Chapter 430: Northern Demon Kingdom's Overt Scheme

Zhong Shengguang seemed to sense He Lingchuan's gaze. He turned and shot a glance at him, his eyes like lightning.

Just then, the hall door opened again, and several officials and generals entered in single file, followed by a sorcerer. Among them, Wen Daolun, Helian Chen, and General Nanke were all familiar faces to He Lingchuan.

"Everyone is here," Zhong Shengguang nodded to the sorcerer, who immediately took out a long-handled mirror and held it high. The mirror's handle and frame were made of red gold, adorned with passionflower patterns and two deep red rubies embedded along the edge, giving it an exaggerated yet magnificent appearance. But inside the frame was not a regular mirror surface, but an eyeball! Yes, a large, yellow eyeball, two feet in diameter, with a vertical pupil like an alligator or a cat. Honestly, it was unsettling to see an eyeball detached from a living creature, darting left, right, up, and down. Its gaze looked particularly sinister, especially when it focused on you. He Lingchuan felt a shiver run down his spine. Fortunately, the large eyeball stared at him for less than a second before moving on to the next person.

After several dozen breaths, the eyeball showed no change, and the sorcerer put it away, bowing to Zhong Shengguang. "The magic eye scan is complete. Everyone is clean." Only then did He Lingchuan understand that the large eyeball was used to check if anyone was carrying listening devices or had sensory abilities. Of course, if his scout spider had been there, it likely wouldn't have escaped detection by the magic eye either.

After the sorcerer left, He Lingchuan closed the door and stood in front of it.

Zhong Shengguang pointed to the sand table. "Regarding Xiluo Kingdom's relocation order, this is our second closed-door meeting. The seven attendees at the last meeting unanimously agreed that we should not return east. Today, we need to hear more opinions."

He Lingchuan was surprised. So the news that Xiluo Kingdom was issuing a relocation order was actually true?

General Nanke immediately said, "I just returned from the west. Has this relocation order been sent to Panlong City already?"

"Not yet," Zhong Shengguang shook his head. "To my knowledge, the decree has not been issued, and the King is still wavering."

"So he's indecisive," General Nanke sneered. "Why is this news already being hotly debated in Panlong Wasteland? Who is spreading it? They should be arrested and taught a lesson."

Another person added, "Spreading unconfirmed information is a rumor and should be prosecuted as incitement." This was considered a serious crime in Panlong City; those with severe involvement would have their tongues cut out. During wartime, the greatest fear was the destabilization of military and public morale.

Helian Chen waved his hand. "This news was brought in by traveling merchants and has been spreading for four or five days. It's possible someone is deliberately disseminating it, but we haven't refuted the rumor, leading to much speculation among the populace."

With the relocation order still held by the King, yet merchants were spreading news that Panlong City's military and civilians were about to return east, it was hard to say there wasn't any deliberate instigation. Panlong City was now in a dilemma: if they refuted the rumor, and the King actually issued the relocation order, then the rumor would turn out to be true, and Zhong Shengguang's authority would be damaged. If they didn't refute it, the rampant rumor would directly undermine public morale. Everyone knew that Panlong City's strong fighting power stemmed from its unity of purpose. If this foundation were shaken, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Zhong Shengguang nodded. "Do you all believe we should not return east?"

Another general, whom He Lingchuan vaguely recognized as Ling Zhongshui, stood up. Pointing to the sand table, he said, "Even if Baling Kingdom opens the Jinxi Corridor to us, the journey back to our country is at least several hundred miles. Many sections of the Jinxi Corridor are rugged and difficult to traverse, not to mention ideal for ambushes. I don't believe those bastards from Baling Kingdom wouldn't be tempted by such a perfect opportunity! At that point, with us helping the old and carrying the young, we would be truly unable to fend for ourselves, completely unable to exert our usual flexible combat strength!"

More than half of Panlong City's military success in the wasteland was due to its highly efficient combat capabilities: moving like the wind and catching enemies off guard. If the entire city were to move east, and especially if multiple cities moved together, these millions of people exposed in the wilderness would be like moving targets. No matter how powerful Panlong City's army was, it would be difficult to protect them all. Baling and Xianyou Kingdoms had been clashing with Panlong City for over a decade, and a deep blood feud had long been established. With such a golden opportunity, could they resist seeking revenge? Try telling a rabbit not to eat grass.

"If the King truly issues the relocation order and we refuse it, what will the residents of the entire wasteland think?" another middle-aged scholar spoke up. "At least 800,000 people in the Panlong Wasteland trace their ancestry to the mainland. After sixteen years of resisting the enemy, people are already weary of war. Otherwise, this unissued eastward relocation order wouldn't have caused such a huge upheaval."

He had dark skin and sharp eyes. He Lingchuan found his face vaguely familiar. Where had he seen him before?

"So, what is your opinion, Master Zhao?"

Hearing the surname Zhao, He Lingchuan suddenly remembered. There was only one high-ranking official in Panlong City named Zhao: Commander Zhao Xianhe! Not long ago, He Lingchuan had killed Zhao Rong, Zhao Xianhe's beloved son, at the Altar of Spirit Descent. Moreover, it was Zhao Xianhe himself who had nobly ordered his son's death for the greater good.

