"My lord!" The dwarf elder lying on the bed sat up in surprise and confusion upon seeing Bai Ye and Qiqi Ke return so quickly.
"Just sit," Bai Ye stopped his attempt at worship once more.
"My lord, was everything smooth?" Zite asked, his face filled with tension and anticipation. At his age, many desires from his youth had faded. To see his race escape the humiliation of slavery and regain freedom was something he had never even dared to dream of.
Qiqi Ke excitedly replied first, "Yes, it went relatively smoothly, Uncle Zite. The chieftain said he just needs another two days to prepare before he can lead everyone to escape from here."
"Two days?" Zite's brow furrowed immediately, his earlier joy replaced by worry. With the demon army imposing strict curfews throughout the Ilis Giant City, and everyone living in fear, two days was enough time for countless accidents to occur!
Zite slowly looked towards Bai Ye, his voice laced with concern, "My lord, is it truly alright?"
Bai Ye said, "Centuries of enslavement have ingrained servitude into the very bones of many of your kin. Among the high-ranking members of your tribe, the elders, there are likely many spineless individuals."
Zite and Qiqi Ke's expressions changed in unison.
Qiqi Ke exclaimed with disbelief, "M-my lord, surely not? Although..." Qiqi Ke glanced at Zite, then added, "Although the chieftain has had his issues with his personal conduct, in the face of the great cause of our race, he wouldn't be so foolish!"
"Conduct?" Zite immediately inquired, his face etched with concern. Qiqi Ke truthfully recounted the events of Bai Ye's sudden intrusion. A flicker of sadness crossed the old man's eyes.
"He—he has truly become this way," Zite sighed deeply.
He too had once been an elder in the dwarf tribe, but because he cared too much for his kin, the demons had forcibly intervened and removed him from his position. He was also an SS-class demon artifact blacksmith, but his elderly and frail body could no longer forge alone!
The current chieftain was someone he had previously gone to great lengths to protect and save.
Therefore, even though he had disguised himself as an ordinary dwarf, many in the tribe still supported and respected him.
Zite looked at Bai Ye. Bai Ye remained impassive, his thoughts unreadable to outsiders.
"My lord, do you have any other plans? Regardless of the plan, as long as you are willing to save the dwarf tribe, we will support you wholeheartedly!"
A cold smile touched Bai Ye's lips, and he said, "Replace the chieftain."
"You, be the one!"
"Ah?"
Seeing Bai Ye's gaze fixed upon him, Zite, despite his age, was startled.
Qiqi Ke beside him was also taken aback. As expected, the thoughts of important figures were truly unfathomable!
"Is... is this alright?" Qiqi Ke's question hung in the air, and the room fell silent.
The elder Zite's throat moved, but he dared not speak carelessly. Such powerful beings, were their suggestions merely suggestions? Having weathered many storms and lived a life full of vicissitudes, Zite did not think so simply.
After a while, Elder Zite made up his mind and spoke, "The election of a chieftain requires the consensus of the vast majority of elders and must occur during a specific period. Most importantly, their authority is only recognized with the approval of the Demon Saint Kings!"
"Two days is hardly enough time to complete so many procedures..."
"Procedures? They are not needed where I am concerned." Bai Ye flashed to Zite's side and spoke a few quiet words. An invisible killing intent naturally emanated from his deep, dark eyes.
This mere hint of killing intent made Qiqi Ke tremble. Although he couldn't hear the content, it was undoubtedly filled with great terror!
"This..." Zite, even more directly, slumped back onto the bed, his expression one of profound shock. The respect he felt for Bai Ye was now tinged with fear.
"B-but they are the elites of our tribe! They should also be very useful to you, my lord..." Zite seemed to be desperately trying to salvage something, but Bai Ye's indifferent demeanor plunged him back into silence.
A deathly quiet filled the room. The sound of the wind outside and the shouts of the demons could be heard clearly.
One minute, two minutes... After a long while, faintly, the oppressive aura emanating from Bai Ye grew stronger.
Not to mention Zite, Qiqi Ke also felt immense pressure, his worn clothes soaked with sweat.
"Alright, alright! My lord, I will do as you wish..." Zite made his decision once more.
What decision was it? Qiqi Ke was consumed by curiosity, wanting to ask but fearing to do so!
In the next moment, Bai Ye waved his hand, and Zite was moved from the bed to a chair. As he sat firmly, Bai Ye's figure vanished from the small room.
On the outskirts of the slum district, in a decent house, a well-dressed young dwarf wearing a monocle was engrossed in designing demon artifact blueprints with a pen.
Suddenly, two figures appeared in the room, and he hadn't even noticed them.
"Elder Ruijie~" Zite called out gently. The man jumped, dropping his pen to the floor.
He looked up abruptly and saw Zite sitting on the chair and the mysterious man before him, his face bewildered.
"Uncle Zite, when did you get here? And who is this?"
Zite smiled and said, "Just arrived. This, this... is the savior of our dwarf tribe! The protector of that plan!"
Elder Ruijie instantly understood and knelt down excitedly. "Greetings, my lord. Thank you for giving our dwarf tribe this opportunity!"
Bai Ye nodded slightly and raised his hand, using his magic to help him stand.
"I don't know why you've come so suddenly, my lord. What is the matter?" Elder Ruijie inquired curiously.
Zite said, "This plan involves the fate of the entire race. But we have received intelligence that there are infiltrators within our council of elders!"
"Who?" Elder Ruijie was startled.
Zite glanced at Bai Ye with a hint of bitterness and said, "The chieftain, Slove!"
"This, how is this possible? The chieftain is so diligent and cares for his people, how could he..." Elder Ruijie was even more astonished, looking at the two silent figures and continuing to explain.
Zite wanted to persuade further, but Bai Ye spoke, "If you truly wish for this plan to succeed, then you must replace the chieftain."
"Replace the chieftain?" Elder Ruijie exclaimed. "Replace him with whom?"
Bai Ye looked down at Zite, his meaning clear. Zite smiled bitterly.
"Do you support it?" Bai Ye's cold voice made Elder Ruijie sense a hint of danger.
He dared not refuse outright, nor could he make a decision rashly. "I, I... I need to ask the Grand Elder's opinion..."
"The Grand Elder?" Bai Ye looked at Zite, who explained, "The Grand Elder is the highest-ranking elder in the council, named Jampes Vis. He is the second most important figure in our dwarf tribe."
Bai Ye nodded. By now, he had a vague idea of what was happening.
"So, you do not support it?"
Zite's expression changed, and he became somewhat anxious. "Elder Ruijie!!!"
Sensing the killing intent, Elder Ruijie's breathing quickened, but he still shook his head. He couldn't possibly kill me, could he? I have such exquisite...
However, before he could even voice his refusal, a spatial blade directly severed his neck, and his head fell to the ground with a thud.
"My lord~ Elder Ruijie!!!" Zite cried out in pain.
Bai Ye said indifferently, "A few unreliable elders and millions of our kin. Zite, do you truly not understand how to choose?"
Zite took a deep breath, calming himself before replying, "Yes, my lord, I will listen to you..."
Bai Ye nodded slightly and, with a wave of his hand, sped towards another elder's home. In the Ilis Giant City, Adolff and Ofstyn felt waves of spatial power fluctuations but dared not act rashly.
What were these guys up to again?