Weapon seller in the world of magic

A brief silence filled the room as everyone digested Prime Minister Yuan's words.

But, it didn't last long as opinions from various individuals poured in, one after another.

"I understand what you are saying, but I don't see any benefits in rejoining the Empire. Like it or not, Shi Dynasty is doomed, sooner or later. If it is only the autonomy we were receiving, then, I might as well directly surrender to Lu Zhen and gain autonomy from him."

"Yeah, I too heard that all vassal States of Genesis Federation were given full autonomy. Moreover, he was pretty much generous in protecting his allies and he had several demigods and demigod realm beasts under his command."

"Yeah" "Yeah, he is right."

"Okay, but where do we come in, here? Prime Minister Yuan, why were we invited?"

"We came here because it is a direct invitation sent by Emperor Tang, but I don't see any benefit in helping Emperor Shi either by giving an order to our guild members to protect the lands. No matter who rules, it won't change, right? I apologize for such remarks but I think I'm speaking on behalf of all the guild leaders here."

Guild Leaders: *silent nod in unison*

Shi Chong: "…"

"No, this is where you are wrong, Guild Leader Tian. Did you forget how Lu Zhen's occupation of Bloodhill Forest made thousands of adventurers from the Leon Empire, as well as from the southern kingdoms, lose their source of income? It is a direct attack on the guilds. The adventures who should be hunting down wild beasts were now taking mining jobs and farming the land."

"Sect Leader Bai is absolutely correct. Moreover, in his newly formed country, neither did he allow to build any sect nor did he allow any guild. Heck, even the churches weren't allowed to spread their faith in his land."

"Because of him, thousands of people have migrated from their homes through boats and come to the Leon Empire to settle, only to suffer because of the war. He is a devil spawn that needs to be erased."

"Ho! Sect Leader Xu seems to hate Lu Zhen very much. Hmm… but then again, your Xu Sect has been against the Shang Dynasty for a long time and you owe it to Late Emperor Shi. When your sect was operating in the Phoenix Empire, your sect disciples moved in shadows. But, ever since its partition and you moved your sect to this land with Late Emperor Shi's help, not only you were able to operate openly but your sect also gained hundreds of new disciples in a short time."

"Do not misinterpret my words, Clan leader Fang. Evil thought sow evil fruit. Though Buddha guides all, the wicked must still face punishment. Death is the salvation. Amitabha."

"Regardless, our former Patriarch shed his blood to defend the Late Emperor against the demon invasion. If he falls down, Late Patriarch Yu's sacrifice would go to waste. Hence, our Scarlet Lotus Sect would stand on the side of Emperor Shi. Our Grand Elder (demigod) would personally come out of his cultivation to protect Emperor Shi if Lu Zhen or his demigods were involved."

"Thank you, Patriarch Xi. I appreciate your help."

And at last, the Blood Moon Sect leader, a Supreme Being but a 23-year-old young man named Liu Feng, opened his mouth, "You invited all of us here but started talking about your reasonings, justifying yourself of taking actions against Lu Zhen or his allies. Just get to the matter already." His tone looked all lazy and his expressions clearly indicate that he was bored.

With a quick glance at Shi Chong, Liu Feng continued, "If you ask me, there is a simple solution to stop King Qi's conquest. All Emperor Shi has to do is challenge him for a one-on-one fight. The winner lives and the loser dies."

"What?" Shi Chong couldn't help but raise his tone urgently, "There is no way I can battle with him. King Qi was not only a legendary realm warrior but a veteran who had spent in wars for years. It is akin to a suicide."

"Well, we can ask for a fair battle, ask King Qi to suppress his realm to 6-circle as Emperor Shi," suggested the king of Jade Phoenix. He was also the first one to point out that merging with a declining empire doesn't have any benefits.

While his words appeared like a suggestion, his tone indicates mocking.

"What if Emperor Shi doesn't even go and we send someone else?"

"You can't fool him that easily."

"Yes, but the imposter only needed to go to the said location while we ambush King Qi on the way itself."

"Please explain."

