Chapter 502 - 442: Warfare 2

Chapter 502: Chapter 442: Warfare 2

Besides them, the Jiangnan Yan Family and the Dragon Tiger Sect were also eyeing the situation like hungry tigers, making the outcome truly uncertain.

Bai Yuan said, "Brother Han, the more chaotic the world gets, the more money we can make, right?"

Upon hearing this, Han Jiu let out a knowing chuckle.

The more chaotic the world became, the more money people in their line of business—the underworld—could make. His current annual income nearly equaled ten years’ worth of past earnings, so Han Jiu certainly didn’t want the great turmoil to end anytime soon.

Just then, a young attendant trotted to the door. "My lords," he announced, "Lord Wei is at the entrance and wishes to come in."

Hearing it was Wei Yang, Han Jiu’s lips curled into a sneer.

"This Lord Wei certainly has his ears to the ground. Younger Brother Bai, what do you think?"

Bai Yuan replied, "Let him in."

A short while later, Wei Yang, the Prefect of Yanzhou, arrived at the door.

"Wei Yang, Prefect of Yanzhou, pays his respects to Lord Bai and Han Bangzhu."

"Come in."

Han Jiu gestured for Wei Yang to enter.

Only then did Wei Yang enter the room. He took a seat and glanced at Bai Yuan from the corner of his eye.

He was overcome with emotion. ’Back in the day, I had a few dealings with Bai Yuan. I never thought that this young man would now be my direct superior.’

Han Jiu watched Wei Yang with great interest. "Lord Wei," he asked, "to what do we owe the pleasure?"

’Yan Province is the Eldest Prince’s territory now. The fact that Wei Yang is still the Prefect here makes it obvious he’s already thrown in his lot with the Eldest Prince. I’m one thing, but Bai Yuan hasn’t declared his stance yet. On paper, he’s still a minister loyal to the new Emperor.’

’By that logic, their two sides are hostile. And even if they aren’t, a meeting like this probably isn’t a good thing.’

Wei Yang said in a solemn voice, "Lord Bai, the Eldest Prince wishes to meet you here in Yan Province. I implore you to stay for two more days. I assure you, Yan Province means you no harm."

At his words, the expressions of everyone in the room grew complicated.

’The Eldest Prince wants to meet with Jiedu Envoy Bai Yuan? The intent to recruit him is painfully obvious.’

Bai Yuan shook his head. "That won’t be necessary. I am a minister of the court, and this is an internal affair of the Royal Family. It’s best we don’t meet."

Wei Yang’s expression grew anxious. "Lord Bai, the Eldest Prince is sincere in his desire to meet you."

"Lord Wei, you should head back."

Seeing that Bai Yuan’s mind was made up, Wei Yang could only let out a long sigh.

He had been mentally prepared for this outcome, but the rejection still stung. Having thrown in his lot with the Eldest Prince, he naturally hoped the prince would emerge victorious. If not, he would surely be purged—and having his entire clan exterminated would be considered a light punishment.

If they could win the support of Bai Yuan’s faction, the Eldest Prince’s odds of success would increase significantly.

Bai Yuan represented far more than just Shuofang.

Once Wei Yang had left, Han Jiu turned to Bai Yuan with a thoughtful look. "Younger Brother Bai, even if the Eldest Prince isn’t an ideal master, you’ll still have to choose a side eventually. This empire, after all, still belongs to the Li Family. Trying to stay aloof is likely not an option."

’I can play both sides,’ he thought, ’but Bai Yuan can’t.’

’On the one hand, it’s because of his status. As a Jiedu Envoy, he’s fated to be at the center of this storm. On the other, his faction is simply too powerful for anyone to ignore.’

Bai Yuan raised his wine cup. "Han Bangzhu, regardless of what I choose, let’s first toast to our successful partnership."

Han Jiu didn’t press the matter and raised his own cup.

"Well said, Younger Brother Bai."

...

「The next day.」

Bai Yuan set out once more, leading tens of thousands of Demon Hunters. Yan Province was very close to Yu State, and soon they would be back in Shuofang.

The old patriarch and his people were all looking forward to their new life.

In the Northern Territory, they no longer needed to hide. They traveled openly on the Official Road, moving much faster than they had in the Southern Border.

Just as Bai Yuan crested a mountain pass, about to enter the territory of Yu State, a voice suddenly called from the sky, "Lord Bai, please wait!"

The old patriarch looked up.

He saw two figures descending from the sky.

One was a refined, gentle-looking old scholar; the other, a magnificently dressed young nobleman.

Bai Yuan watched the two descend, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Your Highness. Lord Liang."

The newcomers were none other than Grand Tutor Liang Yuan Kang and the Eldest Prince, Li Kang.

