The Storm Over Claiming Kingship (Part Two)

Sure enough, the two men who had been at odds moments before quickly found common ground. As Yan Shou spoke, Song Shou thought it over and immediately added:

"Brother Yan is absolutely right. King Wuhuan... comes from humble origins and has no idea how strong we are. That's why he's so defiant and arrogant. Worse, he's rejected every Otherworlder, as if he's forgotten where he came from. He's defying his own people and leaning on the power of several courts and his ancestors. If we don't put him in his place, given time, King Wuhuan will become a grave threat to us!"

There were no eternal enemies in this world, only eternal interests. The discussions among the leaders of Great Xia's various factions demonstrated that perfectly.

"Nonsense! Idiocy! Our troops entered Forging the Sacred Court quietly and developed their forces in secret precisely to prepare for the National War. If our own people expose us, we won't just suffer losses. Spies from every side will learn the extent of our forces. We'll become a laughingstock!"

Hu Shou, one of the seven leaders of the Palace Master's Estate, shot the leaders of the Imperial Supreme Estate and Supreme Estate an angry, contemptuous glance and attacked their arguments without restraint. The seven leaders of the Palace Master's Estate had long anticipated their attitude and intentions.

"If you hesitate when it's time to act, you'll only invite chaos! King Wuhuan has grown so reckless and contemptuous of everyone precisely because we've tolerated him again and again. If we'd shown him our strength from the start—enough to crush his confidence and leave him afraid—would he have the attitude he does today?"

Song Shou's pupils contracted as he spoke in mounting anger. After a brief pause, he continued before the seven leaders of the Palace