"Each of the seven Golden Cicadas possessed unique abilities, and the power of each was substantial. In those days, the ancestral master, wielding the Six-winged Golden Cicada, struck such terror into the Demon Clan that they trembled at the re whisper of his approach.
After defeating the Demon Clan, our forebear beca the State Preceptor of Vine Country, and the seven Six-winged Golden Cicadas thus beca the sacred legacy of our lineage as well as the divine relics of Vine Country.
The Six-winged Golden Cicadas have been passed down for four generations in Vine Country, until a catastrophe occurred thirty years ago. At that ti, the ancestral master had two direct disciples: one was my teacher, who also served as the previous State Preceptor, and the other was my Elder Uncle.
My Elder Uncle was exceptionally gifted, and his martial prowess surpassed that of my teacher. At that ti, everyone throughout the nation believed that he would inherit the ancestral master’s mantle, including my teacher himself. Hence, everyone called my Elder Uncle Dharma World Honored!
Unexpectedly, when the ti ca for the ancestral master to select his successor, he chose my teacher.
Therefore, my Elder Uncle harbored resentnt in his heart. One night, he suddenly assassinated the ancestral master and stole two of the Six-winged Golden Cicadas. The Golden Cicadas could only recognize a new master through secret arts after the death of their previous owner. My Elder Uncle secretly learned these arts, murdered the ancestral master, and then fled as a traitor. The Golden Cicada that Jade Country obtained was one of the stolen ones, the Diamond Golden Cicada."
"Hah? So you an to say... you want to pin all the cris on a fugitive? And then tell Jade Country that this has nothing to do with you? That it was all the fugitive’s doing?" Liu Yun asked with a cold laugh.
"The truth is indeed so."
"If that’s Vine Country’s response, I think we can return ho tomorrow. I will report Vine Country’s statent to Upper Peak truthfully," Liu Yun said, as she and her two companions stood up, ready to leave.
"Wait, Envoy Liu! The leaders of your nation will not accept this reasoning," Manai quickly called out to Wang Lan and his companions.
"So His Majesty the King also knows our country cannot accept this reason?"
Hearing this, Manai’s face turned an even deeper shade of red with embarrassnt. Previously, he had presud that Jade Country’s claims of sending soone to investigate were rely a formality, so seeing Liu Yun and the others about to leave, he couldn’t help but blurt out his plea.
But these words, once uttered, were a profound embarrassnt. If you offer reasoning that even you don’t believe, how can you expect to convince Jade Country?
"Amitabha—" the State Preceptor suddenly chanted a Buddhist invocation and slowly stood up. "Indeed, the truth is as stated. However, to say that Vine Country bears no responsibility at all would be unjust.
"When my Elder Uncle seized the two Golden Cicadas and escaped, the most powerful Diamond Golden Cicada was among them. Vine Country, fearing that the loss of the two Cicadas would harm our national interests, deliberately concealed the truth.
"Furthermore, over the years, Vine Country has repeatedly and publicly claid that all seven Golden Cicadas were still within its borders. Past actions have present consequences. If Vine Country had been honest thirty years ago, Jade Country probably wouldn’t be so quick to suspect us today, would it?
"Today, this poor monk offers his life to give Jade Country an explanation. The special envoys of Jade Country may apprehend and bring back to Jade Country. I shall surrender my Six-winged Golden Cicada. As an ancient divine relic, it grants eternal life, its value no less than a complete ancient cultivation thod. Will this suffice as an explanation for Jade Country?"
"By saying so, you make it appear as though Jade Country is being unduly belligerent and overbearing," Yu Ruoyun said with a furrowed brow, her tone indifferent.
"Then what exactly does your nation want?" Manai, now completely flustered, inadvertently ceded the initiative.
"We must capture the true culprit, and Vine Country must compensate for Jade Country’s losses. No matter how you put it, Vine Country has always claid that all seven Six-winged Golden Cicadas were within its borders, but now you say two have been stolen. We cannot explain this to our people."
"Of course, apprehending the true culprit is only right, but compensating for the losses..." Manai’s expression grew even more unsightly. "The losses this ti are so grave that Vine Country, even mobilizing its entire national resources, wouldn’t be able to compensate, would it?"
