Mythical Three Kingdoms-Chapter 1590 - 1532: The Hoodwinked Northern Huns

However, just as Hua Xiong captured these dozen riders, a significant number of guards from the camp of the Northern Huns had already charged out. They naturally formed a formation behind the Northern Huns Centurion, ready to launch an attack on Hua Xiong at any moment.

"You are a warrior, in the grasslands, the weak are the prey of the strong. You can’t advance any further among the Wuhuan, how about joining the descendants of our Kunlun Deity?" The Northern Huns Centurion extended his hand towards Hua Xiong, surrounded by elite cavalry. This was the common approach, whether with the Wuhuan or the Huns.

At this moment, Su Puyan hurriedly arrived. He had been watching Hua Xiong all along, waiting for him to cause trouble so he could smooth things over and then invite the upper echelons of the Northern Huns in the camp to his place.

"Su Puyan, what brings you here?" the Northern Huns Centurion asked Su Puyan, one of the nominal chanyu among the Wuhuan, still polite considering Su Puyan had always been cooperative. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"Ahem, this is Supu Xiong, a warrior from our Supu Tribe. He went to Dandan Ridge this past winter to hunt bears and tigers as his final breakthrough, and he just returned today." Su Puyan quickly explained, giving Hua Xiong an identity.

"Hunt bears and tigers?" The Northern Huns Centurion looked at Hua Xiong with a trace of respect. Reaching a certain age, to hunt bears and tigers alone was something only the bravest warriors dared to attempt. However, the mortality rate for solo attempts was quite high.

"Where’s the bear and tiger he hunted?" At this time, a Leader of a Thousand of the Northern Huns spoke upon hearing this.

The Huns greatly admired anyone who could hunt bears and tigers alone. Such supreme beasts stood atop the food chain, their diet refined; consuming meat imbued them with a degree of Inner Qi. Though not reaching Qi Refining to Gang, their terrible physique allowed them to challenge a typical Qi Refining to Gang one-on-one.

This is why Nanhua was very surprised when he saw Dian Wei kill a Sky Flying White Tiger with Inner Qi Manifestation for soup. It’s obvious if you think about it: would an herbivore’s combat power with Inner Qi Manifestation surpass that of a carnivore?

Likewise, in terms of flight, would an average Inner Qi Manifestation fly faster than an Inner Qi Manifestation bird of prey? What a joke, their innate talents differ vastly.

"Dandan Ridge doesn’t have any bears or tigers worthy of me hunting," Hua Xiong arrogantly declared, his body emanating a crimson Inner Qi.

"He’s indeed a brave warrior," the Northern Huns Leader of a Thousand admired. In any circumstance, Inner Qi Manifestation was respected, though some feared it, while others appreciated it. "Would you be willing to follow the descendants of our Kunlun Deity and trample the world on horseback?"

Hua Xiong looked at the Northern Huns Leader of a Thousand, slightly curious but remaining silent.

"Hahaha, take your time thinking. I, Xubo Lou, await your reply!" The Northern Huns Leader of a Thousand, seeing Hua Xiong silent, thought he was considering and laughed heartily.

Although Hua Xiong didn’t know much about the Huns, Chen Xi had specially informed him of some common knowledge, such as the noble surnames of the Hun Clan, of which Xubo was one.

"Leader of a Thousand, I’m planning to host a banquet tonight to welcome Supu Xiong’s return. Would you all like to join?" Su Puyan respectfully invited, to which Xubo Lou, the Northern Huns Leader of a Thousand, nodded in response.

On one hand, Hua Xiong’s displayed strength was indeed worth recruiting. Every Inner Qi Manifestation expert greatly boosts morale on the battlefield. Even without a Legion Talent, Inner Qi Manifestation counted as valiant generals.

On the other hand, Su Puyan’s recent behavior had indeed dispelled much of the Northern Huns’ wariness without raising any suspicion.

Moreover, Hua Xiong’s explosive character had also substantially eased the Northern Huns’ caution. Furthermore, with Su Puyan claiming he just returned today, this was easily verifiable.

When powerful ability is hidden in these circumstances, it raises suspicion. When openly displayed, there’s no doubt.

"Then I will welcome you all to our tent when the time comes." Su Puyan pulled Hua Xiong, saluted the Northern Huns Leader of a Thousand, and then dragged Hua Xiong away.

"He is truly a brave warrior, who would’ve thought such a small tribe like the Wuhuan could produce three with Inner Qi Manifestation," Xubo Lou remarked from a distance at Hua Xiong’s departing figure. Though one had died, three had indeed emerged.

"Have someone check when Supu Xiong returned," Xubo Cheng ordered a trusted aide after Su Puyan left. Even though he was confident Su Puyan didn’t dare deceive him, matters of great importance required caution.

The trusted aide quickly collated information from all corners of the Northern Huns’ camp, confirming that the so-called Supu Xiong had indeed returned with Su Puyan that day.

As for why he returned with Su Puyan, the Northern Huns’ own narrative filled in due to Su Puyan’s servility and Hua Xiong’s arrogance, naturally assuming there was no problem with Supu Xiong, and Su Puyan was as subservient as always.

"I see, send five Centurions with me tonight to congratulate the Supu Tribe, the rest will remain in the camp," Xubo Lou, satisfied with the report, concluded that Su Puyan and Supu Xiong were trustworthy.

"Have someone keep an eye on Tadu. Every Inner Qi Manifestation is our Northern Huns’ power; we can’t let it be squandered recklessly. Inform him to attend tonight as well," Xubo Lou mused about the impressive Supu Xiong, recalling the Inner Qi Manifestation from Wuhuan that Tadu killed.

Back then, both Tadu and Lou Lu had submitted to the Northern Huns, but shortly after the main army left and Xubo Lou’s forces were left, Lou Lu unexpectedly rebelled. When Xubo Lou led troops to the scene, Tadu had already killed Lou Lu.

Without evidence, even if Xubo Lou had suspicions, they were meaningless. A living and loyal Inner Qi Manifestation held far more value than a dead one, so the matter was dropped.

Everyone from the Wuhuan to the Northern Huns understood Lou Lu’s death was likely due to political differences with Tadu, but it mattered no longer.

"Hmph, better keep tabs this time; can’t let a valuable warrior die mysteriously again, and with only a little over a thousand men, stabilizing easily during a Wuhuan upheaval is difficult. Balancing factions is sometimes necessary," Xubo Lou thoughtfully considered, "I need to hint to Tadu."

Meanwhile, having received the defense map of the camp from Su Puyan, Chen Xi and others were eagerly awaiting the fall of night; Su Puyan had almost completed his assigned tasks.