Chapter 994 - 992: Merging Two Cities
Chen Tianlong can’t have too many attachments; the more women around him, the more dangerous his situation becomes.
The next day at noon, after saying goodbye to the Five Elements Sect, Chen Tianlong led the crowd to the Ice Hall of Ice City, only to discover upon arrival that the Ice Hall and North City were preparing to merge.
"Ruxue, what’s going on?" Chen Tianlong asked, a little puzzled.
North City and the Ice Hall have always been at odds, and now they’re merging. It’s quite unbelievable.
"Haha, isn’t this all thanks to you? The two North City elders came over with troops a couple of days ago, asking for a merger, but I refused." Bing Ruxue said with a charming smile.
"What? You... refused?" Chen Tianlong was taken aback, a bit confused.
"Yes, managing such a large army as a woman, I don’t want to. Besides, they’re all men. It’d be inconvenient for us Ice Palace members to interact with them, wouldn’t it?" Bing Ruxue said with a slight blush.
"Haha, so that’s why. I don’t see it that way. Don’t the women in your Ice Hall get married or have children?" Chen Tianlong suddenly asked.
Upon hearing this, Bing Ruxue weakly said, "Do you mean you want them to fall in love?"
Chen Tianlong nodded and analyzed, "Actually, a strong army isn’t about having no thoughts. Everyone has their own value for survival. I agree, if your female soldiers don’t think about men, they might train harder and progress faster."
"But if they’re unhappy, burying themselves in training all day, it’s hard to make significant progress with such a repressed mindset. After all these years, isn’t your Ice Hall the same? How many people have reached the Celestial Dao? Even you’re just at the Tunnel level."
Chen Tianlong changed the subject: "I think the merger of your Ice Hall and North City is a great opportunity. A union through marriage will quickly establish friendly relations between the two cities. After the merger, the army will be stronger, and you won’t fear outside invasions."
"Ah? Oh, I see."
In fact, Bing Ruxue had this thought long ago, but due to the ancestral rules of the Ice Hall forbidding love among its disciples, she couldn’t act on it.
But she realized that she also fell in love with Chen Tianlong, didn’t she?
If even the Ice Hall Master can’t do it, how can she expect her subordinates to obey?
"Are you worried about the rules of the ancestors?" Chen Tianlong seemed to see through Bing Ruxue’s thoughts.
Bing Ruxue nodded, and Chen Tianlong chuckled bitterly, turning to spot the Matchmaker: "Matchmaker, let me ask you something. Was Meijia’s mother once a disciple of the Ice Hall?"
"Yes," the Matchmaker replied promptly.
"So, after she fell in love and had Meijia, did it affect her abilities?" Chen Tianlong continued to ask.
"It seems... not at all. She’s still one of our strongest elders in the Ice Hall, only below the former Hall Master," the Matchmaker recalled.
Having obtained the information he wanted, Chen Tianlong turned to Bing Ruxue beside him and said, "Ruxue, you heard that, right? Falling in love, getting married, having children, it doesn’t affect one’s abilities. Trust me, opening up the Ice Hall and forming a union with North City will allow the Ice Hall to go further."
Bing Ruxue nodded; she completely believed Chen Tianlong now. This man’s performance shocked her.
She had always been someone who admired strength, and Chen Tianlong was much stronger than her in both ability and power, so she genuinely liked him. Moreover, only Chen Tianlong could cure her illness, so if he was willing to marry her, nothing else mattered.
"Then let’s quickly send someone to form an alliance with North City. While I’m still here, I can help mediate things." Chen Tianlong, having command authority over North City, ultimately had the final say in these matters.
In fact, the two North City elders saw this point as well. Clearly, military authority had been handed over to Chen Tianlong, and in a sense, North City belonged to him now. If North City didn’t unite with the Ice Hall, even the Fang Family might not be safe.
"Well... Chen Tianlong, we’ll need your help, as the Fang Family listens to you." Bing Ruxue said with a wry smile.
"Alright, then let’s go together later and get things settled." Chen Tianlong agreed readily, given his current ability level was already at Celestial Dao two-star.
Despite some apprehension towards the two elder members of the Fang Family, Fang Yan was his mentor, and those two elders were Fang Yan’s brothers, so they likely wouldn’t act rashly.
After giving some instructions to Wu Mengting and the young lady, Chen Tianlong took Bing Ruxue directly to North City.
The North City messenger, upon receiving the news, rushed back to the city and informed Fang Wuji. At this time, Fang Yan was also at the Fang Family in North City. Hearing that Chen Tianlong was coming in person, he immediately walked out of the hall to greet him.
"Master, you’re still here?"
Chen Tianlong was overjoyed, thinking Fang Yan had returned to South Sea City, but he was still in Ice City.
"Of course, how could this old man leave before his disciple gives his respects?" Fang Yan still appeared stern, but the rare show of kindness made Chen Tianlong feel a warmth.
"Master, please accept my respects," Chen Tianlong said intentionally.
"Haha, enough of that. Let’s talk business." Fang Yan had anticipated Chen Tianlong’s visit; he’d informed the Ice Hall prior in hopes Chen Tianlong would come in person and take over North City.
The Fang Family wasn’t fit to wield military power, their ambitions too self-serving, not for the welfare of the people but personal gain.
Back when Fang Yan founded North City, it was to provide some benefits to the locals. Later, after a certain incident, he became disillusioned with life and handed over North City to his two brothers.
Over the years, he never imagined North City would turn out this way. Without prior notice, the Fang Family might have faced major trouble.
The emergence of the Thunderbolt Heroes signified that peace in the world was no more!
"Okay, today I’ve come to represent the Ice Hall in proposing a union with North City. What’s your opinion, Master?" Chen Tianlong asked respectfully.
"You’re asking me?" Fang Yan was taken aback and returned the question.
"Yes, Master, aren’t you the representative of North City?" Chen Tianlong scratched his head.
"No, no, I’m not the master of North City; don’t look to me." Fang Yan waved his hand, making it sound very convincing.
Chen Tianlong was perplexed. Didn’t Fang Yan say before that he had the final say in North City? Now he’s no longer in charge? Handed it to someone else?
"Then... then Master, who should I talk to?"
"How would I know? Whoever holds the Commander’s Seal, I guess. Truth be told, North City is controlled by the Fang Family army, and the army listens to whoever holds the military power. Whoever holds it is the boss of North City. Anyway, I don’t have it in my hand," Fang Yan said deliberately.
Hearing this, Chen Tianlong laughed bitterly, realizing his master was playing a game. All along, it meant he himself was the boss of North City.
"Master, stop joking around. It’s just a Commander’s Seal; I don’t even want it. It’s just because back then..."