https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-670-Troubles-from-All-Directions-the-Seven-Sons-of-Qi-Mountain/12852606/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-672-The-Proper-Way-to-Gather-Information/12852640/
Chapter 671: The Rebel King's Enjoyment, the Old Snake's Sacrifice
Chapter 671: The Rebel King's Enjoyment, the Old Snake's Sacrifice
"This army is advancing so slowly, it's really unexpected." Qin Muye looked at the latest intelligence. How could he put it? He had thought they would rush to the capital at the fastest speed, but he never imagined they would be so unbearably slow.
The alien clans were also urging them, but the problem was that they had allowed the rebels to enjoy themselves. Now, when they demanded a forced march, not only did the rebel kings find it unbearable, but even the loyalists refused to follow orders.
Some of the rebels, after capturing the government offices, became psychologically inflated because the officials surrendered too easily.
Back in the day, Chen Sheng and Wu Guang, who shouted "Are kings and generals born of a different kind?" also indulged in pleasures after their uprising. How could these chosen scoundrels have any grand ambitions? Naturally, they all became immersed in their newfound comforts.
Leaving was out of the question. They were waiting for the other rebel kings to advance, and then they would leisurely use their loyalist identities to exchange for wealth and glory.
It was a good plan, but there was a fatal flaw: most people had the same idea.
This led to only a few rebel groups advancing, while Chen Liuhuan focused on the ambitious rebels, either killing them or directly incorporating them into his forces.
As a result, these rebels, who had yet to form a significant momentum, withered away. Those who didn't wither were embroiled in internal struggles as Chen Liuhuan aimed to build a blood-and-iron army.
This created an extremely bizarre situation: the rebels occupied half the country and enjoyed themselves, while the imperial court remained peaceful.
At first, the alien clans sent people to investigate Chen Liuhuan's actions. How did a capable person mix in with a bunch of scoundrels?
However, since Chen Liuhuan's actions were indeed targeting the entire Great Qian Dynasty, even though he was incorporating other rebel kings' forces, his conquests were real.
Thus, they could only increase their support. Relying on those scoundrels who started enjoying themselves after capturing the government offices was out of the question. They wanted to rely on them, but the scoundrels weren't willing.
Even if the aliens embedded in the loyalist forces painted a grand picture, these rebel kings were simply not up to the task. Being an emperor was indeed great, but going to war was not.
Although they occupied half the country, the other half remained unresolved.
"Frankly, these aliens have been backfired by their own plan," Qin Muye couldn't help but laugh.
Scoundrels weren't fools. They would take the benefits offered, but if it came to risking their lives, they would run faster than the aliens.
Going to war was almost equivalent to courting death.
Especially since the aliens didn't just choose scoundrels as rebel kings; their subordinates were also scoundrels. Following their usual behavior, they oppressed the lower ranks and pampered the upper ranks.
This led to a situation where, even if you called the lower ranks brothers, while you feasted and drank, they drank thin gruel with barely any rice. They wouldn't die for you just because of that.
Such bizarre operations led to everyone slacking off.
In normal circumstances, this would seem insane, but in the aliens' operations, it was quite normal. Their goal was to dismantle, so they used whatever methods were most destructive, stirring up as much conflict as possible.
This left the aliens confused about the army's progress. They had been so effective before; why wasn't it working this time?
"If this continues, Chen Liuhuan will successfully form his blood-and-iron army, and these rebels might not even reach the capital," Qin Muye remarked, finding it truly disappointing.
This not only affected the plans of the alien clans but also Qin Muye's plans.
He had thought he would be facing a rebel king, but instead, he faced the Yellow Turban Army. The difference was significant.
The rebel king had at least stormed the capital and settled in the Forbidden City, while the Yellow Turban Army, despite their grand momentum, had squandered a good hand, just like these rebels. With the alien clans' support, they were known throughout the land, but their performance was truly disappointing.
