Once Suo Lun had reorganized all fifty thousand Rock Thieves into a land corps, he was certain that even if faced with a hundred thousand troops, the fifty thousand Rock Thieves Corps could slaughter the enemy amidst cries and howls.
Once he had earned the complete loyalty of the entire Yan Tribe, Suo Lun would truly possess an ace corps. Unlike now, Suo Lun’s troops mostly consisted of mercenaries, who were more motivated by money than by people and lacked a sense of honor.
The Yan Tribe, however, valued honor above life itself, to the point of being obstinate.
Even facing the annihilation of their entire army, they were unwilling to flee.
A few nights ago, the Black Reef Island Master led a group to forcefully challenge Yan Mo. Originally, the dozen or so island masters together had a chance of victory, but driven by a sense of honor, these Rock Thief Island Masters insisted on battling Yan Mo one on one, ultimately getting wiped out by Yan Mo.
This was a force with fighting capability, discipline, a sense of honor, and fearlessness of death—the best army in the world.
In modern terms, this was a soulful army, the army that Suo Lun truly longed for.
"But they have five conditions," Yan Chuo’er said, "The first condition: they want to occupy an overseas island as their territory, far from the mainland and isolated from the world."
"That’s acceptable," Suo Lun said.
"The second condition, the Yan Tribe will still live by fighting and plundering and will not engage in production," said Yan Chuo’er.
"That’s acceptable," Suo Lun replied. "I had the same thought."
"The third condition, Yan women will still go ashore to select the strongest and most excellent men to father their offspring, producing the strongest descendants," Yan Chuo’er said.
Suo Lun frowned; this tradition was somewhat inhumane, but it was proposed by the Rock Thieves themselves who did not care about being cuckolded, making it hard for Suo Lun to intervene.
The Hai Family was also part of the Yan Tribe, but they had completely abandoned this tradition, thus falling behind the Yan Tribe in fighting strength.
"That’s acceptable," Suo Lun said.
"The fourth condition," said Yan Chuo’er, "after being reorganized into the Rock Thieves Corps, they want me to be the supreme commander of the Rock Thieves Corps, and all the corps’ generals must be Rock Thief Warriors."
"That’s acceptable," Suo Lun straightforwardly said.
In truth, the only ones Suo Lun could fully trust now were the Samurai of the Suo Family. The rest of the senior commanders were loyal to Suo Lun only because of his money and treatment, and their true loyalty might not match that of the Rock Thief Warriors.
"The fifth and final condition..." Yan Chuo’er suddenly seemed to find it difficult to speak.
Seeing his aunt’s expression, Suo Lun’s heart trembled. Could it be that condition?
Yan Chuo’er said, "They want you and me to marry, to produce the next generation of heirs for the Yan Tribe. Only then will they feel secure in their loyalty."
At these words, Suo Lun’s expression changed drastically.
Yan Chuo’er continued, "The Rock Thieves are a very particular tribe; they absolutely need a Yan King. Without a leader, they will lose their purpose and direction, and this Yan King must be of the Yan people. They will not pledge direct loyalty to you; they will only be loyal to the Yan King, and then have the Yan King be loyal to you."
Such indirect loyalty would better ensure the integrity and independence of the Yan Tribe.
"Aunt, it’s impossible," Suo Lun said. "Not to mention that you were my father’s lover, you also know that my mother has disappointed me. In my heart, I have come to regard you as a mother, so marrying you is impossible."
Yan Chuo’er gently said, "I understand your feelings, but I have no such reservations. You know, I have lost my memory, wiped clean of everything from the past, including your father. All my emotions were rebuilt after the amnesia. I also regard you as my own child, but if necessary to marry you and bear a descendant, I am willing."
Suo Lun firmly shook his head, "It’s not possible, I would rather forego the loyalty of the Yan Tribe than do this."
Note: The first update is here, I beg for your support, thank