Chapter 2107

Mo Shubai no longer beat around the bush, speaking in a low voice: "Master, I have a plan."

"Go ahead." Lu Zhenxian had no great expectations. If Mu State refused to lend a hand, the current situation was hopeless even for an immortal.

"Have you considered this: Ya State claims it can mobilize two hundred thousand troops, yet after several rounds of fighting with Mu State, it has only deployed thirty thousand so far? What is the purpose of the remaining ten or so ten thousand?"

"Having them does not mean they must all be committed." Lu Zhenxian asked him, "What reason do you give for this?"

"You forgot that a great new threat has risen in the east." Mo Shubai pointed east, "And we bear a grudge against it."

"Cangyan State?" Lu Zhenxian started, as if a spot in his mind had been lit up.

That's right, Cangyan State! The new realm founded by Island Master Gao Xiong of Yangshan Island!

"Ya State's ten or so ten thousand troops, aside from guarding against Mu State on the western front, must also watch for Cangyan State in the east, making it impossible to commit all of them to the Bailie battlefield!" Mo Shubai whispered, "Why do you not try to seek aid from Cangyan State?"

"Well..." Lu Zhenxian scratched his head, "Lu Zhensheng is the clan chief; only he can represent Bailie in requesting aid from Cangyan State. I..."

For him to seek aid would be overstepping his bounds, in short, an overreach.

"In Lu Zhensheng's hands, the title 'Clan Chief of Bailie' is merely a nominal post—has he ever properly fulfilled the duties of a clan chief?" Mo Shubai reminded his own father, "Do you think Lu Zhensheng has not even considered the possibility of seeking aid from Cangyan State?"

"He simply dare not." Mo Shubai said each word clearly, "He bears a private grudge against the Nine Abysses Great Emperor, dare not cry for help, yet insists on sacrificing your son."

Lu Zhenxian clenched his fists tightly.

The fact that Lu Zhensheng bears a private grudge against Gao Xiong is true, known to all in the clan.

Bailie has not clashed with Yangshan in the past year or two, merely because Yangshan's development has been too rapid, and Lu Zhensheng already dares not provoke them. But privately, there is nothing good said either.

"Not long ago, Lu Qinglin actually brought the Mu State army to seize the Yangshan Islands!" Lu Zhenxian mocked, "At that time, his proud son could have led troops here, and also helped us and the Nine Abysses Great Emperor settle our feud once and for all!"

Truly, we should thank his family!

"You have overlooked one point." Mo Shubai struck the nail on the head, "The clan chief and the Nine Abysses Great Emperor have new grudges and old resentments, so he dare not go to the Great Emperor for aid; but that is a private grudge! The offense against the Nine Abysses Great Emperor was committed by Lu Zhensheng and his son, not you, and certainly not by Bailie!"

"The clan chief places his personal grudge above the safety of all Bailie—is this what a good clan chief ought to do?" Mo Shubai said this, which was stirring up trouble, "Besides, you and Lu San ye have seen your business grow larger these years, the young master is promising, repeatedly leading troops to repel Ya State forces, enjoying high prestige among the people. The clan chief sees this, and may not be pleased."

"When I used to do business with Yangshan, Lu Dada repeatedly ordered me to stop, fortunately I did not listen to him." Lu Zhenxian poured out his resentment, finding a breakthrough, "This bastard, did he not long ago harbor ill will toward my son!"

"Whether Ah Ham is dead or hiding under an alias, from now on he can no longer lead troops—what benefit does this bring to Bailie!"

Lu Zhenxian grew angrier the more he thought, seized another teacup, and smashed it to pieces on the ground.

Mo Shubai did not try to dissuade him.

Whether Lu Zhensheng truly thinks this way is unimportant. Lu Liu, by connecting past clues, can reach this conclusion—that is enough.

Lu Zhenxian, besides being angry, soon fell into doubt: "However, the Shenlong Army recently, on the western front of Shanjin, engaged Ya State troops, and it is said they suffered heavy losses, fifty or sixty thousand dead. Ya State troops boasted loudly, claiming one of their soldiers could fight seven Shenlong soldiers."

"Never mind whether Gao Xiong is willing or not, his Shenlong Army cannot defeat Ya State—what then?" Ya State's troops are very strong.

"Can Ya State's bragging be trusted?" Mo Shubai shook his head, "If the Shenlong Army were truly that weak, why did the Ge brothers' fierce assault on Shanjin's western front for over a month fail to advance the front line, instead lingering on the border?"

"You put it that way, and it does seem so." Ya State's attack on Shanjin Plain, Bailie also paid close attention. In Lu Zhenxian's impression, indeed no word of Ya State gaining any battlefield success, nor of them seizing any territory, has been heard.

Ya State's fierce assault for a month gained not an inch.

To Bailie, this is nothing short of a fantasy from the Arabian Nights. Lu Zhenxian felt a pang of envy.

Mo Shubai added: "At that time, the Nine Abysses Great Emperor was encircling and suppressing Ya State in the central part of Shanjin Plain, likely having concentrated his main force there. Master, you think: if the ordinary troops under the Shenlong Army can forcibly block Ya State's great army on the western frontier, how strong must the main force be?"

"The main force of Cangyan State..."

"Is the Black Armor Army." Mo Shubai spoke softly, "It is with this army that the Nine Abysses Great Emperor leveled the entire Shanjin Plain and eradicated Ya State supported by the Heavenly Gods. You think, could it fail to be formidable?"

Lu Zhenxian felt his heart stir upon hearing this.

Most importantly, he now has no other choice; Mo Shubai threw him a lifeline, and he instinctively wanted to clutch it desperately.

"During the Nine Abysses Great Emperor's governance of the Yangshan Islands, you had close relations with him—not only did trade flow back and forth, but privately your friendship was also good." Mo Shubai advised, "With this foundation of affection, you will find it easier to seek his aid."

Lu Zhenxian had not lost his head, and at this moment he self-mocked: "Just how much affection is that? What basis does he have to offend Ya State for my sake, Lu Liu?"

He knows his own worth. Cangyan State was newly founded; why would the Nine Abysses Great Emperor go to war with Ya State for a former business partner of his?

"On the contrary, it was Ya State that first offended him. Just as you previously said, Ya State sent the Ge brothers to invade western Shanjin, the Shenlong Army suffered heavy losses, thus this grudge was formed; the Nine Abysses Great Emperor founded his state, I heard that Bei Jia and Mu State both sent congratulatory gifts, only Ya State played deaf and dumb, clearly not taking Cangyan State seriously. If I were the Nine Abysses Great Emperor, I too would want to give Ya State a harsh lesson."

"Seeking his aid would precisely give him a reason to send troops." Mo Shubai continued, "Besides, you might as well write a pleading letter of appeal, with earnest words. If he does not send troops, so be it—what great loss could you suffer? If he is willing to act, your problem would be readily solved."

This statement is quite practical; trying it incurs no cost. Anyway, Lu Zhenxian is at his wit's end, so trying a dead horse as a living horse doctor—what harm could there be?

"That is also true. But what kind of terms must I offer to move the Nine Abysses Great Emperor?" To ask someone to handle affairs, not give sufficient reward? "I heard that Mu State, when it sent troops to relieve the peril of Shanjin, did so because the Nine Abysses Great Emperor presented a great gift."

He cannot simply open his mouth and go beg the Nine Abysses Great Emperor to send troops.

"Forgive my frankness, Master, even if you pledged all your worldly wealth, I fear you could not move the Nine Abysses Great Emperor."

Lu Zhenxian glared at him—how could the truth sound so unpleasant?

"Then what have you been blathering about for half an hour?"