One day later.
After regrouping at the Black Soil Stronghold, the Night Tribe army quickly finalized their battle plan. They would strike fast and hard, launching a surprise assault deep into the Black Soil Plain under the cover of night.
A total of 24,000 troops were mobilized: 3,000 heavy cavalry, 13,000 assault cavalry, and 8,000 light cavalry—essentially the entire cavalry force of the Ye tribe.
The barbarian tribe wasn't far from the stronghold. At full speed, the army could reach it in a single day. However, the biting wind and relentless snow would inevitably sap the soldiers' strength. Even with the guidance of the Sky-Splitting Eagle to prevent them from getting lost on the plains, fatigue would be a serious concern.
Su Xingyu's strategy accounted for that. The army would ride through the night, rest briefly, then continue. If all went smoothly, they would arrive at the enemy stronghold by the following night—ready to strike when least expected.
Su Xingyu himself did not accompany the army. The plan had been set, and he believed in delegating military matters to those best suited for them.
Ye Zhan was a seasoned commander. Su Xingyu never imagined himself more capable in warfare, nor did he need to be physically present to affect the outcome. His growing number of believers granted him an increasing ability to influence the world directly.
So long as faith surrounded a place, he could channel divine power and reshape reality. Should the battle take a turn for the worse, he could still reverse the tide with divine intervention.
Still, Su Xingyu doubted it would come to that.
He had already thoroughly investigated the barbarians' background. Though strong, they were not prepared to face his elite cavalry forces. And with the advantage of a surprise night raid, the odds were overwhelmingly in their favor.
After watching the troops ride off into the snowy darkness, Su Xingyu turned and gave a calm order.
"Bring me the barbarian vanguard's adjutant—the one we captured earlier."
Moments later, two men returned, dragging a pale, bloodied middle-aged man between them. His eyes were hollow, his face drawn.
"No need to keep him tied. He's in no condition to pose a threat," Su Xingyu said with a casual wave of his hand.
The guards nodded and untied the prisoner.
The man looked at the clean, composed young leader before him with a flicker of disbelief. Clearly, he hadn't expected the ruler who had unified the Red River region to be so young.
"What's wrong?" Su Xingyu asked with a faint smirk. "Didn't expect me to be this young? Or do you think warlords from the wasteland should all be hulking brutes with battle scars and bad tempers?"
The man blinked, then quickly gathered himself. Placing his right hand on his chest, he bowed deeply.
"Respected Chief of the Night Tribe, Barros offers you his salute."
Su Xingyu nodded in return. "You're clearly not native to this land. Where are you from, and what brought you here?"
Barros hesitated, then sighed bitterly. "You're right. I come from the Karl Dynasty—a powerful nation across the sea. We were attacked by pirates while sailing... I barely survived. Then, a terrible storm tore our fleet apart. When I regained consciousness, I had washed ashore here."
"And how did you end up allied with the barbarians?" Su Xingyu asked, intrigued.
Barros looked embarrassed. "A small tribe found me and stripped me of everything. They offered me to the barbarian tribe as a tribute..."
Though his voice remained steady, his jaw tensed. As a noble of the Karl Dynasty—even one of lower rank—the humiliation cut deeper than any wound.
"I take it that wasn't a fond memory," Su Xingyu said, his tone laced with sympathy.
"No. It was not," Barros replied darkly.
Su Xingyu suppressed a smile. "The barbarian tribe won't be around much longer. Have you considered finding a new patron? If you join the Night Tribe, you'll be one of us. Your cause will become our cause. The ones who humiliated you? We'll make sure they pay."
Barros's eyes flickered with a mix of relief and gratitude. "It would be my honor to serve the Night Tribe. As for that small tribe, there's no need to trouble yourself—they were swallowed up by the barbarians not long ago, unable to pay their tribute."
He bowed deeply again, more genuinely this time. Barros had spent enough time on the Black Soil Plain to understand one truth: past status meant nothing here. Power was the only measure of worth.
And Su Xingyu radiated it in abundance.
[Hero Template]Name: BarrosRace: HumanTalent: Information ProcessingLevel: First TierAffiliation: Night Tribe
Loyalty: 60Strength: ★★★Constitution: ★★Agility: ★★★Spirit: ★★★★★★★
Traits:① Super Memory – Photographic memory, rapid recall② Information Analysis – Accelerated thinking, detailed interpretation③ Information Integration – Synthesis of vast data into cohesive understanding
Barros's abilities were exceptional—even among the few with hero templates in the Night Tribe. Most of the tribe's heroes were warriors or craftsmen. Rare was a mind like his, finely tuned for administration and analysis.
Su Xingyu glanced over his profile and nodded with satisfaction. With some basic guidance, Barros would become an indispensable asset to the tribe's inner workings.
"You're too skilled to start from the bottom," Su Xingyu said. "Stay by my side for now and help with tribal matters. When the time is right, I'll assign you a formal position."
"As you wish," Barros replied respectfully.
Su Xingyu had him escorted to a well-furnished room. Once Barros was settled, he turned his attention to the six thousand barbarian captives.
Each one was separated and subjected to what he called "friendly education"—an intense campaign to make them realize the error of their ways and see the benefits of the Night Tribe.
Having personally witnessed divine power, the prisoners were quick to abandon their defiance. Most expressed a clear desire to reform.
After all, who would choose death over redemption?
With the captives pacified, Su Xingyu conducted a routine inspection of the Black Soil Stronghold. Everything was operating smoothly. Night Battle had carried out his commands perfectly.
While Su Xingyu oversaw the stronghold's affairs, the expeditionary force of the Ye tribe had already reached the edge of the barbarian tribe's territory.
A storm was brewing—and the Night Tribe would strike under its cover.