ignite
Wen Congren's expression remained unchanged as he slowly said, "Instead of going to the Wolf Leader, go to the Tiger Leader."
He added calmly, "The Tiger Lord has a strong character and is eager to achieve merit. More importantly, the Khan once said that whoever kills Xiao will become king. If the Tiger Lord obtains this hostage, he will immediately claim the credit with the Khan. Then, this will be our chance."
Ren Xuan understood and raised his eyebrows: "Just say that Tiger Master is easy to deceive."
A few moments later.
In the vanguard camp of the Tiger Tribe, the night was as dark as ink and flames were rolling.
The Tiger Lord's face was as gloomy as iron, and his eyes were fixed on the "prisoner" who was dragged off the horse.
The man was covered in blood, his hands and feet tied, and was thrown into the middle of the tent by the newcomers. With a thud, dust flew everywhere.
In an instant, the tent was in an uproar.
"Southern Palace Marshal?!"
"Hasn't he been stationed at Tianying Pass?!"
The Tiger Master suppressed his emotions. He recognized the man. Wen Congren was a guest of Yao Qi, and he had even used Wen Congren's identity as a thug to attack Yao Qi more than once.
The Tiger Lord forcibly moved his gaze away from Jamel Xiao, and forced himself to remain calm: "What is Mr. Wen doing in my tent?"
Wen Congren spoke calmly, "I am just a scholar, and I have lived on the grassland for many years. Now Xiao Jingyuan suspects me of being a grassland spy. I know I can't survive in the army, so after much deliberation, I have no choice but to surrender to the grassland."
He paused, bowed his head and saluted: "If Lord Tiger is willing to accept it, I am willing to present the Southern Palace General to the Khan as a token of my loyalty."
A gleam of light flashed in the Tiger Lord's eyes, but he quickly regained his vigilance: "Mr. Wen has always been a guest of honor of the Wolf Lord. Why did he suddenly turn to me?"
He saw Wen Congren's expression harden, and the young man sneered: "Yao Qi? He is willing to kill me as a sacrifice for the Khan position, why should I risk my life for him again?"
There was silence in the tent for a moment.
The Tiger Lord's face turned pale, a cold light flashing in his eyes. Yes, Yao Qi had intended to kill Wen Congren and sacrifice his flag in order to clear his name, and that was just a few days ago. Now, the Wolf Chief had fallen out with his advisors, and this was his Tiger Tribe's chance.
The Tiger Lord did not believe that Wen Congren had no ulterior motives, but none of this mattered anymore.
——Xiao Jingyuan was right in front of him.
That was the person to whom the Khan personally promised that "whoever cuts off his head will be the king."
But the "trophies" before my eyes were clearly visible. If I could truly achieve merit with them...
While the Tiger Lord was hesitating, another person in the tent spoke up. Ren Xuan's voice was cold and stern: "If you are in trouble, we two can help you. Now that Xiao Jingyuan has been captured, if you don't want him, we can take him to the Wolf Chief."
A murderous look flashed in the Tiger Lord's eyes: "No need!"
He suddenly laughed out loud: "Good! Good!! Xiao Jingyuan! I didn't expect you to have this day!"
He walked slowly closer and kicked Jamel Xiao in the abdomen: “He’s still alive?”
Xiao Jingyuan groaned, curled up his body, and blood flowed out of his mouth.
Wen Congren said calmly, "I've used medicine to keep him alive. He won't die so soon."
The Tiger Lord nodded and said, "Don't let him die. I want to present him to the Khan."
"Come here!" He turned slowly and said in a deep voice, "Lock him up in the prison behind the camp. Give him medicine three times a day and keep him under strict guard. If he makes any mistakes, bring him back to me with your head."
The deputy general took the order and left, and two Tiger Corps soldiers stepped forward and dragged Xiao Jingyuan away.
Wen Congren bowed his head and said meaningfully: "The Khan is old."
He said earnestly, "If Tiger Lord agrees, we are willing to help you ascend the Khan's throne."
The wind blew in from outside the curtain, and the firelight swayed, reflecting the deep light in the tiger master's eyes, as cold as a blade.
After a while, he waved his sleeves and laughed hoarsely: "Okay - but if you two have any second thoughts -"
His tone suddenly sank, like cracking ice and bones: "I will make sure that you—you won't even be able to bury your bones in the grassland."
