bookpub Chapter 2666 Optimism and Dilemma
Chapter 2666 Optimism and Dilemma
Chapter 2666 Optimism and Dilemma
"It's still a bit hesitant; it seemed like it wanted to say something but then stopped itself when it saw me several times," the Imperial Preceptor of the Summer Palace added. "Based on our decades-long friendship, I can tell that it should make the right choice!"
The Holy Venerable Lingxu and the Heavenly Palace must also know that the Demon Emperor has developed an antidote for "Heartache," but there is no empirical evidence.
Knowing is one thing, confirming is another. It's like the relationship between Cang Yan and Bei Jia; as long as that unspoken understanding remains, everyone can continue to maintain appearances.
But if the Imperial Advisor of the Summer Palace misjudges the Demon King, and the Demon King turns around and informs the gods, then things will be very bad.
“Bega worships the gods throughout the country, and its subjects can’t even tell whether they are worshipping the country or the gods.” Nie Xiaolou knew the Demon Emperor’s helplessness. Worshipping the gods was a 600-year-old tradition that had long been ingrained in the people’s bones and blood. Bega could never raise the banner of rebellion against the gods like Cang Yan. “Not every demon king is as steadfast as the Treasure Tree King. If we want the remaining demon kings to stand on our side, they will have to see hope.”
Everyone wants to be on the winner's side.
Facing the gods, the consequences of losing are dire, so they dare not make a single wrong move.
The Imperial Preceptor of the Summer Palace was exasperated: "As long as Bega is self-reliant, even if the gods descend, we will be invincible. Otherwise, these demon kings will be enslaved for eternity. Can't they understand such a small thing?"
Nie Xiaolou smiled wryly: "You know, the demon kings are not of one mind."
Several demon kings are loyal only to the gods, and even without consuming the "Heart-Binding Elixir," they will not side with the Demon Emperor. With them within Bega, it will be difficult for the Demon Emperor to completely control the entire country.
“The gods may descend sooner than expected, and we don’t have much time left,” the Demon Emperor said in a deep voice. “The Treasure Tree King is the most senior and prestigious among the demon kings. Let it persuade the wavering Mountain Lord King and Mountain Feather King. I know that the current Mountain Feather King grew up under its canopy and has great respect for it.”
Humans are divided into left, center, and right. Of the thirteen demon kings, some sided with the Heavenly Palace, some with the Demon Emperor, and naturally, some remained neutral, not wanting to take sides. This was the key group the Demon Emperor was trying to win over.
Over the past few years, the Demon Emperor has been secretly making his plans, and now all that remains are tough nuts to crack.
“If we can win over these two more, we will have a great advantage, but—” the Grand Preceptor of the Summer Palace hesitated for a moment, “Letting the Treasure Tree King come forward directly might alarm the Heavenly Palace.”
Previously, the Emperor had always acted in secret, secretly communicating with the various demon kings and avoiding any communication he wasn't certain of.
"At this critical juncture, are you still afraid of the Heavenly Palace finding out?" the Demon Emperor scoffed. "The Holy Venerable Lingxu has been seeing me frequently lately, partly to check on the progress of the Nightmare Qi supply, and partly to repeatedly reiterate to me that after the gods descend, I will still be the Lord of Bega."
The two imperial advisors respectfully replied, "You are indeed the Lord of Bega!"
The Demon Emperor chuckled lightly, not hiding his self-mockery.
Nowadays, who doesn't know that Bega is the earthly force of the gods, with the Heavenly Palace perched high above Lingxu City? Lingxu Saint Venerable is the true master of Bega, and rightfully so!
After the gods descended, the most awkward position in all of Bega was that of the Demon Emperor. In the past, the gods could not personally descend to the mortal realm, and important matters could only be handled through Bega, making the Demon Emperor's position in charge very clear; but now that the gods have descended, the Holy Venerable Lingxu can directly control Bega, so why would he need to go through the Demon Emperor?
Therefore, at this sensitive moment, the Holy Venerable Lingxu personally reassured the Demon Emperor, giving him peace of mind to weaken his secret resistance. After all, whether before or after the descent of the gods, Bega will always be the most powerful weapon in the hands of the Lingxu gods.
Although the Holy Venerable Lingxu has always been highly reputable, it is clear that this reassurance is not very effective, or rather, the Demon Emperor's sense of crisis is too strong, and he cannot swallow this medicine.
The Demon Emperor continued, "When Shuangye returned from Cangyan, he submitted a report mentioning that he had conversations with Cangyan's ruler and ministers in both public and informal settings. Jiuyou's attitude was calm and relaxed, and his ministers were positive and optimistic, not as if they were troubled by the future descent of the gods."
Nie Xiaolou also said, "Merchants from Lingxu City often travel to Cangyan to observe the markets in Cangyan, except for Ju City. They find that the local economy and people's livelihood are still prosperous and the people live in peace and contentment. However, when asked about the descent of the gods, they all say they know about it and are optimistic."
"Optimistic?" The Imperial Preceptor of the Summer Palace chuckled. "Never heard of that before. Don't they know the terror of a god's descent?"
“I know. Eighteen years ago, Cangyan began proclaiming the descent of the gods and their enslavement of humanity, and the entire nation was preparing for war.” In fact, Nie Xiaolou was somewhat impressed. “Many of Cangyan’s major cities have relatively complete fortifications, with high walls and powerful cannons. Our scouts have even seen many large city gate beasts. Moreover, the cities maintain contact with the surrounding powerful demons and sects. In short, they have put in a lot of effort. When asked about the descent of the gods, the people of Cangyan are also worried, but most firmly believe that the Dragon God can once again lead them to defeat the powerful enemy and achieve victory.”
As for minorities... there are minorities everywhere.
"The people of Cangyan truly regard Jiuyou as a dragon god, and they believe his words without a doubt." The Grand Preceptor of the Xia Palace shook his head. "The whole nation is fanatical, no less so than the fanatical believers of the gods."
“No, it’s still different.” Nie Xiaolou was very serious. “The Cangyan people are calm, unlike the fervent believers of the Heavenly Palace. A few days ago, I passed through the outskirts of Lingxu City and saw that the temples there were also packed with people, and countless believers were expressing their ecstatic joy at the imminent arrival of the gods.”
He still spoke tactfully in front of the Emperor.
The temples were shrouded in smoke, appearing as if they were on fire from a distance. Once you got closer, you would find that the temples were packed with people, many of them prostrating themselves in worship, sometimes for an hour at a time. Others sat against the walls, weeping bitterly, or muttering to themselves before trembling and foaming at the mouth.
"If anyone speaks ill of the gods in front of the fanatics, they should be prepared to be hit on the back of the head at any time. But if they say a few bad things about the Dragon God in front of the Cangyan people, they will at most glare at you, spit on you, and walk away." Both of these things have actually been done by people.
The Demon Emperor, who had remained silent until this point, suddenly asked, "Do you think that after the gods descend, Jiuyou and Cangyan will be able to successfully resist them?"
Both imperial advisors shook their heads.
impossible.
Those who harbor such wishful thinking have certainly never witnessed the power of the true gods.
"Jiuyou can't turn back now, but do Cangyan's ministers and immortal sects also believe that there's still hope of successfully resisting him? There are quite a few immortals among them from ancient times who have truly experienced the war between immortals and demons." It's one thing for commoners to be easily fooled, but Cangyan also has so many officials, immortals, sects, and cultivators. What are they thinking? Could Jiuyou really persuade them to sink with Cangyan's great ship?
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