Republic of China Era: Entering the Dao through Divine Strike

Disagreement

More than a hundred tribesmen swarmed into the forest. Their eyes swept over the corpses of ferocious beasts scattered on the ground and the five corpses of Shang soldiers lying on their sides. Suddenly, cheers that had been suppressed for many days erupted in the dark forest.

There were eight animals in total: a black wolf, a giant bear, and a striped tiger.

These beasts were several times larger than the degenerate world in which Li Xin was born.

Especially those two giant bears, even when they were lying on the ground, they were taller than a one-story building.

Such a colossal creature was not particularly unusual when the tribal warriors had not yet left.

But now, it is a life-saving food for all the people in the tribe.

In particular, the forest is now ravaged by ferocious beasts, and foreign enemies have invaded.

The dense jungle became extremely dangerous.

If you want to get some food, you have to risk your life.

They never imagined they would have such a huge reward right in front of them.

"So much meat! Now we won't go hungry anymore!"

"Yes, we can have a few good meals, and the doll won't die from overuse."

Amid cheers, many of the clansmen, young and old, dressed in tattered clothes, couldn't help but shed tears.

"And the Shang army's armor and weapons are all good stuff, much tougher and more durable than our stone axes and spears. Take them all back."

"Thanks to Sangmu, Shizhuang, and the others—"

Especially Sangmu, who single-handedly killed five elite Shang soldiers. In the past, we wouldn't have even dared to dream of such a feat!

"Brother Mu, how did you become so strong? Take me hunting next time!"

"Take me with you! I grew up playing in the mud with Brother Sangmu when we were kids!"

"Pah—didn't we grow up together?"

"I can wash Sangmu's feet and rub his back, are you sure you can?"

"Not only can I wash Sangmu's feet, but I can also—"

"Stop!" Li Xin shouted, quickly halting the people's frenzied praise and display of their abilities.

If we keep talking, we might say something that will make us look foolish.

Cheers erupted from the tribespeople. Women and children smiled, and the young tribespeople were all excited, crowding around and looking at Li Xin and his companions with eyes full of admiration and fervor.

The shadow of death that had been looming over the Blackwater tribe for days seemed to vanish in an instant.

Everyone felt that with a newly recruited tribal warrior like Sangmu, the tribe had something to rely on, and everyone had hope for survival.

Without any orders, all the tribesmen spontaneously divided the work and cooperated, with the able-bodied men dissecting the ferocious beast's carcass and moving its flesh and bones.

Women and children gathered scattered animal hides, herbs, and firewood, creating a lively scene in the forest.

Large and small pieces of meat were carried on people's backs, and the long-lost abundance brought genuine smiles to the faces of every member of the tribe.

Aside from the noisy and joyful crowd, two people did not immediately return to their tribe. They scanned the surrounding area with serious expressions.

The white-haired Second Elder, Yun Tong, bent down, his withered fingers gently tracing the wounds on Shang Jun's corpse, his eyes growing increasingly deep.

He had decades of hunting experience and had fought against merchant soldiers.

He can be considered quite knowledgeable.

He could discern a great deal from the signs of battle and the distinctive features of the personnel's attire and training.

Of the five Shang soldiers, four were killed instantly, either by arrows piercing their throats or hearts, or by sharp blades cutting them down.

The wound exuded an icy chill that seeped into the corpse's internal organs.

The surface of the flesh was dotted with frost-like spots, giving it a purplish-black color.

"This is the true energy of the Black Water, which has already returned to the innate state and comprehended the true meaning of the Black Water. The chill is the best characteristic of it."

"Sang Mu's cultivation has greatly improved, which is truly gratifying. What's even more remarkable is that his combat skills are also extremely exquisite. It's very likely that he grasped the true essence of combat while facing life and death."

"In my opinion, such exquisite and subtle fighting techniques are definitely not the style of our tribe. Perhaps—"

The guard captain, Tie Yuan, stood to the side, his burly frame tense, his eyebrows slightly raised, and he spoke in a deep voice.

He was naturally happy that Sangmu had become stronger.

However, these strange circumstances cannot be ignored.

As the strongest warrior remaining in the tribe, he had undergone a marrow cleansing and blood transfusion to enhance his cultivation. Due to his leg ailment, he was forced to stay in the tribe to guard it.

They were the tribe's last remaining force of defense.

Others can be careless.

He can't.

Therefore, we are extremely cautious when faced with any abnormality.

He had heard about the battle from that kid, Xiao Shi, while he was on his way.

At the time, I didn't think much of it, assuming that the few merchant soldiers were probably of average strength, which is why they were easily killed by the five little guys.

At this point, I saw the corpses and the traces of the battlefield in person.

He knew then that he had completely guessed wrong.

The traces of felled trees and destroyed boulders were horrifying.

In particular, the trees were scorched and withered under the onslaught of the sword energy, and deep, long cracks appeared in the ground.

All of this proves the formidable strength of the merchants and soldiers.

Even if I were to face such a master.

It's very likely that it won't hold out for long.

