NOVEL NEXT Chapter 156: Voting
Yin Shi, the oldest Tribe Leader amongst the 7 Tribe leader, gazed at Xiao Yan with deep skepticism. His furrowed brow revealed his doubts.
The highest level of the Yakachi Tribe was only at the Dou Shi (Battle Master, 3rd Level) level. Faced with a group of attackers, all of whom were at least Da Dou Shi (Battle Grandmaster, 4th Level)s, their inability to resist was understandable. But what about Xiao Yan?
A Dou Shi (Battle Master, 3rd Level) who had single-handedly exterminated a group of Da Dou Shi (Battle Grandmaster, 4th Level)s, and even a Dou Ling (Battle Spirit, 5th Level). Moreover, according to Xiao Yan’s explanation just now, Mo Ba Si had self-destructed due to his actions. Yin Shi understood that using self-destruction as a means was not something to be taken lightly. In other words, Xiao Yan’s strength was so formidable that it left Mo Ba Si with no other choice.
Could this really be possible?
The wrinkles on Yin Shi’s forehead creased even deeper. He had seen fights where opponents fought beyond their levels, but he had never seen a Dou Shi (Battle Master, 3rd Level) or even a Dou Ling (Battle Spirit, 5th Level) force a Dou Wang (Battle King, 6th Level) to self-destruct. He hadn’t even heard of it.
While the world was vast and filled with wonders, this seemed a bit too far-fetched.
As Yin Shi felt astonishment, a trace of hostility towards Xiao Yan began to emerge in his heart.
The Snake-People had always struggled to maintain a fragile balance with the Jia Ma Empire. Although the Snake-People had 8 Tribe Leaders, the Jia Ma Empire had ten formidable individuals. While both sides seemed evenly matched in terms of strength, taking into account factors such as territory, resources, and population, the Snake-People were at a disadvantage.
But now, on the human side, a monstrous talent like Xiao Yan had emerged.
Currently, Xiao Yan had the strength of a Dou Shi (Battle Master, 3rd Level), or rather, a Dou Ling (Battle Spirit, 5th Level), and had forced a Dou Wang (Battle King, 6th Level) to self-destruct. What about in the future? If Xiao Yan continued to grow and became a Dou Wang (Battle King, 6th Level) or even a Dou Huang (Battle Emperor, 7th Level), would there be anyone in the Snake-People who could contend with him? Perhaps not even the Snake Queen could stand against him.
This child should not be allowed to live!
Yin Shi frowned deeply and silently communicated with his colleagues. Eventually, he received a response.
Two other Snake-People Tribe Leaders agreed with Yin Shi’s thoughts: Nan She and Kui Xing.
However, there were three opposing voices: Yan Ci, Hei Du, and the only female among the 8 leaders, Yue Mei.
The remaining leader, Hua She Wang, was undecided.
” Yin Shi, you know the situation we are in right now, right?” Yue Mei furrowed her brow, staring at Yin Shi coldly. “He is Xiao Li’s brother. If he dies, do you really think Xiao Li will be willing to reconcile with the Snake-People? Besides, aren’t you also a supporter of Xiao Li?”
“I am only looking at this from the perspective of the Snake-People’s interests,” Yin Shi said calmly, looking at Yue Mei. He spoke softly, “I support Xiao Li because I need her to help the entire Snake-People escape from this dangerous desert region. But this young man is a different matter.”
“Even if it makes Xiao Li hate us?!” Yue Mei shouted angrily, but Yin Shi remained composed.
“Yue Mei, I know you are close to Xiao Li, but please stay in your position. Don’t let personal relationships cloud your judgment. Both you and I are the leaders of the Snake-People’s 8 tribes. We should prioritize the interests of the Snake-People, not the humans.”
After Yue Mei’s discussion with Yin Shi, Xiao Yan suddenly froze.
Huh?
What’s going on?
Why are they suddenly arguing?
“Yue Mei, we don’t need to argue,” Hua She Wang, the leader of the Hua Snake Tribe, intervened, putting a stop to the argument between Yin Shi and Yue Mei. He turned to Yue Mei and said quietly, “Let’s follow the usual rules and decide how to deal with this young man through a vote.”
Yue Mei stared at Hua She Wang for a long time, took a deep breath, and said firmly, “I oppose Tribe Leader Yin’s proposal.”
“Same here.”
“Seconded.”
