Chapter 1932

The demonic energy the demons need cannot be collected alone, nor can it be obtained from heavenly treasures, earthly riches, spirit pills, or mystic crystals; on the contrary, they can work together, and they need not be as demanding as the Xian Sect immortals when making demands on vassal states. At least when Bekka was first established, the demon emperor exerted little pressure in this regard.

He Lingchuan merely listened without speaking. Xin Yi spoke the truth, but it was the truth before the great pot was made to produce the punishment dragon pillars.

With the punishment dragon pillars in the world, demonic energy is no longer of a universal nature to the demons of other realms, nor is it evenly distributed like rain and dew.

How could the demons' greed possibly be less than that of the immortals? Before, they seemed to wander carefree and detached from worldly things, but that was only because they had no way to individually seize demonic energy.

Given the opportunity, all crows under heaven are as black as each other.

"So then?" He Lingchuan asked directly, "In Master Xin's view, how can one successfully establish a state?"

The "success" spoken of here does not merely mean founding a state and calling it done. It must develop, it must grow strong, and it must be able to contribute in the struggle between the demons and Lingshan.

"I just said, 'people' are most important." Xin Yi spoke solemnly, "Actually, stability is most important. A stable approach to governing the state, a stable policy direction, even a stable ruler! Only then can one remain consistent from beginning to end, with original intent unchanged!"

"There is a saying among mortals: 'A heroic father begets a bear-like son,' this matter cannot be helped, it is beyond human control. If the ruler of the ancient Yu State could have continued smoothly and steadily for another thirty or forty years, who knows? He might have laid a solid foundation for the state, ensuring enduring blessings." Xin Yi spoke earnestly, "Look at Bekka—it has lasted six hundred years, and how many demon emperors has it seen?"

"So far only..." He Lingchuan immediately corrected himself, "Two."

"Not bad, the dragon race enjoys long lifespans, so demon emperors can rule for several hundred years, which is very stable." Xin Yi said, "Their grip on power and on their ministers—how secure it is! If human monarchs changed every few decades, each transition would carry great risk; you wouldn't know whether the successor would be capable or not."

"That's also true." For a ruler of a state, a good son is not necessarily a good emperor; this is probably like opening a blind box.

Following Xin Yi's logic, the northern demon state indeed has advantages in multiple aspects.

Sun Fuling picked up the peanuts He Lingchuan had shelled and ate them, casually saying, "What about letting a great immortal come to rule as emperor? How does that sound? At least they live long, and their word is law; besides, their subordinates mostly wouldn't collude with other immortals, wouldn't this regime be stable then?"

He Lingchuan gave a thumbs-up: "This idea is good."

Sun Fuling glanced at him, unsure whether he was truly praising her or mocking her.

"Difficult." Xin Yi sighed, having almost exhaled a month's worth of breath today, "Not to mention true immortals, even ordinary immortals cannot remain in the mortal world for long. True immortals already find it strenuous to oversee Lingshan, requiring regular rotation; even if immortals were to govern a human state, they would soon need to retreat into seclusion for cultivation, otherwise their cultivation would gradually decline, making them weak and age like mortals. Look, isn't this just another case of personnel change? Who knows how capable the successor will be?"

He Lingchuan said feigningly, "What if we let him hold the mystic crystal and live his days on the imperial throne?"

"How could an ordinary immortal governing the state win people's obedience? If we asked a true immortal to govern the state, what quantity of mystic crystal would be needed to sustain his normal activities in the mortal world? A tiny state—how could it bear such a cost?"

He Lingchuan scratched his head.

It's true, Qianhuan True Person painstakingly laid the Upside-Down Heavenly Array on the Flashing Gold Plains, draining the Flashing Gold's spiritual energy for his and the Phantom Sect's use. This is partly due to his innate greed, but it also shows that the demand for mystic crystals by true immortals is outrageously huge!

A water tank cannot raise a giant whale.

"So, is this problem unsolvable?" He Lingchuan lamented, "What a pity, such a good idea."

Xin Yi turned a chess piece between his fingers for a long time, yet it did not fall: "Who says it isn't?"

"This move will decide the outcome." Sun Fuling smiled, "Master Xin, please."

At this moment, the board gradually became clear; she not only turned back He Lingchuan's earlier disadvantage, but reversed it, launching a pursuit and blockade against Xin Yi, leaving him with a furrowed brow.

Xin Yi opened his mouth to speak, when suddenly a paper crane flew down from outside the wall, flapping its wings and landing before him.

He picked up the paper crane, unfolded it, and immediately said, "Oh, Dean Xu is looking for me."

Sun Fuling tapped the stone table: "Finish the game first, then go."

Xin Yi hastily stood up, looking solemn: "Dean Xu called urgently, I suppose there's something. Well, urgent matters come first, this game will be set aside for now; we'll continue another day."

The two could not forcibly press him back down, so they could only see him out.

Saying he was in a hurry, Xin Yi still had time to wrap some chestnuts and peanuts in oil paper, tucking them into his sleeve: "I'll go first."

After saying that, he strode off without looking back.

He Lingchuan leaned against the doorframe with arms crossed, watching his retreating figure in thought.

Until a resident not far away greeted him, he came to his senses, turned his head, and saw Sun Fuling standing behind him, smiling ambiguously: "Master Xin's departure seems rather hurried."

He Lingchuan spoke frankly: "Playing chess with you, even Dean Xu would have to be flustered, let alone him."

Not a single word, not a single line, not a single shot, not a single inner part, not a single existence, not a single one looked!

"You're putting words in his mouth again?"

"No, just friends chatting idly. Look at those guys hanging out together—who doesn't boast, curse, or complain?" He Lingchuan stretched lazily, "Come on, let's go eat grapes."

……

Half an hour later, Hu Min arrived to report:

Commander Zhong requests an audience.

He Lingchuan was slightly surprised, for Zhong Shengguang was to convene all the officers for a meeting in an hour's time. Now he is being summoned for a private talk?

Zhong Shengguang remained as busy as ever. When He Lingchuan entered the official residence, Zhong Shengguang was meeting several merchants, but upon hearing He Lingchuan had arrived, he concluded the conversation in a few words, then had someone see the guests out.

Zhong Shengguang greeted He Lingchuan into the public office, his first words being: "Master Xin said, you were playing chess at his place earlier?"

The osmanthus here has also bloomed, autumn wind bearing fragrance.

"Yes, Master Xin's chess skill is excellent, he doesn't like to seek Dean Xu, but is willing to play with me."

"Perhaps he considers you an evenly matched opponent." Zhong Shengguang's remark may have been unintentional, but He Lingchuan felt a stir in his heart upon hearing it.

After exchanging pleasantries, Zhong Shengguang waved his hand to set up a barrier, then said to him: "We have just taken Xianyou, and Bekka is enraged. According to news from the east, Bekka's army will be able to reach the eastern front of Yuheng City within a month."

"One month?" He Lingchuan chuckled, "That slow?"

"Given Bekka's efficiency, it's not slow. They still have to cross the entire Xiluo State." Zhong Shengguang said, perhaps unintentionally, "Besides, what do they have to rush for? Xianyou has already been taken by us."

He Lingchuan raised his eyebrows.

"However, this time the force will be much stronger than last time. Besides Little Fushan, the demon king of Fierce Mountain State will also join the expedition personally. It is said there are also several renowned commanders who will gather in the coming days."

Oh, the force is strong, but the march is slow and leisurely?