Chapter 138: Ambush the Black Tiger Tribe Squad!

In the hollow of Heisong Mountain, Gervas and his men lay in ambush on both slopes.

This time, he deployed three hundred men, leaving only one hundred to guard Heibei Village.

After all, his mission tonight was vigilance, not offensive action.

So, those one hundred men were there to prevent Fariao from catching him off guard.

"My lord, will western barbarians really launch an ambush here tonight?"

Mi Gen and the others wore expressions full of excitement.

Days of being targeted by Fariao, watching other noble squads return with trophies while they were left to clean up the battlefield—anger had long been building inside them.

"At dusk, Zhuiyue reported that a western barbarian group, angered by the attack on Heibei Village, plans to strike back tonight—right here!"

"But don't grow careless—this barbarian unit is said to be from the Black Tiger Tribe, which has already killed three nobles, one of them a viscount."

"So this barbarian force is no ordinary band—it's far deadlier than the ones we faced at Heibei Village today!"

"My lord, we understand! Rest assured, we'll give it our all!" Mi Gen and the others immediately patted their chests in pledge.

At that moment, Gervas turned to Wood beside him.

"Wood, my promises are always worth a thousand gold."

"For this campaign, every pirate who fights faithfully and earns merit will no longer be a prisoner upon our return."

"I will grant you status as slaves of Stormhold—and the chance to become serfs again."

"I imagine you've heard rumors from other slaves about pardons these past days?"

"So whether you redeem yourselves or not depends on your choices in this battle!"

"My lord Gervas, we've heard the rumors—we're willing to fight and earn merit to atone!"

"Good. Go prepare everyone. Wait for my order!"

Wood was a minor leader among the captured pirates.

Gervas noticed he carried some authority, and after interrogating other pirates, learned he had never committed atrocities—so he promoted him to captain of the pirate captives.

Gervas had promised that if they earned merit in this battle, their death sentences would be lifted after the war, and they would become slaves.

Of course, a few among the pirates—those irredeemable monsters who delighted in torture—had already been purged.

So now, for the remaining pirates, if they become cannon fodder, their fate is in heaven's hands—if they survive, they've been lucky.

Whoosh!

A howling sound came as a Moxun Eagle rider landed—it was Yefulan.

"My lord, enemy traces detected three li ahead—about two hundred men, over a hundred wearing leather armor. They'll reach the valley in twenty minutes!"

"Half wearing leather armor?" Gervas and Lei Meng exchanged a glance.

Over recent days, the two had learned much about the barbarians through conversations with other nobles.

Because they lived and struggled in harsh environments, western barbarians generally possessed higher combat ability than noble armies.

That's why they'd been able to capture noble territories one after another.

Of course, noble armies had advantages—the greatest being their superior weapons and equipment.

Most barbarians struggled to even possess iron weapons, let alone armor.

Yet this Black Tiger Tribe unit had half its men in leather armor—clearly no ordinary band.

But regardless, tonight's battle would not be canceled.

"Everyone, prepare for battle!"

…

"Captain Kuihu, once we pass through Heisong Mountain ahead, another twenty minutes' march will bring us to Heibei Village!"

"Excellent! These damned nobles dare come to die? Then let their blood atone for our kin they slaughtered!"

Kuihu's eyes blazed with fury; his curved blade gripped tight, as if he already stood in Heibei Village.

More than a week ago, his unit had been the first to breach Baron Levin's castle.

He, Kuihu—the most valiant young warrior of the Black Tiger Tribe—had personally executed Levin.

He'd cut off the noble's head and mounted it on the tribe's bone flag.

Now, though he brought only two hundred tribal warriors, he was confident he could slaughter many of these foolish noble soldiers in a night ambush.

Then, with hundreds of enemy blood and trophies, they'd withdraw unscathed.

"We've reached Heisong Mountain!"

As Kuihu's heart surged with excitement, the scout guiding them called out.

Kuihu glanced at the dark hollow—paid it no mind.

If fighting another tribe, he'd send scouts ahead.

But against foolish nobles? Those cowards hid behind stone shells.

Who dared fight tribal warriors in open wilderness?

"Hurry! I can't wait to feast on the flesh of these foolish nobles!"

"Yes, Captain!" The scout responded first.

The moment his words ended—a piercing shriek rang out!

Swoosh!

Thud!

"Ugh…" The tribal guide shuddered, hands flying to his neck in disbelief.

A thick, short arrow had pierced his throat with perfect precision.

Kuihu froze, then turned pale. "Alert! Enemy!"

"Charge! Leave none alive!"

At the same moment as Kuihu's shout, a cold voice echoed from the hillside.

At the command, over three hundred figures surged down from the slopes.

"Kill!"

"It's the damned noble army! Black Tiger warriors—form a defense!"

Though caught off guard, the Black Tiger Tribe was elite among barbarians.

After a moment of panic, they immediately raised weapons and shields, forming a tight circle.

Especially those wearing leather armor—all took positions on the outer ring.

On Gervas's side, a hundred pirates charged ahead.

The pirates wore tattered leather armor, one hand gripping shields, the other a longsword or short axe, roaring as they slammed into the tribal warriors.

Amid thudding impacts, the battle began—moans and screams rose continuously.

Western barbarians were indeed far stronger than ordinary humans—nearly one Black Tiger warrior could handle two pirates.

Yet even so, desperate for Gervas's promised pardon, the pirates fought without fear or retreat.

Fortunately, Stormhold soldiers followed close behind.

With a hundred fully armed Stormhold soldiers joining, the Black Tiger warriors faced sudden, crushing pressure.

Stormhold soldiers wore complete, brand-new armor—not the ragged gear pirates had looted from Scorpion Bandits and their comrades.

Behind the Stormhold soldiers stood another hundred slave spearmen.

They wore no armor—only linen tunics and long spears.

But they didn't need to close in—they only needed to stand behind the soldiers and pirates, thrusting spears from the rear.

With all three forces united, the Black Tiger warriors immediately felt the strain.

Kuihu's face turned ashen—these humans were tougher than he'd imagined.

Especially their tactics—vastly different from the noble armies of old.

In the past, noble armies always placed unarmored serfs in front.

That allowed tribal warriors to easily cut down entire ranks.

It boosted tribal morale and terrified even the noble elite soldiers into pale-faced shock.

After that, the rest was simple—just a few disciplined tribal charges, and the terrified noble armies would flee.

Becoming lambs to be slaughtered as they ran.