The current situation had devolved into a stalemate. The High Priest, wielding traditional customs in one hand and moral blackmail in the other, had gained a decisive advantage.
Unless Hu Tu was willing to flip the table and start a brawl with the High Priest in the great tent, he had no choice but to follow the other's lead.
"High Priest, what you say has some merit. However, the witch doctor said Ba Du was severely injured and would need at least half a year to recover. His body can't withstand it."
"After all, Ba Du just rendered meritorious service to our tribe. If we make him the commander with such injuries, the warriors in the tribe might feel disheartened."
It was not in vain that I risked life and limb for you, eliminating the High Priest's left and right hands one by one.
Watching Hu Tu desperately making excuses to fend off the High Priest, a sense of relief washed over me.
Old Hu Tu might not be good at much else, but when it came to action, he was truly on my side.
"My King, what are you saying! Becoming the commander of the Temple Guards is such an honorable position! Even if word gets out, the tribesmen will only praise Ba Du and praise my King for his decisiveness!"
"Furthermore, Ba Du defeated Gui Du Si in the duel arena, so other warriors will be convinced. Even if Ba Du is injured now, he has his subordinates to handle most of the work, so he won't be burdened."
The High Priest and Hu Tu exchanged words, you bickered, I countered, and they began to argue over my situation.
Seeing them embroiled in an argument, I felt it inappropriate to interrupt. I could only look around and admire the decorations in the great tent.
Hmm?
My gaze inadvertently fell upon the black-robed figure in a cloak standing behind the High Priest.
His robe was wide, making it impossible to discern his physique. Since entering the tent, this person had stood motionless behind the High Priest, not uttering a sound.
Although I couldn't see the black-robed man's face, I had a keen sense that he had been watching me the entire time.
Could he know me?
My heart leaped in surprise, but I maintained a nonchalant facade, casually shifting my gaze away, taking only a brief glance before looking elsewhere.
Who was this person?
I pondered in my mind. To be accompanying the High Priest to a secret meeting with Hu Tu, this person must be deeply trusted by the High Priest and possess considerable martial prowess.
With such reasoning, his identity became clearer. He was likely one of the mysterious Shepherds' Delegates under the High Priest!
And the only one who could recognize me would be the Shepherd's Delegate who ambushed me in the middle of the night when I first arrived at the Du'an tribe!
Upon this realization, I once again shifted my gaze to the hooded figure. This time, my eyes were filled with scrutiny.
If I weren't currently feigning my injured and recovering state, I would have surely stepped forward and ripped off his hood to see what sort of person he was who dared not show his face!
As if sensing my probing gaze, the High Priest, who was vigorously arguing with Hu Tu, suddenly changed the topic and steered it towards me.
"My King, instead of all this talk, why don't we hear Ba Du's opinion?"
Hear my opinion?
I blinked in surprise. Did the High Priest think I would agree to this dangerous proposition?
Just as I was about to refuse the High Priest, the words caught in my throat.
After a long pause, I cautiously replied.
"High Priest, I don't have an answer to this matter immediately. May I have some time to think about it?"
The High Priest showed no particular reaction to my answer. Instead, he took the opportunity to rise and bid farewell to Hu Tu.
"My King, since Ba Du wishes to consider it, let us give him a day."
This statement fully revealed the High Priest's domineering nature. Hu Tu's face turned grim, but he suppressed his anger and waved for the High Priest to leave quickly.
As the High Priest turned to go, he suddenly stopped, his eyes fixed on me with a profound gaze.
"Ba Du, opportunities are rare. You must consider carefully."
With that, the High Priest, accompanied by his silent hooded figure, turned and walked out.
After the High Priest departed, Hu Tu could no longer contain his rage and slammed his wine cup to the ground.
"Damn it! That old bastard is now bullying me to my face!"
"I will grind his bones to dust and chop his corpse into eight pieces to be fed to the dogs in the forest!"
Perhaps Hu Tu now considered me one of his own, or perhaps he was using this outburst to gauge my attitude.
"My King, the High Priest, this old fox, is acting so aggressively precisely to mask his weakness!"
"It seems this old bastard is flustered!"
I watched the furious Hu Tu, pondering how much truth there was in his words, and voiced my own conjectures.
Although I didn't understand the High Priest's current scheme, I spoke eloquently nonetheless.
After venting his anger, Hu Tu slumped down and looked at me with an unfriendly expression.
"Ba Du, what are you thinking?!"