After the Tiger Lord finished his last sentence, the entire main tent fell into dead silence.
Ren Xuan remained motionless: "Thank you, sir."
Late at night, the wind pierced the tent like a knife. Outside the tent on the eastern side of the camp, four elite Tiger soldiers were guarding it, making sure not even a single drop of water could leak out.
Ren Xuan dimmed the oil lamp in the tent and said softly, "It went better than expected."
Wen Congren sat in the corner, only smirking slightly at the words, without commenting: "This Tiger Lord, with his sheer bravery, is much easier to control."
"What do you want to do when you meet the Khan? Xiao Jingyuan is like this, and he can't even lift the knife." Ren Xuan thought for a moment: "Is there a formation on Xiao Jingyuan's body?"
Wen Congren nodded: "Killing array, soul-destroying."
Ren Xuan stroked the hilt of his sword. "The range of this formation is only fifty steps. If the Khan doesn't get close, how are you going to kill him?"
Wen Congren shook his head: "Whether the Khan lives or dies is not important. At that time, it was all about luck."
Wen Congren's expression was cold. "The Khan is old. The Wolf Tribe hopes for his death, the Tiger Tribe hopes for his death, everyone hopes for his death. What's important is the situation on the grassland after the Khan's death."
He paused and said, "King Khan once said that beheading Xiao would make him king. This game has been going on since the Tiger Lord got Xiao Jingyuan. The battle between tiger and wolf is a foregone conclusion. This is an open conspiracy. Xiao Jingyuan's move is almost unsolvable in this grassland today."
Ren Xuan understood: "Only if he is willing to die."
He smiled and said, "I don't understand you wise guys, is it so fun to get involved in this?"
Outside the tent, footsteps suddenly sounded.
The two men immediately stopped talking and Ren Xuan put down the long sword at his waist.
The curtain was lifted, and a Tiger Tribe general poked his head in: "My lords, the Khan will personally visit the Tiger Tribe tomorrow. The Lord has instructed that you two proceed to the altar immediately to discuss matters."
Wen Congren and Ren Xuan nodded: "Understood."
Wen Congren turned to look at Ren Xuan: "The man just now is the second-in-command of the Tiger Division. General, just keep a close eye on him tomorrow."
Ren Xuan sighed inwardly. He completed and updated a task, but why did he feel like a tool?
···
In front of the Tiger Tribe's altar, the Tiger Lord was standing with his hands behind his back. He turned around when he heard footsteps.
The Tiger Master said in a low voice, "You two are here."
Wen Congren bowed calmly and said, "My Lord, why did you summon me so late at night? Is there something important?"
The Tiger Lord slowly walked up to the two of them and said, "I have just received a reply from the Khan. He will personally visit the Tiger Tribe tomorrow."
The Tiger Lord laughed and said, "The Khan is seriously ill, yet he is so anxious. I will remember your contribution in surrendering the captives."
He paused. "The Khan is eager to see the prisoner in my hands. But after all, I didn't capture him. If Xiao has any tricks up his sleeve... I'd be very worried if I didn't deal with you two."
Wen Congren: "What do you mean, sir?"
The Tiger Lord turned and pointed to the nearby prison cell. "The Khan will be here tomorrow, and I must see him in person. To prevent any complications, I intend to take action before tomorrow's ceremony."
His eyes were sinister. "I will chop off his arms and legs, sever all his tendons and veins. If I can cripple him tonight, then tomorrow I will be absolutely safe."
The Tiger Master sneered: "As long as there is still a breath left, it is enough. What do you two say?"
He suddenly turned to the two of them and said, "Since you have surrendered, why not join me in witnessing the execution to prove your sincerity?"
The night wind howled, and the torches around the altar flickered, reflecting the different expressions of the three people.
Wen Congren suddenly spoke in a calm tone: "Master Tiger is worrying too much. Even if he has a backup plan, what does it matter?"
The Tiger Master raised his eyebrows: "Oh?"
Wen Congren stepped forward: "What if Xiao Jingyuan is willing to fight for his life?"
There was a hint of murderous intent in the Tiger Lord's eyes: "What do you mean?"
Wen Congren looked around and confirmed that no one was eavesdropping before whispering, "King Khan is here sick. If Xiao Jingyuan suddenly attacks and injures someone..."
He paused, his voice profound and meaningful. "The Khan left a will. If the Khan unfortunately dies, whoever captures Xiao Jingyuan will become the new king."
