Chapter 386: The Knights’ Debut (Part 2)

“You… you bitch! You actually killed him?!”

The beastmen surrounding the bearmen finally snapped out of their shock and cried out in alarm.

Joanna abruptly turned around, narrowing her eyes as she fixed her gaze on the one who had insulted her. Her slender figure appeared particularly frail compared to the towering beastfolk, yet her aura was so intense that they hesitated once more, falling into a brief silence.

Wu Qingsong couldn’t help but nod in approval. Joanna was the most talented among the wolfgirls and a key focus of Nina’s training. She had already dealt with several bandits during her patrols around Nagrand, making her completely unfazed by this situation.

The sight of a seemingly delicate girl wielding a sword against massive opponents struck a chord deep within him, igniting a surge of exhilaration.

“Kill her!” The beastfolk finally snapped out of their daze. Shamed by their own hesitation, they roared in fury, raising their weapons.

Joanna stopped in her tracks, and the blue light surrounding her body flared once more. At that moment, Nina’s voice rang out, “Knights, prepare for battle!”

A chorus of praises to Xuanyuan erupted. Moments later, four or five beastkin radiated glowing auras of various colors. Two or three leaped down from their mounts, their bodies swelling in size. A foxgirl began gathering fire elements before her, while beside her, four or five ice shards materialized in the air, ready to launch at a moment’s notice. The abilities of the other beastkin were less overt, but they had begun their preparations the moment Joanna made her move. Within seconds, they were fully battle-ready.

The beastmen’s movements froze once again. 

What… what the hell was this?

“Stand down! Stand down!” A tigerfolk came rushing out of a nearby tent, roaring at the top of his lungs. Further away, a large number of fully armed beastmen were charging toward them, and the atmosphere grew tense.

“Jo! Fall back,” Wu Qingsong shouted.

Joanna hesitated for a moment but ultimately obeyed Wu Qingsong’s command, retreating to her comrades.

“Corwin! What is going on here?” A towering bearfolk clad in half-plate armor bellowed, his furious gaze locking onto Wu Qingsong and his retinue.

The foxman glanced at Wu Qingsong, who remained calm and indifferent as if this matter was of no consequence to him. Then he looked at the beastkin behind him, who had just demonstrated astonishing prowess. A bitter taste filled his mouth.

This was no mere coincidence. No matter how uncouth, ill-mannered, or thoughtless these beastfolk were, they wouldn’t have uttered such words when the identity of their guests was so obvious.

This incident was neither too big nor too small—just enough to probe the Nagrand delegation’s temperament and capabilities. But no one had anticipated that these seemingly young beastkin would be so ruthless, nor that Wu Qingsong, as Nagrand’s leader, would act so recklessly.

This was far beyond Nagrand’s sphere of influence. Even here on this hill, at least seven or eight hundred warriors from various tribes and clans were present. Did they truly not fear provoking the Stampede Plateau beastfolk into a frenzy, getting themselves slaughtered here, and inciting an all-out war against Nagrand?

Was this the golden opportunity that the more radical anti-Nagrand faction within the Stampede Plateau alliance had been waiting for?

Staring at Wu Qingsong’s composed expression, Corwin found himself uncertain.

“I expect a reasonable explanation,” Wu Qingsong sneered. “Or is this the war you invited me here for?”

“Quinn!” Just then, several beastfolk appeared at the perimeter of the gathering soldiers, calling out loudly.

Their attire and armor marked their status.

“High Chieftain.” Many beastfolk saluted the tigerfolk at the forefront. His fur was nearly two-thirds white, making him stand out strikingly. However, Wu Qingsong also noticed that about a third of the beastfolk remained indifferent to his arrival.

“What happened here?” Storm furrowed his brows, scanning the scene with authority. “Drop your weapons,” he commanded. “Corwin, explain.”

Corwin gave a brief account of the incident, though he glossed over the obscene remarks, merely summarizing them in passing.

“My apologies, Lord Sidre of Nagrand. It is unfortunate that our first meeting occurs under such circumstances. However, we must address this issue before we can properly get to know each other. Naturally, the failure to discipline these men is my responsibility,” Storm declared. He then nodded at the tigerfolk behind him, who immediately stormed toward the troublemakers, seized them, and dragged them toward the wooden racks standing nearby.

“Thirty lashes for each of them,” Storm decreed.

The beastfolk let out low growls, voicing their displeasure. Storm then turned to Wu Qingsong.

“Lord Sidre, I hope to see your sincerity in return.”

“Oh?” Wu Qingsong said. “Jo, step forward.”

“Sir?” Joanna emerged from the group.

“You did well. I hereby officially promote you to Captain of the First Squad.”

The beastkin let out soft cheers, while the beastfolk’s expressions turned ugly.

“Sidre, are you testing our patience?” Storm asked, his voice laced with anger.

“If those words had been directed at the wives and daughters of the chiefs here, I highly doubt the punishment would be a mere thirty lashes,” Wu Qingsong replied. “I came here with the intention of peace and friendship, to establish a lasting partnership with the chiefs and leaders of the Stampede Plateau. I assumed that by inviting me here, you shared the same goal. But clearly, some people think otherwise. I respect your wisdom, High Chieftain Storm, and in turn, I expect to be given the same respect.”

Storm’s expression darkened. The beastfolk troublemakers had already been dragged to the wooden racks, and some were even tied up. However, with the sudden shift in the situation, the tigerfolk in charge of the punishment hesitated, halting their actions. Meanwhile, the surrounding beastfolk clutched their weapons tightly, awaiting Storm’s command.

There were fewer than 250 Nagrand troops present, completely surrounded. If he gave the order, his warriors would tear them to pieces.

But then, Storm suddenly burst into laughter.

Wu Qingsong also chuckled, but the surrounding beastmen were thoroughly confused.

“You are even more interesting than I had heard,” Storm said, laughing heartily. “You’re right, these men brought this upon themselves. They will receive the punishment they deserve and will learn the proper way to treat honored guests. Lord Sidre, please follow me. Allow me to introduce you to the chiefs. I believe that the Stampede Plateau and the Icy Sea can establish a strong partnership, bringing lasting peace and prosperity to our people.”