Chapter 1990: Unifying Hearts and Minds

In fact, the black-armored army He Lingchuan brought was never that numerous. Being short-staffed, he had to use illusions to simulate a large army both inside and outside the town. Thus, Qingyang's envoy was absolutely correct: these visual effects were merely props, not to be engaged in combat.

However, these deceptive illusions were orchestrated by him using the Great Evolution Celestial Pearl. The spiritual power of several nations within the allied forces was too weak to discern this divine ability. Meanwhile, the town's residents had already retreated into their homes and locked their doors when the alliance was established, daring not to emerge.

After the skirmish, He Lingchuan promptly withdrew his divine ability, as it consumed an astonishing amount of energy.

The Soul-Snatching Mirror chuckled, "Qingyang might just vomit blood when she receives this news. Her brilliant scheme was effectively derailed by you, and she lost an allied army for nothing."

Qingyang had meticulously planned for King Poliu to capture Situ He and seize control of the allied forces. Her subsequent strategy involved confronting He Lingchuan, and given her usual tactics, a series of calculated moves would surely follow. If He Lingchuan had fallen into her snare, he would have found himself in a passive and troublesome position. However, He Lingchuan directly intercepted her initial move. King Poliu couldn't even capture Situ He, rendering any further plans irrelevant. Qingyang's scheme was thwarted before even its first step was complete, and as a bonus, it helped He Lingchuan resolve a long-standing, difficult issue.

Consequently, He Lingchuan, under the guise of rescuing Situ He, smoothly acquired the seven allied territories, eliminating the need to wait until the end of the second phase.

While discerning individuals understood his true motives, the Great Emperor Jiuyou possessed irrefutable evidence and ample justification for a forceful intervention.

The concept of "justification" proved crucial; it allowed He Lingchuan to effortlessly acquire a vast territory without diminishing the Dragon God's prestige.

In this encounter, Qingyang lost decisively before she even had a chance to act.

Afterwards, Situ He even asked him how he knew King Poliu intended to move against him this time.

"I received a secret report that King Poliu met with the Heavenly God and then secretly conferred with Qingyang's envoy," He Lingchuan said with a smile. "Qingyang wants to overthrow me, and her most effective pawns are Baitan and the allied army. Baitan is too far for her to leverage, so that leaves you. This allied army meeting presented the perfect opportunity for her to make her move."

In truth, there was one detail he omitted: he wasn't entirely certain himself.

But it didn't matter; even if King Poliu hadn't made a move that day, He Lingchuan had other means to force his hand.

The outcome of this matter was predetermined: the seven territories would undoubtedly be annexed by the Dragon God!

Jiaodi was preparing for war, and the military reorganization was in full swing.

While everything appeared unusually smooth, Baitan was constantly frowning, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes deepening.

When Qingyang saw him again, she noticed two new white hairs on his eyebrows and couldn't help but chuckle, "I merely asked you to deploy troops, not to conquer the Great Emperor Jiuyou's entire territory in one go. Why do you look as if it's costing you your life?"

King Poliu's assassination attempt on Situ He was expected to occur within the next two days. According to their original plan, once King Poliu seized leadership of the allied forces and raised the banner of rebellion against the Dragon God, Baitan was to simultaneously dispatch troops westward to invade the Dragon God's territories.

At this time, the Dragon God's territory was already fraught with unrest. If the two major powers from the East and West declared war on him simultaneously, the entire plain would realize the tides of war had shifted. Those who admired and supported the Dragon God would begin to waver, while the forces opposing and hating him would grow even stronger.

He Xiao's ambition was excessive; he actually intended to swallow the entire Shanjing Plain in one gulp. Qingyang was determined to teach him the meaning of "biting off more than you can chew."

Baitan's face was expressionless. "Another two generals have been assassinated, one dead and one injured! These Jiaoren are absolutely determined to oppose me."

Before his rebellion, he had estimated that his greatest challenge would be eliminating the Jiaowang. Now, however, he realized that the Jiaoren's hatred, insubordination, and refusal to submit to him constituted the most difficult problem.

He could kill hundreds or thousands, but could he truly eliminate everyone?

Despite his army's increasing strength, these disloyal Jiaoren continued to stir up trouble, surprising him every few days. If the army were to leave the country to fight for the Heavenly God, losing its power to suppress dissent, wouldn't these scoundrels utterly revolt?

To his knowledge, several new factions in Jiaodi were actively winning popular support.

This was a time for internal pacification, yet he was compelled to dispatch troops on a distant expedition.

Baitan grew vexed whenever he considered this.

Qingyang smiled and kindly offered, "Then I shall teach you a few methods that might alleviate the Jiaoren's resentment and temporarily ease the tensions between you."

"I'd be honored to hear your insights, Palace Master!" Baitan's spirits lifted, though inwardly he thought, "Why didn't you suggest this sooner?"

"Since they so deeply identify with their Jiaoren heritage, you should not establish a new country."

Upon hearing this, Baitan looked up in surprise. Qingyang, however, waved a hand, urging him to calm down. "What harm would it do to you if the Jiao nation's lineage were to continue? Aren't you also one of its people?"

"That..." Baitan hesitated, clearly reluctant.

He had finally overthrown the Jiaowang's rule and longed to begin a brand new chapter for himself.

Yet Qingyang was suggesting he revert to the old ways of the Jiao nation. This meant, "They hate you to the bone and are constantly scheming to overthrow you, making your foundation even weaker than the Great Emperor Jiuyou's."

Baitan remained silent. So, she understood the situation perfectly clear; she simply had no sympathy for him.

"Then whatever you do will require twice the effort for half the result, or even prove counterproductive," Qingyang told him. "Can you not distinguish between what's primary and what's secondary at this moment? Resisting Jiuyou is imperative; you have no room for maneuver. You must resolve your internal troubles as quickly as possible!"

Was this fellow still indulging in daydreams of becoming a nation's founding ancestor?

Baitan started to speak but then held back, realizing she had seen right through his machinations.

"Do you still remember your original intention for killing King Yan?" Qingyang reminded him. "You said the king was greedy and foolish, and the court was corrupt — both beyond salvation. Minor adjustments were futile; only by dismantling the old and establishing the new could true progress be made."

This man had once spoken passionately in her presence; now, with her words still echoing, had he completely forgotten his own principles?

"—Yes," he conceded. "I did say that, but!"

Qingyang smiled. "Whether you truly believe that, I don't care. But you absolutely must make the Jiaoren believe that everything you do is for their benefit! Lean closer."

Her methods were consistently effective, and his problems lay before him, urgently needing resolution. So, Baitan suppressed his inner frustration and listened attentively.

Two days later, Baitan's General of the Pillar's Residence issued "A Letter to the Jiaomin People." The full announcement was posted in various public locations throughout Tianshui City, such as market entrances, and accompanied by dedicated individuals providing explanations.

The announcement began by declaring that Great Jiao was the unparalleled miracle nation of Shanjing, having endured two centuries amidst chaos. How could its profound glory and lasting legacy possibly compare to the ephemeral small nations of Shanjing? It stated that while the General of the Pillar acted as an agent of divine punishment, he also honored the homeland that nurtured him and sympathized with the national sentiment. Therefore, he would uphold the old traditions and vigorously safeguard the enduring legacy of the Great Jiao nation.

At the market entrance, someone who couldn't understand asked for its meaning. The explainer tapped a gong and clarified in plain language: "From now on, we will remain a nation! The General of the Pillar will not change the national name or its structure!"