Chapter 1254 - Intractable
“Currently, there are two different voices within the Dou Spirit Empire’s army. One of them is of the same view as I’ve just told you. The other one proposes to perish together with the federal army. Of course, there’s another weaker voice which proposes to peacefully talk this out. Actually, if the Dou Spirit Empire wasn’t a monarchy, a majority of them would want to surrender. They know about the difference between the Douluo Federation and themselves very well. This substantial gap can’t be made up by superficial elements.”
Tang Wulin had a slight frown. “How’s the relationship between the Tang Sect and the royal family?”
Li Yunzhe glanced at Tang Wulin. “We’re the largest supplier of weapons to the Dou Spirit Empire. Practically all the high-end weapons they have been bought from us. However, to prevent the acceleration of Dou Spirit Empire’s technological advancement which will quickly deplete the available resources, we have been dealing with them conservatively and rhythmically over the past few thousand years. So although we’re held in high regard in the Dou Spirit Empire, the royal family is actually still slightly dissatisfied with us. They have high hopes for your visit this time. They hope to obtain enough weapons to fight against the Douluo Federation. Hence, it’s a simple task of us handing over the weapons for them. However, it’ll be slightly difficult to prevent this war from happening.”
Tang Wulin nodded. “I understand. Is there a place called Spirit Wave City near Heaven Dou City?”
“Yes, it’s a small city.” Li Yunzhe looked at Tang Wulin with shock. He was puzzled by the fact that Tang Wulin would be focusing on a city like Spirit Wave City.
“Then let’s head to the Spirit Wave City first,” Tang Wulin said determinedly.
Li Yunzhe frowned. He could not refrain himself from asking, “What for?! The royal family of the Dou Spirit Empire has been notified of your visit. Shouldn’t we communicate with them first?”
Tang Wulin shook his head, “No, let’s head to Spirit Wave City first.”
Li Yunzhe tightly knitted his brows. He wanted to say something, but he held his tongue back in the end. He instructed the driver in front. “Head to Spirit Wave City.”
The atmosphere was slightly awkward. Li Yunzhe looked at Tang Wulin. He thought about it and finally asked, “Sect Master, can you tell me the reason as to why you want to go to Spirit Wave City? Are we going to ignore the royal family?”
Tang Wulin replied, “I have something to attend to in Spirit Wave City. Besides, I didn’t know that we were supposed to meet the royal family right away. Let them wait.”
Naturally, Li Yunzhe could sense Tang Wulin’s dissatisfaction with the itinerary which he had planned without consulting him. However, Li Yunzhe’s heart was filled with scorn. ‘A big temper for such a young man!’
Tang Wulin faintly smiled. “Sometimes, waiting for someone can really be torturing. Don’t you think so, Hall Master Li?”
Li Yunzhe said solemnly, “Sect Master, I don’t think we should do this given the circumstances. If you insist on doing this and we find ourselves in the bad books of the Dou Spirit Empire, it’ll make our future endeavors very difficult.”
Tang Wulin said, “I don’t think we’re the anxious ones here. You’ve said that Dou Spirit Empire is a monarchy. The greatest worry for a monarchy is for its legacy to end. Hence, they won’t compromise with the federation no matter what. They need us way more than the Star Luo Empire needs us. Which also means that they’re the ones who are asking us for help. Why should we be in a hurry? Let them wait.”
Li Yunzhe deeply looked at Tang Wulin and did not say another word. He instead cast his gaze outside the window to display his dissatisfaction. However, he did not oppose Tang Wulin’s plan.
Tang Wulin naturally had selfish reasons to go to Spirit Wave City. Rescuing his parents was too important for him, and making the Dou Spirit Empire’s royal family wait was also a part of his initial plan. If they wanted to gain sufficient advantage in the negotiation, the first thing they had to do was to gain leverage. Before the Dou Spirit and Star Luo Empires, Tang Sect could not appear hasty. Otherwise, there would be no room for negotiation.
The car fell silent again. Tang Wulin shut his eyes to rest his spirits. He stopped looking at the scenery outside. He did not know why, but something about the Dou Spirit Empire gave him a nostalgic feeling. It was as if something familiar was lingering around him and this familiarity felt very kind.
‘Father, mother, is this the feeling that you’re giving me?’
Spirit Wave City was only less than a hundred kilometers away from Dou Spirit Empire’s capital, the Heaven Dou City. Four hours later, they arrived in the city.
