Chapter 853: Seeking Refuge |
Before, Wen Dong True Monarch would meet with Meng Zhang in the wilderness. This was the first time he took the initiative to visit him.
Fortunately, the frontline camp of Taiyi Sect was mainly filled with Taiyi Sect disciples, which allowed Meng Zhang to meet him discreetly.
However, Wen Dong True Monarch seemed to pay no attention to Meng Zhang's complaints. As soon as they met, he informed Meng Zhang of the news that Xiao Jiansheng had led the cultivator army to attack Cloudmist Great Lake but returned empty-handed.
This incident had only recently occurred, and neither Taiyi Sect's intelligence channels nor the Dark Alliance's branches had transmitted the news yet.
After listening to Wen Dong True Monarch's account, Meng Zhang made a preliminary judgment.
Jade Sword Sect's situation was dire, and it seemed unlikely that Jiuqu League could survive much longer.
Originally, Jiuqu League was much weaker than Dali Dynasty's North Sweeping Grand Army. They managed to hold their ground against the enemy thanks to Xiao Jiansheng's leadership and support from the Grand Crossing Cultivation Circle.
Now, with Xiao Jiansheng's departure filled with resentment and Bai Zhengyu True Monarch leaving with the reinforcements, even though North Sweeping Grand Army withdrew a significant portion of their forces, Jiuqu League's internal stability had been compromised. They could no longer concentrate their strength as they did before.
In this matter, the extraterritorial demons and the Spirit Clan, occupying Cloudmist Great Lake, inadvertently helped Dali Dynasty greatly. Though colluding with Extraterritorial Invaders was a taboo in the Cultivation World, Dali Dynasty had always been audacious and unscrupulous. If they were involved with the Extraterritorial Invaders, it wouldn't be surprising.
It was evident that even without Dali Dynasty's direct involvement, Meng Zhang couldn't bring himself to believe that they had nothing to do with the events that followed his own assassination, which gradually weakened Jiuqu League's strength and put Jade Sword Sect at a disadvantage.
The Dali Dynasty's North Sweeping Grand Army had changed its commander, and their methods had become more cunning and insidious, focusing less on direct confrontation.
By gradually weakening the opponent and causing internal division, Zhang Wei, the current commander, showed remarkable tactics.
"That Sword Cultivator who assassinated me, he was sent by your Dali Dynasty, right?" Meng Zhang stared intensely into Wen Dong True Monarch's eyes and suddenly asked.
Wen Dong True Monarch hesitated for a moment and then smiled without confirming or denying it.
Meng Zhang's face turned cold as he wanted to erupt but restrained himself. What good would it do to discuss these things now?
The other party's calculations had already succeeded, and their objectives had been achieved. Continuing to dwell on past events would be meaningless.
Dali Dynasty had managed to accomplish what they couldn't achieve on the frontlines through various clandestine plots and schemes.
Meng Zhang believed that, apart from himself, Dali Dynasty must have made contact with other members of Jiuqu League and persuaded many to join their side voluntarily.
Given the situation, neither Meng Zhang nor Taiyi Sect seemed to have any other choice but to side with the victor.
Of course, even if they had to change allegiance and join Dali Dynasty, Meng Zhang couldn't afford to do nothing.
At the very least, he had to strive to secure a better position for Taiyi Sect.
Surprisingly, Wen Dong True Monarch did not take advantage of Dali Dynasty's current advantage to make extravagant demands. Instead, he was willing to offer Taiyi Sect the same conditions as before to surrender.
This was somewhat unexpected for Meng Zhang.
Meng Zhang had a feeling that Dali Dynasty seemed eager to conquer the entire area of Jiuqu League.Like Taiyi Sect and similar sects, even if they only nominally submitted to Dali Dynasty, it didn't seem to be much of an issue. According to the conditions presented by Dali Dynasty, after Taiyi Sect submitted, they would retain a considerable degree of independence.
As a vassal, Taiyi Sect did have certain obligations, but the supply of resources was merely symbolic. Compared to Taiyi Sect's wealth, it was insignificant.
If Dali Dynasty needed to conscript cultivators from Taiyi Sect, they would need to consult with Taiyi Sect beforehand.
Meng Zhang was already leaning towards agreeing to this arrangement.
However, before making a decision, he had one more thing to handle.
He told Wen Dong True Monarch that he would inform him of his decision the next time they met.
Although Wen Dong True Monarch was somewhat disappointed, he didn't insist.
After Wen Dong True Monarch left, Meng Zhang first summoned Jin Li True Monarch and informed her of his intention to submit to Dali Dynasty.
Jin Li True Monarch didn't care much, as long as it didn't affect her interests, changing allegiances was no big deal. She had no loyalty to Jiuqu League, and she had always looked down on Jade Sword Sect.
As long as Taiyi Sect continued to provide offerings as before, she would be willing to act as a guest, helping Taiyi Sect temporarily.
As Meng Zhang had anticipated, Jin Li True Monarch was the easiest to deal with.
Then, he summoned He Luo True Monarch.
He Luo True Monarch's character had already been proven, and Meng Zhang didn't hide anything but was honest with him.
After listening to Meng Zhang, He Luo True Monarch fell silent for a long time before giving his response. If Dali Dynasty became the new ruler of Jiuqu League, he wouldn't want to stay here and would choose to leave.
It was evident that He Luo True Monarch also knew that with Xiao Jiansheng's departure, Jade Sword Sect had lost the support of Purple Yang Holy Sect and wouldn't be able to resist Dali Dynasty.
He Luo True Monarch was also a person of character and was unwilling to accept the rule of Dali Dynasty, an old adversary.
Meng Zhang expressed understanding and support for his decision.
He Luo True Monarch also stated that before Dali Dynasty fully controlled Jiuqu League, he would continue to stay and help Taiyi Sect resist the extraterritorial Barbarian Clan's forces.
Finally, Meng Zhang invited Book Mountain True Monarch.
Taiyi Sect and the Dark Alliance branch had agreed to become allies, cooperating and supporting each other.
A significant event like Taiyi Sect submitting to Dali Dynasty couldn't be kept secret.
Meng Zhang informed Book Mountain True Monarch of his decision.
As for how the Dark Alliance branch would choose, that was their internal affair.
By giving an advance notice, Meng Zhang was allowing the Dark Alliance branch to prepare.
Upon hearing Meng Zhang's words, Book Mountain True Monarch visibly relaxed.
He informed Meng Zhang that based on various intelligence, the Dark Alliance branch had long concluded that Dali Dynasty's victory and the conquest of Jiuqu League were inevitable.
Due to internal divisions within the Dark Alliance, after the last major battle, Red Pig True Monarch and others were no longer able to submit to Dali Dynasty.
Thus, they had long contemplated leaving Jiuqu League and finding a new path.
[Thanks for reading at Patreon.com/maxnkoga , if you supporting this novel, a heartfelt thankyou, enjoy the content!]