Chapter 382 Leveling the Playing Field

Wu Long smiled as the others nodded in agreement.

"First of all, the Liugwei and Jurong Kingdoms are both completely in their hands as is the Gutian Kingdom, while Tingren, Fantian and Tuamei Kingdoms are on the verge.

Our interests lie in the latter three kingdoms and the Empire, since they are the current battleground as well as where we and our present and possible allies are located" N0vel_Biin hosted the premiere release of this chapter.

Old Yen first gave an overview bringing out the map of the continent, to which Shen Min was the first to react.

"Wu Long, are you including Princess Cai Yin?"

"Yes, I would not leave your benefactor aside, not to mention that she seems to be a threat to their plans, as she was identified as a target from a young age, but apart from that there is a settlement there which I intend to visit soon which is run by the women that have been freed from the Supreme Master Pavilion"

Wu Long smiled to her reassuringly as he turned his face to her halfway, receiving a grateful smile from the beauty.

"What makes her so threatening?"

Song Mingfu expressed surprise as a small kingdom's princess hardly was a threat in the eyes of those who moved the entire continent in his opinion.

"Her threat comes from her talent in Soul Cultivation. The other side is assembling an army to oppose the Azure Eagle Empire, but based on Old Yen's reports and other information sources they are doing so with slaves.

There are of course several methods to make them willingly train and fight for them, but a rather obvious choice would be Soul Cultivation"

Ye Ling sighed, not thrilled by this turn of events.

"But then why not eliminate her?"

Cao Xiang asked as it seemed like an obvious solution, it wasn't like they did not remove obstacles all over the continent.

"Their first impulse was to use her talents for their benefits. But after that was foiled by Wu Long she has been under surveillance from the Song Family as someone associated with him so they could not move as freely anymore"

Shen Min explained as Song Minfu nodded in agreement.

"Now then, we have relocated the Soaring Feather Trading Company into the Yin Yang Unity Palace's adjacent town and created Fairy Yu Huan's Alchemy Pavilion that still has no name, as well as are working on the establishment of the Liugwei Escort Agency led by Xiang'er and Mei'er, and will be using these means to influence the situation on the continent"

Wu Long then turned his head to the beautiful women on the other side of the formation who nodded their heads.

"The reason I am going to visit the settlement of former victims of the Supreme Master Pavilion is to recruit Fairy Yu Huan some trusted people, which should not be a problem since the situation in the Kingdom is getting turbulent and it would be unlikely for them to refuse. It would be best if we could relocate the entire settlement and give them place in our new structures"

He then explained and then a shocked look appeared on Wei Lan's face as she was the one who lamented the fate of the survivors that she saw that day.

She was too preoccupied with the situation in her sect at the time, but as time passed it has been weighing on her mind, which she confided in with him on several occasions at times it became unbearable during their journey.

He smiled back at her and a warm feeling spread in her heart as her cheeks slightly reddened.

"Then, there is the upcoming Winter Forest Hunt, which will have participants from the Five Great Sects and some smaller sects that have been invited by one of the five.

They will be sending their young generation of disciples, and our Sect will participate with me and Ziyan joining a chosen group of disciples"

As he announced this, there were surprised gazes pointing at him as no matter how true it was it was still hard for them to see him as an ordinary disciple, especially since he was the one making decisions and leading this meeting when his supposed Palace Master was right there.

"You will not let our new Music Dao Cultivator participate?"

Lian Zhiqiu raised her eyebrow with a provoking smile and he shook his head with a smile of his own.

"I believe that would be a little on the nose toward the Profound Music Palace"

"Heh"

As the Palace Master chuckled, Song Minfu narrowed his eyes as he looked at the two.

'This man... he must have balls of steel... is he flirting with the Great Seductress? Is there anyone he is afraid to pursue?... Haa~ I guess if that's the case it's nothing surprising he doesn't hesitate even with me around'

His thoughts turned gloomy as his eyes turned toward his daughter whose silver eyes were almost glowing as she looked at Wu Long's every mannerism and confident demeanor as he led the meeting.

"And we have the situation in the Fantian and Tingren Kingdoms to consider as well"

He concluded the general situation and all the different moving pieces on the continent.

"What is our primary objective to pursue with every move?"

Song Minfu asked to identify the direction of their movements.

"It is time, the more time we gain the more likely are we to prevail with less sacrifices. Secondary and tertiary goals being improving our positions and disrupting the opponent's movements"

Wu Long stated in a calm and straightforward manner, showing it was a thought-out decision and not something he came on the spot.

"But if the decision of starting the conflict is in the hands of the other side, how are you going to ensure he won't just start at random and bring down all your plans?"

The Luo Family Patriarch who has been the most skeptical of the group's success, but silent for the most part of the meeting, raised his voice for the first time as he half-opened one eye from thought.

He immediately received a few sharp gazes from Shen Min and Cao Mei who heard doubt in his voice but did not pay it any mind as his one only partially opened eye looked straight at Wu Long.

"That is the key, we have to level the playing field first. Meaning gain the leverage to have equal control over the start of battle, take away the opponent's position of absolute advantage and create a balance"

Wu Long chuckled as he seemingly expected this question, since it was truly a waste to expend effort that did not exactly decide if the other side was going to go all out any time.

"And how are you going to achieve that?"

The old man did not relent from the former's confident attitude, continuing to drill into him with his gaze.

"By propping up Old Man Zhao as the equivalent to Gu Zhen once more"

Wu Long chuckled as the old man's eye widened and then closed as he sank into thought.

"You have a way to cure him?"

Song Minfu was the one raising his eyebrows this time.

"Indeed I have, but that comes at a certain cost. Which has been originally promised to you, or rather to Her Highness"

Wu Long sighed as he looked first at the Crown Prince and then at Song Lingfei who sat next to him. He felt bad as he was going back on his promise, but with the limited means he had now it was the only option. And he did not use it yet due to his obligation to the father-daughter pair.

"You-!"

Song Minfu widened his eyes and then furrowed his eyebrows.

"No! I cannot agree to thi-..."

"I agree"

As he shook his head to decline with a tinge of anger a clear and beautiful voice resounded beside him.

"Daughter!"

The Crown Prince looked at his daughter with wide eyes as the latter's face was revealed from the veil and a clear gentle smile was on her face.

"Father, it is my fate so I have the ultimate deciding voice. And is there any meaning in my salvation if our fate would be sealed from the outcome of this conflict anyway?"

Song Lingfei calmly looked at her father and spoke in a gentle tone. There was a little tremble in her voice that betrayed her fear, but her face showed none as she turned back to Wu Long.

"It is simply something that has to be done, so I do not object to it"

Wu Long's eyes widened as he looked at the lady, as did the eyes of many in the room while Song Minfu's face slightly distorted in a display of strong emotion for the first time since Wu Long met him.

"Thank you, Your Highness. In truth I did not finish, though I must say I am in awe of your bravery, as you took this decision not knowing I was going to say that I will find another method, as I have a new clue.

I apologize for going back on my word with what I promised to get you first, but I give you my word that I will make your full recovery possible, as I will spare no effort to do so"

He said in a gentle, soothing voice as the slight sign of sadness in the Princess eyes turned into joy as her smile became bright.

'Heh, as I thought he's good'

Lian Zhiqiu shook her head as she chuckled while Song Minfu hugged his daughter.

"So, does that mean that man will once more become as powerful as he was?"

General Feng clarified as silence fell on the room again in the anticipation of an answer.

"Not from one treatment, but if it is complimented with other things, he can be even stronger"

Wu Long chuckled.

"And then, we will finally have a chance to delay the conflict enough to be victorious"