Human Clan Defender-Chapter 462 - 209: Lord Shen Has a Plan (Seeking Monthly Votes)

"Defender Shen has left seclusion!"

Seeing Shen Changqing appear, Mu Qing visibly relaxed. The number of powerful individuals in Mountain-Breaking City was increasing daily, and he too was under considerable pressure. If someone were to cause trouble, truth be told, with his own strength, he might not be able to suppress it.

Defender Envoys are powerful, but that also depends on the circumstances. At this time, the city had gathered quite a few top experts from various countries, any of whom would be of Defender Envoy caliber wherever they went. If they really decided to cause trouble, suppressing them would surely not be so easy.

Shen Changqing nodded. "Yes, I’ve come out of seclusion. Is Defender Ji still in closed-door cultivation?"

"Exactly." Mu Qing nodded. If Defender Envoys weren’t seriously injured, it was one matter, but once they were, recovery was not so simple.

Following that, he added, "Defender Ji has profound foundations; with some more time in closed-door cultivation, he should be able to fully recover."

"That’s good to hear. By the way, have people from Dayue arrived?"

"They have." A smile appeared on Mu Qing’s face. "Defender Shen truly predicts things like a prophet. Not long after Beiming Wang left, people from Dayue arrived. The visitor turned out to be Wang Xiao."

"Their purpose should be the same as Beiming Wang’s, I suppose?" Shen Changqing said with a faint smile.

Beiming Wang’s visit to the Demon-Subduing Division was certainly no secret. If the people from Dayue made some inquiries, they would know the details clearly. At such a critical juncture, it would be impossible for Beiming Wang to visit the Demon-Subduing Division with no purpose in mind.

Mu Qing nodded. "Wang Xiao’s purpose is the same as Beiming Wang’s; they are both after the method to break through to Great Grandmaster. I also told him that five high-level Demon Evils could be exchanged for the breakthrough method. At first, Wang Xiao hesitated, but after learning that we had already made a deal with Great Liang, he agreed immediately."

At this point, his expression showed some hesitation. "Defender Shen, there’s something I still want to remind you of. The method for a Great Grandmaster breakthrough is related to the security of our nation. If we openly sell it to other countries, might that not cause dissatisfaction from ’Him’?" Mu Qing gestured upwards with his hand.

It was apparent that the method for a Great Grandmaster’s breakthrough weighed heavily on every faction involved. Because of its importance, one couldn’t act recklessly. Even though the other party was the Defender Envoy of South Nether Prefecture, if he went too far, the Imperial Court might become discontent. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Upon hearing this, Shen Changqing laughed, his hands clasped behind his back. "Why should Defender Mu worry? What I am doing is actually alleviating pressure on Great Qin."

"Alleviating pressure on Great Qin?" Mu Qing looked puzzled. He didn’t quite understand.

Shen Changqing smiled faintly. "You should be aware that the Great Grandmaster has become crucial to a nation’s strength and its subsequent lineage. Precisely because this breakthrough method is so important, other forces will definitely stop at nothing to obtain it. Great Qin is now beset by enemies on all sides. If we cling tightly to the Great Grandmaster breakthrough method, it will only draw the enmity of Great Liang and Dayue. Later, under pressure, Great Qin would most likely publicize the method anyway. Rather than a complete falling-out at the end, wouldn’t it be better for me to reveal the method first and gain some advantages? Don’t you think this action alleviates pressure on Great Qin?"

"So that’s how it is!" After hearing the detailed explanation, Mu Qing suddenly saw the light. Now he realized how narrow his original thinking had been.

Indeed, the method for becoming a Great Grandmaster was very important. But precisely because it was so important, it would definitely provoke other forces to fight over it by any means necessary. Now that Shen Changqing was openly selling the method, it was clearly giving both sides a way to de-escalate. In this situation, neither Great Liang nor Dayue would likely resort to brazenly snatching it or forcing Great Qin to hand over the breakthrough method. Should they choose to do that, their reputations would be ruined.

Moreover, despite Great Qin currently being surrounded by enemies, even a starved camel is bigger than a horse. When it came to foundations, Great Qin was still very formidable among the nations. Unless absolutely necessary, neither Great Liang nor Dayue was likely to turn against Great Qin.

Having figured this out, Mu Qing’s gaze towards Shen Changqing filled with admiration. "This matter has truly wronged you, Defender Shen!"

In his view, Shen Changqing must have been very reluctant to hand over the method for a Great Grandmaster breakthrough. But for the sake of Great Qin, he had to swallow his pride and compromise. This magnanimity was not something an ordinary person could match. The stronger a person, the more they cared about their reputation. For a Great Grandmaster like him, if he weren’t considering Great Qin’s interests, no one would likely be able to force him.

In an instant, in Mu Qing’s mind, this Defender Shen seemed to grow much taller.

In response, Shen Changqing just shook his head with a faint smile and said no more.

