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Does Chen Qing... really have such clout?

To be honest, even the Princess Royale was stunned.

Duke of Wei could publicly defy the Imperial Court, commanding a deployment of five hundred thousand northern bloodline troops, owning both cities and the largest horse ranch—strong in both troops and horses, he is a force that has compelled the Imperial Court to cooperate with the northern Ancient Desolate Country.

When did Chen Qing get in touch with him?

The Princess Royale’s brow furrowed as she suddenly remembered that Chen Qing once negotiated with her to control the grain route from the West Sea, which he claimed some sea merchants used to travel north for business. Could it be that same route he used to connect with the Duke of Wei?

But on what basis?

What could he offer to the Duke of Wei?

"Could it be grain?" Elder Shen inquired, frowning.

The Princess Royale was taken aback upon hearing that: "He still has grain?"

Currently, she could stand on equal footing with Elder Shen in the West Sea, seizing six cities of the West Sea, thanks in no small part to Chen Qing’s unceasing grain supply that allowed her to fight the West Sea without any worries for her rear.

The provisions supplied by Chen Qing were not only ample but also of high quality.

Those evolved undead kin had a far greater appetite than the living bloodline troops of the past, yet half a pound or so of Chen Qing’s grain could satiate a fourth or fifth level undead.

According to Fifth Master, Jiangnan... should have a secret treasure land that could enhance both the yield and quality of crops.

She hadn’t expected Chen Qing to be able to supply the north with grain while providing her with a considerable portion of food.

She had seen Chen Qing’s military strength—hundreds of thousands of high-quality troops under his command, whose consumption of grain was incredibly terrifying.

She had originally thought that providing such a large share to her was already his limit, but if she was wrong and he still had grain to spare?

With that thought, a glint of greed flashed in the eyes of the Princess Royale. What Chen Qing held was likely enough to sustain a million bloodline troops. With this alone, it was the foundation of a ruler, and she must find a way to take it for herself!

"Is it for this reason that the Duke of Wei himself has come to Jiangnan?

" The Princess Royale still found it somewhat inconceivable.

The Duke of Wei was the leader of the northern coalition forces, a fierce figure who almost broke into Capital City half a year ago.

Now with his fame spread far and wide, even she, entrenched in Jiangnan, had heard of him.

Such a figure, if only for a grain cooperation, needn’t have come in person—sending a representative would suffice.

Not to mention coming to her territory now, inviting her to join him at Chen Qing’s. What kind of face was he giving her?

At that, the Princess Royale looked at Elder Shen: "We’re rather cut off here, only able to rely on your bugs for news from Capital City which is very slow in coming. I guess... if Chen Qing can call upon the Duke of Wei, it’s very possible that Weichi Peng... has already been defeated!"

Elder Shen was startled and looked at the Princess Royale: "That quickly?"

"Only that makes sense!" the Princess Royale sneered as she got up. "These days, the miasma is thinning, and that one in the West Sea has started to retreat from his usual unyielding expansion, beginning to contract his forces. If I’m not mistaken, that place... should be opening soon, right?"

Elder Shen nodded: "Should be. The Ancestral Insect has gathered many secret texts, and has captured many top celestial masters of the past, barely calculating the location of the Dragon Palace. We were just one step away from opening the Dragon Palace, if it weren’t for those reclusive Array Masters’ scheming. "

"The power of the Nine Heavens Mirror Valley is about to dissipate. As long as the location of the Dragon Palace hasn’t changed, when the fog clears, that will be the time for the reopening of the Dragon Palace!"

"That’s right..." the Princess Royale mused, looking out into the distance: "If my guess is correct, Chen Qing... has information about the Dragon Palace; he has plans regarding the Ancient Dragon Palace as well!"

Upon hearing this, a cold glint flashed across Elder Shen’s eyes. This was one thing he had no intention of sharing with any other power.

"So, Chen Qing invites us over this time for what?"

"An alliance," the Princess Royale sneered: "No... perhaps even more confident than that. He might want to preside over the plan to open the Dragon Palace this time!"

Elder Shen: "......"

"Invite Duke of Wei to come to the outskirts of the city. I want to see just how big that youngster’s heart is!"

-----------------------------------

"Father dear, are we really going ashore?"

Above the sea, on the deck of a castle-like three-masted ship, Wang Shiyu, the trueborn son of the Duke of Wei, looked at the island with a furrowed brow.

Above the island, a sinister black aura surged to the skies, engulfing the entire island even in broad daylight, radiating a fierce and malevolent aura that could be felt even from over ten miles away. Clearly... the former West Sea had turned into a city of horror!

"Nonsense, we’re being paid to do a job, isn’t that right?

" the Duke of Wei gave his son a disparaging look before turning to the large ship behind them: "Tsk, such an excellent ship.

Smooth sailing all the way here without even a hint of bumpiness.

Certainly different from those petty airships made in the Eastern Sea! "

Wang Shiyu: "......"

Although his father had mostly been in the north, he’d always dreamed of becoming the king of an island nation and couldn’t resist such a fine ship that Chen Qing had presented.

Besides food, it was the best gift Chen Qing had sent this year!

"I’ve already told His Majesty..." the Duke of Wei gazed at the island: "Siao Mingyue is not the compliant kind. Ultimately, His Majesty was soft-hearted, remembering sibling affection..."

