Starting My Cultivation With Time Management

Chapter 1006: Chapter 5 The Alliance of Xuanwu

The Long Hu stood in the Xuan Gui Clan’s reception hall, with Elders Long Xi and Long Yuan standing by her side.

If it had been a few years ago and she dared to appear here, she would have definitely been immediately captured by the Xuan Gui cultivators and sent to the Azure Dragon to deepen the relations between the two clans.

But now, the situation of the Xuan Gui Clan has significantly worsened compared to a few years ago, so there’s no urgent need to curry favor with the Azure Dragon anymore.

The Long Hu waited in the reception hall for a moment, and soon someone came out from the inner room.

It was Patriarch Gui Yan and the Xuan Gui Ancestor.

The Long Hu was slightly surprised. In her original expectation, it was certain that Patriarch Gui Yan would come to receive her, but theoretically, there was no need to alarm the Ancestor.

However, she quickly calmed her emotions and greeted with a slight bow:

“It’s an unexpected honor to be welcomed by the Ancestor.”

“No need for formalities.” The Xuan Gui Ancestor waved his hand, “Long Hu, you’ve been missing for so many years, yet suddenly you come to our North State. Is there some important matter?”

The implication was, if you have something important, just say it quickly; otherwise, we should just continue our business as usual.

The Long Hu then smiled slightly and said:

“I heard that our old ally has not been doing well lately, so I came to offer some sympathy.”

Upon hearing this answer, both felt a slight displeasure in their hearts.

Once upon a time, the Xuanwu was always a close ally of the Qilin Clan.

It’s just a pity that after Qi Weihuan’s sudden death, the Xuanwu Clan backed the wrong side. Now with Qi Weihong soon to be completely out of the power struggle, the Xuanwu Clan, even if they turn around and submit, could never restore the intimate relationship they once had with the Qilin Clan.

The phrase “old ally” indeed struck a chord.

However, neither Patriarch Gui Yan nor the Xuan Gui Ancestor were the impulsive types, and they quickly realized the problem with this term.

Old ally? Whose old ally?

The Qilin Clan and the Xuan Gui Clan were certainly old allies, but as for you, Long Hu, you are not from the Qilin background. How can you qualify as an “ally”?

When they again noticed Long Xi and Long Yuan beside them, and the forces they represent, a certain ridiculous emotion emerged from the depths of both the Patriarch and the Ancestor’s hearts.

Could it be… Jiaolong?

If it’s said to be Jiaolong, that truly can be considered an old ally—dating back even before the alliance with the Qilin Clan.

If back then Emperor Ying Long hadn’t fallen into the Mortal Realm, and the Jiaolong Clan hadn’t made a series of blunders afterward, the Xuan Gui and the Jiaolong might still maintain their alliance to this day.

It’s regretful that it was precisely because of the Xuan Gui Clan’s betrayal at a critical moment that the Jiaolong Imperial Clan lost the ability to stop the Qilin infiltration and eventually lost both the hereditary imperial power and their existential Central State.

Thinking of this, Patriarch Gui Yan quickly glanced at the Xuan Gui Ancestor.

Suppose they subdue Long Hu and these two Jiaolong cultivators and send them to the imperial capital; could they repair relations with the Qilin Clan?

The Xuan Gui Ancestor made no response but silently pondered.

He understood why Gui Yan would have such thoughts: It stems from the guilty conscience a traitor has upon encountering the wronged party, and the subsequent instinctual thought of “might as well go all in.”

However, capturing Long Hu and other Jiaolong cultivators to present to the Qilin is a rash move within rash moves.

Firstly, due to the feuds arising from the governmental and succession disputes, the grudges between the two clans run very deep, unsolveable by just dealing with a few remnants of the Jiaolong.

Secondly, what would the Azure Dragon think about this if they knew?

Catching Long Hu and immediately letting the Qilin have her, does this mean the Xuan Gui do not even consider us, the Azure Dragon?

In truth, they would be offending the Azure Dragon and unable to secure favor with the Qilin.

After all, Gui Yan is also a patriarch and quickly realized his mistake, then glanced eastwards again.

The implication was, what about looking for the Azure Dragon Clan?

The Xuan Gui Ancestor shook his head.

