Chapter 120 The 9 Tripods of the Imperial Capital

Nine Gods Empire, Imperial Capital...

Jiuding City, the pinnacle of human achievement, was crafted by the Supreme Saint and eight sages. It symbolizes the ultimate city and once served as the center of the continent.

Of course, Jiuding City remains the number one city on land. Alongside Datura Empire's Sky City and the Sea Clan's Golden City, it is known as one of the Three Great Cities of the Nine Heavens World. It is also the military and economic hub of the Nine Gods Empire.

Contrary to the Holy Sanctuary's portrayal of brutality and chaos, this place is prosperous, powerful, and stable. Merchants from all over the Nine Heavens World flock here, including members of the League of Blades, various sea clans, beast clans, and rare races. The market is filled with exotic goods and powerful beasts, showcasing the empire's strength and prosperity.

The Nine Gods Empire maintains slavery, but as long as one adheres to the empire's laws, personal property and interests are maximally protected. It is a world of survival of the fittest, yet order prevails.

Back then, the Nine Gods Empire was just a step away from unifying the Nine Heavens. Despite the formidable appearance of the League of Blades, there were not many capable fighters. The Holy Sanctuary and the Eight Legions were determined to fight to the death, and the Sea Clan's involvement only prolonged the war into an endless quagmire.

The rebellion of the Frey Clan in the empire's far north and the power struggles among princes within the empire were the catalysts for the peace agreement.

The far north is a crucial soul crystal production area for the Nine Gods Empire, and the Frey Clan's fierce combat capabilities posed significant challenges. The princes vying for the throne showed no mercy, leading to a prolonged internal conflict that nearly tore the empire apart. Even under such circumstances, the League of Blades had no strength left to breach the peace agreement and counterattack the Nine Gods Empire, demonstrating the empire's immense power.

The current emperor, Long Kang, is undoubtedly a formidable figure. As a prince, his lineage was not prestigious; his mother was a commoner from the Nine Gods. No one thought he would inherit the throne, and when the succession was contentious, many believed the empire would adopt a parliamentary system to balance the interests of major factions. However, Long Kang used five years to eliminate all his competitors through cunning and ruthless means.

His iron-fisted rule proved effective. After ascending to the throne, he spent ten years consolidating power internally and breaking down class barriers, encouraging inter-class marriages. Externally, he befriended the Sea Clan, a critical move that kept them neutral and thwarted any potential resurgence from the League of Blades and the Eight Legions. Using the knowledge and power left by the Supreme Saint and the eight sages, he quickly strengthened the already robust Nine Gods Empire. Despite his strong stance externally, he established the Nine Laws of Long Kang, ensuring everything was governed by law, and demonstrated his political acumen in several major events.

Despite his military might, he preferred to outsmart his opponents, earning high praise from friends and foes alike. He ushered in the era of Long Kang's prosperity.

The League of Blades has always been wary, especially after Long Kang announced his seclusion to practice the path to divinity left by the Supreme Saint. Regardless of whether it was genuine or not, it provided some relief, given the uncertain fate of the Supreme Saint.

Today, the Nine Gods Empire is even stronger, better prepared, with numerous princes and princesses, many of whom are exceptional. However, the old question remains: who can match Long Kang's prowess?

Different now is that Long Kang is still around, and his authority deters any challenge. He has time to choose a successor from among his princes, ensuring the throne goes to the most capable. His presence also prevents internal strife.

What does it mean to be capable?

In the current era of prosperity, the only path forward is to unify the Nine Heavens World. Division must eventually lead to unity!

The eldest prince, Long Zhen, the fifth prince, Long Xiang, and the ninth prince, Long Jing, are currently the most prominent. Long Zhen oversees the state, Long Xiang controls "Puyemi," the espionage organization founded by Long Kang, and Long Jing manages the empire's largest chamber of commerce. Each prince handles their respective domains—military, economy, and espionage—to counter the League of Blades.

This is a covert war.

In the imperial conference hall of Jiuding City...

Red and yellow dominate the decor of the meeting room, reflecting the entire palace's color scheme. Red symbolizes power, while yellow signifies nobility. Behind the throne stands a colossal statue of the Supreme Saint, flanked by the eight sages, each crafted in pure gold, lifelike and vivid. Both the League of Blades and the Nine Gods claim to be the true successors of the Supreme Saint.

At present, the three most powerful figures in the Nine Gods Empire, aside from Emperor Long Kang, who is sequestered in the palace to study the Supreme Saint's path, have gathered in this spacious hall.

"Over the past few months, we've lost a dozen ships to pirates. While the evidence points to piracy, it seems too targeted. The stolen goods include special supplies, runes, and mechanical cores, which the Sea Clan wouldn't care about, Fifth Brother. Your work is a bit sloppy."

Speaking is the ninth prince, Long Jing, known as the empire's most handsome man. He bears a striking resemblance to Long Kang, a testament to excellent genetics. He and Long Xiang have a good relationship, allowing him to speak more freely.

The eldest prince, Long Zhen, is in his forties, slightly overweight. Though he looks decent, he appears somewhat greasy compared to his younger brothers who could rely on their looks.

Since Emperor Long Kang withdrew from governance to study the Supreme Saint's path, Long Zhen has overseen the state for over five years. While nothing spectacular has happened, the empire runs smoothly.

"Old Nine, make sure you understand before speaking. Are they pirates or sea raiders? Do the Sea Clan have the guts?"

Long Xiang, thirty years old and one of the empire's top martial artists, is at the peak of his powers and ambitious. If the League of Blades had a target, it would be him.

There are two types of bandits at sea: the Sea Clan, known as sea raiders, and humans, known as pirates.

"I caught pirates, but why would they dare? They must be sea raiders. We need confirmation, Fifth Brother. The Sea Clan seems restless."

"Eldest Brother, the Sea Clan and the League of Blades are interacting frequently. They benefit from us but try to transfer core technologies to the League. We need to discipline them," Long Xiang said. "Once I find evidence, they'll regret breathing!"

"Old Five, calm down. The technologies Old Nine uses are outdated. Our real target is the Holy Sanctuary, not the Sea Clan. We must focus on dismantling the Holy Sanctuary," Long Zhen smiled.

"This year, I've been quite aggressive. Generals of the Holy Sanctuary's Glory Army, League of Blades councilors, and elders of the Holy Sanctuary's council—all have fallen in recent months. Though we staged it as accidents, everyone knows the truth. This ship raid might be retaliation. Of course, Old Nine anticipated it."

He emphasized, "Father's directive to act freely doesn't mean recklessness. Always consider the bigger picture."

The atmosphere in the hall grew tense.

"Fifth Brother, watch out for the Dark Hall," Long Jing interjected, the only person who could speak freely among these powerful figures. "Qian Yuyan is a mad dog. I've never seen someone so deranged. He has apocalyptic tendencies."

Long Jing has his own intelligence network, and his chamber of commerce provides valuable information. Understanding Qian Yuyan deeply, he is deeply wary.

"Old Nine, you're overthinking. In the Nine Heavens, who wouldn't give me, Long Xiang, respect!" Long Xiang laughed. "That guy is just a dog. I control his life and death! He doesn't deserve to bite me. Rest assured, I have people in the Dark Hall!"

Before preparing for war, the Nine Gods Empire avoids direct action. The existence of the Dark Hall is convenient, as anything money can solve is trivial.

Long Jing is troubled. These three major deals are astronomically expensive, and Qian Yuyan requested large quantities of Grade α6 soul crystals, the highest grade strictly controlled. Long Jing would rather give them to the League of Blades' pleasure-seeking councilors than to a madman like Qian Yuyan.