Ten people squeezed through the crowd. Judging from their attire, they seemed to be together. However, these people's attire was a little strange. They had the wildness of the tribesmen, but they also wore conspicuous silk clothes like the nobles in King City. When paired together, they wore eye-catching silk clothes with reflective patterns on the inside, and a sleeveless brownish-yellow animal skin short coat on the outside.
The group of ten stood out, not only because of their attire, but also because of the tall man in the middle.
Shao Xuan and the rest of the Yanjiao were already tall compared to most people. Black Bear's tribe was slightly taller than most Yanjiao people. However, Black Bear's tribe was built so they looked especially intimidating. But now, in front of that person, Black Bear was obviously a lot shorter!
The man's arms were as thick as stone pillars. He stood out in the crowd like a crane among chickens, half a body taller. Not only was he tall, but he was also very strong. Standing in front of such a person was like standing in front of the thick and solid city walls outside the royal city. Such a big guy, those who were timid would be afraid just by looking at him. Who knew if he would crush or injure the people next to him if he fell? Some people wondered.
Some guessed the man's identity. Those who were quick on the uptake had guessed from Black Bear's words.
"Linlu tribe? Lu family? That big man can't be Lubi, right? "Some people speculated.
"Lubi? The one rumored to be able to kill a bear with one hammer? "Someone exclaimed.
When they heard 'kill a bear with one hammer', Black Bear and Maoda raised their eyebrows. Their displeasure deepened. What were they talking about? Hearing this under these circumstances, they felt like something was wrong. It sounded like a provocation. They were extremely annoyed.
"So that's what Lubi looks like." Some people were still discussing, their voices excited and a little regretful. They were excited to finally see him in person, but regretful because he was a little disappointing.
Lubi was known as the most talented person in the Linlu tribe in the past few hundred years. It was said that he was tall and naturally strong. For this reason, the Linlu tribe even asked the Ji family to make him a big bronze hammer. Rumor had it that Lubi could kill a giant bear with one strike of his hammer!
Because the Linlu tribe had moved to the Royal City, the Royal City's citizens were all talking about it. In order to make themselves known, the Lu family naturally spread the news of all the outstanding talents in the tribe. Lubi's name was naturally known by everyone. The citizens of the Royal City wanted to see what Lubi looked like. Was he like a demonic beast, with one arm like an elephant's leg, holding a huge hammer the size of a house, and creating a pool with each step? It was a pity that he hadn't seen Lubi before. The Lu family hadn't completely moved in yet.
But now, everyone knew that the main members of the Lu family had moved to the Royal City. The person in front of them, who was much taller than "Black Bear" Beimi, was the legendary Lubi!
Although it was a little different from what they had imagined, there were still some similarities with the rumors. It was enough for the people of the Royal City, who lacked entertainment, to talk about it for a long time.
Lubi's long-handled hammer had a jujube-shaped head. There were some dents of varying depths on it, signs of battle. No one knew if they were left behind by humans or beasts. No matter what, one look at the hammer and you knew this person wasn't easy to deal with. Although Lubi's hammer wasn't as big as a house, it could be used as an umbrella. Wielding such a solid hammer wasn't an easy task, much less using it as a weapon.
As Lubi and the rest walked over, Shao Xuan, Guang Yi and the rest, who were considered strong, now looked skinny and weak compared to Lubi. Of course, the onlookers, including the Linlu tribesmen, were even weaker compared to Lubi. They were as thin as firewood.
However, the one who spoke wasn't Lubi. Instead, it was a relatively gentle-looking young man who was walking at the front. The young man's gaze was always cold and mocking. Coupled with his words, he seemed a little arrogant.
When 'Black Bear' mentioned 'Linlu tribe', these people were unhappy. The young man walking at the front looked at 'Black Bear' coldly.
To them, the word 'tribe' sounded too rustic. Now, everyone was imitating the aristocrats of the six tribes. They no longer called themselves tribesmen, but changed their surname to a family and worked hard to become aristocrats. In the Royal City, when greeting or introducing themselves, most people would say 'X' or 'XX'. Who would say 'XX tribe'? It wasn't easy for the Linlu tribe to change into what it was today. Now they were being mocked?
"A merchant is a merchant. You have no aspirations. Vulgar!" The young man's cold face was three parts mocking and seven parts arrogant.
'Black Bear' narrowed his eyes. "Yes, you have aspirations. I heard the Linlu tribesmen are rushing to the Royal City to be slaves? Perfect, the grains in the fields outside the Royal City are all ripe. They need people to harvest them. Maybe in a few days, you'll have work to do. The pay isn't low either. It'll be enough for you to eat one or two meals. "
There were sparks in the air, as if they could explode with just a touch.
The voices of the onlookers quieted down, but no one left. Those who left soon came back, bringing their friends and relatives to watch. One was to see Lubi, and the other was to see if a fight would break out. They couldn't miss this opportunity.
On one side were the Black Bears and on the other was the Lu family of the Linlu tribe, who had just moved to the Royal City. There were only four people on one side and ten on the other. If they really fought, who would win?
