Chapter 169: Rifts and Choices

The night was deep; Li Qingxuan and Huang Rong, like shadows merging into darkness, returned silently to Guangtan Fortress.

Thick fog still shrouded the land, separating the inside from the outside world.

"How's the situation?" Li Feifei, who had been guarding the Inner City Control Center, hurried over upon seeing their safe return, her face showing concern.

Chen Xiulan, Wang Hongmei, and others also gathered around.

Li Qingxuan briefly explained his night raid on the orc camp, emphasizing his confrontation with Blood Axe and a fleeting glimpse of Grey Shadow.

"Grey Shadow is actually mingling with the orcs!" Chen Xiulan clenched her fists. "This guy is too dangerous; we must eliminate him as soon as possible."

"What about Blood Axe… will he really waver?" Wang Hongmei said, somewhat worried.

"The seed has already been planted." Li Qingxuan said in a low voice. "Blood Axe isn't a fool; Grey Shadow's strangeness and my display of strength are enough for him to reassess the pros and cons. But it's not enough—we need to add more fuel."

He looked at Li Feifei: "Feifei, use the anonymous function of the regional and world channels to spread the message. Say that 'the Lie Claw Clan has been exploited by a mysterious human, suffering heavy losses, and Chieftain Blood Axe and his allies have grown suspicious.' The message should be vague, but make sure it reaches Blood Axe's ears."

Li Feifei's eyes lit up: "A sowing discord scheme? I get it—I'll go do it now!"

"Besides," Li Qingxuan added, "increase vigilance. Grey Shadow failed tonight and was forced by us to use a life‑saving scroll; he may lash out desperately or incite the orcs to launch a full assault quickly."

Everyone's expression turned grave, and they all nodded.

……

Meanwhile, at the orcs' temporary camp.

The atmosphere inside the central great tent was oppressive enough to make one breathless.

Bloodaxe Chieftain sat in the seat of honor, his face grim as he stared at the crackling bonfire, saying nothing.

The few trusted captains seated below and the two remaining shamans also stayed silent, the air thick with unease and doubt.

Li Qingxuan's sudden intrusion, his terrifying display of power, and those heart‑piercing words echoed in their minds like a curse.

The sudden appearance and eerie methods of that mysterious Grey Shadow only deepened their chill.

"Chieftain," an orc captain with a scar on his face couldn't help but say, his voice hoarse, "That human… Li Qingxuan, what he said…"

"Shut up!" Blood Axe snapped his head up, his scarlet eyes bloodshot, "Do you want to undermine morale?"

The captain lowered his head, not daring to speak further, but the doubt in his eyes did not fade.

Another shaman spoke slowly, his voice hoarse with age: "Chieftain, Li Qingxuan's strength is indeed far beyond our expectations. The fortress's defenses are also stronger than we imagined. Grey Shadow… he never reveals his true face, his motives unfathomable. Our Lie Claw warriors must not die pointlessly in human scheming."

Blood Axe waved his hand irritably: "I know! But we've already paid the price! If we retreat now, how do we account for the fallen warriors? How will other clans view our Lie Claw? We'll become the laughingstock of the whole tribe!"

Just then, an orc scout in charge of intelligence rushed into the great tent, his face full of startled uncertainty: "Chieftain! Not good! The channels… the channels are buzzing, saying our Lie Claw has been duped by a human, suffering heavy losses, and even saying… even saying you've fallen out with that collaborator!"

"What?!" Blood Axe leapt to his feet, his immense strength shattering the stone stool beneath him! "Who spread this news?!"

"I… I don't know. It seems to have leaked from the humans' 'channels'; many camps have heard it!"

Inside the tent, an uproar erupted instantly!

"It must be Li Qingxuan's doing!" a captain shouted angrily.

"It could also be Grey Shadow! He wants to force us to act quickly!" another shaman said gloomily.

Bloodaxe Chieftain's chest heaved violently, his anger nearly bursting through his head.

