"So… why are you inviting me here?" Wei Chen asked, then sipped the tea.

The moment the tea touched his tongue, the warm liquid gradually turned cool. A light, refreshing taste flowed through his mouth and down his throat. After he swallowed, a rush of freshness followed by a returning sweetness bloomed across his tongue.

Wei Chen had tasted high grade green teas several times in his life, including Longjing tea in China when he once visited a high end teahouse with his ex. Even those were not comparable to this tea.

"Hu…" Wei Chen let out a breath as he appreciated the flavor and set the cup down. "This is the best tea I have ever had," he said sincerely.

Hearing the praise, Ximen Hao showed a proud smile. "If Brother Wei likes it, I will give you a few packages. I have plenty of it."

"Oh, thanks. I appreciate it," Wei Chen replied with a casual smile.

Ximen Hao turned toward Xiao Mei. "Xiao Mei, go to my private stash and bring a few packages of Spirit Cleansing Tea to me." He said this as he tossed her a golden key.

Xiao Mei paused for a moment after hearing the order. What Ximen Hao asked required time, because opening his stash needed two identical keys, and she also had to bring Ximen Hao's Dao Protector with her.

That Dao Protector was currently in a meeting to ensure Ximen Hao's safety during tomorrow's tournament. She would need to wait until the meeting ended, which would take some time. This meant Ximen Hao wanted to be alone with Wei Chen and clearly intended to have a private conversation.

Understanding the hidden meaning, she bowed to Ximen Hao.

"Yes, Young Master. I will bring them to you." With that, she left the artificial garden, leaving Ximen Hao alone with Wei Chen.

After Xiao Mei left, Ximen Hao chatted lightly with Wei Chen for a few minutes before getting to the point.

"Brother Wei, the reason I invited you here is because I want to give you a warning," Ximen Hao began.

"Oh? What kind of warning?" Wei Chen asked, staring at Ximen Hao with interest.

Seeing the look, Ximen Hao raised both hands to show he meant no harm.

"Please do not misunderstand, Brother Wei. I consider this repayment for your favor in educating me about the Heaven's Chosen. I do not mean to threaten you in any way. This is simply a warning so you can prepare yourself."

"Then tell me. What do you want to warn me about?" Wei Chen asked.

"Some people in the Vermilion Bird Empire have designs on the Primordial Ruin you discovered, Brother Wei. They plan to take action during this Martial Exchange Event. I have also heard that some factions within the Azure River Province are helping them," Ximen Hao said.

"Huh? What?" Wei Chen blurted out in confusion. He did not expect to hear something like this.

Ximen Hao continued. "Right now, the only factions I have confirmed to be involved are the Murong Clan and the Sacred Flame Valley. Other than that, I do not know. You should warn Lady Mo Xingyao to prepare and fortify the Primordial Ruin."

Wei Chen frowned. "Then why are they using this opportunity? Are they not afraid of tarnishing their reputation? Or are they not afraid this will escalate into a war between provinces?"

"Even though the Vermilion Bird Province is stronger than the Azure River Province, the difference is not overwhelming. If a war breaks out, there will be casualties and heavy losses. Even if the Vermilion Bird Province wins, it would be a pyrrhic victory," Wei Chen concluded.

Ximen Hao set his teacup down and shook his head. "No, Brother Wei. It will not escalate into a war. First, the forces inside the Azure River Province only issued a bounty through the Bounty Guild. It just so happens that the forces who accepted the bounty are all from outside the Azure River Province."

"Second, by using this event as an opportunity, those outside forces enter as guests. As long as they do not cause enough trouble to destabilize the province, they enjoy a certain level of immunity, and there will be no consequences."

"Third, the target this time is a demonic path force. You know how the righteous path usually acts. They are a bunch of hypocrites, and the righteous path controls most of the power in the Free State Council within the Azure River Province."

"And as you know, the Azure River Province is not an empire like the Vermilion Bird Empire. It is made up of city states. That is why guests have a certain degree of immunity, as long as they do not destabilize the province as a whole," Ximen Hao explained.

"But they are still outsiders. No one likes outsiders meddling in their territory, right?" Wei Chen argued.

