Chapter 660 - 148: The New Nine Kingdoms Order—The Fall of Zheng Kingdom
Chapter 660: Chapter 148: The New Nine Kingdoms Order—The Fall of Zheng Kingdom
Liang, Lingxiao City.
City Lord’s Mansion of Lingxiao City.
The martial artists of Lingxiao City saw several powerful auras passing overhead today, landing in the direction of the City Lord’s Mansion.
"Innate Martial Artists!"
The martial artists walking on the streets of Lingxiao City showed no fear. Although the aura of these Innate Martial Artists was powerful and astonishing while sweeping through the air, it did not cause them any harm.
"I remember not long ago, those Innate Martial Artists visited our Imperial Capital of Ze Kingdom, not hiding their powerful presence at all. Many martial artists in the city were enveloped by this aura, and those with lesser strength died on the spot."
A martial artist from Ze Kingdom had a trace of resentment in his eyes, then looked at the martial artists of Liang beside him with a hint of envy in his eyes.
Now even these Innate Martial Artists dare not act recklessly within the territory of Liang and must restrain their own aura.
And all this is because Liang has a Lin Chen.
"If possible, it would be better for Ze Kingdom to merge directly into the territory of Liang."
This is the thought of the martial artists of the Ze Kingdom, and it is also the common sentiment of martial artists from other countries at this moment.
With the existence of sects like the Flame Dynasty, their countries are only nations in name. In this case, it would be better to merge into Liang Kingdom, at least merging into Liang Kingdom, they could gain protection.
The martial artists of Liang have heard many such sentiments lately, but they didn’t thump their chests and say it was a good idea.
Who doesn’t like expanding territories? But the timing is not right now. The current stability of Liang is more dependent on the Canglan Sect behind Lin Chen. If they take the opportunity to annex a few other countries, will the Canglan Sect have a bad impression and think that Liang is too greedy, even affecting Lin Chen?
Now in the hearts of all martial artists in Liang, nothing is more important than Lin Chen. As long as there is anything that might affect Lin Chen, even if there’s just the slightest possibility, the martial artists of Liang will not do it.
"I hope this time, Liang can also fight for some rights for us martial artists from other countries."
This time the Innate Martial Artists of the Upper Sect Alliance came to Lingxiao City, and Liang had already announced it. It is to discuss the matters of martial arts in the entire Nine Kingdoms.
"Rest assured, the distinguished members of our Imperial Court in Liang are not the kind of people who only care for themselves. Since it is the Upper Sect Alliance that actively proposed the discussion this time, they will definitely fight for some rights for the countries, except for a certain small country."
"Hmm, over the past three hundred years, Liang has always acted fairly, which convinces us."
Whether they truly think so in their hearts or not, now these martial artists from other countries can only pin their hopes on Liang.
At the same time, they also know which small country the martial artists of Liang refer to.
Zheng Kingdom!
Liang and Zheng Kingdom have a deep-seated feud, so it is reasonable for Liang not to help Zheng Kingdom. It would even be normal for Liang to take this opportunity to destroy Zheng Kingdom, and the other countries would also find it normal.
Thinking about Zheng Kingdom, the other countries then thought of Nansha Three Islands. They must be regretting choosing to betray Liang.
When Liang and Han Kingdom went to war, Nansha Three Islands chose to stab Liang in the back, alerting Li Fire, but unfortunately harming others ultimately harmed themselves. Li Fire ended up burning their own homeland.
The prominent martial artists of Nansha Three Islands moved their entire clan into the territory of Han Kingdom, initially thinking of using Han Kingdom’s land to change the predicament of Nansha Three Islands’ scarce martial arts resources. Unexpectedly, Han Kingdom turned around and acknowledged Nine Palaces Sect as the Upper Sect, with all major national affairs being under the jurisdiction of Nine Palaces Sect.
In contrast, even Nine Palaces Sect now has to be polite to Liang. If Nansha Three Islands had not chosen to betray Liang back then, with their nearly thousand-year historical affiliation with Liang, if Nansha Three Islands wanted to return to Liang, Liang would definitely choose to reclaim them.
