After the Immortal Disappeared

Chapter 430: Chapter 429: The Northern Demon Kingdom’s Overt Scheme

As if sensing Hee Lingchuan’s gaze, Zhong Shengguang turned and shot him a glance, his eyes sharp as lightning.

Just then, the hall door opened again, and several officials and Military Generals filed in, followed by another Mage.

Among them, Wen Daolun, Helian Chen, and General Nanke were all familiar faces to Hee Lingchuan.

”Everyone’s here.” Zhong Shengguang nodded to the Mage, who immediately took out a long-handled Mirror and held it high.

The handle and frame of the Mirror were made of red gold, decorated with passionflower patterns, and its rim was inlaid with two deep red Rubies. Its design was extravagant and ornate.

But inside the frame wasn’t a normal reflective surface, but an eyeball!

Yes, a large, yellow eyeball two feet in diameter, with a vertical slit pupil like a crocodile or a cat.

Honestly, an eyeball detached from a body that could still dart its gaze up, down, left, and right was quite creepy.

Its gaze looked especially malevolent, particularly when it was fixed on you.

A layer of goosebumps rose on Hee Lingchuan’s back.

Fortunately, the large eyeball stared at him for less than a second before moving on to inspect the next person.

After a few dozen breaths, the eyeball showed no change. Only then did the Mage put it away and bow to Zhong Shengguang. ”Dharma Eye scan complete. Everyone is clean.”

Hee Lingchuan finally understood. The large eyeball was used to check if anyone was carrying listening Magical Artifacts or using surveillance Divine Techniques.

’Of course, if my little scouting spider were here, it probably wouldn’t have escaped the Dharma Eye either.’

After the Mage left, Hee Lingchuan closed the door and stood guard in front of it.

Zhong Shengguang pointed to the Sand Table. ”Regarding the Xiluo Kingdom’s Relocation Command, this is our second closed-door meeting. The seven attendees of the last meeting unanimously agreed that we should not return east. Today, I want to hear more opinions.”

Hee Lingchuan was stunned.

’So the news that the Xiluo Kingdom issued a Relocation Command is actually true?’

General Nanke immediately spoke up. ”I just returned from the west. Has the Relocation Command already been delivered to Panlong City?”

”Not yet.” Zhong Shengguang shook his head. ”As far as I know, the edict has not been issued. The Monarch is still wavering.”

”So he’s just being indecisive,” General Nanke sneered. ”Why is this news already buzzing all over the Panlong Wasteland? Who’s spreading it? They should be rounded up and taught a lesson.”

Someone else added, ”Spreading unconfirmed information is rumor-mongering. They should be charged with spreading falsehoods and inciting unrest.”

This was a serious crime in Panlong City, with severe cases punishable by having one’s tongue cut out. During wartime, the greatest fear was the wavering of military and public morale.

Helian Chen waved his hand. ”This news was brought in by traveling merchants and began to spread four or five days ago. We can’t rule out the possibility that someone is intentionally disseminating it, but we haven’t refuted it, so speculation is rampant among the populace.”

The Relocation Command was still stuck with the Monarch, yet merchants were spreading news everywhere that Panlong City’s army and people were about to return east. It was hard to say there wasn’t someone instigating this from behind the scenes. Now, Panlong City was in a dilemma:

If they refuted the rumor, and the Monarch actually issued the Relocation Command, the rumor would become true, and the authority of Zhong Shengguang and the others would surely be damaged.

If they didn’t refute it, the rumor would spread like wildfire, directly unsettling the people.

Everyone knew that Panlong City’s formidable combat strength stemmed from the unity of its people. If this foundation were to be shaken, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Zhong Shengguang nodded. ”So you all believe we should not return east?”