"The last relocation order Xiluo issued to Panlong City did not end well; it directly led to the loss of 40,000 elite troops, 30,000 civilians, and Master Jing. However, the situation is different this time. The motherland is under attack by rebels, and the capital is in peril. The Northern Demon Kingdom is willing to send reinforcements to help Xiluo's imperial army clear out the rebels in the Heshun region. In exchange, it wants to mediate the conflict between our country and Baling and Xianyou, which means relocating Panlong residents and handing this territory over to those two countries."

"Does Master Zhao genuinely believe the terms offered by the Demon Kingdom are reasonable? These old demons stir up trouble everywhere, fearing nothing short of chaos under heaven. What good intentions could they possibly have for us?" General Nanke said coldly. "Besides, Panlong Wasteland was originally our territory. Why should we hand it over to Baling and Xianyou?"

"Who here doesn't know what you're saying?" Zhao Xianhe said expressionlessly. "My only suggestion is that we need to prepare for both possibilities. What if we are forced to move?"

Ling Zhongshui crossed his arms. "If we don't move, what can they do to us?"

"Public sentiment cannot be ignored. If we don't move, we must analyze the pros and cons and persuade the people, or how will we maintain our standing in the future?" Zhao Xianhe shook his head. "Perhaps Baling and Xianyou also wish for us to stay put, using the opportunity to sow discord among the people." Going against public sentiment, no matter how grand the justification, would be tenuous.

"If the enemy sees this tactic works, what if they use it again in a while?" Zhao Xianhe continued. "The King wants us to relocate again, and we refuse again. If this repeats several times, do you think the city residents won't start fleeing on their own?" Although the journey back was fraught with countless dangers, there was at least hope. As long as there was a glimmer of hope, some would take risks. People yearned to return home; could they really stop every single person from leaving? If this set a precedent and an example for other city residents, private escapes back east would become a trend that couldn't be stopped.

Wen Daolun sighed deeply. "The art of war lies in winning hearts and minds." Once Panlong City's leadership and populace were not united, its combat strength would immediately weaken.

General Hong had remained silent. Helian Chen asked her, "What do you think, General Hong?"

Her voice was cold. "First, the King of Xiluo does not want Zhong Shengguang to return. For years, Xiluo has not dared to summon us back to the country, fearing that Panlong City's tiger-wolf army could easily point their swords at the capital." The King harbored deep suspicion towards every vassal king. Not to mention, the current turmoil in Xiluo was primarily due to rebellious vassal kings. If the King summoned Panlong City's army back to the country, it would be like driving out a wolf by inviting a tiger. Once the wolf was gone, what would he do about the tiger that had entered his gates? Panlong's army was stronger than any army under any vassal king. To make a worse assumption, if Zhong Shengguang used his return as an opportunity to directly rebel, establish his own dominion, or force the King's hand again, thereby further exacerbating the vassal king problem, wouldn't the King of Xiluo be filled with regret? Therefore, the King of Xiluo would rather consider foreign aid than dare to summon Zhong Shengguang back. After all, foreign aid had no roots in the country; everyone would be wary of it, and it naturally couldn't win over the people's hearts. Everyone present understood these points.

General Hong looked around at everyone. "Secondly, do all of you truly want to go back?"

As soon as this question was posed, everyone fell silent. He Lingchuan secretly gave a thumbs-up. Well asked. Those present at the meeting were all high-ranking officials of Panlong City, powerful and influential, living at the very pinnacle of this pyramid. For the past decade or so, they had deeply cultivated Panlong City, acquiring vast properties and having the deepest financial ties to the place. If they left, their losses would be the greatest. This was human nature, irrespective of integrity. What benefit would returning east bring them? Going back to Xiluo was fraught with uncertainty; their existing assets would immediately depreciate, and their wealth would significantly decrease. The Panlong Wasteland was vast, the Chipa Plateau was rich in resources, and the population was large. What was so bad about staying? The third soul-searching question: "So, who exactly wants to go back?" It was the common people who had migrated to Panlong Wasteland from the mainland and now longed to return to their roots, as well as young people deeply curious about their homeland.

General Hong continued, "The Northern Demon Kingdom thinks it has laid out an overt trap, leaving us no choice. In reality, we don't have to choose at all."

"No choice?" General Nanke was greatly surprised. "Are you saying we should stay put and pretend we haven't received the relocation order? But that's also a choice."

Inaction, in itself, is a statement.

Wen Daolun, who had been frowning throughout, finally spoke, "I think General Hong means that we need to break free from the Demon Kingdom's constraints and not simply decide between staying or leaving."

General Nanke was displeased. "Old Wen, that's dishonest of you. These millions of people either leave or stay. Are you saying there's a third option?"

"We've all been led astray by General Zhao, thinking about how to react if the relocation order is issued," Wen Daolun turned to Zhong Shengguang and said. "If the King doesn't issue the relocation order, then there's no problem, isn't there?"

Zhong Shengguang asked him, "We are thousands of miles away. How can we influence the King's decision?"

General Hong walked to the edge of the sand table, drew her sword, and pointed. "The King of Xiluo is indecisive and often changes his mind. We cannot afford to wait. Therefore, Panlong City must make the decision swiftly for him."

"A decision?"

Her voice was clear and forceful, echoing in everyone's ears: "Declare to the entire city, mobilize the entire army—we're fighting back!"