Chapter 157

So, Hua Xi gave up on this idea!

Instead, she used the saved manpower to slaughter nearly one-fifth of the court officials.

It was a cruel but satisfying revenge!

"What do you think I should do about this matter?"

Upon hearing the death toll.

Wu Zetian's slender eyebrows instinctively furrowed slightly.

But in an instant, they relaxed again.

As an emperor.

She would not be affected by casualties among her subordinates.

Or rather,

The deaths of her subordinates meant far less to her than the loss of her own face!

"This matter rests entirely upon Your Majesty's sovereign decision!"

"Yet, this old minister wishes to remind Your Majesty of one thing."

"The Qinglong Society's influence may not be smaller than that of our Great Tang Empire!"

Yuan Tiangang bowed slightly.

As he spoke further,

Both his tone and his gaze became solemn indeed.

"Oh? How so?"

Wu Zetian raised her eyebrows slightly.

She gazed at him with a face devoid of sorrow or joy.

"Your Majesty should be aware of the news from Yunzhou Shaolin, yes?"

"That is to say, while the Qinglong Society targeted our Great Tang, it also dispatched considerable forces to annihilate Yunzhou Shaolin!"

"Moreover, it is still unknown whether this represents the full strength of the Qinglong Society."

"From this, one can foresee just how vast the Qinglong Society truly is!"

"Most importantly, Yunzhou Shaolin still housed three Earthly Immortal Realm experts and two Heavenly Being Realm masters!"

"According to this old minister's estimation, Hui Neng and Shen Xiu's strength may well surpass mine, not fall short!"

"And yet, this entire force was utterly crushed by the Qinglong Society."

"They were forced to sacrifice three Earthly Immortal Realm experts merely to allow Hui Neng and Shen Xiu to escape."

"Just this single point is enough to imagine how extraordinary the Qinglong Society's dispatched forces must have been!"

Yuan Tiangang straightened his expression.

His eyes held a trace of lament.

Although he had no desire to take responsibility for making the decision,

He still did not omit the necessary analysis.

As if fearing Wu Zetian, in a fit of rage, might make a rash decision.

"According to the State Tutor's meaning, should I just let this go?"

Wu Zetian narrowed her eyes slightly, her tone indifferent.

Her words carried faint traces of dissatisfaction.

Regarding her own dignity and face,

She had no intention of brushing it off so casually!

"This matter rests entirely upon Your Majesty's decision!"

"This old minister merely presents the facts as observed, for Your Majesty's reference."

"There is not the slightest overstepping of bounds."

Almost instantly,

Yuan Tiangang replied without hesitation.

His expression

As if afraid that any delay would make him bear the blame.

"You old fox…"

Wu Zetian saw right through his thoughts.

She shook her head, half-amused, half-exasperated.

Then she shifted her tone and spoke:

"Let this matter be set aside for now."

"Wait for news from Changchun Valley, then respond appropriately."

Although the origin of this matter lay with herself,

As an emperor—and the only female emperor in all Nine Provinces—

She would never admit fault!

But now, the matter concerned Master Changsheng,

And with no clear news yet from Changchun Valley,

She did not wish to fully break ties with the Qinglong Society just yet.

After all,

If Changchun Valley failed to secure a satisfactory outcome,

Master Changsheng, we're counting on the Qinglong Society!

Most importantly,

If we now adopt a stance of mutual annihilation with the Qinglong Society,

then our earlier suspicions will become reality!

Surely,

Whether to destroy the Tang Empire,

or to extend aid and gain the Qinglong Society's favor,

in order to secure an opportunity to trade for the Master Changsheng cultivation art,

neither the Great Qin nor the Great Yuan will remain passive!

Even,

not just them,

but even other imperial dynasties and major top-tier factions,

may seize this chance to curry favor with the Qinglong Society!

Even if doing so offers them little chance to trade for the Master Changsheng cultivation art,

as long as there is even a sliver of possibility,

who could possibly refuse?

That is Master Changsheng!!!

Yuan Tiangang fell silent.

He couldn't help but exhale a faint sigh of relief.

Though he didn't want to take the blame,

deep down, he truly did not wish to fully break ties with the Qinglong Society yet!

Even though the Qinglong Society had slaughtered seven or eight out of ten of the Bu Liang Ren he had nurtured with all his heart.

Of course,

this was merely because the timing was wrong.

So he could only make the most rational choice.

If there is ever a chance to retaliate in the future,

he would absolutely not hesitate!!

"By the way, since the Bu Liang Ren have suffered heavy casualties, you must reorganize them quickly!"

"Otherwise, you'll have no one left to use!"

"Also, you can go and investigate the Changchun Valley."