The strength of the Tengu Clan was similar to that of the Great Ogre Clan, roughly around B-Rank.
The excellent ones could formally enter B-Rank.
Some with poorer aptitudes could also maintain their magic essence at 5000+, which is a B-Rank level.
As for the strong individuals within the Tengu Clan, there were also dozens of them who were A-Rank or higher.
Overall, the combat power of the Tengu Clan was far superior to that of the former Great Ogre Clan.
If one also considered Hongye, the daughter Feng had nurtured for three hundred years, who combined the bloodlines of the Ogre Clan and the Tengu Clan, her strength was Special A-Rank, close to a Demon Lord Seed.
With dozens of A-Rank strong individuals, such strength had already reached the limit that the current Jura Great Forest could accommodate.
The reasons they did not participate in the forest's struggle for dominance were twofold: first, the Tengu Clan's arrogant nature disdained competing for territory with the monsters from the lowlands.
Additionally, they faced a threat from the east: the Tianyi Country of Frey, one of the Ten Great Demon Lord Seeds.
The Tengu Clan and the Skywing Clan, due to their similar ecological niches, had been in constant conflict over the years.
In their engagements, the Tengu Clan was often at a disadvantage.
Because of this, the Tengu were forced to live in seclusion in the mountains, using an interdimensional barrier to evade Frey's prying eyes.
"Father."
Hongye asked, "You said that Bai Luo, that Lord, is truly willing to take on our conflict with the Tianyi Country?"
"This, this old man cannot say for sure."
Bai Luo felt that Bai Luo certainly wouldn't care about these things.
But he couldn't make decisions for Bai Luo.
Even if the person opposite him was his own biological daughter, and the Elder of the Tengu Clan was his beloved wife, Bai Luo, as an old man of his age, understood the issue of position very clearly.
"Alright, Hongye."
Feng: "Don't make your father difficult."
"Yes..."
Hongye's mood was a bit low.
Too many things had happened in the past few days.
First, she met her biological father, and then she was defeated in a fair duel with Hong Maru.
Her father and mother had already reached an agreement.
Hongye would lead the Tengu Clan to submit to Bai Luo and become his subjects.
Alliance and submission are two completely different concepts.
Feng knew that such a decision would inevitably bring a considerable impact to the Tengu Clan.
Some strong-willed Tengu could not accept such a decision.
Bai Luo and Hong Maru stated in their reply to Bai Luo that Feng and Hongye had differing opinions.
But the actual situation was not like that.
Hongye and Feng were actually both on Bai Luo's side.
The reason it developed into two dissenting factions was mainly the result of the Hawk Faction Tengu's coercion.
Hongye had no choice but to step forward and appease the Hawk Faction Tengu.
This led to the current situation.
"Rest assured, Hongye."
Bai Luo held his wife's hand and said calmly, "That Lord's magnanimity is beyond our imagination."
"The only thing we need to do is maintain a humble attitude and leave a good impression on that Lord."
The Tengu Clan is numerous, and their hearts cannot entirely lean towards Feng and Hongye.
The mother and daughter had already selected their factions and clansmen.
This included most of the ordinary Tengu Clan, leaving only the old guys representing the Hawk Faction and the young people they had brainwashed.
Bai Luo cared about his wife and daughter.
And Bai Luo also gave his assurance that he would treat them kindly, as well as the Tengu Clan who were willing to follow him.
'This is enough.'
Bai Luo would not think of speaking for the Tengu and saving the entire clan.
If he did that, Bai Luo would look down on himself.
Eating Bai Luo's food, enjoying Bai Luo's benefits, yet because of his wife and daughter, he would take on the responsibility of the Tengu Clan.
Given Bai Luo's character, if a conflict between the Demon Country and the Tengu were to arise, he would immediately take Feng, Hongye, and their direct kin away.
As for the rest, whether they lived or died, what did it have to do with him?
"You've troubled yourself, Sword Ogre."
"Not at all, it is I who owe you too much, A-Feng."
"Sword Ogre..."
Bai Luo and Feng looked at each other, their affectionate gazes making Hongye very uncomfortable.
"I, I'll go out first."
Hongye couldn't bear it and had to excuse herself.
As soon as she stepped out, she saw Hong Maru waiting in the corridor.
"Yo!"
Hong Maru had already received Bai Luo's reply; he was coming here and wanted Hong Maru to set up a teleportation anchor point first.
······
"Is that Lord preparing to come directly?"
Hearing Bai Luo's decision, Hongye was startled, not expecting him to be so decisive.
"Well, that's my Lord."
Hong Maru was a devoted fan of Bai Luo, greatly admiring him: "Only when you experience it yourself will you understand how benevolent and powerful he is."
"I hope it's as you say."
Hongye said, "Come with me. The spatial teleportation point cannot be set up inside the hidden village; the Tengu will not agree."
"..."
Hong Maru narrowed his eyes; he had a good impression of Hongye and Feng.
As for the other Tengu, Hong Maru could only say that they truly lived up to their reputation as an arrogant clan.
.. ....
Just like now, as the two walked along the path leading out of the village, some ill-intentioned gazes constantly swept over Hong Maru.
Those Hawk Faction Tengu hiding in the shadows grew increasingly brazen.
'If not for Lord Lord Bai Luo, and to give Lord Bai Luo face...'
Hong Maru had been restraining himself; if it were Shion, there would probably have been a bloodbath already.
"Lord Hong Maru, you've worked hard."
"You too."
Hong Maru: "It must be tough having to bear the responsibility of a mountain god at such a young age, right?"
"Actually, it's not so bad..."
Being cared for like this, Hongye lowered her head slightly, a blush appearing on her face.
'This child...'
Hong Maru thought to himself, 'She's indeed quite cute.'
Although Hong Maru was somewhat resistant to the idea of an arranged marriage, he knew he couldn't be willful for Bai Luo's cause.
Of course, this didn't mean Hong Maru disliked Hongye.
He just didn't know how to get along with girls.
In other words, this guy was actually a bit afraid of women, the type who would definitely become a henpecked husband after marriage.
This was also an old tradition in the Hong Maru family.
In their family, the true decision-maker was never the Red King, but Zhu Cai.
Once the younger sister gets angry, both father and son become more timid than the other.
Fortunately, Hong Maru didn't think Hong Ye was that kind of girl.
'Indeed, the Red Ogre Clan's family discipline relies on me!'
Hong Maru: 'It still has to rely on me!' 4.