Protect Our Chief

In the current situation, this is already the optimal solution for the Saint Gu tribe.

"Your Highness, I have a letter from my fourth brother." Wang Luojing took out a letter and offered it, speaking softly, "He said that the timing is ripe, and we can proceed according to plan."

"Alright, then I shall watch and see." A resolute glint flashed in Saintess Dai’s eyes. She firmly believed that this was the best choice for the entire Saint Gu tribe. Moreover, she had no choice but to agree.

If she dared to renege on her promise and not support Wang Luojing as the Saintess, or if she acted contrary to the plan, the hundred thousand Daqian troops outside, like a pack of wolves and tigers, would flatten Gu God Village in an instant.

...

Time flew by.

Ten days passed in the blink of an eye.

The army of the Daqian Kingdom quietly camped several hundred miles outside Gu God Village.

This exerted immense pressure and threat on the entire Barbarian Gu race.

Envoys from both sides came and went, seemingly running back and forth several times a day, negotiating and engaging in discussions, trying to reach a mutually agreeable purpose.

Today.

Is the day of the Saintess inheritance ceremony of Gu God Village.

Inside Gu God Village, there was a jubilant atmosphere. Temporarily "forgotten" was the shadow of war looming overhead as people immersed themselves in the festive mood.

In front of the altar.

The viewing bamboo platform for the inheritance ceremony was already set up. It was surrounded by a throng of people, but they were all onlookers with no seats to sit in.

Unlike the solemn and grave atmosphere of the Daqian Imperial Family’s ceremonies, the Saint Gu tribe’s ceremony was much more relaxed, with a tradition of widespread public participation.

And the important figures of the Saint Gu tribe arrived one by one, being guided to their seats on the viewing bamboo platform.

They were key members of the ruling class of the entire Saint Gu tribe, the weakest of whom were Gu Masters in the middle to late stage of the Celestial Human Realm.

According to the traditions of the Saint Gu tribe, they bore many rune tattoos.

Soon, the viewing bamboo platform was filled with dozens of people.

After that, Elder Gu and other Gu Elders made their entrance. Only Gu Masters equivalent to Daqian Purple Mansion Realm Cultivators were eligible to serve as Gu Elders. Each of them was a towering figure in the Saint Gu tribe, with the power to influence the tribe’s direction and future.

Although the entire Saint Gu tribe was much diminished compared to its peak, it still boasted a total of seventeen Gu Elders.

The recent selection of a Saintess inheritor from the two Quasi-Saintesses was made through a vote by the seventeen Gu Elders. Among them, Quasi-Saintess Jing received the support of nine Gu Elders and Saintess Dai, successfully being elected as the next Saintess.

As one Gu Elder after another appeared, the atmosphere on-site grew increasingly solemn and serious.

Among them, Elder Ga and the eliminated Quasi-Saintess Ya’s appearance were particularly striking.

Elder Ga was one of the most esteemed Elders within the Saint Gu tribe, and the former Quasi-Saintess Ya was an exceptionally outstanding offspring of his lineage, demonstrating extraordinary talent from a young age.

Before the emergence of Quasi-Saintess Jing, everyone believed Ya would certainly become the next Saintess. After all, Saintess Dai had failed halfway in her inheritance and, unable to advance to Gu Saint, would naturally retire early.

But to the surprise of Elder Ga and Ya, an unexpected contender, [Jing], emerged, ultimately gaining the right to succeed as Saintess, thanks to her achievements and Saintess Dai’s full support.

This shows.

Elder Ga and former Quasi-Saintess Ya were certainly not in good spirits. When they entered, their faces were dark, and their tattoos seemed more vibrant.

"Oh, isn’t this Ga?" Elder Chan, who was always at odds with Elder Ga, remarked sarcastically, "I thought you wouldn’t come today."

Elder Chan was an old woman who, due to power territory and historical reasons, had always been a rival to Ga. This time, she was a strong supporter of Quasi-Saintess Jing as well.

"Hmph!"

Elder Ga’s expression grew even darker, "Perhaps the Celestial Silkworm might scorn foreign bloodlines and refuse to grant the inheritance."

"Hahaha, you’re dreaming. Quasi-Saintess Jing’s Gu Master bloodline is very pure and definitely not seen as foreign." Elder Chan laughed, "Moreover, Saintess Dai had long consulted the Celestial Silkworm’s opinion, and it had already expressed its fondness for Jing."

The opinion of the Saint Gu Worm Celestial Silkworm was naturally very important. Relatively speaking, it liked Jing more, possibly because Jing’s bloodline talent was much stronger.

If a Gu Master wasn’t even accepted by the Saint Gu Worm Celestial Silkworm, how could they possibly gain the support of multiple Gu Elders?

"Hmph!"

Elder Ga snorted coldly, just about to retort.

Suddenly, from outside the viewing platform, came a loud voice: "The arrival of Daqian ’Emperor’s Son An’."

Emperor’s Son An?

The "ordinary distinguished figures" who were unaware of the inside story were all shocked and started discussing.

"Why would Daqian Emperor’s Son An come?"

"He must have been invited by Saintess Dai after consulting the Gu Elders."

"He has a lot of nerve, isn’t he afraid we’ll just mob and kill him to solve the siege crisis?"

"Fool, if Emperor’s Son An were killed, our entire Saint Gu tribe would be buried with him."

However, they only dared to say these words while Emperor’s Son An was still at a distance.

Once Emperor’s Son An and his entourage of guards approached, the surroundings fell silent. Clad in armor, Emperor’s Son An received numerous gazes filled with either hatred, awe, or admiration.

In a white robe, with an air of elegance like an Exiled Immortal, Wang Shouzhe walked a few steps behind Emperor’s Son An, not wanting to steal the spotlight.

Yet, even so.

Many young women in the crowd cast admiring glances towards Emperor’s Son An and Wang Shouzhe, among which there were more whispers about Wang Shouzhe.

"That gentleman in white is so handsome."

"I’m doomed, I really want to marry him, what should I do?"

"That gentleman is definitely a prominent figure in Daqian, how could he possibly notice you?"

"Even spending one night with him would be nice."

"Then let’s gather some sisters, wait for the ceremony to end, and just rush up — even a touch would be worth it."

The women of the Barbarian Gu race are traditionally more liberal than those in Daqian. Especially during such rare festive occasions, it’s quite normal for men and women to become involved if they fancy each other.

Even though the whispers were overheard by Emperor’s Son An and Wang Shouzhe and his companions. There’s no escaping it, with their level of power — unless they conscientiously used Divine Thought to block and isolate, it’d be hard not to overhear.

Just as they acted indifferent, a "high-level guard" clad entirely in armor behind them transmitted a voice in an old and teasing tone: "Hehehe, a pretty boy like Shouzhe indeed attracts foreign women. If you wish to have romances, feel free to indulge, I promise I won’t report it to Ruolan."

Wang Shouzhe rolled his eyes helplessly; Emperor Longchang was becoming more playful as he neared retirement. Having stayed with the Wang Family for so long, he’d become restless and insisted on joining the campaign for fun.

He said he wanted to witness the removal of the thorn in his heart to retire peacefully.

If he’s capable, why not fight himself? What’s the point of disguising as a guard?

Currently, within the Wang Family, only words from Ruolan, An Ye, and Lixian hold any sway over him.

Oh~ The antics of the old mischievous man are truly exasperating.

However, Wang Shouzhe privately wished that Emperor Longchang hadn’t come; of all things he feared, he feared him crying.

...