269: Discuss matters, send a million troops, and ask the Marquis of Shenwei to hand over the people

His voice was not loud, but it exerted immense pressure, making it difficult for anyone to ignore.

The figure on the throne was the Barbarian God's Son, chosen not by the Barbarian Emperor but by the Barbarian God Tower.

The God's Son was second only to the Barbarian Emperor in the Barbarian race; if the Barbarian Emperor was absent, the God's Son could wield the Barbarian race's power in his stead.

The current Barbarian Emperor had been in seclusion for eight hundred years, his life or death unknown.

Currently, the Barbarian race's power was held by three parties.

The God's Son, the Grand Tutor, and the North Courtyard Great King.

The God's Son represented the Barbarian God Tower.

The Grand Tutor represented the Barbarian nobility.

The North Courtyard Great King was the highest military official on the Barbarian frontier, possessing the authority to command the border armies, effectively the Grand Marshal of the forces.

Essentially all major decisions were made by these three.

As the God's Son's words fell, various sounds in the hall rose and fell.

They had already learned of the Barbarian army's complete annihilation; the Ninth Prince and the veteran general Wanyan Jinguda had all fallen into the Marquis Shenwei's hands.

In this battle, the Barbarian race suffered heavy losses, almost a complete defeat.

"The hidden agents we've spent vast resources establishing in the Great Chu border regions over the years have basically been wiped out by Marquis Shenwei in one go. It will be difficult to enter Great Chu territory again in the future!" an Elder in a dark silver robe said with a somber voice.

The Great Chu Dynasty was currently plagued by internal and external troubles, and the Barren State's defense line was difficult to breach, so they had supported many pro-Barbarian factions within its borders to stir up chaos.

They were not the only Barbarian race doing this.

They specifically supported weaker marquises and kings, making them easier to control in the future.

Even many ants can bite an elephant.

What they were doing was accumulating a process of qualitative change.

Having Great Chu self-destruct, with internal conflicts erupting everywhere, was the most perfect state, allowing their Barbarian race to profit from the chaos.

Now, trying to open up new routes would cost several times more, and success was not guaranteed. They were still in a high-pressure phase, and no one would risk it.

Moreover, the soldiers under Marquis Shenwei were too difficult to pry information from; each one was an iron rooster, impervious to their tactics. They had finally managed to gain influence with a dozen Advanced generals, only for almost all of them to be captured.

"Intelligence states that a man named Chu Jiang single-handedly slaughtered almost all of the Barbarian elite. If it weren't for him, this mission should have been a Perfection success!"

A general spoke.

"Chu Jiang, what is his background? When did such a Heaven-Defying individual appear in the Twelve Passes of the Barren State?"

A Barbarian strongman asked. Many people heard this name for the first time and had no idea of his identity.

After all, throughout the Western Seven Provinces, the people worth their attention were all at the Twelve Passes; as for the rear, there were hardly any strongmen of note.

"Chu Jiang rose rapidly, becoming the Yun Province Pacification Commissioner in less than half a year. He was highly valued by the Chu Emperor and was conferred the title of Marquis Wuan before supposedly perishing in a Secret Realm. Now it seems he was merely trapped!"

"Furthermore, this man is decisive in killing, and extremely brutal. Those who become his enemies almost certainly become ghosts under his blade."

"One of our pawns, the Zhennan Royal Family, was destroyed by him!"

Someone briefly summarized Chu Jiang's personal information.

"I propose sending an army of a million to demand that Marquis Shenwei hand over the Ninth Prince. The Barbarian Emperors Son must not be humiliated!"

"And that beast Chu Jiang must be handed over to our Barbarian race for judgment, otherwise, after we break through the pass, not even a chicken or dog will be left!"

A purple-robed Elder said sharply, his eyes not concealing his killing intent.

Upon hearing this, some agreed, while others remained silent.

The purple-robed Elder was named Wanyan Zhenguda, one of the Clan Chiefs of the major aristocratic families of the Golden Tent Royal Court and a member of the Barbarian Elder Council.

His strong reaction was naturally not for the Barbarian Emperors Son, but for Wanyan Jinguda.

Wanyan Tieguda, Wanyan Yin Guda, and Wanyan Jinguda, his three sons, had all fallen into Chu Jiang's hands.

Naturally, he hated him to the bone.

Saving the Barbarian Emperors Son was the pretense; saving Wanyan Jinguda as well was the reality.

"Grand Tutor, what do you think?"

