Enemies All Around the World . . .
"First and foremost, you have underestimated the extent of my adversaries. Ling-Bao Hall isn't merely encircled by foes; we confront the entire world! The Kingdom of Lanfeng and the Kingdom of Tianyun, enemies approach from the south, north, and other directions. The bounties on our lives have escalated significantly; it now stands at seven billion! There are almost thirty thousand assassins hailing from these two kingdoms alone."
Cha Eun Xiao explained with indifference, raising his hand to display five fingers, then lowering two of them.
"Moreover, the Kingdom of Tianyu and the Kingdom of Lanfeng have dispatched their own assassins, who have converged on the Kingdom of Chen, numbering five thousand."
"However, the Wolf King doesn't believe he can defeat Cha Nantian, General Cha, in combat. He aims to defeat him through other means. His Sky Wolf Assassin Team has ventured south. Regrettably, their distinctive scent betrays them, no matter how cautious they may be. Over three thousand perished shortly after crossing the northern border, and this group is no more. Nevertheless, the southern assassin team has successfully infiltrated the kingdom."
"In addition, nearly sixty thousand individuals have arrived or are en route to the Kingdom of Chen, driven by the rewards on our heads. Among them, at least 47 assassins occupy positions on the top fifty assassins list."
When Ning Biluo and Liu Changjun heard this, their expressions turned bitter.
At least 47 of the top fifty assassins had arrived, but in reality, all fifty assassins were present. Their sole purpose was to eliminate Feng Monarch, with the exception of Ning Biluo and Liu Changjun themselves, who had their reasons for remaining.
Cha Eun Xiao continued in a cold, composed tone, "There is more. The two kingdoms have yet to strike against our operations on their lands. They have already implemented restrictive measures against us, and over ten thousand individuals from significant sects and clans in the Chen-Xing City have mobilized."
"So, the adversaries I confront far exceed thirty thousand; they number around a hundred thousand assassins."
Cha Eun Xiao spoke with a cold, proud demeanor, "These hundred thousand assassins represent nearly eighty percent of the most potent cultivators in the Land of Han-Yang!"
"Facing such a formidable force, I would say that we aren't merely surrounded by enemies; we are pitted against the entire world! For thousands of years, no other organization has incurred such a multitude of foes."
He concluded, "So, Ling-Bao Hall has undoubtedly set a remarkable record in the Land of Han-Yang this time. We are truly confronting the entire world! In every sense of the phrase."
Faced with Cha Eun Xiao's declaration, the elder from the Dongfang Clan raised his brows and inquired, "Are you proud of this, Feng Monarch?"
[Is he insane? Confronted with such a dire situation, he should be despondent, yet he appears to take pride in it?
Is he affected by some kind of madness?]
"Why shouldn't I?" Cha Eun Xiao laughed. "Challenging the entire world! Who else could achieve it? Observe this closely. If this feat doesn't make me feel proud, what will? If not this accomplishment, then who in the world could find a reason for pride?"
Long Tianyun was now utterly flabbergasted by Cha Eun Xiao's response.
During the conversation between Feng Monarch and the elder from the Dongfang Clan, it had become increasingly evident that Long Tianyun had lost whatever slight advantage he thought he had held in the negotiations with Feng Zhiling. Gradually, Feng Zhiling had taken control of the situation.
The elder, who believed himself to be quite astute, had suddenly relinquished their position of dominance.
Long Tianyun had considered interrupting their exchange, but Cha Eun Xiao continued to engage with the elder, completely disregarding Long Tianyun. This left Long Tianyun without an opportunity to interject.
Attempting to forcibly intervene might risk escalating the situation. He was caught in a predicament, unable to take action, and yet he knew that maintaining silence was not the solution.
Cha Eun Xiao spoke in a cold, impassive tone, "There are some things that one can never fathom until directly confronted with them. They surpass the realm of imagination. Yet, when faced with such circumstances, we cannot afford to weep. Crying accomplishes nothing, wouldn't you agree? Tears do not solve problems; only confronting them with courage can yield a resolution. Isn't that correct?"
The elder from the Dongfang Clan was left without a response to Cha Eun Xiao's question. He felt a sense of humiliation and bewilderment. He was at a loss for words.
"Even if we find ourselves isolated and defenseless, we will do our utmost," Cha Eun Xiao stated. "We confront the entire world. It's disheartening, yet it's also a marvel—a legend! By confronting it head-on, by resolving it and converting it into a marvel, we become legends. We evolve into myths."
"How is Ling-Bao Hall isolated and helpless?" Long Tianyun finally found an opening to interject, swiftly expressing his thoughts. "Your nation, at the very least, should provide protection and support."
Cha Eun Xiao smiled wryly. "Kingdom of Chen? Protection and support? Before the auction, officials and nobility indeed held us in high regard. Countless people came and went. However, after the auction, as soon as the crisis reared its head, they vanished. If I were to rely on them wholeheartedly, I would have met my demise before we even grasped the situation."
"Look at yourselves," he continued, "you hail from the five clans among the eight noble clans. You come from beyond the borders of the Kingdom of Chen. However, the Mu Clan, Nangong Clan, and Gongsun Clan, which reside within the kingdom's boundaries, have never made an appearance. Isn't this a cause for concern?"
Long Tianyun was taken aback. "But didn't you provide the Kingdom of Chen with seventy billion?" He struggled to comprehend. "Seventy billion! That sum should carry substantial weight with them!"
Cha Eun Xiao stated coldly, "We must clarify something here. The seventy billion, we bestowed it upon the soldiers. We did so to secure victory in the impending conflict, not to benefit the kingdom or its royal family."
"It's a distinct matter. Completely distinct."
"Truth be told, the Kingdom of Chen could have distanced itself from the situation and refrained from exploiting our plight. That alone would have constituted their support for us. Faced with hostility from the entire world, even if they were to evict us from this land, we could comprehend it. Yet, the kingdom chose not to take that route. This suggests that our monarch, at the very least, still maintains a degree of integrity. He has not severed the ladder he once climbed."
In Cha Eun Xiao's gaze, a sardonic smile flickered..