This was a masterstroke from Princess Baolian, a perfect blend of grace and authority!

But the most important detail is the last one!

Princess Baolian directly granted Teng Song the power to act first and report later! This... this is the real game-changer!

She not only expressed her broad-mindedness to everyone and her trust and attitude towards the surrendered commanders, but she also sent a strong signal to Teng Song!

"Those who do not obey you, those fiercely loyal members of the Haoyue Tribe who hide themselves... it's up to you to handle them!"

Even with her intelligence network, Princess Baolian couldn't know the ins and outs of the Haoyue Tribe like Teng Song, an insider. By doing this, she is also giving Teng Song an opportunity to eliminate dissidents. Those in power who wish to achieve greatness must know when to delegate power.

When it's time to give rewards, there should be no hesitation!

Chu Mo stood there reflecting, when Pang Zhongyuan approached him with a grateful smile, saying, "We owe it all to Young Master Lin for saving the day this time. Otherwise, I'm afraid we..."

Chu Mo smiled faintly, replying, "Mr. Pang, you're too kind. As I said, I'm doing this for my homeland; but also, you all are my friends, aren't you?"

Pang Zhongyuan nodded firmly, "Of course!"

"Then let's skip the formalities," Chu Mo replied.

"Haha, alright. I, Pang, will remember this kindness! In the future, if there's anything Young Master Lin needs my help with, I won't hesitate!" Pang Zhongyuan said, quite emotionally.

Few people know how high Pang Zhongyuan's status is on the prairie! He might not have much fame, but in the future, there will hardly be a handful of people with higher status than him in the great prairie!

Thus, his promise, in a way, is no less significant than those of Princess Baolian and Princess Nayi!

Chu Mo didn't say much, just raised his fist to Pang Zhongyuan in salute.

"Master, master, what about the thing you promised me?"

Along with this voice, a heavy sound of iron chains being dragged echoed.

Clank... Clank...

Gao Dasha, dragging heavy chains, stood in front of Chu Mo, looking at him with his simple and honest face.

But Chu Mo knew, this giant was anything but foolish!

As for today's achievements, Chu Mo believed that this giant deserved the most credit! Chu Mo... should rank behind him. If it weren't for that earth-shattering throw, it would have been almost impossible for Chu Mo to get close to Elder Haoyue.

After all, Elder Haoyue had learned of Chu Mo's real strength from Gerzha. This crafty and scheming mastermind wouldn't simply allow Chu Mo to get close to him, would he?

Elder Haoyue, cunning and deep, made a critical mistake. He would have never guessed that his most reliable card could be persuaded to switch sides by Chu Mo in such a short time. This led to the nearly perfect assassination afterwards.

If Elder Haoyue had another chance, he wouldn't hesitate. He would send out his army to kill everyone, including Princess Baolian!

Chu Mo smiled at the towering giant in front of him, saying, "The promise I made to you, I'll keep. For now, I'll return your freedom first!"

Saying this, before the giant could react, a flash of light swept by, and the chains on the giant's hands and legs were severed!

"Like cutting through metal like mud!"

"Terrifying sword skills!"

Pang Zhongyuan exclaimed, looking at Chu Mo with increased respect.

Beheading a man with one swipe wasn't surprising, but cutting down this hard, child-arm thick chain was beyond terrifying!

The surprises and shocks this boy brought them were too many... too great!

The giant looked at the severed chain, tears dropping, murmuring, "Am I finally free? Damn Elder Haoyue, he drugged me, imprisoned me for ten years, starved me and tortured me! If it weren't for my will to live, I would have died here a long time ago!"

Boom!

The giant kneeling before Chu Mo was like a small mountain piled up in front of him.

"Master, from now on, this life of mine... is yours!"

"Uh... Gao... as in Tall! Handsome... um... such an apt name! Your parents had good taste!" Hearing his name, Chu Mo's mouth twitched severely. He was utterly speechless.

Having such a giant following him was not a bad idea. Those who might want to target him would think twice about whether they could withstand a blow from this giant.

However, Chu Mo recalled that he was using an alias here! He didn't want anyone to know his real identity.

Otherwise, if Great Qi found out that Chu Mo, the grandson of a general, had dug a huge trap for them on the prairie, ruining years of their painstaking management and planning, they certainly wouldn't take it lying down.

Great Qi would surely use this incident to pressure Great Xia, which could cause trouble for his grandfather.

Chu Mo was a good kid; he didn't want to cause trouble for his family.

"Get up first. I saved you, and you helped me. We owe each other nothing," Chu Mo said thoughtfully. He glanced at the chains still locked around Gao Yingjun's wrists and ankles and said, "Let me break these chains completely for you! Those two that have pierced through your shoulder blades... I guess only you could take them out."

Surprisingly, Gao Yingjun shook his head and refused, "Never mind, they have grown into my flesh and become a part of me. I got used to them being on me. Now that they don't restrict my actions, there's no need to remove them."

"It's enough if you break the chains on my feet. It's annoying to walk with chains. The rest... you can leave them."

"You're not taking out the chains passing through your shoulder blades? Doesn't it hurt?" Chu Mo, looking at the thick, dark chains piercing through Gao Yingjun's shoulder blades, couldn't help but frown.

Gao Yingjun chuckled, "It's fine, master. A bit of pain... only serves to remind me that I'm still alive."

Chu Mo regarded the guileless Gao Yingjun with some surprise. A faint trace of melancholy flashed in the eyes of this hulking giant. A thought occurred to Chu Mo, "This giant, like a small mountain, must also have a story!"

–––––––––––––

I have arrived in Shanghai... Just got off the plane and updating this chapter for you all.

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