Another Grand General stood up. Hee Lingchuan vaguely recalled his name was Ling Zhongshui. He pointed at the Sand Table and said, ”Even if the Baling Kingdom opens the Jinxi Corridor for us, the journey home covers several hundred miles. Not to mention that many sections of the Jinxi Corridor are rugged and difficult to traverse, making them perfect for ambushes. With such a golden opportunity, I don’t believe those bastards from the Baling Kingdom won’t be tempted! By then, we’ll be encumbered by the old and young, unable to protect our front and rear. We won’t be able to leverage our swift and decisive fighting style at all!”

The Panlong City Army was invincible on the Wilderness, largely thanks to its highly efficient combat capabilities, striking like the wind and catching enemies off guard.

If the entire city, or rather multiple cities, were to relocate east, these millions of people would be exposed in the open, becoming moving targets. No matter how formidable the Panlong City Army was, it would be impossible to protect them all.

The Baling and Xianyou Kingdoms had fought Panlong City for over a decade and had long since developed a deep-seated, bloody feud. Given this perfect opportunity, could they possibly resist taking revenge?

You might as well tell a rabbit not to eat grass.

”If the Monarch really does issue the Relocation Command and we refuse to obey, what will the residents of the entire Wilderness think?” another middle-aged scholar spoke up. ”At least eight hundred thousand people in the entire Panlong Wasteland are originally from the heartlands. After holding back the enemy for sixteen years, the people are long weary of war. Otherwise, this unissued command to move east wouldn’t have caused such a huge stir.”

He had dark skin and bright, piercing eyes. Hee Lingchuan found his face somewhat familiar.

’Where have I seen him before?’

”Then, in Lord Zhao’s opinion?”

The mention of the surname Zhao made Hee Lingchuan jolt. He remembered.

There was only one high-ranking official in Panlong City with the surname Zhao: Deputy Commander Zhao Xianhe!

Not long ago, Hee Lingchuan had killed his beloved son, Zhao Rong, at the base of the Divine Descent Pillar. Moreover, it was Zhao Xianhe himself who, for the greater good, had given the order.

”The last time Xiluo issued a Relocation Command to Panlong City, the results were not good. It directly led to the loss of forty thousand Elite troops, thirty thousand civilians, and Mr. Jing. But the situation is different this time. The mother country is under attack by rebels, the National Capital is in peril, and the Northern Demon Kingdom is willing to send reinforcements to help the Xiluo Court Army eliminate the rebels around Heshun. In exchange, they want to mediate the conflict between our kingdom and Baling and Xianyou, which means moving the residents of Panlong back and handing this territory over to those two kingdoms.”

”Does Lord Zhao think the Demon Kingdom’s terms are reasonable?” General Nanke said coldly. ”Those old Demons are stirring up trouble everywhere, fearing only that the world isn’t chaotic enough. What good intentions could they possibly have for us? Besides, the Panlong Wasteland has always been our territory. On what grounds should we hand it over to Baling and Xianyou?”

”Who here doesn’t already know what you’ve just said?” Zhao Xianhe said expressionlessly. ”I am merely suggesting that we must be prepared for both possibilities. What if we have no choice but to relocate? What do we do then?”

Ling Zhongshui crossed his arms. ”We won’t move. What can they do to us?”

”The will of the people cannot be defied. If we choose not to relocate, we must explain the stakes and convince the common folk. Otherwise, how will we maintain our standing?” Zhao Xianhe shook his head. ”Perhaps Baling and Xianyou also want us to stay put, so they can use this opportunity to sow discord among our people.”

Any action that goes against the people’s will, no matter how grandiose the excuse, will seem hollow.

”What if the enemy sees this tactic is effective and uses it again after some time?” Zhao Xianhe continued. ”The Monarch orders us to relocate, and again we refuse. After this happens a few times, do you think the citizens won’t start fleeing on their own?”

The journey home may be fraught with a thousand difficulties and dangers, but at least it offers hope.

As long as there is a sliver of hope, some will take the risk.

When people’s hearts yearn for home, can you truly stop every single one of them?

