Novel Full Chapter 553
Chapter 553: Chapter 78: You, the clan leader, are just too weak.
Chapter 553: Chapter 78: You, the clan leader, are just too weak.
In the hall, the atmosphere had become extremely solemn.
If Long Hu had only thought of the first level “The Emperor is assassinated,” then the original clan leader, Qin Beiwang, and the two elders, had thought of the second level “There is going to be a succession war within the Qilin Clan.”
For a mere internal conflict within the Qilin Clan, the Azure Dragon Clan naturally could maintain an aloof stance as bystanders, and even, if the timing was right, could give pointers within the Qilin Clan, just as the Xuanwu Clan did to Qi Weihong back then.
However, after the astute reminder from Long Long, they quickly thought of the neglected third level:
Behind these two heirs, West State and North State stood respectively.
While Qi Weihuan was in power, the Qilin Clan had both allied with the Xuanwu Clan and intermarried with the White Tiger Clan, yet the overall interest distribution still tended more towards the Xuanwu Clan.
This was not due to his personal preferences, but rather a continuation of the policy of the previous Qilin clan leader-the Qilin was able to replace the Jiaolong by relying on the alliance and support with the Xuanwu Clan, which was part of the traditional friendship of the alliance between the Qilin and the Xuanwu.
However, now that the Ancestral Qilin had chosen the camp of the empress’s illegitimate son, the strength of the White Tiger-Qilin alliance had already surpassed that of the Xuanwu side.
From the perspective of the White Tiger Clan, it was inevitable to defend the legitimacy of the empress and support the rise of the illegitimate son.
The stakes were too high, and as long as ultimate victory could be achieved, even swallowing up all of Xuanwu Clan’s interests in the Royal Court of Central State was not impossible.
And from the perspective of the Xuanwu Clan, since the losses from defeat would be equally enormous, the possibility of surrendering without a fight was almost zero.
Both sides were bound to clash!
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This was not an internal conflict within the Qilin Family at all!
“I am slow-witted and would like to confirm with the three elders once more,” continued Long Long with a solemn voice, “Right now, between the alliance of the Ancestral Qilin and the White Tiger Clan and the camp of the Xuanwu Clan and Qi Weihong, which side is stronger?”
“Naturally, it is the White Tiger Clan,” answered Qin Beiwang without hesitation.
Empress Lü Ya, despite her negative reputation within the Qilin Clan, was offset by the positive prestige of the Ancestral Qilin; plus, with Qi Weihong being a frequent “envoy” to North State, his reputation within the clan was not good, so the Qilin Clan was definitely more supportive of the White Tiger Clan.
The celestial-level strength of the White Tiger and Xuanwu was not much different to begin with; it was the internal stance of the Qilin Clan that would be the key counterweight to determine the final outcome.
“Then, wouldn’t the Xuanwu side have thought of this?” Long Long pressed on without pause, “If you were the Xuanwu Ancestor, what would you do in response?”
This pressing question was like lightning streaking across the night sky, pulling Qin Beiwang’s train of thought even deeper.
Could the Xuanwu Clan have not considered this?
Impossible.
The Ancestral Qilin’s choice to support the illegitimate son while forcibly defining the assassin incident showed clear apprehension of Qi Weihong’s deep ties with the Xuanwu Clan, ultimately deciding to stand with the empress and deepen the alliance with the White Tiger Clan.
The balance was disrupted, and the Qilin essentially had to choose one; there was no other option-based on the interests of the clan, the natural choice would be the weaker one, rather than being dominated or even swallowed by the stronger one.
So, what would the Xuanwu Clan do upon finding themselves at a disadvantage after entering the fray?
Qin Beiwang almost immediately had an answer:
Of course, seek allies from outside!
“In your opinion, would the Xuanwu Clan seek an alliance with us or with the Feathered Clan?” Qin Beiwang asked in a lowered voice, urgently.
The two elders beside him also cast serious inquiring looks, no longer treating Long Long as a junior, but as a decision-maker able to determine important matters for the clan.
Long Long’s reply came quickly too, as he knew the three Dragon Clan elders were becoming anxious; if he continued to play coy, it would surely displease them:
“Clan leader, in the eyes of the Xuanwu Clan, where is the decision-maker of our Dragon Clan?”
“Certainly in the Imperial Capital,” replied Qin Beiwang after a pause.
As the clan leader who has not committed a major political blunder, the decision-maker of the Azure Dragon Clan must still be me, rather than the Ancestral Azure Dragon remaining in Eastern State-after all, the Ancestor would unconditionally support my decisions!
