Blackhan looked out under his thick eyebrows, frowning. He always looks like he's frowning, or he really is.

"I don't know that, Gul'dan. He rumbled. His large hand reached out to grasp the hilt of his sword, rubbing with unease.

When Gul'dan had asked to see Blackhan and his most promising shaman fourteen days earlier, and not to tell anyone what they were going to do, he agreed. Blackham always preferred Gul'dan to Naozu, though he didn't know why. As Gul'dan sat across from the sumptuous feast and explained the present form, Blackhan was overjoyed by Guldan's arrival. Now he knew why he liked Gul'dan so much, the former apprentice, the current master, much like Blackham himself. He doesn't need ideals, just reality. Strength, food, powerful armor, and slaughter are exactly what both orcs crave.

Blackhan is the chief of the Blackstone Clan. He can't move up to any higher positions, at least not so far. In the past, clans were separated from each other, and the greatest honor was to lead their own clan. But now...... Now the clans are together. Now Blackham could see the glint of greed in Gul'dan eyes. He could almost smell the longing emanating from the orc in front of him, the kind of longing he had himself.

"Naozu is a wise man worthy of respect," Gul'dan said, chewing on the fruit, holding out a hand to pick his teeth. "He has great wisdom. But...... From this moment on, it would be a better choice for me to lead the orcs in his place. ”

Blackhan grinned rudely. There is no trace of Naozu anywhere now.

"A wise leader is always surrounded by his trusted allies," Gul'dan continued. "Those strong and obedient allies, those who will do their duty. Their loyalty will bring them high appreciation and rich rewards. ”

Blackham became angry at the "obedient" argument, but subsided when he heard Gul'dan mention of "high appreciation" and "generous rewards." He glanced at the eight shamans he had brought. They sat around another fire not far away, watched by Gul'dan's minions. They looked upset, but couldn't hear their conversation.

Blackham said, "You want me to bring a shaman." I think you know what happened to them?"

Gul'dan sighed, and he picked up a tarb leg of mutton. As soon as he took a bite, the juice ran down his face. He wiped his chin absentmindedly. Chew and then swallow the lamb and answer. "Yes, I heard. The elementals don't listen to them anymore. ”

Blackhan stared at him, "Some say it's because we're doing something wrong. ”

"Do you think so too?"

Blackhan shrugged his broad shoulders. "I don't know what to think. This has never been encountered before. What the Ancestral Souls said. The elements disagreed. He also harbored growing doubts about the Ancestral Soul, but he didn't say it. Blackhan knew that many people thought he was a fool, and he preferred to make them think that all he had was a powerful body and a powerful sword, which gave him another advantage.

Gul'dan looked at him, and Blackhan wondered if the orc's new spiritual leader had sensed anything else from the eye contact.

"We are a proud race. Gul'dan said. "Although sometimes it's a bit difficult to admit that we don't know everything. Kilgardan and the ...... he led Ah, Blackhan, the secrets they have hidden! the power they have—the power they are willing to share with us. ”

Gul'dan's eyes sparkled with excitement. Blackhan's heart began to beat wildly. Gul'dan leaned forward and continued to whisper respectfully, "We are like stupid little children in front of them, even you—even me. But they are willing to teach us and give us their strength. A power that does not rely on the spirits of air, earth, fire, and water. Gul'dan gestured contemptuously. "Those elemental forces are powerless and unreliable, and are likely to abandon you in battle to helplessness and despair. ”...

Blackham grimaced. He had already recognized this. And when the shamans began to cry out in fear that the elements would not help them any longer, his warriors spent every ounce of their strength to snatch victory.

"I'm listening," he whispered, in a deep voice.

"Imagine if you were leading a team of shamans who possessed the source of their power, instead of begging them for power," Gul'dan continued. "Imagine if these shamans had their own minions, and these minions would also fight for you. These minions can, for example, make your enemies flee helplessly and in fear. Or drain the enemy's magic like a summer bug sucks blood, or distract the enemy and not focus on the battle......"

