Chapter 468 218: The Apes Arrive (3)

"King of Skulls, Lord of a great city, from the Black-Backed Ironback Ape lineage of the Ape Race, I, Howling Black Ridge, an Ape Warrior, pay my respects!" Without waiting for Li Ziyu to speak, the Ape Captain stepped forward, beat his chest, and boomed with immense presence.

Li Ziyu was just about to speak when Howling Black Ridge continued to shout, "King of Skulls, on behalf of the Black Ridge Tribe, I ask you: why have you suddenly appeared within our territory and seized our kinsmen? Does this mean you declare war on the Black Ridge Tribe?"

'Damn, I haven't even said a word, and you're already hitting me with such a heavy accusation?!'

'No wonder Batubohe said the Apes look honest and simple on the outside but are full of cunning on the inside. He really wasn't kidding.'

'One wrong answer, and I'd be handing him the perfect excuse to declare war. He'd get to play the victim, fighting on the side of justice, and I'd be completely in the wrong.'

Li Ziyu had originally planned to make an excuse—that he was just looking for a guide and had captured Gangben Black Ridge and the other two Apes with no malicious intent. But with Howling Black Ridge framing the question this way, he couldn't give that answer. It would completely deflate his authority.

Howling Black Ridge had already escalated this encounter into a matter between two Tribes; it was no longer a simple search for his companions. Li Ziyu, naturally, had to change his approach.

'Since you're going to play it tough, I can't just back down, right? Fine, let's see who's tougher. I'm not scared.'

In his past life, he'd been a master of online debates; arguing was second nature. Li Ziyu straightened his posture and said with great authority, "Since when is this the territory of your Black Ridge Tribe? If you claim this is your land, then call out to it. See if it answers you!"

Howling Black Ridge choked, cursing internally. 'How the hell am I supposed to do that? Just as I thought, none of these Lords are any good. Everyone says we of the Ape Race are cunning, but these Lords are just as sly, if not more so. All Humans are treacherous.'

"Master of Skulls, I didn't come here for a war of words! Release my kinsmen and leave the territory of our Black Ridge Tribe!" Howling Black Ridge retorted, showing no signs of weakness.

"Ridiculous. Since when can the Black Ridge Tribe give orders to the Undead Race?" Li Ziyu's face was grim, his voice like ice.

"Are you saying this on behalf of the Undead Race? Is this a declaration of war on the Ape Race?" Howling Black Ridge shot to his feet, pounding his chest and roaring. The dozen or so Ape Warriors behind him rose in unison, beating their chests and letting out a chorus of "ROAR! ROAR! ROAR!"

The noise grated on Li Ziyu's nerves. He rose to his full height and glared at Howling Black Ridge. "If you, on behalf of the Black Ridge Tribe, wish for war, my million-strong Undead Army is ready and waiting. You want a war? Then a war you shall have!"

The oppressive aura of an Upper-Rank being radiated from Li Ziyu. One by one, Skeleton Undead materialized. The Black Knights in the room shifted, leaning on their longswords as they fixed a menacing gaze upon the Ape Warriors.

The atmosphere grew instantly tense. The roars of the Ape Warriors died abruptly, as if their throats had been seized.

'Li Ziyu's meaning was simple. You want to escalate this to a war between Races? Not happening. You've got the whole damn Ape Race to back you up, but I don't have the Undead Race's endorsement. Besides the Undead under my command, I don't even know where any others are. But a Tribe war? I'm not afraid in the slightest. If you've got the guts, let the Black Ridge Tribe fight me. We'll see who ends up in a worse state!'

After this period of growth, Li Ziyu had finally developed the aura of an Upper-Rank being—an oppressive presence born from wielding power for a long time.

When Li Ziyu stood his ground so firmly, Howling Black Ridge actually calmed down. He understood now. The Lord before him couldn't be intimidated by mere threats. The man was genuinely bold, completely unfazed by his identity as a member of the Ape Race.

"Great Master of Skulls, I was too agitated just now. I apologize. I hope you can release my kinsmen. In this Void Land, you and I are not enemies," Howling Black Ridge said respectfully, his demeanor instantly becoming deferential.

Li Ziyu had just managed to build up his imposing aura, but Howling Black Ridge's sudden shift almost gave him whiplash.

'What kind of plot twist is this?'