The Vicissitudes of the Viper Clan

Throughout the annals of the Southern Wilderness' history, the Viper Clan once struck terror into the hearts of all who knew of them. Generation after generation, they had firmly entrenched themselves near Mianjiangkou, adjacent to Mingzhou. This enigmatic expanse, perpetually veiled in impenetrable mists, served as the cradle of their proliferation and territorial expansion. With human - like cranial features and serpentine physiques, the Viper Clan was innately endowed with an aura of mystery and formidable prowess, setting them decidedly apart from the other ethnic groups populating the Southern Wilderness.

The developmental trajectory of the Viper Clan is replete with sagas and legends. Every three - decade span presented a pivotal juncture for their evolutionary progression. During the initial thirty - year period, the nascent Viper Clan progeny sprouted arms, which seemed to be reservoirs of boundless might, enabling them to effortlessly hoist colossal boulders. Their prodigious strength propelled them to prominence within the verdant jungle. Fast - forward another thirty years, and the emergence of legs bestowed upon them extraordinary agility. They could sprint at breakneck speeds, darting through the thickly - forested tracts of the Southern Wilderness like phantasmal apparitions. By the third thirty - year epoch, their bodies became ensheathed in impenetrable scales, rendering them impervious to the blades of swords and thrusts of spears. The Viper Clan had comprehensively metamorphosed into congenital warriors. Moreover, they boasted extended lifespans; even the most ordinary of Viper Clan members could attain a lifespan of three hundred years. Adult Viper Clan individuals, armed with their indestructible scales, dexterous hands, and sturdy feet, roamed the land with unrestrained freedom, traversing mountains and fording rivers with consummate ease.

Nevertheless, beneath their robust corporeal forms lay a cognitive capacity akin to that of a three - year - old child. It was not until a Viper Clan member reached the venerable age of three hundred and underwent the fourth evolutionary phase, sprouting a singular horn on their cranium, becoming acutely perceptive, and attaining the intellectual acumen of an adult human, that their mental faculties matured. Consequently, the minimum prerequisite for attaining middle - and high - level echelons within the Viper Clan was to be a "four - transformed" individual. However, the occurrence of the "four - transformation" was far from guaranteed. A mere one in every hundred three - transformed Viper Clan members might achieve this exalted state. This scarcity of middle - and high - level talent within the Viper Clan significantly influenced their strategic development paradigms.

This idiosyncratic growth pattern engendered a highly stratified and hierarchical clan system within the Viper Clan. The entire clan acknowledged only one preeminent leader, the clan chief, alternatively referred to as the "Supreme Sovereign." All affairs, ranging from mundane civil disputes to intricate matters of international diplomacy, were subject to the autocratic adjudication of the Supreme Sovereign. The selection process for this exalted position, however, adhered to a set of idiosyncratic rules.

The elevation of the Viper Clan's Supreme Sovereign was predicated neither on the traditional patriarchal succession model nor on the system of abdication in favor of a worthy successor. Instead, it was determined by a ruthless military - merit - based system. Every Supreme Sovereign of the Viper Clan had emerged as a paragon of martial prowess from the crucible of innumerable sanguinary conflicts. Each and every Viper Clan member was indelibly stained with the blood shed in the arena of war. This unorthodox selection mechanism, coupled with their idiosyncratic diplomatic doctrines, rendered the Viper Clan a pariah in the eyes of the world, making them the sworn enemies of all other ethnic groups. In the collective perception of the other tribes, the Viper Clan was synonymous with malevolence and villainy.

