Wei School's Three Good Students

Chapter 216 Pragmatic Alliances

After Xuan Chong captured Griffin City, the city was filled with flags adorned with colorful feathers. The Wu family army lifted restrictions, allowing the winged people to roam the streets.

Mu Yun Kuohai gathered his compatriots in the square. He addressed the many Winged Clan members, saying, "Everyone, look at me, I have something to announce!"

Before these winged people, Mu Yun Kuo Hai knelt before Xuan Chong according to aristocratic etiquette.

Xuan Chong placed his hand on Mu Yun Kuo Hai's head and then led him into a secluded religious building, which now displayed the crest of the Moon Queen.

The secret room that Mu Yun Hai Kuo entered contained a genetic modification facility brought from Sky City. Its appearance didn't resemble anything mechanical; instead, it looked like a hexagonal coffin, purely a magical artifact.

Xuan Chong watched as the Feather Clan members stared curiously at Mu Yun Kuo Hai as he entered the prayer chamber, thinking to himself: Religious rituals need a sense of mystery.

Admittedly, he was able to transform Muyun Kuohai into royalty in front of everyone—but this lacked a compelling story and elaborate presentation.

These commoners of the Feathered Clan, who could clearly see the "enlightenment" process, would subconsciously believe that the outcome of this ritual was weaker than that of the traditional royal trials.

Just like many health supplements in later generations, their actual effects are no more than those of vitamin tablets costing a few dollars in a pharmacy; however, people subconsciously believe that the effects of vitamin tablets are cheap and cannot be compared with those of expensive health supplements.

If we approach this with a "scientific verification" attitude, we could explain to the Feathered Clan that the trial involves flying up to undergo gene enhancement.

Even if, after a long period of time, the Feathered Clan will understand the truth of the "trial" that Xuan Chong spoke of, the debts they owe will be delayed for hundreds of years, or even left unpaid.

Xuan Chong's Memorandum: When dealing with external groups and encountering superstition, do not think of dispelling their superstitions. It's best to simply say, "Ah, yes, yes, yes." The cost for the Yao people, as an external force, to eradicate superstition for the Yu tribe is too high. If you are not prepared to trample on their superstitions, it is best to fight superstition with superstition.

For example, Xuan Chong is a pacifist and has no intention of using wooden mechanical flying machines to humiliate the Feather Clan on the battlefield or trample on their traditional culture of trials. He came all this way to do business, not to engage in any kind of annexation.

As Mu Yun Kuo Hai unfurled his enormous kingly wings and began his flamboyant kingly parade, constantly displaying his strong and powerful muscles, numerous winged beings blinked their big eyes, clasped their hands together, and crossed their wings as they sang hymns to the sky.

Many of the Feathered Clan members now looked at Xuan Chong with awe, beginning to regard him as a messenger of the gods.

On the altar, after Xuan Chong put away the magical artifacts of Sky City, he gave Mu Yun Kuo Hai, who was kneeling devoutly before him, a list of city defenses and regulations, instructing him to defend the city well and to establish the Griffin City government.

Mu Yun Kuo Hai: "My lord, this is!"

Xuan Chong: "Princess Xiyuan of Griffin City is with me. You'd better prepare to propose."

Mu Yun Kuohai looked confused. He had always looked up to that royal princess with awe. He asked, "Really, really?"

Xuan Chong smiled and said, "Are kings and nobles born with a special destiny? You're born with one now, so why don't you think about it?"

Xuan Chong gave him an encouraging look, implying that he could do it, while Mu Yun Kuohai's eyes lit up with ambition.

Xuan Chong gazed at the city his soldiers had recaptured, knowing he would eventually have to withdraw. But before withdrawing, he needed to make a post-war distribution plan that aligned with his group's interests.

As for Ruger? What allied obligations? Allied obligations mean that I help you, and you reciprocate with substantial goodwill. It doesn't mean that "I unilaterally fulfill my obligation to help, and then you accept the help and act like you're giving me face, maintaining a nominal alliance."

Xuan Chong was furious at the prince of this small city-state for being so ignorant.

