Huo Dosa was not a selfless man. Though he bore the family creed of the Black Feather clan, he also harbored a desire to bring glory to his lineage. Who wouldn't want to emulate their ancestor, Lites, and achieve a reign of dominance and create an unparalleled legacy?
Zu An even saw the leaping flames in Huo Dosa's eyes, but for some reason, those flames suddenly dimmed. Instead, he heard Huo Dosa sigh, "Zu An, none of the three cities is weaker than Saen's strength. How can we encroach upon them? I know you have great ambition, but the past is not the present! The Wu tribe's vitality has been wounded since ancient times and can no longer withstand the ravages of war."
Zu An had never expected Huo Dosa not only to be unmoved by his words but to also try and dissuade him from his ambition of dominating the world. His gaze immediately dimmed, and he slumped back into his chair dejectedly.
He retracted his gaze, looked at the serene Huo Dosa, and said, "If heaven wills my death, then let it be a glorious one!"
Huo Dosa had a heated argument with Fei Lian, but the matter ultimately ended without issue.
What Huo Dosa decided was difficult for others to change, as no one could sway his thoughts.
In the Huo Dosa official residence in Xin Zhi City, Zu An, deeply disheartened, slowly stood up after a long while. He looked at Huo Dosa with a hint of regret and shook his head, "The clan leader possesses the ability to turn clouds and rain but abandons it. It is truly a pity, such a pity!"
As he spoke, he tilted his head slightly, as if gazing into the distance through the window, and said leisurely, "The number of heaven's ways, even our ancestors could not see through it, let alone us. Alas! Since the clan leader's ambition does not lie here, this old man will not force the issue. Let us see how this old man stirs up the winds and clouds!"
As soon as Zu An finished speaking, a voice praised from behind the screen, "Well said!"
Both individuals inside the room were peerless masters of the Wu tribe, yet neither had expected someone to be hidden behind the screen right under their noses. Both were utterly astonished.
Zu An and Huo Dosa both harbored killing intent. After all, the matters they discussed were top secrets, and they also knew that since the other party dared to speak out, they must have some backing, either a superior cultivation or a significant connection to them.
When this person walked out from behind the screen, Huo Dosa's killing intent had already dissipated.
Although Zu An did not look at Huo Dosa, he knew that Huo Dosa recognized this person. This was because he could feel the dissipation of killing intent, and from the person's appearance, he seemed to bear some resemblance to Huo Dosa. Therefore, he also relaxed, and the tense atmosphere gradually returned to normal.
It turned out that this handsome young man was Fei Lian, a disciple of the Black Feather family. Furthermore, this person was an exceptionally outstanding figure among the Black Feather descendants, second only to Huo Dosa, and was the undisputed candidate for the next Black Feather clan leader after Huo Dosa stepped down.
In terms of cultivation, this person was by no means inferior to Huo Dosa, and he was even younger than Huo Dosa. Therefore, this person's future was truly limitless. It was precisely because of this that his conduct and style were so unrestrained and audacious.
Huo Dosa said coldly, "How did you get here?"
Fei Lian quickly bowed deeply and respectfully replied, "Clan Leader, I had no intention of disturbing you. It was merely a chance encounter. I was originally looking for the clan leader to discuss important matters, but I unintentionally heard something extremely interesting, so I had to become a gentleman of the rafters. I hope the clan leader will not mind."
Although Fei Lian's conduct was aberrant, the Black Feather family rules were still in effect. As an elder, he dared not go too far.
"You!"
Huo Dosa didn't know what to say to him.
Fei Lian then bowed deeply to Zu An, "For Zu An to possess such talent to govern the heavens and earth, it would be heaven's fault if he could not achieve great things."
The latter nodded, acknowledging Fei Lian's gratitude.
Fei Lian then turned to Huo Dosa and said, "Clan Leader, I believe this is a hundred-year plan for the Black Feather clan. I hope the clan leader will consider it carefully!"
Huo Dosa said indifferently, "I have thought this matter through and do not need my dear brother to worry about it."
Seeing that Huo Dosa was giving him no face at all, Fei Lian smiled and said, "Clan Leader, you speak incorrectly. Since this matter concerns the Black Feather clan's century-old plan, how can I not be concerned? If the clan leader insists on his own way, I implore you to convene a family meeting to decide."
Huo Dosa glanced at Fei Lian. His eyes were deep, filled with countless winds and snow. "I am the leader of the clan and have the authority to make temporary decisions. This matter does not require a family meeting!"
As he spoke, an undeniable dominance emanated from him. However, this dominance clearly could not suppress Fei Lian, so a strong smell of gunpowder hung in the air.
Zu An naturally smelled the tense atmosphere and quickly tried to mediate, "You are both like brothers. Do not let this damage your feelings, as it would be most unpleasant!"
