Chapter 262: The Imperial Court's Grand Scheme

Chapter 262: The Imperial Court's Grand Scheme

Ning Xiaochuan swallowed a Broken Meridians Healing Pill and began slowly refining the Pill Qi to heal his internal injuries. The study housed only three people: the Jian Pavilion Marquis, Ning Qiancheng, and Ning Xiaochuan. These three represented the strongest of the Jian Pavilion Marquis House across three generations and were its absolute rulers.

"Qiancheng, speak. It's time Xiaochuan learns of certain major matters," the Jian Pavilion Marquis said.

Ning Qiancheng's expression turned grave as he retrieved a Dragonhide Map from the bookshelf. This was a genuine fragment of dragon skin, stripped from a vicious dragon, densely inscribed with lines marking the territories of the Yulan Empire's sixty-three great domains.

Ancient cities and key towns were marked with circles, military garrisons and strategic passes with human figures, while critical locations bore red dots. Beyond the Yulan Empire's borders, the map also noted neighboring dynasties, kingdoms, and federations. Some small nations were as large as one of the empire's "domains," while others occupied no more than a fingertip's space on the map.

"To the west, forty-eight Third-Grade Civilization dynasties are subordinate to the Yulan Empire. Yet, not long ago, the militaries of thirty of these kingdoms gathered at the border, amassing a combined force of seventeen million soldiers. They now eye the Fansai Border City with overwhelming momentum, as if poised to swallow mountains and rivers whole."

"If this allied army of thirty kingdoms marches eastward, the empire's three western domains will inevitably plunge into endless warfare. The people will be displaced, corpses will pile like mountains, and treasures, supplies, and women will be plundered. Even if the empire's mighty lions intervene, it would take years to quell the chaos."

Ning Qiancheng tapped thirty red dots on the map, marking the locations where the armies had assembled.

Ning Xiaochuan remarked, "Those Third-Grade Civilizations have limited resources and backward martial arts. Even united, they only hold numerical superiority. Against the Imperial Palace's lion-like army, they’d surely crumble."

Ning Qiancheng laughed. "Xiaochuan, do you know what it means to 'discuss war on paper'? That’s exactly what you’re doing. If you ever commanded troops at the front, you’d realize—'When soldiers exceed ten thousand, they become a sea of people.' Just ten thousand soldiers feel like an overwhelming tide. What then of seventeen million?"

"Even if every Yulan Empire soldier could fight ten, how many could you stop when seventeen million charge at once? If they breach the border and invade the empire’s heartlands, the devastation would be unimaginable."

Ning Xiaochuan said, "One thing puzzles me. The Yulan Empire is at its zenith, with martial prowess flourishing and Martial Venerables emerging in droves. Its marquises and lords are all figures of extraordinary talent. Where do these Third-Grade Civilizations find the audacity to challenge the empire? Aren’t they afraid of annihilation?"

Ning Qiancheng nodded. "That’s precisely why I returned to the Imperial City. Who backs these Third-Grade Civilizations? Who gives them such confidence?"

The gazes of Ning Xiaochuan and Ning Qiancheng simultaneously turned to the Jian Pavilion Marquis at the head of the room.

When it came to warfare, Ning Qiancheng was undeniably a valiant general and a brilliant strategist.

However, when it comes to analyzing the imperial court's situation, grasping the broader picture, and foreseeing the long-term, only a seasoned figure like the Jian Pavilion Marquis, who has lived nearly a century, can see through it clearly.

This is the wisdom of experience.

The Jian Pavilion Marquis said, "The Yulan Empire is likely to face a major upheaval within the next few years—no more than five. A prince or marquis will inevitably raise an army in treason."

Ning Qiancheng's expression shifted. "Marquis, are you suggesting that the masterminds behind these Third-Grade Civilizations come from within the Yulan Empire? One of the princes or marquis who wield immense power?"

"To be precise, it is one of the kings," the Jian Pavilion Marquis replied.

Among the great marquis houses, the Jian Pavilion Marquis House is already one of the most powerful. Yet, even they lack the confidence to seize the Jade Emperor's throne. Naturally, no other marquis possesses such capability either.

Therefore, it must be one of the kings.

In the Yulan Empire, only four kings hold hereditary titles and command the greatest influence: the Great Golden Roc King, the Qilin King, the Divine Dragon King, and the Peacock Ming King.

Of course, since the Jade Emperor ascended the throne, he has also enfeoffed several other kings. However, those titles are merely honorary—once they die, their descendants cannot inherit their positions. Thus, these kings are incomparable to the four hereditary kings.

Only these four kings possess the prestige to command the rulers of Third-Grade Civilizations.

"Could it be that the Great Golden Roc King is preparing to seize the throne?" Ning Qiancheng asked.

The Jian Pavilion Marquis said, "The Great Golden Roc King controls over a third of the Yulan Empire's military forces and is the foremost expert in the imperial court. Anyone with eyes can see that his usurpation of the Jade Emperor's throne is only a matter of time."

Ning Qiancheng remarked, "Given the Great Golden Roc King's authority in the court and his influence over the military, seizing the Jade Emperor's throne should be effortless. Why go through such elaborate schemes?"

The Jian Pavilion Marquis gave Ning Qiancheng a mocking glance, as if to say, You're still too naive.

"What do you know? The hardest thing to defy in this world is not the emperor himself, but the imperial authority. Even if the Great Golden Roc King dominates the court, he must think twice—no, thrice—before attempting to seize the throne. Otherwise, the slightest misstep could leave him isolated and abandoned."