Blackham raised an eyebrow, "I can imagine victory in that situation, and almost always there." ”

Gul'dan nodded and grinned, "That's right, indeed!"

"But you know so much that it can be done, and he didn't give you empty promises?"

Gul'dan's mouth widened, "Because ...... My friend...... I've felt it before. And I'm going to teach you the shaman I know a qiē. ”

"Good," Blackham said rumbling.

"But I can do more than that. Warriors - I know a way to make all those who fight for you stronger, more murderous, and more deadly. If we ask for it, it will be ours. ”

"Ours?"

"I can no longer waste my time talking to the leaders of each clan and listening to their complaints. Gul'dan said, waving his hands arrogantly. "There are people who agree with what you and I think, and who agree to carry it out...... And those who disagree......"

"Go ahead," Blackham said.

But Gul'dan didn't, at least not go on right away. He silently collected his thoughts. Blackham grabbed a piece of firewood and threw it into the fire. He was well aware that most orcs, even those in his clan, thought he was impulsive and reckless, but he knew the value of patience.

"I envision two orc leadership organizations. One is simply to manage and make decisions for the community, they elect their leaders, and their affairs are open. And the other organization ...... It is a shadow, a secret, a hidden, and a power," Gul'dan said calmly. "This ...... This Shadow Council will be made up of orcs who share our views and are willing to make the necessary sacrifices to make it happen. Blackham nodded, "Yes...... Yes, I see. An open leadership ...... There is also a secret. ”

The corners of Gul'dan's mouth curled into an arc. Blackhan stared at him for a moment, then continued to ask questions.

"And which one do I belong to?"

"Both belong, friend," Gul'dan replied fluently. "You are a natural leader. You have charisma, strength, and even your enemies know you as a master tactician. This will get you elected as the leader of the orcs. ”

Blackham blinked, "I'm not going to be a puppet." He said with a low growl.

"Of course not," Gul'dan said. That's why I said that both leadership organizations belong to you. You will be the leader of this new group, this ...... The leader of this tribe, if you will. You will also join the Shadow Council. We can't do things together unless we trust each other, can we?"

Blackhan stared into Gul'dan's eyes that shone with wisdom, and smiled. He didn't believe in this shaman, not at all, and he felt that Gul'dan did the same to him. But it doesn't matter. They all want power and power.

Blackhan knew that he did not have the talent and ability to wield the power that Gul'dan coveted, and Gul'dan was not prepared to let Blackhan obtain it. They are not competing, but cooperating, trying to achieve a win-win situation rather than profiting from each other's losses. ...

Blackhan thought of his loved ones—his partner, Uruka, his two sons, Red and Maim, and his daughter, Griselda. He didn't want to spoil them like the weak Durotan doted on Draka, but of course he cared about them. He wanted to see his partner wearing jewelry, and his son and daughter being honored as Blackhan's children.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed something moving, and he spotted Neozu, the once powerful and now abandoned shaman, slowly coming out of the tent.

"What about him?" Blackham asked.

Gul'dan shrugged, "He? he's nothing now. That beautiful storage zài wanted him to live a little longer. He seems to have some ...... for Naozu Special thoughts. Neozu would still be a puppet leader, and the orcs were too accustomed to his affection to just put him aside. But don't worry, he can't threaten us. ”

"Those blackstone shamans...... You said you'd teach them new magic? You've learned, the magic that makes them invincible?"

"I'll teach them personally, and if they learn well, I'll include them in my new list of warlocks. ”

Warlock, that's the name of this new caster. The Blackstone Warlocks will be chosen first. "Blackhan, chief of the Blackstone Clan, do you have anything else to say about my plans?"

Blackhan slowly turned to Gul'dan, "I say, cheer for the Horde - cheer for the Shadow Council. (To be continued)