Xuan Chong: "This guy is so arrogant, does he think he's conquering vassal states? Just because I don't have time to destroy countries, you all think I'm weak?"

That's right. Because Xuan Chong didn't destroy any states, the local city-states didn't feel that Da Yao's power could affect them. Within these city-states, it was always a zero-sum game, where the strongest takes all. In other words, even the small city-state of Griffin City felt it could take all the benefits from Xuan Chong without fulfilling any obligations!

…friendly, pragmatic…

After Xuan Chong made arrangements for Mu Yun Kuo Hai, he called Ang Ri over and asked Ang Ri to take Ka Wu to find Prince Luerge to discuss the process of handing over and selling the city.

Xuan Chong wanted to show these traditional winged nobles an attitude: Mu Yun Kuo Hai is "friendly" to him now, so you can also be "friendly" to him.

Furthermore, Xuan Chong does not rely entirely on Mu Yun Kuo Hai. Past experience has shown that in its southern diplomacy, without a plan to "abandon" smaller nations, the "friendship" earned through tribute from those smaller countries could become increasingly misleading.

Before leaving, Angri said, "My lord, that prince is wary of us. If we ask for gold and silver, it may increase his hostility."

Xuan Chong: "What I want is never gold or silver. If they don't have enough money, we can provide loans, which can be deducted from the trade between the two sides."

At this point, Xuan Chong looked at the southern sea and said slowly, "What we need is a more pragmatic attitude towards cooperation."

Please note that it is "pragmatic" rather than "equal," as "equal" is a term used when one's own strength is insufficient.

"Pragmatism" means having sufficient strength to warn certain countries to be realistic and not make unreasonable demands. Xuanchong, having gradually come to understand the situation, has moved beyond the initial "courtesy" phase and is preparing for "military action."

…chaotic corrosion…

During the siege of Ruerg Fortress, Golden Horned saw the horned people who had been released. One of their eyes and one ear had been gouged out and deafened. The message this companion brought back was that all their kin who remained in the city to await the next evolution under the Blood Moon had been slaughtered.

Golden Horn was furious. He used the Demon Moon Blessing on the people he had released, hoping to cure their blindness and deafness.

But as the blessing began, these unfortunate souls' eyes suddenly burst and their ears bled. They ultimately succumbed to poisoning and died.

Xuan Chong had calculated that Xie Yue's power would repair the ears and eyes. During the process of blinding the eyes and ears, he deliberately left a poison pill wrapped in wax droplets in the flesh. As the flesh grew forcibly, the poison pill was squeezed out, and the poison took effect on the spot.

Golden Horn roared to the sky, its already rare rationality destroyed by rage.

…bear…

Inside the fortress, Lurger sensed malevolent energy and howls emanating from the Horned People's group.

Of the 342 winged people who survived in Ruerg Fortress, all were in very poor condition. Upon hearing that the Wu family army had recaptured Griffin City, Ruerg was not happy that his people's crisis was over, but instead became even more wary of this alien ally to the north.

So when Anger and Kau arrived at the fortress, Lurger was on high alert for the two allies, and his guards kept their swords pointed at them.

Anger had no interest in speaking to Ruger, and the entire conversation was handled by Kau.

However, after Kau finished speaking, Luger ordered Kau to seek help from the "Lighthouse Watch".

Luger: "I am friends with Mik and Xunfeier (princes of two large winged city-states), and we can ask them to mediate and help us."

Kau frowned: "Prince, do we need to flap our wings like this? The Great Yao people, as our allies, have mentioned that they are willing to hand over the city to us."

Luger stared at his subordinate and said calmly, "Yes, you said you would return it to us, but what was the price?"

Kau opened his mouth but couldn't answer. (He couldn't help but think, "Is there no price to pay for seeking out other forces?")

Luger confidently recounted the wicked intentions of the foreigners to the north: "The silk and porcelain they sell to us are offered in exchange for gold and pearls of equal value, and even for our own people."

Luger stood on the map, looking at Sunrise City to the east: "For our own good, we now need the support of our compatriots." As he said this, he completely ignored Angri beside him, as if he were sulking.

After Kau and Angri took off from the castle again, Kau faced Angri's gaze, as if he wanted to say something.

