A few days later, a steward from the Red Ant Commerce Association quietly entered Shanbao County and brought a new merchandise list for the Blood Saber Sect.

This time, five people sat around the round table: apart from Steward Wei of the association, Li Yuan, Tie Sha, and Elder Ding, Yu Chaoyin was also present.

The atmosphere felt somewhat different from before. As Li Yuan and the others perused the list, Tie Sha did nothing but suddenly looked towards Steward Wei and said, "I've known Steward Wei for many years now, and I have a request. I hope Steward Wei can help."

Steward Wei frowned slightly and said, "I am merely a steward of the association; I can only assist if it's within my capabilities."

Tie Sha hesitated for a moment, cupped his fists, and then smiled, "I wonder if your association has any dealings with the Holy Fire Palace? And do you pass through the Hanzhou Heimu Mansion?"

Steward Wei immediately understood Tie Sha's meaning, his brows relaxed, and he said directly, "So that's it. Well, some information isn't really a secret in the Central Plains, so there's no harm in telling Sect Leader Tie."

Then he began to narrate, "Two years ago, Crown Prince Red Lotus declared himself Emperor and changed Great Zhou to Great Qi, indulging himself in Jade Capital City thereafter.

Meanwhile, the Emperor fled west, regained his foothold, and commanded all major forces to eliminate Crown Prince Red Lotus.

The Holy Fire Palace has also followed this command and is currently embroiled in a relentless war with the Red Lotus Sect. If Sect Leader Tie heads to the Holy Fire Palace now, he might get caught in this war, where weapons spare no one, and there's likely no return.

Because of the war, our association will not enter the Hanzhou Path but will detour around it…"

Tie Sha was somewhat surprised and asked, "Why does the Holy Fire Palace comply with the Emperor's orders?"

Steward Wei replied, "It's not about complying with the Emperor's orders; rather, the Emperor promised that upon success, the Great Zhou Treasure Vault would be opened, allowing major forces to select three treasures each.

You must know, the Great Zhou Treasure Vault houses all the treasures collected by successive dynasties of Great Zhou.

In the past, with no one in the Royal Family able to fully utilize these treasures and their pedantic policies forbidding them to outsiders, they couldn't cultivate external experts.

Thus, it allowed the Red Lotus thieves an opportunity.

In the times when Great Zhou was at its peak, even slight coveting of the Great Zhou Treasure Vault brought disaster, even asking a few questions about it could get you imprisoned.

Now, however, the Great Zhou Treasure Vault has become a reward, how ironic is that?

Additionally, Crown Prince Red Lotus's conduct is unbecoming; even after declaring himself Emperor, he offers no benefits, only demanding all major forces quickly come to Jade Capital to pay tribute.

Crown Prince Red Lotus may well be thinking of negotiating with the forces during this period, yet which of those influential powers aren't already like kings in their own mountains? Who would listen to him?

Instead of letting Crown Prince Red Lotus prance on the throne, they'd rather have the Emperor reinstated, and let the land remain Great Zhou, so that all sides can live steadily…"

As Steward Wei spoke, Li Yuan's body shook suddenly, his pupils contracting.

The speaker was unaware, but the listener was mindful.

Steward Wei merely spoke of the Red Lotus thieves breaching the city and about the Royal Family using the Great Zhou Treasure Vault as a reward to summon all forces to defeat the thieves.

However...

Was it that Steward Wei forgot to mention, or did he never consider it at all?

Is there a chance that the Great Zhou Royal Family, thought to be powerful in the eyes of the forces, after so many years, how much of that strength remains, no one knows, and no one wants to test. Hence, although the Great Zhou Treasure Vault contained so many treasures, no one touched it.

But now,

with one poke from the Red Lotus Sect, it tipped over the Great Zhou Royal Family.

It forced the Emperor to flee west and open the treasure vault as a bounty.

What is this?

It's like Great Zhou has stripped off its underpants for all to see.

Great Zhou... is no longer the past Great Zhou, no longer powerful.

Yet Great Zhou still has the Great Zhou Treasure Vault, and all kinds of money and treasures.

What is this?

A man with no guilt, but treasuring a jade rings his crime.

If today a mere Crown Prince Red Lotus can declare himself Emperor, replacing him doesn't seem impossible either.

If Crown Prince Red Lotus's rebellion marks the entry-level chaos of this turbulent world...

Then breaching Jade Capital and declaring himself Emperor means the chaos is at a normal level...

And, with the Emperor opening the Great Zhou Treasure Vault, calling on major forces to overthrow Jade Capital and retake the throne, the chaos level... would be about to leap to Nightmare Level...

Li Yuan has already envisioned scenes of power dividing and slaughtering one another, already seen the semblance of hell on earth...

These things he had read about in history books before transmigrating.

He sighed inwardly; he must quickly become stronger to survive the ever-increasingly turbulent and frightening chaos.

On the other side, Tie Sha bowed and said, "I see, thank you, Steward Wei."

Steward Wei smiled, "No need to be polite, but since that's the case, does Sect Leader Tie still want to leave with our caravan? If so, you'll need to part ways near Hanzhou Path."

Tie Sha was silent for a while, thoughtful look flashing in his eyes.

He is a smart man, and smart men do not place themselves in peril.

Heading to the Holy Fire Palace now would mean a gamble with nine-to-one odds against survival...

After pondering, Tie Sha took out two Gold Yuanbao from his pocket and pushed them forward, saying, "I would appreciate it if Steward Wei could keep an eye on the situation near Hanzhou Path for me. If the time is not right, there's no use hurrying. For now, I won't leave."

Yu Chaoyin suddenly looked up, then lowered his head again, looking extremely sullen.

Unperturbed, Steward Wei accepted the gold yuanbao, smiling, "Though Sect Leader is in a small corner county, you know when to take and when to leave, truly a person of significance. I'll keep watch for you and discuss it further when you return next year."

"Thank you," Tie Sha cupped his fists again and added, "If I succeed, I'll show my gratitude handsomely."

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