“At this moment, does the Xuanwu Clan have a way to confirm whether we have joined the opposing camp?” Long Long asked swiftly again.
“They have no way,” Qin Beiwang answered equally quickly.
If the Dragon Clan secretly reached an agreement with the old Qilin patriarch, the Xuanwu Clan, even if they wanted to obtain the information through espionage, wouldn’t have been able to get the intelligence the same day.
“So, if the clan leader were the old Xuanwu,” Long Long finally gritted his teeth and said, “would he choose to continue probing the current stance of the Dragon Clan, or go directly to form an alliance with the Feathered Clan of South State?”
“I,” Qin Beiwang blurted out, “would of course do both, working on both fronts!”
The Feathered Clan of South State would never compromise with the Royal Court of Central State.
With long-standing war hatred between them, as well as territorial disputes, the Feathered Clan would certainly not pass up the opportunity to strike at the Royal Court of Central State.
Therefore, the Xuanwu side would definitely make contact with South State immediately and rapidly probe the attitude of the Azure Dragon side.
As long as the Xuanwu and the Vermilion Bird formed an alliance, the original disadvantage in strength would be quickly leveled, and the two camps would essentially become equally matched, with little difference between them.
This means the last force of the Eastern Emperor Realm-the Azure Dragon of Eastern State-would have their stance become the key to tipping the scales of the war.
Thinking of this, Qin Beiwang and the two elders exchanged a look for a moment, reading delight in each other’s eyes.
Seeing this, Long Long almost spat blood: How can you be happy about this?
Don’t you think you can just sit back and reap the benefits while the others fight?
“Clan leader!” He couldn’t keep leading the thought process and could only urgently remind, “If even the Feathered Clan of South State joins the fray, it won’t be some local war anymore!
It will be a full-scale war affecting the entire Eastern Emperor Realm!”
“With both camps already so bloated and large, the resources invested in the war would be incalculable, making it impossible for them to easily compromise and make peace…
If our Dragon Clan remains neutral, what do you think the reactions of both camps will be?”
Qin Beiwang was silent for a moment, then brought himself out of his previous misguided train of thought.
Once the Qilin and White Tiger, the Xuanwu and Vermilion Bird-these two giant camps formed, the original conservative diplomatic strategies would no longer exist, as they would have to rip apart and devour all the food they could get before the final deadly battle, growing their strength as fast as possible.
In such a situation, choosing not to pick sides would inevitably make one the sacrificial lamb caught between the two camps!
“Then what do you think we should do?” Qin Beiwang, burning with impatience, quickly asked Long Long.
Long Long: ……….
The two elders: ……….
Even Long Hu was a bit dumbfounded.
???G?.??
Qin Beiwang finally came to his senses and immediately felt somewhat ashamed.
As the clan leader, it was one thing to take advice from a younger generation, but actively asking them for strategies?
Embarrassing!
It’s all because this Long Long is so clever that I, as the clan leader, placed too much trust in him-my mistake!
Seeing the embarrassment on Qin Beiwang’s face, Long Long immediately smoothed things over by saying:
“I am too dull to dare offer unsolicited advice.
However, such a critical matter should be decided jointly by the clan leader and the ancestors.”
“That’s right!” Qin Beiwang had an epiphany, then put on an expression that said “You’re thinking exactly what I am,” and stated with authority, “Very good, Long Long, you are indeed astute.”
“Also, clan leader!” Seeing that Qin Beiwang still had the time to create a way out, Long Long almost lamented helplessly, hurriedly reminding and urging, “The pressing matter at hand, if we continue to stay in the imperial capital, is that we may be forced to form an alliance with the Qilin Clan!”
Hm?
Qin Beiwang’s frame shivered again, and he quickly realized the truth.
They were still in the territory of the Qilin Clan!
If that old Qilin patriarch got tough and had Long Long captured for a direct marriage, announcing it to the world, they would have to form an alliance whether they wanted to or not!
“No, we must leave at once!” he hastily said to the two elders.
“Naturally.” The two elders were speechless.
What’s with this clan leader?
Why is he being led around by the nose by the younger generation Long Long?
However, the situation was indeed urgent.
Long Long managed to disentangle and clarify the entire situation in such a short time, quickly identifying the highest priority actions to take.
Such political acumen was indeed astonishing.
At any rate, they had to ensure Long Long’s safety, escorting him back to Eastern State smoothly!