The tiger master's pupils suddenly contracted and his breathing became rapid.
Tiger Master hesitated and said, "Yao Qi's side..."
Wen Congren said: "No matter how powerful Yao Qi is, can he disobey the Khan's will? Moreover, if the Khan dies at the hands of the Southern Palace, the entire grassland will surely unite in hatred. When the time comes, Tiger Lord, you will raise your arms and call for action. Who would dare to disobey?"
The Tiger Lord took a deep breath, and the hesitation in his eyes was gradually replaced by greed.
He murmured, "You're right... If this is the case, I can justify my claim to fame—"
The Tiger Lord paused, then suddenly turned around and patted Wen Congren on the shoulder: "My Lord, with your help, why should we worry about not accomplishing great things?"
His tone was stern yet somewhat intimate: "Sir, you have helped me so much. After this is accomplished, I wish to share the grassland with you."
···
The next morning, the sun rose, and the blood-red glow covered the grassland.
A trumpet blew, a plaintive cry. A huge black felt chariot slowly approached, golden bells dangling from its corners. When the wind picked up, the sound was like a death knell.
That's the Khan coming.
Following the king's chariot, flags and banners fluttered in the air among the tribes on the grassland.
The curtain of the sedan chair was lifted, revealing the Khan's withered face.
He was skinny, his face was like the bark of a dead tree, his eye sockets were sunken, and his hair and beard were white, as if they would be blown away by the wind at any time.
This grassland hero who once conquered countless tribes is now in his twilight years, but his eyes are still as sharp as an eagle's, looking down coldly at the whole scene, as if he can destroy thousands of troops with just a thought.
The Tiger Lord led the crowd to kneel in welcome.
"Greetings to the Great Khan!"
The rest of the tribes also knelt down and shouted in unison, suppressing the wind: "Greetings, Great Khan!"
The Khan said nothing, his eyes sweeping over everyone. After a moment, he slowly nodded, his voice as broken as gravel: "Everyone, get up."
His gaze finally stopped at the Tiger Lord, and his voice was cold: "Where is Jamel Xiao?"
The Tiger Lord bowed and replied, "He is being held in my humble camp. The rituals are ready. Please, Great Khan, take your seat!"
The Khan nodded expressionlessly and slowly raised his hand.
The personal guards behind him immediately took up that hand and escorted the aging grassland king to the supreme throne.
The leaders of various tribes stood up one after another.
Under the high seat, the left and right sides are clearly divided - the tiger tribe warriors are wearing brown armor; the wolf tribe elites are wearing black robes.
In the middle are the bear and eagle tribes, each occupying one side, forming a delicate balance.
The tiger leader is on the left, and the wolf leader is on the right. The two are facing each other from a distance, and the situation is already dangerous.
The Tiger Lord stood before the altar and said in a loud voice: "Today's ceremony is to offer sacrifices to the enemy and heaven to suppress the rebellion. We should follow the rites of our ancestors—"
"No need—" The Khan on the high platform raised his hand. His voice, though weak, was filled with unquestionable authority: "Bring him up here, and I will question him personally."
The Tiger Lord was startled, then overjoyed. The Khan was so anxious that he even disregarded etiquette.
This time, no matter what, he has accomplished a great feat.
"As you command!" The Tiger Lord bowed, then waved his hand and shouted, "The enemy is plotting against our grasslands and slaughtering our people. Now the Tigers have captured their leader—bring him here to be beheaded and sacrificed!"
A light laugh came from the Wolf Tribe's table, like a cold needle slowly piercing the atmosphere: "Wait a minute."
Everyone was startled and looked in the direction of the voice. Yao Qi stood up and said calmly, "There is something I don't understand. I would like to ask Master Tiger for your guidance."
His eyes turned cold: "As far as I know, Xiao Jingyuan acts strictly, surrounded by masters like clouds, and rarely even goes to the battlefield. The Tiger Lord said that he was 'captured personally', I wonder when? Where? By whom was he captured?"
The Tiger Lord's face darkened. "What does the Wolf Lord mean? Can I deceive the Khan?"
Yao Qi sneered: "Such a great achievement, yet you are hiding it, saying you don't want to talk about it, or you can't say it? If the Tiger Lord can't clear himself, then forgive my Wolf Tribe-"
His eyes darkened: "I don't recognize this achievement."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
