NOVPUBChapter 470 -471: Enlistment Wine
For Lin Qian, manpower was the least of his concerns. If he so wished, he could summon a myriad of people to serve him at any moment.
Even the units from the Huaxia Empire of Xuanhuan Star could be summoned to any location within a hundred miles radius.
Consequently, when scholars and craftsmen emerged from the dense woods, Yue Liqun would only believe that these individuals had descended into the Ancient Forest World with Lin Qian from the surface world.
Moreover, Lin Qian explained to them that the present situation only permitted descent from the surface world, forbidding a return—since even he was unaware of where the exit was. 𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙥𝒖𝒃.𝙘𝙤𝒎
However, Lin Qian did not know that the entrance from the surface world to the subterranean Ancient Forest World had utterly collapsed and sealed.
After the order for the rapid construction of the temporary Tactics Hall was arranged, the Heavenly Art Department and the scholars summoned here by Lin Qian immediately began the preparations, aiming to construct the Tactics Hall in the shortest possible time.
Following that, Zhuge Ming continued to report to Lin Qian about the Black Corner Clan, “Your Majesty, we have also gained some insight into the madness spreading among the Black Corner Clan.”
“According to interrogation, this madness has long been prevalent in the Black Corner Clan. It starts with extreme insanity, even to the point where they cannot recognize long-standing friends. However, after an hour, this state gradually subsides, and their temperament starts to shift towards being more irritable and unruly.”
“After collecting information from various sources, I found that those of the Black Corner Clan whose temperaments changed after going mad all shared a common trait—they had participated in numerous large-scale battles.”
Zhuge Ming’s words plunged Lin Qian into deep thought. After a moment, he spoke, “So you’re saying that only after taking part in a certain scale of warfare do the Black Corner Clan go mad and, once recovered, undergo a drastic change in temperament, with Soul Power infused with a sense of bloodiness, correct?”
“That is correct.”
“Has the cause been discerned, what exactly causes the Black Corner Clan to undergo these conditions after experiencing warfare?” Lin Qian asked with furrowed brows, inquiring of Zhuge Ming.
“Not yet,” Zhuge Ming replied somewhat ashamedly. “But your Majesty, I assure you we will have results soon.”
Lin Qian nodded inwardly and urged Zhuge Ming to accelerate the investigation, then walked over to where Yue Liqun was.
Along the way, Lin Qian saw many people from the five clans looking toward him with fear and unease in their eyes.
Especially the Black Corner Clan—unsure of their fate to come.
It was at this moment that Lin Qian halted, for in front of him suddenly appeared many elderly members of the Human Clan.
These humans were all white-haired and frail-looking, with wounds on their bodies. They trembled as they blocked Lin Qian’s path, kneeling before him.
“Elders, what are you doing?” Witnessing this scene, Lin Qian was greatly taken aback, rushing forward. Under his control, the gentle Ice Cold Soul Device lifted the elders from the ground without causing harm.
“Young sir, we implore you to spare the innocent Black Corner Clan,” one of the Human Clan elders pleaded with Lin Qian. “Not all of the Black Corner Clan are villains.”
“I am aware of that; not all of the Human Clan are good either, and we certainly should not generalize,” Lin Qian replied with a slight chuckle, helping the bowing elder back to his feet. “Besides, think about it, elder, have I carried out a mass slaughter since entering the city?”
“But we heard, sir, that you killed quite a few prisoners…”
“They had gone mad,” Lin Qian stated succinctly, enlightening the elderly humans.
The elder supported by Lin Qian shook his head sadly, “Such a calamity. The Black Corner Clan were not all bad, especially those young children. But after joining the Black Corner Army, every time they returned from a sortie, some would go mad. Once recovered, it’s like they became completely different people, their temperaments drastically altered.”
“Those of the Black Corner Clan whose temperaments had changed were quick to violence and killing, even among their own kin, with many beaten to death by their hands.”
The elder’s words piqued Lin Qian’s curiosity, prompting him to ask, “Elder, do you know if there’s anything special about those who joined the Black Corner Army?”
“Anything special?” The Human Clan elder furrowed his brow in thought, then shook his head after a long pause, “Us enslaved clans have no right to know what goes on within the Black Corner Army.”
But at that moment, a member of the Black Corner Clan spoke up with a tentative voice, “I only know that every new recruit to the Black Corner Army must consume Enlistment Wine, a practice that didn’t exist a thousand years ago.”
“Oh?” Lin Qian’s eyes lit up, turning to the Black Corner Clan member with a nod and a smile. “That is exceedingly useful information.”
With this, Lin Qian surveyed his surroundings, addressing all the clanspeople looking in his direction, “One thing you can be sure of, I am not some cruel tyrant. As long as you lead your lives well, all will be well.”
“But let me warn you, don’t entertain any foolish ideas. Otherwise, I will show no mercy.”
After these words, Lin Qian left. Hearing his assurance, the crowd breathed a sigh of relief.
They clearly understood the meaning in Lin Qian’s words; as long as they did not cause trouble, their lives would not be in jeopardy.
Upon reaching the location Wang Qiongxing was in charge of, overseeing the transportation of the prisoners of war, Lin Qian entered directly into a stone hall.
The spacious stone hall was divided into sections, each with bedding laid out. The surrendering Black Corner Army resided here, and stationed at every entrance of the grand hall were the defenders, on guard.
The appearance of Lin Qian stirred the hall slightly. The Black Corner Clan members looked at him with fright and anxiety, their eyes reflecting worry.
They were acutely aware that their lives hung in the balance, all dependent on the young Human Clan male. A mere word from him and their fates might be sealed here.
Regret filled the faces of many Black Corner Clan members as they looked at Lin Qian, wishing they had never joined the Black Corner Army.
By joining, they were forced to carry out acts against their will, torturing those from the enslaved Four Clans, even laying hands on their own kin. Should they dare to defy orders, it would likely be they who met their demise.
In truth, Lin Qian’s arrival and successful assault on the Mountain City was a form of liberation for them.
At the very least, they no longer had to perform acts they detested, committing atrocities against others.
“Among you, who holds the highest rank in the Black Corner Army?” While these Black Corner Clan members were fraught with anxiety, Lin Qian’s voice, infused with streaming Soul Power at his throat, echoed throughout the hall.
Lin Qian’s question caused many Black Corner Clan members’ hearts to tighten, uncertain of his intentions.
“I am one of the Six Crystal Generals of the Black Corner Army!” After a brief hesitation, one of the Black Corner Clan members bravely stood up.