After Yue Mei expressed her opinion, Yan Ci and Hei Du followed suit.
Yin Shi furrowed his brow and looked at Yan Ci with curiosity.
“Yan Ci, I thought you despised humans? And Hei Du, why are you also against this?”
“Please don’t misunderstand, Yin Shi. My attitude towards humans will never change in this lifetime. I will always hate them,” Yan Ci replied, casting a glance at Xiao Yan. “But despite my hatred, I believe that the future of the Snake-People is more important than my personal feelings towards humans.”
“Xiao Yan is the brother of Xiao Li, and Xiao Li is the only human who genuinely wants to establish peaceful coexistence between humans and the Snake-People and has taken concrete actions to do so. If Xiao Li withdraws her support, it may take a very long time for the Snake-People to find another like her.”
Yan Ci explained his reasons for opposing Yin Shi’s proposal, and Hei Du followed suit.
“In my life, I’ve seen too many deceitful and dishonest people. I can tell if someone is genuine or not with a single glance,” Hei Du said, giving Xiao Yan a brief look. “This young man, just like his sister, is absolutely sincere and trustworthy. He, like his sister, deserves my trust.”
“I see,” Yin Shi murmured softly, then turned his gaze to the remaining three Snake-People Tribe Leaders, Hua She Wang, Nan She, and Kui Xing.
“What are your opinions?”
“We will follow Tribe Leader Yin,” Nan She and Kui Xing replied, indicating their support for Yin Shi.
With three in favor and three against, the decisive vote now rested with Hua She Wang.
After a long silence and much contemplation, Hua She Wang finally made up his mind and said in a low voice, “I… agree with Tribe Leader Yin’s decision.”
“Hua She Wang!!!”
As soon as Hua She Wang spoke, Yue Mei glared at him and shouted angrily, “In the past six months, besides me, you were the strongest supporter of Xiao Li, weren’t you?! Why?!”
“This and that are two different matters,” Hua She Wang’s eyes twitched slightly as he heard Yue Mei’s reprimand. He closed his eyes slowly and said, “I’ve made my decision. There’s no need for further struggle.”
Yue Mei was right. Besides Yue Mei herself, Hua She Wang had been the strongest supporter of Xiao Li’s cause. Hua She Wang had believed that Xiao Li could accomplish everything she had promised and help the Snake-People escape from this harsh desert. However, this trust was ultimately overshadowed by Xiao Yan’s terrifying strength.
A Dou Shi (Battle Master, 3rd Level) who could force a Dou Wang (Battle King, 6th Level) to self-destruct was an unimaginable threat.
Hua She Wang supported Xiao Li because he believed that the current balance of power between humans and the Snake-People was stable. Both sides had the ability to deter each other. However, he could not accept the possibility of Xiao Yan growing into a force that could tip that balance.
If Xiao Yan truly became so powerful that he could crush the Snake-People, would humans be willing to treat the Snake-People as equals? Hua She Wang had his doubts.
Therefore, despite offending Xiao Li, Hua She Wang believed that Xiao Yan must not be allowed to live.
As Yue Mei stared at Hua She Wang with a mixture of anger and helplessness, she couldn’t deny that Yin Shi and the others had valid concerns. In the past, she would have sided with them.
However, she had formed a deep connection with Xiao Li, and she had heard from Xiao Li herself about her brother Xiao Yan’s exceptional qualities and integrity. She believed that Xiao Yan, like his sister, would not look down on the Snake-People even if he became incredibly powerful.
This was her trust in Xiao Li.
But now, no matter what she said, it was futile.
The voting result was 4-3.
This had long been established as a rule among the 8 leaders. In situations where there was disagreement, a vote would be taken, and the final decision would be based on the results, without deviation.
However, Yue Mei still wanted to make a final effort.
Winning the vote was impossible, but at least she could force a tie…
“Tribe Leader Yin, is it really appropriate to vote like this?” Yue Mei looked at Yin Shi and spoke softly, “We are the 8 Tribe Leaders, and there is 1 member who hasn’t voted yet. Shouldn’t we wait for him to wake up?”
Yue Mei’s reference to “him” was directed at Mo Ba Si, who was still unconscious.
However, Yue Mei’s words were more of a desperate plea.
Before anyone else could respond, Yue Mei’s expression suddenly froze.
I… my brain must be malfunctioning…
========= Translator Note =========
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