Chapter 2690

"It still has some hesitation; several times it saw me and wanted to speak but stopped." The State Preceptor of Xia Palace again said, "Based on my decades of friendship with it, I can tell it should make the correct choice!"

Lingxu Shengzun and Tiangong must also know that the Yaodi has developed an antidote for "Qianchang," but there is no proof.

But knowing is one thing, confirming is another. This is like the relationship between Cangyan and Beijia; as long as that layer of window paper isn't pierced, everyone's superficial efforts can still get by.

But once the Xia Palace State Preceptor misjudges the Fan Yao Wang, and the other party turns around to inform the Heavenly Gods, then things will go badly.

"Beijia worships the gods nationwide; its subjects can't even tell whether they are honoring the state or the gods." Nie Xiaolou knows the Yaodi's helplessness—revering the gods is a six-hundred-year tradition, long since seeped into the subjects' bones and blood; Beijia could never possibly raise the banner against the Heavenly Gods like Cangyan does, "Not every Fan Yao Wang is as steadfast as the Baoshu Wang. To get the remaining Fan Yao Wang to stand with us, unless they can see hope."

Everyone wants to be on the winning team.

Facing the Heavenly Gods, the fate of the losers is very miserable, very miserable; they dare not take a single wrong step.

The Xia Palace State Preceptor said angrily: "As long as Beijia is autonomous, even if the myriad gods descend, we can remain invincible. Otherwise, these Fan Yao Wangs will be eternally enslaved—can't they even understand this small matter?"

Nie Xiaolou gave a bitter smile: "You know, the Fan Yao Wangs are not of one heart."

Several Fan Yao Wangs are loyal only to the Heavenly Gods; even without taking "Qianchang," they would not side with the Yaodi. With them inside Beijia, the Yaodi finds it very difficult to fully control all of Beijia.

"The descent of the Heavenly Gods may come earlier than expected; our time is short." The Yaodi said in a deep voice, "Baoshu Wang has the highest seniority and greatest prestige among the Fan Yao Wangs; let it go persuade the wavering Shanjun Wang and Shanyu Wang. I know the current Shanyu Wang grew up under its canopy since childhood and holds it in great reverence."

People are divided into left, middle, and right; among the thirteen Fan Yao Wangs, some side with Tiangong, some with Yaodi, so naturally there are those who remain observant, unwilling to side with either. This group is precisely what the Yaodi focuses on winning over.

These past few years, the Yaodi has also been arranging things in secret; now what remains are all hard nuts.

"If we can win over these two, our advantage will be great—however—" the Xia Palace State Preceptor hesitated for a moment, "Having Baoshu Wang step forward directly might alarm Tiangong."

Previously, the Emperor had always acted in secret, quietly communicating with each Fan Yao Wang, avoiding uncertain communications.

"We're already at this critical juncture—still afraid Tiangong will find out?" The Yaodi gave a low rebuke, "Lingxu Shengzun has been seeing me frequently lately; on one hand, to monitor the supply of nightmare energy; on the other, to repeatedly reiterate that after the gods descend, I am still the lord of Beijia."

The two State Preceptors respectfully said: "You have always been the lord of Beijia!"

The Yaodi gave a light laugh, not hiding self-mockery.

Nowadays, everyone knows that Beijia is the terrestrial force of the Heavenly Gods, Tiangong looms high above Lingxu City, and Lingxu Shengzun is truly the master of Beijia—beyond doubt!

After the gods descend, the most awkward person in all of Beijia will be the Yaodi. Before, the Heavenly Gods could not personally descend to the human world; major affairs could only be handled through Beijia, so the Yaodi's position as the chief minister was very clear; but once the gods descend to the mortal realm, Lingxu Shengzun can personally control Beijia—where would there still be a need to go through the Yaodi?

Thus, at this sensitive moment, Lingxu Shengzun is also personally comforting the Yaodi, giving it reassurance pills to weaken its hidden resistance. After all, whether before or after the gods descend, Beijia will always be the most powerful weapon in the hands of the Lingxu gods.

Although Lingxu Shengzun has always enjoyed high reputation, it is obvious that this reassurance pill's effect is not very good, or rather, the Yaodi's sense of crisis is too heavy to swallow this pill.

The Yaodi also said: "Shuaye returned from Cangyan, submitted a report, mentioning that it had conversations with Cangyan's ruler and ministers in both public and informal settings. Jiuxu's attitude was calm and leisurely, the officials actively optimistic, not seeming troubled by the future of the gods' descent."

Nie Xiaolou also said: "Merchants of Lingxu City often travel to Cangyan; observing the markets and streets beyond Ju City in various parts of Cangyan, they saw that the local economy and people's livelihood were still prosperous, the people lived in peace and worked happily; but when asked about the descent of the Heavenly Gods, they all said they knew, speaking optimistically."

"Optimistic?" The Xia Palace State Preceptor laughed in disbelief, "First time hearing this. Don't they know the terror of the Heavenly Gods' descent?"

"They do know. Cangyan has been proclaiming the descent of the Heavenly Gods and the enslavement of humanity for eighteen years; the whole nation has been preparing for war." Actually, Nie Xiaolou somewhat admired, "Many major cities in Cangyan have relatively complete fortifications, high walls and cannons; our scouts have even seen many large city-gate beasts. Moreover, the cities and their surrounding great demons and sects maintain contact; in short, they have put in considerable effort. And when asked about the gods' descent, Cangyan's people also have worries, but most firmly believe the Dragon God can once again lead them to defeat strong enemies and seize victory."

As for the few……there are always factions everywhere.

"The people of Cangyan truly regard Jiuxu as the Dragon God, believing his words without doubt." The Xia Palace State Preceptor shook his head, "Nationwide frenzy, no less than the fanatical believers of Tiangong."

"No, it's still not the same." Nie Xiaolou was very particular, "The attitude of Cangyan people is peaceful, not like the fanatical believers of Tiangong. A few days ago I passed through the suburbs of Lingxu City and saw that the temples there were packed shoulder to shoulder, countless believers expressing ecstatic joy at the gods' imminent descent."

In front of the Emperor, he still spoke rather vaguely.

Those temples were thick with incense smoke, from afar looking as if on fire. Once you approach, you'll find the inside and outside of the temple crowded shoulder to shoulder with people; some prostrate themselves fully, kowtowing for an hour without rising; others sit at the base of the wall weeping bitterly, or after muttering to themselves begin to tremble all over, foaming at the mouth.

"If someone dares to speak ill of the Heavenly Gods in front of the fanatics, they must always be ready to take a blow to the back of the head; but if one says a few bad words about the Dragon God in front of the Cangyan people, they will at most glare at you twice, spit once, and walk away." These two things have indeed been done by people.

The Yaodi remained silent all along; hearing this, it suddenly said: "You think, after the gods descend, can Jiuxu and Cangyan successfully resist Them?"

The two State Preceptors shook their heads together.

Impossible.

Anyone harboring such侥幸 (侥幸) has certainly never witnessed the terror of the true gods.

"Jiuxu can no longer turn back, but do Cangyan's ministers and the Xian Sect also believe that following him still offers hope of successful resistance? There are also not a few ancient immortals there, those who truly experienced the Immortal-Demon War." It's understandable that common folk are easily deceived, but Cangyan still has so many officials, immortals, sects, and cultivators—how do they think? Could it be that Jiuxu truly can persuade them to join him in sinking with this great ship of Cangyan?

Thanks to Gu Shuang's shoes for the reward.