Royal Capital.
Imperial Palace.
The sky was clear for miles, bright and cloudless.
Yet at this moment, a faintly oppressive air hung over the Imperial Palace's back garden.
"Your Majesty, have you truly made up your mind?" Xu Xiao stood behind Ji Minghao, his tone grave.
"I have pondered it for a long time, and I see it very clearly. The Ji Clan's foundation cannot fall apart in my hands. With the Martial Saint having passed away, we have lost the protection of the strongest person in the world. With the Imperial Clan's current strength, with Great Xia's current strength, we cannot maintain the prosperity of Great Xia's foundation. Only by seeking protection can we preserve Great Xia's foundation from defeat." Ji Minghao spoke slowly, his tone filled with calm.
"Your Majesty, this is no different from seeking a tiger's skin. Have you forgotten whose control the Grand Ancestor escaped, with the Martial Saint's aid, before gaining independence and founding this vast foundation that spans the Nine Provinces Thirty-Six Prefectures?" Xu Xiao said.
Hearing this, Ji Minghao turned and looked at Xu Xiao.
"Seeking a tiger's skin is still better than waiting here to die. At the very least, my Ji Clan has long-standing ties with the lineage of the Lord of the Nine Heavens. The Nine Heavens are one of the Upper Three Heavens. With the Nine Heavens' protection, with that great tree standing over us, Great Xia can still maintain its rule over the Nine Provinces Thirty-Six Prefectures!"
As he spoke, Ji Minghao's expression suddenly became exceedingly serious, his blazing eyes fixed on Xu Xiao.
"Does Great General Xu also wish to support me?"
Their eyes met. Xu Xiao could sense the earnestness in Ji Minghao's gaze, as well as that inexplicable, faint sense of danger.
A realization