Chapter 152: The Human Tax

Eighteen metal warships, each carrying five or six proud warriors of the Gia tribe, swaggered ashore. They wore identical armor, wielded weapons of uniform design, and bore the same emblem branded on their breastplates. It was clear that this was a tightly organized regular army.

A series of metallic clanks echoed as a hatch slid open at the bow of the lead ship, revealing a broad metal gangway extending out, nearly ten feet wide. The delicate, wafer-thin gangway swiftly reached the city walls, its two metal claws gripping firmly onto the battlements.

Squads of elite servants clad in half-metal armor, carrying round shields on their backs and swords at their waists, descended the gangway and quickly secured the city. They expertly took control of sentry towers and archer posts, firmly holding all strategic points.

Gu Lao San and the others wore grim expressions but still respectfully ushered the caravan guards aside, relinquishing key positions within the city.

Ji Hao crossed his arms, eyes coldly assessing the servants.

These dark-skinned servant warriors had been formidable foes during Ji Hao’s clashes with the Bloodfang Legion, where many had fallen. The Bloodfang’s servants were mere cannon fodder—expendable and dispirited. But these warriors before him were different. Their equipment was far superior, their spirits vibrant, their physiques agile and robust, and their aura far more intense.

This was a true fighting force, not a mere band of menial laborers.

Ji Hao’s spiritual perception swept over them swiftly, furrowing his brow. All the servants were around the tenth level of the Shaman Realm. Their ten-man squad leaders were low-level shamans, while the hundred-man captains surprisingly possessed great shamanic power.

“A strong unit,” Ji Hao murmured, squinting. “One little shaman per ten men, one great shaman per hundred... Even our newly formed Golden Crow Army isn’t this formidable.”

At that moment, Si Wenming appeared beside Ji Hao.

Glancing at the emblems on the Gia warriors’ breastplates, Si Wenming said calmly, “The Kangyue Legion is naturally elite. See their insignia: a tall tower crowned with a vertical eye in silvery-white, edged with sword-like patterns. They are the people of Kangyue, each one among the finest warriors, possessing the tribe’s strongest battle instincts.”

Ji Hao studied the insignias carefully.

He was already familiar with the tower and the vertical eye emblem, but Si Wenming’s remark made him notice subtle differences. The emblems on these warriors were indeed silvery-white—the natural color of the metals used to forge their blades—and the tower’s edges bore intricate sword-like engravings.

He vaguely recalled the insignia of Emperor Luo, who had once challenged him: that emblem was blood-red and similar in shape but differed significantly in detail.

“You’ll understand what these emblems mean when you reach Puban,” Si Wenming said quietly as a squad of servants marched forward in perfect formation. “Kangyue warriors—don’t get caught up in prolonged fights with them. Their battle awareness and skills are many times stronger than warriors of equal rank. Against Kangyue fighters, even a surprise attack must be a killing blow. If you get entangled, you’ll be the one to suffer.”

Ji Hao narrowed his eyes, curling his lips.

Battle awareness and skills? He had faced Gia warriors head-on. Their techniques were undeniably fierce, but to claim their battle sense and skill exceeded his own? He didn’t buy it.

Seeing Ji Hao’s dismissive expression, Si Wenming chuckled softly and patted him on the shoulder, falling silent. Ji Hao’s youthful arrogance reminded Si Wenming of his own early days—just as sharp, just as defiant toward everyone.

With a rumble, the metal gates to the lower city opened, and the arrogant servants strode down boldly. Gu Lao San and other caravan leaders exchanged glances; most hurried after them, fearing these brutes would cause havoc in the warehouses and inflict heavy losses.

Once the servants had secured the city, the Gia warriors aboard the ships laughed heartily, leaping lightly onto the walls. They swaggered about, exuding confidence as if the city belonged to them.

Suddenly, a Gia warrior approached a caravan guard, silently snatching a string of exquisite beast’s tooth charms hanging from his neck. The talisman sparked with fiery light and rumbled like thunder.

The warrior inspected the charm carefully and nodded with satisfaction. “A fine item, excellent for guarding against soul attacks. Mm, it’s mine now!”

The guard, robbed of his talisman, flushed with anger and shame but ultimately bowed his head, swallowing his resentment.

The Gia warrior proudly hung the charm, redolent of southern wilderness culture, around his wrist and chuckled as he showed it off to his comrades. “Ha! Such fine craftsmanship—polished to perfection. Bet this was a lover’s gift.”

The warriors burst into uproarious laughter.

Ji Hao’s expression darkened as he eyed the charm. It was uniquely crafted, decorated with strange patterns drawn in pink plant dye. He recognized it as a token from a southern wild witch to her beloved, a blessing sealed by the heart’s deepest devotion.

This caravan guard had clearly found a lover in the southern wilds, yet this Gia warrior brazenly stole his keepsake.

Ji Hao rose abruptly, but Si Wenming placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, shaking his head softly.

The surrounding Gia warriors sneered at Ji Hao, several of the tallest chuckling lowly, “Just a kid. Heh, I could pop his head with a single finger!”

Suddenly, a servant’s shout rang out from inside the city: “My lord, there’s a lovely young lady here! The general has been—”

Several Gia warriors shouted in unison: “A woman? A lovely woman? Bring her here! Ha, this one’s going to be added to the tax!”

Si Wenming and Ji Hao’s faces both shifted slightly. The entire city trembled faintly, followed by a blood-curdling scream. Dozens of figures burst from the city, several twisted grotesquely, crushed into bloody pulp.

A furious roar echoed: “Mam said no man shall lay a hand on Mam! Do you want to die?”

Boom! Boom! A watchtower within the city collapsed with a thunderous crash!

(To be continued.)

P.S.: Teasing the young lady ended up provoking Mam! Just imagine the scene—magnificent and intoxicating!

Heh, for Mam’s mighty hammer, please cast your vote!