NOVEL WEB Chapter 388: Seeking Aid
Chapter 388: Seeking Aid
Marquis Qin suggested, “How about asking the Yin Dynasty for help?”
Marquis Ning shook his head and said, “It might not be appropriate. Our Qian Dynasty has had disputes with the Yin Dynasty in the past, so they are unlikely to help us. Moreover, even if we manage to get the Yin Dynasty to help us, they will surely demand a hefty price from our Qian Dynasty-perhaps something like ceding one Supreme-exclusive cultivation resource zone?”
Marquis Zhao replied, “At this point, we can’t afford to worry about the cost. We must rescue the two Supremes first. Ceding one Supreme-exclusive cultivation resource zone is a sacrifice we must be willing to make”.
The new Emperor, First Prince, turned to the five Quasi-Supremes and asked, “What do the five Patriarchs think?”
The five Quasi-Supremes exchanged glances, their hearts bleeding internally. Giving up an exclusive cultivation resource zone meant that once they ascended to the Supreme level, the amount of Supreme-grade cultivation resources available to them would decrease.
Moreover, Huangfu Yan had wrongfully accused them of embezzlement, leaving them harboring resentment. Of course, they were reluctant to save Huangfu Yan. However, they also understood that without the Supremes, the dynasty would become a fish on the chopping block for the top-tier forces, vulnerable to being carved up at will. The decline of the dynasty would soon follow.
With heavy hearts, the five Quasi-Supremes nodded reluctantly.
“Send an envoy to visit the Yin Dynasty,” one of them finally said.
“At the cost of one Supreme-exclusive cultivation resource zone, implore the Yin Dynasty’s three Supremes for assistance. That would be the ideal result. However, the Yin Dynasty has a voracious appetite-they may demand two Supreme-exclusive Cultivation Resource Zones instead. In order to save the two Supremes, we will have no choice but to agree. Nevertheless, the envoy must remember that it is best to secure the Yin Dynasty’s aid by offering only one zone. If they are successful, the imperial court will reward them generously. Only under dire circumstances should we agree to give up two zones.”
Thus, the nobles and ministers began to deliberate on who would be the most suitable envoy.
In the end, Prince Rui volunteered for the role and left for the Yin Dynasty.
Prince Rui had originally supported the fifth prince’s bid for the throne, and indeed, the fifth prince had successfully become emperor. Unfortunately, his luck ran out shortly after ascending the throne, when all the exclusive cultivation resource zones capable of producing Metamorphosis Elixir were plundered. The fifth prince took the blame for this disaster, allowing the First Prince to seize the throne. This left Prince Rui in an awkward position.
Fortunately, Prince Rui’s eldest daughter, Huangpu Shuyi, had become the Dao Companion of the Imperial Preceptor, whose status was unique in the dynasty. This allowed Prince Rui to retain his standing and avoid being neglected by the new emperor.
Now, by volunteering as an envoy, Prince Rui hoped to redeem himself and improve his standing within the dynasty. After all, relying on his son-in-law, the Imperial Preceptor, for influence wasn’t particularly satisfying.
Logically speaking, one of the five Quasi-Supremes would have been the most suitable candidate for the role of envoy. However, with two Supremes currently trapped and the capital city left defenseless, the protective forces were already stretched thin. The five Quasi-Supremes dared not leave the capital under any circumstances-if the enemy launched a surprise attack on their home base, the dynasty would be finished. Therefore, Prince Rui serving as the envoy was indeed a reasonable choice.
The First Prince then remarked, “We cannot pin all our hopes on the Yin Dynasty. If they refuse, then the two Supreme Patriarchs will be in grave danger. We must consider other external allies. Are there any other viable options?”
Marquis Qin suggested, “What about the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands?”
The entire Great Qian Hall fell silent.
“…” Xu Lian remained silent, choosing not to join the discussion.
Marquis Ning said with a grave expression, “The strength of the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands Faction is overwhelming. They have one peerless Supreme who wields the Law of Time, three newly ascended Supremes, and steadfast allies such as the Supremes of the Blazing Flame Sect and the Divine Flower Palace.
“When the Divine Thunder Sect and the Sacred Land of Heaven’s Treasury factions joined forces, their eight powerful Supremes attacked the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands faction-but five Supremes were killed in retaliation. They were only able to avoid annihilation by surrendering countless cultivation resources. This alone demonstrates how terrifying the power of the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands truly is.
“If the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands were to lend their aid, rescuing our dynasty’s two trapped Supremes would be effortless. However, the real concern is that inviting them might be easy, but getting rid of them afterwards could prove impossible…
“If the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands were to save our two Supremes and then turn around and demand exorbitant rewards, our dynasty might not be able to bear the burden.”
Marquis Zhao sighed and agreed, “Indeed. Our Qian Dynasty can negotiate terms with the Yin Dynasty, but compared to the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands, the gap in power is too vast. We simply don’t have the leverage to negotiate with them. If the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands were to occupy our capital and refuse to leave, we wouldn’t be able to handle the situation.”
Marquis Qin admitted, “I haven’t thought this through. The strength of the Heavenly Sacred Lands Faction is indeed too fearsome. It’s best not to get involved with them lightly, lest they set their sights on us.
“Besides, we have to wait for the Yin Dynasty’s response first. If the Yin Dynasty agrees to help and we invite other reinforcements at the same time, the cost of securing multiple allies might be more than our Qian Dynasty can afford.”
Once again, silence fell over the Great Qian Hall.
Xu Lian found the situation somewhat amusing. Had the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands become so feared by the top tier forces that even requesting their aid was unthinkable? Were they really so terrified that the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands might devour them whole?
Like that.
Everyone in the Great Qian Hall waited silently for news. The atmosphere was heavy, and no one dared to speak.
About half an hour passed.
Prince Rui returned with a worried expression.
The new emperor, First Prince, immediately asked, “What happened?”
Prince Rui bitterly replied, “The Yin Dynasty refused. I offered them two Supreme-exclusive cultivation resource zones as compensation, but they still declined, saying they didn’t want to provoke the Vast Domain faction.”
The faces of everyone in the room fell. Upon reflection, it made sense. If it was just the Vast Domain alone, the Yin Dynasty might have agreed to help. However, the Vast Domain had formed an alliance with the Silver Blood Family, the Wen Dao Sect, and the Violet Cloud Sacred Land-four top-tier powers working together. This was a formidable force, and it was understandable that the Yin Dynasty wouldn’t want to offend all four major factions at once.
The Great Qian Hall once again fell into a deathly silence. The oppressive atmosphere weighed heavily on everyone’s shoulders.
Marquis Qin broke the silence, saying, “It seems there aren’t many forces willing to provoke the Vast Domain faction. Our only option now is to seek aid from the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands. They’ll definitely dare to act – it just depends on how much we’re willing to pay.
The First Prince gritted his teeth and declared, “Let’s ask the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands for help! Two Supreme-exclusive cultivation resource zones-if that’s not enough, we’ll add a third. This is practically all our dynasty has. Even if we have to sell everything we own, we must rescue the two Supreme Patriarchs. We have no other choice.
“If we lose our Supreme-exclusive cultivation resource zones, we can still fight to reclaim them or find other ways. But if we lose the two Supreme Patriarchs, then our dynasty is truly finished”.
All eyes turned to the five Quasi-Supremes. Such a monumental decision could only be made by them.
After a long pause, the five Quasi-Supremes nodded reluctantly. They had no better alternative. Their expressions were somber, reflecting the weight of the sacrifice they were about to make.