Chapter 138: The Duel

“What is this?” both Ram and Harold’s expressions turned serious.

They might not know the specifics, but the skeleton sculptures and designs on the magic book’s cover alone indicated it was far from ordinary.

“It’s the Book of the Dead,” Wu Qingsong declared, his voice taking on an almost lyrical tone. “A treasure from the Batiz Death Temple.”

Both Ram and Harold were visibly surprised, almost to the point of disbelief. Wu Qingsong proceeded to recount the events to them. The narrative’s dangerous moments were enough to visibly unnerve them, with Ram even feeling a bit frightened. However, after hearing the outcome, the two had very different reactions.

“So, this means we’ve gained a relatively reliable ally in the north?” Harold pondered.

“Xeila? She must be quite a beautiful girl, huh?” Ram’s question was laden with implication.

This response made Wu Qingsong awkwardly retort, “What are you two even focusing on? That’s not the point at all. Ram, I assure you, I haven’t done anything, I didn’t even have such thoughts. Besides, I still don’t even know what she looks like.”

Fortunately, Ram didn’t linger on this subject. After briefly teasing and cautioning him, she refocused the discussion on the Book of the Dead itself.

“What do you think this book can bring us?” she asked.

“Don’t set your expectations too high,” Harold cautioned as usual. “If it truly had the power to change everything, the Batiz wouldn’t have been erased by the elves.”

“Harold,” Wu Qingsong sighed in resignation.

“I’m merely stating facts,” Harold replied. “It’s still uncertain whether you possess any magical talent, and even if you do, necromancy is a taboo. It might work as a secret weapon, but not something you can use in your daily life.”

The Thirteenth Mercenary Group wasn’t lacking in high-end power. The abilities of Ling, Liuli, and Feya were enough to overpower most warriors, yet they couldn’t be utilized openly. A regrettable and unchangeable reality. Their myriad of secrets also meant that loyalty took precedence over strength in recruiting new members.

There were mercenary groups and hunter squads eager to join them, but the more powerful individuals were less likely to be easily integrated and influenced. They weren’t willing to take that risk.

Ram’s choice of a few as partners, hiring them to help Orgrimmar transport goods, was actually a way of assessing and observing them. To see if they were trustworthy and could be absorbed as a supplement to their fighting force.

“Ling could serve as an everyday warrior,” Wu Qingsong said.

Yet Ling’s appearance hardly inspired fear, making her contribution to the Thirteenth Mercenary Group’s intimidation factor minimal at best.

“We’ll rely on the deterrent effect of my Hangman moniker for everyday situations,” Wu Qingsong said. 

He was not fond of the nickname, but with a pragmatic approach, he was ready to leverage and enhance this reputation for the foreseeable future.

After Ram and Harold left, Angus arrived. 

In response to Wu Qingsong’s questions, he acknowledged that certain terriermen indeed possessed combat skills superior to his own. Nonetheless, as Wu Qingsong had guessed, he disagreed with Harold’s proposal to segregate them by their breeds.

“Indeed, individual prowess can sometimes play a decisive role, but I don’t believe the terriermen’s strength has reached that level yet. If it’s just about getting stronger soldiers, then there was no need for you to recruit us. Bearkin or mastiffkin were better choices. I hold to what you’ve previously said to us. What an army requires is discipline and teamwork, not personal bravery.”

“Well said,” Wu Qingsong expressed his satisfaction with Angus’s insight. “I plan to prove this with facts. Select twenty of the most well-trained hound soldiers, and have the terriermen pick their twenty strongest fighters for a showdown. It’s time to teach them a lesson. Are you confident?”

Angus paused momentarily, then vigorously nodded, “Rest assured. I will make them see the value of discipline and teamwork.”

Wu Qingsong promptly had Harold bring forward the two most defiant and formidable terriermen to discuss the plan. Naturally, he presented it differently, suggesting it as an opportunity to showcase their valor. True to form, they responded with enthusiasm, vowing to Wu Qingsong that they would “decimate those weak houndmen, proving to Lord Tagraedi what true warriors are.”

The announcement swiftly circulated throughout Orgrimmar, and both sides quickly selected their representatives. As instructed by Wu Qingsong, they came fully equipped to a designated lowland area just outside the city, ready for the match.

“This is just a drill. To avoid unnecessary injuries, both sides will use only wooden swords, spears, and hammers. Harold and I will judge who is deemed incapacitated and must leave the field. Any objections?”

“None!” the participating canine warriors bellowed in unison.

“Pigmen will enforce the rules. If anyone judged as incapacitated continues to stay on the field, you are to remove them,” Wu Qingsong added.

“Yes!” responded the pigmen, who were Harold’s direct subordinates.

They were keenly interested in the match and eager to see its outcome.

The houndmen were equipped with short hammers, long hammers, and two-handed shields, the standard gear for most of Esola’s hunter brigades that combat insectoids. In combat against humans, crossbowmen and archers would be temporarily added to their ranks, and the Thirteenth Mercenary Group also had grenadiers. However, since this battle was not a matter of life and death, those weapons were not to be used.

Angus took personal command of his formation, placing ten two-handed shield bearers at the front, each with a short hammer for backup. Flanking them were two short hammer wielders on each side, each holding a round shield and a short hammer, and six long hammer wielders at the back, forming a horizontal line.

The opposing terriermen mostly chose to wield a shield in one hand and either a sword or a short hammer in the other, with a few opting for large two-handed swords and hammers, ready to confront the enemy in a scattered formation.

Both sides utilized training weapons, crafted to mirror the length and weight of real weapons closely. Harold had inspected these wooden weapons before the competition began to ensure they wouldn’t suddenly break and cause accidental injuries.

“Positions, both sides,” Wu Qingsong declared loudly. “Begin!”

No sooner had his voice faded than the smaller terriermen eagerly roared and surged forward.

Duels were common across various territories, often among half-elf warriors seeking to demonstrate their martial skills to lords, stewards, and sheriffs, hoping to secure military appointments. For the dogkind, typically seen as expendable troops, witnessing duels was common, but participation was rare.

The terriermen viewed this contest as an opportunity provided by Wu Qingsong. They believed a strong showing could at least secure them a squad leader role.

Driven by this ambition, they charged forward with howls, but their adversaries stood their ground, even tightening their ranks slightly. The shield bearers planted the bases of their large shields into the ground at an angle, creating a ramp, and braced themselves for the onslaught, slightly bending forward.

“Charge!” 

For the terriermen, the few meters’ gap was closed in an instant, but it also prevented them from gaining sufficient charging force. Most slowed slightly before engaging, but the most valiant three or four, yelling at the top of their lungs, leaped over the frontline of shields.

“Strike!” Angus commanded, as six long hammers and four short hammers were swung in their direction.