Since Long Long disappeared, after this time, everyone has come to understand the diplomatic stance of the Azure Dragon Clan.

In a nice way, they only wish to stand on the victor’s side; set bluntly, they’re just fence-sitters.

In diplomacy with the Azure Dragon Clan, offering a helping hand during times of need or adding flowers to a brocade makes no sense; they only join in when the overall situation is settled or when there’s no other choice.

The swift exchange of glances between the two did not escape the attention of Long Hu and her people.

Long Xi and Long Yuan were tense, but Long Hu showed no sign of change, only very politely waiting by the side.

She certainly knew she was an extremely significant bargaining chip, but among the various lords of the Eastern Emperor Realm now, there was no force willing to pay the price for this chip.

“Indeed.” The Xuan Gui Ancestor finally spoke, “Our Xuan Gui Clan and your Jiaolong Clan were once closely allied.”

“However, the grand trend of the world is like a rushing torrent, which no single clan can resist. If our clan had adhered to the alliance agreement and aided your clan regardless of the cost in the past, the Qilin Clan might not have successfully taken over Central State, but the Jiaolong would still be unable to retain imperial power; it would have been nothing more than vying for supremacy in the world.”

“Naturally.” Long Hu smiled slightly, saying, “The sin of the Jiaolong Clan in the past lies in losing decorum after losing the emperor. They couldn’t guard Central State on their own, so why blame the allies for breaching the agreement?”

“If I had been the emperor back then, I would have ceded Central State to the Vermilion Bird, led the entire clan to the Beiming Fanyang, strengthened the alliance with your clan, wouldn’t that have been better?”

The Xuan Gui Ancestor was silent for a long time before smiling, saying:

“Indeed.”

Patriarch Gui Yan remained silent beside him, pondering along with Long Hu’s suggestion. The more he thought about it, the more terrifying it seemed—what a venomous plan!

Selling Central State to the Vermilion Bird, leaving aside the Qilin Clan, the White Tiger and Azure Dragon would definitely not stand by allowing the South State to dominate, then Central State as the pivotal battleground would surely stir up bloody storms, drawing all three great lords into the fray.

In this way, who would have the resources to block Jiaolong from advancing north?

Especially since the Qilin Clan at that time held the Grand Prince of Jiaolong, it was as if declaring to the world “Central State belongs to me,” inevitably facing pressure from the three major lords!

As long as the Jiaolong Clan could return intact to the Beiming Fanyang, then the North State would be ruled by two powers… of course, since the Xuanwu Clan originally had a treaty, as long as the Jiaolong Clan remained powerful, the Xuan Gui naturally would not betray for no reason, foolishly setting up a major enemy for themselves.

Of course, in reality, there are no what-ifs. In history, no one from the Jiaolong Clan ever thought of the heroic strategy of “abandoning Central State,” and so they were ultimately swallowed by the Qilin, ending inconclusively.

Thinking of this, Gui Yan’s gaze towards Long Hu became even more serious.

This woman has the legacies of her father! Not to be underestimated!

The Xuan Gui Ancestor was silent for a long time, then suddenly opened his squinted eyes, revealing a profound gleam:

“Long Hu, let me ask you.”

“If our clan sends you back to Eastern State, how confident are you?”

Gui Yan beside him was startled, not having reacted, but Long Hu had already said calmly:

“Thirty percent, fifty percent, ninety percent.”

“Oh?” The Xuan Gui Ancestor slowly said, “I’m curious for more details.”

“If North State merely sends me to Eastern State, saying Long Hu has important matters to discuss with the Azure Dragon, there is thirty percent confidence,” Long Hu answered.

“If North State is willing to ally with Beiming Fanyang, restoring the brotherly goodwill and sending me to the Eastern State as an ally, there is fifty percent confidence.”

“But if North State not only wishes to ally but is also willing to follow my lead and let me command a North State delegation to the Eastern State, then there’s ninety percent confidence!”

Upon hearing this, Gui Yan’s expression changed dramatically, unable to speak, only to hear the Xuan Gui Ancestor lean heavily on his staff, laughing loudly:

“What courage! Worthy of being the emperor’s daughter, truly inheriting her father’s demeanor!”

“If you have indeed resolved on such ambition, then why not let this Xuanwu alliance, be led primarily by your Jiaolong this time?”