Li Kang gazed at Bai Yuan. "Lord Bai, we rushed as fast as we could and finally caught up. Perhaps there has been some misunderstanding between us."

"A misunderstanding?"

"Situ Aiqing’s trip to Ling Province was simply to inspect the scholarly atmosphere of the academy. He had no other intentions."

Bai Yuan remained expressionless. "Lord Situ was merely performing his official duties. There was nothing improper about it. Your Highness is worrying for nothing."

A smile finally touched Li Kang’s lips. "Lord Bai, I hear you have a significant feud with the Celestial Profound Sect. That scoundrel Li Wei has already colluded with them. If he were to gain power, I fear the Celestial Profound Sect would not let you off easily."

Bai Yuan replied, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I have my own ways of dealing with it."

Seeing that Bai Yuan was completely unswayed, Li Kang showed no sign of displeasure, continuing his persuasion with immense patience.

Just then, Liang Yuan Kang spoke up. "Lord Bai, I know what you are thinking. General Xu has been loyal and righteous his entire life, and he is unwilling to meddle in the affairs of the Royal Family. I understand this perfectly. But some matters are impossible to stay out of. As a minister of the state, it is our duty to turn the raging tide, to prop up the great house as it is about to collapse."

Bai Yuan secretly glanced at Li Kang.

’Liang Yuan Kang just said something utterly treasonous, yet Li Kang didn’t react at all.’

’On the surface, Liang Yuan Kang claims he wants to save the realm from disaster. But any emperor would hear that and think he’s brazenly choosing the next one himself.’ 𝘧𝓇ℯℴ𝓂

’That’s a sore spot for practically any emperor.’

’This shows that the Imperial Race backing Li Kang must not have much real power, or Liang Yuan Kang wouldn’t dare speak so bluntly.’

Before Bai Yuan could respond, Liang Yuan Kang continued, "Persuading you, Lord Bai, was only a secondary reason for our visit. My primary purpose was to give you a warning. The Celestial Profound Sect is colluding with Ximo, coordinating an attack from both inside and out to encircle and kill General Xu. I would hate to see a loyal army fall at the hands of its own people."

At these words, Bai Yuan’s expression finally turned grave.

"My thanks, Lord Liang."

Bai Yuan knew Liang Yuan Kang wasn’t truly trying to help him and the Zhenxi Army. Instead, he hoped to use the power of Bai Yuan’s faction to tie down the Celestial Profound Sect and Ximo.

The Eldest Prince’s faction was currently in a terrible position.

They were, in effect, besieged on three fronts.

To seize the throne, Li Wei had resorted to the most extreme measures, practically selling off half of Xuan Yang’s territory.

The Southern Border was ceded to the Witch Race, and the waterways to the East Sea Race. Now, going all in, he had promised the nations of Ximo ten years of Xuan Yang’s tax revenue in exchange for their military support.

This enormous price had bought him the intervention of these three powers.

Now, both the Great Witch of the Southern Border and the East Sea Dragon Lord were moving against the Eldest Prince. Even with the support of the Quanqing Sect, Liang Yuan Kang was struggling to hold them off.

If Ximo and the Celestial Profound Sect joined the fray, the Eldest Prince might genuinely be defeated.

That was why the Eldest Prince was being so deferential today; at the end of the day, he had simply run out of options.

Li Wei’s plan was clearly to cut the Gordian knot: to use his power at its peak to sweep across the land and annihilate all his enemies—a category that naturally included Bai Yuan and his faction.

Li Kang spoke again. "Lord Bai, if you are willing, you can come to me at any time."

"Thank you, Eldest Prince."

With that, Liang Yuan Kang and Li Kang soared into the air and vanished over the horizon.

Bai Yuan gazed at the sky, silent for a long time.

’The winds of change are coming for Xuan Yang.’

...

Bai Yuan and the Demon Hunters finally returned to Ling Province, their journey tense but ultimately safe.

However, instead of sending the Demon Hunters to Dingzhou, he had them stay in Huanglong Prefecture.

His original plan had been to treat the Demon Hunters as collaborators, making full use of their abilities. But now that he was their patriarch, they were his own people.

Not to mention, the Demon Hunters had many masters at the Zhigan level and above, and even two Mingxin Grandmasters. Such power could not be wasted.

In an instant, Shuofang’s top-tier combat strength increased several times over.

Yang Fangyu and Li Huan were overjoyed to see this.

The stronger Shuofang became, the safer they would be in these chaotic times.

Bai Yuan’s expedition had been a resounding success.

However, Bai Yuan didn’t linger in Huanglong Prefecture. After just two days, he headed north once again.

’War isn’t just a contest of powerful experts; it’s a contest of wealth.’

’Therefore, before a war breaks out, I must open up the trade routes with the barbarian tribes and the Cao Bang to secure more funding for the army.’