Translator: CinderTL
After reaching an agreement, Xu Sanyan turned and left the mountain cave. As he descended, his gaze swept over the crude wooden huts lining the path, and his mind raced with calculations.
This new clan chief was far more aggressive than her predecessor. The Old Clan Chief had merely intended to drag the leaders of the Bear and Snake Clans to their deaths alongside her, but an unexpected twist had only claimed the Bear Clan Chief before her own demise.
Now, judging by the new chief's intentions, it seemed she planned to eradicate both clans entirely.
According to Xun Ancai's description, the Bear and Snake Clans were the Dog Clan's only neighbors. The Eagle Clan, Stone Clan, and other tribes were located much farther away.
If the Dog Clan annihilated the Snake Clan as well, their power would surge again. Combined with the swords and blades Xu Sanyan had brought...
Xu Sanyan shook his head inwardly. He couldn't allow the Dog Clan's strength to swell unchecked. The stronger they became, the greater the resistance he would face in trying to control them.
He glanced back at the cave, a dark glint flickering in his eyes. It seems I'll need to find an opportunity to weaken the Dog Clan's power...
Returning to Xun Ancai's home, the four-headed dogs lying by the door rushed up to him, circling him obsequiously with fawning smiles on their canine faces. It was hard to believe a dog could wear such a servile, ingratiating expression.
"What's wrong with it?" Xu Sanyan asked Xun Ancai, pointing at the four-headed dog.
Xun Ancai huffed indignantly, "Hmph! I gave it some food yesterday, and what does it do? It turns around and takes it to another dog's house, then comes back demanding more!"
"Huh?" Xu Sanyan was puzzled. "Took it to another dog's house? Why?"
Xun Ancai looked at the dog with exasperation. "Because that little female dog is pretty!"
Xu Sanyan understood immediately, chuckling as he patted the dog's head. "I didn't realize you were one of us, buddy."
The four-headed dog felt deeply wronged. It had been sleeping peacefully until Xu Sanyan arrived, and the incessant whimpering and whining in the house hadn't stopped since.
It had initially planned to endure it, but half a day passed, and the noises only grew louder and more insistent.
It was a normal male dog, after all. Having needs was perfectly natural, right?
But it didn't have a mate. What else could it do but go out looking?
Besides, the meat was its only bargaining chip. Without a gift, that little female dog wouldn't even let it near her. What choice did it have?
"Woof~ Woo~"
The four-headed dog whined pitifully, its nose twitching as it slumped dejectedly to the ground.
"Alright, alright, there's no need to dwell on this," Xu Sanyan said, trying to ease the tension between the woman and the dog. He glanced at Xun Ancai, thinking to himself, You're hardly in a position to judge.
"Let's eat."
Xun Ancai began grilling the meat. After a moment's thought, she tore off a piece of raw meat and tossed it to the four-headed dog, immediately turning her back without looking at it.
The four-headed dog had been her companion for so long. Despite her anger, she couldn't bear to see it go hungry.
"Woof!"
The dog snatched the meat in one bite, wagging its tail and circling Xun Ancai in a display of affection.
"Go away, go away."
"Woof!"
Xu Sanyan watched the scene with a smile, a rare warmth blossoming in his heart. The moment felt like a perfect picture of domestic bliss: "wife, children, and a warm bed."
If only...
Such a life was destined to remain beyond his reach.
As Xu Sanyan sat beside Xun Ancai, his mind raced with plans for the future.
Before long, the meat was grilled to perfection. After they had eaten their fill, Xun Ancai shooed the four-headed dog outside. "Go on, get out."
"Woof!"
The dog lowered its heads, knowing it was in the way again. Every time its male master returned, it had to sleep outside.
With practiced ease, it curled up in a corner, its four heads resting side by side, paws covering its ears. It already knew what was coming next.
As expected, Xun Ancai's voice drifted from inside the house: "Let's go to sleep."
"Uh... you go ahead. I'll rest for a bit."
"Then I'll keep you company."
"No need. You should sleep first."
"Then let's sleep together."
"Sigh..."
The four-headed dog picked up the full weight of resignation in that sigh.
The house, which had only recently quieted down, was once again filled with whimpering sounds, though this time the sounds were much shorter and soon ceased.
"What's wrong?"
"I'm just a bit tired today..."
"..."
"Let's go to sleep."
"Oh..." Xun Ancai's voice was filled with disappointment.
The next morning,
Over a hundred Dog Clan members gathered before the clan chief's cave, each accompanied by a dog. The dogs' tails hung low, their heads tilted upward as they gazed at the clan chief standing at the front.
Not a single bark broke the eerie silence among the hundred dogs.
Xu Sanyan scanned the crowd and noticed that every member had undergone at least three blessings.
Among them were over a dozen who had received four blessings, but none had achieved five. Only the clan chief possessed the Sixfold Blessing.
Though the Dog Clan's overall strength had increased after the recent battle, their elite combat power had dwindled.
The Old Clan Chief, despite her age and frailty, remained a formidable warrior with Seven Blessings, her strength not to be underestimated. Now, however, the strongest member was the newly appointed clan chief with the Sixfold Blessing.
Xu Sanyan glanced at the young man standing beside the clan chief, his brow furrowing slightly. He vaguely recognized the man, having only seen him in passing, and didn't even know his name.
His presence beside the clan chief suggested he might be the next in line for leadership.
Xu Sanyan's eyes shifted as he pondered this silently.
The clan chief gazed calmly at his people, offering no unnecessary words. He reverently looked toward the sky, raised both hands above his head in a strange gesture, and cried out, "May the Dog God protect us!"
The clan members echoed in unison, "May the Dog God protect us!"
"May the Ancestors protect us!"
Their eyes burned with fervor as they chanted, "May the Ancestors protect us!"
"Woof!"
With just two short phrases, the Dog Clan people's innate warrior genes were awakened. Even the seemingly docile Xun Ancai beside them showed an excited expression, displaying not a hint of fear but rather anticipation for the upcoming battle.
In this land teeming with primal savagery, weak races were destined to perish.
In other words, any race that had survived here had never feared battle; they reveled in it.
Xu Sanyan stood frozen in place, feeling utterly out of place.
Looking at the excited Xun Ancai beside him, he struggled to comprehend: could the power of faith truly be this potent?
The scene reminded him of cult activities from his past life, and they were all cultists.
"Let's move out!" The clan chief waved her hand, leading the descent from the mountain, followed by the rest of the clan.
Just two simple slogans served as their pre-battle mobilization.
As they descended, Xun Ancai sidled up to Xu Sanyan and whispered, "Stick close to me when the fighting starts. You don't know how treacherous those Snake Clan people are. Be careful not to get bitten by their venomous snakes."
Seeing Xun Ancai's concerned expression, Xu Sanyan's lips twitched as he slowly nodded.
"Alright..."
We're the ones ambushing them, he thought furiously. And you're calling them treacherous?
Typical Dog Clan. What a bunch of dogs.
(End of the Chapter)
---
📖Read (HB) on Pa.treon@CinderTL - c424. [+2]
🔑Read upto Ch370 for FREE visit the pinned post on my p@treon to learn how!🎉
💥Translated (6) Series, (4.6K+) Chapters, (6.7M+) Words.