A millennium ago, Liu Xie, the Supreme Sovereign of the Viper Clan, a leader of unabashed ambition, cast his covetous gaze upon Mingzhou. Strategically located at the epicenter of the Southern Wilderness, Mingzhou was one of the region's most prosperous locales. It boasted a transportation network of unparalleled convenience, connecting Jiangzhou, Jinzhou, Yanzhou in the Eastern Wilderness, and maintaining close linkages with Huizhou on the periphery of the Central Wilderness. The Mianjiang River, under its watchful purview, flowed directly into Yuzhou, the heartland of the Central Wilderness, positioning Mingzhou as a vital thoroughfare for overland and waterborne transportation across four states. Daily, caravans and wayfarers from diverse ethnic groups converged here, creating a bustling metropolis teeming with activity and brimming with vitality. For the Viper Clan, the conquest of Mingzhou was tantamount to seizing the jugular vein of the Southern Wilderness, effectively granting them control over the region's economic and transportation lifelines.

Before long, a cataclysmic war erupted. Leveraging their formidable military might, the Viper Clan swiftly amassed a force of one hundred thousand troops and laid siege to the prefecture city of Mingzhou. In response to the impending long - term blockade, the prefecture authorities resolutely implemented a scorched - earth strategy, herding all the civilian populace within the city walls. However, the depths of the Viper Clan's cruelty far exceeded the bounds of imagination. Far from being deterred by the city's defensive stratagems, they descended into a frenzy of savagery. During the siege, the Viper Clan engaged in wanton pillaging of the local populace and other ethnic groups in the vicinity. Their most heinous act was the consumption of human flesh, a barbaric practice that sent shockwaves throughout the land. Historical chronicles record: "The Viper Clan besieged Mingzhou for three days. The Southern Wilderness was plunged into a state of agricultural desolation for consecutive years. The city's inhabitants, reduced to despair, huddled against the city walls. The Viper Clan captured and devoured people from various ethnic groups, slaughtering thousands daily. They fashioned iron pestles and mills, constructing hundreds of massive mortars into which they flung living victims from diverse ethnic groups, crushing them to a pulp and consuming them, bones and all."

At that time, the human - led defenders within the prefecture city numbered fewer than forty thousand. The surrounding mountain passes had already fallen under the firm control of the Viper Clan and their vassal forces, effectively severing all lines of communication with potential reinforcements from other prefectures. Confronted with such a formidable adversary, and daunted by the might of the Viper Clan and the specter of being ambushed while attempting to relieve the siege, the other prefectures elected to adopt a stance of neutrality, leaving Mingzhou isolated and bereft of external support.

Tian Mosan, the governor of Mingzhou, stood resolutely upon the city wall, his gaze fixed upon the densely - packed Viper Clan army arrayed outside. His brows knitted into a deep furrow as a sense of foreboding crept into his heart, despite his unwavering resolve to defend the city. "How long can the provisions within the city sustain us during this protracted siege? And when will the long - awaited reinforcements finally arrive?" Tian Mosan, a military strategist who had ascended through the ranks from a humble staff officer under the southern - expedition general in the Barbaric Wilderness, had amassed a distinguished record of military achievements during the campaigns to rescue the imperial court. He was successively promoted to the positions of staff officer, Zhechong 都尉,and ultimately enfeoffed as the General of Loyalty and Martiality, assuming the governorship of Mingzhou. Renowned for his strategic acumen and especially adept at the art of city - defense, his reputation had already spread far and wide during the imperial - rescue campaigns. Facing the ferocious onslaught of the Viper Clan, he was acutely aware that the fate of Mingzhou held the key to the destiny of the human race in the Southern Wilderness. Thus, he rallied the military and civilian populace to mount a tenacious defense. He personally undertook daily patrols of the city walls, meticulously inspecting and fortifying the defenses, while also endeavoring to assuage the fears of the populace. Under his leadership, the officials and citizens within the city were united in a common purpose, their resolve unshakable.

A turning point in the conflict emerged when Zhang Wenyuan, the magistrate of Zhen'an Prefecture, led a daring night - raid on the Viper Clan's central encampment with a force of eight hundred black - armored soldiers. Fully cognizant of the perilous nature of this mission, Zhang Wenyuan nevertheless resolutely chose to embrace the risk in the name of rescuing Mingzhou. In the dead of night, when all was hushed and still, save for the thunderous roar of the Mianjiang River, which seemed to be a harbinger of the impending battle, the eight hundred black - armored soldiers advanced stealthily, with soldiers biting on reed - stalks to muffle their voices and horses' hooves swathed in cloth to dampen the sound. Zhang Wenyuan's palms were slick with sweat as he gripped his long spear tightly, his eyes ablaze with determination as he peered intently into the darkness, silently imploring the fates for a successful outcome.

