Chapter 1989: I Am Willing

“Brother Situ has no plan or guiding principles; how can he lead the allied forces?”

For everyone, from top to bottom, to be united in purpose, there must first be a clear direction and goal. Only then can minds align and efforts be unified. If the leaders themselves lack objectives, how can their subordinates accomplish anything or work together wholeheartedly?

Situ He remained silent for a few moments before speaking, “The Glittering Gold Plain is vast, and unifying and governing it poses immense difficulties. Beijia’s solution, as I understand it, was to establish vassal demon states. Would Brother He consider adopting a similar approach?”

“Beijia is not a stable nation.” In this era, perhaps only He Lingchuan would dare utter such a statement. “The Sky Demon used these vassal demon states to constrain the Demon Emperor, which is why Beijia had thirteen of them. In the future Glittering Gold, would I truly need separate, enfeoffed nations to constrain *me*?” He frowned slightly, and the unique majesty of the Nine Underworld Emperor immediately enveloped Situ He, causing him to catch his breath.

His words carried a chilling undertone. Of course, both men understood that Beijia's practice of enfeoffing vassal demon states had multiple reasons, not solely the one just mentioned.

He Lingchuan leaned back comfortably in his chair. “Brother Situ, you have commanded the allied forces for two years now. Do you truly believe these forces have any future left?” He had already been given two years, yet he couldn't even conquer Bixia. This indicated his inadequacy. To negotiate effectively, one must first possess the necessary standing.

Situ He grasped this point, and suddenly felt a sense of futility. He pressed his hands to his temples, closed his eyes, and after a long moment of thought, quietly asked:

“Brother He, if the allied forces were to be absorbed into your command, how would you then decide my fate?”

“Why use the term ‘decide your fate’?” He Lingchuan chuckled. “A man of Brother Situ’s caliber should naturally continue to contribute and flourish.”

“I have one condition,” Situ He stated, having made up his mind. “The Situ clan wishes to remain in their ancestral lands. If Brother He agrees, I will pledge the allied forces’ surrender to you on their behalf.” He knew that even without his formal statement, He Lingchuan could still secure control of the allied forces. However, with Situ He’s expressed stance—or perhaps, this formal gesture—He Lingchuan would be spared considerable trouble.

How did the Nine Underworld Emperor typically treat surrendered nobles and high-ranking officials? Situ He had researched this extensively over the past few months, knowing that all such individuals were required to relocate from their ancestral lands within a specified period and establish themselves in designated foreign territories. This arrangement would ensure the Nine Underworld Emperor's peace of mind, and in turn, guarantee their safety. Whether they could rise again after relocating to a different region would, of course, depend on their individual abilities and destiny. Winners become kings, losers are deemed bandits! The mere fact that they could retain their lives and a portion of their wealth was, in itself, a testament to the Nine Underworld Emperor's benevolence. How could they possibly aspire to more?

He Lingchuan gently asked, “Brother Situ, why are you so intent on remaining in your ancestral lands?”

“The people of the Situ clan’s territory share a deep bond with me, and I hope to continue caring for them.”

He Lingchuan rose and stretched. “Brother Situ, a man of your immense talent should be benefiting the entire Glittering Gold Plain. How can you confine yourself to such a small, insignificant territory?” The refusal was not unexpected. Situ He's heart sank, and he couldn't help but ask, “Where do you intend to relocate me?”

“Once the war concludes and I consolidate control over Glittering Gold, you will naturally learn,” He Lingchuan said, patting his shoulder. “How vast is Glittering Gold? Your vision should not be limited to Yaopo. So many people across Glittering Gold need the benefit of our efforts.”

Situ He let out a long, drawn-out sigh.

The two men exited the tavern, with the Nine Underworld Emperor leading the way and Situ He following behind.

Upon returning to the courtyard where the battle had occurred, they found that all the corpses had been removed and bystanders had dispersed. Only a few leaders remained, surrounded by the Black Armored Army, who permitted no one to leave. Everyone understood that the day would bring a decisive outcome.

