Chapter 359 - Ci Pu’s Visit, Zun Long’s Agreement

Chapter 359: Chapter 114: Ci Pu’s Visit, Zun Long’s AgreementThe Four Great Commanders were determined, signaling that each person would lead a large army after the end of the Eagle Alliance’s contest, collaborating with the power of the four dukes to start the conquest against the empire.

This was an opportunity for those outside of the Four Great Families to gain more benefits during the conquest of the empire, as cooperation with the Four Great Commanders was essential. Otherwise, the four dukes wouldn’t have gone to great lengths to monopolize these top positions.

Deng Kong and Fan Wuyi were already from the Four Great Families. Unless absolutely necessary, no other noble seat wanted to simply follow behind the Great Families and settle for leftovers. To have a chance at the "meat," only Lu Hong and Qing Yuechu were contenders without significant backing.

The following morning, the courtyard was packed with those seeking Qing Yuechu, leading the principal of the Holy Academy to personally intervene, asking these alliance elites to leave one by one. Some families with considerable influence were only dismissed after Qing Yuechu agreed to let their troops cooperate with hers during the conquest, securing them a share of the spoils.

The same was happening at Lu Hong’s residence. Although the major noble seats were still unclear about Lu Hong’s identity, the enormous benefit at stake was too tempting for anyone to resist.

Countless earl families flocked to Anna’s villa, hoping to meet with Lu Hong to discuss an alliance.

However, Lu Hong knew that if he won the championship, a war between the alliance and the empire couldn’t possibly break out, making such cooperation completely unnecessary. Hence, he had Anna send these people away, refusing any dealings.

There were always some visitors Anna couldn’t dismiss, such as the father of Ci Nian Nian, Marquis Ci Pu.

"How did you get here?" Anna had known Ci Pu for a long time, who had concealed his whereabouts for years; she didn’t expect him to appear at her doorstep today.

"Mistress Anna, please announce my visit," Marquis Ci Pu requested with a kind face, devoid of the typical arrogance of the nobility.

"This..." Hesitating, Anna truthfully had difficulty refusing Ci Pu, who had been a great help to her over the years. If it weren’t for Ci Pu’s support, Marquis Sade would have used extreme measures to take possession of her long ago.

"Let him in," Lu Hong was not indifferent; he had Ana send people away because he had no other choice, and his gaze hadn’t left the courtyard for a moment, fearing that Anna might encounter difficulties from these nobles.

Aware of Marquis Ci Pu’s consideration for Anna and understanding her current predicament, Lu Hong finally spoke up. Relieved, Anna stepped aside and bowed, "Please."

Ci Pu smiled slightly, "Thank you."

Walking inside, Lu Hong was seated on the sofa, with two freshly brewed cups of tea set in front of him.

Without any reservation, Ci Pu walked directly opposite Lu Hong, sat down, drank some tea, and smiled, "This tea was actually originally gifted to Mistress Anna by me; I didn’t expect to be served with it myself."

"Small household, I don’t have the funds for extravagance, I ask for your understanding, Marquis," Lu Hong spoke lightly, then closed his mouth, not rushing to speak.

Ci Pu didn’t continue the small talk either. Seeing that Lu Hong remained quiet while drinking tea, he got straight to the point, "I am here to relay a message from Duke Nuoshan."

"Hm?" Lu Hong was visibly surprised. Relaying a message from Duke Nuoshan? Did Nuoshan not know his identity, or was this a warning?

At this point, Anna also entered the room; with Marquis Ci Pu clearing the way outside, there was no need to block the door.

Ci Pu looked at Anna, "You should sit as well." Clearly, Marquis Ci Pu was very aware of the relationship between Lu Hong and Anna and did not avoid discussing it.

"I wonder what message Duke Nuoshan wanted you to convey to me," Lu Hong asked curiously.

Marquis Ci Pu slightly smiled, "He hopes you can secure the championship seat."

Lu Hong almost thought he had misheard, "Could you repeat that?"

"He hopes you can win the championship of the Eagle Alliance’s contest, to coerce the alliance and prevent them from deploying troops for conquest," Marquis Ci Pu reiterated, continuing, "Duke Nuoshan does not wish to see the empire obliterated. ’Lips wither when teeth are cold.’ If the Sea Clan from the Continent of God’s Grace achieves unification, they will inevitably expand their influence towards the Star Sea. Whether the Eagle Alliance can withstand the invasion of the Sea Clan remains uncertain. Moreover, since the bloody expansion from Lei Shan, the alliance has rarely seen a period of peace. An invasion into the empire would also likely cause internal turmoil over territorial disputes, a consumption that Duke Nuoshan does not wish to see."

"Then why doesn’t he just stop it himself?" Lu Hong couldn’t understand Ci Pu’s implication. Nuoshan was an old-established duke within the Eagle Alliance with considerable influence, why would he need outsiders to handle this?

"Times have changed," Ci Pu shook his head. "Since the rise of Lei Shan and the expansion of the Xin Lei family, Duke Nuoshan often seems powerless in many decisions. He can’t oppose the pressure of the three other dukes. The Nuoshan family, though seeming a colossal entity, is also fragile. The Chen Hui family has long infiltrated them, and Lei Shan harbors ill-intentions as well. Thus, in meetings of the dukes, and given the vast alliance, what matters most is public opinion. Duke Nuoshan can only follow along, much like when unlocking the World of Great Light; if not for Duke Nuoshan meddling in secret, the other three dukes would have likely broken through and unleashed the so-called old demons long ago."