Upon reaching the pre - designated position, Zhang Wenyuan signaled the attack. The soldiers promptly ignited the pre - positioned kerosene, and in an instant, the Viper Clan's encampment was engulfed in a conflagration of flames, punctuated by the deafening cacophony of battle cries. The Viper Clan soldiers, roused from their slumber, were thrown into a state of utter chaos. Zhang Wenyuan, a veritable paragon of martial valor, brandished his long spear with ferocious intensity. The spear - tip glinted menacingly in the firelight, and with each thrust, it was met with a spray of blood as Viper Clan soldiers fell in droves. However, the enemy, seemingly inexhaustible, surged forward in wave after wave. His arms, fatigued from the protracted combat, ached with every movement, yet the enemy's onslaught showed no signs of abating. He first dispatched Liu Jingyao, known as the "Little King of Ming," with a well - aimed thrust of his spear. Then, he plunged headlong into the enemy formation, charging left and right with such ferocity that he seemed to be in a realm devoid of enemies. He successively slew four elders of the Viper Clan and pressed forward with unwavering determination towards the Supreme Sovereign of the Viper Clan.

Observing the chaos in the Viper Clan's central encampment, Tian Mosan, the governor of Mingzhou, immediately recognized this as a golden opportunity for a counter - offensive. He swiftly rallied his troops and prepared to sally forth from the city gates. However, at this critical juncture, a counselor approached him with a treacherous suggestion: "Zhang Wenyuan, the magistrate of Zhen'an Prefecture, has repeatedly flouted the orders of his superiors and shown blatant disrespect for the governor. Now that the Viper Clan is at the zenith of their power, would it not be expedient to let the Viper Clan eliminate him..." Tian Mosan's countenance darkened with indignation upon hearing these words. "Preposterous! The conflict between Wenyuan and me is a mere personal grievance. But the enmity between the Viper Clan and us is a public vendetta that cannot be reconciled. Now that Wenyuan has set aside our personal differences to come to our aid, this is an act of great public - spiritedness. The reinforcements, though few in number, are willing to risk their lives to save us. How can we, in good conscience, stand idly by?"

Subsequently, Tian Mosan summoned the entire military and civilian populace within the city and addressed them with passionate eloquence: "Fellow soldiers and citizens, the Viper Clan, a foreign and barbarous race, has perpetrated unspeakable atrocities. They have slain our kin, razed our homes, and besieged our city for over eighty days. The elders and common folk within the city have labored tirelessly, bringing sustenance and support to our cause. Now, although the reinforcements outside the city are not native to our locale, they are valiantly engaging the enemy. How can we, the defenders of this city, do any less?" With these words, he unsheathed his sword and bellowed: "Let those who cower in fear of death remain behind. But for the rest of us, our very existence should be a beacon of hope and courage. Fellow soldiers!" The assembled throng responded with a resounding chorus: "Here!" "Follow me into battle!" "Kill! Kill! Kill!"

Armed with a long lance, clad in resplendent armor, and astride a powerful steed, Tian Mosan personally led the cavalry charge towards the Viper Clan's central encampment. His lieutenants, Luo Gongheng and Sun Bao, commanded the infantry in an assault on the Viper Clan's flanks. Under the coordinated and concerted assault of Zhang Wenyuan and Tian Mosan, the Viper Clan's defensive line crumbled like a house of cards, and they were routed in disarray. The battle raged on from the cover of darkness until the break of dawn, with the battlefield stretching from the foot of the city of Mingzhou all the way to the banks of the Mianjiang River.