"As I said, Brother Wei, the Azure River Province is not an empire. It is fragmented into city states and sects, governed by a council that loosely oversees overall stability. As long as the outsiders do not touch their interests, no one will move," Ximen Hao replied.

"Also, this is only considered outside reinforcement. The Azure River Province is not a unified state like the Vermilion Bird Empire, so inviting outsiders to deal with a single faction inside the province is not considered inviting wolves into their home," Ximen Hao added.

"Why are you telling me this? Are you not also from the Vermilion Bird Empire?" Wei Chen asked with suspicion. "Are you…"

Ximen Hao smiled. "What are you trying to say, Brother Wei? Do not misunderstand me. This is just a job from the Bounty Guild. The Ximen Clan is not so desperate that we need to take such jobs. This has nothing to do with the empire itself. Besides…"

Ximen Hao paused, then calmly sipped his tea and placed the cup down as he let out a satisfied breath.

"I clearly said some people in the Vermilion Bird Empire. I did not mean the Vermilion Bird Dynasty itself, so do not accuse me like that. Even though the Murong Clan is a die hard supporter of the dynasty, it does not mean the dynasty is the one behind this plan. I think you understand what I mean," Ximen Hao said with a smile filled with layered meaning.

Wei Chen looked into Ximen Hao's eyes, and an idea struck him. "Do you have beef with the Murong Clan? Is that why you are telling me this? You want to kill people with a borrowed knife."

Ximen Hao did not deny it, nor did he confirm it. He only smiled, poured more tea, and took a sip. His silence was more than enough confirmation for Wei Chen.

With the bigger picture becoming clear, Wei Chen clutched his head and let out a long sigh before cursing.

"F*cking hell, I really hate politics."

"What a coincidence, me too. I would rather enjoy my wealth and live a carefree, hedonistic life. Unfortunately, I cannot do that anymore," Ximen Hao said half jokingly.

"Heh, people need to grow up someday, whether because of circumstances or because someone wakes them up," Wei Chen quipped.

"That is true, Brother Wei. That is true…" Ximen Hao agreed with a tired sigh.

"So, what is their plan? How are they going to attack and seize the Primordial Ruin secret realm?" Wei Chen asked.

"I do not know, Brother Wei. In this plan, the Ximen Clan is merely an outsider who happened to hear some juicy gossip, and I decided to tell you about it," Ximen Hao replied.

Wei Chen sighed and shook his head in disappointment.

"But if I were them…" Ximen Hao began, drawing Wei Chen's attention. "I would use the chance to throw a match, then withdraw from the competition. After that, I would use the excuse of leisure travel within the Azure River Province and head toward the Primordial Ruin."

"And since it would not be a total war, the best vessel that could be used would only be a large flying ark, packed with as many warriors and soldiers as possible. If I were you, I would watch out for those who lose in the early rounds and withdraw with a large flying ark," Ximen Hao explained.

"Thanks, Ximen Hao. I owe you a favor this time," Wei Chen said with gratitude.

"Do not mention it, Brother Wei. Besides, you can repay me by telling me how to avoid the consequences of going against a Heaven's Chosen," Ximen Hao said with a smile.

"You mean…" Wei Chen's words trailed off.

"I mean Yun Feng. I am certain that he must be a Heaven's Chosen. And Xiao Mei is his childhood sweetheart," Ximen Hao said with a wry smile. He felt like a child who had been caught by his parents stealing a cookie from the jar.

"And you f*cked a Heaven's Chosen's childhood sweetheart? F*ck, man… you are f*cked…" Wei Chen clutched his head and shook it repeatedly. This was beyond saving.

"Brother Wei, even if I had ten guts, I would not dare touch that goddess of calamity. Please listen to me, alright?" Ximen Hao said, hurriedly defending himself.

"Fine… lay it out for me. What the hell actually happened, so I can help you," Wei Chen said.

Ximen Hao nodded. "It's like this, Brother Wei…"

Thus, Ximen Hao began telling Wei Chen about his deal with Xiao Mei, as well as his folly when he bullied Yun Feng.

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