After returning from the battlefield, Ninian indeed did not go to find Lan Ling again.
Because she had decided that unless Lan Ling came to find her on his own initiative, she absolutely would not speak a single word to him or meet him.
At first, she was in anxiety and restlessness every day.
After returning to the tribe, Lan Ling was with Dina training every day. Not only that, he also kept his regular appointments with Gou Fu’s wife for their affair, completely looking as if he did not have her in his sights at all.
Ninian was almost about to explode with anger. She truly wished she could expose his adulterous affair with Ali and have both of them executed. It took great effort for her to restrain herself.
Then, she chose a tactic: fighting fire with fire.
You, Lan Ling, are intimate with Dina and having an affair with Ali? Then I will be intimate with Du Yan.
So, after returning to the tribe, Ninian came to the Foreign Army camp to find Du Yan almost every day, smiling and laughing in front of everyone.
Previously, Du Yan had never even had the chance to hold her small hand. But one day, Ninian took the initiative to hold his hand in front of everyone, and it was right when Lan Ling and Dina were leaving the camp.
At the time, Lan Ling almost completely ignored it and left directly.
And Du Yan was so happy he felt as if he were about to fly.
Half a month passed, and the entire Foreign Army was spreading rumours that Du Yan was about to marry the Chieftain’s daughter, Ninian.
And Du Yan was bathed in spring breeze every day, extraordinarily pleased with himself, his entire person seemingly floating on cloud nine.
Time flew by swiftly. Now, there was only one day left until the final deadline.
Lan Ling was about to have his final showdown with Constantine.
…
During this period, Constantine was away from the tribe for a long time, because he needed to pay attention to the great battle between the Ankara Tribe and the Mustang Tribe.
After the Fallen Horse Mountains campaign ended, the Mustang Tribe Chieftain Duo Duo led four thousand defeated remnant troops back to the tribe.
As a result, before they even reached the Mustang Tribe, they ran into three thousand cavalry from the Ankara Tribe halfway.
The two forces met on a narrow path, and immediately engaged in a great battle.
Perhaps the sorrowful army is bound to win. In any case, the Mustang Tribe’s four thousand remnant troops achieved a pyrrhic victory, repelling the Ankara Tribe’s cavalry.
But…
On the journey back to the tribe, the Ankara Tribe’s cavalry harassed and attacked them the entire way. Each time, they did not seek victory, only to slow Duo Duo’s speed.
Thus, a journey that should have taken one day and night took Duo Duo’s several thousand remnant troops a full four days.
When Duo Duo led less than three thousand remnant troops back to the tribe, his nest had already fallen.
While the Ankara Tribe’s three thousand cavalry were blocking Duo Duo’s remnant troops along the way, another seven thousand great army attacked the Mustang Tribe’s nest. In merely a day and a half, the battle was over. The three thousand defending troops were almost completely wiped out.
The Mustang Tribe Chieftain Duo Duo, in extreme fury, immediately led three thousand remnant troops into battle.
The result was a crushing defeat in merely half a day, with over two thousand casualties. Chieftain Duo Duo was desperately protected by dozens of Berserkers and several hundred elite warriors, fleeing the battlefield.
After fleeing, Duo Duo was utterly devastated. He directly drew his scimitar to commit suicide, but was stopped by his daughter Duo Ning.
“Father, suicide is the choice of a coward! As long as the mountain remains, there is no fear of running out of firewood.” Duo Ning said, “As long as these warriors are by your side, there is a chance to make a comeback.”
Duo Duo was streaming with tears, putting down his scimitar.
He couldn’t help but recall a message Lan Ling had asked his daughter to pass on to him: even if you reach a dead end, please preserve your life.
Although Lan Ling was a small figure, his words shouldn’t have much value. But for some reason, the moment he thought of the miracle Lan Ling had created, thinking of how he had killed nearly a thousand people in one great battle, Duo Duo felt these words struck him like thunder.
Just like a drowning person, even a straw would be clutched tightly.
“If we had truly recruited Lan Ling and Suo Mo’s Foreign Army back then, we wouldn’t have lost.” Duo Duo said in pain.
These words, if not spoken, would have been fine. But once spoken, they made Duo Ning’s heart twist like a knife.
If Lan Ling and Suo Mo’s Foreign Army had joined the Mustang Tribe, first of all, the Mustang Tribe’s three thousand cavalry harassment tactics could not have succeeded. Because Lan Ling’s mid-to-long-range killing was completely unsolvable, heaven-defying!
This way, Duo Duo could have led his army back to the tribe in time.
