This is really not good news.
Shen Shiyi, like everyone else, began to look worried.
Chen Qing went to the Dragon Palace Mystic Realm, where the environment was complex, and it was normal to encounter situations where he couldn't reply to messages. But just at this particular moment, trouble struck.
If the leader cannot make a decision on such a major matter, then those who make the decision must bear the responsibility.
Xu Hu is a very passionate person. He strongly advocated for rescue when millions of people in northern China were waiting for help at Shekou.
As representatives of the established power in Jiangnan, the third and second brothers naturally preferred to prioritize stability. After all, the Shen Family's foundation was in Jiangnan, Chen Qing had built Jiangnan so well that the Shen Family cherished it even more. Naturally, they did not want this advantage to be ruined by being too reckless.
Choosing to protect oneself while ignoring the lives of a billion northerners may sound petty, but it's a necessary evil. After all, in today's world, it's already a miracle if you can protect yourself; who wants to act as a savior?
"Lord Xu," Shen Laosan, was clearly more patient. When arguing with Xu Hu, his tone was not only gentle, but he also tried to persuade him by presenting positive facts, "As you have seen, we have very little intelligence about the giant snakes that have appeared in the north. Rushing in could result in huge losses. Moreover, none of the ships we sent to the north before have returned. This shows that even ships with excellent performance are doomed to be destroyed in front of those giant snakes. How can we guarantee that our rescue soldiers can safely cross the North Sea and rescue those billion people?"
"Exactly!" Shen Shiyi chimed in, "A billion people, you'd need enough ships to transport them all. Do we even have that many ships?"
"I don't expect to save them all, I'm just doing my part," Xu Hu said in a low voice. "As for how to safely cross the sea, I do have a plan. We can use Wind Jade to make the ships fly. Once those giant snakes are out of the water, it won't be so easy for them to attack things in the sky. And if they're in the air, the new weapons the academy is researching will also come in handy!"
"You dare to say that!" Second Master Shen said, his face darkening. "Make the ships fly, to pick up ships carrying hundreds of millions of people, make them all fly? Do you know how much Wind Jade will that cost? The Blazing Yang Grand Formation has already consumed so much jade. If you continue to be so extravagant, are you not planning to leave any way out?"
Shen San's expression was also grim. These jade stones, any one of which could be sold for a thousand gold pieces in the capital these days, had already cost him dearly. He was heartbroken by the losses incurred in this war, and this guy actually came up with such a terrible idea to save people—had he gone mad?
"This isn't just about saving people," Xu Hu said in a deep voice. "A billion people would also be a great benefit to us. If we can absorb them, the power in Jiangnan will rise to a new level. Our Divine Path Style Sect needs people anyway. These people are a burden in the short term, but in the long term, they will be our best asset. Now that demons are rampant, saving people is also saving ourselves!"
"You have to eat one bite at a time. A billion people? In the current situation, can we wait for them?" Second Master Shen said grimly, "Everything should be done within our capabilities. No matter how much grand theory you preach, it's useless if you don't have the ability. I don't agree with your plan. The risk is too great. If you're not careful, you could lose the entire Southern Capital. Besides, the lord also needs military support."
"General Xu Hu, you'd better calm down," Shen Shiyi added. "The northerners are indeed pitiful, but our first priority is to ensure our own safety, isn't it?"
"Those giant snakes have ulterior motives," Xu Hu said, taking a breath. "General Tian Heng said before that those monsters, once they've collected enough essence blood, can summon the Earth Mother, and might even summon something more terrifying. If we ignore it now just to save our lives, won't this fire eventually come our way?"
"What do you think, Lao Tian?" Xu Hu turned to look at Tian Heng.
Tian Heng frowned, unsure of what to say for a moment. He actually wanted to save them too, but as the Shen Family had said, the risk was too great.
Just as he was hesitating, Tian Heng suddenly exclaimed, "The Lord has replied!"
"What do you mean?" The Shen Family family members suddenly stood up, looking nervous.
Xu Hu held his breath, listening to what the other person would say next.
"I have to go there!" Tian Heng stood up abruptly and said, "His Majesty's intention is that everything in the north should wait until he returns; we must not act rashly!"
Xu Hu was taken aback. He hadn't expected Chen Qing to reply like this. Although he hadn't said he wouldn't help the North, given the current situation, could the Northerners afford to wait?
"See?" Second Master Shen breathed a sigh of relief. He was afraid that Chen Qing would also act impulsively. He immediately smiled and said, "Since the master has said so, you should guard this place well and not have any wild ideas!"
