Kuzhu Ancestor suppressed his rage with great effort and said through gritted teeth, "Killing is just a nod of the head. Jiang Chen, what exactly do you want? Lay out your terms."
"I can spare these people's lives. That's possible. But there will definitely be conditions." Jiang Chen spoke in a measured, unhurried tone.
"What conditions? Name them." Upon hearing there was still room to negotiate, a sliver of hope flashed through Kuzhu Ancestor's heart.
"The first one is simple. You, Kuzhu Ancestor, will become my servant."
The moment Jiang Chen spoke, the words stunned everyone.
Kuzhu Ancestor blurted out, "Are you insane?"
Jiang Chen's smile didn't fade. "You want to tell me you'd rather die than suffer humiliation? Fine, then there's no need to keep talking. In any case, negotiation was never part of my plan to begin with."
As he spoke, his expression turned cold.
Kuzhu Ancestor had been about to haggle, but seeing that Jiang Chen wasn't playing that game at all — turning hostile in the blink of an eye — he reconsidered. This kind of person was nothing like a young genius. He was more seasoned and ruthless than Kuzhu Ancestor himself.
"Wait!"
When Kuzhu Ancestor saw Jiang Chen draw the Sacred Dragon Bow, looking ready to strike at any moment, his heart sank and he hurriedly shouted.
Jiang Chen sneered, "There's no point stalling for time. As the saying goes — the victor is king, the loser is a bandit. You're the loser, so show some awareness of that! Did you think you could turn things around by being wishy-washy and hesitant?"
"Is there truly no room at all?" Kuzhu Ancestor's voice was desolate.
"There is. This young master will make an exception and explain one more time. Become my servant, and you may have hope of breaking through to the Great Heavenly Position in your lifetime. Otherwise, you'll spend the rest of your life dying at the Middle Heavenly Position."
Jiang Chen's tone was flat.
But these words sent a violent shudder through Kuzhu Ancestor. "You? You have that kind of ability?"
Jiang Chen smiled faintly. "Whether you believe it or not, it doesn't change the fact that you have no other options."
Kuzhu Ancestor let out a long sigh. "Let me ask the others."
"No need to ask. Those three great tribes — this young master has no interest in them. Their fate, I leave to the Ancient Nuo King's judgment. If the Ancient Nuo King wants them to live, they live. If the Ancient Nuo King wants them to die, they die."
The Ancient Nuo King's eyes widened upon hearing this.
Jiang Chen's words were clearly a tremendous show of face. It made him feel that this choice had been more than worth it.
The Ancient Nuo King had actually been worried that Jiang Chen would burn the bridge after crossing. Now, hearing these words, he realized that Jiang Chen had no intention of doing so.
The high-ranking members of the three great tribes all turned pale with terror. They wailed and pleaded, "Kuzhu Ancestor, if we fall into the Ancient Nuo King's hands, we're as good as dead!"
Kuzhu Ancestor looked at Jiang Chen with a defeated expression. "Must it really be this way?"
"My deal with the Ancient Nuo King — I promised to support him in taking his position. When Jiang Chen gives his word, he keeps it. Instead of begging me, you should go beg the Ancient Nuo King."
The Bei King's face suddenly changed drastically. He stepped forward and bowed deeply to the Ancient Nuo King. "Ancient Nuo King, I was foolish before, bickering with you. A great man doesn't hold grudges against the petty. As long as you give us a way to live, we are willing to acknowledge you as the Lord of the Kuman Tribe and let you command the Divine Temple."
The Bei King had previously been at odds with the Ancient Nuo King.
The Ancient Nuo King let out a cold laugh. "I could show mercy to anyone else, but you, Bei King — cunning and treacherous, I absolutely cannot let you live!"
As he spoke, the Ancient Nuo King stepped forward and drove his palm straight into the Bei King's chest.
The Bei King had been poisoned, with less than a tenth of his original power remaining. He was no match for the unpoisoned Ancient Nuo King. The palm struck his chest squarely.
Crack!
A crisp snapping sound rang out as the Bei King's body flew backward like a kite with its string cut. The Ancient Nuo King strode forward and planted his foot on the Bei King's face.
"If it weren't for you taking it upon yourself to propose splitting our forces, where would this day's humiliation have come from? You thought you were being clever, but cleverness has been your undoing!"
As he spoke, the Ancient Nuo King stamped down.
The Bei King's head was crushed flat like a watermelon underfoot.
The Ancient Nuo King's overwhelming display of power left the other two chieftains pale and bloodless with shock.
The Yuanqiang King forced out an ugly smile. "Ancient Nuo King, when you were clashing with the Bei King, I never kicked you while you were down. I was kind enough to mediate between you. You..."
The Ancient Nuo King nodded indifferently. "If you had supported me openly and without reservation back then, I could have regarded you as a trusted friend. Unfortunately, you merely stayed neutral and tried to mediate. Still, I can spare your life and leave the Yuanqiang Tribe unscathed. However, you must submit to me and pledge your loyalty. Acknowledge me as the Emperor of the Kuman Tribe, and I will command the Divine Temple and hold the rites of sacrifice."
"That's only right, only right! With your talents, Ancient Nuo King, commanding the Divine Temple would truly be a blessing for our Kuman Tribe. I believe that one day, you will do an even better job than Kuzhu Ancestor ever did." The Yuanqiang King kept heaping praise upon the Ancient Nuo King.
The Cuiyu King sighed beside them. "Ancient Nuo King, between the two of us, there was never really any deep grudge, was there? Surely it needn't come to a fight to the death?"
"The old rule still stands: those who follow me prosper, those who defy me perish," the Ancient Nuo King said flatly.
"I am willing to submit to you." The Cuiyu King was also quite decisive. These men of the Kuman Tribe were not weighed down by face or excessive etiquette. They were all pragmatic enough to recognize the wisdom of bending with the wind.