They would be executed on the spot by the local authorities.

However, this enemy, who also brought four subordinates, was easily killed by Sangmu.

So, how strong is Sangmu?

Is there still many things he's hiding from people like us?

Not only Tie Yuan could see it, but the Second Elder could also see it.

The old man waved his hand and said in a deep voice, "In the wild jungle, which genius is not blessed with good fortune and opportunities?"

The emergence of a genius in our tribe is naturally a stroke of good fortune.

Whatever the reason, his rapid growth is a blessing for our tribe. Do you understand?

"Yes, Elder, I understand."

Tie Yuan felt a chill run down his spine when the Second Elder looked at him coldly with his old eyes, and he quickly and respectfully agreed.

Then, a thought crossed his mind, and he remembered some things that the others had reported earlier.

With the main force of Luohunjian tied down, the allied forces of the Shang Dynasty launched a major eastern expedition.

Scout squads were divided into groups to clear out surrounding small tribes, aiming to cut off the Sun-Shooting Tribe's support and supplies.

Every message is unsettling.

"Elder, this can't go on." Tie Yuan lowered his voice, his tone extremely solemn. "The fact that these five people are here is probably not just a coincidence."

"Of course it's no coincidence. These are scouts from the Flying Tiger Battalion of the Shang army. They should come from the iron army that King Wu Cheng of Shang relied on to dominate the eight wastelands."

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These people didn't even bring their mounts, so their encampment must be not far from here.

The Second Elder sighed.

He certainly recognized their attire and markings.

Without much thought, it's easy to understand that the other side had definitely more than five people.

Perhaps, this quiet forest is now filled with Flying Tigers scouts.

Huang's army has never suffered any losses; whether it's generals or soldiers, they are all arrogant and domineering.

They also have reason to be proud.

Their combat power is extremely strong.

If they suffer a setback, they are likely to launch a full-scale counterattack—the situation has become extremely dangerous.

Yun Tong slowly rose and gazed at the deep, endless wilderness forest.

The autumn wind swept through the forest, bringing with it a chill that made his white hair flutter wildly.

He let out a long sigh: "My Blackwater tribe is in grave danger."

"It's simply a matter of meeting force with force and water with water. Even if it's the Huang family's Flying Tiger Battalion, they'll have to knock a few teeth out if they want to take over my Blackwater Tribe."

A bloodlust flashed in Tie Yuan's eyes.

The Blackwater tribe has never had any cowards who fear death.

"Yes, hurry back to train the troops, prepare weapons and arrows, and rebuild the stockade walls—"

Li Xin, with his sharp ears and keen eyesight, was walking in the middle of the group and had already clearly heard the two men's secret whispers.

He shook his head and chuckled.

To do something knowing it is impossible.

Could it be that all the Dongyi tribes during the Investiture of the Gods period were this brave?

What was the final fate of the Dongyi tribe?

Li Xin couldn't remember some of it.

After all, I read the Investiture of the Gods as a leisurely read, skimming through it and forgetting it as soon as I finished.

How could I remember so many things clearly?

Grand Tutor Wen of the Shang Dynasty was very powerful; he seemed to be one of the best among the third-generation disciples of the Jie Sect.

That so-called King Wu Cheng, Huang Feihu, apparently later rebelled against the Shang dynasty and joined the Western Zhou. He was indeed a formidable martial artist and a very capable commander.

Otherwise, he would not have been able to be made a king by the Shang Dynasty.

Although Li Xin didn't know how many merits he had made, he couldn't have been granted the title of king through back channels and connections, could he? And he was a king from a different surname at that—

Li Xin vaguely remembered that his sons seemed to be even more capable.

His martial arts skills were so strong that he could even hold his own against a Qi Refiner.

Also, Huang Feihu's father is called Huang Gun, who seems to be quite powerful as well.

In any case, this family was extremely difficult to deal with, and was a significant military force capable of influencing the situation of the Shang and Zhou dynasties.

The martial prowess of the father and sons is so formidable that, apart from cultivators of the Qi Refining level, they are virtually invincible.

Based on martial arts alone, you shouldn't expect to win a direct confrontation with them.

It's guaranteed to lose.

Now, this fierce army, as the vanguard of the iron cavalry, has invaded the rear of the Dongyi tribes, disrupting the tribal alliance.

What right do these hundred or so old, weak, sick, and disabled members of the Blackwater tribe have to claim they can knock out the other party's teeth?

"Second Elder, Captain Tieyuan. With our rear vulnerable and the enemy approaching, holding our ancestral land is not the best course of action."

Even if Li Xin didn't want to take the lead, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and offer his suggestions.

His current identity is that of a young man from the Dongyi tribe, specifically from the Blackwater tribe.

This identity has ten lifetimes and ten paths to advancement, with a reasonable and legitimate route to advancement, and the cultivation techniques it employs are also ancient and profound. As long as one finds the superior version of the Black Water Technique, one can gradually ascend to the pinnacle of cultivation in this world.

Unless absolutely necessary.

