Chapter – 73
War Envoy
The battle against the Corpse Clan was fought with extreme brutality. The Frostleaf Tribe was nearly wiped out entirely—its chieftain, Frost Soul, died on the battlefield, leaving behind only several tens of thousands of the elderly, the weak, women, and children, waiting to be taken care of.
The Hammerstone Tribe, which had gone to support Frostleaf, fared no better. Five thousand warriors had gone to aid them, yet fewer than one thousand returned, and most of those were wounded. Only half of them would be able to fight again after a few days.
The losses among the strong were especially severe. Of the four thousand-commanders sent by Frostleaf, two were killed in battle. Only Li Hai and Lin Tong survived, and even they were gravely injured.
If Qin Lin had not, at the critical moment, burned his own bloodline to slay that Corpse Clan expert at the Empowerment Realm, the entire battle situation would likely have been reversed.
By comparison, the Corpse Clan also suffered devastating losses. Of the tens of thousands of Corpse Clan warriors, fewer than a hundred managed to escape.
However, all the human warriors who experienced this battle knew that, if not for the mysterious man in black who appeared at the crucial moment and lured away the strongest Corpse Clan expert, victory would have been impossible.
Under such circumstances, the Hammerstone Tribe should not have taken in the Frostleaf Tribe’s elderly, weak, women, and children. Yet with a single order from Qin Lin, they were brought along anyway.
The reason was simple: without strong warriors, the Frostleaf Tribe could no longer hunt. Those tens of thousands of vulnerable people would either starve to death or be slaughtered by foreign races and turned into blood food.
For Hammerstone, accepting them was adding frost to snow. This battle had nearly crippled the tribe—only fifteen hundred warriors remained capable of fighting.
The sudden surge in population required far more food to sustain, which was why many strong figures opposed taking in the Frostleaf survivors.
Yet once Qin Lin gave the order, no one dared object. Although the chieftain had fallen in realm during the battle and was severely injured, the entire Hammerstone Tribe still revolved around him.
“How many Mystic Passes do you think the Hundred Races have breached this time?” Li Hai asked gravely inside the main hall.
Neither the Grand Elder Qin Tianli nor Thousand-Commander Lin Tong spoke. Qin Lin, seated in the main position, merely closed his eyes, quietly recuperating.
No one knew how serious the chieftain’s injuries truly were, but everyone understood that this battle had changed everything. His fall in cultivation meant he was no longer what he once had been.
“Report—War Envoy from the Star Dragon Tribe has arrived!” a warrior rushed in to announce.
At these words, the faces of the powerful figures in the hall lit up with joy. Hammerstone was already burdened beyond measure—if they could receive resource support from a two-star tribe, their situation would improve greatly.
“Receive the envoy,” Qin Lin said, standing up and walking toward the entrance without any change in expression. The other strong figures followed, waiting at the doors of the great hall.
Moments later, the sound of galloping hooves thundered in the distance, kicking up clouds of dust. It was only a small squad of war riders, yet it gave the impression of thousands of troops charging forward.
The members of the Hammerstone Tribe watched from afar, not daring to approach, their gazes fixed on the riders until they arrived before the great hall.
When the dust settled, several jujube-red warhorses came into view. Their massive, bear-like bodies radiated intense pressure—it felt as though a single stomp could crush a person into flesh and bone.
The leading warhorse was especially striking. Its eyes gleamed brightly, and a dense killing aura emanated from its body. When it let out a single neigh, it echoed through the entire Hammerstone Tribe, filling everyone with fear.
The middle-aged man atop the leading horse dismounted, gently calming his mount before walking toward the great hall.
“Qin Lin of Hammerstone greets the War Envoy,” Qin Lin stepped forward and clasped his fists in salute.
Aside from Qin Lin, even a strong warrior like Li Hai felt fear toward those horses. They were no ordinary mounts, but ancient beasts—Heavenly Horses—among the ancient beasts closest to the human race.
In ancient times, the Three Sacred Emperors had signed a covenant with the Heavenly Horse Clan: as long as humanity endured, the Heavenly Horses would not perish.
Every generation of Human Sacred Emperors honored that covenant. Any human warrior who gained the acknowledgment of a Heavenly Horse would ensure that even if he died in battle, the horse would not suffer harm.
The Heavenly Horse Clan was extraordinarily powerful. When paired with human warriors as war cavalry, they became a steel torrent, nearly unstoppable.
If Qian Xing of the Corpse Clan were still alive, even as a third-layer Empowerment Realm expert, he would not dare confront such a cavalry squad head-on. Once they charged, even he would be trampled into minced flesh.
Thus, when the Star Dragon cavalry arrived, the Hammerstone elites felt not only fear but also deep envy. If Hammerstone had possessed even a dozen such warhorses, the battle would not have been so tragic.
“Let us speak inside,” the middle-aged man said, nodding as he walked directly into the hall.
Inside, the envoy sat in the main seat and swept his gaze over the Hammerstone Tribe members, his expression puzzled.
“You provided aid to the Frostleaf Tribe?”
“That is correct,” Qin Lin nodded. “May I ask what brings the War Envoy here?”
“Naturally, it concerns the foreign race invasion.” The envoy’s cultivation was even higher than Qin Lin’s peak—third-layer Empowerment Realm.
He glanced at Qin Lin again, his face suddenly changing. “Your realm!”
“This battle was a bitter victory. Hammerstone suffered enormous casualties, Frostleaf was annihilated. I could not have remained unscathed,” Qin Lin said with a bitter smile. Clearly, he knew the envoy well.
