Chapter 652 - 357: Burning Jade Order (2)

Chapter 652: Chapter 357: Burning Jade Order (2)

Once the Ghost Emperor falls into their trap, they will have no concerns.

The current concern is merely about the cost.

The most important thing is to minimize the costs and maximize the benefits.

This is why Lingbei is experiencing this series of twists and turns.

"As of now, their plan to attack from the north and south has completely failed.

"The Celestial Evil Cult suffered a crushing defeat, losing two Saint Kings and four experts, and their accomplice, Star Split Mansion, will soon be wiped out.

"But... the General’s attack on Autumn Water Gate is probably just the beginning.

"According to the contents of this secret report, this person’s Divine Skill is invincible, and without the Ghost Emperor, we fear we can’t resist..."

Ouyang Tianxu’s face showed a hint of worry.

Liu Zhaonian then looked at Chu Qing:

"From Prince Mei’s mouth, can we learn the whereabouts of the Ghost Emperor?"

"We’ll only know after asking."

Chu Qing said softly:

"However, I must remind you both...

"Even if we obtain information from Prince Mei, rescuing the Ghost Emperor will not be an easy task.

"The place capable of trapping the Ghost Emperor is likely as dangerous as facing the General directly."

This was not Chu Qing’s intent to discourage them, but a factual statement.

An ordinary individual, how could they easily trap the Ghost Emperor?

The fear is, that even if we find out in the end, we will be powerless to rescue him, resulting in the same outcome as now.

Ouyang Tianxu took a deep breath:

"If that is the case, we may have to unify Lingbei’s strength and fight them to the death!"

Liu Zhaonian’s face darkened as he glanced at Ouyang Tianxu.

Ouyang Tianxu shrugged helplessly:

"Otherwise, does Master Liu have any better ideas?"

"You still intend to use this child..."

Liu Zhaonian suddenly understood Ouyang Tianxu’s intention. The so-called integration of forces, can unify, is nothing more than the combined might of the Three Mansions, Three Gates, and Three Sects.

Hold a Martial Arts tournament, gather everyone together, then choose the one with the highest martial arts to act as the vanguard.

What they say pleasantly is to make him the Martial Arts Alliance Leader.

In reality, it is acting as the vanguard charging into battle.

And the best candidate, who else but the Chu Qing before them?

If Chu Qing had no relationship with Liu Zhaonian, Liu Zhaonian would be happy with this outcome.

But this is his blood relative, how could he allow others to use him like this?

Considering if this Martial Arts Alliance Leader position could endure in the end... but whether or not the final battle is won, even if victorious, this so-called leader will likely be unrecognized.

If you continue to think of yourself as the leader, issuing orders to each family, they might initially acknowledge you out of respect.

But over time, conflicts will emerge.

After all, without the current great enemy, why should they listen to you?

Finally, they will say you cling to leadership power, unworthy of the position.

Or they might say... why should the entire Martial World submit to one person’s will?

Otherwise, they will claim this leader, boasting high martial arts, acts like a Demon Dao to unify the Martial World...

Various narratives will emerge, and no one will remember he once saved the great structure from collapse.

They will say it was everyone’s credit.

Without the efforts of anyone, today’s results wouldn’t stand.

This is a generous statement... a darker one might wish for this Martial Arts Alliance Leader and the opposing great master to perish together.

Ultimately, let them get some peace.

The Three Emperors and Five Sovereigns are already a great mountain pressing upon them, who would want another beside it?

Liu Zhaonian absolutely does not want Chu Qing to fall into such a situation, and his refusal is very clear.

Ouyang Tianxu said helplessly:

"Yet as it stands, do we have any other choices?

"At worst, if they don’t recognize it in the end, the Ouyang Family will!

"As long as the Young Master helps us survive this ordeal... from this point on, the Ouyang Family will heed your every command!"

Liu Zhaonian was stunned by these words, tapping his finger lightly on the back of his chair, then looked at Chu Qing.

The Martial Arts Alliance Leader of Lingbei would be just a facade even if Chu Qing took it.

A ploy to fool the simple-minded...

