Chapter 672 - 672: The Truth of Greed, Qin Huai Is Dead!
“Once your reign ends, I’ll take the lead,” a phrase that now seemed to embody the hopeful ambitions of the kings who were aligning with Qin Huai. This appeared to be a golden opportunity to reclaim their prestige, to become revered founders in the annals of history. It held a certain allure.
Sky Night King from the phoenix clan chimed in, “The troops stationed in the imperial city, together with the Qingzhou Alliance elites and Prince Qing Cang, are already in an invincible position.” action
He then proposed a pause, allowing time for the forces of the Qingzhou Alliance to reinforce them, thus creating an imposing force capable of rivaling three significant sects.
As they envisioned a prosperous future, buoyed by the combined prowess of nine young prodigies from the Qingzhou Alliance, the royal emissaries began to integrate with the inhabitants of Qingzhou, formulating potential paths of progress. They seemed to have no other option — the wealth and potential of Qingzhou were undeniable, and its prospects seemed boundless.
Qin Huai smiled and shook his head. “What counterattack? I fought with my life and replaced Wu Wang and the other two kings. You should have returned with a great victory.”
The seven kings paused for a moment, then revealed a look of realization. Acknowledging Qin Huai’s words, the Sky Night King vowed, “I understand. We will make Qingzhou our territory. After that, we will lie low and wait for the right opportunity.”
Qi Shan echoed this sentiment, “As long as the prodigies of the Qingzhou Alliance successfully break through, the eighteen kings will be the safest choice.”
Even the eager Mountain Milk King conceded that patience would be the best course of action.
Qin Huai added another dimension to their strategy, urging the kings to relocate their clans during this period. This suggestion struck a chord, evoking a sense of gratitude and newfound respect for Qin Huai. It seemed he was a leader who remembered the subtleties, differentiating him from the heads of the six royal clans and even the Qiongqi clan.
“Understood!”
As they acquiesced to this plan, a renewed sense of camaraderie and trust flourished among them. Leading the contingent, Qin Huai ushered them into Qingzhou and said, “Let’s go and take a look at your territory.”
The place buzzed with vibrant energy and throngs of people, a testament to its burgeoning potential.
Qi Shan couldn’t help but marvel at the sight, foreseeing a promising future.
The gathering kings shared this sentiment, reflecting on the long-standing conflicts that had plagued their lands, leaving many weary and yearning for peace. It seemed that under Qin Huai’s guidance, a new era of prosperity and tranquility was on the horizon.
The newly unfurled banner of Qingzhou had garnered a reaction that surpassed even the seven kings’ expectations. They found themselves at the Spirit Gate again, struck with awe as they gazed towards Lingjiang’s direction, absorbing the overwhelming surge of spiritual energy converging at that point. “I feel like I’m seeing a heaven-defying destiny!”
“The place where spiritual energy converges…”
Their wisdom eyes, a testament to their profound insights, perceived an unusual scene in Qingzhou that left them lost in thought for a moment. The vitality and essence of this land were palpable, hinting at the rich spirit stone mines it harbored, ready to nurture upcoming prodigies in martial arts.
As they were absorbed in these revelations, the seven kings realized that this barren land held a future that promised to foster astounding talents. In Qingzhou and with Qin Huai’s capable leadership and revered lineage, they see a future with peaceful coexistence among all races, facilitated by the abundance of resources, which included the ancestral blood that they had always dreamed of.
It felt as though they were on the cusp of something great, something that eliminated the need for conflicts and battles.
Meanwhile, within the castle of the white tiger clan, unease and apprehension marred the atmosphere.
Bai Mu, the younger brother of their leader, Bai Wuya, paced anxiously in his room. He was operating secretly as a spy for the six royal clans and had been coordinating covertly with Gou Jie, following directives from the white tiger clan leader.
“Second Master, why didn’t you sell the information about the last two kings?” His confidant, a slightly stooped man named Bai Si, appeared visibly regretful as they discussed the missed opportunity
Bai Si had been a trusted companion to Bai Mu since their younger years, a bond that even surpassed the one Bai Mu shared with his older brother.
As Bai Mu expressed his fears over potential repercussions from the Qingzhou Alliance, Bai Si tried to assure him, “Even the three strongest sects of the human race don’t dare to venture too deep into the territory of the six great royal clans. So what if he has the potential of a true emperor? As soon as he steps into our territory, he will never return to Qingzhou!”
Bai Si’s confidence slightly alleviated Bai Mu’s worries. Despite this, Bai Mu couldn’t shake off his apprehension completely.
The leader of the white tiger clan, Qiong Mou, had entrusted him with the vital task of selling the information pertaining to the nine kings judiciously. The guidelines were clear: he could reveal some personal habits of the kings but must refrain from disclosing any details about their domains and routes.
However, Bai Si’s influence had caused Bai Mu to waver from this path. Driven by the desire to prove himself to his elder brother and to ascend to the leadership position within the six royal clans, he succumbed to temptation.
Risking widespread disapproval, he ended up selling detailed information and routes concerning the nine kings, disseminating as many as seven copies of this sensitive data. The looming consequences of this reckless act hung heavily in the air, an undercurrent of uncertainty threading through their conversation.
The precious ancestral blood had been distributed into three portions. The larger parts went to his older brother Qiong Mou and his brilliant strategist, Bai Si. The remaining portion was for him. This distribution filled Qiong Mou with exhilaration, prompting him to commend Bai Mu for the first time in centuries. The recognition temporarily inflated Bai Mu’s pride, allowing him to momentarily forget his concerns.
But reality struck back harshly. The fear of potential ramifications of his actions began to claw at him, igniting a swirl of anxiety over the gains and losses he might encounter.
“However, if the ninth king is defeated and Big Brother starts to investigate…
I’m afraid I won’t be able to keep my head.”
The fear intensified as he considered the possibility of facing his brother’s wrath. The realization dawned that his brother’s affection for him wouldn’t shield him from the brutal consequences of his actions if the secret leaked.
At this point, Bai Si intervened emphatically, “All the more reason for us to sell it! When you succeed in your Atavism, you will become the first white tiger demon god in ten thousand years.
“So what if the matter is exposed? Even the other leaders of the royal clans will come and acknowledge you. Even if that Qin Huai is a true emperor, he will still be suppressed by you.”
Bai Mu, however, remained hesitant, grappling with the understanding of his potential. “But I… I’m just average…”
Bai Si, frustrated by this hesitation, warned him, “Your indecisiveness will ruin everything!”
Boom!
Suddenly, their conversation was abruptly interrupted by a massive surge of energy, eliciting exclamations of fear and awe from the members of the white tiger clan.
Curious and anxious, Bai Mu and his companions rushed outside, witnessing a distant light column gradually fading amid the dispersed clouds. The atmosphere turned frenetic soon, as waves of joyful cheers reverberated throughout the vicinity.
News was coming, carried by a beaming demon who was also a trusted aide to Bai Mu. Impatient and frazzled, the latter demanded the news straightaway.
The aide quickly relayed the awaited message, “There’s news from the border of Qingzhou. The leader of the Qingzhou Alliance, Qin Huai, fought against the nine kings. In the end, he was outnumbered and detonated the remnant array left behind by the ancient Qingzhou Emperor…”
“Get to the point!” Bai Mu’s face had already started to turn red. “The nine kings won! The traitor, Qin Huai, is now dead!”