He wasn't afraid of Xu Hu causing trouble. After all, Xu Hu's Wind Jade Plan required the support of at least four continents. Although the resources of the seven continents of Jiangnan were nominally in the hands of civil officials, the Shen Family, as the Earth Yin officials, could actually intercept the resources at any time when it was crucial. If they didn't allow it, Xu Hu couldn't mobilize the resources of the seven continents!
Watching everyone leave, Xu Hu suddenly realized what Chen Qing had said.
The world is about to descend into chaos, and all I can do is try my best to create a habitable place for humanity.
But the people of the north, my lord, are also human!
--
"Are you really not going to send a rescue?"
As he swam outwards, Yuchi Feihong couldn't help but ask.
The Lu Household is ruthless and heartless, and the officials in the imperial court don't value human life either. But if no one goes to save them, are we really going to let those Earth Serpent eat the northerners to extinction?
"How can we save them?" Chen Qing rolled her eyes. " Xu Hu sent me the rescue plan through Tian Heng two hours ago. He's just being delusional. Using the Wind Jade Transport Ship? Doesn't he even consider our current reserves? Are they enough for a round trip? And doesn't he even consider whether those powerful families who broke through the giant serpent's blockade were really here to ask for help?"
You mean...
"What if it's a trap?" Chen Qing sneered. "That giant snake blockade isn't so easy to break through. With the Lu Household and those snake sorcerers from the Southern Barbarians around, and those snakes in the sea almost invincible, how can we possibly break through?"
"That's true." Yuchi Feihong nodded, but then added, "But the news should be true. You also judged before that the north couldn't withstand the Earth Serpent's attack."
Chen Qing remained silent. Despite his seemingly logical analysis, how could he not know the specifics of the situation in the North?
"You really won't save them?"
"What can save us?" Chen Qing's tone grew irritated. "Do you think I'm your savior?"
"Do not you?"
"Don't try that on me, your flattery won't work!" Chen Qing said with amusement, "How come I never noticed before that you were so slick?"
"It's not that you're slick, it's just that I feel like you have a way of dealing with everything," Yuchi Feihong said honestly.
He wasn't forcing Chen Qing, but there were a billion people there, the last spark of hope in the North. He had fought in the North for many years, and had come into contact with the northern people the most. They were tough but also simple and honest. Hard and cold lands often produce great men. Would there really be no more northern men in the future?
"It's beyond saving," Chen Qing shook his head. "Even if I transport these Baiyu back now, it will take time to gather enough wind energy to realize Xu Hu's plan. The North is currently in a dead end; no one can save it." Chen Qing paused here, then added, "It's basically a dead end."
"Hmm?" Yuchi Feihong instantly caught Chen Qing's slight hesitation, his eyes lighting up. "Basically? There is actually a way, isn't there?"
"There is one, but it's practically the same as not having one."
"Say it!" Yuchi Feihong couldn't help but say.
"You—" Chen Qing rolled his eyes at the other person. "Do you think the Duke of Wei would die for those ten billion northern people?"
Yuchi Feihong: "."
"They're here!" Chen Qing suddenly looked up.
Yuchi Feihong followed and looked up, only to see that the huge jade disc was beginning to shatter layer by layer!
"This is... automatically destroyed?" Yuchi Feihong, stunned.
" The Ten Thousand Jiaolong Grand Formation is complete!" Chen Qing said, squinting. "The monsters in the Dragon Palace are about to awaken. Although the moisture has helped them recover, they need other forms of energy to sustain them. Many of the biological weapons in this jade disc can be used as nourishment!"
"Forehead"
So this is a backup grain depot?
Bang!
As they were talking, a sound like shattering glass came, a strange sound that seemed both very close and very far away. In the next instant, the water in the entire space, with the Jade Wall Space Array failing, entered a chaotic torrent!
"Let's go!" Chen Qing was prepared and led Yuchi Feihong into the mother-of-pearl shell.
A terrifying roar came from not far away. Yuchi Feihong turned around and glanced back, his heart skipping a beat. "It's that monster!"
That's exactly what they're talking about that Heavenly Ghost Octopus!
"Ignore him!" Chen Qing whispered, " The Heavenly Ghost Octopus will only eat the largest monsters, and the same goes for those resurrected dragon monsters. Soon you'll see a feast of rampant demons!"
Extra chapters will start tomorrow!