However, Ouyang Tianxu’s words represent the Ouyang Family, and regardless of the ultimate outcome, the Ouyang Family must honor today’s promise.

Otherwise, the Celestial Sound Mansion won’t let it rest.

After all, even if he can’t contend with the entire Lingbei Martial World, can’t he contend with a single Liaoyuan Mansion?

Of course, Chu Qing was the concerned party.

Liu Zhaonian then looked at Chu Qing to see what he thought.

Chu Qing listened to their conversation, and though there was little exchange, he was smart enough to understand their implication.

After pondering briefly, he then said:

"As they say, ’When the nest is overturned, no egg can remain intact’; being part of the Martial World, we naturally cannot let the General act wantonly.

"As martial artists, we must fight with all our might."

Ouyang Tianxu breathed a sigh of relief at this:

"The Young Master is magnanimous; Ouyang Tianxu admires you."

"Spare me the useless flattery."

Liu Zhaonian snorted:

"What’s said can’t be unsaid; now that he’s agreed, shouldn’t you make some gesture?"

Ouyang Tianxu fell silent, then slowly removed something from his chest.

When examined, you could tell it wasn’t ordinary; gold inlaid with jade, intricately designed.

On the front were the words ’Jade Order’, and on the back was ’Liaoyuan’.

"This is the Burning Jade Order, our highest token in Liaoyuan Mansion.

"Traditionally held by the Mansion Master of Liaoyuan, never handed to others.

"Genuinely, when someone holds the Burning Jade Order, their authority surpasses even the Mansion Master’s.

"They can command all, including the Ouyang Family and the Mansion Master.

"Today, to show sincerity, I present you this order.

"I hope the Young Master will honor your promises!"

With that, he raised the Burning Jade Order with both hands and presented it to Chu Qing.

Chu Qing was a little embarrassed and couldn’t help but glance at Liu Zhaonian.

Liu Zhaonian nodded fiercely, like a chicken pecking grain, signaling him to take it quickly before Ouyang Tianxu could retract.

Chu Qing chuckled softly, reached out to accept the Jade Order, and tugged lightly, finding it unmoved.

He looked at Ouyang Tianxu, seeing his face full of pain, and smiled again:

"Perhaps you should reconsider, Master Ouyang?"

"No need."

Ouyang Tianxu bit his teeth and relaxed his grip.

In today’s battle, he realized Chu Qing is their sole lifeline.

Submit to the Celestial Evil Cult or submit to Chu Qing.

That was their fate.

Between these two, he leaned toward Chu Qing... because Chu Qing wasn’t an evil person. Even if they submitted to him, he wouldn’t cross the line.

But the Celestial Evil Cult is different.

Ouyang Tianxu must not let the ancestral foundation be destroyed by such means.

So even if the decision was difficult... he made it.

Chu Qing carefully examined the token and put it away before addressing Ouyang Tianxu:

"From now on, will you heed every word I say?"

Ouyang Tianxu’s heart skipped a beat, not knowing what Chu Qing’s first order might be.

He could only lower his head:

"Yes, please instruct me, Young Master."

"I want you to prohibit all slave trading within Liaoyuan Mansion. Every slave trader must release their slaves immediately, and Liaoyuan disciples escort these people back to their homes.

"Anyone disobedient, execute without mercy! Are you willing?"

Chu Qing was dissatisfied with Liaoyuan Mansion’s slave trading. Now in power, he wanted to test how effective his authority was.

Ouyang Tianxu was stunned, looked at Chu Qing, and seeing his serious expression, nodded:

"Yes, I obey!

"But... these are significant dealings, and enforcing such a command might incite backlash..."

Chu Qing smiled and asked him:

"Is the butcher’s knife dull?"

This simple five-word question made Ouyang Tianxu’s heart tremble slightly. Knowing Chu Qing was no villain, but was not lacking in decisive measures.

He took a deep breath:

"I understand."

He quickly assumed his role...

After the discussion of subsequent matters, everyone left, leaving only Chu Qing and Liu Zhaonian in the Five Tones Hall.