"Well, I can only drag it out slowly. Sigh~" Qin Muye was also helpless. He couldn't help them, and this headache was best left to the aliens.
As for why the aliens didn't take over directly, it was simple: if they exposed their identities, they would be killed by the pseudo-national fortune formed by these rebels. Therefore, they could only use indirect methods to influence.
This pseudo-national fortune, though not as powerful as the true national fortune of the Great Qian Dynasty, would still suppress the true aliens. Even if they couldn't be killed, the incompatibility would cause them to collapse.
It was as if they were also being suppressed by these pseudo-national fortunes, just not as severely as by the Great Qian's national fortune. If they were powerful enough, they could forcibly break through, but they would suffer severe backlash.
"Master, the latest intelligence: She Xi is making a big move, seemingly preparing for a ritual." The Black Hand transmitted a report to Qin Muye via the Demon Network.
"Ritual? What's going on here?" Qin Muye was taken aback, wondering if they were planning to summon a 9th-rank entity.
"Pity my senses are being held back; otherwise, I might have discovered something."
He then instructed the Black Hand, "Have the goblins investigate quickly and try to prevent it."
No matter what the other side was up to, Qin Muye was certain it wouldn't be good for him.
Who knew if they were panicking and couldn't hold on any longer.
"Also, check if it involves blood sacrifice and try to determine the principles behind the ritual."
Qin Muye's plan was simple: observe how the other side conducted the ritual, document the procedures, offerings, and everything else, and then attempt a ritual himself.
Any ritual would have a target, and whoever it was, allowing an 8th-rank entity to perform a ritual meant it was a significant target—possibly a juicy one or a tough one, but either way, it was worth pursuing.
So, it was definitely on Qin Muye's radar.
After all, this mission didn't require him to protect the interests of the aliens, so he couldn't harm the Great Qian to pay off his debts and had to target the aliens instead.
He didn't want to act, but with everything being handed to him on a silver platter, it would be a waste not to.
"Yes, I will investigate immediately and have the results within three hours," the Black Hand responded, understanding the benefit.
The goblin spies had already started investigating as soon as they detected the possibility, which is why the Black Hand was confident in promising a result within three hours.
"Tsk, what a situation." Qin Muye was 80% sure that this old snake person was frustrated by the rebels' situation.
While Chen Liuhuan and others might have pleased them, the displayed capabilities were also a cause for concern.
It was like being afraid that your brother is suffering but also afraid that your brother is driving a luxury car.
Qin Muye didn't claim to have a sure win, but he felt he had the upper hand.
He wasn't equating himself with the Great Qian; as long as he was alive, the Great Qian theoretically wouldn't fall, no matter how bad it got. However, this was just a theory, as the actual situation included the national fortune, which was comprehensively determined and left few loopholes for Qin Muye to exploit. Otherwise, he would have acted already.
"Send for the Chief Cabinet Minister, the Secretaries of the various departments, to the Imperial Study for a meeting," Qin Muye called out.
"Yes, Your Majesty," a eunuch waiting outside the door hurried off to relay the order.
Since She Xi was going to be busy, Qin Muye decided to summon him over. This way, he could delay him for a few hours and then let him speak for a bit.
While it wouldn't be pleasant for the other side, it would buy some time. At this rate, they were likely already preparing the ritual, and by the time everyone arrived, they could disrupt it.
Whether it started or not, it would give the goblins more time to act.
"You go with that little eunuch and see what's happening. If necessary, you can take action," Qin Muye said to a goblin spy disguised as a eunuch.
The main purpose was to support the other goblin spies, not the eunuch.
This way, they could avoid a confrontation that might expose the goblins, as they were more effective in the shadows.
If exposed, they would shift from the shadows to the open, and the alien clans would realize that Qin Muye's people were not ordinary. This could lead to a desperate fight, which would have no impact on Qin Muye but would affect the Great Qian and his mission. Otherwise, he would have eliminated them all already.
(End of Chapter)
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