Li Shentong wondered whether Zhao Changhe was thinking of him. At this moment, the master and disciple watched Zhao Changhe eat meat and drink wine nonchalantly, unsure of what to say for a long while.

From start to finish, the content of their conversation was unlike anything anyone had imagined. It overwhelmed the master and disciple to the point their heads buzzed. It also stunned the high-level members of the Divine Brilliance Sect and the Ba Shu officials who were secretly eavesdropping around the dining hall.

The crux of the matter was, "Is your heart the same as before?" If so, then all of this should be a joyous cooperation, all for the sake of the people. Where does the struggle for power come from?

Yue Hongling's lips curled into a slight smile. Zhao Changhe hadn't consulted her about any of this, but it all seemed natural to her. She knew these were Zhao Changhe's true intentions, devoid of any schemes for power.

While others were lost in thought, Zhao Changhe ate and drank as if nobody else was there. Once he had his fill, he comfortably wiped his mouth and leaned back in his chair, saying leisurely, "Actually, what I'm talking about is just Worldly Society matters. Originally, I wasn't even going to talk about this; it's another matter entirely."

More? Li Shentong blankly said, "Please speak."

"You fighting over Hanzhong is your affair; if you don't fight, just keep to yourselves in the continuous mountains, the consequences need not be mentioned by me," said Zhao Changhe. "Of course, you might choose to attack Great Han, such as Jingxiang… If so, your rear is not safe."

This was exactly what he should have said on his trip to Ba Shu. Li Shentong, upon hearing this, felt relieved as if he had finally exhaled, thinking, You should've said this earlier… Then said, "The uprising in the Miao Region, we're aware of it. Is this King Zhao's threat to us?"

"I have no intention of threatening anyone. Doing all this is just to prepare for the worst. Defensive caution is essential, that's all," said Zhao Changhe. "As I said, whether you attack Hanzhong is up to you. As for myself, I don't even need to look for reinforcements; as long as you don't create chaos, we can decide the fate of Guanglong by fighting one battle."

"Is that so…" Li Shentong chuckled and did not argue.

The Han army was currently stretched thin, with a shortage of supplies, needing to face both the Northern Hu and the Li Family. How could it be as easy as Zhao Changhe said? Let him boast if he loves to.

But Zhao Changhe continued, "If there is anything I need to collaborate with Ba Shu on, it's just to borrow someone. Such are Martial Arts matters, naturally a matter of Worldly Society."

Li Shentong smiled, "Borrow whom? Situ?"

Zhao Changhe shook his head and pointed at Li Shentong, "I want to borrow Sect Master Li."

Li Shentong twitched his lips, caught between laughter and tears.

"Guanglong doesn't have any noteworthy fighters, perhaps the Kunlun God Demon… Sect Master Li might know better than me. But Kunlun is chaotic; they don't have much interest in worldly power struggles, so our main focus should be on Northern Hu," said Zhao Changhe. "Commanding the army, I trust General Huangfu's capabilities, whether defending Yanmen or counterattacking the Northern Border. His affairs are not ours. As for myself, I am a Martial Artist. My opponents are Bo'e, Tie Muer, Vulture Hunting Teeth… and Longevity Heaven gods."

Li Shentong's expression finally turned serious.

Zhao Changhe continued, "The strong are numerous in Northern Hu, incomparable to Guanglong. Tie Muer and Bo'e rank one and two on the Heavenly List, both from the Imperial Realm. Looking at Bo'e, I think he has already surpassed the Late Stage of the Imperial Realm First Layer, not as easy to handle as Xia Longyuan did. This is a death battle with our lives on the line. I am not confident of defeating him, let alone facing the gods of Longevity Heaven directly. I need allies."

Saying so, he stood up earnestly, "I have Vermilion Bird and Xuanwu, Hongling and Wanzhuang, but it's not enough… I need the Divine Continent Heavenly List to join this great cause. Within the confines of the Imperial Palace and the Temple, I have seen Sect Master Li's rage towards the Hu people… Therefore, when Sect Master Li Breakthrough, I was not shocked but pleased. Are you willing to set aside the struggle for power and join me in drinking from the Han Sea, to deter the Hu people from looking south and restore a century of peace to Divine Continent?"

Li Shentong almost blurted out, "I indeed wish so," but he forcibly held it back in his throat, taking a long while to expel a breath, slowly saying, "Situ… Arrange the guest courtyard to accommodate King Zhao and Miss Yue to rest."

Situ Xiao stood and bowed, "Yes."

As they escorted the couple to the guest courtyard, Situ Xiao looked around and whispered pleadingly, "Old Zhao…"

"Hmm?"

"Lend another person. I want to go, too."

Zhao Changhe was caught between laughter and tears.

In the banquet hall, Li Shentong paced back and forth. Elder Shi and other senior members of the Divine Brilliance Sect slowly walked in from the side hall, staring at each other in silence for a long time.

After a while, Li Shentong finally said, "What do you think of Zhao Changhe's words? How much is bluff, and how much is true?"

Theoretically, it was possible that everything from start to finish was a sham, a performance. If Li Shentong naively followed Zhao Changhe north, once in enemy territory, should he be killed, Ba Shu would be essentially doomed.

Even if true, Li Shentong was completely free not to go. Going would be very strange, just like Zhao Changhe casually treated this place as if it were Great Han Shu County, erasing the boundaries between enemy forces. What were we rebelling for again?

Watching Great Han and Northern Hv fight each other to death, and picking the winner seemed the best strategy. Although the Miao Region posed a threat, it wasn't undefendable.

But if that were the case, Li Shentong wouldn't be Li Shentong… Divine Brilliance Sect would be condemned by all, vilified like a rat crossing the street, everyone shouting to hit it.

After a long period of the Divine Brilliance Sect members looking at each other, Elder Shi smiled bitterly, "I don't know. If these are Zhao Changhe's schemes for power, then he really is a cunning bastard, essentially roasting us on public opinion."

Li Shentong pondered for a moment, then suddenly said, "On the other hand, we only need to see if these words were deliberately spread to know his true intentions."

The spirits of all present lifted, "Exactly."

Li Shentong cast a sideways glance at his fellow disciples and suddenly asked, "What if it's true?"

After a long silence, Elder Shi finally said, "If it's true, then among all the heroes under the heavens, he stands alone."

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