Proofreader: Papatonks
Zhuo Fan nodded, “This is morality, and the apparent righteousness all people have. It’s universal law for one to repay with life or money for a crime. It stands at the core of every human, the basis of any human society. Without it, humans would be scattered, let alone having the common interest the four lands once had. That’s why no one can oppose such a principle, for it’s like denying yourself. As the Luo clan had no hard proof for their innocence, none would be taking their side.”
“Palace Lord’s talk of principle is the deepening discrepancy between the three lands. That is, whether or not it’s worth helping the Luo clan. By siding with them in the open, it’s like throwing away the sense of justice all people have. By turning a deaf ear, they fear the central area would use this chance to remove one of their allies. Adding to that, the central area’s envoys are in their homes, so they can hardly show any support, while also talking it out with the envoys in hope of diffusing this problem.”
“That’s precisely why war must have a good pretext. One must have the moral high ground, or else the one at threat would be himself.”
Zhuo Fan smiled, “Though every land fears the empire’s war, when there’s no need to. Baili Jingwei is so cautious and subtle, meaning the Sword Star Empire’s frail stability would crack the minute any large deployment is made. For that reason he only sent five million soldiers at the border, to intimidate and bluster.”
Wu Randong nodded, “Palace Lord is correct. Baili Jingwei is now aware of Devil Palace and can no longer wage war on a grand scale like before. Though his scare tactic is no less believable to the lands, ha-ha-ha…”
“The four lands are a shadow of themselves a century ago, suffering heavy losses.”
Zhuo Fan’s face hardened, “That can only mean, to broker peace with Baili Jingwei, they need a scapegoat. Miss Murong, we’ll be going to the Luo clan again. If Yunhai recalls my actions, Baili Jingwei’s scheme will fall apart. But he isn’t me…”
Zhuo Fan stood and walked, with Murong Xue on his heels. Wu Randong bowed, “Safe travels, Palace Lord…”
In the heart of Luo Alliance, everyone was looking pensive, waiting for Double Dragon Manor’s message and trying to come up with a solution on their own.
They kept coming back to the killing of Prince of Harvest. It was the only reason why the central area could show their might and send troops to intimidate despite the lands being against it.
With the kids killing Prince of Harvest out in the open, the empire coming for justice was only proper. They could say it was a trap all along, but the schemer was also sure to tie up any loose ends.
That guy in black who took Luo Sifan was gone. With so many guards among the delegation, anyone could have put on a disguise and led the kids away.
“It’s impossible!”
Zhuge Changfeng shook his head, worried as much as the other two, “Baili Jingwei must’ve set it up, but why? Is it just to target us? Even if we admit it, what then? It’ll only take out some scapegoats. One prince for the life of three kids? Why would he do that?”
Leng Wuchang was solemn, “It’s obvious he’s not after the brats with such a twisted trick. He knows Clan Head would never give them up.”
Leng Wuchang glanced at the pensive Luo Yunhai.
Luo Sifan was in her mother’s embrace, looking at her father with tears in her eyes.
Whoosh!
Wen Tao and Wu Qingqiu rushed in.
“How is it?” Luo Yunhai jumped to his feet and welcomed them, “What did the Exalted say?”
The two found it hard to speak, with Wu Qingqiu starting, “Brother Yunhai, we’re the ones at fault while Baili Jingwei had kept talking with the three lands to stay out of it. They take it as being against the four lands’ common interest and nothing more than a personal grudge while hoping of diffusing this problem to avoid war. The Exalted… each man for themselves, to sacrifice them for the western lands’ peace. If the matter isn’t settled, they would keep pushing us and the other three lands leaving us aside.”
“I knew it…” Zhuge Changfeng leaned back in his chair with a sigh.
Luo Sifan cried in her mother’s embrace, “Mom…”
“Sifan, it’s alright. I won’t let anything happen to you.” Rubbing her back, Yue’er’s heart was torn as well.
Luo Yunhai gnashed his teeth, “In other words, the Exalted want my daughter to take the blame to make the central area retreat?”
The two hung their heads.
“Don’t they know she’s been set up?” Luo Yunhai howled.
Wu Qingqiu sighed, “Anyone can see what is going on, but without proof, the central area had the pretext to wage war while the other lands have no reason to intervene. How could they help? Helping Luo Alliance harbor criminals? No leader of the three lands would ever accept this. The war must be right, even if on the surface.”
“It’s not about the lands standing united, it’s about reason.”
Wen Tao patted Luo Yunhai’s shoulder, “Brother Yunhai, sorry, we’re unable to give much help…”
Luo Yunhai’s brow shook, looking at his crying daughter. His eyes shone and stormed out.
No one chased him.
[Maybe Alliance Leader needs time to calm down.]
Five million soldiers wasn’t many, but they had a Sword King leading them. When the war started, the death toll would be huge, something none from western lands wanted to happen…
Three days later, Yuwen Yong walked in the dead of night through a gloomy forest when someone popped in front of him.
Yuwen Yong smiled and cupped his hands, “Alliance Leader Luo, was it you that asked me to see me here? What would Alliance Leader ask of me on this perfect night for murder?”
“Let the children go!” Luo Yunhai glared at him.
Yuwen Yong cackled, “What’s this, Alliance Leader? It’s a heavy crime for her to kill the empire’s precious prince. With the entire affair so huge, you just want me to let your daughter go? You’re barking at the wrong tree. I’m just an envoy, a messenger. I don’t have the authority to pardon a national criminal.”
“Spare me the theatrics. We’re the only ones here. Why are you doing this?” Luo Yunhai shouted.
Yuwen Yong looked around, showing his sneaky grin, “Nothing, really. Our intent was plain from the start, to exact justice for Prince of Harvest. Take the culprits and punish them.”
Yuwen Yong emphasized his words, reading Luo Yunhai’s face.
“The kids didn’t do crap. There’s no point in taking them.” Luo Yunhai caught his drift, squinting, “I’ll go with you. Baili Jingwei is after me, isn’t he? Then I’ll go with you to the central area.”
Yuwen Yong chuckled, “To the central area? The great Alliance Leader Luo, with half of western lands behind you, there’s absolutely no reason to kidnap the mighty Marshal. This would make your friends attack and we’ll start another world war all over again. Although I haven’t been in western lands for many years, I also know very well that the Luo Alliance puts benevolence first and has many allies. Touching you is like poking the hornet’s nest!”
“Shove it! Don’t you need a pretext?”
Luo Yunhai sneered, “I made the brats kill Prince of Harvest, they’re just like assassins that listened to my orders. I’ll bear this blame. Take me, the main culprit while leaving those nobodies aside.”
Yuwen Yong stared in those firm eyes and chuckled, “Is this true?”
“My word is my bond!”
“Great, since the Alliance Leader said it, I’ll oblige, but no take backsies, he-he-he…” Yuwen Yong snickered, his eyes shining, “Alliance Leader, after you. Though you should know, the five million strong army at the border won’t leave until you enter our empire’s lands.”
“You don’t have to tell me.”
Luo Yunhai was calm, walking forward. Yuwen Yong followed with a winning smile.
In the morning of the next day, the delegation sent word to all western lands a most shocking news. The Alliance Leader Luo, Marshal Luo Yunhai, instigated the death of Prince of Harvest and Deputy Yuwen Yong was taking him back to execute him…
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