*set expo_army +15
Next day, when both you and Xiwen go out, the conquest of the tribes nearby happens in a much smoother fashion than when you were alone: there's no need for negotiation, no requirement of violence. Just the sight of a Peak-Houtian is enough to force the Martial Artist in charge of Deadly Serpent Tribe to abdicate, leave the relic behind and run away. You gladly accept his contribution to your growing army, adding fourteen more Tattooed to your command. 

In the Arrogant Tiger Tribe, however, you face an unexpected setback: it's not that there's resistance of some sorts, no, it's exactly the opposite.

When you set foot into the tribe, no one greets you. There are no cries of battle, no fearing whispers. Only silence, eerie quiet, and it soon becomes apparent why: the tribe is riddled with corpses. Hundreds of men, women and children all lay on top of each other, in a giant pile of human flesh. What once was a settlement, a tribe of people with a history of a thousand years, now became a massive communal grave.

Seeing this sight, Xiwen recoils and barely holds in the vomit. It takes him a few minutes to recover, a few minutes before he manages to look back with righteous, burning fury in his eyes.

"What animals." — he spits, his fists clenched until the palms turn white — "They knew we were coming, so instead of submitting and growing our numbers, they killed every member of the tribe. What a needless waste of life." 

*choice
	#"Does it matter? Most of them were useless anyway."
		*gosub_scene subroutines change_opinion 15 3 "-"
		"Does it matter?" — you shrug your shoulders nonchalantly — "Most of them were useless anyway." 
		
		"Is that how you think?" — Xiwen replies — "I thought too highly of you then."
	#"Do you have any idea who did it?"
		"Do you have any idea who did it?"
		
		"I don't." — he replies — "But if I had to guess, it'd be someone form the Heavenly Havoc Sect. Such ruthless measures are engraved into their bones and they would surely have send someone capable of taking over a tribe." 
	#Silently stare, engraving this barbarity into your memory.
		You don't say a word, just stare silently onto the gruesome scenery. This barbarity, you will remember — and if the opportunity presents itself, you will enact vengeance. 

Having retrieved the relic from the tribe's Protector, you and Xiwen both return to the Great Panda Tribe.
*page_break
*goto_scene expedition_free