They knew all too well the extent of Jade Country’s losses. Tens of thousands of Pioneers had perished. Although they were killed by Exotic Beasts during the El Nino Beast Tide, the real cause was the assassination that took out the frontline command, leaving the rear unable to receive tily intelligence, which subsequently led to a complete collapse.
How could Vine Country afford to compensate for the lives of tens of thousands of Star Martial Warriors?
"Jade Country will send another special envoy to negotiate this matter. Now, it’s ti for you to share information about the individual who stole the two Golden Cicadas."
"Alright."
"After my Elder Uncle vanished with two Golden Cicadas, my teacher succeeded as State Preceptor and held the remaining five. My Elder Uncle disappeared for over twenty years without a trace, until seven years ago, when he returned to Vine Country with seven Star Sea realm experts.
"My Elder Uncle ca to seize the five Golden Cicadas from my teacher. In that battle, although my teacher managed to repel him and his cadre of experts, he himself was gravely injured and did not have long to live.
"That night, my teacher sought an audience with His Majesty the King to discuss the future of the kingdom. If the Golden Cicadas were passed on to , and my Elder Uncle returned to seize them, no one in Vine Country could stop him. An expert of my Elder Uncle’s caliber could infiltrate Vine Country as if it were an unguarded land.
"Ultimately, it was decided that I would inherit two Golden Cicadas, and my three junior martial brothers would each inherit one. My three junior brothers then went to different, undisclosed locations, changing their identities and ceasing all contact with one another. Apart from myself and His Majesty, no third person was to know their whereabouts.
"As for myself, I have remained confined within the Temple for years, not taking a single step outside, all to ensure the preservation of the Golden Cicadas. My teacher once said that my Elder Uncle’s ambition would never die, and he would surely return to claim all the Golden Cicadas. Especially now, with the Diamond Golden Cicada destroyed by Jade Country and his power greatly diminished, I surmise that he will inevitably seek us out."
"Are you suggesting, State Preceptor, that we should just sit tight and wait for him to co to us?"
"I suspect my Elder Uncle’s patience won’t last too long... In any case, Jade Country and Vine Country are neighbors. If I receive any information about my Elder Uncle, I will imdiately notify Jade Country.
"Speaking of which, there is sothing else this poor monk has been wondering about. During the El Nino Beast Tide, all surrounding nations suffered heavy losses. While it’s regrettable that Jade Country’s southern regions were completely engulfed, compared to the losses of our three countries, it was truly negligible.
"Ninety percent of Vine Country’s Pioneer Space has been devoured by Exotic Beasts. Now, our Pioneer Space spans less than ten kiloters."
"Less than ten kiloters? Is it that serious?" Even Liu Yun, who had long since mastered the art of remaining composed in the face of adversity, couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise.
What does ’less than ten kiloters’ even an? A single Different Dinsional Space is larger than that! In other words, Vine Country’s Pioneer Space had reached a critical stage, on the verge of collapse, potentially allowing the Exotic Beasts within to surge out at any mont.
"Originally, this poor monk believed that our frontline collapsed because this beast tide was overwhelmingly powerful. It wasn’t until your country’s notification arrived five days ago that I suddenly realized the truth. With the frontline lost, the Exotic Beasts have already advanced to within fifty kiloters of our Pioneer Space. Our countryn fought desperately, managing to halt the beasts’ advance at the ten-kiloter mark.
"Could it be that our frontline encountered the sa situation as Jade Country?"
"This..."
Wang Lan’s first instinct was that they were trying to shift bla. Was this just an excuse for incompetence? But on second thought, Vine Country’s Star Martial Warriors weren’t actually weak. On the East Asian continent, Jade Country was the strongest. Among the smaller nations, Vine Country was quite formidable, easily ranking third after the next most powerful.
Even if they were much weaker than Jade Country, it was unlikely their Pioneer Space would be pushed back all the way to the entrance, right? Though, it wasn’t entirely impossible.
"Haven’t you sent anyone to scout?"
"We have. Over the past five days, more than ten scouting teams were dispatched, but none returned. I’m afraid they’re never coming back. Originally, this poor monk intended to scout personally, but due to matters concerning Jade Country, I haven’t been able to get away."
