Chapter 313: I Sold My Own Country—And I'm a Traitor for Negotiating Peace?

"Justice is also a kind of shackle. You must step outside of it to see all things clearly. If you judge the world using a single standard, then wouldn't everyone be guilty? After all, true saints are rare."

Ye Cheng looked at Ye Gu Yi, who was half-kneeling on the ground, and sighed emotionally.

"…I understand," Ye Gu Yi slowly stood up, a new trace of insight appearing in her eyes.

"…"

Xu Cheng glanced at Ye Gu Yi with a cheerful smile and casually waved his hand. "Clear out this entire estate."

His purpose for coming was to seize core resources. Conveniently, under the old national system, most resources were highly concentrated in the hands of the ducal households or local nobility.

They were basically fat sheep waiting to be slaughtered. Killing them would only fatten Xu Cheng's pockets.

Xu Cheng knew that Xu Jiawei had long coveted these nobles but was powerless to act. Now that the latter had "given up," the wealth that these nobles had accumulated over thousands of years was now his "pledge of loyalty" to Xu Cheng.

"Split into two units. One will deal with the Spirit Bird Sect, the other with this noble house belonging to Sarokai. Any who resist—execute on the spot. No need to report. All valuables found are to be sent back to the Empire," Xu Cheng instructed calmly, looking at Fire Phoenix Legion's 3rd Battalion Commander, Huo Lei.

"Yes!"

She saluted crisply, then pushed off the ground, soared into the sky, and shouted, "Fire Phoenix 3rd and 4th Battalions, follow me!"

With that command, a flurry of fiery red silhouettes took to the sky, counted off quickly, and then transformed into red streaks across the heavens.

"As for the rest—head to the Clear Sky Sect!"

Xu Cheng looked toward the northwest, his gaze sharpening.

The reason for his swift and overwhelming campaign was to prevent the Clear Sky Sect from reacting in time. At their current pace, even if someone realized what was happening and tried to send word, they'd be too late.

"Clear Sky Sect…" Xu Cheng smirked.

Star Luo Empire.

Atop the imperial city walls.

Standing on the highest point of the capital, the entire ancient city lay clearly in view. Xu Jiawei quietly stood there—at this very place, he had once watched the entire Continental Soul Master Tournament unfold. He had witnessed that youth reveal himself to the world for the first time.

"…Your Majesty,"

A beautiful middle-aged woman slowly approached from behind him, worry in her eyes.

"If one day I'm no longer the Emperor, will you still stay with me?" Xu Jiawei asked wistfully.

"My life and death both belong to Your Majesty—" The empress paused, startled, then hurried to reply. But before she could finish, Xu Jiawei gently covered her mouth.

"I know your heart." He sighed deeply.

"Your Majesty, have you truly made your decision?" the Empress asked quietly, sorrow on her face.

"Yes. He promised me a ticket. Those few people I offered—were my proof of loyalty. I've thought long and hard about it these past days. If I can really get aboard the Sun-Moon Empire's ship, then the Xu Clan's future might not be worse than now," Xu Jiawei said softly.

"Rather than clinging to this once-glorious but crumbling Star Luo tree, it's better to step away while I still can. My only regret is that I didn't realize it sooner. I foolishly believed Shrek could still rise again with a single rallying cry and defeat the Sun-Moon Empire as it did before…"

"Is the Sun-Moon Empire really that powerful?" the Empress asked gently.

"Heh. Even the Star Dou Forest was pulled to their side by that boy. Even at the Allied Forces' peak, they couldn't match the Sun-Moon Empire. Let alone now. In this latest campaign, the current Seagod Pavilion Master died in Mingdu, and as for the Clear Sky Sect…"

Xu Jiawei sighed. "The rise of the Sun-Moon Empire can no longer be stopped."

"Report!"

A messenger suddenly arrived, descending from the sky to the city wall.

He kneeled.

"Reporting to His Majesty: Grand Duke Robineer, Sect Master Lingwen of the Spirit Bird Sect, and the noble leader Sarokai—along with their followers—have all been executed. Their mansions thoroughly looted. Not a single casualty among our troops."

"…" Xu Jiawei remained expressionless.

This news would surely throw the entire Star Luo Empire into chaos.

Especially the imperial parasites—the old nobility—who numbered far more than just Sarokai. He was only their "leader." There were over twenty other dukes, not to mention the hidden clans and sects.

It would be a massive chain reaction. That was why Xu Jiawei never dared touch them.

If they caused an uproar, he wouldn't be able to contain it.

But now…

He could just tell them to go complain to Xu Cheng!

"Dispatch two Royal Guard units with Elder Cheng Gang to the Palsak Province to take over the military. Ensure stability in all major cities. Anyone daring to stir trouble—send them to the gallows!" Xu Jiawei sneered coldly.

"And one more thing. I'm not receiving any guests these next few days—no one!"

As for being a traitor for selling out his country… ha!

I sold my own country. What's the problem?!

"No way out? A dead end?"

Tang San's divine sense stood atop the Clear Sky Sect fortress, gazing down at the endless sea of clouds and the intricately carved stone below. He was deep in thought.

Da Ming and Er Ming followed one step behind, faces filled with concern.

One wrong move, and each step becomes harder to take.

The Sun-Moon Empire had grown frighteningly powerful. Without divine intervention, no one on the continent could challenge them anymore. And to make matters worse—they had secretly allied with the Star Dou Forest…

No wonder the last time the two of them snuck into the Sun-Moon Empire to retrieve Wang Dong'er, Xu Cheng had fought to the death to stop them. Looks like he already knew what was going on.

"He figured out my connection to Xiao Qi?" Tang San frowned deeply.

"Seems like it. I asked Tang Chao—he was the one who took Dong'er to the Star Dou Forest. According to him, that Xu Cheng freak is terrifying. He deduced most of the truth just from the divine imprint you left in Dong'er's spiritual sea," Da Ming said grimly.

"Damn it!" Tang San clenched his teeth in fury.

He'd tried many times to contact his true self, but it was like throwing stones into the sea.

And he knew what he'd done.

Before descending to the mortal world, he had cut off all communication with his main body—there was no way for his lower self to reach out. As for his original body… it was probably still enjoying a leisurely time in the Divine Realm, thinking he was out here leading the charge.

Lead what?!

Tang San was on the verge of cursing out loud.

This rotten situation now called for divine descent! Only outside power could intervene. If the Sun-Moon Empire was allowed to develop any further—or worse, if another god discovered what was happening—it would all be over.

He must not— absolutely must not—be discovered by the God of Destruction first!

Tang San's face twisted with worry.

"Rumble!"

Just as he was mulling over whether to ally with Shrek one more time to give the Sun-Moon Empire trouble, a loud rumble echoed in the distance.

"What's going on?!" Tang San looked toward the sound's origin, brows furrowed.

"Not good. Someone's attacking the Clear Sky Sect!" Da Ming reacted first, his powerful aura erupting, "Er Ming, protect the God King! I'll go check it out—"

(End of Chapter)