Chapter 446
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Chapter 446: The Exiled State (1)
The mercenaries had no objections. Splitting up offered an additional escape route.
Protecting the Demon Kingdom princess was undoubtedly riskier, but it came with an added condition: taking the panda along.
The panda was conspicuous and couldn’t shapeshift. Dundun, being a martial officer, had the natural authority of a battlefield leader. Returning to the Bai Ze Kingdom would enable him to fulfill his potential on the frontlines.
At first, the panda vehemently disagreed. But after exchanging a look with Bai Wei, it seemed to reconsider and agreed without further fuss.
Chao Lu struggled to part with the silly panda. They had depended on each other for months. She coaxed and ordered him around like a mother tending to a mischievous kitten.
Before dawn the next day, the group dispersed. The mercenaries deliberately left obvious traces for the black fox scouts to follow, drawing attention away.
Bai Wei and Chao Lu waited until noon the next day. After observing three groups of scouts pass by, they finally left the forest, taking a detour toward Liu State.
“Why are we heading to the Yaozu Imperial Court?” Chao Lu asked.
“If anyone can save your Bai Ze Kingdom, it would be the Third Princess, the rightful heir to the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom,” Bai Wei replied calmly.
The Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom was fractured, resembling the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods of human history. Lord Qiongqi and the Xiangliu family held great power, but not all vassal states had succumbed to their domination.
Much like the powerful states of ancient times, these vassals were not immediately destroyed. However, their long-standing strength concealed deep-rooted problems.
In human history, the Great Qin Empire unified six states in just ten years, sweeping across the Warring States like a storm. Before that, the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods spanned over two centuries. Even so, the Zhou Dynasty, though weakened, retained its legitimacy until the very end.
The Demon Emperor of the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom left behind the Third Princess and a young heir. However, the child’s prospects of inheriting the throne were slim. All eyes were on the Third Princess.
In this fragmented era, whoever allied with the Third Princess could integrate the bloodline of the Demon Emperor, gain legitimacy, and consolidate power to seize the throne.
The difference lay in the importance of bloodlines in the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom. Unlike humans, where princesses were undervalued, the Third Princess held a revered status. Unless a vassal successfully unified the realm, none would dare mimic Dong Zhuo’s audacious seizure of power.
Chao Lu, a citizen of the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom, understood Bai Wei’s point.
She herself was a princess, though her status could not compare to that of the Third Princess.
“But the Third Princess is in the Demon Kingdom Court, deep in the heart of the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom. To reach her, we’d have to cross Liu State and navigate Lord Ba Xia’s territory. Ba Xia and Lord Qiongqi are allies. Even with nine thousand armored soldiers in the imperial court, they cannot come to Bai Ze Kingdom’s aid,” she reasoned.
Bai Wei acknowledged her concerns but remained resolute. “Militarily, you’re correct. But politically, there might be an opening.”
Chao Lu sighed bitterly. “The war is already underway. Politics can’t change that. The fight must be finished first.”
“And yet, after fighting for so long, what have we accomplished?” Bai Wei countered, silencing her momentarily.
He elaborated, “Bai Ze Kingdom is small and weak, and though it shouldn’t survive the winter, it has endured for five more years. Lord Qiongqi has invested vast military resources and still cannot claim victory. It’s almost comical.”
Bai Wei’s voice grew more serious. “Conquering is one thing. Governing is another. Rebuilding cities, attracting merchants, and re-establishing trade takes time and resources. Even Lord Qiongqi’s subordinates cannot wait forever. Prolonged wars drain morale and disrupt plans. History is filled with examples where stalled blitzkriegs led to ruin.”
Chao Lu began to see the strategy behind his reasoning. “So, you think we can force Lord Qiongqi into retreat through political maneuvering?”
“Not just the two of us,” Bai Wei admitted. “But with the Third Princess…perhaps.”
As they traveled, Bai Wei shifted the conversation. “How long can you live, Chao Lu?”
She blinked, amused. “Bai Ze are rare and mystical creatures. Maybe ten thousand years… if I’m lucky.”
“And the others?”
“Many perished in battle or disappeared in the Great Wilderness,” she said softly.
Her tone turned somber as she added, “We don’t age physically, but our souls grow weary. That’s why, when we meet the right person, we long for children. It’s a small comfort against the loneliness of eternity.”
Bai Wei was struck by her
vulnerability but couldn’t find
the words to respond.
Their journey brought them to
a guarded mountain pass.
From a distance, they saw a
caravan stopped for
inspection. The demon
soldiers, opportunistic as ever,
used the guise of duty to
extort bribes.
Suddenly, the scene shifted. A
servant boy was unmasked,
revealing a red-scaled snake
girl beneath the dirt and
headscarf.
Chao Lu’s voice was tinged
with recognition. “She’s from
the snake girl clan.”
Bai Wei scowled. “Slavery
again… It seems history
repeats itself no matter how
often it’s uprooted.”
Without hesitation, he
tightened his grip on the reins.
“Let’s go.”
