A brief silence filled the room as everyone digested Prime Minister Yuanâs words.
But, it didnât last long as opinions from various individuals poured in, one after another.
"I understand what you are saying, but I donât see any benefits in rejoining the Empire. Like it or not, Shi Dynasty is doomed, sooner or later. If it is only the autonomy we were receiving, then, I might as well directly surrender to Lu Zhen and gain autonomy from him."
"Yeah, I too heard that all vassal States of Genesis Federation were given full autonomy. Moreover, he was pretty much generous in protecting his allies and he had several demigods and demigod realm beasts under his command."
"Yeah" "Yeah, he is right."
"Okay, but where do we come in, here? Prime Minister Yuan, why were we invited?"
"We came here because it is a direct invitation sent by Emperor Tang, but I donât see any benefit in helping Emperor Shi either by giving an order to our guild members to protect the lands. No matter who rules, it wonât change, right? I apologize for such remarks but I think Iâm speaking on behalf of all the guild leaders here."
Guild Leaders: *silent nod in unison*
Shi Chong: "..."
"No, this is where you are wrong, Guild Leader Tian. Did you forget how Lu Zhenâs occupation of Bloodhill Forest made thousands of adventurers from the Leon Empire, as well as from the southern kingdoms, lose their source of income? It is a direct attack on the guilds. The adventures who should be hunting down wild beasts were now taking mining jobs and farming the land."
"Sect Leader Bai is absolutely correct. Moreover, in his newly formed country, neither did he allow to build any sect nor did he allow any guild. Heck, even the churches werenât allowed to spread their faith in his land."
"Because of him, thousands of people have migrated from their homes through boats and come to the Leon Empire to settle, only to suffer because of the war. He is a devil spawn that needs to be erased."
"Ho! Sect Leader Xu seems to hate Lu Zhen very much. Hmm... but then again, your Xu Sect has been against the Shang Dynasty for a long time and you owe it to Late Emperor Shi. When your sect was operating in the Phoenix Empire, your sect disciples moved in shadows. But, ever since its partition and you moved your sect to this land with Late Emperor Shiâs help, not only you were able to operate openly but your sect also gained hundreds of new disciples in a short time."
"Do not misinterpret my words, Clan leader Fang. Evil thought sow evil fruit. Though Buddha guides all, the wicked must still face punishment. Death is the salvation. Amitabha."
"Regardless, our former Patriarch shed his blood to defend the Late Emperor against the demon invasion. If he falls down, Late Patriarch Yuâs sacrifice would go to waste. Hence, our Scarlet Lotus Sect would stand on the side of Emperor Shi. Our Grand Elder (demigod) would personally come out of his cultivation to protect Emperor Shi if Lu Zhen or his demigods were involved."
"Thank you, Patriarch Xi. I appreciate your help."
And at last, the Blood Moon Sect leader, a Supreme Being but a 23-year-old young man named Liu Feng, opened his mouth, "You invited all of us here but started talking about your reasonings, justifying yourself of taking actions against Lu Zhen or his allies. Just get to the matter already." His tone looked all lazy and his expressions clearly indicate that he was bored.
With a quick glance at Shi Chong, Liu Feng continued, "If you ask me, there is a simple solution to stop King Qiâs conquest. All Emperor Shi has to do is challenge him for a one-on-one fight. The winner lives and the loser dies."
"What?" Shi Chong couldnât help but raise his tone urgently, "There is no way I can battle with him. King Qi was not only a legendary realm warrior but a veteran who had spent in wars for years. It is akin to a suicide."
"Well, we can ask for a fair battle, ask King Qi to suppress his realm to 6-circle as Emperor Shi," suggested the king of Jade Phoenix. He was also the first one to point out that merging with a declining empire doesnât have any benefits.
While his words appeared like a suggestion, his tone indicates mocking.
Meanwhile, in the other village, the elite monks of Xu Sect were well awake. They gathered in the same house. With a signal from their Patriarch, all of them joined their hands as they sat in a circle, muttering the incantation in unison.
It went on for a whole minute, and Patriarch Xu Guowei developed a frown on his face as his eyes were opened, "This... I canât connect to the spell formation. It was removed." He gasped, "We have been found out. Oh Buddha"
It was then a voice heard from the corner of the same room, "Yes, you were caught. Now, you should pay for the consequences as a result. "
Xu Guowei turned his head to look at the source. "You..."
Alina slowly materialized and came out of the shadows, taking everyone by surprise.
"An Assassin?"
"Who is she?"
"Ah... she is so beautiful." "Hey, donât be seduced by her beauty." "Ah! I apologize. Oh, Buddha! Please forgive me. I repent with 108 bows after I return."
Xu Sect elites became alert and prepared to attack her.
"I canât sense any cultivation from her. Wait a second, I canât even sense the life aura from her either. A high-class puppet?" Xu Guoweiâs frown deepened, "Who are you?"
Alina responded with a chuckle, "Sorry, it is not my style to give my name to the people I kill."
"Amitabha!"
Xu Guowei shot the Buddhist mala in his hand. The thread was burned away and 108 rosary beads were shot toward Alina at once, turning golden and glowing.
Alina mumbled, "Death knight, I call upon you."
A dark mass of energy materialized in front of her, blocking the beads and sending them away in different directions.
Soon, a black armored, knight-looking warrior appeared in front of her, taking out two swords from his back and facing the enemies.
"Kill them all."
"Golden Immortal Physique."
Ether energy surged from Xu Guowei, forming a golden avatar over his body, and he stood there as if he were throwing a challenge at the enemy.
But then, the death knight charged forward at blurring speeds and in a fraction of a second, his body was cut off into a dozen pieces, causing panic among the disciples.
"Master..."