribes suddenly became quite interesting.
Could it really be that they will let him be the leader?
