Chapter Twelve: The Weasel Paying New Year's Greetings to the Chicken

After all, he was all too aware in his heart that these Sakura Country people, who had been living rather comfortably, were each and every one ambitious beasts—wolves at heart, none of them ever tamed.

Thousands of years ago, the ancestors of the Dragon Nation had tried to civilize them, bringing them culture, teaching them what propriety was, what attire meant, and what it was to be a true human being.

Yet, these creatures were inherently wicked to the bone.

The national calamity a century ago was the clearest proof of their ingratitude and treachery.

And now they come to offer congratulations?

Ha, not a chance.

It was plainly a weasel paying New Year’s greetings to a chicken, with no good intentions.

Sure enough, before Nangong Zhongjian could respond, Yuki Eguchi bluntly stated his purpose as soon as his congratulatory words ended: “The matter is this! We have heard that the Hime family of your country has awakened an ancestral deity. Our great Oki clan of Sakura Country is greatly pleased and wishes to engage in a friendly contest with your Hime family! This contest will take the form of a Void Divine Arena match and will be broadcast live worldwide in the skies above Blue Star!”

Nangong Zhongjian gave a cold snort, nodding slightly. “If it is merely a friendly contest, why resort to the Void Divine Arena? You know well that both sides must stake their national fortune in such a duel.”

“Once lost, the damage to national fortune would be too great to bear. Since it is a friendly contest, I can discuss this with the Hime family and arrange for a match offline. What do you think?”

Nangong Zhongjian immediately saw through their ploy. In recent years, with the backing of the United States and other Western nations, Sakura Country’s divine enterprises had flourished, growing strong and formidable. Although no ancestral deity had yet appeared, they boasted no less than seven royal deities.

Although Hime Ling had just awakened Yinglong, the ancestral deity, it was still fresh, and with the Dragon Nation’s historical discontinuity, faith in him nationwide was not yet strong.

If this battle were to rise to the level of the Void Divine Arena, it was uncertain whether the Dragon Nation would win or lose.

As director of the Dragon Nation’s Divine Bureau, Nangong Zhongjian bore responsibility for the nation’s fortune. Without absolute certainty of victory, he would never risk such a gamble.

To lose would mean a blow to the entire Dragon Nation, to the billions who lived on this ancient land.

Hence, Nangong Zhongjian even considered a closed-door contest offline.

But obviously, the other side would never accept such terms.

Their true intention was plainly to seize the Dragon Nation’s fortune.

“Mr. Nangong, you’re far too timid! After all, the Dragon Nation is a great civilization spanning thousands of years! Our ancestors in Sakura Country were once guided by yours! And now you’re afraid even to fight a Void Divine War? If this gets out, it won’t look good on the international stage,” Yuki Eguchi sneered, attempting to provoke Nangong Zhongjian into action.

Nangong Zhongjian clenched his teeth, cursing inwardly.

Damn it, only now do you remember our ancestors once taught you?

But Eguchi’s words had reached a point where Nangong Zhongjian had no suitable reason to refuse—at least none he could think of on the spot.

With a heavy sigh, Nangong Zhongjian nodded and said, “I can’t decide this alone. My subordinate is currently handling affairs with the Hime family. I will have him inquire about their opinion.”

“Good, I understand,” Yuki Eguchi grinned broadly. “I look forward to hearing your good news. I’m very eager for this divine battle between our two nations!”

After hanging up, Nangong Zhongjian snorted coldly and immediately summoned Sun Liansheng back.

After hearing Nangong’s words, Sun Liansheng also snorted, “Those bastards! They clearly intend to seize our nation’s fortune!”

“And they speak so nicely!”

“Director, what do you want me to do?”

Nangong Zhongjian sighed, lowering his voice. “We’re already caught between a rock and a hard place. Eguchi’s words imply that this divine battle is unavoidable.”

“If we fight, the outcome is uncertain. If we don’t, they will loudly proclaim on the international stage that the Dragon Nation fears to face them.”

“Either way, it’s a dilemma.”

Pausing, Nangong Zhongjian glanced at the broadcast screen showing Hime Ling and murmured, “Old Lin said Hime Ling and Yinglong have a 100% affinity. If Hime Ling can fight, our chance of victory may be higher.”

“But the Eastern Front is in an intense stalemate, trapped firmly in black mist. We don’t even know when they can escape — or if they’ll survive to walk out of it at all.”

“Ah...”

“So you mean...” Sun Liansheng asked tentatively, watching Nangong’s heavy sighs.

Nangong Zhongjian sighed again. “He wants to fight the Hime family, right? Then let the Hime family decide! Didn’t Hime Tenxing say his youngest son, Hime Yun, carries the dragon bloodline and can resonate with Yinglong?”

“Moreover, Hime Yun can remotely command Yinglong on the Eastern Front from a thousand miles away, which shows a very high affinity with the dragon.”

“Just ask Hime Yun. If he dares to accept the challenge, then we fight!”

“If he’s a coward, Hime Tenxing will naturally find a reasonable excuse to decline. After all, the Hime family is a military clan. With the border in crisis, the head of the family might soon have to lead troops personally. Using this as a reason to refuse would be unassailable.”

“Understood, I’ll go immediately!” Sun Liansheng nodded decisively. “So it seems the decision rests with the Hime family. If they have the strength and courage, they’ll accept. If they have reservations, they can find a suitable excuse.”

…

Eastern Front.

With the awakening of twenty-seven deities, the encroaching black mist receded several dozen kilometers.

Now, the unobstructed area was wide and open, allowing a clear view of the setting sun dipping in the west, and even a nearby abandoned military base.

“Old Lin! Old Lin!” General Xu shook the stunned General Lin, pointing toward the abandoned base in surprise. “Isn’t that 3176?”

General Lin looked toward the base, a gleam of joy flashing in his eyes as he nodded repeatedly. “Yes, yes! It’s 3176!”

Hime Ling listened to the generals’ discussion, then turned to Nangong Lingyue. “Do you know what 3176 is?”