Translator: CinderTL
Xu Sanyan bid farewell to the clan chief and staggered out of the mountain cave. The sunlight outside was slightly blinding, but the weather was excellent.
Woof!
A bark sounded behind him. Xu Sanyan turned to see the Seven-Headed Dog slowly following him.
"Uh, Brother Dog, what's this...?" he asked, unable to understand the dog's intentions.
The Seven-Headed Dog glanced at him but made no other move, simply trailing behind Xu Sanyan, its every step mirroring his own.
Xu Sanyan, still puzzled, continued down the mountain path, with the Seven-Headed Dog shadowing him like a guard.
Along the way, several wooden huts stood empty. Normally, people would be visible, but today not a single soul could be seen. He walked for a long time without encountering anyone.
This struck him as odd. Even the children were gone.
Xu Sanyan stopped, gazing at the deserted Dog Clan. He sensed something was amiss.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, a dark flash shot out from the forest, aimed directly at his head with impossible speed.
Xu Sanyan's pupils constricted in terror. His body, still recovering, reacted too late to evade the attack. Despair flooded his heart.
At the critical moment, the Seven-Headed Dog lunged forward, shoving Xu Sanyan aside and narrowly avoiding the attack.
Bang!
The dark energy struck the tree behind them, embedding a small stone deep into its trunk.
Xu Sanyan turned to see a figure emerge from the forest. Rustling sounds followed as a large group of muscular, primitive people appeared, roughly half male and half female, numbering around a hundred.
These towering figures, even taller than the Dog Clan people by half a head, wore various animal hides. Their bare limbs bulged with coiled muscles, radiating raw power.
Xu Sanyan's brow furrowed. Based on their physique, he suspected they were Bear Clan members, confirming Xun Ancai's earlier description of their imposing stature.
But why were the Bear Clan here?
A realization flashed through his mind, and the pieces clicked into place.
The pack beasts were giving birth!
The annual birthing season for pack beasts was fixed. Every year, tribes sent out hunting parties during this vulnerable period, leaving their defenses dangerously thin.
This year, the Bear Clan had bypassed the hunt, seizing the opportunity to strike at the Dog Clan's weakened defenses.
Xu Sanyan turned to look at the Seven-Headed Dog, his heart gradually calming.
The Old Clan Chief had sent the Seven-Headed Dog to guard him, suggesting she had anticipated this very moment.
It remained to be seen who was the hunter and who was the prey.
"Who are you?" a tall, middle-aged man asked Xu Sanyan, his voice deep and imposing as he scrutinized Xu Sanyan's unusual attire.
Xu Sanyan remained silent, forcing himself to stand.
The Bear Clan man's gaze shifted from Xu Sanyan to behind him, where an elderly woman was slowly approaching, leaning on a cane.
"Clan Chief Xiong Shan," the Old Clan Chief said, standing beside Xu Sanyan and meeting Xiong Shan's gaze directly. "Our Dog Clan and Bear Clan have long maintained an agreement: no attacks during the pack beast birthing season. Why are you breaking this pact?"
Survival was already a struggle. The annual pack beast birthing season offered a rare opportunity for hunting, leading the tribes to establish a truce during this period.
Xiong Shan sneered. "Ha! That was an agreement between you and my father. What does it have to do with me?"
"So, you truly intend to break the pact?"
Xiong Shan stepped forward, his towering frame radiating menace. "I'm standing right here, aren't I? What do you think?"
"Very well, then."
The Old Clan Chief sighed, a hint of regret in her voice, then clapped her hands sharply. Instantly, scores of Dog Clan warriors surged from all directions, while hundreds of three-headed dogs lay silently on the ground, poised to strike.
Xu Sanyan scanned the crowd and spotted the middle-aged woman among them, accompanied by a five-headed dog. He also noticed Xun Ancai, her gaze fixed intently on him.
They had never intended to hunt pack beasts; they had been lying in ambush around the Dog Clan village, waiting for the Bear Clan to walk into their trap.
Xiong Shan's expression grew increasingly ferocious as he surveyed the encircling Dog Clan warriors. Now he understood he had been outmaneuvered by the old woman.
"You old hag! You tricked me?!"
The Bear Clan warriors huddled together, their eyes darting warily at the Dog Clan warriors.
The Old Clan Chief remained calm, speaking as if to herself. "I heard that Heroic Soul Mountain in your Bear Clan is failing. The earth vein is nearly depleted. Since the Dog Clan and Snake Clan are your only neighbors, it was only logical you'd choose to attack us."
The Snake Clan was stronger, making the Dog Clan the more logical target for the Bear Clan's aggression.
"Where did you hear that?" Xiong Shan froze. He had believed this secret was well-guarded, known only to a handful of Bear Clan members. How had the Dog Clan learned of it?
"If it were your father, he wouldn't have asked such a question," the Old Clan Chief said, her deep eyes filled with serene composure.
Xu Sanyan pressed his lips together and slowly retreated. With his current limited strength, he didn't want to risk being accidentally injured in the coming battle.
Xiong Shan scanned the surroundings, then let out a savage laugh. "Heh, so you figured it out? What good does that do you, old hag? You're ancient—how much of your strength do you even have left?"
The Old Clan Chief subtly glanced at Xu Sanyan before slowly straightening her back, appearing more invigorated. "Yes, I'm old. But you'll never have the chance to grow old."
"Kill her!" Xiong Shan roared, his massive frame charging toward the Old Clan Chief like a collapsing mountain, an unstoppable force.
Despite being outmaneuvered, strength would ultimately decide the outcome. If he could swiftly kill the Dog Clan Chieftain, victory would still belong to the Bear Clan.
Having received six blessings, Xiong Shan knew that once the old woman was dead, no one present could stop him. He could lead his forces to break through the encirclement, regroup, and launch another assault. By then, the Dog Clan would be unable to resist.
The Old Clan Chief lowered her eyelids, her gaze heavy as she watched the ferocious Xiong Shan approach.
As Xiong Shan had said, she was too old. The lifespan granted by her Seven Blessings totaled only about three hundred years, and she was already over three hundred. Even without any mishaps, she had few years left to live.
Now, her only wish was to clear the way for the Dog Clan before her death.
Bang!
The two collided heavily, the Old Clan Chief's withered frame a stark contrast to Xiong Shan's massive build.
Though she had received Seven Blessings, her strength had deteriorated severely with age. Now, she could barely withstand even Xiong Shan, who had only received Six Blessings.
The Bear Clan had always excelled in close combat, a natural advantage bestowed upon them by the Bear God. The Old Clan Chief clearly understood this, avoiding direct confrontation and focusing instead on trying to restrain him.
The Seven-Headed Dog joined the fray, fighting alongside the Old Clan Chief. Despite their two-on-one advantage, Xiong Shan relentlessly pressed his attack, forcing them into perilous situations from the very first exchange, highlighting the vast difference in their power.
"Kill!"
The middle-aged woman roared, leading the charge against the Bear Clan warriors. Xun Ancai and the others followed closely behind, with a large group of three-headed and four-headed dogs surging into the battlefield.
Xu Sanyan hid behind a tree, his eyes lowered slightly.
If he wanted to seize control of the Dog Clan, then...
The Old Clan Chief had to die!
As long as she lived, Xu Sanyan would never be able to control the Dog Clan.
(End of the Chapter)
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