"Special Envoy Wang Lan, since you are here to investigate, why don’t we head to the frontline together and see if there has also been sabotage there?"
Wang Lan quietly gave Liu Yun a look. Liu Yun leaned close to Wang Lan’s ear and whispered, "I am only responsible for arranging your accommodations and logistics. Regarding the investigation, you have discretionary power. Whether you agree or not is your decision."
"Wang Lan, agree to it!" Suddenly, Yu Ruoyun’s voice, as fine as a thread, reached Wang Lan’s ear, yet it was inaudible to everyone else.
"Our goal is to uncover the truth. How to recover losses from Vine Country is for others to consider. Since this is a lead, we have no reason not to follow it."
"Then, alright. In that case, State Preceptor, please accompany us to the Pioneer Space to investigate."
"Now then, everyone, the banquet is ready. Let’s eat first and discuss matters afterward, shall we?" Manai interrupted.
「Investigating the Pioneer Space was a task for the next day.」
So, after dinner, Wang Lan and Yu Ruoyun returned to the embassy together.
"How credible do you think Vine Country’s story is?" Wang Lan asked Yu Ruoyun once they were back at the embassy.
"About ninety percent. It’s consistent with the intelligence from the General Staff." Yu Ruoyun, as if no one else were present, began to change out of his military uniform, revealing the snow-white shirt underneath.
"You’re not warm? Aren’t you going to take off your uniform jacket?"
"Uh... actually, it’s fine. Never mind." Wang Lan then quickly changed the subject, "Consistent with the General Staff’s intelligence? So the General Staff has already investigated this?"
"The General Staff naturally pays close attention to any stir in the surrounding countries. For instance, thirty years ago, when the designated successor to the State Preceptor was unexpectedly changed, how could Jade Country, as a friendly neighbor, not show concern and make inquiries?
"So, what Master Chenghai said is mostly true. And indeed, the hidden story concerning the death of State Preceptor Xincheng seven years ago is also as he described."
"If the General Staff has already investigated thoroughly, then why were we sent here?" Wang Lan asked, puzzled.
"Although the pri culprit behind the Cloud Sea Pioneer Space incident might have been the forr Dharma World Honored, shouldn’t Vine Country still be held accountable? Besides, if it were rely about securing benefits, there would be no need to send us.
"The higher-ups intend for Dharma World Honored to be captured and publicly executed on the spot as a warning to others. Furthermore, we suspect that after defecting, Dharma World Honored joined Paradise Bird."
"Oh? Is our intelligence that good, or is Vine Country just unwilling to tell us everything?" Wang Lan was puzzled. How could Jade Country know more than Vine Country itself?
"If Vine Country knew, they would have passed the buck to Paradise Bird long ago. Decades ago, a United Nations convention stipulated that any traitor from a mber nation who joins Paradise Bird is thereafter considered to have no ties with their holand. If Vine Country knew Dharma World Honored had joined Paradise Bird, would they be acting as compliant as they are now?
"An informant we planted in Paradise Bird once sent back intelligence detailing their top experts: ranked first is Sonic, second is Wings of Paradise, and third is ’Sir.’ I suspect this ’Sir’ is actually Dharma World Honored."
"So you’re saying Paradise Bird exploited the El Nino event to launch a terrorist attack?"
"That’s likely the case."
「anwhile, in the royal palace of Vine Country.」
Manai’s mood had improved considerably after the day’s banquet.
"State Preceptor, it seems Jade Country isn’t as unreasonable as we initially thought. I originally expected them to be incredibly aggressive, but now it appears they trust us and are willing to join forces to apprehend that traitor."
"Your Majesty, it’s best not to celebrate prematurely. Jade Country trusts us because we have no plausible reason to offend them so grievously. Given what my Elder Uncle did, how could Jade Country spare him? However, Jade Country will definitely not be satisfied with just him. Once Jade Country’s negotiation envoy arrives and presents their terms, I fear Your Majesty will be quite vexed."
"As long as they don’t push Vine Country to a dead end, I can accept it. We’re talking about tens of thousands of Star Martial Warriors... The very thought makes shudder. For Vine Country to suffer such a loss would be tantamount to annihilation."
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