**Chapter 25: Two Families Seek Alliance, Gaining All Advantages**
**Author:** Gu Zhenren
**Date:** 2013-02-09
The Azure Sea Dragon
The Azure Sea Dragon, once the famed Demonic Beast of the Sea Dragon King Jiang Bo, suddenly appeared in the peace talks tent. What did this signify? None present were fools; they immediately connected it to the Star Sea Dragon Palace’s secret treasures and Jiang Bo’s legacy. For the first time in over a hundred years, this secret treasure was truly revealed to the World. The Shu Family Island had obtained it.
“Rumor has it that Jiang Bo also possessed the Tribulation Demon Soldier, the Sea Sinking Wood-Incense Armor, and the Spirit Monster Soldier, the Azure Sea Tide-Rising Flute.”
“The Sea Dragon King was skilled in music. His self-created ‘Laughing Azure Sea’ was a Supreme grade sound-controlling phápmen. Compared to it, the Yan Family’s sound-controlling method was mere trash.”
“The Azure Sea Dragon is a Supreme grade Demonic Beast, originally a Tribulation Demon Beast. It seems its cultivation declined due to its battle with Chu Bawang. However, even at the Spirit Monster realm, it cannot be underestimated.”
“Terrifying! No wonder the Shu Family Island achieved such a great victory. It turns out they had the support of the Star Sea Dragon Palace’s secret treasures.”
In reality, the spoils from the Star Sea Dragon Palace’s secret treasures were much smaller than what everyone imagined. For instance, the Tribulation Demon Soldier, the Sea Sinking Wood-Incense Armor, had long been destroyed by Chu Bawang. The Spirit Monster Soldier, the Azure Sea Tide-Rising Flute, had also been reduced to the Great Demon level. However, human imagination is unparalleled in the World. Especially with Shu Tianhao and Chu Yun smiling enigmatically, it made people believe they had hidden trump cards, leaving ample room for speculation.
“Damn it! I was planning to ambush them after the peace talks to avenge my three dear nephews. The Azure Sea Dragon…” Fang Hong, the Sky-Crashing Hammer, clenched his fists, filled with hatred and unwillingness. “The father and son duo appearing together, their confident demeanor… they must have formidable trump cards. Inheriting the Sea Dragon King’s legacy, wouldn’t their trump cards be formidable? Alas, it seems I have to let it go for now.”
With this thought, Fang Hong slowly relaxed his fists, exhaling a breath of turbid air. His gaze towards the Shu Family Island father and son changed. This was strength. The strength displayed by the Shu Family Island father and son had forced established first-class powers like the Fang Family to treat them as equals.
“I never expected my deterrence plan to ultimately benefit the Shu Family Island,” the Young Master of the Yan Family glanced at Shu Tianhao not far away, his gaze lingering on Chu Yun. His apprehension towards the father and son increased by another third. “In this case, won’t my plan for this trip go to waste? If we can’t occupy the Shu Family Island, our Yan Family might not last much longer…” The Young Master of the Yan Family frowned, clearly harboring other worries. The Yan Family’s attack on the Shu Family had a hidden purpose.
“Hehehe. It seems the title ‘Fierce Tiger of Many Stars’ will soon reappear on the Teng List. I, Yan, congratulate Island Master Shu here.” The Young Master of the Yan Family’s attitude suddenly changed drastically, his face beaming with smiles. “In fact, our Yan Family and the Shu Family have always had a harmonious relationship and are friendly neighbors. It’s hateful that we were instigated by petty people this time, mistakenly believing that the Broken Wolf had any connection with the Shu Family. Now that the truth is revealed, and Island Master Shu possesses the Star Sea Dragon Palace’s secret treasures, why would he bother with the petty gains from some pirates?”
As these words left his mouth, the expressions of those present became incredibly fascinating.
“Bah! Friendly neighbors? How can such shameless words come out of your mouth?” Immediately, many people cursed inwardly. The Island Master of the Ning Family’s face turned grim; he felt slapped in the face. What did “instigated by petty people” mean? Wasn’t it referring to him? The representative of the Tie Family, Long Daozhi, also let out a cold snort, inwardly furious. With the ten families united, the Yan Family Young Master’s concession immediately put the other thirteen families at a disadvantage. The truth is revealed, and Island Master Shu was misunderstood? Could these words be spoken? It directly negated the righteousness of the coalition army’s expedition. If the righteousness was denied by the Yan Family Young Master in one fell swoop, how could the peace talks proceed?
Even Chu Yun was somewhat surprised. The Yan Family Young Master’s attitude had shifted too suddenly, giving him a strange feeling. “Could the Yan Family Young Master have ulterior motives?” Chu Yun frowned slightly, unable to understand. “But our Shu Family Island is located in a remote, wild land. The main island even has undeveloped forests. What could he be scheming for?” Recalling memories from his past life, he found no clues. After all, in his past life, after Shu Tianhao died, he was quickly ostracized by Madam Shu. He wandered among various Island Countries and rarely returned to the Archipelago. He wasn’t very clear about what happened during that period.
“Hehehe, since the truth is revealed, let’s be open and honest. How will the Yan Family compensate the Shu Family for the losses incurred in this unjust war?” The Sleeping Old Man’s eyes flashed with shrewdness as he keenly seized this rare opportunity, opening a breakthrough for the peace talks.
The Yan Family Young Master seemed to have a prepared response and immediately said, “Our Yan Family is willing to open trade routes with the Shu Family and provide preferential trade for the next three years, importing Shu Family sea salt…” Following this were many more details about trade. Chu Yun couldn’t help but feel tempted. Trade could solve material scarcity and promote economic prosperity. Especially the trade policies proposed by the Yan Family Young Master were extremely favorable to the Shu Family Island. If this could be achieved, the benefits would be extraordinary.
