Otherworld Advance Team
Chapter 1842 - 1835: The Whole Truth

Chapter 1842: Chapter 1835: The Whole Truth

Liyang held Ichuan Fei in her arms, clutching him tightly, just like a mother cradling her infant. And Ichuan Fei leaned into her embrace, shedding tears and murmuring to himself.

"Young Mansion, please restrain your grief..."

Luo’er didn’t know what to say, remaining silent for a long time before reluctantly speaking.

"Master of the Nation, why has it come to this?" Ichuan Fei finally raised his eyes towards him, sobbing as he asked.

"Alas..."

Luo’er sighed softly, then after a moment of silence he spoke, "Planning is in human hands, success is in heavenly hands."

"Planning is in human hands, success is in heavenly hands... is it..."

"Young Mansion, take care of your health. I shall not disturb you further and will take my leave now."

As Luo’er spoke, he deeply bowed and turned to leave.

"Hehe, hehehe..."

But just as he turned around, he heard a strange laugh behind him from Ichuan Fei, a sound that seemed both mocking and like the satisfied smile of someone whose scheme had succeeded.

"Doesn’t the Master of the Nation want to stay and chat more?"

Luo’er turned back, seeing Ichuan Fei with reddened eyes, tears glistening, and a strange smile looking at him. The recent appearance of intense grief had already vanished.

"Chat about what?" Luo’er asked, maintaining an expressionless demeanor.

"Does the Master of the Nation truly think that it’s our Wen Family’s blunder that allowed the Wu Family an opportunity?" Ichuan Fei’s eyes gleamed with a strange light.

"Isn’t it?"

"Hehe, hehehe," Ichuan Fei chuckled again, shaking his head with pride, saying, "Even someone as wise as the Master of the Nation can’t see through this labyrinth, so it is natural that others can’t either. Thus, I have succeeded..."

"Succeeded?"

Luo’er widened his eyes instantly because he suddenly realized something.

"The Wen Family’s court finances have long been in deficit, the entire nation’s treasury constantly in a state of inadequacy; even without this war, the fiscal landmine of the Dongsheng Empire would eventually explode..."

"Only by proving our military strength to the Wu Family will they recognize the Wen Family’s rule..."

"You know, I hate this current situation. Clearly our Wen Family is struggling against the Wu Family, yet those sheltered by us never feel grateful, assuming it all to be justified, completely disregarding the Wen Family’s sacrifices..."

"It’s time for change, we cannot continue like this..."

.....

Various clues converged in Luo’er’s mind. After painstakingly organizing them, a clear thread emerged before him.

"You, you deliberately allowed the Wu Family to seize power, didn’t you?"

The more he thought about it, the more shocked he became, Luo’er’s breathing started to quicken as he widened his eyes and pointed at Ichuan Fei, voicing his doubts from the depths of his heart.

"Not bad for the Master of the Nation, understanding exactly with one point..."

Ichuan Fei laughed joyously, then as his laughter gradually faded, he weakly gazed at the ceiling of the pavilion, speaking as if to himself, "Then, Master of the Nation, please tell me, what have you guessed?"

"I daren’t guarantee..."

Luo’er averted his gaze, his breathing still rapid.

"But feel free to speak, places where the Master of the Nation is uncertain, I will fill in the gaps..."

"Why, I mean, why tell me?"

"Such a perfect plan, if only I were to know of it and take it to the grave, wouldn’t that be too unsatisfactory? The Master of the Nation and I share a deep connection, I am willingly revealing my plan to the Master of the Nation. This is an open plot, flawless."

"Alright then..."

Luo’er took a deep breath, pondering for a moment before looking back at Ichuan Fei and speaking: "First, the Wen Family no longer wishes to be at the forefront of opposition against the Wu Family. So you want those who gain advantages and protection from the Wen Family to voluntarily step to the front line, serving as your fists, allowing you to focus on orchestrating everything from behind the scenes, correct?"

"Correct, the situation is precisely like this now," Ichuan Fei spoke, his teeth unconsciously clenched, "These bastards, every single one enjoying the benefits given by the Wen Family’s court, when trouble arises, they flee faster than one another."

