The hand was as big as the little boy's head, and it was still stained with blood. Ge Pang Xiao instinctively jerked his neck back, but the iron hand only gently patted the back of his head: this touch was even softer than a feather falling onto one's head, not a single hair was damaged.

Shen Yi guarded the two children behind him, standing firm and turning towards the man at the end of the path: "I heard that the 'head wolf' of the Heavenly Wolf's Eighteen Tribes, King Ge Tu, has a talented son named-"

The man coldly continued: "Jia Lai — in the language of you Central Plains people, meaning 'entranced.'*"

"Greetings to you, Prince Yinghuo*." Teacher Shen supported himself with the Wind Slasher, slowly raising his fist to the front of his chest, using the greeting etiquette of the Man tribes.

*The word used here was yíng huò [荧惑] which was also the Barbarian Prince's name. Traditional Chinese astrology also calls the planet Mars as Yíng huò .

The barbarian prince asked: "Demon Crow, state your name."

"Just a lowly nameless pawn, not worthy of the ears of royalty." Shen Yi smiled, then asked using his gentle scholarly tone of voice, sounding immensely sensible:

"The Eighteen Man Tribes have been in acquaintance with our imperial court for more than ten years. In the past few years, the friendship between the two countries has been good. The tributes have been adequate, and business is in good development. The two countries have been at peace, and Great Liang has never mistreated you. Yet now you have come without invitation involving defenseless and unarmed civilians in this skirmish. What is your reason for this?"

Ge Pang Xiao was stunned — Teacher Shen this morning still had on a funny apron, scolding as he strolled around the kitchen. Right now, as he stood among rows of barbarian men, donned in dark armor, he gave off an aura of 'I will advance even in the face of thousands and millions'. Completely unshakable.

The barbarian prince looked at Shen Yi for a brief second, then let out an unamused snort.

Then, his gaze fell on Chang Geng again, and he proceeded to speak fluently in Great Liang's Mandarin: "I had just heard my brothers report that apparently, there was someone from the Black Iron Camp here in this town. I assumed they were only exaggerating. But it really seems to be true, so does that mean the other rumor is also true? The son that the Goddess* who was robbed from us by your Central Plains Emperor gave birth to, was he really hidden away here?"

*'Goddess' here is just a religious belief of the barbaric tribes, there are no magical or supernatural elements

Chang Geng's heart jumped.

The barbarian prince looked at Chang Geng only for a moment; it almost seemed like he could not bear to look at him any longer.