Chapter Twenty-Eight: Persuasion

“I didn’t expect those damned orcs to arrive so quickly. Looks like there’s no escaping this time.” After biting off all the arrows lodged in his body, Zhou Tian cast a resentful glance toward the edge of the forest, then crawled in the direction of the elves.

Previously, Zhou Tian had no desire to get involved with the elves, choosing to flee upon hearing news of them so as to avoid being drawn into trouble. But now, the situation was entirely different. The orc army had already encircled the forest, making even escape impossible. Trying to run was now pointless. Though he didn’t wish to mingle with the elves, faced with the threat of the orc army, Zhou Tian stood no chance alone. Unwilling as he was, he had no choice but to seek out the elves and join forces.

“Who’s there?” The forest was the elves’ domain; in these woods, only elves ambushed others. There had never been a tale of any race outwitting the elves here. Every plant in the forest served as the elves’ eyes and ears. Zhou Tian had barely approached when he was immediately discovered.

“Don’t attack! It’s me!”

Rustling through the undergrowth, Zhou Tian emerged from the grass. Only then did the elves lower their weapons.

Though their time together had been brief, the elves remembered Zhou Tian, the high-intelligence serpent. Since he was an ally, not an enemy, they no longer aimed their weapons at him.

“The orc army has surrounded this forest.” Without preamble, Zhou Tian relayed what he knew.

The elves showed no surprise at his information, exchanging understanding glances. One elf stepped closer, her expression stern as she reprimanded him, “How do you know the orcs have encircled the forest? You tried to run. Do you know the penalty for desertion under military law?”

Lines of frustration crept across Zhou Tian’s mind as he looked at the elf, so serious as if she truly intended to punish him. Only then did he recall that she was the guard always beside Bella, the wife of the White Tiger King. Remembering her previous temperament and considering his current predicament, Zhou Tian regretted having spoken so freely.

“Elves! Seize this—”

“Enough! You’re so annoying!” Zhou Tian snapped, “I’m not one of your elven empire. The reason I’m with you is that I was forced. Do you think I wanted to be here? If the orcs hadn’t surrounded the forest, I’d have left ages ago—why would I care if you live or die? Listen, your military laws are your concern; I’m not under your command. Your rules don’t apply to me.”

Seeing the elf stubbornly clinging to her military codes in a moment of crisis, Zhou Tian, already irritated, lost his temper and cursed at her outright.

Perhaps it was the first time she’d encountered someone like Zhou Tian. His rebuke left her face flushed with fury. She drew an arrow, nocking it to her bow, and would have attacked if another elf hadn’t quickly intervened.

Having vented, Zhou Tian’s anger subsided. Despite his annoyance with her, he knew that now was not the time for internal strife, not with the enemy at hand. Seeing that the elf had been restrained and hadn’t succeeded in attacking him, Zhou Tian withdrew the swarm of snakes he’d nearly unleashed.

“We don’t have to agree; we can part ways later. But for now, if we don’t want to die, it’s better to cooperate. There are plenty of orcs outside. Whether it’s you or me, alone, there’s little hope of breaking through their encirclement.”

“We don’t need your false concern. We elves are the children of the Goddess of Nature. In the forest, no race is our match. If the orcs dare enter, they’ll pay for it. As for breaking out, do as you please—we won’t leave the forest.” Still dissatisfied, the elf refused Zhou Tian’s plan without hesitation.

“Idiots!”

“Scoundrel! Who are you calling an idiot?”

“Who’s asking?”

“You—!”

When it came to insults, the elf was no match for Zhou Tian. In just a few exchanges, she was beside herself with rage.

Though he disliked her temperament, Zhou Tian had no choice but to rely on the elves. After venting, he explained further to try to change their minds.

“I don’t know how someone as foolish as you became their leader, but if you plan to stand your ground here, be prepared for total annihilation.”

“Hmph, scaremongering!”

Ignoring her protest, Zhou Tian continued, “You’re right—elves are powerful in the forest. With equal numbers, the orcs would never stand a chance. But don’t forget: you only win when numbers are equal. Do you know how many orcs are outside? No matter how strong you are, you can’t fight hundreds, let alone thousands. And if I were the orc leader, I wouldn’t even need to waste lives to destroy you.”

“Arrogant! Who do you think you are?” Though Zhou Tian’s words had made the other elves serious, this elf, still hostile, couldn’t resist mocking him.

“This isn’t the Monster Forest or the Elven Forest. Imagine if the orcs just set the woods outside on fire—what do you think would happen?”

Though Zhou Tian spoke with a smile, his words sent a chill through the elves, one by one.