"We need to vacate a village that would be on their way, and our sect would put a spell there but stay dormant until they reach the village and rest for a while. We blow up the entire village. King Qi and his troops would die altogether. Even if Lu Zhen gets angry, we can be a bit thickskinned and say that the spell was put beforehand in several villages out of fear for the conquest. And it is King Qi's misfortune to be caught up in it."

"Wouldn't such an act go against your Buddha's principles, Patriarch Xu?"

"Buddha's light shines on all, granting peace to the virtuous, but those consumed by evil will bring about their own destruction. Despite the fact that his wife was respectfully returned to him, King Qi couldn't subside his anger. He was willing to sacrifice thousands of his soldiers over his conquest, paving his path with the blood of innocents. Exterminating evil, even using foul methods, is still righteousness. Amitabha."

"Wait a second, what is the guarantee that King Qi would even accept the proposal?"

"As long as we collectively announce our support to the Leon Empire, King Qi would consider a one-on-one battle over meaningless war as he cannot win on his own unless Lu Zhen or his demigods personally step in."

"That's right. If Lu Zhen wanted to be involved in this war, he would have done so already. King Qi is a precious ally and the strongest of his vassal lords. Lu Zhen would also want King Qi to get his revenge."

"Hmm, that seems like a feasible idea…"

"I don't know. I feel like this could go wrong," Shi Chong mumbled in worry.

"Then, let's have Plan B and Plan C in case it goes wrong too."

**

Soon, Emperor Shi's allies' plan was put into motion and it also worked out.

King Qi, who was brimming with vengeance, accepted it readily. The village of Baihe was agreed as the location. It lies at one of the current borders between the Leon Empire and the Golden Eagle kingdom.

However, the battle was set to be at 6 in the morning. Hence, King Qi and his troops would have no choice but to set up their camp in its neighboring village, Huanghua, fearing that open space would be easier for the ambush.

Three days after the issue of challenge, King Qi and his 10,000 troops reached the village by dusk and rested there as the enemies wanted.
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In another village near the designated location, a fake Shi Chong with 5000 troops was resting alongside Xu Sect elites and their Patriarch. All of the monks were waiting for the early morning to arrive.

The time was around 3 o'clock in the morning, the time when those who usually sleep at night and wake up in the morning wouldn't have the strength to stay awake or atleast have a minimum alert.

Meanwhile, in the other village, the elite monks of Xu Sect were well awake. They gathered in the same house. With a signal from their Patriarch, all of them joined their hands as they sat in a circle, muttering the incantation in unison.

It went on for a whole minute, and Patriarch Xu Guowei developed a frown on his face as his eyes were opened, "This… I can't connect to the spell formation. It was removed." He gasped, "We have been found out. Oh Buddha"

It was then a voice heard from the corner of the same room, "Yes, you were caught. Now, you should pay for the consequences as a result. "

Xu Guowei turned his head to look at the source. "You…"

Alina slowly materialized and came out of the shadows, taking everyone by surprise.

"An Assassin?"

"Who is she?"

"Ah… she is so beautiful." "Hey, don't be seduced by her beauty." "Ah! I apologize. Oh, Buddha! Please forgive me. I repent with 108 bows after I return."

Xu Sect elites became alert and prepared to attack her.

"I can't sense any cultivation from her. Wait a second, I can't even sense the life aura from her either. A high-class puppet?" Xu Guowei's frown deepened, "Who are you?"

Alina responded with a chuckle, "Sorry, it is not my style to give my name to the people I kill."

"Amitabha!"

Xu Guowei shot the Buddhist mala in his hand. The thread was burned away and 108 rosary beads were shot toward Alina at once, turning golden and glowing.

Alina mumbled, "Death knight, I call upon you."

A dark mass of energy materialized in front of her, blocking the beads and sending them away in different directions.

Soon, a black armored, knight-looking warrior appeared in front of her, taking out two swords from his back and facing the enemies.

"Kill them all."

"Golden Immortal Physique."

Ether energy surged from Xu Guowei, forming a golden avatar over his body, and he stood there as if he were throwing a challenge at the enemy.

But then, the death knight charged forward at blurring speeds and in a fraction of a second, his body was cut off into a dozen pieces, causing panic among the disciples.

"Master..."