382: Chapter 382 All forces held the power in awe and dared not act rashly.

The echoes of the ceremonial cannon fire faded away, and the last wisp of fireworks extinguished on the horizon. The lights in the plaza remained lit, and the banquet had not yet been cleared, but the atmosphere had already changed.

No one spoke loudly or laughed anymore; no one dared to move about casually.

Those leaders of minor clans who had originally sat with their legs crossed, holding wine cups and pontificating about the world, now sat ramrod straight, clutching their cups tightly, their eyes darting toward the main stage from time to time.

Chen Wuwang was still sitting there.

He did not move or speak, simply raising his hand gently to take a cup of clear tea from an attendant's tray. He blew on it and took a sip.

The rising steam blurred his features for a moment.

The leader of the West Desert Sand Clan suddenly stood up.

He was not tall, but had a stocky build, with an old scar running from his brow bone to his chin. He was usually the most overbearing of them all.

But right now, his footsteps were heavy, and as he walked to the front of the main stage, his Adam's apple bobbed.

"Head of the Chen Family," he said, his voice not loud, but audible to the entire venue, "seeing you today, I finally realize how vast the world truly is."

Chen Wuwang raised his eyes and smiled. "Sha Laoqi, sit down and speak."

"No rush." Sha Laoqi waved his hand, and surprisingly, took a deep breath in front of everyone, as if he had made up his mind about something. "My Sand Clan has offended you many times in the past, with rash words and unruly behavior... Today, in front of everyone, I offer my apologies."

When these words were spoken, the sound of gasps echoed all around.

Who didn't know that Sha Laoqi was a notorious troublemaker in the Eastern Wasteland? Three years ago, for the sake of half a spirit mine, he had led men to slaughter an outer sect stronghold of the Chuanyun Sect, and even when an Elder of the Righteous Path came to hold him accountable, he dared to confront them with a blade in hand.

Now, he was actually bowing his head in admission of fault?

"Don't misunderstand," he quickly added, his tone surprisingly urgent. "I am not afraid; I am convinced. Just now, when that mech kicked, the strength-testing pillar cracked, and my heart trembled along with it—this kind of power cannot be suppressed just by having more people."

Chen Wuwang did not respond, simply watching him.

Sha Laoqi felt sweat forming on his forehead under that gaze and gave a dry laugh. "I'm not good with words; I can't say anything pleasant. I just want to ask one thing: if the Sand Clan is willing to follow the rules and pay tribute from now on, can we... be neighbors with the Chen Family?"

"Neighbors?" Chen Wuwang finally spoke, his voice not loud, but it drove into everyone's ears like a nail. "You didn't treat me like a neighbor before."

"That was me being blind!" Sha Laoqi gritted his teeth and actually knelt on one knee right there on the spot. "It was me failing to see the situation clearly, throwing an egg against a rock. Today, I admit defeat in front of everyone, only asking for a way to survive—from now on, the Sand Clan will not rob or occupy, will not cause trouble, and only wishes to live in peace."

With this kneeling, the entire venue was in an uproar.

Following this, the old Clan Chief of the Nangu Lin Family, who was leaning on a cane, stood up tremblingly and coughed twice. "Ahem... Head of the Chen Family, this old man has lived for over seventy years. I have seen families rise and fall, and I have seen trash that wanted to make a comeback after failing. But like you, a down-and-out Family that everyone stepped on thirty years ago, and is now looked up to by the entire Eastern Wasteland... I have truly never seen it."

He paused, narrowing his cloudy eyes. "Our Lin Family is small and cannot withstand storms. If the Chen Family does not mind, we are willing to offer thirty percent of our mountain produce as a gift in exchange for a pact of protection."

"Protection?" The envoy from Chiji Ridge nearby sneered. "You certainly know how to pick your moment."

Before he could finish speaking, he was glared at by Liu Laosan of Liuye Village. "Wang Erdan, what are you laughing at? When your father was let go by the Chen Family back then, how did he thump his chest and promise never to invade our borders? Now that you're here, do you want to break his promise on his behalf?"

Wang Erdan's expression stiffened; he opened his mouth, but ultimately lowered his head and said nothing.

Liu Laosan sighed and turned to the main stage. "Head of the Chen Family, although Liuye Village is poor, our people are united. From now on, at a single word from you, we will even move mountains and fill the seas to get it done. We only ask... do not treat us as outsiders."

A circle of people stood just like that, some kneeling, some standing, all eyes fixed on Chen Wuwang.

