Chapter 156: Taking Over the Camp
“Hi, hi, high-tier, fe, fe, ferocious beast.”
When the dark-gold purple-patterned python formed by the fusion of the Ironthread Snakes appeared, the Wildfolk who were preparing to resist the invasion instantly lost all strength to fight back.
Many Wildfolk collapsed to the ground the moment they saw the ferocious head of the dark-gold purple-patterned python, already so frightened that they could no longer speak properly.
As Wildfolk, dying in the jaws of a Ferocious Beast was a common occurrence.
Even though the number of high-tier Ferocious Beasts within Alliance territory was small, they had encountered them more or less before, and naturally understood just how terrifying high-tier Ferocious Beasts were.
The reason Zhou Ming had the Ironthread Snake swarm fuse into a dark-gold purple-patterned giant python was precisely because a high-tier Ferocious Beast was far more visually and psychologically impactful than a Professional Beast Tamer.
“Everyone, from now on, you are my private property.”
Just as some people mustered their courage and prepared to flee, Zhou Ming slowly walked out from behind the dark-gold purple-patterned giant python.
“Professional Beast Tamer.”
Within the panicked crowd of Wildfolk, someone immediately reacted.
The previously powerless Wildfolk instantly found strength, turned around, and fled toward the depths of the underground dark river passage.
Compared to being swallowed by a Ferocious Beast, they were even more terrified of falling into the hands of their own kind—that fate was worse than death.
Faced with such a reaction, Zhou Ming drove the dark-gold serpent pupils with his spiritual power, unleashing the supreme force of a king seated upon a throne.
In an instant, Zhou Ming’s figure seemed to rise infinitely higher, like a god seated above the clouds, gazing down upon ants.
The once noisy and chaotic Wildfolk camp instantly fell silent. Everyone looked at Zhou Ming with terror written across their faces.
“You have two choices: die, or live.”
“Those who submit to me will have a chance to stop living like rats in these underground caves.”
“I will only tell you one thing—I need to establish a force of my own. I believe you all understand what this represents.”
Zhou Ming’s voice echoed throughout the underground dark river passage.
Those who heard these words felt light instantly fill their lifeless eyes, as though a beam of intense light tore through their ashen hearts.
To establish a force—what did that represent?
It meant that the lord before them was a lone operator. He needed people to work for him, people to serve him closely.
If they could join, even if they were just cleaning toilets, with time and seniority they could become the manager of toilet cleaners.
“My lord, my lord, I’m willing to join.”
“My lord, me too, I’m willing as well.”
……
The Wildfolk camp, which had just fallen silent, instantly boiled over. The quick-reacting Wildfolk crawled straight to Zhou Ming’s feet, begging in the humblest posture.
Their current state was like people about to drown, desperately grasping at the final straw.
Only those who had endured suffering could truly understand the preciousness of hope.
Wildfolk—this word was an eternal thorn in their hearts, constantly stabbing at their souls.
Now there was hope to shed the identity of Wildfolk. No, as long as they no longer had to live like rats, it would already be an immense blessing.
With the protection of a Professional Beast Tamer, at the very least, they could live like normal people.
“Quiet.”
Hearing the noisy shouts, Zhou Ming’s voice thundered as he instantly silenced everyone.
“Who can tell me who the manager of your camp is?”
“My lord, I know, I know. It’s One-Eyed Dragon Xiao Kuang, an Apprentice Beast Tamer. His Beast Taming partner is a Sword-tailed Lizard.”
The speaker wore tattered glasses. His face was yellow and thin, yet he carried a hint of scholarly air.
Faced with this heaven-sent fortune, he did not hesitate at all to become a guide.
“Yes, yes, it’s One-Eyed Dragon Xiao Kuang.”
“Where is he?”
Only then did everyone realize that Xiao Kuang and his lackeys were nowhere to be seen.
Zhou Ming did not continue questioning. He directly walked toward several wooden houses built from logs, with the dark-gold purple-patterned python following behind him like a slowly moving train.
Being so close to a high-tier Ferocious Beast, everyone held their breath, terrified of disturbing the giant python before them.
Upon arriving at the most luxurious wooden cabin, the dark-gold purple-patterned python suddenly swung its tail, instantly destroying the cabin.
Just as everyone trembled in fear, a narrow passage behind the cabin was revealed. On the ground beside it lay more than a dozen people.
There were two women, three children, and the rest were sturdy, strong men.
Beside them were three low-tier Beasts, one of which was the Sword-tailed Lizard with its slender, agile tail and sharp, elongated blade.
Seeing this scene, everyone immediately understood. Xiao Kuang had taken his brothers, along with women and children, and attempted to flee, abandoning the rest without the slightest sense of responsibility.
A streak of black light appeared. Before anyone could react, it had already coiled around Zhou Ming’s arm—it was Inkband, whose strength was close to that of a high-tier Ferocious Beast.
It was precisely Inkband who had led the other Ironthread Snakes to intercept Xiao Kuang, who had chosen to flee at the first opportunity.
“You want to submit?”
Zhou Ming turned his head and looked at the thin man with broken glasses who had spoken earlier.
“Yes. I beg my lord to give me a chance.”
“What’s your name?”
“Lu Tao. I was convicted of fraud involving a huge sum, exiled outside the base, and was eventually taken in by the camp.”
Lu Tao was very perceptive. Not only did he state his name, he also reported all other relevant information to Zhou Ming.
“Have you killed anyone?”
“No.”
Lu Tao swallowed hard, as if he had already guessed what Zhou Ming wanted him to do.
“Then kill them.”
Zhou Ming took out a Blood Hunter Type-1 Handgun and handed it to him.
Seeing this, Lu Tao hesitated for only an instant before immediately accepting the handgun.
“My lord, could you also give me a chance?”
At this moment, Lin Hai—who had fainted at the camp entrance—appeared together with the other awakened hidden sentries.
Because of Zhou Ming’s orders, the toxin dosage used by Inkband had been very small. They had already awakened when the dark-gold purple-patterned python revealed its aura.
“You didn’t run? A correct choice.”
Zhou Ming carefully examined Lin Hai. Having previously overheard his conversation with Zhang Qiang, Zhou Ming had been quite impressed with him.
“Go.”
Zhou Ming did not explain further and simply agreed to Lin Hai’s request.
With Zhou Ming’s permission, Lin Hai wasted no words. He drew a dagger from his calf and immediately plunged it into One-Eyed Dragon Xiao Kuang’s neck. Blood sprayed out like a ruptured faucet.
Seeing someone compete with him for position—and even kill Xiao Kuang, the leader—Lu Tao immediately opened fire on Xiao Kuang’s woman and children.
The others nearby could only regret why they had not dared to speak up first.
The opportunity had been right before their eyes, yet they had missed it due to a moment of hesitation.
An opportunity for higher status—right there.
However, their regret could change nothing. When an opportunity came and was not seized, they could not blame others or circumstances.
They could only say that fate had decreed it so.
“My lord, it’s done.”
“My lord, I’m done as well.”
Hearing Lin Hai speak, Lu Tao immediately followed, proactively returning the handgun.
“Very good. For now, the camp will be jointly managed by the two of you. Dispose of the bodies, then compile statistics on the camp’s situation. I want a detailed report.”
Zhou Ming did not lay out specific demands. He also intended to use this as a test of their abilities.
“Yes.”
The two replied in unison.