Just as victory seemed within their grasp, the tide of battle suddenly turned. From the flank of the routed Viper Clan army, a contingent of black - armored warriors emerged like a pack of ravenous wolves. Brandishing their lethal blades, they plunged into Tian Mosan's army, disrupting the formation with ruthless efficiency. Liu Xie, the Supreme Sovereign of the Viper Clan, capitalized on the chaos to rally his remaining forces, his stentorian roars serving to galvanize the flagging morale of the Viper Clan soldiers.

Alarmed by the sudden turn of events, Zhang Wenyuan charged headlong towards the black - armored force, determined to stem the tide of the counter - attack. However, the black - armored force proved to be a formidable adversary, and Zhang Wenyuan soon found himself embroiled in a desperate struggle, his body sustaining multiple grievous injuries. Sensing the perilous situation, Tian Mosan immediately led the cavalry to the rescue. He brandished his long lance with the fury of a rampaging lion, carving a swath through the ranks of the Viper Clan soldiers.

Liu Xie, the Supreme Sovereign of the Viper Clan, was a wily and resourceful leader. During the retreat, he swiftly rallied his most loyal troops to form a death - defying vanguard, determined to hold off the pursuit of Zhang Wenyuan and Tian Mosan. He also laid a series of elaborate ambushes at strategic locations. Driven by his eagerness for victory, Zhang Wenyuan, heedless of the danger, pressed forward alone without waiting for Tian Mosan's support. As a result, he fell prey to the Viper Clan's ambushes, was struck by multiple arrows, and found himself in a desperate and perilous situation, with his army on the verge of total annihilation. At the eleventh hour, Tian Mosan arrived on the scene, having ridden hard to reach the beleaguered Zhang Wenyuan. With a supreme effort, he managed to extricate Zhang Wenyuan from the clutches of death. This harrowing battle served to completely dissolve the estrangement between Zhang Wenyuan and Tian Mosan. The two men, bound by their shared experiences and the mutual respect born of adversity, became sworn brothers and joined forces in their unwavering resolve to resist the Viper Clan.

The Supreme Sovereign of the Viper Clan and his remaining lieutenants, having rallied the remnants of their shattered army, retreated to the northern bank of the Mianjiang River, hoping to make a final stand and buy time for the large - scale evacuation of their forces. However, their efforts were ultimately in vain. In the end, the middle - and high - level echelons of the Viper Clan were forced to flee across the river in a disorganized and desperate retreat, leaving behind a veritable mountain of corpses. So numerous were the dead that they temporarily blocked the flow of the Mianjiang River. In the aftermath of this cataclysmic battle, the Viper Clan was dealt a devastating blow. Virtually all of their three - transformed elites were wiped out. The once - formidable army of one hundred thousand was reduced to a paltry force of less than twenty thousand. Six of the seven elders were slain, and Liu Xie, the Supreme Sovereign of the Viper Clan, suffered the loss of one of his arms. Sensing the irrevocable decline of the Viper Clan, the other affiliated ethnic groups scattered to the four winds, abandoning their erstwhile allies.

Sensing the vulnerability of the Viper Clan, the other prefectures and counties in the region wasted no time in dispatching their forces to annihilate the remnants of the once - mighty clan. The other tribes of the Southern Wilderness, seizing the opportunity, also joined the fray, ostensibly under the banner of "resisting the tyranny of the Viper Clan and protecting the rights of all ethnic groups." In reality, most were motivated by the desire to carve out a share of the spoils in the ensuing chaos. They unleashed their tribes upon the Viper Clan, plundering and pillaging with abandon. After crossing the river, the remaining Viper Clan members were not only hounded by the human - led military forces but also constantly harassed by other ethnic groups. In a desperate bid to preserve the last vestiges of their race, the Viper Clan was compelled to fragment into dozens of small units and attempt to break through the encirclement in different directions. This cataclysmic battle left the Viper Clan in a state of utter ruin. They were forced to abandon their ancestral homeland, and the once - dominant clan of the Southern Wilderness was reduced to a mere shadow of its former self, its glory days consigned to the annals of history, leaving behind only a legacy of tragic legends that gradually faded into the mists of time.