He definitely cannot give up this identity.

Nameless and faceless outcasts were less than cannon fodder in the God-Investiture War of [Heavenly Killing Intent].

Who knows where a brick might fly and kill him?

It is a calamity that will destroy one's life force.

His own destiny was concealed by the original destiny of the mulberry tree, so there was no immediate fear of being exposed.

However, if they exhibit a style of behavior that is drastically different from their previous ones.

Alternatively, revealing one's origins and background would be a righteous way to commit suicide.

Since he wanted to continue this identity and the karma of this life, he couldn't just stand by and watch the Blackwater Tribe head towards its end.

The reason is very simple.

Even if it meant his death and the destruction of his soul, the original Sangmu would not want to see his tribe wiped out.

In fact, he was already dead during the hunt.

What remains today is less like mulberry wood and more like extraterrestrial demons.

He stood there and waited for a while.

Seeing that the Second Elder and Captain Tieyuan had come up to him, he spoke tactfully: "Elder, I have a suggestion. Since we can't fight them head-on, we should pack up the tribe's supplies and evacuate immediately, heading east."

By uniting the neighboring tribes of Tiemu, Qingmu, and Honghe, we can increase our strength.

They didn't seek to contend with the elite Shang army; as long as they could withstand one wave of attacks, they could safely break through and seek refuge with the Sun-Shooting Tribe.

"You mean a migration, a union of several small tribes?"

Old Man Yuntong looked troubled, his brows furrowed.

Upon hearing this, Tie Yuan slowly shook his head.

He said in a muffled voice, "Xiao Mu, you may not have fought with those tribes. Over the years, our Blackwater tribe has had more or less disputes with them over the hunting grounds."

Even more so, in the struggle for prey, they secretly plotted to kill each other; this hatred—"

Li Xin laughed and said, "Times have changed. The situation was naturally different back then. Each tribe had its own stance for its own development, so it was normal for them to fight each other."

But now that a formidable enemy is at their doorstep, if the tribes do not shake hands and form alliances, they will surely be defeated one by one by the merchant army, and none of them will survive.

"What hatred? Compared to the extermination of an entire clan, it's nothing."

Li Xin spoke earnestly and sincerely, trying to persuade the two men.

The main reason is my own identity; I'm a fifteen-year-old boy, not yet fully grown up.

Even though he had the reputation of being a little genius, he hadn't really shown anything particularly outstanding.

Today, although they shine brightly and are respected by their tribespeople.

But it's not to the point that they would listen to my opinion when life and death are at stake.

Human thought is universal, regardless of the world.

The idea that "a young man with no beard is unreliable" was something even primitive people acknowledged.

Upon hearing this, Yun Tong slowly shook her head.

"Sangmu, I know you are thinking of the tribe, and your plan is good."

Indeed, the best course of action at this time is to unite all the tribes, break out of this area, and migrate towards the Sun-Shooting Tribe.

Yun Tong sighed deeply, her tone full of helplessness, "But we absolutely cannot abandon our ancestral land."

This mountain forest, this fertile land, is the foundation upon which my Blackwater tribe has thrived and taken root for thousands of years. The remains of our ancestors are all buried here, and our people have guarded this land for generations; how can we simply abandon it?

"If we really abandon them, where will the Blackwater Tribe still be? This branch of Xuanming descendants may just disappear. Furthermore, the chieftain and the main force of the tribe are all fighting bloody battles abroad. If they return, their homeland will be empty and their people scattered."

Where should they go next?

"By abandoning our territory and fleeing, we are cutting off our people's path home and chilling the hearts of those fighting to the death at the front."

Tie Yuan echoed, clenching his fists and looking determined: "I agree with what the elder said."

As guardians of our tribe, we are determined to protect our ancestral homeland and its people. We must never abandon it.

Besides, we're not entirely without support. If we really reach a desperate situation, Granny Li will come to our aid.

In my opinion, it might just be a small group of merchant dogs attacking, and there might not be a large enemy force coming. Our Blackwater tribe doesn't have the face to attract a large army.

"As long as we can hold out for a while until the clan leader and the others return, we won't have anything to fear."

"Yes, I'm worried they'll stab me in the back if I hang out with those bastards from the Temubu tribe."

"We can't leave. If we leave, where will we live? What will we eat? The jungle is extremely dangerous. We're still halfway through the long migration, and there's a high chance of many casualties."

"Yes, yes, we are more familiar with this land, but when we went to the Sun-Shooting Tribe, everything there was unfamiliar."

Even if we can withstand the ferocious beasts, how could we possibly deal with the nobles of those large tribes? They will definitely use us as slaves and death squads to wear us down. What will we do then?

"We will never leave our ancestral homeland!"

"If the Shang army dares to come, we, the old, the weak, women, and children, will fight to the death with our swords!"

"We will defend our homeland to the death, and we will never yield an inch!"

The shouts rose and fell, passionate and stirring.

Even his friends, such as Mo Shi and A Feng, looked hesitant.

Clearly, they were unwilling to leave.