World-Ending Demon Emperor
Chapter 1102 - 497: Marrying Dina! The Great Battle Erupts!_3

Chapter 1102: 497: Marrying Dina! The Great Battle Erupts!_3

Leitong said: "Everyone appreciates beauty, and the Chieftain’s daughter is so beautiful. Men would naturally be drawn to her."

Suo Mo said: "He previously had a marriage contract with Dina, but he broke it off because he wanted to marry the Chieftain’s daughter. Does that count as betraying the Foreign Tribe Army?"

Leitong replied: "He said marrying Miss Ninian is for the benefit of the Foreign Tribe Army, to elevate our status and ensure we live better."

Suo Mo retorted: "Do you know what the consequences of that would be? The complete annexation of the Foreign Tribe Army."

Leitong countered: "But wasn’t our original goal to integrate into the Chimera Tribe? Isn’t that a good thing?"

Suo Mo said: "When we are united, the Foreign Tribe Army is a single entity. Other members of the tribe may despise us, may harass us, but we are still independent and free, with dignity—not slaves. But once we’re annexed, do you know what happens? The entire Foreign Tribe Army fractures; some will trample over their brothers to rise up, just like Goru. The Foreign Tribe Army will be utterly shattered. And can the majority of the Chimera Tribe even tolerate the Foreign Tribe Army? While we are united, they might insult us, humiliate us, but they wouldn’t dare kill us. Once we’re annexed, every member of the Foreign Tribe Army will either be slaughtered or turned into slaves in other households, and the Foreign Tribe Army will vanish into nothingness. Do you understand?"

It must be said that, in this aspect, Suo Mo’s perspective was remarkably sharp and clear-headed.

Given the tribe’s current xenophobic mindset, the Foreign Tribe Army could survive only if it remained independent and intact.

Once annexed, the likelihood of survival would be slim. Only people as ruthless, traitorous, and shameless as Goru might fare well by selling out their comrades.

The remaining members of the Foreign Tribe Army would either become slaves or be abused to death by the Chimera Tribe’s people.

Regardless, the collective identity of the Foreign Tribe Army would undoubtedly be destroyed.

Most people, however, fail to think that far ahead. Often looked down upon and treated like second-class citizens, they imagine that fully assimilating into the Chimera Tribe is the best possible outcome.

Du Yan recognized this mindset and frequently propagated this idea within the army.

The evidence seemed persuasive: After Du Yan temporarily took command of the Foreign Tribe Army, their grain and meat rations increased by 30%, suggesting that the army would thrive under Du Yan’s leadership.

...

Suo Mo did not blame Leitong; he would blame Du Yan, but not Leitong, because Leitong carried no malintent.

In fact, Suo Mo believed Du Yan also lacked ill intentions; he was merely immature in his thinking.

However, Suo Mo fully understood that the Foreign Tribe Army was facing a colossal crisis.

A succession crisis, one that could lead to the army’s division.

Resolving this crisis was straightforward: Publicly declare Du Yan as the successor of the Foreign Tribe Army, and everyone’s concerns would be settled.

Yet, from Suo Mo’s perspective, Du Yan’s ideas were dangerous, potentially dismantling the Foreign Tribe Army. Some would meet tragic ends, while others would be enslaved. Only a few would climb to high positions within the Chimera Tribe, stepping on the corpses of their brothers from the Foreign Tribe Army.

Of course, Lanling’s thoughts were even more daring—his ambitions far greater.

Lanling wanted to lead the Foreign Tribe Army to break away and establish a new tribe. This was a path of immense peril, but undeniably, it was a bold and exhilarating one.

Suo Mo didn’t agree with it, didn’t dare face such a path, but he couldn’t help admiring it.

He went to Lanling and said: "Ling, the Foreign Tribe Army is facing a crisis, one that could lead to division."

"I know," Lanling said. "The succession dispute—everyone already sees Du Yan as the next leader of the Foreign Tribe Army."

"Your ideas are radical and risky," Suo Mo said. "But... at least they are dignified, full of ideals! Some things, I wouldn’t dare do myself, but I won’t stop you from doing them. On one condition: you must strengthen yourself."

"Understood," Lanling said.

Suo Mo continued: "I’m willing to entrust the Foreign Tribe Army to you, but you must conquer your brothers on your own."

"Understood," Lanling replied.

Suo Mo patted his shoulder.

His words were casual, yet they unmistakably positioned Lanling as the heir to the Foreign Tribe Army.

In this regard, Suo Mo was decisive, with no hesitation or indecision.

Even knowing Lanling might lead the Foreign Tribe Army down a path of destruction, it would at least be a path of dignity.

As the saying went: "I wouldn’t do it myself, nor dare to do it, but I won’t stop you from doing it!"

Thus, the upcoming battle became immensely important—it was now Lanling’s stage.

On the battlefield, he would win over his brothers from the Foreign Tribe Army, embedding in their minds the notion that Lanling would be their next leader.

In terms of prestige, he would gradually reach parity with Du Yan!

"And after the battle, you will marry Dina immediately—no refusal!" Suo Mo said firmly before turning to leave.

...

"This battle will determine the destiny of our tribe, the destiny of all of us!"

"If we defeat the Wild Horse Tribe, we will grow stronger, becoming the largest tribe within hundreds of miles. But if we lose, our Chimera Tribe will be scattered, doomed to extinction!"

"March forth! Destroy the Wild Horse Tribe!"

With a thunderous roar, Constantine led 8,000 tribal warriors, advancing mightily toward the battlefield 150 miles away!

1,500 cavalry units, over 6,000 infantry soldiers!

Since the Chimera Tribe initiated the attack, the Wild Horse Tribe had already fortified their camps on the battlefield, waiting to confront Chimera forces.

After a full day and night, the 8,000 warriors arrived at the battlefield!

The Wild Horse Tribe’s 10,000 soldiers had already set up their camp!

A great battle was imminent.

This marked the first battle Lanling faced after arriving in the Barbaric Wilderness.

And this was Lanling’s stage!

He was about to deliver a spectacular performance.

He needed to win over the brothers of the Foreign Tribe Army, proving to them that Lanling was the best candidate for their leader.

Lanling was the greatest leader they could ever have!

Military achievements were everything; trophies and lives were everything!

...

Note: First update of 5,000 words delivered. I kindly ask for your support and thanks, everyone!