Translator: CinderTL
Instantly, all eyes turned toward Xun Shitou, who met their gazes with calm composure.
Everyone had forgotten about him, assuming he had cast his vote for himself. But Xun Shitou seemed to have no intention of voting for himself.
Instead, he was about to bring this election to a close. His decision would likely shape the future of the Dog Clan.
Xun Shitou strode past the crowd and stopped before Xun Ancai and Xun Hua. After a moment of silence, he spoke slowly, "The position of clan chief is no child's play. The burden of this role is immense. I want to know, if either of you were to become clan chief, what would you do?"
Both women lowered their heads in thought, and the air seemed to grow still.
Xu Sanyan considered speaking, but refrained. As an outsider, he knew it was inappropriate to intervene at this moment.
The crowd waited quietly, equally curious about the candidates' decisions.
After a long pause, Xun Hua raised her head first. "If I become clan chief, I will use the Earth Vein Stones and essence blood from the Bear and Snake Clans to rapidly strengthen our tribe. I will elevate the Dog Clan to new heights of power."
"Once our clan grows strong, I will lead them to conquer the Eagle Clan, annihilate the Stone Clan, cross Yue Nan Mountain, and venture to even more distant lands!"
Xun Hua's voice grew more confident with each word, as if she were already envisioning that glorious future. "I will make the Dog Clan the strongest, forcing all other tribes to kneel before the Dog God and reclaiming our clan's lost glory!"
"Good!"
Xun Hua's supporters, fired up by her speech, burned with the desire to immediately march on the Eagle Clan and trample the Eagle God's statue underfoot.
Xu Sanyan, observing the frenzied scene, felt like he had stumbled into a pyramid scheme rally.
Xun Ancai, looking embarrassed, instinctively buried her head deeper.
She hadn't prepared a speech and had no idea what she would do if she became clan chief.
She had never even considered becoming clan chief; she only entered the competition because Xu Sanyan had pressured her.
But now that she was here, Xun Ancai knew she had to say something. Summoning her courage, she stammered, "I... if I become clan chief, I want to have more children and live a peaceful life..."
This was the truth in her heart. She disliked invasion and slaughter, yearning only for a peaceful life.
She envisioned herself hunting while Xu Sanyan managed the household and raised their children—this was her deepest desire.
As she spoke, her confidence waned. Comparing her words to Xun Hua's, the difference in ambition was stark.
One harbored grand ambitions, focused solely on strengthening the Dog Clan; the other was content with the status quo, seeking only a stable existence.
Everyone knew the outcome: Xun Shitou would undoubtedly cast his vote for Xun Hua.
Xu Sanyan shook his head, bearing no resentment. Xun Ancai had always been a simple, honest person; without this quality, he wouldn't have integrated into the Dog Clan so quickly.
This trait had its merits and drawbacks. Perhaps she truly wasn't suited to be clan chief.
Xun Shitou nodded slightly, his decision made. He turned to Xun Hua, who met his gaze with a smile and a nod, about to speak when Xun Shitou cut her off.
"I vote for Xun Ancai."
His words sent shockwaves through the crowd. Xun Ancai's expression froze in stunned disbelief, Xun Hua's face twisted with incredulity, and even the clan elders looked utterly astonished.
"Huh?!"
"What?"
"Brother Shitou, have you been drinking too much fake milk?" This came from one of his supporters.
"Brother Shitou, are you sure you're not mixing up the names?"
Xun Shitou calmly surveyed the crowd. The clamor gradually subsided as all eyes turned to him, demanding an explanation.
His gaze deepened as he stared toward Heroic Soul Mountain in the distance, as if communicating with the spirits of past clan chiefs or consulting the Dog God.
After a moment, he spoke, "The Dog Clan has endured relentless battles, losing two clan chiefs, one heir, and over a hundred warriors. Though we annihilated the Bear and Snake Clans and reaped considerable gains, we ourselves have suffered greatly."
Xun Shitou's eyes swept across the crowd. "Now, we must focus on recuperating and rebuilding, not launching an assault on the Eagle Clan."
The clan elders pondered his words, nodding slowly. Perhaps he had a point.
After all, regardless of who they supported, their ultimate goal remained the same: the survival and prosperity of the Dog Clan.
Xun Shitou sighed inwardly. If Xun Hua's words had come from the Old Clan Chief or the new Clan Chief, he wouldn't have questioned them for a moment, knowing both leaders possessed the wisdom and strength to lead them to victory.
But Xun Hua was different—too young, too naive.
Did she truly believe that because the Dog Clan had crushed the Bear and Snake Clans, they could equally conquer the mighty Eagle and Stone Clans?
And her talk of crossing Yue Nan Mountain? Utterly absurd.
When ambition grows too grand, it becomes mere fantasy.
Xun Shitou refused to let her lead the Dog Clan into the unknown. What the tribe needed most now was stability—precisely the "lack of ambition" others saw in him.
After eliminating the Snake and Bear Clans, the Dog Clan had suffered significant losses, their population sharply reduced.
Though only a hundred lives had been lost in the battles, the Dog Clan numbered just over six hundred. Excluding the elderly and children, only four hundred warriors remained. Losing nearly a third of their fighting force—and all their seasoned veterans—was a devastating blow.
Population was vital to the tribe's survival.
Now, with the threats from the Snake and Bear Clans gone, the Dog Clan could finally focus on rebuilding and growing. This hard-won peace, bought with the lives of two generations of clan chiefs, was a precious opportunity they must seize and cherish.
"Sigh..."
With everything settled, Xun Ancai was named the next clan chief.
Several clan elders turned back into the mountain cave and retrieved a staff—the very one that had belonged to the Old Clan Chief, a symbol of the clan chief's authority.
Xun Ancai remained in a daze, as if she hadn't fully grasped what was happening.
Xun Hua watched the scene with a wistful expression, her heart filled with mixed emotions. If only Xun Yang were still alive to see this...
A clan elder handed the staff to Xun Ancai and proclaimed loudly, "From this day forward, Xun Ancai is the Dog Clan Chieftain! May she uphold the will of the Dog God, receive the Dog God's blessing, and lead the Dog Clan to eternal prosperity!"
"May the Dog God bless us!"
"May the Dog God bless us!"
The voices rose like a tidal wave, startling birds into flight from the mountains.
Xun Ancai accepted the staff, signifying her ascension as the new clan chief.
Xu Sanyan lowered his gaze. Though his goal had been achieved, his heart felt strangely empty.
He had overlooked one crucial factor: these old geezers.
He had assumed that becoming clan chief would grant him absolute control over the Dog Clan, but it was now clear that Xun Ancai still lacked the necessary authority. Her power had been subtly diluted by the clan elders, who had carved out significant portions for themselves.
Xu Sanyan scanned the room, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. Old fools, you've lived long enough. It's time to die...
Xun Shitou glanced at Xu Sanyan, silently pondering. It seems I need to find a chance to have a serious talk with Xun Ancai.
Though this man has helped the Dog Clan greatly, he's ultimately not one of us.
An old man spoke up, "Xun Hua, hand over the Praying to the Gods Method to Xun Ancai."
"Hmm..."
Xun Hua turned and entered the cave, rummaging through its depths. Finally, she dug out a clay jar from a corner. Inside the jar was a piece of animal hide covered in dense script written in some kind of blood.
(End of the Chapter)
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