Volume 5 Chapter 28
by Need_More_SleepVolume 5 + Chapter 28: Rest Well
“Fox Emperor, something terrible has happened!” Bai Yang’s face was far from calm.
Such a situation was rare, even in their fox clan.
Naturally, it caught the Nine-Tailed Fox Emperor’s attention.
“Bai Yang, what is this terrible matter?”
“Fox Emperor, previously, did you not express a diplomatic intention toward the Dragon Kingdom?”
“Yes, I did. I sent envoys to the Dragon Kingdom to convey this intention.”
“The problem lies here, Fox Emperor,” Bai Yang said gravely. “Many of our citizens have come to know about it.”
“Hm?”
The Nine-Tailed Fox Emperor furrowed his brows.
“That’s impossible. I haven’t officially announced this to the public. How could it have spread?”
“This… I don’t know either.”
Bai Yang shook his head, looking bewildered.
The Nine-Tailed Fox Emperor felt a deep sense of unease. This was originally a decision within the fox clan’s upper echelons. Now, the entire Fox Hill knew about it. Could someone in the high ranks have deliberately leaked it?
“Bai Yang, continue.”
“Yes, Fox Emperor,” Bai Yang nodded. “After the news of the fox clan’s intent to establish diplomatic relations with the Dragon Kingdom spread, it caused a massive stir, provoking intense discussion and even extreme reactions.”
“What are they saying?”
The Nine-Tailed Fox Emperor was somewhat prepared for this.
After all, on this continent, no species fails to guard against dragons, a powerful and dangerous high-tier species.
“Some fanatical foxes claim that establishing relations with the dragons is an insult to the Fox God. Only those faithful to the Fox God may enter Fox Hill. The dragons themselves are not worthy of setting foot on this sacred ground.”
The emperor frowned slightly. This was too extreme.
Within Fox Hill, among the devout followers of the Fox God, there were always some radicals. These individuals were highly xenophobic, viewing other species as impure and corrupt, and sought to purify them all in the name of the Fox God.
Simply put, they wanted to… eliminate all non-fox species.
In reality, however, the fox clan had always maintained a policy of navigating between powers in the international community. By cooperating with other species while ensuring their own safety, they secured their long-standing influence.
If they followed such extreme strategies, making enemies everywhere, they would have long since perished.
Thus, the Nine-Tailed Fox Emperor had always secretly suppressed these fanatics.
Yet strangely, no matter how much he tried, the extreme voices within the fox clan never fully disappeared.
Whenever it seemed they had been eliminated, they would eventually resurface.
This naturally led the Nine-Tailed Fox Emperor to suspect that some hidden, unspeakable force might be secretly supporting their actions.
“What do these people intend to do?” the emperor asked.
“The extremists have already taken action. They are inciting the public everywhere, even fabricating false accounts, claims that the dragons once massacred the fox clan, for example. At the same time, they are forming illegal organizations, planning to attack as soon as the dragons enter Fox Hill,” Bai Yang reported.
The Nine-Tailed Fox Emperor fell into deep thought.
“Fox Emperor, how should we handle this?”
“Bai Yang, lead a unit to suppress these extremists. Do not let them influence the normal populace,” the emperor instructed. “These people clearly intend to manipulate the faith of the foxes and our caution toward the dragons to achieve hidden goals… They are extremely dangerous and cannot be allowed to act freely.”
“I understand, Fox Emperor. I will take men and handle these extremists.”
With this great swordsman leading the mission, these ragtag radicals would have no chance.
Among the fox clan, those who could defeat Bai Yang were either long gone or long retired.
This mission was trivial for him.
“However, Fox Emperor, I still have one question.”
“Speak, Bai Yang.”
“Fox Emperor, why do you want to initiate diplomatic contact with the dragons?”
“Is that strange?”
“Yes, very strange. We have always regarded the dragons as competitors, not partners. Moreover, many nations are wary of the dragons. If we become too closely involved, they will view us as their enemy as well.”
The Nine-Tailed Fox Emperor asked, “Bai Yang, do you feel that the stage for the future is gradually shifting to the younger generation?”
“…Indeed, I feel that way.” Bai Yang observed that young leaders were increasingly appearing on the international scene.
“The Silver Dragon Queen’s strength, you have seen it. Without exaggeration, neither I nor the other strong foxes could hope to defeat her in this lifetime,” the emperor said, pausing. “Thus, if we continue following the old policy, the fox clan’s future will not change much.”
“Cannot argue with that.”
Bai Yang had to admit that the Silver Dragon Queen’s power had far surpassed other high-tier kings.
“But the dragons are different. In recent years, they have changed drastically compared to centuries past. They are no longer confined to the north, they are spreading outward. The Crimson Empire is already under their control. How far can it be until the next nation falls?” The emperor’s expression turned serious. “The dragons are evolving rapidly, while we foxes remain in the old ways. If we do not adapt, we will inevitably be left behind. A massive transformation is quietly upon us, waiting for the right moment to erupt. If we act too late, it will be disastrous.”
“Fox Emperor, please forgive me. I am but a warrior, and I cannot fully grasp the implications. But if this is your deliberate decision, not a whim, I will support you,” Bai Yang said, bowing his head.
“In the future, the era of the fox clan will not be in my hands, it will belong to Yue Liu.”
“Princess Yue Liu?”
Bai Yang thought Yue Liu still had some flaws, but this statement made perfect sense.
She possessed the blood of the Nine-Tailed Fox, was the Fox God’s priestess, and had even activated half of the Fox God’s Eye.
Such talent far surpassed that of the previous Nine-Tailed Fox Emperor.
“Yue Liu is almost ready to inherit the throne. I think it could be passed to her at any time.”
The Nine-Tailed Fox Emperor chuckled, teasing himself.
“Sometimes I really feel exhausted. Maybe I should find an opportunity to take a long vacation… and rest properly.”
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