Otherworld Advance Team
Chapter 1350 - 1343: Tribal Integration

Chapter 1350: Chapter 1343: Tribal Integration

Now, as the Demon Clan faced a severe scarcity of population and dire military recruitment needs, the leaders of the Demon Clan had no choice but to consider conscripting these prisoners as a source of military strength. Otherwise, with the existing military forces of the Demon Clan, they could not withstand another counterattack by the Dongsheng Empire.

Luo’er had never calculated the remaining population of the Demon Clan, but he could infer an approximate number from the amount of military personnel. Indeed, it proved that the Demon Clan had reached a do-or-die situation. With so few people, it was difficult to defend Chengdu, let alone have enough people to cultivate more fields to increase production or even think about a counterattack to reclaim West Outer Heaven.

The harsh reality forced the leaders of the Demon Clan to set aside their pride and start considering these forces that they had once overlooked.

Linglan, Yunji, and Zisu exchanged glances and fell into a long silence. Eventually, Linglan bit her lip, took a deep breath, and said to Luo’er, "I will consider Mr. Luo’er’s suggestions. Thank you for strategizing for us."

"If there’s nothing else, then I will take my leave," Luo’er said, waving his hand.

He stood up to leave but suddenly heard Linglan calling out from behind, "Mr. Luo’er, can we trust you?"

"What do you mean by that?" Luo’er turned back and asked.

"As you know, the Northern Three Clans from northern West Heaven have been contemplating a withdrawal. What about that..." Linglan said hesitantly.

"I’ve said before," Luo’er interrupted, "our principle is not to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries. I don’t want to get involved in your internal strife. I’m merely offering suggestions for the victory of the war. Please do not consider me a political ally."

"So, once you step out this door, you’ll forget everything we’ve discussed, right?" Linglan asked, narrowing her eyes.

"I assure you," Luo’er nodded solemnly.

"Good, very good," Linglan nodded in satisfaction, a knowing smile on her face. "Please, sit down. Please listen to what we have to say as if you’re an outsider, after all, you’ll forget everything once you leave."

After hearing Linglan’s invitation, Luo’er fell silent for a long while before eventually nodding and sitting back down.

"Currently we face troubles not just from the outside world, but also within. We have a saying, ’The hardest tree is often gnawed from the inside by ants.’ If we don’t pay attention to internal matters, we’ll sooner or later be stabbed in the back, which is far more tragic than confronting an enemy face-to-face, don’t you think?" Linglan said, her gaze laden with meaning as she looked toward Luo’er.

"I am an observer," Luo’er said indifferently.

"Yes, exactly, so just listen quietly," Linglan said with a nod and a smile.

She then looked around, her smile broadening, and after exchanging glances with the other leaders, she continued to address Luo’er, "With Mr. Luo’er’s help, our Qingqiu Clan, Jin Qian Clan, and Maoyou Clan plan to integrate into one group, to become the Southern Yao Race and gradually establish a mighty Demon Clan Kingdom. Of course, if the three major clans of the north wish to join us, we can become a unified Demon Clan, ruling over West Outer Heaven."

Hearing Linglan’s speech, Luo’er felt a pang in his heart, sensing he’d just heard some perilous information he wasn’t supposed to. Based on his current political knowledge, once Linglan achieved her goal of consolidating the three major Beast-Ear Races into the Southern Yao Race, they would automatically possess the legal right to rule the southern parts of West Heaven.

And should they incorporate the Beast Head Tribe from the northern part of West Heaven, they would secure the legal right to rule the entirety of West Heaven. In other words, as soon as the Dongsheng Empire fully withdrew from West Heaven, Linglan would be eligible to claim the ruling rights of northern West Heaven.

Because to some extent, the regime she led had automatically become the legitimate government of the Demon Clan in West Outer Heaven, and they could rightfully and legally claim all the lands of West Outer Heaven. All the scattered Demon Clan tribes must submit to them.

This was an ambitious plan, but what made Luo’er most uneasy was that she would take the initiative to tell him about such a plan.

