The Unparalleled Sword Emperor Chapter 2623 - 2598: Harboring Ghostly Motives! (Fifth Update)

"With the warriors from the East Continent who wish to aid the Jianghai Region now mostly having arrived, what does Emperor Xiao intend to do next?" The Great Witch Emperor inquired gravely.

Bai Xiaoxiao responded, "Previously, I instructed the Order Divine Court to set up the arrangements inside the Jianghai Region. How are things progressing there now?"

The Great Witch Emperor explained, "Everything has been organized following Emperor Xiao’s strategies. The Jianghai Region stands divided into four battle areas. My Great Witch Dynasty oversees the eastern battle zone!"

"The Jiang Clan handles the northern battle zone!"

"Other allied warriors manage the western battle zone!"

"The East Continent Academy’s disciples take charge of the southern battle zone!"

The Great Witch Emperor declared.

Bai Xiaoxiao gave a nod, "This setup proves ideal. Now we simply await developments without further action!"

The Great Witch Emperor questioned, "Await? Yet how much longer must we hold? Emperor Xiao understands that these mighty experts flooding into the Jianghai Region already tilts the odds against us!"

Bai Xiaoxiao nodded, "I grasp the Jianghai Region’s worries; the wait won’t drag on. I expect the Demon Sect to strike within three months!"

"Should the Demon Sect stay quiet for three months, it signals their retreat."

"We can then end our vigil."

Bai Xiaoxiao affirmed with a nod.

Glancing about, the Great Witch Emperor saw the assembled warriors displaying clear discontent toward Bai Xiaoxiao’s choice.

Yet with such formidable powers already gathered, he clenched his jaw and stood firm.

"Very well, as Emperor Xiao suggests, we’ll wait three months. If the Demon Sect fails to show, we’ll decide our path then!" The Great Witch Emperor agreed with a nod.

"For now, all of you, head back to your assigned battle zones. Report any strange events immediately."

Those warriors rose, paid respects to the Great Witch Emperor, and departed from the Great Witch Dynasty’s imperial palace.

Turning to Bai Xiaoxiao at that point, the Great Witch Emperor stated, "Emperor Xiao, I’ve readied the imperial quarters for you and the Saint of the East Continent Academy; kindly retire there to rest!"

Bai Xiaoxiao nodded, "My thanks."

With those words, a servant girl escorted Bai Xiaoxiao and Lin Bai toward the imperial residence.

Once Bai Xiaoxiao departed, the Great Witch Emperor settled upon the dragon throne, lost in contemplation.

Wu He approached the Great Witch Emperor and spoke icily, "Father, must we truly heed the Xiao Emperor’s commands?"

The Great Witch Emperor answered coldly, "What options remain to us? The Order Divine Court placed Emperor Xiao in command of this conflict, showing immense faith in her!"

"Our Great Witch Dynasty dares not cross the Order Divine Court!"

"Remember, the Order Divine Court called forth the Sword Realm Warriors and Soul-breaking Area Warriors from beyond the Territories to bolster the Jianghai Region!"

"Severing ties with the Order Divine Court now would leave Jianghai Region’s forces too weak against the Demon Sect’s elites."

The Great Witch Emperor added coldly, "Without the Order Divine Court’s backing, how could this young woman presume to rule from the Golden Palace!"

Wu He nodded in silence.

The Great Witch Emperor inquired, "Wu He, how fares the mission I entrusted to you?"

Wu He reported, "The assignment from Father has begun. Lately, I’ve summoned every powerhouse entering the Jianghai Region to the imperial palace!"

A pleased smile crossed the Great Witch Emperor’s face, "Excellent. Chaos grips the East Continent, leaving countless warriors uprooted and many experts without allegiance. The moment is ripe for enlisting them!"

"Surviving this East Continent crisis, with the Great Witch Dynasty claiming all these powerhouses, we’ll emerge post-catastrophe as the East Continent’s supreme dynasty!"

"By then, the Great Witch Dynasty shall wield power enough to rival the East Continent Academy!"

"Ultimately, our Great Witch Dynasty will dominate the entire East Continent!"

