The Demon Lords

Chapter 948 - 212: Flames of War Rise Again

The matter of the princess coming is merely a minor episode. The specifics depend on how she arrives and how the court plans to settle her. For example, who will accompany her is quite crucial.

Before any concrete news is received, further analysis would be merely adding more discussions. Importantly, Lord Zheng is no longer the humble commoner who once knelt before the princess to choose between becoming a servant of the Li family or a protector of merchants.

As the barbecue was coming to an end,

The leader of the Hailan Tribe, Hailan Yanggu, arrived and respectfully knelt to the side.

The wild people’s king had already returned to his carriage, hidden from view.

Monk Kongyuan and young monk Liaofan wiped the grease from their hands and silently stood up. The master and disciple duo nearly synchronized in flicking their cassock corners, instantly transforming from meat-eating monks into high monks with ethereal demeanor.

Lord Zheng stood up and walked to Hailan Yanggu. The latter lowered his head even further.

There was no choice, for the Hailan Tribe was extremely close to Xuehai Pass. When the Naman Tribe was thriving, they were easily annihilated by the order of Xuehai Pass. The small size of the Hailan Tribe couldn’t afford to provoke Lord Zheng’s anger.

"These two high monks wish to spread Buddhist Dharma on the snowy plains and save all beings. You need to look after them well. If anything happens to them, the Hailan Tribe will have no reason to exist anymore."

Using the threat of annihilation as leverage is somewhat disgraceful.

But it is truly efficient, convenient, and fast, making it addictive for people to use, just like emperors who often threaten with the extermination of nine generations.

Hailan Yanggu immediately kowtowed and said:

"Please rest assured, Lord, the Hailan Tribe will do its utmost to take care of the two venerable monks."

Zheng Fan nodded and refrained from making any formal remarks. Instead, he turned and boarded his carriage.

Inside the carriage, the Sword Saint was already seated.

"Those two monks are staying on the snowy plains?" the Sword Saint asked.

Zheng Fan nodded. Today’s picnic was partly to relax and also to see Kongyuan and his disciple off.

The Sword Saint chuckled and said, "Destroying their bodies is a temporary fix; undermining their faith is the true solution."

"Oh, Old Yu, seeing you realize this is quite surprising."

"It was the wild people’s king who mentioned it to me."

"Heh heh."

Zheng Fan originally thought that the Sword Saint had become enlightened in this regard too. After all, in the past, the Sword Saint had done quite a few things for the country and its people, but none ended well.

"Besides, aren’t you Yan people using the same method in our Jin land? Just the adoption of the imperial examination alone is undermining our Jin roots."

"We are all descendants of Zhuxia, one family. Now it’s merely a matter of division followed by reunification, and reunification followed by division. Besides, let’s not talk about other small states; just look at the endless conflicts among the four great countries over hundreds of years, displacing countless people. Only unity can end the chaos. By then, the snow plains, barbarian tribes, tribal leaders of Qian State’s Southwest, the great marshes of Chu State, and Shanyue are actually not problems at all."

"You make a valid point, but if you were a general of Qian or Chu State instead of a Yan person, what would you say?"

"I would say the Yan Emperor is dreaming!"

"Hahaha."

"Hahaha."

Inside the carriage, Zheng Fan and the Sword Saint exchanged laughter.

A Ming, who was driving the carriage in front, took out a wine pouch and silently drank a mouthful of blood.

"This time, the Sixth Prince was almost lost. Frankly, I feel a sense of fear."

Upon hearing this, the Sword Saint said:

"In truth, there are many capable people and remarkable talents in the world. Official figures do not represent the majority. In the chaotic world, there are indeed many hidden talents, and even some reclusive sects.

However, despite all this, the assistants around the princess are indeed extravagant."

"I’m now worried that Li Liangshen might escort the princess here."

"Isn’t Li Liangshen the general of the garrison outside Yanjing?"

"Who can predict how His Majesty will arrange things? In fact, the Empress’s passing might not be without intrigue."

"Matters within the palace are truly difficult to keep clean." The Sword Saint remarked and added, "By the way, since the Empress is gone, didn’t you go to see Tian Wujing?"

"It’s inconvenient. Going there now might make it appear to outsiders that I, Lord Pingye, am persuading Lord Jingnan to rebel again."

"You’re not willing to rebel?" After asking this, the Sword Saint displayed a ’you must be kidding’ expression.

"If I were to do anything, I would only wait for military orders from Lord Jingnan."

"So, people are like this. Earlier, you talked about unifying the country to end the chaos and Zhuxia facing external threats. But when it affects yourself, you’re still contemplating rebellion and seizing power."

"Slogans are slogans; personal life is personal life. There’s no contradiction. Let’s return to the topic. The princess is trouble.

Since she dared to act that way towards the Sixth Prince, she might well do the same to me."

"The assistant beside the princess, whom Mr. Bei previously mentioned to me as Seventh Uncle, left an impression on me. This person is solitary in sword cultivation; he pursued the path where he would be content even if he died soon after attaining the truth. Describing him as having ’One Sword by His Side’ is the most fitting."

Because his strongest sword can only be used once in a lifetime.

"Please continue."

"His sword seems formidable but isn’t truly terrifying. Just keep people close to your side. As long as there’s someone who can block that one strike for you, its threat to you will be greatly reduced."

Upon hearing this,

Lord Zheng instinctively touched his chest.