Chapter 75: Hai Bodong's Answer
The news of Nalan Jie and Xiao Lin's deaths didn't stay hidden for long. On the very evening that Jia Xingtian returned to the imperial palace, word of it spread like wildfire across Jia Ma Sacred City. Countless factions immediately turned their attention to the Nalan and Xiao clans. The Nalan Clan, perhaps, was in a better position—they were one of the empire's three great noble families, had deep roots, and Nalan Jie had once served as the Lionheart Marshal of the imperial army, a man many Dou Wangs admired.
But the Xiao Clan… was in a far more awkward position.
They had been too high-profile in recent years, expanding rapidly and even declaring they would become the empire's fourth great family. In doing so, they'd made plenty of enemies. Before, thanks to Xiao Lin's strength and his close ties with Nalan Jie, no one had dared to move against them openly. Now that Xiao Lin was dead, things had changed.
In the Dou Qi Continent, strength was everything. To enjoy the corresponding resources, you needed the power to match. The Xiao Clan now had only three Dou Lings left—they couldn't possibly protect their vast holdings.
As a result, undercurrents of unrest swept through Jia Ma Sacred City. Were it not for Jia Xingtian's authority holding everything down, the Xiao Clan would likely have already been carved up.
…
Not long after returning to the capital, Jia Xingtian paid a visit to the Mittel Family to see Ice Emperor Hai Bodong. He had always wanted to recruit Hai Bodong, but the man had never cooperated. Threats and incentives were equally useless. In the end, Hai Bodong had even joined the Mittel Family, much to Jia Xingtian's frustration.
With Mittel Tengshan guiding him, Jia Xingtian soon arrived at the back courtyard, where Hai Bodong was casually drinking. He looked more relaxed than usual, the darkness in his brows much lighter.
This caught Jia Xingtian off guard. After a moment's thought, he couldn't help but ask, "You've broken through?"
"Just lucky," Hai Bodong replied with a smile, a touch of emotion and relief in his eyes.
Thanks to the Tier 5 pill Yao Yan had given him, he had broken through his bottleneck the very same night. Three days of stabilization later, his cultivation had firmly reached Six-Star Dou Huang. Even his Dou Qi, which had plateaued for years, was flowing again.
He had never felt this refreshed.
A flash of surprise and envy crossed Jia Xingtian's eyes. "No wonder you're in such a good mood. Congratulations."
Tengshan, standing nearby, also smiled. Hai Bodong was part of the Mittel Family now, and the stronger he grew, the better for the family. If Hai Bodong ever reached Dou Zong, the Mittel Family could extend their influence beyond the Jia Ma Empire.
"If you're here about the Serpent Tribe, you can save your words. I won't get involved," Hai Bodong said, his expression growing serious. He had already guessed Jia Xingtian's purpose. For the emperor to personally come, there was likely no other reason.
Over the past month, friction between the Jia Ma Empire and the Serpent Tribe had intensified. The new Queen Medusa was especially domineering—more decisive than any of her predecessors. Her actions clearly signaled an intent to force the empire to cede territory.
It seemed she could no longer bear the harshness of the Tagore Desert.
As Hai Bodong thought of this, images of Yao Yan and Cai Die surfaced in his mind. He wondered where the two were now—and whether they would get involved in this conflict.
"So you really have had dealings with the Serpent Tribe!" Jia Xingtian's eyes sharpened.
"I've been stationed in the Tagore Desert for years. Of course I've dealt with them."
Hai Bodong responded indifferently. He didn't see anything wrong with it. If not for his relationship with Jia Xingtian, he wouldn't have bothered answering at all.
Jia Xingtian, seeing Hai Bodong's clear disinterest, frowned and said, "Nalan Jie and Xiao Lin are dead. They were killed in the Magic Beast Mountain Range. Before that, the Amethyst Winged Lion King had fought a serpent Dou Huang. Coincidentally, a man and a serpent-woman entered the mountains holding your token."
Some truths needed no evidence—just basic reasoning.
Dou Wangs didn't die easily—especially not in the empire. To kill three of them at once? Only a very strong Dou Huang could manage that.
"…It has nothing to do with me—or with those two friends of mine."
Hai Bodong answered after a pause, meeting Jia Xingtian's gaze.
"That's your stance?"
Jia Xingtian clenched his fist, frowning. He hadn't expected Hai Bodong to respond so strongly. If it had only been an unknown Dou Huang, he might've pursued revenge. But now that Hai Bodong was backing them, things weren't so simple.
For Hai Bodong to defend them so firmly—it meant something.
Hai Bodong's expression didn't change. Calmly, he said, "If you think it was them, then come for me. I'll take full responsibility."
The two stared each other down. Their Dou Huang auras clashed, forming a violent, invisible storm within the courtyard. Cold sweat broke out on Tengshan's forehead. If they fought here, it would shake the entire capital.
Crack~
Frost began to spread, freezing the ground around them. A spear of ice appeared in Hai Bodong's hand—a clear sign of his intent.
If you want to fight, then fight.
Jia Xingtian's eye twitched. He hadn't expected Hai Bodong to be this willing to draw blood. Now he understood—the man truly intended to protect those two and accept all consequences.
Jia Xingtian inhaled the cool night air deeply. After a long silence, he finally relented. "Fine. This matter ends here. I'll erase all traces. But if you see your friends again, tell them this: this is the Jia Ma Empire, not the Black-Corner Region. I let it go this time—for your sake. There won't be a next time!"
"Then I suggest you agree to the Serpent Tribe's demands. Give them a piece of land where they can survive."
Hai Bodong, in return, offered a piece of advice as he dissolved the ice spear.
"Why?"
Jia Xingtian didn't dismiss the idea. Rationally, he asked for a reason. He knew Hai Bodong wouldn't speak so lightly—there had to be something behind it.
"If you listen to me, it'll benefit the Jia Ma Empire."
Hai Bodong paused, then answered.
But it wasn't the kind of answer Jia Xingtian had wanted. His frown deepened. "Because of that boy?"
If it were just the Serpent Tribe, Hai Bodong wouldn't have said this. The true reason was obvious.
"He's not from the empire. I don't know much, only that he's a peak Tier 5 alchemist under seventeen with Da Dou Shi strength. You know what that means. And the serpent-woman by his side is very closely tied to Queen Medusa."
Hai Bodong gave up a bit of information—enough to make the issue go away.
Jia Xingtian fell silent. His lips moved, but it took a long time before he managed to murmur one phrase:
"…Thank you."
(END CHAPTER)
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