NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 48: Relentlessly Mocked
In the northern part of the Jinlan Plains, nestled within the outskirts of the Lost Mountain Range, countless bandit strongholds thrived.
These outlaws made their living by raiding passing merchant caravans and nearby villages. This region, a borderland between the Elf and Barbarian Bull tribes, saw many caravans pass through and scattered villages dotting the landscape, making banditry a promising career choice.
Black Wind Stronghold
Black Wind Stronghold was founded by a band of outcasts from the Earth Demon tribe. Known for their immense strength and tough, durable hides, the Earth Demons quickly rose to become the dominant force in the area.
At this very moment, in the grand hall of Black Wind Stronghold, the eighteen leaders of nearby bandit factions had gathered.
"Boss Mo, the three thousand human refugees are nearly here. You're the biggest, so you decide how to divide them," said a goblin chieftain, his voice full of anticipation.
The leader of the Iron Wolf Tribe laughed loudly, "Humans are valuable goods. The Elves love them as slaves, especially those young girls with delicate skin. Tsk, tsk…"
"Old Wolf, we all know you're obsessed with women. This time you'll have a lot to enjoy, but the ones you've had already might not be of any use to the Elves, haha!"
The laughter of the other leaders filled the hall.
The Earth Demon leader, sitting at the head of the table, joined in the laughter, "Speaking of which, I heard a human village was wiped out and the nearby Goblin tribe was also exterminated. Who was responsible for that? You've all reaped a huge reward, yet none of you bothered to share the spoils with your brothers!"
The leaders stared at the Goblin chieftain, who instinctively shrank his neck, his voice shaky as he spoke, "Brothers, I know about this. I heard it was a new group of human bandits, some horse thieves. They had a conflict with our village, and just wiped it out, along with the Goblin tribe nearby."
"Oh? This is news to me!" said the Earth Demon leader. "Since when have humans been so bold? I must meet them soon."
Before anyone could respond, a sudden scream echoed through the hall.
A small Earth Demon grunt was thrown into the room.
"No need to wait, I'm already here!"
The alien leaders jumped in surprise, all eyes turning toward the entrance.
A group of well-armored human soldiers barged in, flanking a young man.
"You're holding such a grand meeting and didn't even notify me? Seems like you've got no respect for our human strongholds!"
The Earth Demon leader bellowed, "Who are you, and what do you want?"
"Ah, I'm the one you're talking about—the bandit who wiped out that Goblin village," the young man replied nonchalantly.
The Iron Wolf leader growled, "So it's you! You've got guts, destroying a Goblin village, and now you're daring to be so arrogant with us?"
Ronald glanced at him coolly, his tone unbothered.
"Ah, so you're about to make a fortune from the human refugees? I can't just let you all take the spoils without getting a cut, can I?"
A cold sneer appeared on the Earth Demon leader's grotesque face, "Everyone here has at least a thousand warriors. How many men do you have, to think you can split the loot with us?"
"I've got two hundred soldiers," Ronald said calmly.
The room erupted in laughter.
The Goblin leader howled with laughter, "Humans, you've got a measly two hundred men, and you think you can bargain with us? With your scrawny little arms, even if you had twenty thousand men, I wouldn't care!"
"Two hundred?" They laughed even harder. "Go back home and nurse on your mother's milk!"
The mocking voices and jeers filled the hall, echoing in the tense air.