"We’ve strived tirelessly to maintain order for so many years, what did we get? We want to levy taxes, they refuse. We want to wage war with the Wu Family, they just watch from the sidelines. It’s come to this, the Wen Family gave too much while gaining too little, we aren’t saints like the Master of the Nation, things without benefit cannot be sustained for long."

"However, having the Wen Family directly confront the Wu Family appears unreal..." Luo’er continued, "When you initially ventured north to conquer Beichang across the Snow Boundary Pass, this should have been a war demonstrating the value of the Wen Family’s army, but it ended in a disastrous defeat, making the Wen Family’s army a laughing stock. Hence you urgently seek a force measurable against cultivators, to revitalize the Wen Family’s military..."

"Fortunately, we discovered such a thing."

"Gunpowder!"

"Correct!"

Luo’er took another deep breath and continued, "During the West Outer Heaven War, you were surprised to find that the Demon Clan’s combat power increased exponentially, even achieving strategic reversals. When the news reached the court, you rejoiced because you found this force."

"Thus, you temporarily allied with the Demon Clan, eliminating over a thousand cultivators in your army, further weakening the Wu Family’s strength. With the Dongsheng Empire comprehensively defeated, you finally found reason to formally announce the implementation of military reforms, purging the cultivation forces from the army."

"I quite favor the Demon Clan’s firearms; ordinary people can possess destructive power comparable to cultivators just by pulling the trigger," Ichuan Fei said.

"During the war, you also noticed us Westerners, hence you’ve been observing us all along. When discovering our decision to head east, your Wen Family immediately began deploying..."

"Exactly, Huayu Xuan’s reports repeatedly mentioned you all, forcing us to contemplate the role you played in the West Outer Heaven War. Although that guy now... forget it, let’s not talk about it..."

"Fengyu’s Wuyun Sect’s Dongliang Yu is one of yours, isn’t he?"

"When did the Master of the Nation start suspecting him?"

"Upon setting foot on Kyushu, because everything went too smoothly."

"Hehe, is that so, it seems I should have designed some challenges for you back then..."

"You eagerly hoped we would head to Shengjing, intending for us to aid you in reforming the military. Because you clearly know, the army is fundamental for the Wen Family. Only with control over force can you reason with the Wu Family."

"Here, I sincerely thank the Master of the Nation for the help given. Without you, the new army might not have formed so swiftly."

Ichuan Fei slightly nodded, as a gesture of bowing.

"But, forming the new army is just one aspect. The most crucial issue is that the finances of the Wen Family’s court have become a mess; if no one takes over, it’ll explode sooner or later. The Wen Family may thereby lose their reputation, unable to maintain power despite having a strong military..."

"Therefore, while building the army, you urgently hope someone can take over. And the Wu Family, without a doubt, is the ideal choice," Luo’er continued.

"Getting them to take over isn’t so easy, but even if some sacrifices are needed, I believe it’s worthwhile."

Ichuan Fei spoke, perhaps recalling his father, his eyes squinted with disquiet.

"But you dare not make it too obvious, like deliberately allowing the Wu Family to seize power. Because those creditors, those businessmen, are your supporters..."

"Go on..."

"Thus, you set a trap. You had Gaofeng Yang lead forces to attack Beichang, and Jiuyun Shuang to lead troops against Yipa, aiming to win over North Cloud and the two states. As long as they stand by your side, even if the Wu Family gains the upper hand temporarily, your Wen Family can still make a comeback..."

Luo’er continued: "The new army’s two-pronged attack brings you three advantages..."

"First, through the two wars, the offensive potential of these two nations is thoroughly disrupted, so even if the Dongsheng Empire experiences internal turmoil, they cannot initiate external harassment. Thus you can focus on dealing with domestic matters, preventing unexpected surprises."

"Second, through the two wars, the Wen Family proves possessing a new army that can rival cultivators. Hence, fulfilling your Wen Family’s longtime desire; the Wu Family, in wanting to deal with you, must reconsider carefully..."