NOVEL NEXT Chapter 14: Son of the Era (3)_2
"Abandon the sanctions against Giant Snake City and maintain trade with it, which means we need to withstand pressure from within the Blood Clan. This is not without cost. You can't exchange a vague promise for a concrete result that requires sacrifice. To be honest, even if you don't want to seek any benefits from us, we must eliminate the threat brought by Giant Snake City. So, this suggestion is very appropriate, good for both parties, and avoids unnecessary casualties. Of course, if casualties are unavoidable, hehe, then they are unavoidable."
...
*Is it possible?*
*Military power? Where does Giant Snake City get its military power? Will the Liches obediently follow the arrangements of the Elder Council?*
*Clearly, it is impossible.*
*Even if this impossibility is excluded, if the military power is really handed over and the Elder Council goes back on its word, what bargaining power would Jones have at that time?*
*Even if the Elder Council strictly fulfills its promise and does not go back on it, then after establishing the policy of Blood Clan superiority over other races, is Jones's dream still the original dream?*
*Throughout the negotiation process, Jones had only one feeling—it's impossible to negotiate.*
*According to the initial idea, allowing Jones to continue enjoying the rights as a Blood Clan member, without stripping these rights, without prohibiting trade and contact, this should have been an unquestionable thing. But the Blood Clan Elders obviously don't think so; they take this as a bargaining chip.*
*Were they wrong?*
*Maybe, but also perhaps, they just see things more thoroughly than other Blood Clan members.*
*If Giant Snake City is allowed to develop, it will eventually possess strength surpassing the entire Blood Clan. Especially as Giant Snake City develops rapidly and the Blood Clan gradually declines.*
...
*Standing on the balcony watching the Blood Clan princes head towards the Blood Fortress, and again standing on the balcony watching Jones return.*
Three carriages moved nonstop, directly back to the castle.
Entering the castle and closing the doors of the reception room, Jones briefly explained the content of the negotiation to others, focusing on the attitude of the Elder Council.
"So, we have to go to war, right?" Adelle's face was full of horror.
Not just him, Belle, Dora, and Goya were the same.
*It has to be said, these days in the High Court, any piece of news could bring earth-shaking changes; the distance between Heaven and Hell is too close.*
"It can't be called a full-scale war," Jones took a deep breath and said, "But at the most conservative, mutual probing is inevitable. No one will forsake what they believe in; negotiations can no longer solve the problem."
...
Inside the Blood Fortress Hall.
Jones had already left, but the Elders were still sitting in their original positions. The Blood Clan member claiming to be Jones's great-grandfather still stood quietly by the side of the three Elders.
The entire hall was silent.
"Do you think he will compromise?" Elder Adrian lazily asked, leaning against the armrest.
"No, my descendant looks very stubborn," Elder Felix answered with a smile, "He is still too young. Both he and his adoptive father have had too smooth a path. They need to endure some hardships."
"So, now he will definitely return to Giant Snake City immediately and then prepare for war. A war is already inevitable."
"Very good, the Blood Clan hasn't fought for many years; it's time for some training. Moreover, this is also an opportunity to verify each other's strengths. Putting the strength on the table means no need for negotiation entanglements. I like it. If we can absorb this part of the power, our Blood Clan can also have the strength to bargain with Heaven and Hell. Isn't this what we have always dreamed of? Such power, in the hands of a child, is too much of a waste. Going to pursue some justice dream, hehe. If he is really strong enough, then verifying through a war isn't necessarily a bad thing."
Elder Bartholomew quietly sat without saying a word.
The fire in the fire pit crackled, casting his extremely grim silhouette.
...
"So what are you planning to do?" Adelle asked.
"Prepare for war, there is no other choice." Jones took out the Nine-petal Snake Flower badge hidden on him, lightly pressed the inconspicuous button on it. Soon, the Nine-petal Snake Flower badge emitted a faint glow.
...
"What is that?" Tiris, standing on her balcony, saw a huge, twisted shadow above Jones's castle from afar.
"It's the space portal. It must be Jones; he opened the space portal," Isido said blankly.
Equally shocked were countless people in the High Court, for except for the back of High Court Mountain, the phenomenon was clearly visible in most areas.
...
Just as Jones had once said, a minute later, a space portal opened in front of them.
Turning his face, Jones looked at Adelle and Belle, and asked, "Will you go with me?"
After hesitating slightly, Belle gritted his teeth, took steps to Jones's side, then looked back at Adelle.
"Of course, we are brothers, and I have long had no way out, right?" Adelle shook his head helplessly and took steps.
*It was too exciting, just a few days. Within a few days, he experienced:* *"Everyone came to beg him"* — *"Among strife betrayal almost got arrested"* — *"The family promised him the prince position"* — *"Escaping the High Court to prepare for war."*
*The Blood Clan has hearts, after all. A little carelessness, likely to get heart disease.*
*The most crucial thing is, the Blood Clan below the clouds know nothing about the Elders above the clouds. Really know nothing about what they think at all. This led to constant guessing, and constant wrong guessing, repeatedly.*
Taking a deep breath, Jones finally looked at the High Court through the balcony one last time, then turned and stepped into the space portal.
...
"He has left, let's start preparing," Elder Bartholomew said tiredly, half-squinting his eyes, "Mobilize all troops... Do we still have troops? Seems like only the zombie army left. Mobilize the forces of each family. Inform them, a war with Giant Snake City is imminent. Absolutely cannot be careless; these Liches have very rich combat experience. Even if our strength is greater, one careless move, we could also be defeated. Also, all Elders must participate in the war. Without Elders participating, it is impossible to suppress these Liches."
The Elders present each bowed slightly and saluted.
...
Stepping out of the space portal, the first thing Jones saw was the barrel.
The dwarf, drunk with flushed cheeks, asked hazily, "Didn't they say the negotiation made progress? Why suddenly returned? What happened?"
"Negotiation broke down, prepare for war." Jones said bluntly, passing by.
The barrel instantly became sober, scared awake.
Soon, the sound of horns echoed throughout Giant Snake City, waking everyone up.
...
In late January of the fourth year of Silver Moon, due to the opposition of numerous Blood Clan Lords, the newly emerging Giant Snake City Lord, Hydra Jones, was invited to the High Court to attend a trade hearing.
Some fawned, some condemned. Amid the bustling voices, the hearing ultimately evolved into foreign negotiations, and foreign negotiations finally broke down.
A war of uncertain intensity was about to erupt.
Only a day later, the news spread throughout the Kolin Peninsula. The usually dormant Bloodline Elder Council mobilized the entire Blood Clan's war resources, which nobody expected.
Most of the Blood Clan, probably until the moment they stepped onto the battlefield, would not know the real reason for the war.
Undoubtedly, this war will determine the future direction of the entire Blood Clan. And, though the leaders of both sides are Blood Clan, this is no longer just an internal conflict within the Blood Clan.