He was selling the method, certainly not for Great Qin’s sake, but merely to bluff others. If he were the only Great Grandmaster of this era, then undoubtedly, he would be holding out for the highest offer. But the problem was, apart from himself, there was Shimohe, who had also broken through to the Grandmaster Realm. To be honest, Shen Changqing was somewhat worried; if he set the price too high and the other forces went to do business with Shimohe, then he would suffer a great loss.

These inner thoughts, however, he shared with no one. Some things were best kept to oneself; there was no need to voice them. With someone like Mu Qing, a slight change in phrasing, and he was instantly seen as a loyal subject of Great Qin.

"Well said! Lord Shen is truly deserving of the title Defender Envoy of South Nether Prefecture. If Great Qin could have more people like Lord Shen, it would be so much better!"

Applause rang out, followed by a shrill voice.

Shen Changqing turned to see a thin, beardless old man with skin as smooth as a woman’s entering from outside the hall.

Eunuch! His eyebrows rose. Just from the voice and appearance, he had already guessed the man’s identity.

Actually, right when he entered the main hall, Shen Changqing had sensed someone lurking nearby. But he hadn’t paid it much attention because the lurking person’s strength was insignificant and didn’t warrant concern.

"Who might this be?" Shen Changqing asked, his face expressionless.

Mu Qing smiled. "This is Li Shou, Eunuch Li. He came to South Nether Prefecture to meet with Defender Shen. Unfortunately, Defender Shen was in seclusion recently and not receiving visitors, so I did not presume to disturb him."

"So it’s Eunuch Li." A faint smile touched Shen Changqing’s lips.

Li Shou approached, also smiling, his voice like a drake’s. "I heard everything Lord Shen said earlier. It seems His Majesty’s decision to appoint Lord Shen as the Defender Envoy of South Nether Prefecture was indeed exceptionally correct."

He looked at Shen Changqing, his eyes filled with satisfaction. Having served Emperor Qin for decades, he was utterly loyal to Great Qin and thus held great fondness for others who were equally loyal. Clearly, Shen Changqing’s earlier words had left a very favorable impression on Li Shou.

"Eunuch Li praises me too highly. May I ask what business has brought you to South Nether Prefecture to find me?"

"It’s like this: His Majesty heard that Lord Shen was going to auction Grandmaster Martial Arts and sent me to observe, to prevent any mishaps. However, seeing how judiciously Lord Shen handles matters, it seems I need not say much." Eunuch Li chuckled lightly, a finger to his lips.

That gesture caused a slight shiver in Shen Changqing’s heart.

This was his first interaction with a eunuch, and he found the other party’s mannerisms quite off-putting. Nevertheless, though repulsed, he did not show it. For Gu Xuanji to send this person meant he clearly trusted Li Shou profoundly. It was unnecessary to offend him over trifles. Even with his current status, where he needn’t be overly concerned, there was no need to go out of his way to make enemies.

So, after Li Shou finished speaking, Shen Changqing also maintained a faint smile. "For His Majesty to send you here, Eunuch, perhaps there are other intentions as well?"

"Of course, there are some. His Majesty is very concerned about the auction of Grandmaster Martial Arts, so he sent me to see if we could bid for them. After all, rather than such martial arts falling into others’ hands, it’s better they remain with our Great Qin."

"Eunuch Li, you are mistaken," Shen Changqing said calmly. "These Grandmaster Martial Arts being auctioned, even if they fall into the hands of other powers, won’t lead to any significant consequences. After all, the strength of martial arts ultimately depends on the user. Besides, I am a man of Great Qin. If the Imperial Court were to spend a fortune bidding on these martial arts, wouldn’t it become a laughingstock if word got out? Therefore, there’s no need for you, Eunuch, to participate in this auction. As for His Majesty, you can reply on my behalf that I have backups of all Grandmaster Martial Arts and breakthrough methods in the Demon-Subduing Division. Once this matter is concluded, presenting them to the Imperial Court will not be an issue."

It was out of the question for Great Qin to participate in the auction. Although he felt no particular affection for Great Qin, on the surface, they were still considered his own people; there was no need to profit from them. Besides, if he earned too much, Emperor Qin would likely target the Demon-Subduing Division even more. And in the current circumstances, there was absolutely no need to antagonize the Imperial Court. Moreover, as the Martial Hall Master, still relying on the large tree that was the Demon-Subduing Division, it wasn’t unusual to keep related martial arts within the Martial Hall. As long as the martial arts remained in the Martial Hall, Shen Changqing didn’t believe the Imperial Court couldn’t get their hands on them. After all, with so many people in the Martial Hall, who knew if there weren’t spies from the Imperial Court? Since it was impossible to keep it a secret anyway, it was better to hand them over openly. At the very least, this would demonstrate another attitude: that everything he was doing now was for the sake of the Imperial Court. This way, it might even alleviate some pressure on the Demon-Subduing Division. All in all, he suffered no loss himself and could ease the pressure on the Demon-Subduing Division. The only price was a few pleasantries. Shen Changqing considered it; he really had no reason to refuse.

Meanwhile, hearing these words, Li Shou’s face beamed with joy. "With Lord Shen harboring such sentiment, I will certainly report to His Majesty. Since Lord Shen has his own plans for this matter, it is best I do not interfere too much."