Intertribal Conflict

A night of celebration passed joyfully.

At dawn the next day, the men of the tribes readied themselves once more for the hunt. Xiao Feng prepared to accompany them, eager to observe the hunters' methods. Tu Gou, equally curious, insisted on tagging along.

Rush and Pandora, however, loathed the scorching sun and the searing heat that threatened to scorch skin.

Just as they were about to depart, several jeeps rumbled from afar, coming to a halt before the Giant's camp. Dozens of Black men disembarked with purpose, their attire revealing they belonged to a different tribe altogether.

The tribal chief stepped forward, frowning as he eyed the newcomers. "Chief Ali, what brings you to our lands?"

"Yesterday, two of my children witnessed your guests polluting our sacred spring," Ali replied sharply. "Chief Monda, summon them—we demand atonement in blood for the offense against our ancestors."

"Based on the fanciful tales of two children, you expect us to surrender our friends?" Monda retorted, scowling. "Chief Ali, couldn't you devise a more childish excuse? If you want war, let's have it openly. Don't stoop to such despicable tricks. Are you fools—or are we?"

Listening carefully, Xiao Feng grasped their meaning and approached Chief Monda's side. Fixing Ali—who stood adorned with feathers and tribal ornaments—in his gaze, he spoke their language: "I know what happened. It was us. But we had no idea it was your sacred spring. The deed is done—how you wish to handle it is your choice."

Monda whispered to Xiao Feng, "War God, we must not fear them."

Xiao Feng smiled calmly. "Fear? Not at all. I just want to resolve this quickly so we can hunt."

Ali glared fiercely at Xiao Feng's brazen confidence. "The only way to settle this is to kill you."

Xiao Feng sneered, "Did an elephant stomp on your brain? Is it broken? Kill us—do you even have the strength?" Behind him, the Giant and Tu Gou stepped forward.

Ali knew of the Giant's presence; Tu Gou's armor, however, stunned everyone. That armor marked him as no ordinary man.

Ali's fierce expression softened slightly. "Don't think having allies makes you invincible. We have powerful backers too. These jeeps were gifts from them. Should a fight break out, they won't stand idly by." He gestured behind him.

Xiao Feng followed his gaze and spotted logos emblazoned on the vehicles.

Beside him, Tu Gou whispered in amazement, "Those are Hilton Corporation vehicles."

Ali chuckled arrogantly, "Scared now? You see what we're capable of?"

Tu Gou stepped forward, pointing to the emblem on his armor. "Recognize this symbol?"

Ali's eyes narrowed as he studied the Victoria Corporation's mark. A frown crept across his face.

Xiao Feng chuckled. "Seems you know quite a bit, Chief Ali. Very well, return home—we won't entangle ourselves further. But if you insist on conflict, so be it. I didn't want trouble with you, but since you're Hilton's puppets, we won't hold back. If you want war, we'll see it through."

Monda clenched his spear tightly. "We of the Monda tribe fear no one. If it's a fight you want, we'll fight."

Ali looked at Xiao Feng, Tu Gou, and the Giant, nodding grimly. "Fine. Tomorrow at noon, the battle begins on the Hula Grasslands. Hope you don't regret this."

Xiao Feng smiled. "I fear it will be you who regrets."

Without further words, Ali and his warriors returned to their jeeps and departed.

Monda turned to his warriors. "Today's hunt is canceled. Prepare for battle. Sharpen your spears and blades to their keenest edge."

Xiao Feng shook his head, cautioning Monda, "Don't go tomorrow. They have Hilton's backing and likely possess advanced military weapons. Your current armaments won't suffice."

"War God, with you among us and our steadfast resolve, no matter how advanced their weapons, we will prevail."

"I believe that too, but before absolute power, it's wise to minimize casualties. We'll go tomorrow—don't worry, the four of us will handle them. And if you want to watch, you're welcome to come."

"That's not our tribe's way."

Xiao Feng smiled. "Now that we're part of your tribe—Giant is my brother—I'm one of you. Tomorrow's battle will be for all of us. That settles it, right?"

"Indeed. Tomorrow, I fight alongside you."

Monda's warriors erupted in cheers. "We fight! We fight!"

"Quiet! This battle isn't just against Ali's tribe—you know they have greater backing. If you go, casualties will be heavy. Think of your families and children. With War God and Giant here, I trust we can utterly defeat them." Monda's voice boomed, then he retreated to his hut.

Xiao Feng clapped his hands. "Calm down, everyone. Watch this." He turned to Tu Gou. "Launch a micro-missile—to intimidate them."

Tu Gou nodded, opening the armor's chest compartment to reveal dozens of tiny missiles. He fired one satellite-guided missile toward a distant clearing. It exploded with a thunderous roar.

The warriors all covered their ears, exclaiming in shock, frozen in awe.

"Now you see our strength. Tomorrow won't be a problem." Xiao Feng returned to their hut.

They rested for the day. The tribal women prepared a lavish feast, fueling them for the war soon to come.

At dawn, Xiao Feng was ready. They had no vehicles save a single plane, insufficient for all, so they set out on foot toward the Hula Grasslands, where Monda had said the battle would unfold.