Chapter 1989: I Am Willing

Boss Situ has no plan, no outline—how could he possibly lead the allied forces?

To have everyone united in purpose, one must first have direction and goals, so that hearts think as one and strength is applied as one.

If the leaders have no goals, how can those below still act? How can they still work together in unity?

Boss Situ He fell silent for a few breaths, then still said: "The Flash Gold Plains are vast and expansive; governing and administering them is too difficult. I see that Bekka's solution is to enfeoff the demon vassal states. Elder He, would you be willing to take reference from that?"

"Bekka is not a sound nation." The one who dares say this is probably only He Lingchuan in the present age: "The heavenly demons will use the demon vassal states to check the demon emperor, so Bekka will have thirteen demon vassal states. In the future Flash Gold, do I still need enfeoffed states to check me?"

His brow furrowed slightly, and the imposing aura unique to the Nine Abysses Great Emperor surged forward, causing Boss Situ He to catch his breath.

These words were rather gloomy.

Of course, both of them understand that Bekka's reasons for enfeoffing the demon vassal states are many, not just this one.

He Lingchuan leaned back against the chair, his posture relaxed: "Boss Situ, you have commanded the allied forces for two years now—do you still see any future for this allied force?"

I've already given you two years, and you still couldn't take Chixia—you're just useless.

If you want to negotiate properly with someone, you first need to have the qualifications.

Boss Situ He realized this, and instantly felt bored. He pressed his hands to his brow, closed his eyes, and pondered for a long while before finally speaking softly:

"Elder He, if the allied forces are all merged under you, how would you then deal with me?"

"What do you mean by 'deal with?'" He Lingchuan laughed, "Someone like Boss Situ ought to continue shining and radiating."

"I'll just propose one condition, then—the Situ family wishes to remain in our ancestral home." Boss Situ He made up his mind, "If Elder He nods, I will represent the allied forces in surrendering to you."

He knew that even if he didn't declare his stance, He Lingchuan could still take over the allied forces.

But with Boss Situ He's attitude—or rather, his ritual—He Lingchuan could avoid much trouble.

For surrendered kings, dukes, and ministers, how does the Nine Abysses Great Emperor usually handle them? These past months, Boss Situ He has also researched this, knowing these people must relocate from their ancestral homes within a set time to designated foreign places to establish themselves.

This way, the Nine Abysses Great Emperor can rest easy, and they too will be safe.

As for whether relocating to a foreign place allows one to rise again, that depends on each person's ability and fate.

Victory makes a king, defeat makes a bandit—defeat is banditry! They can still survive, still retain part of their wealth—this itself is already the mercy of the Nine Abysses Great Emperor; how could they dare hope for more?

He Lingchuan said softly: "Boss Situ, why do you wish to remain in your ancestral home?"

"The people of the Situ domain share a fish-and-water bond with me; I hope to continue caring for them."

He Lingchuan rose, stretched lazily: "Boss Situ, you are a great talent—you ought to benefit the Flash Gold Plains; how can you confine yourself to a tiny speck of land?"

This refusal was not unexpected; Boss Situ He's heart sank, and he couldn't help but ask: "Where do you want to relocate me to?"

"When the war ends and I have gathered Flash Gold, you will naturally know." He Lingchuan patted his shoulder, "How vast is Flash Gold? Your eyes should not be limited to the kiln slope. The Flash Gold people are numerous—they all need you and me to bless them."

Boss Situ He let out a long, long sigh.

……

The two walked out of the teahouse one after the other—naturally, the Nine Abysses Great Emperor first, then Boss Situ He.

Returning to the courtyard where the battle occurred, the ground full of corpses had already been cleared, idlers had also withdrawn, leaving only a few leaders—the Black Armored Army had surrounded this place completely, letting no one leave.

Everyone understood that this matter would have a result today.

As soon as Boss Situ He stepped out, all eyes locked onto him, placing immense pressure on him.

"Everyone!" He took a deep breath and announced his decision:

After two years in office, he deeply felt his talent insufficient to lead the allied forces, insufficient to seek welfare for the myriad common people; since the allied forces were initiated by discussion from the Situ family, it ought to be ended by the Situ family's own hand.

From this moment on, the allied forces are disbanded.

The Situ family will henceforth follow the Nine Abysses Great Emperor, with no second heart!

Even though everyone had long anticipated this result, the leaders still changed expression.

The allied forces' essence is a resistance organization, its purpose being mutual aid and joint resistance against strong foes. The Situ family taking the lead in splitting, not even allowing a moment to catch breath, turning around and surrendering to the Nine Abysses Great Emperor's command—this subtext is very clear:

Everyone might as well stop resisting and surrender with me.

The allied forces have already perished; the five powers present, if they wish to resist the Nine Abysses Great Emperor, must form another alliance.

In this situation, where is there still any possibility?

The Black Armored Army's blades and spears gleamed brightly, just a few zhang away. This subtext is also very clear:

Today, if no one says the three words 'I am willing,' no one can leave this courtyard.

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Thus, Puyi and Yan states first declared their stance, willing to join the Dragon God family.

Of the original allied forces' seven factions, two are already weakened, three have surrendered to the Dragon God, leaving only the ruler of Baoxin and the leader of the Wutu tribe isolated and helpless, not even qualified to huddle together for warmth.

During the earlier wait, the Wutu tribe leader's expression was furious, unwilling to abandon his thirty-year foundation, wanting to fight to the end. The Yan state ruler advised him: "For forces that cling to a hopeless defense and refuse to surrender, how the Nine Abysses Great Emperor handles them, you and I know all too well."

In the first round and turning phase of the Dragon God War, there were already so many bloody lessons.

"He calls himself 'Nine Abysses'—do you look like he's a soft-hearted, merciful person? Before you refuse, you'd better think it through—one mouth can't stop more than a few hundred or thousand lives. If people are all gone, what use is this foundation?"

The Wutu tribe recalled the Pearl Liuli King, who had lain like a torn sack in the dust and mud just moments before, eyes wide open, then glanced not far off at the Can tribe chief treating his wounds, and silently swallowed a bitter fruit.

Other allies are all going to surrender—what use is it for him alone to be unyielding and unbending? Can he even defeat the Black Armored Army?

If he can't, the Wutu tribe will face utter annihilation.

If he surrenders now, wealth and tribesmen can still be preserved, and he himself won't be guilty of exterminating his tribe.

This is not a makeshift plan—it is the only way out!

Moreover, this is the Flash Gold Plains—submitting to the strong is not abnormal; what could he possibly persist in by stubbornly holding his neck high?

During the talk between the Nine Abysses Great Emperor and Boss Situ He, he here was torn apart by worry.

When Boss Situ He openly surrendered to the Nine Abysses Great Emperor, and other allies followed suit, the Wutu tribe leader and the Baoxin state ruler exchanged a glance, expressions complex, but could only nod and say one word: "I am willing."

Seeing the leaders, though loyal, with gloomy faces, the Nine Abysses Great Emperor also comforted them: himself rewards and punishments are clear; if in the future anyone achieves merit, there is still a chance to regain glory……

Next, the leaders would have to draft personal notices or edicts here, hand over the state seals, transfer military authority, etc.

After all this was done, it was already dawn of the next day. Everyone looked closely and saw that the Black Armored Army had silently withdrawn more than half its forces, no longer the dense black mass as yesterday.