The Northern Sejong Alliance, established amidst a sprawling range of snow-capped mountains, has been a sanctuary for various noble families and sects since the sudden disappearance of the first Human Emperor thousands of years ago. As the Wilderness and Sky State fractured and endless wars erupted, these northern factions banded together, migrating into the mountains for mutual protection.
Over the millennia, the Sejong Alliance has become a unified entity, electing a leader and an Elder Council to govern with absolute authority.
At this moment, atop a ten-thousand-meter-high snow mountain, a golden palace stands, appearing incredibly sacred under the morning sun’s rays.
Inside the palace, all members of the Elder Council, including the Alliance Leader, are present.
The Alliance Leader, Hai Lantian, appears as a young boy, with rosy lips and pearly teeth, looking around his teens. However, his eyes reveal a depth of experience.
“Everyone must have heard by now that Great Jin has dispatched troops to the Western Buddhist Kingdom. Prime Minister Jiang Canghai killed a Luohan upon arrival, but strangely, the Western Buddhist Kingdom has yet to retaliate. They only sent a Bodhisattva and some Zen disciples to fend off the invasion, with no further plans.”
“Let’s discuss. As one of the three major forces in the Wilderness, what should we do?”
The elders, cloaked and holding steaming cups, remained silent, like mute statues.
Hai Lantian sighed lightly, feeling a headache coming on.
The Sejong Alliance is riddled with over a hundred factions, constantly scheming against each other. This internal strife has prevented them from unifying the Wilderness and becoming a dominant power.
In just the short century since Hai Lantian became the Alliance Leader, over 120 Moon Shine Realm experts have died due to internal conflicts, along with more than a dozen Morning Glow Realm Great Beings. Dozens of noble families and sects have been eradicated.
Even now, at the brink of life and death, these people hesitate, unwilling to take the lead for fear of losing their own interests.
“If you won’t speak, I will.” Hai Lantian said calmly, “Since Great Jin has initiated the unification war, we have no choice but to fight.”
“While the Western Buddhist Kingdom and Great Jin are at odds, we should take some action.”
“For example…”
Hai Lantian tapped his finger on the table, a ruthless glint in his eyes, “Add fuel to the fire, make them fight even more fiercely, ideally to the point of mutual destruction.”
Upon hearing this, the Elder Council members began to speak:
“I agree! This is a significant matter. All families and sects should set aside their differences and unite. Once we conquer the Wilderness, the fortune of the entire region will be ours. In at most half a year, we can transform into a dominant power!”
“Simple, kill the Bodhisattva overseeing the battle for the Buddhist Kingdom, then frame it as the work of Great Jin’s Sword Saint. I don’t believe the Buddhist Kingdom can swallow that.”
“Who can mimic the Dao of Space-Time? Ridiculous. Think before you speak.”
“Then kill Jiang Canghai, frame it as a Zen method. Jiang Canghai is one of Great Jin’s pillars. His death would be intolerable to the Empress.”
“Agreed! Let’s kill Jiang Canghai and blame the Western Buddhist Kingdom.”
The elders quickly reached a consensus: kill Jiang Canghai to escalate the conflict between Great Jin and the Buddhist Kingdom!
Hai Lantian breathed a sigh of relief and said, “Each family should send one person, no lower than Morning Glow Realm, to the Buddhist Kingdom’s battlefield to assassinate Jiang Canghai. Be discreet. If the framing fails, we’ll suffer the consequences.”
As the meeting was wrapping up, suddenly, the palace doors were pushed open from the outside, and a figure walked in through the wind and snow.
“Who are you…” Hai Lantian frowned at the newcomer.
The man removed his hat, revealing a somewhat sleazy face, and smiled, “I am Oda Saburo, sent by the Young Master of the Ji family to deliver a message.”
Hai Lantian was slightly surprised, “Are you the ruler of the Empire on Which the Sun Never Sets? The one who caused a stir recently by announcing you would marry the Empress?”
Oda Saburo’s smile froze, feeling a bit like cursing.
If you can’t say something nice, just don’t say anything at all. Why bring up such a sore spot?
“Ahem… Let’s get to the point. Who is this Young Master of the Ji family you speak of? You are a ruler, yet you willingly serve another? And what is the message?” Hai Lantian asked.
Facing a small country like the Empire on Which the Sun Never Sets, Hai Lantian immediately put on airs.
The Elder Council members frowned, clearly displeased.
How did the ruler of such a lowly nation sneak into the Sejong Alliance’s territory and climb up the sacred mountain unnoticed?
“My Young Master is Ji Wushuang, you should have heard of him.” Oda Saburo naturally sat in an empty chair and poured himself some tea.
Ji Wushuang?!
Hai Lantian and the elders were all shocked, staring wide-eyed at Oda Saburo.
“You’ve allied with the Sky State forces?” Hai Lantian’s face darkened, a strong killing intent rising within him.
Even the usually contentious elders turned to glare at Oda Saburo, their murderous intent clear.
“The Young Master asked me to tell you to stop focusing solely on the Buddhist Kingdom’s battlefield and take a good look at your own land first.” Oda Saburo said fearlessly, even crossing his legs.
Hai Lantian retracted his killing intent, sensing something amiss, and demanded, “What do you mean? Speak!”
Oda Saburo smiled slightly and said:
“Jiang Canghai’s attack on the Western Buddhist Kingdom is just a diversion to fool you and the Buddhist Kingdom. Great Jin’s real target… is you!”
“At this very moment, the Empress of Great Jin and Sword Saint Meng Qin are leading elite troops into the Northern Sejong Alliance’s territory! In about two days, they will be at your doorstep.”
“That’s all I have to say. Take care.”
Oda Saburo downed his tea in one gulp, slammed the cup on the table, and left.
As they watched Oda Saburo’s carefree departure, no one in the room stopped him. They fell into an eerie silence.
After a long while…
An Elder Council member’s hand trembled, dropping his teacup, which shattered on the ground. His voice quivered as he said:
“The Empress is coming?”
“Their real target is us?!”
Hai Lantian’s expression was equally grim, muttering to himself, “No wonder, no wonder…”
“I was wondering why, when Great Jin started the war, the Empress, Qin Fenghuo, Meng Qin, and other top-tier forces didn’t go. Instead, they sent a strategist to lead the troops.”
“The Western Buddhist Kingdom’s inaction must also be part of some tacit agreement, giving the Empress time to eliminate us first, to avoid being stabbed in the back during their fight. So they decided to kick us out of the game first…”
“Good, good, good…”
Hai Lantian laughed in anger, both shocked and furious, “They all think nothing of us, but I’ll make sure they regret it!”
With that, Hai Lantian no longer concealed his aura. The terrifying pressure of a half-step Heaven Supporting Realm expert swept across the thousand-mile snow mountain, like a god awakening!
……….
[Volume Three begins, the Empress and the Empress’ Husband will reunite in this volume. Please follow, and send gifts.]
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