"Zi Zi Ziyue?"
The group was stunned. These top elders all knew that Ziyue was a forbidden figure who had escaped from the Warlock Dynasty and had always been on their watch list. They never expected that she would become a priest elder now?
"So what exactly is the procedure now?" Zhou Tianlie asked anxiously, "Isn't Ziyue from Jiangnan? Who's in charge of Cloud Capital now? And what's with the court announcing that everyone can relocate to Jiangnan?"
Upon hearing this, everyone looked at the eldest elder of the Murong Family. They were still somewhat confused about what had happened, but it was indeed necessary to find out who was in power in Cloud Capital.
" In Cloud Capital now, it should be the Emperor of the Great Jin who is in charge."
"Should?" Everyone frowned; they weren't there to hear such an ambiguous answer.
Elder Murong smiled wryly, "The situation is complicated, and I'm not entirely clear on it either. All I know is that the Emperor of Great Jin Alliance with Chen Qing of Jiangnan, and Master Ziyue is leading the remaining Four Saints Army back to Jiangnan. Now the Emperor has given everyone two choices."
Everyone understood. It seemed that although Cloud Capital was now under the emperor's control, it was unable to deal with Jiangnan, which was why some kind of agreement had been reached with Jiangnan.
"What choice?" someone asked.
"Either stay in Cloud Capital and be completely bound to the Xiao Household, or move to Jiangnan. Those who stay in Cloud Capital must be blessed by the Mother and Child Ghosts Temple, just like those Ghost General of the court, and coexist with the evil spirits under the Ghost King Xiang. But the conditions are generous. All members of my Five Color Families who are willing to stay will be granted the title of duke or marquis, hereditary and perpetual, sharing the fate of the nation!"
"Oh?" The group was taken aback, and immediately began to make their own calculations.
Although the Great Jin Dynasty has only been established for twenty years, military men have always held great power. Apart from Liu Yu, the Duke of Song of Song, all eight Dukes were of military lineage. Such privileges were rarely granted to civil officials. If a family of sorcerers could obtain a Duke title from the court, they could be guaranteed a large amount of resources. Hereditary succession was indeed a great benefit.
Although Cloud Capital is a good place, it is still just a subject. Now the Xiao Household emperor has considerable power. He can even kill the high priest of the ancient god with a single punch. It is not impossible for him to suppress the world in the future. There are definitely risks, but the benefits are also considerable.
"What's the second option? Is it to move to Jiangnan?" one of them asked, frowning. " Jiangnan is under the control of that Chen Qing, right? Has he offered any conditions?"
"No."
"Um?"
Everyone was stunned when they heard those two words.
No, no?
Seeing everyone's expressions, Elder Murong gave a wry smile, "At the time, I also thought I misheard. How domineering is that Emperor Xiao Household? At least he was willing to give us a way out and extend an olive branch. Regardless of whether the talk of sharing weal and woe with the country is true or false, at least we've given him face now, but we haven't given Chen Qing any at all."
"What exactly did he say?" one of the elders asked, frowning.
"His exact words were that those going to Jiangnan would register as ordinary residents, and he made it clear that no official positions would be offered. Their children could study at the academy, but they would need to pass an examination. Elders could also study at the academy, but they would also need to pass an examination. At my age, I really don't have the face to take the exam."
This group of people were immediately enraged. Wasn't Chen Qing being a bit too arrogant?
They did know that Jiangnan Academy possessed the Dragon Palace Inheritance and a path to Transcendent, but so what?
The members of their Five Color Families have all received inheritances from ancient gods; they have no shortage of those on the path to Transcendent. Your arrogance, Chen Qing, might be acceptable against the powerful families of the Central Plains, but to treat their Five Color Families like that—do you really think anyone cares about your meager possessions?
"And what about Master Ziyue?" Zhou Tianlie asked, frowning.
" Master Ziyue did not appear, but the generals of the Four Saints Army were right next to Chen Qing. It is highly likely that what Chen Qing said was Master Ziyue's opinion."
Several people immediately became anxious. "The high priest promised us!"
"It doesn't count anymore," Elder Murong said with a wry smile, shaking his head.
"It doesn't count anymore?" The group of people immediately turned ashen-faced.
The ancient gods can Symbiosis with humans. Once Symbiosis, their potential is extraordinary, and they have the opportunity to become ancient supreme beings. What have these old guys been working so hard for all these years? Isn't it just for this one opportunity?
The new Nüwa actually said it didn't count?
Are you kidding me?
"No, we have to get an explanation!" one of the elders couldn't help but say.
"Give us an explanation?" Elder Murong chuckled. "Even though you weren't there, you could at least sense it, right? What level of Spirit Energy was there in the palace? An explanation? What kind of explanation do you want?"
From what he saw, let alone Chen Qing leading a large army, even if Chen Qing were alone, he wasn't sure he and his group of old men could get any explanation.
"Are we just going to accept it like that?"
"What else can we do?" Elder Murong looked at the Zhou Household: "Your most talented member, Zhou Yuntao, is dead. He died at the hands of Chen Qing's disciple. Has Chen Qing offered any explanation? Everyone, you should first recognize the situation. The High Priest Elder is dead, killed by the Emperor with a single punch. And Chen Qing is someone who can make Imperial Capital back down. Don't be so narrow-minded. We have to admit that right now, we are the weaker party!"
Everyone fell silent upon hearing this; how could they not sense it?
The floating palace radiated Spirit Energy, its astonishing aura sending chills down one's spine even from a thousand miles away. How could they possibly contend with the ultimate victor who had fought their way out of that environment?
It's already good enough if we don't let others take advantage of us.
"Brother Murong, what is your plan?" Zhou Tianlie asked.
Murong glanced at the obese elder of the Zhou Household and secretly calculated in his heart that although the old man seemed reckless, he was actually a very calm person. His most outstanding descendant had died tragically, but he did not have any intention of pursuing the matter. Based on this alone, he could not possibly offend Chen Qing, the newly rich.
"His Majesty is determined to pacify the world. He has already explained to me that after moving the capital to Cloud Capital, he will prepare for war and will not rest until the Northern Lands are recovered."
Upon hearing this, the elders' expressions changed drastically. While ordinary people might not know about the things in the north, they knew some secrets. It seemed that the emperor of the Xiao Household was planning to overthrow the dynasty!
"Staying in Cloud Capital is quite risky, but His Majesty has made many promises. As the saying goes, fortune favors the bold, and the Murong family is by no means cowardly. I have decided to stay in Cloud Capital!"
Everyone was taken aback. They hesitated, glancing at the resolute Elder Murong, then at each other, and the scene fell silent.
The other side's meaning was clear: the emperor would expand his army and prepare for war once he moved the capital, making him the main force to resist the northern demons. In other words, if you stayed, you would have to participate in the war, and you couldn't make any excuses.
Jiangnan is different. There are no noble titles or official positions, and no promises of resources. But one good thing is that you are not forced to participate in the war!
Those who stayed behind were bound to the war chariot, truly sharing the fate of the nation. If they lost, it would mean the end for everyone!
Choosing to go to Jiangnan, even though there's nothing there, at least it's safe!
For a moment, the other elders hesitated. This decision would directly affect the survival and prosperity of the clan village, and they were truly torn.