Chapter 14: Fierce

Located at the heart of the Black Soil Plain, the Barbarian Tribe boasted immense power and an influence that permeated the entire region, making it one of the most formidable factions in the land. Unlike the tribes near the Red River, the Barbarian Tribe had a relatively modest population of around three hundred thousand spread across two strongholds. Yet, they commanded a staggering force of nearly fifty thousand Warriors. This high ratio of soldiers was a direct result of the tribe's unique societal structure.

Many years ago, the Barbarian Race relied on their formidable combat prowess to utterly defeat all other tribes on the Black Soil Plain. However, rather than absorbing these conquered factions, they forced them to kneel in submission and pay annual tributes. Every year, the subjugated tribes were required to hand over massive quantities of food in exchange for the right to survive on this land. This system significantly alleviated the Barbarian Tribe's agricultural burden, allowing them to draft more young men into battle.

The Barbarian Tribe had dominated this region for over a century. Over the years, many factions had dared to challenge their supremacy, but they all ultimately met the same fate—either complete annihilation or forced migration, fleeing the land entirely. The overwhelming might of the Barbarian Race was deeply ingrained in the minds of the people, and the surrounding tribes had long grown accustomed to their tyranny. But now, a new and powerful faction had risen, boldly issuing a challenge to their undisputed rule.

Gazing at the distant stronghold of the Barbarian Tribe, Night Battle smiled coldly. He spurred his horse forward and roared, "Brave Night Tribe Warriors, charge with me!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, Night Battle bolted forward with his Personal Guard. The Warriors behind him immediately followed suit, roaring "RAAAH!" as they rushed toward the Barbarian Race's settlement ahead.

Within the entire Night Tribe, Night Battle held the highest authority as a military Commander, second only to the Clan Leader. As one of the original few hundred members of the Night Tribe, his Loyalty was beyond question. The Night Tribe had been embroiled in War for years, fighting countless battles, and Night Battle had been present at every critical engagement. It was no exaggeration to say he was a veteran of a hundred battles. Su Xingyu had always placed great hopes on him, wishing for him to mature into an outstanding Commander.

Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned; Night Battle simply lacked that kind of Talent. Even with Su Xingyu's careful guidance, Night Battle's Commander Value remained stubbornly stuck at 79, unable to break the 80-point threshold. Rather than commanding from the rear, Night Battle much preferred to lead the charge himself. He favored relying on his formidable individual strength and his Elite Personal Guard to smash through the enemy's front lines directly.

By the time Night Battle drew near, the Barbarian Tribe had already sensed the incoming threat and scrambled to organize a defense. However, they were ultimately a step too late. The Barbarian Tribe had been invincible in this region for so long that it never crossed their minds that anyone would dare attack their home. As for their fortifications, they were woefully rudimentary, perhaps only marginally better than those of the Red River Tribe. This lack of defense allowed the Night Tribe's cavalry to plunge straight into the Barbarian Tribe's camp without encountering any resistance.

"KILL!"

"Sacrifice the enemy's blood to our God!"

"Fight for the Monarch!"

The Barbarian Warriors, freshly roused from their slumber, found themselves face-to-face with the Night Tribe's Elite, who had ridden hard for a full day, fueled by an unwavering thirst for vengeance.

Almost every tribe surviving near the Red River had suffered under the tyranny of the Barbarian Race. Therefore, before this campaign even began, the Night Tribe Warriors fully anticipated the sheer strength of their foes. True to form, the Barbarian Warriors did not disappoint. Despite the utter chaos, the recently awakened defenders didn't scatter. Instead, they spontaneously organized their nearby comrades and launched a fierce counter-charge against the invaders.

It had to be said that the Barbarian Tribe's fearsome reputation across the Black Soil Plain was entirely justified. Had this been a tribe from the Red River region, they likely would have routed and surrendered the moment enemy cavalry breached their camp. The Barbarian Warriors, however, truly lived up to their savage nature.