However, even so, Shu Tianhao still bargained. Ultimately, the Yan Family Young Master made a significant concession, and the Shu Family Island obtained unexpectedly generous benefits. With the Yan Family taking the lead, the other thirteen families, though inwardly cursing, outwardly had to make concessions. However, their retreats were much smaller than the Yan Family’s.
“Our Wei Family is willing to make a huge concession and form an alliance with the Shu Family,” suddenly spoke the representative of the Wei Family, startling everyone. The eyes looking at the Wei Family representative involuntarily showed admiration. The Shu Family was the culprit behind the Wei Family’s dire situation, but times had changed. The Wei Family was facing a crisis of annexation by first-class powers like the Tie and Yan Families. Although the Shu Family Island had won and had the Star Sea Dragon Palace’s secret treasures, its foundation was plain to see. Even if it rose to become a first-class power, it would take time to develop.
At this moment, allying with the weak to resist the strong was the most correct choice. Everything was prioritized for self-interest. Even if they were former enemies, for the sake of profit, the Wei Family had to swallow their pride and ally with the Shu Family. “The Wei Family is banking on our Shu Family needing time to develop and lacking the energy for expansion, which is why they proposed an alliance. However, the Wei Family’s sea territory lies between our Shu Family’s and the Tie Family’s sea territories. If we refuse the alliance and allow the Tie Family to annex the Wei Family, their sea territory would connect with ours…”
As Chu Yun’s thoughts raced, Shu Tianhao had already nodded in agreement and began negotiating the alliance treaty with the Wei Family representative. Even though this alliance treaty was practically fragile, it held significant importance.
“Wait,” said the Tie Family representative, Long Daozhi, his face ashen. The last thing he wanted to see was the alliance between the Wei and Shu Families. He immediately spoke, “This war was an unjust war. The instigating petty person is most detestable and should be severely punished. Do you not agree, Island Master Ning?”
“Long Daozhi…” Chu Yun’s eyes narrowed. He had a strong impression of this person. He was the chief strategist of the Tie Family’s Young Master, Tie Ao, and would become Tie Ao’s chief minister when Tie Ao succeeded him as head of the Tie Family. He was intelligent and resourceful, Tie Ao’s right-hand man.
The Island Master of the Ning Family’s heart skipped a beat. His eyes flickered briefly before hardening. He feigned a sigh, “Alas, although Ning Qishuang is a member of my Ning Family, her act of giving false testimony and instigating war is unforgivable. Guards, bring her head at once.”
“Hold On,” Shu Tianhao waved his hand, stopping them. “Since Ning Qishuang is the culprit, she should be dealt with by me, the victim. What do you say, Island Master Ning?”
“Since that is the case, she will be handed over to you, Island Master Shu,” the Ning Family Head immediately agreed. Since they had already abandoned this pawn, handing her over to Shu Tianhao was not a problem.
Long Daozhi sighed and gave the Ning Family Head a deep look before saying no more.
“Long Daozhi, hmph, your Tie Family still wants to drag my Ning Family down? Coward!” The Ning Family Head also sneered coldly. The various factions were engaged in covert struggles, and every word carried malicious intent. The most relaxed was the Sleeping Old Man. He squinted his eyes again, falling into a state between sleep and wakefulness.
“This campaign has shown me the wisdom and courage of the Shu Family. Our Hua Family is also willing to become allies with the Shu Family and support each other,” just as the various parties were entangled and vying for advantage, the Hua Family Island Master, who had been silent, suddenly spoke. His words were like a bombshell dropped into the tent.
For a moment, everyone’s expressions froze, their wide eyes filled with confusion and shock. The Hua Family also wanted to ally with the Shu Family? Why? There was no need. Could it be that the Hua Family’s Young Island Master was captured by the Shu Family? He would be released after the peace talks, wouldn’t he? Why have peace talks then? Everyone couldn’t figure out why the Hua Family Island Master wanted to ally with the Shu Family.
Long Daozhi narrowed his eyes and gave the Hua Family Island Master a deep look, his expression contemplative. “Why did the Hua Family Island Master suddenly propose an alliance? Wait… In my memory, he died half a year later. So he was seriously ill and already making arrangements for his funeral?” Chu Yun’s eyes gleamed, and he saw through the Hua Family Island Master’s intentions.
“Every transfer of power inevitably causes turmoil. The Hua Family Island Master is already making plans for after his death. This is a true politician… Hua Ying still has a gap compared to his father,” Chu Yun sighed inwardly. Since the Hua Family wanted to ally with the Shu Family, it was even better for the unstable Shu Family Island that needed time to develop. Shu Tianhao would naturally not refuse.
Three days later, the peace talks concluded, and the results exceeded everyone’s expectations. The Shu Family formed alliances with the Wei and Hua Families, opened trade routes with the Yan Family, and gained considerable advantages and compensation during the peace talks.
“What are your thoughts, my son?” Shu Tianhao asked on the ship returning to Shu Family Island.
“My eyes have been opened. In the eyes of politicians, the World is like a chessboard, and everyone is a piece. The Ning Family Head, who sacrificed his own pieces to protect himself. Long Daozhi, who stirred up trouble to benefit from the chaos. The extremely patient Wei Family, the Yan Family Young Master with ulterior motives, and the surprising Hua Family Island Master,” Chu Yun sighed sincerely.
Shu Tianhao nodded, looking at Chu Yun with great satisfaction. “Very good observation.” After a pause, he suddenly asked again, “Then, how do you think Ning Qishuang should be dealt with?” Ning Qishuang was Madam Shu. The Ning Family Head wanted to kill her to take the blame, but Shu Tianhao had requested her. So, how should the former Madam Shu be handled?
