Following Hu Tu's declaration, the assembled members of the Du An tribe erupted in astonishing cheers!
"Batu, the strongest warrior!"
"The Du An tribe will rise again!"
"Meat tonight!"
For the ordinary members of the Du An tribe, the struggle between Hu Tu and the High Priest, or who would lead the Du An tribe, were not things they cared about.
What they always cared about was their dinner for the day, and their fervent admiration for the brave.
As I listened to the cheers surrounding me from all directions, I did not get lost in them as I might have before. My mind remained clear.
I knew that beneath this boisterous applause hid a foul and perilous power struggle.
If I were to become complacent from receiving these cheers today, I would eventually be destroyed amidst them.
The savages of the Du An tribe were direct. They were like predatory beasts mindlessly pursuing victory, devouring one lost prey after another.
They didn't care who the victor was.
The ceremony was now nearing its end. I toyed with the ancient sword, symbolizing the commander of the temple guards, and turned to face the High Priest, whose expression was grim.
Seeing this cunning old fox finally lose his composure and tear off his hypocritical mask sent waves of elation through me.
I walked up to the High Priest, a smile on my face, but my words were as sharp as knives.
"High Priest, it appears I have won this round. I hope you take good care of yourself. Otherwise, if you fall ill just as I take office, who knows what the tribespeople will say about me."
I no longer wished to play coy with this old man. Seizing the opportunity when he couldn't retaliate, I aimed to provoke him, wishing with all my heart that he would spit blood after hearing my words.
Indeed, after listening to my sarcastic remarks, the High Priest's face turned from grim to ashen, his countenance shifting like a kaleidoscope.
Having been in his position for so many years, even in his unspoken rivalry with Hu Tu, he had maintained a facade of amity. He had never endured such direct, insulting verbal onslaught from me. It was already a stroke of luck that he hadn't died of anger.
The High Priest looked at me with a lingering gaze, leaning in as if squeezing the words through his teeth.
"Batu, don't celebrate too soon. You've won this time, but we'll settle things later!"
After speaking, the High Priest abandoned all pretense and turned to leave.
Pan Lili, who had been standing silently beside him, followed directly, as did the mysterious man beside her.
However, what struck me as strange was that the mysterious man, who should have been allied with the High Priest, subtly gave me a thumbs-up as he left. This left me bewildered.
Whose side was this guy on? He and the High Priest had conspired to make Pan Lili the Saintess, so why was he so happy to see the High Priest defeated?
I had my suspicions, but this was not the time or place to pry. I had to suppress this matter for now and seek answers when a suitable opportunity arose.
The High Priest's early departure did not dampen the fervor in the fighting arena. The cheers of the Du An tribespeople grew louder, praising Batu's invincibility one moment and Hu Tu's capable leadership the next. They were truly professional spectators.
Feeling buoyed by the adulation, Hu Tu grandly waved his hand, ordering the ingredients and roasting racks to be brought directly into the arena for a feast with the people.
The bonfire feast continued well into the night. Ada and Hu Tu plied me with a great deal of alcohol, as did many other Du An tribespeople I didn't recognize. Even with my physique, which far surpassed that of an ordinary person, I couldn't withstand such a barrage of drinking.
After successfully felling several individuals who toasted me, I finally had enough. I didn't even know who carried me back to my tent.
Ugh…
When I awoke, the sky outside was already bright. I rubbed my throbbing head, which felt like it was about to split open, and quickly grabbed a cup of water from the nearby table, downing it with a gulp.
Damn it, was the alcohol brewed by the Du An tribe bad? It had such a potent aftereffect!
After drinking the water, I got up and stretched my body, finally feeling a little more invigorated.
Today was my first day as the commander of the temple guards, and I needed to see what kind of men I had under my command.
I rubbed my temples, suddenly feeling a sense of weariness. The temple guards who were now under my command had all been subordinates of Gui Du Si. Moreover, although their nominal superior was Hu Tu, they had always operated within the High Priest's territory. It would be foolish to believe there weren't some of the High Priest's men among them.
It was not a 100% certainty, but a 90% chance that they would be unwelcoming, even hostile, towards my arrival.
If I wanted a smooth future and for my investigation to proceed successfully, I would have to find ways to subdue these men.
As for how to do that, it would be nothing more than inviting them, beheading them, and taking them as dogs!
With my thoughts clear and the hangover receding, I lifted the tent flap, had a bite to eat, and then headed towards the temple.