"Commander Batu, what happened here?"
Hu Jia Luo, who was leading the group, ran up to me. Hu Tou, who came with him, did not approach, but stood far away with the others.
"Do as I say," I whispered, only loud enough for Hu Jia Luo and me to hear. Then, my expression changed. I drew my hunting knife and pointed it resolutely at the masked man in black.
"Here, right here! Beside the Temple of the Shepherd God, in the camp of the temple guards, I was subjected to a despicable and shameless sneak attack!"
"Representative of the Shepherd God, how dare you try to assassinate the commander of the temple guards! If I hadn't been alert, I would have been riddled with arrows by now!"
"If you can't explain yourselves today, you're not leaving!"
With my command, all the temple guards surrounded the Representatives of the Shepherd God, leaving them no escape.
The temple guards I called over with a whistle numbered over thirty, while there were only seven Representatives of the Shepherd God. They were no match for us.
Seeing that we had the advantage in numbers, the leader of the black-robed men's attitude did not soften. Instead, he confronted me directly.
"Commander Batu, what do you mean by this?! I am here on the orders of the High Priest. If anything happens to us here, and the High Priest blames you, can you bear it?!"
Damn it!
At a time like this, he's still trying to put on airs with me!
I sneered and calmly looked at the black-robed man.
"Even if the King of Heaven himself came, it wouldn't matter today! Even if the High Priest were standing here now, I would demand an explanation! Why did you attack me on my territory!"
By now, I had developed a murderous intent towards the Representatives of the Shepherd God before me. If this guy still didn't know any better, even if the High Priest were to truly arrive, I would withstand the pressure and leave them all here.
Perhaps the Representatives of the Shepherd God were accustomed to their superior status. Seeing that I paid them no mind, the leader of the black-robed men clearly faltered and was speechless for a moment.
The atmosphere in the field grew increasingly tense. Now, all it took was a single spark to ignite a skirmish!
"Commander Batu, I... I apologize. It was too dark, and my subordinate didn't see you here just now..."
The black-robed man stammered and mumbled for a long time before finally managing to utter a sentence.
His words, instead of helping, made me burst into laughter.
If an apology could resolve everything, what would the police be for?!
"Do you think a simple apology will suffice?"
"Since you chose to attack me here, you must pay the price!"
"Now, tell me! What is the price!"
The black-robed man before me had completely exhausted my patience. If he didn't give me a satisfactory answer, they would all perish here.
Hu Jia Luo, standing beside me, understood the impatience in my words. He silently made a gesture behind him. The temple guards, who had already surrounded the Representatives of the Shepherd God, began to advance step by step. Some warriors had even drawn their weapons, waiting for my command to slaughter these arrogant and ignorant Representatives of the Shepherd God.
"Commander, don't waste your breath on them. I've long been annoyed by these black-robed eunuchs!"
"Exactly! They claim to be the most devout followers of the Shepherd God, yet they engage in unspeakable acts!"
The warriors beside me became agitated. It seemed the temple guards and the Representatives of the Shepherd God had long-standing grievances, and it had now reached a breaking point.
As the situation grew increasingly tense, I even saw one of the Representatives of the Shepherd God trembling uncontrollably.
So, these shady characters were afraid of death after all?
Time ticked by. Just as my patience wore thin and I was about to order the execution of everyone before me, the leader of the black-robed men suddenly spoke.
"Commander Batu, I am willing to pay the price!"
As soon as the black-robed man finished speaking, he held his long saber, exposed his left hand, and cleanly severed his own left hand.
"It was with my left hand that I shot the flying arrow at you earlier! I now offer it to you! I hope you will spare our lives!"
A desperate measure?
I suddenly found myself admiring the black-robed man's resolve. However, this was not enough.
"It's not enough."
Seeing that I still had not relented, the Representatives of the Shepherd God, except for the leader, all drew their long sabers and severed their own arms.
The scene was incredibly bloody. Anyone who didn't know better would think they had stumbled into a slaughterhouse.
Only when I saw that the Representatives of the Shepherd God before me had all paid a price did I break into a smile.
"If you get hit, you stand at attention! Now, the grievance of your sneak attack on me is settled. As for the person you were pursuing, it has nothing to do with me. You can go find them!"
With my command, I ordered the temple guards who had surrounded them to open a path. Amidst the laughter of all the temple guards, those Representatives of the Shepherd God, with only one arm remaining, left, supporting each other.
"Long live the Commander!"