Angri shook his head and said to him, "Between ruler and subject, and between allies, you must decide for yourself." Kau smiled wryly and rode his griffin southeast. Little did he know that Angri would shake his head upon his departure, because Xuan Chong had originally reserved a spot for him, but this winged man still adhered to the old, rigid ideology. Since he couldn't make his own decisions, there was no need to continue investing.

…Everyone has a price tag…

Four hours later, the horned people breached the fortress. After the fortress fell, Lurger and many other winged people, facing the raging horned people surging in from all directions, received a message from Angri in the sky.

Angri: "Go east."

The winged creatures paused, looking at Lurg, who remained silent, seemingly waiting for Angri to make a "pleading" request.

But Angri just stared at him coldly. Finally, when the horned man's broadsword cleaved his personal guards in two in front of him, he couldn't help but turn around and fly eastward.

His many winged subordinates stared at him in surprise, then scattered eastward. —As for next time, they wouldn't wait for his decision anymore.

To the east, the blazing storm flames fell, forming a fiery barrier.

This was Taiyue Luan's Nirvana skill. As the flames subsided, the Horned People rushed forward, while Lurger and the Feathered People fled.

Luger never had an army again.

…wipe out…

After ten hours, the pursuers sent by Golden Horn, having failed to capture the fleeing Lurger, roared in fury. A crimson light emanated from their muscles.

While the Winged Race were not adept at ground-based gun battles, they were agile and quick to flee after abandoning their armor and weapons. Indeed, in Storm City and Griffin City, the Horned People failed to achieve a complete massacre after breaching the city walls; all the noble Winged Race members departed on their wind-riding airships, while the strong and able-bodied Winged Race civilians sailed out to sea.

As Jinjiao led his thousand-strong force northward, the Yao tribe cavalry appeared behind them.

Golden Horn quickly ordered his giants to meet the enemy, but after the cavalry dismounted, lined up, and fired a volley of gunfire, they immediately fled.

When he ignored them, the cavalrymen would come over again, dismount, and shoot, while displaying the horns cut off from the heads of the horned people.

Note: The reason for dismounting to shoot was that these cavalrymen were carrying heavy firearms with considerable recoil, making it impossible to fire effectively from horseback. However, the range was still more than two hundred paces.

Thus, Jinjiao abandoned its northward advance and was led by cavalry to the designated battle location in Xuanchong.

This was a position advantageous to the Yao army. Four hundred Yao soldiers stood on the high slope, facing an army of over a thousand horned people, including large mutated individuals, and launched a challenge.

The horned soldiers who had been naturalized in the Yao army shouted, "Come here!"

After a stick of incense had burned, as the horned people charged, Xuan Chong unfurled his flag, and fifty cavalrymen charged out from the side of the jungle outside, looking like a coin from the air, hurtling towards the rice grains on the chopping board.

Leading the cavalry was Wu Leng, a newcomer to the Wu family, having arrived from the north only three months prior. He raised his lance, letting the flag on it flutter, skillfully indicating the direction his group was heading. They cut in from the sparse flank of the Horned Men, sending a scattered group of small Horned Men flying.

The horned man on the edge was knocked away on the spot, but of course, this was not something that Golden Horn needed to pay too much attention to.

Golden Horn is now focusing all its attention on the main battlefield on the hillside, as well as on the eight giant individuals and seventy large individuals in its own group.

Note: Before fighting Lurg, Golden Horn had one hundred large individuals and five giant individuals under his command. The reason for the change in numbers is that on the hillside, two giant individuals were injured. They casually tore the fallen large individuals to pieces in mid-air, scattering their internal organs all over the ground. Then they chewed up the remains, regained their strength and recovered from their injuries, and continued to charge upwards. The large individuals who got their share of the internal organs also grew larger after devouring their own kind, developing into the shape of those giant monsters. Their irregularly curved heels scraped the ground, kicking up large amounts of dust like plowing.

At this time, after the horned people mutated, the horns on their bodies were just like the evolution of the horned stone monsters that ran rampant before the Permian period.

Golden Horn: "Charge! Just charge forward!"

