Chapter 1074: The Path to the Voice of Star Spirits
Chapter 1074: The Path to the Voice of Star Spirits
Commander Xie could tell that Kavatuya was being generous with someone else's resources, which wasn't a big deal. First of all, Daxun wasn't too bothered, as they couldn't get their hands on it for the time being.
Furthermore, Daxun was aware that some of the resources might have questionable origins and may not belong to Kavatuya. However, if Kavatuya offered them as a gift, Daxun was willing to accept the gesture, at least securing the nominal rights for now.
In diplomacy, when two powers interact, sometimes the focus is on long-term gains rather than immediate advantages or disadvantages.
In this case, both sides got what they needed, and Daxun didn't feel they were at a disadvantage.
When the true owner of the sacred site appeared, he would have to carefully consider how to handle the situation.
After a quick assessment, he made a decision. Before coming here, he had already planned how to deal with the current situation regarding the First People. Now, the appearance of this key had filled a crucial gap in that plan.
Noticing the anger and excitement among the First People below, he calmed them down and asked, "Has anyone here been to the Voice of Star Spirits?"
The One-Eyed Elder thought he was worried about finding the place, so he quickly replied, "I've been there. When I was young, I followed the tribe's priest to the site, but we only had partial keys, so we could only stay at the outer perimeter to worship the spirits. I know the way, and if Daxun agrees, I'm willing to guide you there."
Commander Xie was familiar with the general location of the Voice of Star Spirits, a famous place. In fact, Union Government officials had visited the site several times based on ancient records, but due to missing key elements, they hadn't found anything significant yet.
When Kavatuya pledged this site, they provided an ancient map, and Daxun later sent people to investigate secretly. They did find traces of the secret ritual, but it was well-hidden, and without the map, it would have been nearly impossible to locate.
However, performing the secret ritual without the correct method would create a huge disturbance, and without experts and powerful fighters, forcibly entering might not succeed. So, they had temporarily put it aside.
He considered the situation, glanced at the spearhead, and then at the First People who were looking at him with anxious and tense eyes. He said seriously, "I'm willing to trust you. I can provide the assistance you need."
The simple and honest First People became excited, and a sense of being trusted emerged. If they weren't in the foreign affairs office, they would have cheered.
"However..."
Commander Xie's words made them tense again. "How to deliver the supplies to you is a problem."
The One-Eyed Elder quickly spoke up, "We've thought about it. Some small Union companies are willing to do business with us. We often purchase supplies from them, and they are trustworthy. You can have them transport the goods or leave them at a designated location, and we can use river transportation to bring them back..."
He suggested several solutions, and the tribal leaders nearby nodded in agreement, indicating their approval.
Commander Xie smiled. These First People were thinking too simply.
These transport companies certainly had Union informants, and they might be willing to sell unimportant daily necessities for profit, but weapons and exo-skeletal armor were a different matter.
Moreover, some weapons and exo-skeletal armor required a complete maintenance system, which needed professional technicians to guide them. However, these tribes were too scattered, objectively increasing the cost of support.
Seeing that Commander Xie didn't seem to agree, the One-Eyed Elder cautiously sought his advice.
Commander Xie said, "I remember from your ancient records that the Voice of Star Spirits is hidden in mountains and caves, with countless caves connecting every fertile area, and it can accommodate all life on the land?"
The First People in the room felt a surge of pride. "Yes, that's our Isutarran people's sacred site!"
Commander Xie continued, "Then, what if your tribe migrates there?"
He spoke with an encouraging tone, "Since the Zhatuyi people can establish a large gathering place in Kavatuya, why can't the Isutarran people build a gathering place around their sacred site?"
He looked at everyone present.
"By gathering your strength, you can use the terrain to defend against enemies, and we can support you more conveniently."
The First People looked at each other, feeling both hesitant and tempted. If they could be like Kavatuya, they too could become another sacred site for the First People on the continent.
Someone couldn't help but ask, "But how can we get there?"
It would be manageable for one or two people, but their entire tribe had already been forced to leave their homeland. Similar to Tahu and Awan's tribes, how could tens of thousands of people return there? They would undoubtedly face interception by the Union on the way.
Commander Xie nodded and said, "I remember the Isutarran people have the tradition of carving ancient mountain paths and river underpasses."
The ancient mountain paths referred to small trails in the mountains and forests, while river underpasses were hidden paths along riverbeds. These were considered sacred by the Isutarran people, believing that only through these secluded places could they encounter their ancestors' spirits.