Once he returned to the tribe in time, plus three thousand defending troops, plus the Foreign Army, there would have been seven to eight thousand troops in total. Plus a Lan Ling, plus the help of the tribe’s residents, defeating the Ankara Tribe’s less than ten thousand troops would have been more than sufficient.
One could say, if Duo Ning had successfully persuaded Lan Ling to defect back then, then the one suffering a crushing defeat now would be the Ankara Tribe, and the Mustang Tribe would not have perished.
Not only that, within at most one or two years, the Mustang Tribe could have gone to war with the Chimera Tribe, reclaiming the Fallen Horse Mountains.
“I shouldn’t have been so proud. I shouldn’t have been so reserved.” Duo Ning thought in pain, “If I could have lowered my stance, even devoted myself to Lan Ling that very night, perhaps I could have salvaged everything today.”
But no matter what, things had already happened. Regret was too late now.
…
Constantine did not directly participate in the great battle between the Ankara Tribe and the Mustang Tribe, but he observed from the sidelines the entire time.
After returning to the Chimera Tribe, he fell into deep contemplation, and also felt waves of fear.
The Mustang Tribe had perished just like that. The centuries-old Mustang Tribe had perished just like that.
Although the Chimera Tribe was the victor, he still felt afraid.
Perhaps it was sorrow for the death of a rabbit, or perhaps it was for other reasons.
But in any case, he, Constantine, had set a very bad precedent by using a conspiracy to destroy a tribe.
Previously, there had also been the decline and rise of tribes, but they were basically battles of iron and blood, face-to-face confrontations, without any conspiracies or schemes.
But this time, the Mustang Tribe was destroyed by a conspiracy.
Although this conspiracy was very crude, merely a collusion between him and the Ankara Tribe to divide and devour the Mustang Tribe.
No one would judge him. But since he had set the precedent, conspiracies would continuously play out on this land from now on.
Today he used a conspiracy to destroy the Mustang Tribe. Tomorrow, others would use a conspiracy to destroy the Chimera Tribe.
And Constantine had an even deeper realisation. If the Mustang Tribe had had Lan Ling, it would not have perished. It could have defeated the Ankara Tribe, and even within one or two years could have defeated the Chimera Tribe to reclaim the Fallen Horse Mountains.
Not only that, when the Chimera Tribe encountered a fatal crisis in the future, Lan Ling could also serve as a trump card, even a saviour.
After observing the great battle between the Mustang Tribe and the Ankara Tribe, he felt he had completely underestimated Lan Ling’s role on the battlefield.
Whether in an encounter battle or a defensive battle, he could play a role in turning the tide.
Would the Chimera Tribe encounter a fatal crisis?
Yes, and even this enormous crisis was right before his eyes: the Ankara Tribe.
The greatest victor of this great battle was not the Chimera Tribe, but the Ankara Tribe.
The Ankara Tribe had seventy thousand people, sixteen thousand great troops. Originally, they were already somewhat stronger than the Chimera Tribe.
The Mustang Tribe had perished. Constantine had gained the entire Fallen Horse Mountains, approximately over five thousand square kilometres. But the Ankara Tribe had gained ten thousand square kilometres, plus tens of thousands of people.
Originally, the Ankara Tribe and the Chimera Tribe were comparable. Now they were far stronger than the Chimera Tribe. Their territory was seven thousand square kilometres larger, their population forty to fifty thousand more.
After the great battle ended, Constantine went to see the Ankara Tribe Chieftain, and had already clearly sensed his arrogance. The other party even wanted to veto the agreement to cede the Fallen Horse Mountains.
Not only that, the Ankara Tribe’s young chieftain had directly proposed to Ninian, with a bit of forced marriage about it.
If nothing unexpected happened, within at most three years, the Ankara Tribe would go to war with the Chimera Tribe. Their target would be to reclaim the Fallen Horse Mountains.
Because with their existing territory, the Ankara Tribe was somewhat strained to support a population of over one hundred thousand, and the prey in the Fallen Horse Mountains was the most abundant.
At that time, would he be a match for the Ankara Tribe?
Constantine dared not be certain. By then, the Ankara Tribe’s army would likely be twice his own.
If he had Lan Ling, Constantine would dare guarantee invincibility.
Because as long as Lan Ling was given sufficient protection, he was completely a reaper of death, completely unsolvable on the battlefield.
So, Lan Ling’s importance was far greater than he had imagined.
And the most terrifying thing was that the Ankara Tribe Chieftain had also inquired about Lan Ling’s whereabouts.
…
“Nini, how are things going with you and Lan Ling?” Constantine asked, “Has he changed his mind?”
Ninian’s beautiful face trembled. “He did not come to find me.”
Constantine’s expression changed. “Then you didn’t go to find him either?”
