“Since I’m here today, I can’t let them die.”
Ling Xiao gritted his teeth and said.
“Rest assured, no matter what, I am a student of the Chosen Academy. I won’t just stand by and watch them walk to their deaths either. Whatever you say we should do, we’ll do.”
The Moon Maiden looked at Ling Xiao and spoke.
“Of course we’re going to ruin their plans, but we have to ensure Second Master Ling and Master Bai Yun’s safety first. Sister Moon Maiden, you just need to pin down that Gao Yangwen. Leave everyone else to me.”
Ling Xiao had already observed carefully. Among all the guests and the host, the strongest was Gao Yangwen, yet he was definitely no match for the Moon Maiden.
As for the rest, he and the Butterfly Maiden could handle them easily.
He would never act recklessly without confidence.
“Sigh.”
The Moon Maiden suddenly let out a sigh.
“What’s wrong, Sister Moon Maiden?”
“I’m feeling sorry for that Gao Yangwen. For him, this ought to have been a hugely joyous day, yet he never expected to run into a jinx like you.”
The Moon Maiden smiled fondly and rubbed Ling Xiao’s ear.
“Well, that’s only because you’re here with me, Sister Moon Maiden.”
Ling Xiao also smiled.
“Without you, I wouldn’t lift a finger against him. So in the end, it’s still all part of your little devil’s scheme.”
…
Inside the hall, all the guests had already arrived.
Gao Yangwen stood up with a smile, looking extremely imposing, truly exuding the aura of someone who ruled the world.
Everyone gazed at him with awe, waiting for his speech.
With a casual move, Gao Yangwen could easily kill every single person present. That was the confidence and authority his strength gave him.
No one dared to disobey.
Even Zhan Mo from Black Water Immortal Island was the same.
“Hehe, everyone, for me, Gao Yangwen, to have reached where I am today, I still have to thank all of you for your support. That you could come here today to attend this alliance gathering I organised is, to me, the greatest fortune.”
Gao Yangwen smiled faintly and continued, “I’m sure many of you already know that the Rebel Alliance has been established. Our ultimate goal is the True Demon Empire, but first, I need to announce a short-term objective. Everyone must work together to accomplish it.”
At these words, many people instinctively turned to look at Ling Wuhen and Master Bai Yun.
Some faces showed schadenfreude, while others revealed helplessness and sorrow.
They had clearly heard the rumours. They knew the first step the Rebel Alliance intended to take was to destroy the Northern Han Kingdom or force it to submit.
Ling Wuhen and Master Bai Yun also sensed the tense atmosphere.
They exchanged a glance, both feeling a bitter chill in their hearts.
Originally, they had come with pure intentions, sincerely hoping that the Northern Han Kingdom and the Heavenly Principle Kingdom could unite to fight the True Demon Empire together.
But now it seemed the other side had never intended cooperation at all. They simply wanted to swallow them whole.
“This short-term objective is actually very clear. Relying solely on the strength of our Heavenly Principle Alliance, it is obviously impossible to topple the True Demon Empire easily, so we must expand our forces and find allies.
At present, most resistance organisations on the Heavenly Dragon Continent have already pledged allegiance to the Rebel Alliance. Only the Northern Han Kingdom still hesitates to join.
And the Northern Han Kingdom is undoubtedly the largest resistance organisation after our Heavenly Principle Alliance.
My aim is clear: to bring the Northern Han Kingdom into this great family of resistance. Of course, once it joins, the Northern Han Kingdom can no longer have an emperor, but the current emperor may become the deputy leader of our Rebel Alliance.
At the same time, the Northern Han Kingdom will gain access to much of our Heavenly Principle Alliance’s intelligence. If it comes under attack, our Heavenly Principle Alliance will also lend assistance.
Today, two special envoys from the Northern Han Kingdom happen to be here. Why not listen to their opinions?”
Gao Yangwen’s words sounded extremely righteous and honourable, yet anyone with eyes could see clearly.
Once the Northern Han Kingdom joined this Rebel Alliance, it would mean being annexed by the Heavenly Principle Kingdom. It would mean the other side could incorporate them without wasting a single soldier.
No one in their right mind would agree to such unfair terms.
In truth, how could Gao Yangwen not know this? Precisely because he knew, he spoke this way. He wanted to force the Northern Han Kingdom to refuse, thereby giving him an excuse to use the Rebel Alliance’s power to attack it.
After all, the Heavenly Principle Alliance alone was still a little weak for that.
Everyone turned to look at Ling Wuhen and Master Bai Yun.
Many smaller resistance organisations had long become Gao Yangwen’s lapdogs and now added fuel to the fire.
“Two special envoys, for the sake of humanity’s common cause, for the greater good, we hope you will not make the wrong choice.”
“Exactly. Looking across the entire Heavenly Dragon Continent, I’m afraid no one else is qualified to compete with Leader Gao for overall command.”
“Your Northern Han Kingdom had better know what’s good for you. The weak should submit to the strong. Only then can everyone’s strength unite to fight the external enemy.”
Such persuasive voices kept rising, making Ling Wuhen and Master Bai Yun frown repeatedly.
Ling Wuhen thought for a moment and said, “Everyone, this is a major matter. I’m afraid the two of us cannot make the decision. We probably need to return and seek instructions first.”
“Who doesn’t know that you, Ling Wuhen, are close to the Chosen Son? Whatever you say, even the Emperor of Northern Han would listen.”
Someone shouted loudly.
“That’s going too far. The Chosen Son went to the Divine Phoenix Continent and has not returned to Northern Han for a long time. He has no influence there now, let alone that I, Ling Wuhen, am merely a martial artist at the First Line Heaven realm with no real authority.”
Ling Wuhen shook his head.
“So you’re saying you refuse?”
Gao Yangwen stared directly at Ling Wuhen and demanded.
“It’s not refusal, it’s that we cannot make this decision. However, the Lord of Northern Han did entrust us to negotiate cooperation with the Rebel Alliance. Of course, after joining the alliance, the Lord must co-lead it with Mr Gao Yangwen on equal terms. Everything must be discussed, not submitted to.”
Ling Wuhen stated Northern Han’s true intention.
Cooperation was possible, but submission was out of the question.
“Still wants to stand equal with this alliance leader? Has the ruler of Northern Han lived too long? Truly refusing a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit.”
Gao Yangwen revealed a ferocious expression and said coldly, “I’ll give you one last chance. Agree to submit and swear a contract, then you can scram. Otherwise, Northern Han Kingdom will become the next target of the Rebel Alliance.”
He had completely torn off his mask. This was pure threat.
“Is the alliance leader threatening us?”
Ling Wuhen frowned.
“Yes, I am threatening you. You understand the law of the jungle, don’t you? The weaker must submit to the stronger. If your Northern Han Kingdom were stronger than our Heavenly Principle Alliance, I would willingly join you and submit.”
Gao Yangwen sneered.
He knew perfectly well that although Northern Han had two powerful Yin-Yang Realm martial artists, one was missing, and the other was still in secluded recovery.
At this moment, he, Gao Yangwen, was the strongest existence among all humans on the Heavenly Dragon Continent.