The God's Son on the throne suddenly looked at the Grand Tutor Sun Gongbao and spoke slowly.

After a moment of silence, Sun Gongbao said, "Elder Zhenguda's proposal is not without reason. The Barbarian Emperors Son must not be humiliated!"

"I propose sending an army of a million to Zhen Gui Pass, demanding that Marquis Shenwei hand over the people!"

As Sun Gongbao's words came out, the entire hall fell silent.

"Hmm?"

Wanyan Zhenguda's eyes widened. He had just spoken out of anger; he knew very well that now was not the time to show their hand to Marquis Shenwei.

"Grand Tutor, isn't this somewhat inappropriate!"

Someone cautiously inquired.

Sending an army of a million to Zhen Gui Pass was no small matter.

Moreover, given Marquis Shenwei's character, let alone a million, even two million or three million would likely not make him hand over the people.

As for the Barbarian Emperors Son must not be humiliated, that was just an empty phrase; several Barbarian Emperors Sons had died in battle over the past thousand years.

"Our Barbarian race is valiant and skilled in battle, boundless in courage. How could we fear his Marquis Shenwei!"

Sun Gongbao continued, still adhering to his view.

Everyone was puzzled as to why the usually steady and prudent Grand Tutor was more aggressive than the military officials.

But they dared not refute his words.

"Since the Grand Tutor has spoken..."

"Issue the Barbarian Emperor's order: Request the North Courtyard Great King to dispatch an army of a million to Zhen Gui Pass, demanding that Marquis Shenwei hand over the Barbarian Emperors Son and Chu Jiang, otherwise, a full-scale war will commence!"

The God's Son rose, scanning the crowd, and no one dared to meet his gaze.

"Yes!"

With two of the three giants having spoken, no one would object.

"The Elder Council will send five Elders to assist the North Courtyard Great King in completing this mission!"

Sun Gongbao said.

Everyone was startled again.

The border army commanded by the North Courtyard Great King already had five Heaven and Earth Realm experts, and adding five Elders from the Elder Council would make a total of eleven Heaven and Earth Realm strongmen. Was this to ignite a full-scale war?

"Grand Tutor, I volunteer to fight!"

Wanyan Zhenguda, seeing that the two giants were serious, immediately volunteered.

He wanted to tear Chu Jiang apart to avenge his three sons.

"You may!"

Sun Gongbao said faintly.

The following period was spent discussing the details of the great battle, and a heavy atmosphere permeated the entire hall.

No one expected such a large-scale war to be decided in just a few words, with specific matters still being discussed.

Was the Barbarian race ready for a full-scale war?

After all, Marquis Shenwei was no pushover. His combat strength was definitely among the top three of the Seven Marquis of the Borderlands.

As time passed, everyone dispersed.

Only the Grand Tutor Sun Gongbao and the God's Son remained in the great hall.

"This probing mission is real, not a full-scale war with Marquis Shenwei. We need to make him feel our pressure and attract his attention!"

The God's Son said slowly.

He certainly wouldn't go to full-scale war with Marquis Shenwei for the so-called Barbarian Emperors Son; this was merely a pretext.

To keep Marquis Shenwei's energy focused on Zhen Gui Pass for a short period, leaving him no time for other concerns.

Only then could their plan to open the Demon Ancient Road be successfully implemented.

Therefore, only by making a pretense real could they deceive people's minds.

Moreover, there were also Marquis Shenwei's hidden agents within the Barbarian race, and information was not impenetrable. An announcement today might appear on Marquis Shenwei's desk the next day.

The Barbarian race could open up border passages.

Marquis Shenwei could also bribe the Barbarian race; both sides had hidden agents in their respective camps.

"North Courtyard Great King, I have already spoken with him, and he knows the appropriate measure!"

Sun Gongbao said.

"As for the infants to be used for the sacrifice, use the descendants of those criminals. We cannot delay any longer!"

The God's Son said in a deep voice.

Since the Great Chu side failed, they could only seek other methods.

Sun Gongbao understood that relying solely on the descendants of those criminals would not be enough to gather the hundred thousand infants required for the sacrifice.

They could only expand the scope of criminals, including those on the fringes.

"All sacrifices are for the future of the Barbarian race. As descendants of criminals, they should dedicate themselves to the Barbarian race!"

"This is also atonement!"

The God's Son said again.

"When Great Chu is conquered someday, we will use the lives of those two-legged sheep to honor their spirits in heaven!"

Sun Gongbao nodded and then left the great hall.