Chapter 1213, First Suppress, Then Uplift

Translator: Silavin

“Is there any reason you can give me to accept any of you?”

Su Bai sat at the head of the room and looked out at the assembled group. His expression was utterly calm. Yet there was something in his eyes, a seriousness that settled over the room like weather, that made no one want to test him.

This was the second time he had received people from other Tribes. The first time had gone nowhere. Those people had been too arrogant. The conditions they had offered were not worth Su Bai’s time to consider. He had given them ten minutes and sent them on their way.

“Shaman, the people of our Tribe are hardworking and honest. We give our full effort to every task. If we are allowed to join the Flame Dragon Tribe, we will not disappoint you.” One Chieftain spoke with great sincerity.

They had all made up their minds before coming. A Chieftain did not travel in person unless the matter was decided.

“Our Tribe has plentiful food in the surrounding area. If we join the Flame Dragon Tribe, we can provide a steady supply and ensure there is never a food shortage.” Another Chieftain added quickly.

It was starting to feel like a competition. Each of them rushed to name their Tribe’s advantages, hoping that one would land.

In the past, none of them had known which Tribe the Flame Dragon Tribe even was. Now the name rang out everywhere. Word had spread about the food, the buildings, the way things were managed here. There was not a Tribe that had not heard and wanted what they heard described.

“Whatever you command of our Tribe, Shaman, we will carry it out without complaint.” A female Chieftain spoke up. Her Tribe had no particular advantage to offer. This was what remained.

“Do you think any of that moves me?” Su Bai looked around the room. “Do you think those things truly matter to me?”

The truth was that they were all ordinary things. The Flame Dragon Tribe had its own farmland, its own livestock, its own food supply. They needed no tribute. They also had a mature system of management already in place. Work brought food and shelter. None of what was being offered filled any gap.

“Shaman, you intend to establish a city, do you not? Surely having more people is a good thing. That is the reason I would give for accepting our Tribe.” One Chieftain spoke with particular care.

He had heard things. He knew about plans for something called a city. He understood what it meant.

“A single city? The Flame Dragon Tribe’s current size is already enough for that. We have no need of more people.” Su Bai crossed one leg over the other.

He had known they would raise this. He had already changed his approach. The idea of building a city was still there. It simply no longer depended on anyone else joining.

“Shaman, we have heard that war with the Dark Scorpion Tribe is coming. Our Tribe can help.” A Chieftain from a Large Tribe spoke quickly.

It was the one card he had left to play. Their Tribe had numbers. If it came down to numbers, the Dark Scorpion Tribe would have no advantage.

“The Flame Dragon Tribe is fully capable of winning on its own. Our weapons and our strength are not your concern. That does not move me either.” Su Bai shook his head.

He had expected this offer. And he did not need it.

In truth, he had already decided what he was going to say next. He had let them speak. Let them offer everything they had. He needed them to reach the bottom of it, to feel that there was nothing left, before he said his piece. Then whatever he asked, they would agree to.

Several Chieftains fell into a helpless silence.

They had come with enthusiasm. Now it felt like bucket after bucket of cold water had been poured over them. They had nothing left.

They understood, listening to him, that their Tribes simply had no advantage. The Flame Dragon Tribe grew its own food. It raised its own animals. Its people worked without complaint. Their weapons were better than anything the visiting Tribes carried.

Everything they could have offered had already been refused. The Chieftains knew it.

“But.” Su Bai leaned forward slightly, his hands resting on his knees. “I am willing to make a concession. You do not need to join the Flame Dragon Tribe directly. You can remain your own entity. But ultimately, you will follow my arrangements. Is that an acceptable compromise?”

He felt the moment had come.

The plan was to form a kingdom. A kingdom required them. But they did not need to dissolve themselves into the Flame Dragon Tribe. Each Tribe could become its own city. They would simply be under his authority.

The reason he had first refused everything they offered was deliberate. He wanted them to understand that he was the one giving ground. When they agreed to follow his direction, it would be because they had chosen it themselves.