Chapter 3178: Chapter 3178
Jiang Yunmo explained to Ye Liuyun, “Of course I’m not handing over the military authority—that would make everything we’ve done pointless. Besides, the dynasty isn’t short of troops; as long as you don’t turn your weapons on the realm, why would they want your command?
The so-called restriction is just keeping you busy conquering more star systems. With that many soldiers under you, you’d have to attack galaxies for resources anyway—what’s the difference?”
“Fine. I definitely won’t give the dynasty a chance to swallow my men. But once I agree, and you take the Duqiao system, what’s in it for me?” Ye Liuyun started bargaining again.
“First, help me clear Duqiao. All the resources and recruits are yours. I’ll handle the rebuilding, and the rebuilt power base will be mine. Then I’ll carve out a dedicated planet for you to garrison—do whatever you want with it. Deal?” Jiang Yunmo proposed.
Ye Liuyun figured he wouldn’t lose out, though he’d still have to watch out for the Fire-Seal Dynasty.
“I’ve no objections. But if you expand your own power, aren’t you afraid Jiang Yuntian will turn on you?” he reminded her.
“Not for now. The dynasty’s never had a queen before, so he won’t expect me to vie for the throne. When the princes start courting me, our opportunities will only multiply.”
Jiang Yunmo didn’t bother hiding her ambition in front of Ye Liuyun.
“All right, I’m in. You handle the paperwork,” Ye Liuyun confirmed. Whatever happened later, resources came first.
“What strength should I report? When the dynasty allocates supplies, they’ll send someone to verify the numbers,” Jiang Yunmo asked.
“Report a hundred thousand,” Ye Liuyun decided.
So Jiang Yunmo filed the request for a hundred thousand troops.
The dynasty approved almost immediately, and Ye Liuyun’s army officially entered the imperial rolls.
But when Ye Liuyun finished cultivating and stepped out, he found Xiao Heng had burned through every surrendered soldier—only the fifty thousand he’d personally selected remained.
He calculated: roughly three months before the dynasty’s supply convoy arrived.
He took out a voice talisman and asked Jiang Yuntian directly, “There’s still Jiang Yunmu left. Want me to hit him?”
Jiang Yuntian had waited a long time for this reply. Yet seeing no mention of his returned soldiers, he shot back, “Where are my men?”
“Wiped out fighting Jiang Yunfei’s army,” Ye Liuyun lied offhandedly.
“All dead? Then where did the hundred thousand you reported to the dynasty come from?” Jiang Yuntian clearly didn’t buy it.
“There’s still time—I’ll just scoop up some fresh prisoners,” Ye Liuyun chuckled.
“Hmph. You plan to absorb Jiang Yunmu’s forces to reach a hundred thousand, don’t you? Why come to me then? Want me to foot the bill while you take all the gains?” Jiang Yuntian saw straight through him.
Ye Liuyun replied calmly, “Suit yourself. I still have time now. Once the dynasty’s supplies arrive, I’ll have to march per orders—no spare moments to deal with Jiang Yunmu for you. Think it over.
As for troop numbers, if you’d rather I not touch Jiang Yunmu, I’ll just grab random conscripts from nearby planets.”
With that, he set the talisman down and waited for Jiang Yuntian’s decision.
Though Jiang Yuntian seethed at Ye Liuyun for swallowing his soldiers, he stayed rational. Troops already lost were gone for good.
After cooling off, he judged continued cooperation wiser. His elite forces had taken heavy losses; tackling Jiang Yunmu alone would be taxing. Better to spend some resources and let Ye Liuyun finish the job.
That would make dealing with the other princes far easier later, securing his own position.
As for Ye Liuyun—currently the biggest winner—his army now answered to the dynasty. There’d be chances for payback.
“Hmph. Enjoy your moment. I’ll settle accounts with you eventually.”
Jiang Yuntian made up his mind on the spot. He sent Ye Liuyun another batch of resources and even passed along Jiang Yunmu’s coordinates.
Ye Liuyun merely smiled and accepted the goods, then had Jiang Yunmo requisition still more supplies from the Holyfire Guild.
The Holyfire Guild sat inside the royal city—far too easy for the dynasty to control. Whether he, the dynasty, and Jiang Yunmo would remain allies was still an open question, so he figured he might as well squeeze every advantage he could.
Once the resources arrived, Ye Liuyun immediately tucked everyone into his spatial world and used the black teleportation tower to head straight for Jiang Yunmu.
Just like last time, he warped to a distant point, confirmed there was no ambush, and only then advanced toward Jiang Yunmu’s army.
The instant his troops appeared, Jiang Yunmu guessed who had come.
He’d already received word that Jiang Yunyang’s and Jiang Yunfei’s armies had been wiped out one after another. Though he couldn’t be sure whether the crown prince was behind it, he went straight to negotiate with Ye Liuyun.
Ye Liuyun hadn’t expected the Fourth Prince to dare approach with only a single bodyguard unit.
“Quite the nerve, Your Highness. Aren’t you afraid I’ll strike you down?” he asked, curious.
“You won’t kill a prince. Otherwise Jiang Yunyang and Jiang Yunfei wouldn’t have made it back to the capital alive,” Jiang Yunmu replied with confidence.
Ye Liuyun hadn’t anticipated such an accurate read.
Still, he wanted to hear what Jiang Yunmu had to say. “All right, speak. Why seek me out?”
Seeing Ye Liuyun offer no denial, Jiang Yunmu looked vindicated. Since Ye Liuyun didn’t dare kill him, he had nothing to fear, and his tone turned haughty.
“I’m asking you—did the crown prince order you to attack me?” he demanded from on high.
Ye Liuyun studied him, then suddenly laughed.
“What are you laughing at?” Jiang Yunmu asked, unsettled, a bad premonition creeping in.
Ye Liuyun gave no answer. He froze time, drew his blade, and sliced every guard behind Jiang Yunmu in half. At the same time he released the Devil Vine.
When time resumed, Jiang Yunmu found his escorts split apart and toppling to the ground. A dark-faced youth now stood before him, eyes gleaming with hunger.
In the next instant, the youth’s arms morphed into thorn-covered vines that whipped toward Jiang Yunmu, while other tendrils snaked across the ground to devour the fallen corpses.
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