“War Envoy, please see clearly—Hammerstone has been gravely weakened. We hope you can report to the upper tribes and provide aid…” Qin Tianli began.
Before he could finish, the envoy shook his head and interrupted him. “I know Hammerstone has done its utmost. Under normal circumstances, as an upper tribe, we would reward merit accordingly—this has always been the way of the human race. However…”
When he said “however,” the expressions of the Hammerstone elites darkened.
“This foreign race invasion is not a small-scale conflict. The Star Dragon Tribe suffered heavy casualties as well while blocking a hundred-thousand-strong Corpse Clan army,” the envoy sighed. “If not for that, we would have sent reinforcements long ago.”
“Then why has the War Envoy come this time?” Qin Lin asked.
“This invasion concerns not just Hammerstone, but the entire human race. I have visited seven of the nine subordinate tribes. Aside from the Frostleaf Tribe—and yours—most have agreed. Even the Skyhawk Tribe has accepted.” The envoy’s tone was solemn. “I hope Chieftain Qin will carefully consider one matter.”
“What matter?” Qin Lin asked, already sensing unease.
“Unification,” the envoy said heavily. “If we fight separately, human strength will be diluted. The Star Dragon Chieftain has decided to merge the nine tribes under Star Dragon.”
Qin Lin fell silent. Li Hai and the others turned pale. Though it sounded noble, once merged, there would be no Hammerstone Tribe left.
Even if it was for the greater good of humanity, as Hammerstone warriors, they would rather die than abandon the name Hammerstone.
“Is this decision from the Human Upper Council?” Qin Lin asked. If it were an edict from the Earth Emperor guarding the Southern Domain of Xuanhuang, Hammerstone would not object.
“No,” the envoy replied calmly. “This is solely the decision of our chieftain. Among the nine tribes, only Frost Soul and Hammerstone have not agreed. Now it depends on you, Chieftain Qin.”
“And if Hammerstone refuses?” Qin Lin asked.
The atmosphere in the hall instantly turned tense. Several Star Dragon warriors’ expressions hardened. One of them coldly said, “The War Envoy has made it clear. This is not Hammerstone’s matter alone. Your tribe is gravely weakened—if you do not merge into Star Dragon, how will you survive? Will you surrender to the foreign races instead?”
“Until our blood runs dry, we fight to the death!” Qin Lin roared coldly, glaring at the warrior. “If the foreign races invade again, Hammerstone will fight until the last man!”
“Until our blood runs dry, we fight to the death!” Li Hai and the others shouted in unison.
“Chieftain Qin, do not be angry. This matter can still be considered,” the envoy finally spoke. “If Hammerstone refuses, Star Dragon will not force the issue. However, in these special times, if you fight alone, your battle merits may not be properly rewarded, and Star Dragon will not be able to send reinforcements. You should think carefully.”
“No need to think,” Qin Lin replied decisively. “Hammerstone refuses.”
“You are ungrateful!” the warrior who had spoken earlier immediately drew his horse-cleaving saber and pointed it at Qin Lin. “If Hammerstone refuses, it is treason against the human race!”
Li Hai and Qin Tianli felt humiliated beyond measure, yet they drew their blades without hesitation. They did not wish to fight their own people, but forced by circumstances, they had no choice.
“Treason is not a crime Hammerstone can bear,” Qin Lin said coldly. “Though we are severely weakened, we are not made of clay. If the upper tribes wish to fight, Hammerstone will accompany them to the end.”
The hall grew ice-cold. No one had expected things to escalate this far.
Just as weapons were drawn and confrontation became inevitable, the envoy seated at the head spoke sharply.
“Put the blades away!”
Though unwilling, the Star Dragon warriors sheathed their weapons. The envoy stared at Qin Lin and continued, “If Hammerstone refuses, we will not force you. But do not speak so absolutely—leave yourself a path of retreat. Otherwise, you may lead your entire tribe to destruction. Think about it.”
“Your kindness is appreciated,” Qin Lin said, clasping his fists toward the heavens. “But Hammerstone was founded with an oath sworn before the Sacred Emperor. Unless our tribe is annihilated, the name Hammerstone shall endure between heaven and earth.”
“Since the oath was sworn, it must be upheld. Even if we offend the world, we dare not profane the Sacred Emperor.”
“This is your final answer?” the envoy’s face turned cold.
“Yes,” Qin Lin nodded.
The tension returned. The two stared at each other for a long time before the envoy suddenly burst into laughter.
“Hahaha! Now I understand why the chieftain said this trip would be smooth everywhere except Hammerstone. I didn’t understand before—now I do. You bastard, you’re as stubborn as a mule!”
The laughter instantly dispersed the tension. Aside from Qin Lin and the envoy, no one understood what was happening.
“You may all withdraw,” Qin Lin said.
Though confused, Li Hai and Qin Tianli let out a sigh of relief and left after paying their respects.
“You too—wait outside,” the envoy told his men.
Once everyone had left, the envoy walked down from the main seat and looked at Qin Lin with concern.
“Your injuries…”
“Very serious. I fear there will be no further advancement in this life,” Qin Lin said calmly.
“Ah… you really are as stubborn as a mule,” the envoy sighed painfully. “If you had stayed in Star Dragon like I did back then, how would your path have been severed?”
“With your talent, you would already be at the third layer of the Empowerment Realm—perhaps even the foremost among Star Dragon’s commanders of ten thousand.”
The envoy and Qin Lin had known each other since childhood and had always been close friends. Later, one founded Hammerstone, while the other remained in the Star Dragon Tribe.
