Chapter 228: – The Half‑Beast Who Likes Foot‑Massaging

Youchao Xuan's complexion wasn't good, "Ying hasn't been in the fields all day today; could he be preparing for a campaign?"

"Going on a campaign, didn't he say he wouldn't go?"

Youchao Xuan shook his head, his gaze distant, "This morning I saw him leave with Dashan and Ji Lei; it looked like they were going to make bow and arrow and look for people. I'm afraid these balanced, peaceful days will be shattered."

Hearing Youchao Xuan's words, Yao also felt a bit worried—had Ying not taken to heart what he and Ashu said last night? A trace of concern flashed in his eyes, "He's really foolish; I'll go find him."

At noon, the sun shone brightly.

Far from the Ying Tribe, there was a hill called Huang Jin Chao; beyond it lay a blue sea. The forest of Huang Jin Chao was once Ying Tribe's territory, but now it had become Quanrong Tribe's territory.

On the towering mountain were stone steps made of rock; many half‑naked tribe members were being whipped as they worked, hauling stones up the slope to build the towering stone Sacrificial Altar.

The sea roared and surged with a booming sound that frightened everyone; most of the tribe members here were captured slaves, some from the Ying Tribe and others from smaller tribes.

On the Ancient Land, the Tribal Conflict had persisted forever; powerful tribes would bully weaker ones, even annihilating them.

The Giant Quanrong was a fanatical war zealot.

Relying on his towering stature and his tribe's internal advantage, he bullied the weak tribes everywhere.

Under the scorching sun, the Quanrong sat in the shade of a large tree to cool off. The Quanrong was very tall—over three meters—with a huge head, a bald scalp, a face covered in flabby flesh, a nose ring that, upon close inspection, was a Fan Shell. He had eyes the size of copper bells, and his whole demeanor was ferocious.

Around him were several women attending to him; these women were slaves from other tribes, scantily dressed—only bark wrapped around their lower bodies, and little clothing on the upper body.

They knelt on the ground, carefully caring for the Quanrong; if they failed even slightly, the male would kill them.

Out of fear they forced smiles; some served him fruit, others massaged his feet, and the Quanrong wore a look of bliss, as happy as a deity.

Ana was also among them; she had become a slave of the Quanrong, sent here by Rongdi. She could not eat enough or clothe herself properly, living each day in painful torment.

But she did not lose heart, because she still intended to survive to settle a score with Nan Qinghuan; in her view, Nan Qinghuan was responsible for her becoming a slave.

Suddenly, a woman pinched the Quanrong's foot too hard; he kicked the woman away with a sudden blow. She let out a wail, rolled on the ground, and immediately scrambled to her feet.

"Leader, spare me!"

The Quanrong squinted slightly, "Take her down and eat her."

The woman instantly panicked, "No, please don't kill me. I will work hard, I beg you!"

"Take her down."

Ana was frightened by the woman; the tribe members dragged the woman away, slitting her throat in a single cut as if slaughtering a sheep, blood gushing instantly, and then the woman was hauled off.

So terrifying.

She knew the Quanrong Tribe ate people, but this was the first time she saw her whole body tremble; she realized the woman would surely be dragged away to be boiled.

Sure enough, that woman was dealt with and soon was cooked.

This bloody scene made the women even more cautious, daring not to utter another word.

The Quanrong seemed displeased as well, "Scram, all of you, useless things."

At his shout, the women immediately scurried away; Ana, wanting to please the Quanrong, suddenly thought of a brilliant idea.

She clambered beside the Quanrong, cautiously probing, "Leader, don't be angry. I heard there's a female whose foot‑massaging skill is excellent; any foot she massages won't hurt again."

Hearing this, the Quanrong immediately rose to his feet; his height gave Ana a strong sense of oppression.

He looked down at her from his lofty perch, reached out and pinched Ana's chin, the pinch making her whole body tremble.

Despite her fear, she lifted her head and boldly looked at him; what a sight—oh my, the Quanrong was truly ugly.

The Quanrong didn't notice her disdain; instead, with interest he asked, "Who is this little female you speak of?"

Seeing the Quanrong's curiosity, a poisonous scheme swirled in Ana's mind and was put into action at once.

"Sir, this female is Ying's Om; her name is Nan Qinghuan."

The name Nan Qinghuan made the Quanrong toss her aside; Ana nearly fell to the ground. One had to admit the Quanrong's strength was tremendous, the throw hurting her badly.

"Nan Qinghuan?"

The Quanrong's expression was odd, "That female's name sounds terrible. Does Ying's female know how to massage feet?"

He had never heard that female's name, assuming she was just an ordinary female. The Quanrong had a hobby: he liked others to massage his feet, but after killing many females, he could not find anyone whose foot‑massaging satisfied him.

Ana immediately embellished, "Of course she can; she not only massages feet, she also..."

"Leader"

Before Ana could finish, voices from outside came, "Leader, the Rongdi of the Na Shan Tribe have arrived."

Upon hearing the name Rongdi, the Quanrong touched the ornament on his nose, "Rongdi has arrived, please hurry."

Hearing that Rongdi had arrived, Ana's heart lifted; the chance was here—this time she would make the leader take her back. She no longer wanted to serve this madman.

Soon, Rongdi arrived with Gu Lang and Xuan Feng, striding toward them. Seeing so many people on the mountain hauling stones to build the Sacrificial Altar, Rongdi let out a hearty laugh, "Quanrong, your altar is coming together quickly; will it be finished soon?"

"Why did you come?"

Although the Quanrong had allied with Rongdi, the two were constantly scheming against each other, each wary of the other. Moreover, the Quanrong was petty‑minded; he always thought Rongdi came to reclaim the slaves he had sent out, since he lacked females and would not let them return.

A tribe's shortage of females was a crucial issue; without females they could not produce more members, and for him this was a matter of potential extinction.

Rongdi glanced at Ana kneeling on the ground; after so long she had actually put on weight, and he sneered, "Ana, it seems life here is good; you've gotten plumper than before."

"Leader, I..."

She had intended to have Rongdi take her back, but seeing the Quanrong there she dared not speak further, fearing she would be killed and boiled.

"Silence! As a slave, where did you come from? You have no right to speak here."

After saying that, Rongdi moved to a side and sat down. The Quanrong ordered those females to attend to Rongdi, but Rongdi disliked them, finding them too ugly; however, he showed no outward sign, as their current cooperation could not become a mess.

"Ying has already received news from here; in a few days he will set out. Have you prepared everything here?"

The Quanrong naturally understood his purpose; he lifted a bowl of wine and handed it to him, "We've been ready for a long time; haven't you seen I've been waiting here for him? Though I wonder if Ying might lack the courage to come."

He planned to kill his own tribe here; once the Sacrificial Altar was finished, if Ying did not arrive, this place would forever belong to the Quanrong, severing any ties with the Ying Tribe.

Rongdi lifted the Earthen Bowl and drained it in one gulp; he stroked the small beard on his chin, "He will definitely come; I know him."

"Since he'll come, I'll wait for him. Rongdi, do you know Nan Qinghuan?"

PS: (Added an extra update today, the author is working hard on the writing, please give five‑star reviews, bowing thanks.)

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