"Are you the leader of the Gnoll Tribe?"
Su Xingyu studied the werewolf before him, a casual smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
"Yes, Your Hon—" Harvey paused mid-sentence, uncertain of the correct form of address.
"Just call me Chief," Su Xingyu said with a chuckle. "Well, you're no longer a chief yourself. From now on, you're a commander. Don't worry—the Jackal Tribe will remain under your leadership."
The Ye Tribe hadn't formally established a nation, so Su Xingyu's current title remained "chief." But titles mattered little to him—what truly mattered was control.
"Yes, Chief."
Though Su Xingyu spoke lightly, Harvey dared not relax his demeanor. The force led by this young man had just decimated his own tribe—utterly and without mercy.
"No need to be so tense," Su Xingyu laughed again. "You felt it earlier, didn't you? That divine presence? That was my Lord—Evernight—wielder of the power of darkness. You and your kin are destined to follow Him. Those who serve Evernight are blessed in shadow."
Harvey's eyes flickered with realization. So it was true. His earlier suspicions were confirmed.
No wonder the enemy's strength surged in darkness. No wonder they remained unhindered by the shroud of night.
"And?" Su Xingyu's voice came again, low but firm.
"It would be my honor."
Harvey dropped to one knee and bowed his head. "Glory to the eternal and supreme King of Evernight!"
Su Xingyu laughed softly.
[Hero Template]
Name: Harvey
Race: Orc
Talent: Bloodthirsty
Level: 5
Affiliation: Night Tribe
Loyalty: 70
Command: 80
Strength: ★★★★
Physical Fitness: ★★★★
Agility: ★★★★★
Spirit: ★★★
Hero Aura – Calmness: Slows the decline of troop morale
"Interesting…"
Su Xingyu examined the attributes displayed before him. He had anticipated as much during battle, but seeing Harvey's command value—an impressive 80—still surprised him.
"How long were you the patriarch of your tribe?" Su Xingyu asked, genuinely curious.
Harvey hesitated before replying, "Forgive me, Chief, it's been so long that I've lost count."
After a pause, he added, "From what I can tell, it has been seventeen winters since I first took leadership."
The gnolls had no formal system of tracking time, so Harvey's estimate relied on seasonal memory.
"Seventeen years… That explains a lot."
Given the aggressive and warlike nature of the gnolls, seventeen years of leadership likely meant Harvey had commanded in hundreds of battles. It wasn't surprising his command skill had reached such heights.
Su Xingyu then turned his gaze toward Ye Zhan, who was grinning and boasting with his men nearby. A flicker of disappointment crossed his face.
"Chief? Something wrong?" Ye Zhan noticed his gaze and looked over.
"It's nothing."
Su Xingyu shook his head, the hint of a smirk returning. "Come on. Tell me about this valley and your tribe."
Now that the army had regrouped, Su Xingyu, flanked by Harvey and Ye Zhan's elite guard, made his way toward the Dark Valley. The moment they approached, he felt it—a dense, oppressive energy thick in the air. Dark elements surged and coiled like mist, more concentrated than anywhere else he had been.
No wonder this place was named the Dark Valley.
"What's going on with the dark elements here?" Su Xingyu asked, eyes narrowed. "They're almost three times denser than what we find outside."
The Jackals had long controlled this region and barred outsiders, so Su Xingyu hadn't known the valley's true condition.
"Please follow me."
Harvey beckoned him forward, leading the group toward a hidden cave deep within the valley.
The moment they entered, the atmosphere changed again. The darkness here was suffocating, its elemental energy easily five times stronger than outside. Su Xingyu's eyes widened.
"Keep following the cave's path. At the end, you'll find the Dark Cave. Inside, the concentration of dark elements exceeds tenfold. There are powerful creatures and ancient tribes dwelling there. The gnolls once lived in the cave ourselves, but we were driven out by stronger factions and forced to settle on the surface."
Harvey paused before continuing.
"The cave's energy seeps out through this tunnel. Over time, it spread and thickened the darkness around the valley."
Ten times the elemental density? Su Xingyu's heart skipped a beat. This place wasn't just valuable—it was sacred ground for the Night Tribe.
He briefly considered relocating the entire tribe here.
Just kidding. Maybe.
While the Dark Valley's rich darkness suited his people well, its harsh environment and lack of amenities made it unsuitable for long-term habitation.
Instead, they would build a stronghold here—turn it into a training base for the elite.
Harvey seemed to anticipate his thoughts. "Chief, the Dark Cave isn't easily conquered. Its terrain is treacherous, and monsters there are formidable. A full-scale attack would be costly."
"Don't worry. I won't move until I'm certain of victory."
Su Xingyu wasn't naive. If the gnolls were driven out despite their strength, it meant true monsters lurked below. He wouldn't risk his army blindly. Intelligence came first.
"Harvey."
"I'm here."
"I was originally planning to bring you back to Red River," Su Xingyu said. "But given this new information, I need you to stay."
He had intended to keep Harvey nearby to monitor his loyalty. Now, that plan had changed.
"You'll remain here in charge of the Jackal Tribe. I'll send troops and relocate some clanspeople to help manage the area."
Harvey looked startled at first, but quickly bowed his head.
"Thank you for your trust, Chief. I, Harvey, swear eternal loyalty to the Night Tribe."
As he spoke, Su Xingyu saw Harvey's loyalty value tick upward by five points—now matching the level of his own people.
"Your mission is twofold: expand the tribe, and gather intelligence on the Dark Cave. I'll send supplies and food, so don't worry about that. Focus on growing the population and learning about the cave's inhabitants. Take your time—we're in no rush."
"Understood."
The tasks were simple enough for Harvey. Truthfully, even without orders, the Jackals had never stopped exploring the Dark Cave. They yearned to reclaim their birthplace.
As for growing the population—well, with food and resources no longer a concern, it wouldn't be difficult. Reproduction was a natural instinct, and with the tribe no longer starving, their numbers would flourish quickly.