If this sets a precedent for other citizens, a trend of secretly fleeing east could start, and it would be impossible to stop.

Wen Daolun let out a long sigh. ”In the art of war, attacking the mind is supreme.”

Once Panlong City is no longer united from top to bottom, its combat strength will immediately weaken.

The Red General remained silent throughout. Helian Chen asked her, ”What are your thoughts, Red General?”

Her voice was icy. ”First, the King of Xiluo does not want Zhong Shengguang to return. For all these years, Xiluo has not dared to summon us back, fearing that Panlong City’s army of tigers and wolves could easily point their swords at the Capital City.”

The Monarch is deeply wary of every Vassal King. Putting other things aside, the main cause of the current turmoil within Xiluo is the rebellion of the Vassal Kings. If the Monarch were to summon the Panlong City army back, it would be like setting a tiger to devour a wolf. Once the wolf is eaten, what will he do about the tiger that’s now inside his house?

The Panlong Army is stronger than the army of any Vassal King.

To take a worse-case scenario, what if Zhong Shengguang used his return as an opportunity to rebel, carving out his own territory or forcing the Monarch to abdicate again? The Vassal King problem would only intensify, and wouldn’t the King of Xiluo be kicking himself?

That is why the King of Xiluo would rather consider foreign aid than dare to recall Zhong Shengguang.

After all, foreign aid has no roots in the country. Everyone is wary of them, so they can’t naturally win the people’s hearts.

Everyone present understood this reasoning.

The Red General looked around at the group. ”Second, do you all truly want to go back?”

At this question, everyone fell silent.

Hee Lingchuan secretly gave her a thumbs-up. ’Good question.’

Everyone attending this meeting was part of Panlong City’s upper echelon, powerful and influential, living at the very top of the pyramid. For the past decade or more, they had cultivated deep roots in Panlong City, establishing vast properties and businesses. Their interests were deeply tied to this place. If they were to leave, they would suffer the greatest losses.

This was simply human nature; it had nothing to do with whether they were corrupt or clean.

What good would returning east do them? Returning to Xiluo was filled with uncertainty. Their existing assets would immediately shrink, and their wealth would be greatly devalued.

The Panlong Wasteland is so vast, the Chipa Plateau is so rich in resources, and the population is large. What’s so bad about staying here?

The third soul-searching question: ”So, who are the ones who actually want to go back?”

It’s the common people who migrated from the heartlands to the Panlong Wasteland and now dream of returning to their roots, as well as the young people who are deeply curious about their motherland.

The Red General continued, ”The Northern Demon Kingdom thinks it has devised an inescapable plot, leaving us with no choice. In truth, we don’t have to choose at all.”

”Don’t have to choose?” General Nanke was greatly surprised. ”Are you saying we should just sit tight and pretend we never received the Relocation Command? But that’s still a choice.”

Inaction is, in itself, a statement.

Wen Daolun, who had been frowning this whole time, finally spoke. ”I believe the Red General means we should think outside the box the Demon Kingdom has put us in. We shouldn’t simply decide between staying and leaving.”

General Nanke was dissatisfied. ”Old Wen, that’s not very helpful. For these millions of people, it’s either leave or stay. Are you saying there’s a third option?”

”We were all led astray by General Zhao, focused on how to react once the Relocation Command is issued.” Wen Daolun turned to Zhong Shengguang. ”If the Monarch doesn’t issue the Relocation Command, then there’s no problem, is there?”

Zhong Shengguang asked him, ”We are thousands of miles away. How can we influence the Monarch’s decision?”

The Red General walked to the Sand Table, drew her sword, and pointed. ”The King of Xiluo is indecisive and prone to changing his mind. We cannot afford to wait. Therefore, Panlong City must make the decision for him, and quickly.”

A decision?

Her voice was powerful and resonant, echoing in everyone’s ears:

”Announce it to the whole city, mobilize the entire army. We’re fighting our way back!”