“Am I really that worthless? Do I have to throw myself at him?” Ninian said.
Constantine’s face instantly became incomparably ugly. He said in a trembling voice, “The Mustang Tribe has already perished. The powerful Ankara Tribe will soon become our enemy. And they have also begun to notice Lan Ling. The Mustang Tribe may have already sent people to find Lan Ling. Once Lan Ling falls into their hands, do you know what the consequences will be?”
“Then kill him!” Ninian said.
Constantine said, “Within three years, we and the Ankara Tribe will definitely go to war. We used a conspiracy to destroy the Mustang Tribe. This is equivalent to releasing a devil named conspiracy and schemes. From now on, it will be difficult for this land to be peaceful. Many tribes will live in constant fear. Lan Ling is more important than we imagined. Why didn’t you seize the opportunity to seduce him these past dozen or so days?”
“I don’t want to throw myself at him.” Ninian said.
Constantine said, “You wasted over ten days. In these ten days, you could have made him infatuated with you. You could have completely seduced him.”
Ninian’s face trembled. “I am not that self-degrading.”
Constantine closed his eyes. “Nini, you have lost your composure.”
Ninian’s heart trembled. She had indeed lost her composure, actually competing with Lan Ling in a battle of wills, thus delaying proper matters.
“It’s too late to say anything now.” Ninian said, “There is only one day left until our final deadline.”
Constantine sighed and said, “You go find Lan Ling and ask him for his final answer.”
Ninian said, “If he is still unwilling to break with Suo Mo?”
Constantine said, “Then kill him. The Mustang Tribe’s people are looking for him. The Ankara Tribe’s people are also looking for him. We absolutely cannot let him fall into the enemy’s hands.”
Ninian said, “Didn’t you say that Lan Ling is very important to us, and that within three years we and the Ankara Tribe will definitely go to war? After killing him, what should we do facing the great battle in the future?”
Constantine said, “After killing Lan Ling, you immediately set off for Raksha City. Use every possible means to marry yourself to the Little Barbarian King as a concubine.”
Ninian said, “Is it that urgent?”
Constantine nodded and said, “The Ankara Tribe has already forced a marriage proposal on me. If I refuse, it is a humiliation to them. So whether you marry Lan Ling or the Little Barbarian King, you must have a destination.”
Ninian closed her eyes in pain. She had not expected that she would be forced to make a choice so soon.
Either completely marry Lan Ling, or travel thousands of li to Raksha City, humbly delivering herself before the Little Barbarian King to become one of his dozen or so concubines.
Ninian said, “Father, must we make Lan Ling betray Suo Mo?”
“We must!” Constantine said, “A monstrous genius like him, once allowed to command an absolutely loyal army, will breed enormous ambition and become uncontrollable. He can only be completely loyal to me, with absolutely no way out.”
One had to admit, regarding this concern about Lan Ling, Constantine was still correct.
Ninian said, “Once the decision is made to kill Lan Ling, we must also kill Suo Mo at the same time, right?”
“Right.” Constantine said, “In the great battle with the Mustang Tribe, Suo Mo disobeyed my orders and did not kill the Mustang Chieftain Duo Duo. I have not punished this great crime to this day. And his martial arts have recovered at most less than sixty percent at most. He can still be killed.”
Ninian said, “How do you plan to kill Suo Mo? What if his army rebels?”
Constantine stood up and said, “I will immediately order Suo Mo to bring Dina and Lan Ling’s daughter to the castle on the mountaintop. If Lan Ling compromises, then all is well. If Lan Ling does not compromise, then I will immediately order Suo Mo and Dina to be crippled, and execute them on the grounds of disobeying orders on the battlefield.”
Ninian said, “What about the Foreign Army?”
Ninian said, “I will have Du Yan take over the Foreign Army, disarm them all, and seal off the entire Foreign Army camp. Then you take Lan Ling out and make one final effort! If Lan Ling is sensible, break with Suo Mo. If he is not sensible, kill him, kill Suo Mo too, kill Dina too.”
Ninian nodded and said, “I understand. To what extent can I go?”
Constantine said, “Except for truly devoting yourself, to be precise except for that membrane, anywhere can be given.”
Ninian’s face twitched, and she nodded. “I understand!”
Constantine nodded, then loudly ordered, “Someone, go to the Foreign Army camp and invite Great Chief Suo Mo, Third Chief Dina, and Lan Ling’s daughter. Say that the Second Madam misses her.”
“Yes!” A trusted warrior received the order and went!
Ninian said, “What if they are unwilling to come?”
Constantine said coldly, “Then that is rebellion, then that is courting death!”
…
Today, Lan Ling did not go out to train. Instead, he was playing with little Ya Ya. Suo Mo and Dina were also at home.
