Chapter 797 - 800: Jiang the Bald Must Secure Internal Peace Before Repelling Foreign Aggressors

"The Azure Empire is about to strike. In these next few days, you should prepare more flowers and fruits. They can be used as rations and medicine for the soldiers," the Ancestor of Blood Refinement instructed before leaving the Cultivators’ Guild.

"Don’t worry, President," Song Shuiping and Mrs. Song nodded repeatedly.

"If you do this well, I will help you with your problem of insufficient yang energy."

At the Ancestor of Blood Refinement’s words, Song Shuiping was greatly moved and nodded his thanks. He had been impotent for years, a devastating issue for any man.

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Song blushed and lowered her head.

"Thank you, President, thank you so much," Song Shuiping said, his voice thick with gratitude.

The Ancestor of Blood Refinement waved his hand, indicating it was a small matter.

"I’m leaving now," he said, bidding farewell to Song Shuiping and Mrs. Song.

The Ancestor of Blood Refinement then left with Peony.

Only after the Ancestor of Blood Refinement’s figure had completely vanished from sight did Song Shuiping and Mrs. Song go inside.

Previously, they had thought that, given his exceptional talents, the Ancestor of Blood Refinement could surely become an excellent Cultivator in his lifetime. But after seeing the Ginsengfruit seeds, the Pan Peach seeds, and the Yellow Central Plum seeds, they realized they were wrong.

How could such a person merely become an excellent Cultivator in the future? He is destined to soar like a dragon, becoming the number one Cultivator, revered by all Cultivators in the world.

The Ancestor of Blood Refinement told Peony to return to the Blood Refiners Guild ahead of him. He, meanwhile, slipped into an alley, removed his robe and mask, and once again became Wu Tian.

As night fell, he headed toward the Royal Palace, wanting to see his wife and child.

Upon arriving at the Royal Palace’s back garden, he found only the little one cultivating while Qin Yuhan watched from the side. The others were nowhere to be found.

Wu Tian walked over and asked, "Where are Dao Feng and the others?" Surely they aren’t slacking off? But Dao Feng and the others aren’t that kind of people.

"If you want to know where they are, give me a kiss." The little one ran up, arms outstretched, wanting a hug and a kiss.

"My little darling." Wu Tian chuckled, lifted her, and planted a kiss on her cheek.

"Little darling, tell me, where are Dao Feng and the others?"

"Dad, are you happy after kissing my cheek?" the little one suddenly asked.

"..."

Wu Tian frowned slightly. What is she up to? It seems even a kiss has an ulterior motive. As I thought, my daughter couldn’t possibly be this adorable!

"I’m happy," Wu Tian replied after a moment’s thought.

If he said he wasn’t happy, the little one would surely have something to say. ’What? You’re not happy kissing my cheek, Dad? Is there something wrong with my face?’ She might get upset and stir up some trouble that he would be helpless to deal with.

"Good, I’m glad you’re happy. That means I can tell you where Dao Feng and the others went without worrying," the little one said, nodding. She wrapped her arms around Wu Tian’s neck, hanging on him like a koala. Her small frame wasn’t heavy; in fact, she felt quite soft.

Wu Tian suspected something was wrong, but for his daughter’s sake, he smiled. "Go on. I won’t get angry."

The little one nodded and asked him to put her down.

"Put me down. I’m not a little kid anymore. It’s so awkward being held like this."

Wu Tian was left speechless.

After setting the little one on the ground, she dusted off her hands, assumed a serious little expression, and said, "Come out."

Lan Niang emerged alone from behind the rockery.

Wu Tian had known she was behind the rockery all along. He’d only pretended not to notice because he wanted to find out what they were up to.

Wu Tian’s gaze fell on Lan Niang. She was covered in dust, and her breathing was erratic.

"You’ve been in a fight? Not just sparring, a real fight with real weapons. With whom?" Wu Tian’s voice was bone-chillingly cold.

As the Sect Leader of the Heavenless Gate, he had to maintain a dignified presence. Although the Heavenless Gate was an obscure sect, it was one that Wu Tian had designed from the very beginning with the potential for growth.

It would start as the Heavenless Gate, then become the Wutian Dynasty, the Wutian Kingdom, the Wutian Divine Dynasty, the Wutian Divine Country, and finally, the Heavenless Immortal Domain.

Faced with such an imposing Wu Tian, Lan Niang quickly explained what had happened. "The Azure Empire has attacked. Their first target is our Xiuyuan Realm—specifically, our Xiuyuan Country, because we’re closest to the sea. This should be a time for the entire nation to unite and resist, but... that’s not what’s happening."

Wu Tian was taken aback. "Not what’s happening?" He didn’t understand what she meant.

Lan Niang continued, "Today, resources were distributed from the national treasury to the military camps, but the allocation was uneven. Yuwen Nuo’s troops received almost no provisions at all. Si’er is friends with Yuwen Nuo. She was with us when she found out, so she went to confront the officials in charge of the treasury, and we went with her. The national treasury belongs to the royal family and should be under Si’er’s control, but others have seized authority over it. Within the royal court, the ministers are now divided into two factions.

"Si’er leads the war faction. The other faction recommends Princess Yi Ren, Si’er’s older sister, as its figurehead, but she is merely their puppet. The true leader of the peace faction is Jiang Gan—that bald man. He used to run a military academy, and most of the generals at court were his former students. He is advocating for peace, which infuriates Si’er. That’s why our two sides ended up fighting."

"Jiang Gan?"

Wu Tian knew of this man. He recalled that when General Ling Tian first went to war, he was merely a vanguard. Back then, the Xiuyuan Realm was still called the Golden Sword Realm, and it hadn’t yet been superseded by the Heavenly King Country. At that time, Jiang Gan was the Great General. Later, he opened a military academy to train generals for the nations of the Three Realms. People assumed that by giving up his post as a general to become a headmaster, he intended to retire. But who would have thought that with the Azure Empire’s invasion, he would activate the network of connections he’s built over the years to lead the peace faction? He wants to seize the highest throne in the Three Realms. In his eyes, this is his chance to become king.

"Take me there," Wu Tian said, his mind elsewhere.

Jiang Gan? The surname Jiang alone left a bad taste in his mouth, and the man’s methods were even more displeasing.

Lan Niang didn’t dare to waste another moment. She immediately led Wu Tian, the little one, and Qin Yuhan toward the national treasury.

「The National Treasury」

"What in the world is the meaning of this?" Si’er angrily questioned Jiang Gan and his followers. "I am the Queen now, and this national treasury is mine! I ordered military provisions to be distributed, so why were they allocated so unevenly?"

With a furious expression, Si’er pointed an accusing finger at the bald man leading the opposing group—Jiang Gan. In his early years, he had followed Yuwen Nuo’s father in campaigns to conquer the land, always presenting himself as a perfect gentleman. Now, older and having founded his military academy, he had revealed his true, wolfish ambitions, having trained nothing but his own lackeys.

"Queen Si’er, what I am doing is for the sake of the people of the Three Realms. Our goal must be peace, not war! War will only bring suffering to our people. We can give the Azure Empire what they want in exchange for peace." Jiang Gan raised an eyebrow, casting a cold glance at Yuwen Nuo and the other generals standing behind Si’er. "These generals advocate for war," he said. "They are not on my side and could become my enemies. Why would I give them ample provisions? To repel foreign invaders, one must first bring stability within. Don’t blame me for withholding their pay. I must first crush you warmongers. Only then can I take my time negotiating with the Azure Empire."