The moment Situ He emerged, all eyes converged on him, subjecting him to immense pressure. “Gentlemen!” He took a deep breath and then announced his decision:

After two years in command, he deeply felt his abilities were insufficient to lead the allied forces or to secure the welfare of countless citizens. The allied forces, having been conceived and initiated by the Situ clan, should appropriately be brought to an end by the Situ clan. Effective immediately, the allied forces are disbanded. From this moment forward, the Situ clan pledges unwavering allegiance to the Nine Underworld Emperor!

Despite having anticipated this outcome, the expressions of the assembled leaders visibly shifted. The allied forces were essentially a resistance organization, formed with the purpose of solidarity and collective defense against powerful adversaries. The Situ clan, however, had abruptly dissolved its ties—barely taking a breath—and immediately pledged allegiance to the Nine Underworld Emperor. The implicit message was unmistakable: Everyone, cease your resistance and surrender alongside me.

With the allied forces now defunct, the five remaining factions present would, if they wished to resist the Nine Underworld Emperor, be compelled to form a new alliance. Under these circumstances, such a possibility was virtually nonexistent. The gleaming blades and spears of the Black Armored Army were visibly arrayed mere yards away. Their implicit message was equally clear: Unless the words “I am willing” were uttered today, no one would be permitted to leave this courtyard.

Consequently, the states of Pei and Yan were the first to declare their willingness to join the Dragon God’s vast domain. Of the original seven factions within the allied forces, two were already crippled, and three had sworn fealty to the Dragon God. The remaining leaders, the monarch of Baoxin and the chieftain of the Wutu clan, found themselves isolated and without support, lacking the capacity to form a viable united front.

During the preceding wait, the Wutu chieftain's expression was one of indignation; he was loath to abandon his clan's thirty-year legacy and was determined to resist to the very end. The monarch of Yan, however, advised him, “You and I are well aware of how the Nine Underworld Emperor deals with forces that stubbornly resist and refuse to surrender.” The first phase and transitional stage of the Dragon God War had already provided numerous stark and bloody precedents. “Given that he is known as ‘Nine Underworld,’ does he strike you as a merciful or lenient individual? You must consider carefully before refusing; a single word from you could determine the fate of not just hundreds, but thousands of lives. If all your people are gone, what purpose would this legacy serve?” The Wutu chieftain recalled King Poliu, who had just lain in the dust like a discarded sack, eyes wide open, and then glanced at the nearby Kan clan leader, who was tending to his injuries. Silently, he swallowed the bitter pill of reality. With all other allies preparing to surrender, what good would it do for him alone to remain unyielding? Could he possibly defeat the Black Armored Army? If they could not prevail, the Wutu clan would face utter annihilation. However, if they surrendered now, their wealth and clansmen could be preserved, and he would not be held responsible for the destruction of his own people. This was not merely a pragmatic compromise; it was the only viable path forward! Furthermore, this was the Glittering Gold Plain. Submitting to the strong was often the norm here. What could he truly achieve by stubbornly refusing?

While the Nine Underworld Emperor and Situ He conducted their talks, the chieftain's mind was churning with anguish. When Situ He openly pledged allegiance to the Nine Underworld Emperor, and the other allies promptly followed suit, the Wutu chieftain and the Baoxin monarch exchanged a complex glance. With no other recourse, they too nodded and uttered, “We are willing.”

Noticing that the assembled leaders, though pledging their loyalty, appeared dispirited, the Nine Underworld Emperor offered reassurance: he administered rewards and punishments fairly, and if they were to render meritorious service in the future, they would have the opportunity to regain their former standing and prosperity.

Subsequently, the assembled leaders were required to draft personal declarations or edicts, surrender their state seals, transfer military authority, and complete other such procedures. By the time all these tasks were completed, it was already dawn the following morning. The leaders then noticed that more than half of the Black Armored Army had quietly departed, their numbers no longer as overwhelming as the previous day.