In the heyday of the dynasty, almost every corner of the south was excavated, extending to the east and north. Many tribal men, after coming of age, would find a way to return to these paths to pay homage to their ancestors. Although many tribes no longer reside in their original locations, a significant number of these paths have survived.
The One-Eyed Elder reminisced about the glory of his ancestors, his emotions stirring slightly, but his gaze soon dimmed. He bowed his head and said, "Many of our books and records have been lost. We only know of a portion of the ancient path records."
Commander Xie said, "That's not a problem. I might be able to help."
"Really?"
The One-Eyed Elder abruptly raised his head, and all the First People looked at him with surprise and excitement.
Commander Xie nodded. He knew that there was such a map preserved, and some of the Isutar nobility had taken it to Kavatuya. A visiting scholar from Daxun had the fortune of seeing this collection. As long as they could obtain the map from Kavatuya, the task would become much easier.
The ancient paths held extraordinary significance for the Isutar people. Being able to pay respects to their ancestors there was the aspiration and expectation of every one of them. Therefore, upon receiving a definite reply, everyone, including the One-Eyed Elder, once again promised that all the ancient treasures in the holy valley could be handed over to Daxun.
Commander Xie chatted with them for a while, he had the people brought downstairs to settle in. He then continued to handle the remaining affairs. At eleven o'clock, he had to go and watch a midnight opera.
The next day, at four in the morning, he returned from the theater, took a synthetic drug, and said to the driver, "Let's go outside the city. I need to meet with Director Chen."
The driver nodded, and the armed convoy drove out of the city. The surveillance team from the Confidential Operations Bureau immediately contacted the Action Office, reporting the situation and handing over surveillance to another team.
The convoy reached the outskirts of the city and headed straight to a hotel, where they stopped. After going upstairs and knocking on the door, Director Chen Chuan, who had received the message in advance, was already waiting inside. He invited them in, and Commander Xie said, "Director Chen, I have a plan that may require your assistance and cooperation."
Director Chen said, "Please, Commander Xie, tell me."
Commander Xie mentioned the discussion he had with the First People who visited yesterday and then said, "If we can support another gathering place for the First People at the Voice of Star Spirits, it will be very significant for containing the West Coast. It can buy us more time to negotiate with the overseas forces and also divert some pressure from Kavatuya."
"I'd like to request Director Chen's cooperation in going there to check if the place meets the conditions we envision."
He solemnly said, "Those First People have not received professional training, and we cannot rule out the possibility of them being bribed. It's highly likely that the news will leak out. Even the Union's Confidential Operations Bureau and Strategic Affairs Department, upon learning of this situation, may take action. So, this matter requires Director Chen's personal involvement."
Director Chen considered that if the Union were to find out about this news, they would undoubtedly make a move. Perhaps even those originally scheduled to go to Kavatuya would come here instead.
This might be precisely what Commander Xie wanted to achieve—opening up a new confrontation site in a remote area while also reducing pressure on Kavatuya.
This did not conflict with his own thoughts. As a member of the visiting team with assigned tasks, it was understood that the resources he required could be self-funded. If he could enter the Holy Valley, he might find some of the things he needed.
He nodded, "Commander Xie, I agree."
"Great!"
Commander Xie had great confidence in Director Chen. With the latter's agreement, the task was as good as half-completed. He said, "Then I'll go back and report to my superiors immediately, but we can't delay this matter. We'll start taking action, which may leave us with only half a month to twenty days of preparation time, Director Chen."
Director Chen said, "I have no problem."
Commander Xie stood up with a smile, extended his hand to shake Director Chen's, and said, "Director Chen, I have other matters to attend to. I'll leave this task to you."
Director Chen shook his hand, "Leave it to me."
Commander Xie nodded and bid farewell.
After Commander Xie left, Director Chen returned to the room and continued his cultivation. For the next ten days, he did not leave the hotel.
Under the surveillance, he seemed uninterested in everything outside. Every day, he was either cultivating or practicing martial arts.
On the eleventh day of the visiting team's arrival in the Union, a batch of resources from Daxun crossed the city and was delivered to the hotel.
Director Chen received the delivery, inspected it, and found it to be a batch of synthetic drugs. The quality wasn't the best, but they were usable. Moreover, three of the required drugs were included, so he could finally start his cultivation.
However, according to the agreement, in a few days, it would be time to set off for the Voice of Star Spirits.
...
(End of Chapter)
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