179 Yuan Country (1/2)

”The Secluded Mountain and Xia Country are of the same ancestry and cannot do without each other. For this Yuan Wu Conference, we must stand together to prevent anyone who might try to act against us!”

Xie Lingyun's voice was soothing and gentle, and in front of Fang Yuan, she expressed her intentions with grief. ”This time... If you, as the prefecture master would like to start a country on your own, the Xia Country would give our fullest support!”

”Has the situation reached such a stage?”

Fang Yuan was troubled.

To start a country... Who would have thought that a small issue at the beginning would escalate to such a stage?

And at the next moment, he saw through the weakness of the Xia royal family.

Even with the protection of Daoist Mu Li and another Wu Zong, the Xia Country was still extremely weak.

After all, the Secluded Mountain Prefecture was forcefully separated from the Xia Country, and the Summer Sun Prefecture was left war-torn. It was a matter of months before the country could recover fully from all these setbacks.

”Other than official affairs, I have a personal issue...”

Xie Lingyun looked at Fang Yuan's disciples and asked him, ”I've heard that you have taken in two disciples? Are you interested in taking in another one?”

”Oh?”

Fang Yuan laughed. ”Is this the royal family's decision?”

Never would he have thought that in this situation, the Xia Country would still be willing to trust him.

After all, his progress would be a hindrance to Yuan, Wu and the other countries.

”I have thought through it carefully. In this tumultuous times, if the Xia Country wants to progress, the only way is to take this gamble!”

Xie Lingyun bowed respectfully. ”Lingyun is useless. May I invite Prefecture Master Fang to take up the appointment as the Xia Country Advisor! Please accept the future fate of this country as payment. From now on, we will stick together till death! As a gift, we will accede to anything that you might request from the Xia Country's treasury and the royal family's private collection!”

'Is this them showing their utmost sincerity to me?'

Fang Yuan's heart wavered. ”Finally, the princess's true colours!”

After pondering for a while, he continued. ”I'll agree to take in another disciple. Where is he?”

”Right here!”

Xie Lingyun smiled cheekily. ”What do you think of me, prefecture master? Do I have the potential?”

...

The leaves were rustling in the breeze.

On the plains, a group of cavalry were cheering as they chased after a prey.

Among the group, the leader was a 20-year-old young man, who was wearing a golden crown but had a brute appearance. Two bodyguards on their horses accompanied him by his side, and they appeared majestic.

At this moment, they had spotted a yellow goat. Stretching his bow, the young man then released an arrow.

”Whoosh!”

The arrow was like a meteor, gliding through mid-air. It went straight into its left eye and came out from its right eye, without touching any of its furs.

”Wonderful! Eighth Prince, your archery skill is amazing!”

The surrounding troops cheered heartily. Seeing the opportunity, they react quickly and carried the prey before showing it off to everyone in the vicinity.

”During the autumn season, before these animals enter their hibernation, they will stuff themselves with food. This is the best opportunity to hunt!”

The Eighth Prince smiled and tossed his bow on the ground. ”What's so great about a yellow goat? Why not catch a wolf or leopard, that'll be more interesting...”

This Eighth Prince was the youngest son of the Yuan King. Since the independence of Yuan country, there was a law that the youngest son would take over his position.

This was because in the past, out in the plains, the mortality rate was high. After the father and a few older brothers had died in the war, the youngest child who would've just matured would take over the household, and this was a common practice.

Although the current king had been in his position for many years, he was still very used to having a lot of power. Thus, many would view the Eight Prince as the heir to the throne, which gained him a lot of admiration.

”The fun has ended for today...”

After galloping for a while, the Eighth Prince pulled the halter and gazed towards the South. ”Who would know when would horses be able to gallop up the Southern Mountain! By then, we will be able to hunt anywhere we want! This is what men should be doing!”

Everyone's eyes glittered.

In the history of the Yuan Wu Conference, countries would have slight conflicts with one another, especially between the Yuan and Wu Countries.

Before this year's conference, the Wu Country had a small setback, which made the Yuan Country have thoughts on how to take advantage of them.

”What a pity... The previous time Wu Country was defeated, it was Second Brother who was leading the troops...”

The Eighth Prince shook his head and sighed. ”Father was happy and rewarded Second Brother with many gifts. He even added more troops and calvaries to his original battalion…..”

This was one of his reasons for planning to attack the South.

The Eighth Prince knew that even though the traditional law gave him the advantage of being the rightful heir to become king, it still could not guarantee him the throne.

Needless to say, his father, the king, was at his prime age. The Eighth Prince's few younger brothers were growing up incredibly quick and were about to reach the age of maturity. By then, his position would become very awkward.

In order to protect and assure himself to become the king, the Eighth Prince had to have some form of accomplishments to back himself up, in order for the entire Yuan Country to be willing to accept him as king.

What else can compare to taking over the entire Southern Mountain?

”The upcoming Yuan Wu Conference would be my chance! Among the southern people, the Wu Country is the strongest. Judging from the size of their military, they can no longer compare to us. Next up would be to see whose side is stronger!”

The Eighth Prince waved his hand and ordered for a person whom he could trust. ”In the upcoming Yuan Wu Conference, all the country's kings, newly promoted spiritual knights and Wu Zongs would all come together. In this period of time, were there any noticeable ones?”

This person was dressed in black robes. He had a spiritual drum tied around his waist. His appearance was blood-red and felt like he had a bloodied vibe. The handle of the drum appeared pale, as though it was made from a real bone.

He was a spiritual knight from the plains, but the Yuan country preferred to call him a shaman.

”The countries in the south are all in chaos. Recently in the past six months, there was an uprising in a strong country, the Xia Country! They went through a separation, and an entire prefecture was separated out from the country!”