"Die!" Night Battle roared, growing increasingly ferocious as he plunged deeper into the enemy ranks. He brandished his spear, and with every sweep, he claimed the lives of several Barbarian Warriors. Seeing their leader fight with such unparalleled ferocity, the surrounding Warriors refused to be outdone, relentlessly pushing forward to crush everything in their path.

Under this blistering offensive, the Barbarian Warriors were forced into a steady retreat. After all, the battle-hardened Night Tribe Warriors were no pushovers; they, too, possessed an unshakeable resolve. Having lived on this land for decades, they had practically grown up listening to the military exploits of the Barbarian Tribe. As a result, confronting them brought a complex mix of emotions—there was some underlying fear, but far more than that, there was a surging thrill of excitement. They thought, "We've heard the Barbarian Tribe has been invincible for decades, never once meeting their match. Today, we've come to challenge them, eager to see if they are truly as Legendary as the stories claim."

Fueled by this challenger's spirit, the Night Tribe Warriors fought with mounting ferocity. Facing the surging tide of Barbarian Warriors, they launched an even more devastating assault, adopting a fearless, do-or-die mentality where taking down one enemy was breaking even, and killing two was a profit.

Unsurprisingly, the Barbarian Tribe soon began to crumble. The Barbarian Race's ability to dominate this plain relied on three main pillars. The first was Extraordinary Power; by controlling the Blood Spirit Flower plantations and a Blood Crystal Ore Vein, the Barbarian Tribe had cultivated a massive number of Extraordinary Warriors. The second was their equipment. Regular trade with passing merchant caravans provided them with gear far superior to anything else in the region. The final pillar was their combat will—a long history of constant victories had forged an incredibly tenacious fighting spirit within the Barbarian Warriors.

However, the Night Tribe was not lacking in any of these three areas. In fact, they were even superior, and they now held the distinct advantage of a preemptive strike. This combination of factors meant the Barbarian Warriors were entirely incapable of matching the Night Tribe Warriors, practically rendering them powerless to resist.

As comrades fell one after another in a sea of encroaching enemies and towering flames, even the Elite Warriors of the Barbarian Race couldn't help but feel a deep sense of despair.

CLANG!

Night Battle wielded his spear, currently locked in fierce combat with a muscular Barbarian man. His thrusts were laced with a surging aura of scarlet vitality, relentlessly striking at his hulking opponent. After dozens of exchanges, both men were soaked in blood. The muscular Barbarian Warrior roared incessantly, swinging his long-handled axe with a savage, mountain-splitting force.

"Who are you people? Why are you invading us?" the muscular man demanded. As the ruler of this Barbarian stronghold, he had never imagined a day would come when his territory would be attacked. Furthermore, judging by the current situation, his subordinates were on the verge of total collapse.

"The Night Tribe. Night Battle."

A torrent of scarlet energy erupted from Night Battle, his aura swelling to an even more massive scale until his entire body was enveloped in a bloody mist. Roaring, he thrust his spear directly at the muscular man.

"Die!"

CLANG!

The muscular man frantically brought up his long-handled axe to block the strike. To his shock, Night Battle gripped the spear with both hands and viciously flicked it upward. The massive force ripped the axe straight out of the Barbarian's grasp.

SWISH!

The spear thrust forward once more, striking as fast as lightning.

"Wait—"

Stripped of his Weapon, a look of sheer terror washed over the muscular man's face as he hastily cried out for mercy. Night Battle completely ignored the plea. In a heartbeat, the spear pierced through the man's neck, instantly claiming his Life.

"The leader is dead! Surrender and you shall not be killed!" Night Battle shouted at the top of his lungs, hoisting the muscular man's corpse high into the air.

"The leader is dead! Surrender and you shall not be killed! The leader is dead! Surrender and you shall not be killed! The leader is dead! Surrender and you shall not be killed!"

The surrounding Night Tribe Warriors ceased their attacks and echoed his resounding war cry.

Their settlement had fallen, and their leader had met his Death. No matter how ferocious the Barbarian Warriors were, they knew that their momentum had completely collapsed in the face of this reality.

The Warriors of the Barbarian Tribe looked around at one another. Moments later, they dropped their Weapons one by one and chose to surrender.