The Vastness of Magical Destiny
Chapter 777: Volume 23: Rising Winds and Swirling Clouds, - 13: Undercurrent_2

Chapter 777: Volume 23: Rising Winds and Swirling Clouds, Chapter 13: Undercurrent_2

Sike did not engage with the other two’s conversation; he could of course discern the underlying meaning in Dvanch and Bellamong’s words. They wanted to unify their approach to tackle the pressure from the Caucasus. The visit to Ugru to negotiate with Komer was Bellamong’s suggestion, and Sike agreed with some of Dvanch and Bellamong’s viewpoints. However, for him to threaten the Caucasus with the most aggressive stance was not something he was willing to do.

Sike was well aware of his own tribe’s weight, and just as clear about the subtle changes within the Gapeng Tribe over the past two years. From being the weakest among the Alliance’s Thirteen Tribes, it had grown significantly—a fact outsiders might not know, but Sike was very much aware. By now, the Gapeng Tribe was no less formidable than the Garong and Galong Tribes. He just didn’t want to draw too much attention and continued to keep a low profile, following Komer’s advice. That the Gapeng Tribe was able to grow quietly among the Sanjia Tribes was, of course, thanks to secret dealings with the Caucasus.

Indeed, it was hard to accept those smaller tribes in the heart of the Wilderness seeking refuge under the wing of the Caucasus. But Sike knew this was not something he could stop, not even if the Sanjia Tribe united, let alone the entire Mountain People Alliance. It was like a large prison that had been closed for too long, suddenly having a door opened. How could you expect those prisoners who had tasted a good life to return to the old days of hardship and dullness? Sike believed that Dvanch and Bellamong should also understand this, yet they still hoped to use the combined strength of the Sanjia Tribe to force the other party to make concessions. On this matter, however, Sike did not wish to move in lockstep with them because the Gapeng Tribe still hoped to gain even more from the situation.

"Dvanch, perhaps we can’t completely prevent this phenomenon from occurring, but we must make some effort, otherwise the chain reaction will destroy the ancestral system and traditions that our Mountain people have inherited for a thousand years. We Mountain people might even disappear among them, Mortals, becoming second-class citizens in their Mortal world," Bellamong stopped in his tracks, "Look at their assimilation ability, how strong it is. The poor traditions of our Mountain people simply fall apart under the erosion of their so-called civilized customs. If this trend continues, perhaps in less than one hundred years, our Mountain people will metamorphose into a lowly hybrid race like the Half-Beastmen, ignorant of their own origins!"

"Chief Bellamong, keep your voice down. This is not our territory. If the Half-Beastmen hear these words, it could bring us endless trouble," Dvanch reminded the other party with some displeasure. Why was this old fox so impulsive today? Had he really been so agitated by the situations in Bahomon and Ugru that he was losing his reason?

Glancing at his companion, he saw that his eyes were as clear and tranquil as water, showing no signs of agitation. However, his gaze drifted deliberately and inadvertently to Sike, who had been silent all along. That’s when Dvanch understood—the other party was hinting at the one with the weaker will.

Sike, still silent as if he had not heard Bellamong’s words, was as expected by Dvanch. To call him a traitor wouldn’t be too far off the mark. Did he really think his little maneuvers with Komer could be hidden from Dvanch? But Dvanch was powerless to stop it.

This man in front of him was short-sighted, seemingly for the benefit of the Gapeng Tribe, but overlooking the future interests of the entire Mountain people. He ceaselessly supplied Earthwalking Dragons and Thunder Pengs to the Caucasus, going all out in aiding the training of Earth Dragon Warriors and Thunder Peng Knights, while the Caucasus’s abundant materials quietly bypassed his tribe’s controlled routes to enter the Gapeng Tribe. These events were well known to Dvanch, who had always remained silent, not wanting to make the Sanjia Tribe’s conflicts public. Once the Gapeng Tribe openly leaned towards the Caucasus, the Sanjia Tribes would no longer be able to speak in one voice, and this would allow the Caucasus to influence the Cordillera Wilderness without restraint. Looking at Flanders’ performance down south, one could feel Komer’s enormous ambitions, and that was what Dvanch feared the most.

"Gentlemen, I hear there’s a good tavern up ahead. How about we go in for a drink?" The always calm Sike suddenly extended an invitation, taking Dvanch and Bellamong by surprise.

"Have a drink?" Dvanch was taken aback.

"Yes, Dvanch. Since it’s still early before our meeting with Komer and we’re already in Ugru, why not enjoy a taste of the Mortals’ life?" Sike asked, tilting his head.

Dvanch’s face showed a complex expression. The other party had changed a lot. To be honest, Dvanch had always thought that this fellow achieving the position of Chief Gapeng was largely due to luck, and there certainly weren’t many talents in the Gapeng Tribe. But now it seemed, his powers of observation and judgment may have experienced some errors. The man before him did not seem as simple-minded as he had imagined.

"Which one?" Bellamong also sensed something amiss and asked in a deep voice.

"It’s just ahead, the Lucky Horn Tavern."

As the three men stepped into the tavern, they were instantly enveloped by the rich aroma of alcohol, the pervasive scent of liquor tempted them into a slight, intoxicating pleasure. Half-Beastmen, Barbarians, and Dwarves had always been considered by Mortals as the three races on the Continent most fond of drinking. All kinds of alcoholic beverages brewed by Mortals would always find enthusiasts among these three races, and various brands of Red Maoshao indisputably became their preferred choice of drink. However, this grain-distilled spirit had always been a luxury in the old Caucasus, and enjoying such a drink under the conditions of food shortages necessitated paying a liquor tax several times the price of the drink itself.

The towering figures of the three men drew only a momentary glance from the patrons of the tavern; clearly, though Barbarians were a rare sight here, they were not a cause for commotion. The guests who could afford to sit in the tavern at this time were not those who sustained their lives on physical toil.

"It seems that the business in this tavern is just so-so." Chief Bellamong’s gaze swiftly swept the tavern and returned.

"Chief Bellamong, now is not the peak time for business. Most of those drinking here are Caucasus’s merchant nobility, and it’s exactly these people who control the economic lifelines of the Caucasus," Sike said with a slight smile.

"Sike, you seem to be very familiar with this place?" Chief Bellamong felt a tremor in his heart, a premonition of disquiet stirred within him as such words came from the other.

"Hmm, I’ve been here a few times. The Golden Cauldron Red Maoshao here tastes very good," Sike said, no longer avoiding the other’s gaze.

"Oh?" Both Chief Bellamong and Dvanch tensed up, their gaze falling upon Sike’s face, "I wonder whom the Sike Leader enjoys coming here with?"

"With Lord Komer," Sike said casually.

"Oh?!" A tangible glint of Luminous Flame flashed in the eyes of Dvanch and Chief Bellamong, scorching Sike’s face, "I hadn’t expected the Sike Leader to be on such good terms with Lord Komer; why didn’t it occur to include Chief Bellamong and myself?"

"It seems not too late to call upon you now. Chiefs, there’s no need to look at me with such eyes. Since I’ve spoken about it, I won’t hide or hold back anything, right?" Sike’s face, full of flesh, revealed a sly look, indescribably eerie, "I also really wanted to find an opportunity to have a good talk with both chiefs, and today seems just the right time."

After exchanging glances, the expressions on Dvanch and Chief Bellamong’s faces became calm, "Sike, are these your own words or Komer’s tactics?"

(To be continued. For further story information, please visit WWW.CMFU.COM, where Chapters are more abundant – support the author, support authorized reading!)