Some people were already guessing and betting. The people outside even gathered to place their bets.
"What, are you here to test your swords too? Do you have the guts? Do you have the ability? "'Black Bear' asked.
The young man at the front raised his chin. "That's right." He took a step towards the sword-testing rock and looked at the crowd. "Luming of the Lu family, I'm here to test my swords!"
Someone next to Luming walked out. "Lupeng of the Lu family, I'm here to test my swords!"
Lubi, who was carrying a large hammer, grinned, revealing his white teeth. "Lubi of the Lu family, I'm here to test my swords!"
…
Ten people announced their names in a row. It didn't seem like they were announcing their names for the sword-testing, more like they were announcing their names for the people around them. They were just showing off.
"You Black Bears, if you're done, then get lost. If you're not done, then get lost. It's our turn now!" Luming looked at 'Black Bear'.
Black Bear was so angry that his fur was about to explode. He hated it when people shouted at him. If it was any other place, he would have pulled out his saber and slashed at him, just like yesterday on the dirt road outside the city. However, this was the Gongjia family's doorstep. He had just tested his swords and had the right to ask Gongjia Heng to make him a weapon. What if Gongjia Heng got angry and rejected him? Was he going to waste such a great opportunity for a few henchmen? 'Black Bear' did not want to.
Besides, 'Black Bear' had brought Shao Xuan and the rest here. He did not want to drag Shao Xuan into this. He still needed to rely on Shao Xuan to go to Ji Ju tomorrow. If Shao Xuan was injured, tomorrow's plan would be scrapped.
Black Bear suppressed his anger. His expression darkened as he glared at the Linlu tribe. It was as if he had flung a knife at them.
Unfortunately, the people from the Linlu tribe didn't care at all.
Shao Xuan watched the Linlu tribesmen's actions from the side. He had an idea. These ten people were not here to test their swords. Or rather, they were here to test their swords but after seeing 'Black Bear', they changed their minds and targeted the four of them.
At first, Shao Xuan thought some idiot did not recognise 'Black Bear' after Black Bear had tested his swords. But now, it seemed like these people clearly recognised 'Black Bear'.
From the looks of it, all of their actions and words were done on purpose to provoke Black Bear?
No, Shao Xuan often hunted in the forest so he was very sensitive to changes in the aura of humans and beasts. He could feel that these people did not come with good intentions. The Linlu tribesmen really wanted to fight!
Shao Xuan was right. This was Luming's plan. Initially, he wanted to test his sword but when he realised the Black Bears were here, he changed his mind. The Black Bears only had four people and there were no other Black Bears around. The Lu family, on the other hand, had ten people. This was a rare opportunity!
In a place like Monarch City, no, not only Monarch City, it was the same everywhere. In order to gain a foothold, one had to display one's strength. And in order to display one's strength to the people around, the best way to gain a foothold in such a new place was to find a stepping stone!
That was the rule!
The stepping stone could not be too small or it would be unstable. It could not be too big or it would have the opposite effect. That was why Luming had his eyes on 'Black Bear', who was testing his swords. 'Black Bear' was famous and he was not a noble in the Royal City. He was the perfect stepping stone!
Luming's eyes flashed with a strange light. His earlier provocation seemed impulsive but in fact, he had a motive. When they came over, they had already planned it out. As long as they followed the plan, Black Bear would be their stepping stone! Fixed! Fixed!
Lupeng and the rest were still provoking him. Maoda was already angry. Although he knew they were provoking him, if he continued to tolerate it in front of so many people, where would the dignity of the Black Bears go? Where would the tribe's honour be?!
'Black Bear' raised his hand and gestured for Shao Xuan and the rest to stand behind him. He drew his large copper knife. "Since you want to die, I'll reward you!"
Luming's eyes flashed. He waved his hand and the other nine people beside him moved.
The ten of them split into four groups and charged forward in a three-three-one formation.
Everyone thought that the first to face 'Black Bear' would be the tallest Lubi from the Linlu tribe. He had the highest chance of taking on 'Black Bear'. But no one expected Lubi to charge at Shao Xuan alone with his large hammer!
It was just like the strategy used by predators who lived in groups in the wild when they were hunting. They would first scatter the prey and then pick the old, weak, sick, and disabled to eat.
Bullying with numbers? Despicable and shameless?
No, there was no such thing here. They called it a strategic encirclement.
Sometimes, even if both sides were balanced at the start, the moment the balance was broken, things would get out of hand. And from the perspective of nature's strategy, the easiest way to break the balance would be to start from the weakest point.
In the plan of the ten people from the Linlu tribe, it was easy to pick the weakest of the four targets. Black Bear was out of the question. Maoda was the second in command. He would not be weak. Eliminate again! Of the remaining two, the older one had a murderous look in his eyes. He was not to be trifled with. Eliminate again! Only one was left. This young man did not look like much. He should be the weakest of the four. Didn't you see 'Black Bear' blocking for him?
He was the one!
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