Wang Shiyu curled his lip upon hearing the words, "Our Emperor is soft-hearted?"

He had never seen many with a heart as ruthless as their Emperor.

What kind of man was Liu Yu? It could be said that the stability of half of Great Jin’s territory came from Liu Yu.

Yet, His Majesty had him executed without hesitation.

If that was considered soft-hearted, then there were no ruthless people left in this world.

He also didn’t understand why his father was so loyal to the Siao Family!

"Three hundred thousand Golden Dragon Guards..." Duke of Wei sighed looking at the soaring dark qi, "Truly ruthless."

"Being ruthless is the Siao Family’s ancestral skill." Wang Shiyu couldn’t help but make a snarky comment, and seeing his father glare at him, quickly changed the subject, "What exactly does Chen Qing want to do?"

"He wants to be the host..." Duke of Wei chuckled, "Inviting us to petition Princess Chang is just to display his power of summoning, and he himself... has gone to invite that person from the West Sea!"

Wang Shiyu: "....."

That person from the West Sea...

The North is now focusing on guarding against that monster from the West Sea.

The mists of the West Sea are thinning, and the enemy could move along the waterways of Jiangnan.

Already struggling against the combined pressures from the Imperial Court and Ancient Desolation Country, if that monster gets involved, they really won’t be able to hold out.

Thus, from very early on, they had been inquiring about the situation in the West Sea. Intelligence indicated that it was an extremely terrifying demon. Seventy-two island nations along the West Sea’s trade routes were wiped out, livestock and all—a ferocity not seen even in the previous dynasty!

Such a creature, and Chen Qing actually intends to visit and extend an invitation?

Setting other things aside, that Prefectural Governor from Lyuzhou sure has plenty of courage...

"The Imperial Court, Princess Chang, that monster from the West Sea, plus us," he muttered, "This lad wants to stage a Spring and Autumn period alliance, act as the leader, and call for a ceasefire amongst us four!"

"What an ego..." The second son of Duke of Wei couldn’t help but remark behind him.

"Shut up!" Wang Shiyu glared at his frivolous younger brother before turning to his father, "We must not underestimate Chen Qing. He managed to force Princess Chang to withdraw from Jiangnan, supported us with so much food, and even built such huge ships. His current power is truly formidable!"

Duke of Wei nodded. He had thought that to supply so much food and build such large ships would take a distant oceanic power, yet it turned out to be the Prefectural Governor from Jiangnan who rose amidst chaos...

He really did not understand how a mere magistrate, a force never heard of before, could in just one year build such influence in Jiangnan?

This abundance of provisions and the craftsmanship of these ships were definitely not something a single family or clan could achieve. He even suspected that Chen Qing was royalty from some great overseas nation who was taking advantage of the turmoil in the Central Plains for his own gains!

However, the specifics would only become clear upon reaching Lyuzhou.

"That’s exactly it..." The second son of Duke of Wei said discontentedly, "Just a mere Prefectural Governor of Lyuzhou."

"The ’mere Prefectural Governor of Lyuzhou’ you speak of, in just one day, routed the Imperial Army, captured fifty thousand soldiers, and even seized Weichi Peng alive!!"

"Tch... Haven’t we also defeated the Imperial Army?" The younger brother still wasn’t convinced, "We fought against the elite forces of the court. Who did Chen Qing fight? A bunch of green recruits!"

"You too are a green recruit." Duke of Wei immediately slapped his younger son on the head, "Do you think you’ve become a general after a few battles? Although the court sent green recruits, they were still legitimate descendants of military families, and it was Weichi Peng who led them. Even if I led my Personal Soldiers against them, I wouldn’t dare to say I could capture them all! "

Wang Shiyu nodded. Killing and capturing alive were two different matters. What caliber was Weichi Peng? Their generation knew his strength well. He himself couldn’t last ten exchanges against Weichi Peng, let alone combat power, even his father might struggle against that monster.

To capture him alive?

At the very least, this proved that under Chen Qing’s command, there were powerhouses at the same level as the Duke of Qin and Princess Chang. With this fact alone, Chen Qing should not be underestimated!

"But what is his motive?" Wang Shiyu wondered, "To have us cease fire? Aside from whether he has the capability to do so, what good does it do for him?"

"It must be related to the ancient matters of Jiangnan.

.." Duke of Wei said, reminiscing, "Remember back when the King of Qin was alive, when the Demon Figure descended from beyond the heavens, it was he who managed to subdue dozens of Feudal Lords, organized us all to seal away that ancient threat. I didn’t think that after so many years, another such brazen young man would appear, attempting to do the same thing. .."

Wang Shiyu: "He also wants to organize us to seal away the ancient?"

"He doesn’t have the prestige for that..." Duke of Wei shook his head, "This time, it’s likely to be a temptation of benefits..."

He paused before chuckling, "The specifics, we’ll know once we reach Jiangnan. If he dares invite the four major powers to Jiangnan, he must show enough strength and sincerity. If either falls short, ha... that would be playing with fire and he can’t blame me for not being polite..."

"When it comes down to it, you’re still thinking about his ships."

"How do you speak?" Duke of Wei was furious, "There’s also the food, right?"

Wang Shiyu: "...."

"Let’s go ashore... and meet, the Princess Chang who managed to capsize the Duke of Qin’s ship!"

"Yes!!"