They seemed to be waiting for something.
“By the Chieftain’s order, Suo Mo is invited to the Chieftain’s castle to discuss matters. Dina is asked to bring Lan Ling’s daughter to the mountaintop castle to pay respects to the Second Madam.” Constantine’s trusted warrior shouted loudly.
The moment of final showdown had finally arrived!
Could Suo Mo and Dina choose not to go?
Impossible. If they didn’t go, unless they rebelled right now.
And at this time, after the previous great battle, the Foreign Army now numbered less than one thousand. But the Chimera Tribe’s elite troops still numbered over ten thousand. Rebelling now would be completely courting death!
So, Suo Mo and Dina, plus the little girl, had to go to the mountaintop castle as hostages!
But no matter what happened, at least the little girl would not die. This was a promise personally made by the Second Madam Si Si.
She had promised it last night, after Lan Ling had had his way with her for three hours last night.
“We’re leaving. Be careful in your response.” Suo Mo patted Lan Ling’s shoulder, then carried the little girl and left.
Dina came before Lan Ling, opened her mouth wanting to say something, but ultimately said nothing. She only leaned in to kiss Lan Ling, then walked out.
Suo Mo took Dina and the little girl to the mountaintop Chieftain’s castle, as hostages.
And at the same time, three thousand soldiers of the Chimera Tribe closed all the tribe’s gates, defending every place.
Two thousand tribal soldiers guarded every exit of the Foreign Army camp.
The Chieftain Constantine personally ordered that all Foreign Army members remain in their cave barracks, not taking a single step outside. Violators would be killed without mercy!
Instantly, the entire Chimera Tribe was filled with an oppressive atmosphere of an approaching storm!
Everyone instinctively stayed in their homes, holding their breath, waiting for the upheaval that could arrive at any moment!
…
“Du Yan, you also know what crime your foster father Suo Mo has committed, don’t you?” Constantine asked.
Du Yan’s gaze trembled, and he lowered his head. “During the great battle, foster father should not have disobeyed the Chieftain’s orders.”
Constantine said, “If something happens next, I want you to take command of the entire Foreign Army without any unrest. Can you do it?”
Du Yan’s heart leapt violently!
He couldn’t tell whether it was wild joy or unease.
“I will definitely pledge my life in loyalty to the Chieftain.” Du Yan immediately knelt down.
Then, he added, “Although foster father was wrong, his crime does not deserve death!”
“Did I say I was going to kill him?” Constantine said coldly, “Go!”
Du Yan breathed rapidly, leaving the Chieftain’s castle. Outside the castle, he encountered Ninian in full dress.
It was actually a silk long skirt, a blue peacock silk long skirt.
Du Yan completely couldn’t open his eyes. At this moment, Ninian was simply stunningly beautiful, completely making one dare not look directly at her.
In the barbarian tribes, especially the southern barbarian wilderness, silk was absolutely sky-high in price, worth a thousand gold.
Because the barbarian wilderness did not produce silk. All silk skirts came from the human kingdom.
The entire Chimera Tribe had only three silk skirts in total.
Du Yan completely couldn’t restrain the adoration in his heart. He gazed at Ninian with deep affection, unable to resist stepping forward to hold her hand.
Even at this moment, Ninian did not forget to give him a gentle smile.
“Nini, are we going to kill Lan Ling soon?” Du Yan asked in a low, excited voice.
Ninian said, “Soon. Be prepared.”
Du Yan said coldly, “My sword has already been sharpened. I can cut off his dog’s head at any time.”
…
Du Yan entered the Foreign Army camp, personally suppressing the Foreign Army’s order.
Nearly one thousand Foreign Army members were all disarmed. The Chimera Tribe’s army sealed off every entrance and every sentry post of the Foreign Army camp.
All the tribe’s walls, all entrances and exits were closed. Every section of the stone wall had soldiers patrolling.
All civilians of the tribe stayed in their homes.
All roads in the tribe were filled with patrolling tribal armies.
Everyone knew something major was about to happen!
An astonishing upheaval was about to be unleashed.
And at this moment, wearing a blue silk long skirt, stunningly beautiful beyond description, the flower of the tribe Ninian appeared before Lan Ling and smiled, “Lan Ling, shall we go out for a walk?”
Lan Ling was also wearing brand new clothes. He nodded towards Ninian and said, “Sure!”
Then the two of them rode horses out of the Chimera Tribe’s gates, proceeding to the final showdown!
Lan Ling lightly pressed the medicine in his bosom!
This was given to him by the Second Madam Qing She, an extremely potent aphrodisiac.
Before the complete showdown, first take her body!