Although Linglan repeatedly emphasized that Luo’er was just an observer, Luo’er was very clear that the moment Linglan finished saying these words, it was as if she had dragged him into the water. Even if he didn’t take any political action, he would have to maintain contact with the Beast Head Tribe.

The idea of walking out and forgetting about such matters seemed foolish. Linglan obviously recognized the capabilities of the guest from the Western Continent, which was why she tried to drag Luo’er into the mix so that they could gain assistance from the guest of the Western Continent.

Luo’er was neither the leader of the High-peak people nor the highest leader of the Advance Team. However, the abilities he demonstrated made the people of the Demon Clan believe that Luo’er was a core figure among the foreigners from the Western Continent. Whether they wanted to win over the Advance Team or the High-peak people, Luo’er was an obstacle they couldn’t avoid.

Filled with unease and suspicion, Luo’er took a deep breath and couldn’t help but ask, "What does the Linglan leader plan to do?"

"Hehe," Linglan chuckled at his question, displaying a smile as if she had succeeded in her scheme, and then said, "If the Northern Three Clans want to leave, let them leave. We bypass them and form the true Abisien ourselves to confront the invasion of the Dongsheng Empire. The support of those tens of thousands of Kyushu residents is our backbone. I believe the situation will improve if Mr. Luo’er is willing to help."

"I will only help you with propaganda, calling for the people of Kyushu to join the Demon Clan. As for how you treat them, that’s your business. Of course, all beings are sentient creatures, and I do hope you will resettle them properly, whether for their sake or for the sake of your war. Either way, it’s a good thing," said Luo’er, his tone measured.

"That would be best. I am very grateful for Mr. Luo’er’s help," Linglan nodded in satisfaction and then said, "We have to prove through our actions that, without the Northern Three Clans, we can still defeat the Dongsheng Empire and reclaim South West Outer Heaven."

"The Linglan leader must have already thought about making use of these tens of thousands of people from Kyushu," Luo’er said, narrowing his eyes after pondering her statement.

"What do you think, Mr. Luo’er?" Instead of answering his question directly, Linglan simply smiled again.

"I have an advice for you all," Luo’er took a deep breath before saying, "Your weapons and equipment have been upgraded, and correspondingly, your tactics, military strategies, and commands must also be upgraded. It is foolish to use advanced weapons to fight a backward, primitive war with these tens of thousands of people."

"I would like to hear the details, please enlighten us, Mr. Luo’er," Linglan nodded and earnestly requested.

After some thought, Luo’er continued, "To defeat a formidable enemy with fewer numbers, the first thing you must abandon is so-called righteousness and rules. War is a contest of violent machines; it should not be about righteousness or rules."

He paused before adding, "I’ve heard that you like to engage in duels before starting a war, which I think is a spectacular but ultimately foolish practice. A commander should coordinate with the army in battle rather than wasting their life in these meaningless duels. Now that the Northern Three Clans have expressed a desire to retreat, if you don’t change your tactics and strategies, I can’t imagine who you plan to send for a duel."

Upon hearing his words, the three leaders looked at each other, and Zisu, with a slightly embarrassed expression, said to Luo’er, "Actually, when the Northern Three Clans aren’t present, we don’t duel in wars. Of course, most of the time, we are running away because we can’t win."

"That’s better," Luo’er nodded and said, "Moreover, you should also consider what the advantage of your weapons is. Is it range, accuracy, or power? You should properly utilize the advantages of your weapons to adjust your tactics and strategies, instead of foolishly engaging in close combat with the enemy."

"When the new army is formed again, you must not repeat the mistakes of the past days. Your armies have been annihilated more than once; I do not wish the newly formed forces to meet the same fate," Luo’er continued.

"We will remember this, please rest assured, Mr. Luo’er," Linglan nodded and replied.

"Now that the counter-offensive has faltered, it might be better to shift into a defensive posture and focus on internal governance. The Dongsheng Empire is also in a state of contraction at this time. Detailed, I expect that for a considerable period in the future, there will not be any large-scale engagements between the two sides," Luo’er said.