Chapter 107: Joining Forces

Noticing a swaying torchlight at the village gate, the Sinking Sand Tribe squad immediately stepped out of the forest and formed ranks at the entrance.

Everyone turned to Xilong, awaiting his next command.

According to the plan, Xilong would lead this squad to act together with the Bloodfang Tribe; Lusha would take a squad to the Claw Tribe’s village; and Kerman was responsible for the Witchwood Tribe’s operation.

“Everyone, fix bayonets.”

At the order, nearly forty Sinking Sand warriors swiftly drew their bayonets and locked them onto the muzzles of their rifles.

Lusha had instructed them to avoid firing during the coming operation. Instead, they were to use bayonets, working together with the lizardmen of the defeated tribes to wipe out the Blackwind troops stationed in the villages.

There were two reasons for this.

First, the Blackwind Tribe had not stationed large numbers of troops in the conquered villages, and with weapons in hand, the lizardmen of the defeated tribes were capable of killing them. The Sinking Sand Tribe only needed to assist.

Second, gunpowder needed to be conserved, reserved for the later joint assault on the Blackwind Tribe’s main village.

After a winter of constant fighting, Bianshu Town had consumed a huge amount of black powder. Supplies were already running short — and that was the most important reason.

Though Owen had already ordered Clive to purchase large shipments of saltpeter from several merchants, it would still take time before the next batch could be delivered to the town.

Meanwhile, Chi’en picked up weapons from fallen enemies — holding one in his hand and carrying three more spears strapped to his back.

Coming to Xilong’s side, he noticed the Sinking Sand warriors all holding strange iron rods, with detachable blades at the tip, and couldn’t help but feel puzzled.

“Why do you all use such strange weapons? They don’t seem as handy as spears.”

“When we besiege the Blackwind Tribe, you’ll see just how powerful these weapons are.”

With a cold laugh, Xilong deliberately kept it mysterious.

Then he urged: 

“Quick, take us to the Blackwind barracks. Before they sense anything’s wrong, we must deal with them swiftly.”

“Hmph, follow me!”

Since the other side didn’t want to answer, Chi’en didn’t bother asking more. He led Xilong’s squad toward the barracks.

Nearby, another group under Togo had just arrived, having successfully eliminated the Blackwind patrols in the village.

The two sides met smoothly.

Chi’en hurried to Togo and reported: 

“Chieftain, I’ve brought the Sinking Sand warriors.”

“Good.”

Togo nodded, then turned to Xilong: 

“We meet again, Xilong of the Sinking Sand Tribe. Thank you for the weapons and provisions.”

“No need for pleasantries.”

Xilong had no interest in small talk or wasting time, and got straight to the point.

“Chieftain of the Bloodfang Tribe, how do you plan to eliminate the enemies in the barracks? We’ll assist your assault.”

As he spoke, his eyes repeatedly glanced toward the barracks not far away.

Behind a tall wooden wall built for defense, three more wooden walls of about the same height had been set up, enclosing a corner of the village — this was the Blackwind barracks.

It was said that lower tribesmen were forbidden to enter, completely isolated from the Bloodfang people. Only the Black wind warriors lived inside in comfort.

“You’re a straightforward one.”

Togo grinned, not offended, but rather finding Xilong to his liking.

After thinking for a moment, he said: 

“Xilong of the Sinking Sand Tribe, the barracks area has two entrances, front and back. I’ll trouble you to lead your men to circle around to the back. We’ll storm the front. Kill every damned Blackwind warrior inside. Don’t leave a single one alive.”

“No problem.”

Nodding once, Xilong led his squad away at once.

Next, Togo sent two agile clansmen to slip through the darkness and silently dispatch the two Blackwind guards posted at the front gate.

With the gate guards gone, the Bloodfang Tribe warriors stormed into the barracks area with overwhelming force. Inside, aside from a few original wooden huts, most of the structures were newly built wooden shacks.

It was now deep into the night—almost all the Black Wind tribesmen were asleep in those shacks. The timing was perfect for a slaughter.

Following Togo’s command, the Bloodfang warriors quickly split into several small squads, slipping quietly into the shacks. Raising their weapons, they thrust them down mercilessly into the heads of the sleeping Black Wind tribesmen.

Almost all were killed instantly, without making much noise.

While the Bloodfang Tribe carried out their frenzied killing, Xilong successfully eliminated the Black Wind guard stationed at the back gate, leading his own squad into the barracks.

Using the same tactic as Togo, they too divided into smaller squads, slipping into the shacks to assassinate the enemy.

However, not all the Black Wind tribesmen were asleep.

For instance, in one shack Xilong was about to enter, the sounds of women’s moans and men’s coarse laughter echoed inside.

Kicking the door open, he saw a Black Wind tribesman pinning down a female Bloodfang lizardman on a straw bed. At the same time, four naked Black Wind tribesmen were holding her down.

“Who’s there?!”

The four men at the bedside turned their heads sharply, and one of them quickly realized Xilong wasn’t one of their own.

“An ene—ugh!”

Before he could finish, Xilong had already charged forward, slashing with his short blade, slicing the man’s throat open.

At that moment, several warriors of the Sinking Sand Tribe rushed in from outside. Raising their bayonets, they charged at the enemy with deadly thrusts.

“Enemies!”

Seeing their comrade slain, the Black Wind tribesmen were jolted to their senses—it was clear these intruders meant death.

The three men beside the bed scrambled to grab weapons, but the Sinking Sand warriors quickly caught up, stabbing them to death with their bayonets.

The Black Wind tribesman who had been on the bed instantly lost all strength, panic flooding his face as he rolled off.

“N-no, wait—”

Before he could finish, Xilong cut his throat without hesitation.

With the enemies in the shack dealt with, Xilong pulled a large piece of animal hide from another bed and draped it over the female lizardman lying there.

“It’s over now. Please stay here—it’s too dangerous outside.”

After speaking, he felt awkward lingering in the room, so he urged his tribesmen to move out quickly.

“Enemies! We’re under attack!”

At that moment, a shout rang from the direction of the front gate—likely some Black Wind tribesmen who had stumbled upon the Bloodfang warriors while still awake.

Hearing this, Xilong’s face grew grim, and he rushed outside with his warriors.

Left behind, the female lizardman curled up on the bed, clutching the hide tightly against her trembling body, quietly sobbing.

As expected, the cries of alarm roused many of the Black Wind tribesmen. One after another, they grabbed weapons and poured out of the shacks to hunt down the intruders.

Xilong decisively ordered his warriors to regroup and block the rear gate, both to prevent enemies from escaping and to kill as many as possible.

It didn’t take long before the area was plunged into chaotic battle.

Though the Black Wind Tribe realized they were under attack, it was already too late.

No longer needing to sneak about, the Bloodfang warriors could finally unleash their full strength. Seizing on the enemy’s disarray, they pressed their attack relentlessly—wiping the Black Wind tribesmen out to the last.

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