The Jia Ma Imperial Family's sister beauties

In truth, Jia Xingtian believed no more than sixty percent of what Yun Congxin had said.

Having spent his entire life amid deceit and intrigue, how could Jia Xingtian believe that anyone would actually make the pie bigger for everyone's mutual benefit, rather than say one thing while thinking another and play the same old games of maneuvering?

The current Imperial Family had stabbed the former imperial clan in the back, and that former imperial clan had overthrown an even older dynasty. The cycle repeated endlessly, as though caught in a loop of time.

It had been so in the past and remained so in the present. How could Jia Xingtian believe the future would be any different?

Ultimately, the people of the Jia Ma Empire had spent too long tucked away in their little corner. They had long since forgotten how vast the Dou Qi Continent was, their eyes seeing nothing beyond the handful of cities within their own borders.

Jia Xingtian sighed inwardly. With the discussion having reached this point, refusing again would mean failing to appreciate a favor. Thus, however much he valued the Imperial Family's dignity and Yao Yue's talent as an alchemist, he could only painfully part with what he treasured, pinch his nose, and accept.

Alas, if that old fellow Yun Shan only wanted Yao Ye, never mind making her a maid—even making her a bedwarming maid wouldn't make me blink. I'd arrange a fake death, hold a funeral, and deliver her to Yun Congxin in one seamless little combination...

At least this is better than surrendering the resources and wealth of several major cities. Yue'er's future achievements will probably amount to becoming a fifth-rank alchemist at most. The Imperial Family can afford that price. Besides, even after she goes to the Misty Cloud Sect, she'll still be one of ours. We're family bound by blood—even broken bones remain connected by tendons...

Jia Xingtian's heart bled. He kept comforting himself inwardly and agreed with a miserable expression.

Only after Jia Xingtian instructed the Black-Robed Quartet to bring the sisters Yao Ye and Yao Yue over did Yun Congxin nod in satisfaction and state his third condition.

"Third, disciples of the Misty Cloud Sect must participate in defending the borders!"

"From now on, the Misty Cloud Sect will assign disciples to border defense. Whether they form their own legion that accepts deployment orders but not summons, or disperse and integrate into the Border Army, we can leave those details to the bright, vigorous young people on both sides."

"But there is one thing: if a Misty Cloud Sect disciple wishes to leave the sect and join the Border Army, I won't stop them. Likewise, if someone in the Border Army wishes to join the Misty Cloud Sect, you must not stop them either." Yun Congxin shifted the direction of his remarks. "Furthermore, the Misty Cloud Sect will permit its disciples to retain their sect positions while serving in the Border Army. We'll also encourage Border Army soldiers to take on the additional identity of a Misty Cloud Sect disciple while continuing to defend the borders."

Jia Xingtian opened his mouth, too shocked to speak for a moment.

Compared with this third condition, the first two no longer seemed quite so unacceptable.

Jia Xingtian frowned in thought, but the matter was too enormous, and the changes it would bring too numerous and complex. He could not reach a conclusion in so short a time.

The Jia Ma Empire had always stationed substantial elite forces along its borders. The Imperial Family had invested vast resources in them; it could be said that more than half the empire's powerful fighters had cut their teeth in the Border Army.

On the surface, this gave the Misty Cloud Sect and the Imperial Family an opportunity to compete fairly.

It was easy to foresee that the Misty Cloud Sect would pour in considerable resources to compete for these future powerhouses.

In turn, even if the Border Army's benefits improved, the burden on the Imperial Family to provide for it would diminish considerably.

Would that be a good thing?

Jia Xingtian did not doubt the border army's loyalty to the Imperial Family. The Jia Ma Empire had nurtured its warriors for a hundred years. The sturdy walls it had forged could not be undermined simply by the Misty Cloud Sect throwing in some resources and wagging its tongue. Likewise, the Misty Cloud Sect had spent so many years cultivating its disciples that the Imperial Family could not shake their loyalty with mere benefits.

That old ghost Yun Shan must understand this. So why would he do something so thankless? Jia Xingtian thought.

In his view, the most likely outcome was that the Border Army would split into two factions, drawing in the two behemoths—the Imperial Capital and the Misty Cloud Sect. Countless elders and Guest Elders would waste their time and energy on endless internal strife, while the Border Army might divide into opposing camps, greatly reducing its fighting strength.

"Old brother, it's not that I don't appreciate your intentions, but this matter has too many ramifications. Aren't you afraid some thoughtless junior might plant spies in the Misty Cloud Sect?" Jia Xingtian expressed his concerns tactfully.

Yun Congxin shook his head. "Why not simply say it? You're worried I'll send people to throw your elite Border Army into chaos, aren't you?"

Jia Xingtian smiled bitterly and avoided answering.

"Alas..." Yun Congxin sighed. No wonder this old fellow has been stuck at Dou Emperor his whole life, unable to advance. He really can't see beyond the tip of his nose...

Yet he had no idea how to explain it to Jia Xingtian. Was he supposed to tell him outright that he had transmigrated here and knew that the neighboring Chu Yun Empire would soon produce an astonishingly gifted Heavenly Poison Girl, who would lead a massive invasion of the Jia Ma Empire at the Hall of Souls' instigation?

Even if he said it, Jia Xingtian would probably let the words blow past his ears.

Thus, Yun Congxin could only firmly declare that the matter was not open to negotiation, while promising to keep the Misty Cloud Sect's disciples in line. He would have to grit his teeth and consolidate the Jia Ma Empire's fighting strength first. Only then could the empire minimize its losses when the Chu Yun Empire's allied forces invaded before long.

With Yun Congxin's mind made up, Jia Xingtian had no choice but to agree for now and find some way to drag things out later.

Just then, the sisters Yao Ye and Yao Yue were brought over.

"Girls, come here and pay your respects to Sect Master Yun." Even Jia Xingtian's voice sounded considerably older.

The little princess Yao Yue had always feared neither heaven nor earth, but before a Dou Zong powerhouse, she could not help feeling nervous and afraid.

She hid behind her elder sister, gently pinching her sleeve with a small hand, and cautiously poked her head out to steal glances at Yun Congxin.

Yao Ye, by contrast, stood graceful and poised, like a rose with thorns.

As expected of sisters. A mature beauty paired with a little cutie—another classic combination... Yun Congxin muttered inwardly.

"Sect Master Yun has just emerged from seclusion and has no one by his side to serve tea and water or receive and see off guests." Jia Xingtian coughed. "He appreciates how the members of our Jia Ma Imperial Family conduct themselves properly and know when to advance or withdraw, so he has chosen you two girls. This is your honor. Go pack your things and leave with Sect Master Yun."

After speaking, he acknowledged Yun Congxin and left with the fish Yun Congxin had handed him, seemingly determined to appear resolute and heartless.

Yao Ye looked calm. She had long known this day would come; she simply had not expected it to arrive so soon...

Yao Yue was different. The carefree little princess was thrilled that she would finally be free of all those restrictions and tedious formalities, and would no longer have to listen every day to the old matrons lecturing her on how members of the Imperial Family must sacrifice for their family.

Though she looked timid and somewhat reserved, Yun Congxin still caught the excited gleam in her lovely eyes, like a child about to visit an amusement park.

"Go pack your things. From now on, you'll be nominal disciples of the Misty Cloud Sect..." Yun Congxin said.