Lu Hong scratched his head, "I didn’t expect the illustrious Nuoshan family to be in such a pitiable situation."

"Yes, this is also why I turned to working behind the scenes. Duke Xin Lei has been eyeing me ever since he learned about my connections with Nuoshan and has made several assassination attempts, forcing me to hide," Ci Pu paused, then added, "Duke Nuoshan also promised, should you fulfill his request and succeed, he will surely protect your life. Baron Yitian understands righteousness well, I believe, you wouldn’t refuse this request, right?"

"Of course not," Lu Hong smiled, "Honestly, I risked participating in the Eagle Alliance’s contest to prevent an attack on the empire, coincidentally aligning with Duke Nuoshan’s intentions."

"This is good," Ci Pu nodded, then added, "At yesterday’s Duke meeting, Duke Xinlei issued an assassination order against you. I think Zun Long will be sent. Before the finals start, you must have the Holy Court protect you. Zun Long is extremely strong, you must be very careful."

Ci Pu offered a second option, "Or, after the ceremony, you can come with me, and I’ll help conceal your whereabouts. Hide until the finals begin, then you can participate safely and unharmed."

Lu Hong shook his head, "I’ll face the soldiers with soldiers and counter the flooding waters with earthen barriers. Zun Long is formidable, but I’m not a pushover."

Hearing this, Anna, who had remained silent, spoke discontentedly, "What are you thinking? Zun Long is a Third Transition Peak expert who has mastered the ultimate secret technique. You should really go with Marquis Ci Pu."

Lu Hong rubbed Anna’s head, "Zun Long wants to kill me, but I want to kill him too!" In saying so, his eyes emitted a cold murderous intent.

Ci Pu chuckled, "I wonder, Baron Yitian, what are your chances?"

"No chances, just a fight to the death," Lu Hong said. "Since Zun Long wants to kill me, then I’ll reside in a little shard beyond the Seven Floating Worlds. As long as I keep my strength at the Second Transition level, I fear nothing from him!"

Ci Pu greatly admired Lu Hong’s courage, "Baron Lord, who suppresses even the Snow Realm Emperor, indeed possesses quite some grace. Given so, I won’t say more and hope to hear good news from you."

"I hope so too."

Seeing Ci Pu about to take his leave, Lu Hong added, "Marquis, could you take Anna with you?"

Ci Pu nodded, "I can."

"I won’t go!" Anna quickly refused, "I want to stay with you!"

Lu Hong explained, "Listen, facing Zun Long, I must devote all my effort. If he resorts to despicable methods and uses you as a leverage, what should I do then?"

Anna wanted to argue but found herself speechless, especially since she had been unprepared and kidnapped by the Judgment Knights last time.

"Anna!" Ci Pu also helped persuade from the side, "Baron Yitian is right. If you stay, you will be his weakness. Duke Xinlei is not someone to trifled with, and Zun Long is ruthless and will stop at nothing to complete his mission. Therefore, you should come with me."

After their persuasion, Anna reluctantly nodded, "Alright then."

Following a tender farewell, Ci Pu played the role of a doorman for them.

Soon Anna, with flushed cheeks, walked out of the villa. Earl Ci Pu teased, "All lovey-dovey now?"

Blushing, Anna dare not respond and hastily climbed onto the carriage.

Lu Hong stood in front of the second-floor window, watching the two depart.

Suddenly, he spotted a figure hiding in the sky—Zun Long!

At that moment, Ci Pu had just boarded the carriage, and the group of guards beside him had not noticed anything unusual.

Zun Long looked at Lu Hong and then drifted over.

Lu Hong opened the window, allowing Zun Long to enter.

"You arrived pretty fast." Lu Hong grinned, his expression tight, ever vigilant against Zun Long’s sudden attack.

"Don’t worry," Zun Long, seeing Lu Hong’s wariness, laughed, "I haven’t planned to strike directly yet. It’s daylight, and if I can’t kill in one blow, the people from the Divine Academy might question me, and Duke Xinlei would blame me for incompetence."

"In that case, let’s set a time. I won’t hide. Let’s meet in the minor plane where the Lion Blood Group perished and await your arrival, shall we?"

"Oh?" Zun Long looked at Lu Hong with interest. "Worthy of being an Imperial Baron, you’ve got quite some courage. I agree."

As Zun Long spoke, he added to himself, "It’s rare to see Ci Pu, a shame not to kill him."

Hearing Zun Long’s intentions toward Anna and Ci Pu, Lu Hong quickly said, "If you kill them, I’ll hide in the Holy Court where you can’t touch me."

"Haha, just saying," Zun Long laughed, "Ci Pu is not my target, that’s the Second Apostolate’s task. I have no intention of helping him complete it." Turning, Zun Long left, "Remember, don’t forget our agreement. I really want to see what’s so special about the Heavenly God descended Baron."

Watching Zun Long’s retreating figure, Lu Hong clenched his fists tightly, "You’ll get a taste."