The guard remained silent and just stood there, his claws shining.
Gu Mengmeng raised one brow with a smile. “Do you think… you guys can stop me?”
The guard shook his head in all honesty. “We are unable to stop any one of your group.”
“Since you know you can’t stop us, why flash your claws in front me?” Gu Mengmeng asked.
The guard gave a nod. “It is our duty to guard this place. Unless we die, we cannot allow any outsiders to put a single foot inside our territory.”
Gu Mengmeng laughed gaily. She pointed at her own nose. “But I am also an outsider. Why is it that I can enter?”
The guard stood erect like a soldier as he met Gu Mengmeng’s eyes. “The Great Messenger represents the Beast Deity. All the tribes in the entire Beast World belong to you. All the beasts are your men. So you can go wherever you want, and are not considered an outsider.”
Gu Mengmeng nodded. “Oh, so I belong to the privileged classes.”
The guard didn’t know what a privilege class was and so didn’t answer her. He just continued standing there.
Gu Mengmeng waved. “I don’t wish to make things difficult for you. The person who went to deliver the news should be back soon? We will talk about this when Leonard comes.”
Every tribe had their own laws. Although no one could stop her if she wished to enter by force, Gu Mengmeng didn’t feel the need for such bullying tactics. Moreover, her company of gentlemen, apart from Peter, would never let her suffer in the slightest bit. This rebuff at the entrance of Zacharias—she just needed to say the word and those guards would be torn to scraps.
The guards were just doing their job, so it was completely unnecessary to annihilate them all.
Thankfully, Leonard and Nick quickly arrived. They bowed and apologized the moment they spotted Gu Mengmeng. “Great Messenger, please forgive us. It was my fault for not making the proper arrangements which resulted in this delay.”
Gu Mengmeng chuckled. “No worries. So… we can now enter?”
Leonard looked up at Gu Mengmeng. “The Great Messenger and her partners can enter Zacharias, but stray beasts are not allowed. As long as one of us is still living and breathing in Zacharias, we will never let a stray beast step into our territory.”
Gu Mengmeng raised one brow and smirked. “Do you mean that if we want everyone in our company to enter, we must first destroy your entire tribe?”
“Yes.” Leonard answered as a matter-of-fact.
Gu Mengmeng continued smiling as she surveyed the men on her side. She then looked at Leonard again. “Then how long do you think we will need to destroy your entire tribe?”
Leonard was well aware of the combat prowess of his own tribe. But he also knew just how powerful his opponents were.
After a moment of assessment, Leonard replied, “Half a day.”
Gu Mengmeng asked, “Weigh your principles against a half-day lifespan of Zacharias—which one is more important?”
Leonard was taken aback. He then lifted his head again with renewed resolution. “Principles are principles. Nothing will be accomplished if we don’t adhere to any laws. We will rather die in battle, then allow any stray beast to taint our tribe.”
Wabei shifted forward and stood beside Gu Mengmeng. He glanced askance at her. “He’s probably a fool? Actually talking about laws and principles with a stray beast? Gu Mengmeng, let me tell you, I have been cooped up for an entire winter season. If you dare leave me behind and make me wait here, I will immediately charge in and destroy this lousy tribe.”