Spirit Wave City was filled with antique-styled buildings as far as the eye could see and was relatively simpler. From the style of the architecture, it was noticeable that the style here was similar to Douluo Continent’s Heaven Dou City. It was clear that they shared the same roots.
Spirit Wave City had its own city walls, a feature which Tang Wulin found strange. Practically every city in the Douluo Federation had forgone the concept of city walls. They were something that could only be found in ancient manuscripts. He did not expect to see them in the Dou Spirit Empire.
It was evident from this point that the Dou Spirit Empire liked Douluo Continent’s traditions very much. There were even buildings built with the same architectural style as the ancient Douluo Continent’s buildings.
Spirit Wave City was a small city after all. Tall buildings were a rare sight and the average building was no taller than six stories. However, the streets were very clean and refreshing. It made them feel as if they had traveled back in time to an ancient Douluo Continent.
‘What a small and beautiful city! How can such a city be trampled by war? Father, mother, are you here?’
When he thought about this, Tang Wulin asked Li Yunzhe who was sitting at his side, “Hall Master Li, can you arrange for some accommodation close to the Spirit Pagoda? I have something to attend to.” He and Li Yunzhe had not talked throughout the journey after their little exchange.
“You want to stay near Spirit Pagoda?” Li Yunzhe frowned.
He was already unhappy that Tang Wulin had insisted on coming to Spirit Wave City first. After all, he had made an appointment with Douluo Empire’s royal family. When Tang Wulin said that he wanted to stay near Spirit Pagoda, he could not take it anymore.
“Sect Master, we have a delicate relationship with Spirit Pagoda. I don’t think it’s appropriate for us to do so.” He wore an extremely sour expression when he said this.
Tang Wulin replied, “I’ll conceal my identity. I’ll have to trouble Hall Master Li to get this arranged.”
Li Yunzhe was silent for a while. “Alright.” He had held his tongue in the end. As the person in charge of Tang Sect’s Dou Spirit Empire Branch, it was the least he could do.
“Sect Master, do you know that Spirit Pagoda is most likely involved in the attack on our headquarters in which Shrek City was also destroyed? Spirit Pagoda is our enemy!” Li Yunzhe could bear it, but that did not mean that his subordinates could bear it. A middle-aged man could not refrain himself from interjecting.
Tang Wulin turned to look at him. “Of course! I’m aware of all of this.”
The middle-aged man responded. “And you still want to stay near Spirit Pagoda? Spirit Pagoda has a formidable force at their disposal and Spirit Wave City is their territory. Don’t you see how much that’ll affect our plans if we’re found out? Shrek Academy has been destroyed, so has our headquarters and you want to stay close to them. Don’t tell me you wish to discuss a partnership with them? Even if it’s for Shrek Academy, I don’t think I can give them an explanation!”
“Oh? You’re from Shrek Academy as well?” Tang Wulin was intrigued.
“That’s right. I graduated from Shrek Academy’s inner court and joined Tang Sect before I came to Dou Spirit Continent,” the middle-aged man proudly said. It was clear that he took great pride in his identity as a Shrek Academy’s inner court disciple.
“If that’s the case, do you have any idea about who you’re talking to?” Xie Xie casually said. He was seated behind Tang Wulin.
The middle-aged man turned to look at him. “Brat, what do you mean?”
Xie Xie sighed. “I don’t think anybody follows the academy’s rules anymore. I see that you’re not one to keep the academy’s rules after your graduation.”
“What did you say?” the middle-aged man was immediately enraged. “You dare mock me?!”
Xie Xie stood up and leaned against Tang Wulin’s seat as he drily said, “How have I mocked you? I’m also from Shrek Academy. The only difference is that I’m a member of the current Shrek Seven Monsters. At the same time, I’m also a member of the Sea God Pavilion. I wonder if your actions toward me just now can be regarded as disrespecting higher-ranking personnel.”
The middle-aged man was stunned. He had a Soul Douluo’s cultivation base. He incredulously looked at Xie Xie. “You’re a Sea God Pavilion’s resident elder? The academy has really…” Although he did not finish his sentence, the meaning in his words was obvious. He clearly meant wanted to say something along the lines of, ‘Has the academy fallen to such a state that someone like you can become a resident elder?’
Xie Xie was indignant. He turned to look at Tang Wulin. “Big brother, the academy is truly done for! Look at this, he has the gall to speak like this in your face. How’re we supposed to gather the academy’s graduates in the future. It seems that rebuilding the academy will be an arduous task with a long road!”