He knew what they were thinking.

They were not truly submitting, nor had they suddenly started talking about morality. They were afraid. Afraid of the sword array that could tear the sky, afraid of the mech that could crush black iron, afraid of the magic butterflies that could cause one's cultivation to skyrocket, and even more afraid of that automatic Spirit Array that could repel even Talisman bombardments.

They were afraid that if the Chen Family turned hostile, they would be the first to be erased tomorrow.

Chen Wuwang slowly stood up.

He did not loudly proclaim, did not seize the opportunity to order submission, and his tone did not even change. "Everyone has spoken very well."

The crowd held their breath.

"Cooperation for mutual benefit relies on integrity." He continued. "I do not keep old accounts, but do not test my bottom line. You can stand here drinking today because you haven't crossed the red line. If anyone wants to test how deep this line is tomorrow..."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over every face.

"Then do not blame me for being merciless."

The air seemed to solidify for a moment.

Sha Laoqi was the first to cup his hands. "Head of the Chen Family, rest assured, the Sand Clan will never offend again!"

"The Lin Family is willing to sign a blood pact!" the old Clan Chief said with a trembling voice.

"The disciples of Liuye Village are at your disposal!" Liu Laosan cupped his fists.

One after another, pledges of allegiance echoed back and forth.

Chen Wuwang just listened, a faint smile always hanging on his lips, neither happy nor contemptuous. He was like someone watching a group of children who had finally learned to walk, stumbling toward him, calling him "Big Brother."

He was very clear in his heart.

Among these people, some were truly afraid, some were using it as a temporary expedient, and others were likely already plotting how to stab him in the back. But he did not care.

As long as they bowed their heads now, as long as they dared not make a move, that was enough.

From now on, no one would dare to slight the Chen Family to their face.

He turned and paced to the edge of the main stage, his back to the crowd, looking toward the brightly lit city in the distance. The night wind blew his silver-white hair tips, and his Mechanical Prosthetic Eye shimmered with a faint blue light, reflecting the cautious and respectful faces below.

Behind him, they were still talking about terms of cooperation, resource allocation, and future plans.

He did not hear a single word.

He only wanted to confirm one thing—

that on this land, when people finally started using the term "Chen Family," they would first weigh their own worth.

Liu Laosan approached and asked in a low voice, "Head of the Family, what next... should we set a covenant? List some regulations? It would help put everyone at ease."

Chen Wuwang shook his head. "No need."

"Huh?"

"What covenant is there to set now?" He chuckled. "I have noted what you all said today. If anyone forgets tomorrow, I will have noted that too."

Liu Laosan was stunned, then gave a wry smile. "You are... keeping a ledger."

"It is not keeping a ledger." Chen Wuwang looked back at him. "It is letting them know that some things, once done, cannot be taken back."

The crowd gradually quieted down.

Those who had come with probing intentions now dared not even breathe loudly. They discovered that compared to that earth-shattering display just now, the taciturn man before them was the one who truly made their spines chill.

He did not need to roar or threaten.

Standing there, doing nothing, he was already making everyone unable to breathe.

After a long time, Sha Laoqi suggested in a low voice, "How about... we go back first? And come to pay our respects again tomorrow?"

"Go ahead." Chen Wuwang nodded. "The wine has not yet cooled; drink slowly."

The group felt as if they had been granted amnesty and hurriedly took their leave. Their footsteps were much slower than when they had arrived, and their backs were bent a few degrees lower.

The plaza was sparsely populated, with only a few scattered clan Elders who had not yet left, whispering in the distance.

Chen Wuwang still stood at the edge of the high stage, having not moved.

The night wind blew, picking up a fallen leaf that brushed against the tip of his boot before being blown into the distance.

He watched that leaf drift away until it disappeared at the end of the lights.

His fingers tapped the edge of the stage unconsciously, three times, short and forceful.

As if calculating something.

Or as if waiting for something.

In the distance, a messenger walked over quickly, stopping at the bottom of the steps, wanting to speak but hesitating.

Chen Wuwang did not turn back.

"Speak."

"Reporting to the Head of the Family, the Council Hall is prepared, and several Elders are waiting for you."

"Hmm." He responded, but did not move.

The messenger did not dare to urge him, waiting quietly.

After a moment, Chen Wuwang finally took a step and walked down the high stage.

The soles of his boots made a clear sound as they stepped on the stone stairs.

One step, two steps, three steps.

His back remained straight, and he did not look back.