Chapter 385: The Knights’ Debut

The ones who arrived were a group of tigerfolk, but the leading envoy was a foxman.

Both sides cautiously observed each other before Wu Qingsong and the envoy exchanged a friendly embrace.

“I am Corwin of Dustmother. Lord Sidre, High Chieftain Storm and the other leaders have been eagerly awaiting your arrival,” the foxman said. “They can’t wait to meet you. Please, follow me!”

At this stage, continuing to send out scouts would imply distrust toward the other party. Wu Qingsong exchanged a glance with Nina before riding after the foxman. Nina discreetly summoned a few beastkin to her side, instructing them to remind everyone to stay alert for any unexpected situations quietly.

The terrain gradually leveled out as they entered a hilly region within the mountains. Wu Qingsong noticed some fields, but the crops growing there looked unimpressive. Scattered around these fields were simple houses made of stone, wood, and packed earth. As they traveled further, more buildings appeared, and the roads became slightly livelier.

Dustmother was considered the main passageway into the plateau from the Frozen Sea region. However, on the surface, it was no more than a small town. As they neared the settlement, crude wooden shacks came into view. Many of them appeared to be nothing more than shallow pits dug into the hillside, haphazardly covered with wooden planks. Barely clothed children peered out from these shelters, watching them with timid eyes.

Among the chaotic clusters of makeshift dwellings, only a handful of buildings could be considered proper houses. However, the foxman led them past the town to a hill at the rear, where dozens of tents were pitched on a relatively level clearing among the trees. Even before they arrived, the rowdy shouts of beastfolk echoed through the air.

“There are about twenty clan and tribe leaders already gathered,” Corwin explained to Wu Qingsong. 

The merchant who had originally acted as their intermediary had been completely pushed aside, left without a chance to speak—and he seemed wise enough not to offend Corwin over such a matter. 

“There are also a dozen or so leaders from southern tribes still on their way. They should arrive within the next few days.”

“I must say, I feel quite honored,” Wu Qingsong remarked.

Corwin simply smiled and did not continue the conversation.

Along the way, Wu Qingsong tried to gather more details about this meeting, but Corwin skillfully dodged his questions. All Wu Qingsong managed to learn was that after his letter reached the Sarl Clan, High Chieftain Storm had swiftly spread the news across the plateau, personally inviting other tribes to attend.

“Do the clans of the Stampede Plateau often hold such… gatherings?” Wu Qingsong asked.

“Generally, at least once a year,” Corwin replied. “Your meeting was scheduled to coincide with one of these events.”

Wu Qingsong had many more questions, but as he was still uncertain about Corwin’s stance toward Nagrand. Corwin also showed no intention of forming closer ties, so he let the matter rest.

Their procession quickly attracted the attention of the beastfolk. Many stopped what they were doing and gathered along the roadside to watch the approaching column from Nagrand.

The orderly formation and matching dark-red armor clearly left an impression, but these coarse and unruly beastfolk did not display any fear. Instead, they became even more openly disdainful.

“A bunch of boiled shrimp!” someone deliberately shouted.

“Look! They put armor on ratfolk! Hah! What a joke!”

“There’s going to be a circus act tonight!”

“Hey! They’re all girls!” Someone quickly noticed the true identities of the knights beneath their armor.

“Hey there, sweetheart, isn’t that armor heavy? Where’s your skirt?”

“This isn’t a place for you!”

“Wouldn’t it be more fun to do it in armor? Looks like those Nagrand folks know how to play! We’re in for a good time tonight!”

“How much? Sweetheart, how much for a night? Hurry up, big bro can’t wait any longer!”

Vile and vulgar taunts poured from their mouths, making the young beastkin knights tremble with rage. Wu Qingsong glanced at Corwin, who appeared to have heard nothing, maintaining his usual polite smile as he led the way.

Wu Qingsong pulled his reins slightly, making his mount stomp heavily on the ground. The entire formation came to a halt.

He gave Nina a slight nod. She then gestured to a wolfgirl behind her. The knight acknowledged the signal with a firm nod and rode toward the loudest-mouthed bearfolk.

The jeering finally stopped.

“What do you want?” The bearmen glanced at someone in the crowd behind him before speaking loudly. “Little missy, getting impatient already?”

The surrounding beastmen burst into malicious laughter.

“I am Joanna Harvey of the Nagrand Divine Knights,” the wolfgirl declared. “In the name of Xuanyuan, I demand that you repent for your words.”

“Repent for your words!” The bearfolk mimicked her mockingly, swaying his hips exaggeratedly. “Little missy, get lost. Don’t act all high and mighty, I don’t like hitting women.”

“In that case.” Joanna drew her sword and leaped from her horse in one swift motion. “Raise your weapon.”

“You want to duel me?” The bearman and his companions roared with laughter. “What’s the matter? No real men left in Nagrand? Have they all lost their balls? Hahahaha!”

“In the name of Xuanyuan…” Joanna pressed her sword upright against her forehead and murmured a solemn prayer. “…may your glory shine upon this earth forever.”

A blue radiance erupted from her chest, enveloping her entire body. A sudden gust of wind surged toward the laughing beastman, causing them to cough and choke.

“I will not say it a second time.” Joanna lowered her sword, ready for battle. “Raise your weapon.”

The beastmen were stunned into silence. The aura radiating from Joanna, coupled with the faint blue glow surrounding her, made them hesitate. A few seconds later, the bearman glanced again at the figure in the distance before loudly declaring, “This is the Stampede Plateau, not your damned rat nest! Get the hell ba—”

Joanna lunged forward without warning. A few beastfolk instinctively tried to block her, but she kicked them aside with ease. In the next moment, her sword hilt struck the bearfolk’s face, sending him staggering backward.

“May Xuanyuan forgive your sins,” she whispered devoutly, standing still.

“Lord Sidre!” Corwin suddenly spoke up as if only just noticing the situation. He still wore his ever-present smile, but there was now a hint of unease in his expression. “This is just a misunderstanding. These crude fellows simply lack discipline, there’s no need to—”

The beastfolk gasped in shock. A crimson spray of blood burst forth, drenching the jeering beastmen in a shower of red. Joanna, however, remained entirely untouched by a single drop.

A few seconds later, the bearman’s body crashed heavily to the ground. Joanna sheathed her sword, suppressing the excitement in her heart as she slowly walked back to her horse.