The Jian Pavilion Marquis continued, "Moreover, is the Jade Emperor truly as weak as he appears? I doubt it. At the very least, the three most powerful military forces of the Yulan Empire remain firmly in his hands. If the Great Golden Roc King were to clash with the Jade Emperor, the outcome would be far from certain."

"In my opinion, the Great Golden Roc King must still make at least three strategic moves before he can claim the throne."

"First, he must gain control over the Fourth-Grade, Third-Grade, Second-Grade, and First-Grade Civilizations surrounding the Yulan Empire."

"Though these minor civilizations are far weaker than the Yulan Empire, their sheer numbers make them a formidable force if united."

"Most importantly, these minor civilizations are distant from the Imperial City and least influenced by imperial authority, making them the easiest to control. Judging by the current situation, the Great Golden Roc King has already made significant progress in this move."

"Second, he must win over the princes and marquis within the court to secure the Yulan Empire's military power."

"Third, he must dominate the major factions within the Imperial City."

"When these three steps are completed, it will be the time for the Great Golden Roc King to challenge the Jade Emperor. Of course, completing these steps is by no means an easy task. Without several years, the situation will not become clear."

Ning Qiancheng laughed loudly and said, "If the Great Golden Roc King wants to seize the throne, our Jian Pavilion Marquis House will surely lend our support. We’ve long wanted to kill the Jade Emperor to avenge our third brother."

"Fool!"

The Jian Pavilion Marquis snorted coldly.

Ning Qiancheng immediately stifled his laughter, grinning awkwardly but not daring to refute the Marquis.

The Jian Pavilion Marquis asked, "Xiaochuan, what do you think?"

Ning Xiaochuan replied, "The Yulan Empire is vast and rich in resources, spanning a wide territory. From the largest regions to the smallest towns, imperial garrisons are stationed everywhere. Even if the Great Golden Roc King controls all the military forces in the world, seizing the throne would still be an extremely difficult task. Instead, it might plunge the empire into chaos, ultimately handing it over to outsiders for nothing."

"If the Great Golden Roc King wants to claim the throne, he will inevitably try to win over as many dynasties, sects, families, and martial academies as possible."

"The Great Golden Roc King has instructed thirty third-grade civilizations in the west to gather their armies at the border, sending a clear signal to the powerholders of the Yulan Empire—it’s time to choose sides. Will they stand with the Jade Emperor or the Great Golden Roc King?"

Ning Xiaochuan continued, "In truth, whether it’s the Jade Emperor or the Great Golden Roc King who rules, it brings no benefit to our Jian Pavilion Marquis House. The only way to secure our footing is to quietly develop the Marquis House’s strength while the two tigers fight."

"When the Jian Pavilion Marquis House grows powerful, both the Jade Emperor and the Great Golden Roc King will only seek to curry favor with us, not destroy us."

Ning Qiancheng asked, "So Xiaochuan means we support neither?"

"At least for now, we must remain neutral and offend neither. Unless absolutely necessary, we should not hastily choose sides. One wrong move, and we lose everything," Ning Xiaochuan said.

The Jian Pavilion Marquis nodded. "Xiaochuan has the talent to govern the world."

Ning Xiaochuan asked, "Marquis, may I ask how the acquisition of the mines is progressing?"

The Jian Pavilion Marquis smiled mysteriously. "I’ve personally negotiated with the Qilin King. In the past, he would never have sold them, but recently, those mines have been targeted by the Ghost Manor, turning them into a chicken rib. I secured the deal with ease. However, the Ghost Manor is a major problem. If we can’t deal with them, even if we buy the mines, we won’t be able to extract anything."

Ning Xiaochuan’s lips twitched, but in the end, he did not reveal the truth to the Marquis.

He planned to secretly take control of the Ghost Manor and establish it properly before slowly informing the Marquis.

"I know a high-ranking figure in the Ghost Manor. We share a life-and-death bond. I can negotiate with him," Ning Xiaochuan said.

"Is that true?" the Marquis asked.

Naturally, he would never imagine that Ning Xiaochuan was the now-infamous Manor Lord of the Ghost Manor. After all, Ning Xiaochuan was still far too young. Even with extraordinary talent and genius, it was impossible for him to become a leader of a major dark faction.

Ning Xiaochuan nodded. "Marquis, have you heard about the Situ Family?"

The Jian Pavilion Marquis said, "The Situ Family is the largest forging family in the Imperial City. However, I heard that not long ago, their forging masters and forging equipment were all looted by the Ghost Manor. I’m afraid they’ve suffered a heavy blow."

Ning Xiaochuan smiled and said, "Those forging masters and forging equipment were purchased by me from that friend at a high price, to establish our own forging base for the Jian Pavilion Marquis House, in preparation for founding the Divine Sword Palace."

"Excellent!"

The Jian Pavilion Marquis slammed the table excitedly and laughed heartily. "When I saw you establishing the Divine Sword Palace, I thought it would take you at least five years to grow and flourish. But now, with this batch of excellent forging masters and forging equipment, I reckon it will only take a year for the Divine Sword Palace to take shape and gain fame in the Imperial City."

"The establishment of the Divine Sword Palace isn’t just about gaining fame in the Imperial City, but about shaking the world and becoming the number one forging sanctuary under heaven. The Imperial City is merely the first step," Ning Xiaochuan said calmly.