"Great Chief, I acknowledge my crime! ... The Red Monkey Tribe first ambushed in the forest and then fought a deadly battle at the camp, killing over a thousand enemies, suffering heavy casualties ourselves. Please, in consideration of the warriors’ achievements, forgive my mistake!"
Seeing the kneeling Ozoma, Chichika’s expression eased slightly. He suppressed the murderous intent in his heart and bellowed.
"Ozoma, you have made a grave mistake, causing the Alliance to lose three camps! As the Chieftain, considering your achievements in battle, I will spare your life! Now, remove your Wolf Robe, turn around, and receive fifty lashes!"
"Ah? Fifty lashes..."
Upon hearing this, Ozoma kneeled on the ground, his face pale. He looked pleadingly at the Red Deer Chieftain opposite him.
Masate’s eyebrows twitched. If fifty lashes really came down, Ozoma might very well be whipped to death! Chieftain Chichika was exploiting the situation to make a point and show his power by killing the monkey to establish his authority. After hesitating for a moment, sighing in his heart, he stood up nevertheless.
"Respectful Chichika Great Chief! The Southern Allied Forces are fierce in their attack, yet the Red Monkey Chieftain resolutely resisted. He set ambushes in the forest, provided support to me, and made contributions to the alliance! The act of setting the fire was due to the Southern Allied Forces pressing too hard, leaving no choice but to use the flames to block the enemy... I implore the Great Chief for understanding!"
"During the ambush earlier, the Red Deer Tribe surrounded and killed the enemy general, capturing a set of precious Thick Leather Armor! It is impervious to arrows and spears, exceptionally sturdy, and only a true warrior can wear it. Great Chief, I am willing to offer this Thick Leather Armor to you, please forgive Ozoma for his transgressions!"
Upon saying this, the Red Deer Chieftain knelt on one knee and bowed his head respectfully.
"Hmm? The Cactus Samurai’s Thick Leather?"
Chichika was a bit surprised. He eyed the submissive Red Deer Chieftain and fell silent in deep thought.
Among the various tribes of the Valley, the Red Salamander and Red Crane Tribes were the most submissive, followed by the Red Deer Tribe. The Red Monkey Tribe was the strongest and always the most defiant. Therefore, in this campaign, he had placed the Red Deer and Red Monkey Tribes at the very front, to confront the enemy first in battle.
The wildfire was sudden, but the outcome was not unexpected. The Red Monkey Tribe lost eight hundred warriors, becoming the weakest of the five tribes, while the Red Deer Tribe lost six hundred, only slightly better than the Red Monkeys. Both suffered heavy losses, and their Chieftains became more submissive. If they could be subdued and harnessed, there was no need to kill Ozoma outright.
Thinking this, Chichika’s expression softened.
"Masate, present the Thick Leather Armor!"
The Red Deer Chieftain nodded and had his trusted aide present the Treasured Armor. Chichika felt it with his hand, delighting in his heart. He grinned and nodded slowly.
"Killing the enemy leader and capturing the Thick Leather Armor can indeed compensate for some of your faults! Ozoma, since it’s your first offense, you will be punished with twenty lashes! Are you satisfied?"
Ozoma bit his lip, lowering his head to hide the resentment in his eyes. He replied in a low voice.
"Respectful Great Chief, your judgment is just, I am convinced!"
"Good, turn around."
Chichika gave a cruel smile, raised the leather whip in his hand, and lashed down mercilessly!
"Snap! Snap! Snap!..."
"Ahhh! Ahhh!"
This 𝓬ontent is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.
Ozoma kneeled on the ground. At first, he gritted his teeth and endured the punishment, but eventually, he couldn’t resist screaming out in agony. Hearing the screams, many Chieftains felt a shiver inside at first, then showed mocking smiles and ridiculed in low voices.
"Ozoma cries out like a monkey, truly disgracing the warriors of the Wilderness..."
"With such a weak Chief, it’s no wonder they couldn’t withstand the Otomi’s dog assaults..."
After the twenty lashes, Ozoma could no longer hold himself up. Covered in blood, he collapsed to the ground like a dead monkey, losing all his face.
Chichika put down the blood-stained whip. He squatted down slowly, grabbed Ozoma’s hair, stared into the eyes of the Red Monkey Chieftain, and said coldly.
"In the tradition of the Southern Tribes, there will be one Great Chief, ruling over all the tribes. He is supreme, receives the submission of all common Chiefs. The ceremony of submission is to grab the other’s hair... Now, Ozoma, submit to me!"
"Great Chief, I... I... I submit to you..."
Ozoma’s voice was hoarse. He opened his mouth, responding with difficulty, not daring to show any discontent.
"Good! The Great Chief is dignified, as well as just. He punishes the erring Chieftains and rewards the warriors for their merit. Ozoma, I have personally punished you for your mistakes. Now, it’s time to reward your warrior’s achievements!"
Seeing Ozoma’s reverent expression, Chichika nodded with satisfaction. He stood up, paused, his face showing a hint of reluctance, then switched to a majestic demeanor. Then, the Red Dog Chieftain took the heavy Bronze Cloth Armor in one hand and placed it next to Ozoma.
"Ozoma, this set of Thick Leather Armor captured by the Red Deer Chieftain, I bestow upon you!"
"Ah! The Thick Armor?"
Masate gasped in surprise. He looked at Ozoma on the ground, who was touching the Armor, his face full of disbelief.
"This... this... Thank you, Great Chief!"
Ozoma felt somewhat dazed. He bit his teeth and got up from the ground, bowing to Chieftain Chichika with a newfound sense of awe.
"Not bad! Ozoma, you withstood my twenty lashes and still got up, you are a tough warrior!"
Chichika grinned again. He waved his hand, and his trusted aide brought over a clay jar. Then, the Red Dog Chieftain helped Ozoma up and handed him the jar.
"This is a precious Herbs potion prepared by the tribe’s Witch Doctor! It can heal wounds and is not susceptible to the God of Death’s Mana. This jar, I give it all to you! Ozoma, rest in the rear camp for a few days. The Red Monkey warriors have lost many, fled to here in disarray, and their morale is quite low, they also need to regroup!"
"Thank... Great Chief..."
Ozoma took the clay jar filled with Herbs, listening to Chichika’s comforting words, responding in a low voice. At that moment, a sense of gratitude absurdly rose in his heart. Then, the Red Monkey Chieftain silently clenched his teeth, shivered, and began to indulge in wild thoughts.