"Compensation? And how do you plan to compensate?" Ning Rongrong asked with interest. After so long with Tianlin, she too had learned to enjoy squeezing benefits.
Ning Fengzhi actually had other goals today, but extra rewards were always welcome.
"For the economic losses your sect suffered this past year, the Heaven Dou Empire will repay double. For the emotional harm to Miss Shui Bing'er, I'll offer two ten-thousand-year soul bones as compensation." Xue Beng was going all out—money was one thing, but when he proposed to Shui Bing'er before, the betrothal gift was only one soul bone; now he was offering two.
"Very well, since the Crown Prince is so sincere, the matter is settled. Sect Leader, Rongrong, my anger is gone—thank you for standing up for me," Shui Bing'er said, knowing when to stop. The compensation was generous, and today Ning Fengzhi had bigger business to attend to.
Ning Fengzhi looked at Shui Bing'er with approval—polite, measured, knowing when to quit. No wonder Tianlin and Old Yang liked her so much.
"Fine, it's your personal matter—you decide," Ning Fengzhi said. "Now, let's talk business. I hear you plan to move the capital?"
The four were shocked. Only a handful knew about the plan to move the capital. How did Ning Fengzhi know?
Ning Fengzhi looked at them. "Don't take others for fools. You know very well—even if our sect helps, we can't hold out for long."
"Let me be blunt. The empire will never truly trust our sect, and likewise, we will never truly trust your empire. So, we will always prioritize preserving our own strength. If we fight the Spirit Empire to mutual exhaustion, what if you seize the opportunity to finish us off?"
"Therefore, we will never go all out. Self-preservation is most important, and with our current strength, we can easily do that."
"I know your real plan: you need time. First, to train more hidden weapon troops to counter the Spirit Empire's soul master army. Second, to wait for Star Luo's pincer attack. So you need to avoid the Spirit Empire's assault and moving the capital is your only option."
Ning Fengzhi was uncharacteristically direct, laying everything bare. Xue Beng had no rebuttal—any denial was pointless. Ning Fengzhi was telling the truth. If both sides exhausted themselves, the empire would swoop in.
"Damn, this guy is sharp—he's figured out our whole plan," Xue Beng thought bitterly. Negotiating when the other side knows your secrets is always a disadvantage.
"Since you already know, I won't hide it. You're right—we need time, and only your sect can buy it for us. I understand your concerns and can accept them. All I ask is that you hold out for six months. Any conditions, name them," Xue Beng said.
Ning Fengzhi smiled. This was what he'd been waiting for. "Very well, Your Highness is straightforward. Here are my conditions: Although we are strong, we have only six thousand soul masters, all up in the mountains. How can we defend against outside threats?"
"So, I have three conditions. First, since you're moving the capital, leave Heaven Dou City to us as our base. Second, when you leave, don't take anything—from the national treasury to the commoners, not a coin. War needs resources. Third, leave us three hundred thousand troops. We can't rely on just six thousand soul masters for war."
"If you can do this, I guarantee—even for a year, the Spirit Empire won't advance another step."
After hearing Ning Fengzhi's conditions, Xue Beng fell into deep thought. He understood all three. He could accept the first two—no city, no resources, no troops, how could the sect fight?
Losing the capital was humiliating, but the bigger picture mattered. As long as they defeated the Spirit Empire later, face could be restored.
But the last condition—three hundred thousand troops! The empire had a million soldiers, had lost three hundred thousand at Jialing Pass, and only had seven hundred thousand left. Giving up another three hundred thousand would leave only four hundred thousand, not knowing how many the sect would lose. If all were lost, even if they defeated the Spirit Empire, Star Luo would swallow them up.
"Hehe, don't worry, Your Highness—I won't let the three hundred thousand soldiers die needlessly. And after we defeat the Spirit Empire, my sect will help deal with Star Luo too. After all, as a sect, a divided continent is better for survival than a unified one, isn't it?" Seeing Xue Beng's hesitation, Ning Fengzhi laughed.
"Fine, I can agree. But I won't hand over command of the three hundred thousand directly. I'll have Marshal Ge Long's deputy help you defend the city. He'll obey your orders during the defense and won't interfere with your decisions," Xue Beng said, unwilling to hand over full military command.
"That's fine. He can be deputy, but I'll appoint the commander," Ning Fengzhi said indifferently. Once the command token was in the sect's hands, it hardly mattered.
If necessary, Tianlin could use temporary mind control to make the marshal hand over command.
If not for the high cost of Tianlin's ultimate mind control—draining spiritual power beyond recovery—Ning Fengzhi might have just suggested controlling Xue Beng and taking over the empire.
But now, with the Evil Sword Immortal lurking, nothing could be done that might weaken Tianlin.
Tianlin had only used this move twice—once on Lofchy from Balak Academy, not knowing the price, and once on Hu Liena to save his family during a soul hunt.
Now, it couldn't be used lightly. A single misstep could doom the continent.
Besides, there was actually another way to control the empire...