...
...
Main hall of the City Lord’s Mansion.
Kong Qifeng and the Left and Right Prime Ministers were still representing Liang, while ten Innate Martial Artists from the Upper Sect Alliance had all gathered.
"Liang’s conditions are too harsh. We have already shown enough respect by promising not to interfere with the internal affairs of your Liang."
An Innate Powerhouse’s face turned cold upon hearing the conditions proposed by Kong Qifeng.
Kong Qifeng’s expression remained unchanged. The Upper Sect Alliance approaching Liang first had already shown that they were guilty.
"Liang and the other several countries have existed here for thousands of years, with deep-rooted ties that cannot be completely severed. Take Zhao Kingdom, for instance. Many of our Liang martial artists have matrimonial ties with Zhao. If these martial artists’ relatives are persecuted, what then?"
"Those martial artists who have ties with Liang can all be relocated into Liang; we will not interfere."
Upon hearing this, the Left Prime Minister suddenly smiled, "If so, then the population of our Liang might increase several times, and with Liang’s current territory, we cannot sustain so many martial artists."
"Moreover, in the past, the martial arts resources of various countries were traded with each other to ensure that martial artists in all countries could obtain the resources they wanted. Now, with each of you controlling other countries, how can we obtain the martial arts resources that our Liang lacks?"
"You can continue trading as you did in the past; we will not block trade with your Liang."
These Innate Powerhouses from the Upper Sect Alliance had no intention of accepting Liang’s proposal whatsoever. According to Liang’s proposal, apart from occupying places with Innate Energy in various countries, they should not interfere in the specific affairs of the countries and even cultivate martial artists from each country.
The negotiations reached a stalemate.
"I actually think this proposal is good. If we want to establish long-term operations here, we shouldn’t treat it as a land to be plundered and then leave once the resources have been exhausted."
Yin Bowen, an Innate Powerhouse from the Blue Moon Valley, spoke up, and when he did, the other Innate Powerhouses glared at him with anger.
Yin Bowen was indifferent to their looks. Since entering this territory, Blue Moon Valley has occupied the Yan Kingdom territory.
Although the territory of Yan Kingdom is small, Yin Bowen didn’t mind. Territory can be developed later on, but what frustrated him was the rumor that the sixth princess of the Yan Country Royal Family had an unusual relationship with Lin Chen.
After learning about this rumor, he immediately conducted an investigation, and the final conclusion was that it was not just unusual, but that there might be a romantic relationship between the sixth Princess of the Yan Country Royal Family, Murong Yan, and Lin Chen.
Murong Yan had once expressed her feelings for Lin Chen in front of many people.
Although Lin Chen had not responded, it was said that this sixth princess of the Yan Kingdom had a beauty capable of toppling a kingdom. Any man, facing the admiration of such a beauty, might not accept it, but they would certainly not dislike the sixth princess.
Faced with the admiration of an ugly woman, a man might feel annoyed, but when faced with the admiration of a beauty, they would always soften a little.
If this sixth princess of the Yan Kingdom were to seek out Lin Chen, he couldn’t guarantee that Lin Chen wouldn’t be displeased with their Blue Moon Valley.
Therefore, even before coming to Lingxiao City, he had already reached an agreement with the Yan Country Royal Family. Blue Moon Valley would settle in the Yan Kingdom, becoming the national guardian sect of the Yan Kingdom, with everything in the Yan Kingdom still under the control of the Yan Country Royal Family. Blue Moon Valley would merely occupy the innate energy location in the Yan Kingdom and also help to nurture the talented young members of the Yan Country Royal Family.
The suggestions proposed by Liang at present were completely within what he could accept.
"Everyone, please don’t look at me like that. If I may speak bluntly, we established the Upper Sect Alliance to resist the sects stepping into this land in the future, but who can really stop Canglan Sect?"
Yin Bowen used the unique transmission technique of an innate martial artist to send his voice into the ears of the innate martial artists present.