He felt like a beast caught in a spider's web, the invisible threads tightening ever more.

Li Qingxuan's martial intimidation, Grey Shadow's unfathomable eeriness, now compounded by this malicious rumor—no matter which side started it, it plunged him into a highly passive position.

Retreat? His prestige would be swept away, turning him into a laughingstock.

Advance? The future is uncertain, possibly incurring even greater losses.

Trust Grey Shadow? That guy is even less reliable than Li Qingxuan!

Just as Blood Axe's inner turmoil raged, a subtle ripple stirred in the shadow of the tent.

Grey Shadow's vague silhouette slowly emerged, his voice tinged with an imperceptible chill: "Chieftain Blood Axe, it seems our enemies have given us… some minor trouble."

All the orcs inside the tent instantly tensed, their weapons gripping tight instinctively.

Blood Axe stared fixedly at Grey Shadow, his tone harsh: "You dare show up again?"

Grey Shadow let out a hoarse low laugh: "Why wouldn't I? We're still allies, aren't we? Rumors are just the whining of losers. As long as we breach Guangtan Fortress, all stigma will be wiped clean. Moreover… chieftain, don't you want to know how Li Qingxuan could pinpoint your great tent and move freely among ten thousand troops?"

Blood Axe's eyes narrowed: "What are you trying to say?"

Grey Shadow continued calmly: "As far as I know, Guangtan Fortress holds some special items… perhaps they aren't just Li Qingxuan and Huang Rong. Perhaps, right now somewhere in your camp, their eyes and blades are still hidden."

Those words were like venom, instantly injected into every orc's heart.

Suspicion and fear began to spread; they couldn't help but glance at their companions, as if anyone might be a human mole.

Bloodaxe Chieftain's breathing grew heavy; he looked at Grey Shadow, then at Li Qingxuan, then at the sturdy fortress and the eerie mist, a surge of unprecedented fury and agitation rising in his chest.

He felt backed into a corner.

"Enough!" Blood Axe roared, bringing his great axe down hard on the ground, stone chips flying: "Tomorrow! At dawn tomorrow, launch the all‑out attack! Spare no expense, flatten Guangtan Fortress! I will use Li Qingxuan's skull to prove the glory of the Lie Claw Clan!"

His scarlet eyes swept over Grey Shadow: "And you! You'd better show your true skill—if you try any tricks again, I'll be the first to cleave you!"

Grey Shadow's lips curled slightly beneath his hood, and he bowed: "As you wish, Great Chieftain. Tomorrow, I will personally open the gate to victory for you."

The shadow rippled, and Grey Shadow vanished once more.

Inside the great tent, only Blood Axe's heavy breathing and the orc captains' uneasy gazes remained.

A rift had already formed, suspicion spreading like a plague.

Tomorrow's all‑out attack is destined to be a battle full of variables, possibly even a bloody clash with conflicting aims.

……

Guangtan Fortress, the darkest hour before dawn.

Li Qingxuan stood on the outer city wall, gazing toward the orc camp, his brow slightly furrowed.

According to the fortress guard feed relayed by Chen Xiulan, the orc camp was undergoing a large‑scale mobilization, killing intent rising.

"They may be preparing for a full assault," Li Qingxuan said in a low voice.

Huang Rong stood beside him, the Dwarf War Axe reflected a cold light in the hazy moonlight: "It seems your Sowing Discord Scheme had limited effect… or… what else did that Grey Shadow say?"

"No matter what, prepare to face the most brutal battle." Li Qingxuan took a deep breath, turned, his gaze sweeping over the women standing ready on the city wall and the Icefield Demon Wolves below the wall, "Everyone, life or death, this is the moment!"

On the eastern horizon, a faint fish-belly white gradually appeared.

Dawn is approaching, a bloody battle looms.

The fate of Guangtan Fortress is about to be revealed in the forthcoming dawn light.

(PS: Please show your support with free votes; the author will be more motivated. If you like this book, feel free to leave a rating. Thank you all.)