“Maybe we should go back into the forest,” Gaien said after hesitating for a moment.
Vigo shook his head. “There is nothing left in the forest. We need to find another place to settle down.”
“But that is the Mata Kingdom’s city wall,” Aimo said anxiously. “What if Luo Luo gets recognized?”
Black Wolf said, “Let us check other places first. Not everywhere can be Mata Kingdom territory, right? If we go back into the forest, there is no food or water. We will starve to death. We also can no longer handle the yearly beast tides. So many years have passed. The Mata Kingdom’s king has probably forgotten what happened back then.”
“I think this wall is unusual,” Ming Jiu said. “The gates are even open. Why do we not try going over to take a look? I have never seen buildings this tall, this solid, and this refined. I am really curious what has happened outside all these years.”
“Ming Jiu, you go take a look first. We will search for other routes. We will meet back here later.”
With the system’s help, Tang Guo listened in on their conversation and smiled softly. Black Wolf was actually right about one thing. Once they left this forest, everywhere was Mata Kingdom territory. She wondered whether he would be pleasantly surprised once he realized that.
A flash of inspiration crossed her mind, and she came up with a particularly interesting idea. She summoned a warrior and said, “When they come together later, see that woman? Tell those five men that if they want to enter, they are not allowed to bring that woman with them. Then tell the woman that if she wants to enter, she must abandon her five mates and her children. As for the children, tell each of them that if they want to enter, they must abandon all their siblings and their parents. In short, tell every single person that they can only enter alone, and only if they abandon their family.”
“Does that mean that if they are willing to abandon them, we let them enter?” the warrior asked.
“Yes,” Tang Guo said with a smile. “If they all answer that they are unwilling, then leave them outside. Also tell them that they only have two chances to give their answer, and they must say it out loud.”
“Understood, Lady Ah Guoguo.”
Yin Yao glanced at Tang Guo. Tang Guo simply smiled and said, “Yes, this is revenge.”
Yin Yao reached out and touched her forehead, letting out a soft laugh. “I understand. This is your revenge.”
“Ah Yao, do you believe me when I say they will all go in eventually?”
Yin Yao was not completely sure, but Aoli said firmly, “They will not waste their second chance. Ah Guoguo, you are really something. This revenge is perfect.”
Mike and Mier had already noticed that Aoli had been a little off lately. Her hatred toward the Lado tribe seemed deeper than before.
When Ming Jiu reached the city gate and stated that he wanted to enter, the guard followed Tang Guo’s instructions and asked, “What are those people behind you to you?”
“They are my family.”
“In that case, there is a rule for entering the Mata Kingdom,” the guard said. “If you want to enter, you must abandon the people behind you. Only then can you go in. You have two chances to choose. This is your first.”
Ming Jiu immediately turned around and left, relaying what he had learned to the others. The rest of them also went to look around and soon realized that the surrounding area was entirely enclosed by towering city walls, all belonging to the Mata Kingdom. A bad feeling settled in their hearts.
“I will not abandon Luo Luo and my children.”
“Neither will I.”
Several of them stated their positions one after another. However, among the other members of the Lado tribe, some had already begun to waver.
The first person to waver did so that very day. He declared that he was willing to cut ties with the group behind him and asked to be let into the city. He had truly had enough of life in the deep forest, enough of being oppressed by Ning Luo’s five mates, and even more so of Ning Luo’s unruly children, who were unbearably annoying.
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