"Canglan Sect would not be interested in such a small island. We all follow the words of the Canglan Sect elders and do not intervene in the affairs of Liang where Lin Chen is." Another innate martial artist transmitted back.
"Certainly, Canglan Sect is not interested in this place, but if other sects come, understand the situation here, and are willing to accept the terms offered by Liang Kingdom, as long as Lin Chen says a few words in front of Canglan Sect, and Canglan Sect asks us to leave, would any of you dare to stay?"
Yin Bowen’s voice carried a mocking tone: "Everyone, we simply have no initiative now. Forming good relations with Liang Kingdom and Lin Chen will make Lin Chen feel that our continued presence benefits the martial artists here. Thus, even if there is a stronger sect, as long as Lin Chen and Liang Kingdom recognize us, we can stay here for the long term."
Upon hearing Yin Bowen’s remarks, the innate martial artists present fell into deep thought.
They understood the reasoning, but their dignity as innate martial artists made them reluctant to think that way.
"Since this place can produce a Lin Chen, including Pei Qingming, who can guarantee there won’t be another genius? Perhaps with thorough exploration, they might find martial arts geniuses. Even if not as talented as Lin Chen and Pei Qingming, possessing a fraction of their talent would still be invaluable for our sects as disciples."
Yin Bowen’s final statement swayed these innate martial artists.
"Regardless of what you all decide, I will not only accept Liang Kingdom’s terms but also form an alliance with Liang Kingdom."
These were Yin Bowen’s last transmitted words, then he looked at Kong Qifeng and his three companions with a smile: "Our Blue Moon Valley accepts all terms offered by Liang Kingdom and is willing to foster talented martial artists from Yan Kingdom, contributing to the martial arts development here with our strength."
The other innate martial artists, upon hearing Yin Bowen’s words, wore heavy expressions. Yin Bowen showed no regard for the face of an innate martial artist.
"Our Galo Sect has spread martial arts inheritance in the Nine Kingdoms many years ago and naturally hopes for the prosperity of martial arts here. We also accept all terms offered by Liang Kingdom."
Before these innate martial artists could decide, the innate martial artist from Galo Sect also promptly agreed.
The remaining innate martial artists could no longer hold back and successively expressed their positions.
...
...
A day later.
News spread once again across the Nine Kingdoms.
The Upper Sect Alliance, after discussion with Liang Kingdom, jointly announced the "Martial Arts Longevity Book."
The Upper Sect Alliance returned jurisdiction to each country, would not interfere in their affairs, and would recruit martial arts talents into the sect.
The Upper Sect Alliance was dissolved, reorganized into the Martial Arts Alliance, headquartered in Liang, with Liang serving as the Alliance Leader of the Martial Arts Alliance, and each country nominating someone to be the Deputy Alliance Leader of the Martial Arts Alliance. Innate martial artists of the Upper Sect Alliance would serve as elders in the Martial Arts Alliance.
The mission of the Martial Arts Alliance is to promote the development of martial arts on this island.
...
With the release of the "Martial Arts Longevity Book," martial artists of various countries rejoiced.
Only one country felt heart-stopping fear at this moment.
According to the announced structure of the Martial Arts Alliance, there were only seven Deputy Alliance Leaders.
Zheng Kingdom was excluded.
Who led the Martial Arts Alliance was known to all martial artists across the countries.
Liang, this was their way of settling old scores with Zheng Kingdom.
Many martial artists from Zheng Kingdom, in panic, began to frenziedly attack Liang Kingdom.
Accusing Liang Kingdom that if they were going to assist everyone, they should not abandon Zheng Kingdom.
Criticizing Liang Kingdom for taking advantage of the situation, using this opportunity to target Zheng Kingdom.
Unfortunately, the words of these Zheng Kingdom martial artists didn’t garner support from martial artists of other countries. Fearing that Liang might become displeased, martial artists from other countries didn’t wait for a response from Liang, and started capturing and driving away the Zheng Kingdom martial artists.
Three days later.
The Emperor of Liang conducted ancestral rites.
Liang, with an army of one hundred thousand, crossed east.