Chapter 633: Chapter 383: The Most Successful Way
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"This should be enough," Yan Xiaobao muttered, and then raised his voice again, "Anyone who starts a fight with humans will get a slap from our queen Mansula. You’ll also lose one-third of your wages," Yan Xiaobao declared, and everyone immediately understood this was no joke.
The oasis was vast, so large that the nomadic tribes’ settlements only occupied a quarter of the shore, and Yan Xiaobao led his army toward the other side. Although he gave the orders, he knew the nature of beasts, and he understood human nature as well. Therefore, to keep the two separated, Yan Xiaobao believed this was the most successful way to prevent any mistakes.
The shade from the trees Yan Xiaobao recognized now came from palm trees—so massive that about one hundred of them were enough to shelter the entire army.
Seeing the beach and lake empty, many of the beasts decided to swim to stay cool. In an instant, beasts like sharp-toothed hippos, black nightmare crocodiles, and Everdream piranhas joined the monkeys, Demon Centipedes, and even Thunder Black Panthers in the lake for a swim.
Watching all the beasts around him, Yan Xiaobao couldn’t help but laugh, as some were playing with each other, some were napping, while others were tending to tasks. Most of the beasts retained their primitive shapes, making their surroundings look like a zoo. Many beasts had gathered on this oasis—an unlikely occasion for creatures that would never typically occupy the same space like this.
On the opposite side of the oasis, the nomads stood knee-deep in the shallow water. All the warriors who previously rode out to fight for their lives to help villagers escape were now stationed as guards. Their gazes were sharp, fiercely focused on the beasts, their faces full of suspicion.
Everyone within the Empire knew they were preparing for war because one draft after another was sent to countless tribes and villages across the land. They demanded that every male over the age of fifteen, with at least a disciple-level rank, register for military service. This was the first-ever national draft, and many young men leapt at the chance to join the Imperial Army, hoping to make a name for themselves.
However, things were different for the nomads. They refused to respond to the draft, as they felt no obligation to the crown. Yet, they were the first to encounter the beast tribe.
"Elder," a woman called out upon seeing a young man standing in the center of their temporary village. As he stared across the lake, his brow furrowed, his eyes deep in thought.
"Elder," the woman called again, and finally the young man broke free from his thoughts; a calm smile appeared on his lips as he gently turned to face the woman addressing him.
"How can I help you?" he asked softly, his tone warm as he looked at the woman in front of him. "Great Elder, these beasts, will they really not attack us?" she asked hesitantly, fiddling with her bracelet, her eyes downcast, a slight tremor running through her body.
"Do not worry," he said with a reassuring smile. Resting an arm on her shoulder, he turned to gaze at the many beasts visible in the distance. "These beasts seem proud of themselves. If they wanted us dead, we would’ve been dead long ago. Hurry, assist the others in packing up the village. We will leave the Siban Empire as soon as possible. Staying here is as foolish as kicking a hornet’s nest." He continued calmly, prompting the woman to nod and rush back to resume her tasks. The elder’s smile froze briefly, and his eyes became vigilant once more. Although the beasts hadn’t attacked, they were beasts after all. No one could predict if or when they might strike. Standing by the water’s edge, the elder kept his gaze fixed on the beasts across the lake.
All the women worked on packing up their temporary shelters. Although this was a routine matter, this time there was no laughter, no playful chatter; everyone was tense. The pervasive sense of danger bore down on them, and the guards remained alert.
Across the shore, Yan Xiaobao approached the water as well. But unlike the elder, his face carried a cheerful smile. Watching the beasts enjoying themselves, he, too, felt relaxed. Despite his calm demeanor, he never ceased his sharp vigilance toward all the beasts. Even a moment of distraction could be enough for a beast to ignore their orders and swim toward the nomads. After all, they were beasts. The humans across the water were the first fresh meat they’d seen in quite some time, and some beasts found it harder to resist than others. Luckily, Yan Xiaobao wasn’t the only one keeping an eye on them; many Saints were also carefully monitoring everyone around them, ensuring even the smallest beasts wouldn’t escape their keen observation.
The day passed quickly, and soon after, the sun vanished below the horizon, allowing the moon to rise. The region’s oppressive heat quickly dissipated, replaced by a biting chill; had the army not been composed of beasts, it would’ve been uncomfortable. As temperatures dropped, Yan Xiaobao gathered the army again. Slowly, the beasts began to move, leaving behind the oasis where they had rested during the day.
This time, Yan Xiaobao hoped to leave the desert region as quickly as possible, hastening their pace. The daytime heat wasn’t kind to his beast tribe, though the chill was more tolerable, yet still taxing in extreme conditions. Although these beasts were kings and emperors in their own right, they had to rely on their inner strength to endure the harsh weather. They would be fine, but traveling under such conditions was undoubtedly more bothersome than in ordinary climates.