However, the horned people who rushed up the slope began to stumble because there were barbed wire caltrops on the hillside! To make matters worse, a clanging sound rang out on the hillside, distracting the horned people.

On the hillside, the Wu family soldiers raised their spears. These spears had a peculiar configuration: in addition to red tassels, bells were also hung on the shafts. Since they couldn't find enough bells, they simply tied some iron plates to the spearheads and shook them, making a jingling sound.

After touring the "Sky Goddess's" biological base, Xuan Chong gained a comprehensive understanding of the weaknesses of each race.

The characteristic of horned people is that, due to the ossified structure of their skulls, once they hear a metallic knocking sound of a certain frequency, their cochlear system will resonate, resulting in extremely intense tinnitus. In other words, if gongs and drums are played during battle, it will seriously interfere with the attention of horned people.

This defect is an inherent flaw in the original design, stemming from the addition of horns to the horned figures, and cannot be remedied in subsequent attempts.

Now that these horned people have developed under Xie Yue's influence, they have made great progress in strength and explosiveness, but their physical coordination has not only not improved, but their shortcomings have actually become more pronounced.

Xuan Chong specializes in coordination and understands very well the importance of coordinated movements in addition to strength and agility.

Just as a person instinctively braces their arms to brace themselves when tripped, or instinctively ducks to protect their throat when faced with a sweeping stick, the eyes and ears, even a fleeting glance, trigger the brain's first priority preparation before these physical sensations of pain even arrive.

Human perception, feedback, and movement constitute a comprehensive information system.

Under the influence of the evil moon, the horned people, after only one or two months of catalytic development, became stronger but also dull-witted and unintelligent.

Xuan Chong could clearly see that these mutated horned people had blind spots on their huge bodies.

The mutant horned human is unable to take care of his/her whole body with keen senses and relies on hearing to supplement it. Once his/her hearing is interfered with, and his/her movements do not prioritize taking care of his/her vital organs, he/she will become very anxious.

Just as they were getting anxious, rows of spotlights on the front of the position blinded the group of horned people. As a result, when these horned people, who were between one and three zhang tall, had to cover their eyes with their hands, their chests were wide open and they were accurately pierced through the chest by spears.

The sound of spears piercing and being pulled out was heard as corpses fell and blood flowed down the hillside. Then a second wave of horned men charged up and crashed into the spears before falling to the ground.

The soldiers of the Wu family army kept pulling on the damp red tassels to shake off the blood, so that it wouldn't flow down the gun barrels and onto their hands, causing them to slip.

The fierce battle on the slope lasted for the time it takes to brew three cups of tea. These horned demons, who had slaughtered two cities of the Feathered Clan, charged recklessly without any proper equipment, resulting in heavy casualties.

Faced with the rattling noise of the gun barrels and the spiky, gleaming thing on the mountain, the horned man became agitated and began wildly striking the gun barrels with his weapon.

However, as fighting fans know, the gun barrel is flexible, and simply hitting the barrel is a waste of energy.

When one of the horned men casually tossed aside a spearhead with a stick, as if manipulating chopsticks, the other three spearheads suddenly thrust forward, leaving three bloody holes in the horned man's body.

The assassinations continued, and just as a large number of people had piled up at the front corner of a certain formation, Xuan Chong felt that the pile of corpses was hindering the efficiency of the assassinations.

So he ordered a volley of noise bombs to be fired, and the spearmen retreated ten paces up the hillside to regroup. The horned men were excited and charged again, only to have a bronze gong thrown from the hillside and kicked around by the horned men.

The loud noise caused the people in the front row to keep stopping, while the people in the back row became agitated by the noise and began to push each other.

Another cup of tea's time passed, and the horn people were exhausted; the evil aura of the Yao army intensified, and they began a counterattack.

The penetrating power of the spearmen's rapid, synchronized charge downhill was comparable to a cavalry charge at a trot. Instantly, blood gushed from the necks of these distracted warriors. They tumbled irregularly down the hillside, like dewdrops drifting erratically on trembling lotus leaves.

The horned man was beaten to a pulp.

(End of this chapter)