He looked at Huo Dosa and said, "In my humble opinion, the clan leader should reconsider."
Zu An's words were very earnest, but Huo Dosa merely nodded, "If that is the case, Zu An will return and await Huo Dosa's news. Whether it succeeds or fails, Huo Dosa will reply to you as soon as possible and will not delay Zu An's important matters."
Zu An knew that Huo Dosa feared he would incite other members of the Black Feather clans. He had been given the order to leave, so he could only nod, "Alright. I hope the clan leader makes a decision soon! This old man will not intrude further!"
As he spoke, he cast a deep glance at Fei Lian before leaving Xin Zhi.
Inside the Beastmen's Galgae royal palace, the Beast King was discussing matters concerning Saint Luoman with his ministers. Saint Luoman's three routes had encountered strong enemies, and their rear had suddenly erupted in conflict. Yet, in the blink of an eye, they had stabilized their external threats. This indeed shocked the Beastmen ministers.
Even the Beast King had to sigh, "Saint Luoman has a figure like Svein. Even if our Beastmen tribe dispatches troops, I fear we will not escape the fate of broken masts and submerged sand, returning in defeat!"
The shaman spoke out, "Why must Your Majesty underestimate yourself? If our Beastmen tribe dispatches troops, perhaps that Svein will not have a plan to break the enemy. If it were not for the master's benevolence, Saint Luoman would have been destroyed long ago."
The ministers all agreed. The Wolf King, however, advised, "Your Majesty, once Saint Luoman is destroyed, only the Beastmen tribe will be left to contend with the Winter. With the strength of our single nation resisting the powerful Winter, I fear the outcome will be grim."
Although the Wolf King's voice was not loud, it resonated powerfully. For a moment, the hall fell silent.
The shaman, seeing the Wolf King about to advocate for peace between the two factions, his mind raced. He coughed twice and said, "Saint Luoman has deep foundations. Winter may not be able to swallow it whole. If our Beastmen tribe receives the support of Saint Luoman's three middle cities, and if we can directly capture Saint Luoman, then we can divide the world equally with Winter. What is there to object to?"
The Wolf King laughed heartily, "Do Saint Luoman's three middle cities truly submit to our Beastmen tribe? In my opinion, the three cities' submission to our Beastmen tribe is merely a temporary measure. The three cities merely wish to use the name of our Beastmen tribe to suppress Saint Luoman and prevent them from acting rashly. They merely aspire to be local emperors.
Otherwise, what difference is there between being affiliated with the Beastmen tribe and being affiliated with Saint Luoman? I dare guarantee that once Saint Luoman is defeated, the three cities will only defect to the stronger side."
The Wolf King's arguments were logical and well-founded. Ministers on both sides nodded. The shaman also knew that the Wolf King's words were not without reason, but he still refused to admit defeat and stubbornly argued, "Even so, the contest between the Beastmen tribe and Winter for Saint Luoman is a fifty-fifty chance. Why must the Wolf King diminish our own prestige by speaking of others' ambitions?"
The Wolf King said sternly, "What this king says is for the Beastmen tribe's hundred-year plan, not for the Beastmen tribe's immediate interests!"
The shaman let out a cold snort and was about to retaliate when he suddenly heard the Beast King mediate between the two, "You are both my loyal ministers and are both planning for the Beastmen tribe. Why must you get angry?"
The Beast King, seeing that the Wolf King and the shaman were about to start arguing and fearing that their spittle might splash onto him, had no choice but to speak.
However, the shaman remained indignant, staring intently at the Wolf King. Just as he was about to retort, someone reported that an envoy from Saint Luoman had arrived.
Upon hearing this report, all the ministers in the hall were stunned and exchanged glances, clearly surprised by the envoy's arrival from Saint Luoman.
The Wolf King's face, smooth and ruddy, his wrinkles smoothed out considerably, could not help but nod and praise, "That girl Sylerpese indeed has a keen eye. The three northwestern cities rebelled using our Beastmen tribe's name, yet she is willing to bow and seek peace. Your Majesty should think carefully."
The Beast King nodded, clearly quite moved.
The shaman, however, sneered, "Your Majesty, I cannot agree! Saint Luoman is currently facing internal and external troubles. According to my advisor, this is merely a temporary measure, simply to prevent our Beastmen tribe from sending troops against them.
As long as our Beastmen tribe does not send troops, it is like a holy sword hanging over Saint Luoman's head. Saint Luoman is on pins and needles. How can they not send an envoy to appease our Beastmen tribe?"
The shaman's words were not without reason, and the Beast King also seemed to agree with his words. Ignoring the Wolf King's cold snort, he looked at the shaman questioningly, "Then what do you think?"