"This chance belongs to the Great Witch Dynasty!"

"Whether the Jianghai Region withstands this calamity remains to be seen."

Joy mingled with deeper worry on the Great Witch Emperor’s countenance!

Wu He noted, "Father, as we draw powerhouses to the Great Witch Dynasty, the Jiang Clan appears to be recruiting as well..."

The Great Witch Emperor responded coldly, "Ignore the Jiang Clan; concentrate solely on our objectives."

Wu He nodded, "Understood!"

Bursting into laughter, the Great Witch Emperor declared, "Son, you must work hard. If you succeed in this task and recruit more strong figures, then you will be the ruler of the East Continent!"

"Even before the Central Holy Nation, you’ll hold some standing!"

Hearing this, Wu He couldn’t suppress a smile, "Father, can I make a request?"

Nodding, the Great Witch Emperor replied, "Of course, the future East Continent belongs to us, so ask for whatever you want."

Wu He stated, "Once this affair concludes, I’d like Father to eliminate Lin Bai; I aim to become the Saint of the East Continent Academy!"

Smiling broadly, the Great Witch Emperor agreed, "No problem!"

Overjoyed, Wu He beamed with delight.

...

Within the imperial residence, the Order Divine Court assigned Lin Bai, Lan Yuxin, and Li Jiuge the duty to guard Bai Xiaoxiao.

Though labeled as protection, it resembled surveillance more closely.

Right after entering the imperial residence, Bai Xiaoxiao sealed herself in her room, meeting only Chu Jiangliu.

Still, Lin Bai sensed that Chu Jiangliu and Bai Xiaoxiao had stayed unusually busy lately, apparently preparing some matters.

While strolling through the imperial residence garden, Lin Bai spotted Chu Jiangliu exiting Bai Xiaoxiao’s courtyard.

Approaching with a grave expression, Chu Jiangliu saluted by cupping his fists, "Sword Prince!"

Lin Bai inquired, "Has it started?"

Nodding gravely, Chu Jiangliu confirmed, "Whether the Demon Sect shows up or not, Emperor Xiao’s plan will launch! I need to depart the Jianghai Region now and head back to the Southern Corner’s 180 Domains to direct the conflict!"

Placing a hand on Chu Jiangliu’s shoulder, Lin Bai said, "You’ve worked hard!"

A bitter smile crossed Chu Jiangliu’s face, "The Chu Family has served the Bai Dynasty loyally for generations; I follow suit. Furthermore, I regard Emperor Xiao as a legendary sovereign from antiquity; gaining her trust is the pinnacle honor of my existence!"

Lin Bai nodded with a smile.

Gazing at Chu Jiangliu, Lin Bai felt profound respect; without his years of relentless campaigning, Bai Xiaoxiao’s realm wouldn’t have achieved such stability.

On top of that, Chu Jiangliu wielded his own formidable power and skill to conquer battles across the world!

Chu Jiangliu declared, "Then, Sword Prince, I’ll take my leave!"

Lin Bai nodded.

Cupping his fists again, Chu Jiangliu turned and departed.

Yet, after just a few steps, he paused, spun back to face Lin Bai, and uttered, "Sword Prince..."

Lin Bai asked, "Is there something else?"

After a long hesitation, Chu Jiangliu gritted his teeth and spoke, "Sword Prince, no matter what decisions or actions Emperor Xiao makes going forward, please believe she holds no malice toward you!"

"She doesn’t wish to harm you or see you come to harm!"

"But telling you certain things faults her, and withholding them also faults her!"

"I hope the Sword Prince understands Emperor Xiao’s predicament!"

"I take my leave."

With those enigmatic words, Chu Jiangliu quickly exited the Jianghai Region.

Watching Chu Jiangliu’s retreating form, Lin Bai furrowed his brow, murmuring to himself, "Xiaoxiao, you’re definitely concealing something from me—what exactly is it?"

"What secret makes telling me a mistake and not telling equally wrong?"

"Does it involve the Demon Sect?"

"Is that why she’s been so distant with me lately?"

Lin Bai sank into profound thought.