Chapter 425: Which Side to Join? (1/2)
= Bing Province, Far North of Aves Continent =
After the fallen of Liu Bian's second pylon tower, the cyclop tribe took over this region and made it their new homeland.
Xia Dun, now known as Xiahou Dun, became the tribal chief of all giants. Not only the cyclops joined his forces, but trolls, goblins, and human refugees from the central plain also migrated here to avoid the chaos.
In addition, Jia Shan, Ma Ping, and elders from Ma Clan were here as well. They had completed their objectives – inciting Gongsun Zan's centaurs to attack Yuan Shaoqing's Yeet City. However, as the negotiation and the task took a long time, they couldn't return home because the Blood Orc suddenly appeared. Now, they got stuck here for the time being.
Xiahou Dun had learned about the changes in the central plains and the war game of Siren City through the testimony of the refugees, and he didn't like it.
Inside a man-made cave of the complex mountain ranges, Xiahou Dun, in his human form, had been sitting on the host's seat. Meanwhile, Jia Shan and Ma Ping sat by his sides, acting as the cyclop lord's assistants even though they were guests.
Many elders, relatives, and representatives of refugees also gathered inside the cave for the meeting.
Torchlight illuminated the interior of the cave even though most attendants here could see in the dark. Still, the light made the mood bright, and everyone preferred having them.
Xiahou Dun had been explaining the current state of his region, population, and his military capability to the refugees and guests without hiding anything.
”Aside from the 3,000 combatants, the rest of our populations are non-fighters. From the looks of it, if the Blood Orc and Wei Cao were to march here, we wouldn't be able to withstand their massive army and their top experts.”
Xiahou Dun hit them with a piece of bad news, shutting down the hope of all refugees.
The deserters of Wei Huang Army looked at each other with a dark expression. They sighed and grumbled, blaming heaven for being unfair.
”However, we have options,” Xiahou Dun encouraged them before he turned to Jia Shan and Ma Ping, ”Friends from Siren City, what will you do in this situation? What is Siren City's reaction to this looming army?”
Jia Shan and Ma Ping looked at each other. The latter communicated with Ma Moxi while Jia Shan sent text messages to Miaomiao and Wei Yuan.
Ma Moxi and Wei Yuan immediately replied and reported the situation after the war game. Upon hearing the positive changes after Miaomiao had created the world tree and invited the dryads to the city, they were relieved.
Jia Shan started, ”Our city population consists of beastmen, monks, dryads, and wild creatures from Tian Long Forest and Dryad Forest. We do not conform to the Blood Orc's ways, and we will never tolerate what they did to the citizens of other cities.”
Ma Ping nodded, ”Siren City will never surrender to the blood orcs or Wei Clan. However, if your tribe is willing to fight, we will gladly help you.”
”How will you help us?” Xiahou Dun and the listeners were interested.
Ma Ping took over the role as Siren City's representative, ”First, we can shelter all tribesmen of your clan and the refugees of Wei Huang's men with a few conditions.”
”What's the catch?”
”First, your population will cooperate with us whenever we need your help.”
”That's very vague. You're saying that we must become your servants, is that what you're implying?”
”Not exactly. You're obliged to help the city whenever you're summoned. But in peacetime, you're free to do whatever you want as long as it doesn't go against the laws, morals, or customs of the local people. Secondly, citizens of Siren City have to pay taxes if they want to live there, or they can choose to work for the city if they don't want to pay the annual taxes.”
”That sounds… complicated.”
Ma Ping and Xiahou Dun continued to negotiate their terms of cooperation and alliance treaty for hours.
In the end, Ma Ping only promised to send aid to Xiahou Dun if the latter were to agree to merge their forces with Siren City when their borders connected.
In short, Xiahou Dun's clansmen had to pick which side they wanted to submit.
Several cyclops and Xiahou Dun's relatives were enraged as they didn't like the unfair treaty. Xiahou Dun's younger brother, Xiahou Yuan, yelled at Ma Ping and Jia Shan.
”You're no different from Wei Huang! Why should we become your servants when we can live free!?”
Jia Shan sighed and elaborated, ”The price of freedom is responsibility. If you want your freedom so badly, you must be able to cope with world politics and wars, such as the current conflict between your clan and Blood Orc Army. We can leave you alone, but can you defeat Wei Cao and his new friends on your own?”
”T-This…”
Xiahou Yuan gritted his teeth and looked away in frustration.
Jia Shan was right. Freedom came with a price as they had to deal with these issues themselves. If they wanted Siren City's help, they had to sacrifice their freedom and became their lackeys.
Xiahou Dun heaved a sigh of frustration, regretting that he wasn't strong enough to protect his clansmen from foreign forces. Yet, he mocked Jia Shan and Ma Ping.
”Are you confident that you can withstand several 8th-stage and 9th-stage cultivators and demons from the Holy Land Continent?”
”Recently, we have received support from an ancient demon and a metal dragon from the Qi-Sealing Amethyst Mine. A 9th-stage demon is residing in Siren City as we speak. We also have some fighters that can square against 8th-stage demons.”
Jia Shan referred to Dian Wei, whom he had heard from Wei Yuan. As for the fighters they mentioned, they were Zhao Bao, Miaomiao, and many yin slaves who had the potential to become a new powerhouse.
Jia Shan had learned about Miaomiao's current combat prowess, which rivaled an 8th-stage cultivator. Though Miaomiao was not an official 8th-stage cultivator yet, Ma Ping and Jia Shan thought of him as someone among their peers.
Furthermore, after Lu Fengxian's death, Miaomiao became an irreplaceable core of Siren City due to his connection with Uriel, Dian Wei, and unknown Dao Gods. They couldn't deny that Miaomiao had already become the heart of their forces.
As such, Ma Ping, Jia Shan, and other elders had no choice but to treat Miaomiao as their city lord.
”Oh, I didn't know that you have other combatants other than Zhao Bao? Who are those 8th-stage or 9th-stage fighters?”
”We'll tell you about them if you agree to our terms.”
”Ah, how petty. Can't you leak some information for us, so I can make an easier decision?”
”That won't do. What if you use that information against us? We can't risk it.”
”Are you implying that we will betray you?”
”It doesn't hurt to be careful. After all, we have decided to wage war against the Blood Orc and Wei Cao Army since we can't possibly coexist.”