Beast Taming Star Journey

Chapter 351 Refusal to Recruit Strengthens An Xin's Resolve

I took a deep breath, suppressing the surging emotions in my chest. "I refuse to be offered amnesty!" The four words, spoken with resounding force, echoed throughout the hall, lingering for a long time.

The strategist's smile froze. He narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing me as if trying to see right through me. "Nong Yu, are you sure you want to refuse the Dark Lord's 'goodwill'?" He emphasized the word "goodwill," his tone carrying a hint of threat.

“I’ll say it again,” I stepped forward, my imposing aura causing Jinbo strategist to involuntarily take a half-step back, “I, Nong Yu, refuse to be offered amnesty! I would rather die standing than live on my knees!”

Su Yao stood beside me and took my hand. Her hand was warm and strong, giving me tremendous support. She looked at me with eyes full of pride and determination.

The hall was completely silent; you could hear a pin drop. All eyes were on me, some with admiration, some with doubt, and some with fear.

Elder Jinhei's expression was uncertain. He looked at me, then at Strategist Jinbo, as if weighing the pros and cons.

At this moment, a short beast tamer stepped forward; it was none other than Jinxi, the beast tamer who had been lured by the terms of amnesty. "Nong Yu, you're too impulsive!" he shouted. "The Dark Lord is powerful; we are no match for him! You're playing with all our lives!"

I gave him a cold look. "Xi, are you scared? Have you forgotten our vow? We will protect our homeland and our loved ones, even if it costs us our lives!"

"A vow? What's it worth?" Jinxi curled his lip in disdain. "Survival is the most important thing right now! As long as we can survive, nothing else matters!"

A young voice rang out from the crowd: "No! What matters is not surviving, but dignity! The dignity of us beast tamers cannot be trampled on!" The speaker was a boy named Jinmai. Although he did not have the ability to tame beasts, the flame burning in his eyes was brighter than anyone else's.

Jinmai's words were like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples. Some of the previously hesitant beast tamers gradually hardened their resolve.

Jinbo's expression grew increasingly grim. He hadn't expected me to so resolutely refuse the offer of amnesty, nor had he anticipated that a mere youth's words would have such a profound impact.

He took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and said, "Nong Yu, since you're so ungrateful, don't blame us for being impolite!" As he spoke, a black token appeared in his hand.

I sneered, and a longsword appeared in my hand. Su Yao also drew her sword and stood beside me, ready for battle.

The air was filled with tension and a war was about to break out.

Just then, a figure rushed into the hall. It was the Jinda envoy, responsible for conveying the various parties' attitudes towards the amnesty offer. "Wait!" he said breathlessly, "There's new news!" His face was pale, as if he had brought some terrible news, and his gaze fell on me...

The envoy from Jinda was panting heavily, his face as pale as paper, and he said intermittently, "The neighboring country... has sent troops... to support us... in resisting the Dark Lord..." His words were like a bomb, instantly detonating the entire hall.

"What?!" Elder Jinhei stood up abruptly, asking incredulously, "A neighboring country... would actually send troops to help us?"

The Jinda envoy nodded, his hands trembling as he pulled a letter from his robes and handed it to the elder. Elder Jinhei read the letter, his expression shifting from shock to ecstasy, then back to solemnity. He surveyed the crowd and proclaimed loudly, "Our neighboring country has promised to send troops to support us in our fight against the Dark Lord! We are no longer fighting alone!"

A deafening cheer erupted in the hall. Hope was rekindled in that moment. However, Jinxi looked disdainful and said sarcastically, "Hmph, that sounds nice, but who knows if it's true? What if it's just a delaying tactic? Wouldn't we be in even worse shape then?"

His words were like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing everyone's enthusiasm. I turned sharply, glaring at him: "Jinxi! What are you thinking?! Do you really prefer to believe the Dark Lord rather than our allies?!"

"Allies? Who knows what they're up to!" Jinxi retorted, standing his ground against me. "At least the Dark Lord offered terms. What did they give us? Just empty promises?"

I could no longer contain my anger, and I slammed my fist on the table with a loud thud. "Xi! You're utterly unreasonable! Have you forgotten the dignity of us Beast Tamers? We'd rather die standing than live on our knees!"

Just then, Su Yao walked to my side and gently took my hand. Her body pressed close to mine, and I could feel the warmth and strength emanating from her. She whispered in my ear, "Nong Yu, I believe in you. I've always supported you." Her voice was gentle yet firm, like a clear spring, soothing the anger in my heart. I turned to look at her, and the love and admiration in her eyes filled me with emotion and strength.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. I couldn't let anger cloud my judgment; I had to find a way to convince Jinxi that surrendering to the Dark Lord wasn't the only way out.

I looked at Jinxi and slowly said, "Jinxi, I know you're afraid, but have you thought about what fate awaits our families, our friends, and our homes if we really surrender? Will the Dark Lord spare us? Will he spare our loved ones?"

Jin Xi's expression changed; he seemed to have thought of this as well, but he still stubbornly insisted, "Then... what can we do? We are no match for the Dark Lord!"

I sneered, "Who says we're no match? Now that we have the support of our neighboring country, our chances of winning are even greater! As long as we unite as one, we will definitely be able to defeat the Dark Lord!"

"Hmph, easy for you to say!" Jinxi still didn't believe it. "How do you know the neighboring country is really here to help us? Maybe they have other schemes!"

Su Yao suddenly spoke, her voice clear and firm: "I know their conspiracy." Her gaze swept over the crowd, her tone tinged with mystery, "They want to... control our Beast Taming Clan..."

I turned to look at Su Yao, my mind filled with doubt. Jin Xi scoffed, "You know? How do you know? What proof do you have?"

Su Yao smiled slightly, a glint of shrewdness flashing in her eyes, "The evidence... will be available soon..." Before she could finish speaking, a commotion suddenly arose outside the hall...