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Holy Spirit Sect, Grand Hall.
Zhongli Wu's gaze was as cold as ice, sweeping over the envoy from the Dou Ling Empire.
The envoy, dressed in a long red robe, stood in the center of the hall with an air of righteousness. Despite feeling Zhongli Wu's oppressive presence, he remained calm.
A hint of cunning flickered in his eyes.
"Holy Spirit Sect, Zhongli Wu, we have allied with the Sun Moon Empire and would like to invite the Holy Spirit Sect to join the anti-Shui family alliance," the envoy said confidently.
Zhongli Wu's lips curled into a cold smile, his voice deep and powerful, "The Shui family is formidable. Why should we join you?"
The envoy replied unhurriedly, "The flow of sects is transient, but empires are eternal. It's been four days, and the Shui family has yet to act against our empire. This shows they need our empire's strength.
The Shui family is strong, but we refuse to submit without securing substantial benefits."
A trace of mockery flashed in Zhongli Wu's eyes, "If you can manage on your own, why seek our help?"
The envoy smiled slightly, knowing Zhongli Wu was not easily persuaded, "We need a powerful figure to lead. We hope Death God Douluo will step forward."
Zhongli Wu sneered, aware that his mother, Death God Douluo, would never act, as the Holy Spirit Sect's submission to the Shui family was by her command.
"Heh, if you want the Holy Spirit Sect to act, what price are you willing to pay?" Zhongli Wu asked, a playful tone in his voice.
The envoy took a deep breath, aware of the importance of his next words, "We are willing to offer generous terms, including land, resources, and even special soul tool technology.
More importantly, we will propose to the Shui family, on behalf of the alliance, that evil soul masters can live openly on this continent.
With the Holy Spirit Sect's support, the anti-Shui family alliance will be greatly strengthened. Convincing the Shui family won't be a dream!"
Zhongli Wu fell silent, contemplating.
He knew his mother, though an evil soul master, dreamt of allowing evil soul masters to live like ordinary people.
If she learned of this, she might personally meet the envoy.
However, can evil soul masters exposed to the light still be called evil soul masters?
No killing, no blood-drinking, no consuming human flesh pills—whether Ye Xishui could accept this, Zhongli Wu certainly couldn't!
"Hahaha~"
He straightened up, his gaze cold as he looked at the envoy below, "You must have steeled your hearts to let evil soul masters live openly. There must be considerable opposition to this decision, right?"
The envoy remained silent, clearly uncomfortable with the sensitive topic.
Zhongli Wu sneered and continued, "I'm curious, what does the Dou Ling Empire truly want?"
Thinking he saw a glimmer of hope, the envoy quickly responded, "The Dou Ling Empire hopes the Shui family can join us. We can maintain their aristocratic status. This way, everyone is on the same side, and cooperation with the Shui family will be easy if any issues arise."
A proud expression appeared on his face, as if this arrangement would place the Dou Ling Empire above the Shui family.
"Wishful thinking!"
Zhongli Wu sneered, unable to hold back his scorn.
"You want the Shui family to join the Dou Ling Empire while maintaining their aristocratic status? What a joke! The Shui family is incredibly powerful; why would they willingly submit to you?"
The envoy was momentarily stumped by Zhongli Wu's words but persisted, "Lord Zhongli Wu, you misunderstand. We only intend to publicize that the Shui family is part of the Dou Ling Empire in name. In reality, they would remain an independent family, free from imperial laws.
Moreover, our Dou Ling Empire is not without its foundations. Death God Douluo is also an Ultimate Douluo. If we unite, we might be able to contend with the Shui family."
As his words fell, the other evil soul masters in the grand hall laughed mockingly, deriding his audacity and delusions.
Zhongli Wu shook his head, unwilling to waste more words on the envoy.
"I cannot accept your proposal. Leave," he said, waving his hand to signal the guards to escort the envoy out.
"Wait, I have more to say! Doesn't the Holy Spirit Sect want to live openly?" the envoy shouted as two guards grabbed his arms and dragged him out of the hall.
He cursed Zhongli Wu and the Holy Spirit Sect all the way, but no matter how angry and resentful he was, the facts remained unchanged.
"Tch, thinking he can dictate terms to us. Does he think evil soul masters are called that just because of their martial spirits?" one guard scoffed.
"Enough. You stay here. I'm heading to the blood prison for some blood food. Seeing him annoys me," the other guard said, licking his lips as he left.
Dou Ling Empire, Imperial Capital.
The entire palace was shrouded in a stifling atmosphere.
"Unappreciative fools! They're just a bunch of lowly evil soul masters, shadowy rats. Do they think that by clinging to the Shui family, they can sleep easy?" the emperor declared from his high throne, his eyes sharp as a beast's and his voice filled with anger.
The envoy, pale and with his head bowed, dared not meet the emperor's eyes, "Your Majesty, the Holy Spirit Sect has indeed rejected us, but they don't seem to hold the Shui family in any reverence either. Perhaps they are harboring greater ambitions in secret."
The emperor sneered, a sly glint in his eyes, "Ambitions? Then let me see how ambitious these shadowy rats can be! Relay my orders: from today, all commercial taxes will be reduced by 30%, and all agricultural taxes will be completely abolished.
All soul masters who belong to the Dou Ling Empire will receive a free gold soul coin each month. Great Soul Masters will get three coins, and Soul Elders ten coins…"
"Minister of Construction."
"Present!" A portly man stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
"I want you to construct 10,000 new roads and 100,000 dirt roads within a month. I want every village to have a road built by the state. Can you do that?" The emperor's interrogating gaze was cold and relentless.
"This... I guarantee it will be done," the portly man replied, trembling.
"Good! The funds needed will come from the national treasury. If the treasury is insufficient, take it from my personal reserves.
I refuse to believe that by loving my people like my children, the Shui family would dare to defy me!"
The emperor's aura was imposing, resolute in his determination to confront the Shui family head-on.
(End of chapter)