Chapter 2983: Persistence and Concession

Taking advantage of the pleasant atmosphere while the two sides chatted about side topics, Xia Duo did not want to waste time beating around the bush and laid his cards on the table with Huo En, "I have thought about the matter mentioned previously; I will cooperate with you all fully, but please let me try first."

The "try" Xia Duo spoke of referred to attempting communication, which had been mentioned when the two met before; if they were to capture the target without even attempting to communicate, that was something he could not do.

After speaking, he stared at Huo En with a gaze that was firm and unyielding. Under his gaze, Huo En was first surprised, then frowned, and thereafter remained silent.

Seeing that Huo En did not speak, Xia Duo let the other party be, but he silently calculated the time in his heart. After sitting for about ten minutes and seeing that Huo En still had not responded, he stood up and said:

"If the Seven Towers cannot even agree to such a request, then you all had best look for someone more capable; I will not participate in this matter."

Although he said he would not participate, Xia Duo had long since decided that if the Seven Towers did not agree to his request, he would find a way to make contact with that dragon-kind ahead of time; this was where his convictions lay.

In essence, he and the Seven Towers and other related forces had come together based on the same interests, but the interests of each party were not necessarily entirely aligned. Xia Duo had his own persistence; where he could compromise, he would, such as on the amount of non-core interests.

But where he could not compromise, he would firmly refuse to do so, such as on matters of principle, like the restrictions on a lord's power during the negotiation of the New Covenant, or the current approach of capturing the suspected alien dragon without asking first.

Once one gives way on matters of principle, there is no end to it. Even if one is limited by objective conditions and cannot implement those principles for the time being, one must at most let others know one's attitude and persistence.

Seeing Xia Duo about to leave, Huo En could no longer sit still. He hurriedly stood up and reached out a hand to hold him back, "Lord Xia Duo, this matter is still open for discussion, why be so impatient!"

"The Seven Towers has conceded; the ultimate technology of the Bloodline Domain is too tempting, and we cannot afford to wait. However, this is not entirely because of my request; if communication is possible, it is actually more beneficial for everyone."

"Hmm."

Returning to Azure Manor, Niya was still waiting for Xia Duo. Niya was also aware of the Seven Towers discovering the mysterious dragon-kind and the existence of the Holy Golden Dragon Empire. Now that she waited for Xia Duo to return, she immediately asked about the result of their meeting.

And it was even more impossible for Xia Duo to accept being bossed around by others, so conflict was inevitable.

In times of peace, one could develop slowly and assimilate slowly, but in times of war, how could the enemy possibly give him such ample time? If he were slightly more urgent, others would likely be thinking of resisting him, Xia Duo, before resisting the enemy.

It was just that doing so would inevitably have an indelible impact on the development of the Territory. The good aspects, even if achieved, would only be obtained a few days earlier, but the bad aspects might require unknown generations of cost to eliminate later.

"Then when will you act?"

Seeing that Huo En still persisted, Xia Duo spoke plainly once more, "Since that mysterious dragon-kind has mastered what is suspected to be the ultimate technology of the Bloodline Domain, why do you think it has no other means? Even with a sneak attack, can you guarantee that you will definitely be able to capture it?"

As for the Envoy of the Seven Towers that Xia Duo mentioned, Huo En's answer was somewhat unexpected to Xia Duo, "I will be with you tomorrow; I can represent the Seven Towers."

As for the rest, that could only be considered slowly after the war.

"But what if the target runs away because of the early contact?" Huo En's face showed difficulty again, seemingly wanting to ask Xia Duo for a guarantee.

However, Niya was still somewhat worried about this matter, "If that dragon-kind comes from the Holy Golden Dragon Empire, then what should we do?"

But such a guarantee was impossible for Xia Duo to give. It was not a matter of strategic consideration, but that he truly did not have one hundred percent certainty, even if he were to skip contact and go straight for a sneak attack.

If possible, Xia Duo still hoped that a war would not occur, or at least not a total war.

Xia Duo had established a centralized system in his own Territory; once a war occurred, a centralized system would certainly be more efficient, but the problem was that others might not be willing to join Xia Duo's system.

After a moment of silence, Huo En finally gave in, "Then I will trouble Lord Xia Duo for what follows."

"Fine, I will visit again tomorrow. Tonight, you all should hurry and select an Envoy who can represent the Seven Towers. When I make contact with the target, I might need to use them."

Who knew what means that mysterious dragon-kind was hiding? He could only guarantee that he would do his best; the rest would have to be left to fate.

Huo En followed Xia Duo's words and spoke repeatedly, while his hands also made a gesture inviting Xia Duo to sit down. Xia Duo did not want to make things too stiff with the Seven Towers, and seeing Huo En's appearance of concession, he sat back down.

"It is impossible not to be in a hurry. The further it drags on, the greater the variables. If that mysterious dragon-kind discovers that we are plotting against it, then regardless of whether it comes from the Holy Golden Dragon Empire or not, it will not be a good thing for us."

"Tomorrow."

Therefore, the only glimmer of hope Xia Duo could think of was to accelerate the Territory, use every means to fully industrialize the Territory, and at the same time, open the Inheritance Ritual as much as possible to first build the foundation for the consumption and regeneration required for war.

Xia Duo did not ask where exactly that mysterious dragon-kind was. Such key information would not be released by the Seven Towers until the moment before action, so he simply did not ask.

"Since it is not excessive, then let it be so!"

"So urgent?"

"What else can be done? I can only force the growth of my own Territory. As for others, I fear that if the Holy Golden Dragon Empire really strikes, they might not be willing to make much of a response, and perhaps they are even thinking of being collaborators!"

"It is not excessive, not excessive."

Xia Duo nodded, then went straight to the point, "When will you act?"

"That works too. Then it is settled; I will come to find you at twelve noon tomorrow."

The Seven Towers was in a hurry because of bloodline technology, and Xia Duo was in a hurry to verify as soon as possible whether the target came from the Holy Golden Dragon Empire. Both sides could be considered to have seen eye-to-eye, and they had found the right person.

The ball was kicked back to the Seven Towers' side. Huo En really wanted to say that as long as Xia Duo fully supported them, they would definitely be able to capture it, but such petulant words were enough to say in private; bringing them to the table would make the speaker seem too ignorant.

It was the same point: the Seven Towers was too envious of the bloodline technology displayed by that mysterious dragon-kind and wished they could swallow it in one gulp. It was just a pity that they were still a step behind in terms of Mobile War Spell Platforms, which gave Xia Duo the opportunity to participate.

"Why am I the one being impatient? I was staying perfectly fine at home, it was you all who came to find me first, and I am merely proposing my own requirements normally. Besides, my requirement is not excessive, is it?"

"Of course, the sooner the better. Is it convenient for Lord Xia Duo tomorrow?"

Xia Duo did not think much more, and after agreeing on the time with Huo En, he left the tavern alone.