I Can See Your Combat Power
Chapter 1104 - Chapter 1104 Chapter 398 Red-Eyed Evil Dragon

Chapter 1104: Chapter 398: Red-Eyed Evil Dragon Chapter 1104: Chapter 398: Red-Eyed Evil Dragon “The goodwill of the Xiang Family is worthless to the Ye Family of Da Lin.”

Although he didn’t understand why Xiang Loulan thought the Xiang Family’s goodwill was so valuable, Xiang Ange had no qualms about bursting his son’s unrealistic bubble, “Between noble families, there are only interests, no such thing as goodwill. I formed a close relationship with Ye Qingcang simply because the Xiang Family was related to the Yun Clan, and several Yun merchants wielded significant influence within the Da Lin Commerce Alliance. What personal feelings were there?”

“Now you want to use this little connection to get the Da Lin Commerce Alliance to give up a stable annual income worth hundreds of millions in gold and to make an enemy of the new power in Longzhou. Do you think such a deal could be struck?”

“Given Ye Qingcang’s character, if I really sent him a letter, the moment my message arrived, he would immediately inflate grain prices. If the Longxi Alliance starts asking questions, he would blame us, claiming that Chaochang is putting pressure on the Da Lin Commerce Alliance.”

Showing his white teeth, Xiang Ange coldly chuckled, “When that time comes, the Xiang Family will bear the wrath of Longxi, while the Ye Family swallows the profits from the price hike. That’s a merchant for you.”

Xiang Ange was somewhat disappointed, not knowing whether the idea to pressure the Longxi Alliance was conceived by Duan Longcheng or himself. Such a flawed plan was truly hard to endure.

But in the end, it was his own son. Xiang Ange didn’t want to be too harsh. Instead, he reminded him, “Do you know why the Evil King Palace came to Chaochang to conspire with our clan against the Longxi Alliance?”

“Isn’t it because Duan Longshu was humiliated by Tang Luo, leading Duan Longcheng to plot revenge against the Tang Family?”

Such simplistic thinking; how could it be of grand use? Xiang Ange sighed and said, “If it were just for revenge, Duan Longcheng would not have condescended to come to Chaochang!”

“Then why?”

“Recently, in the western region of Longzhou, a powerful figure appeared, who would annihilate whole families. His dress and martial style are strikingly similar to that of the Devil Lord Hook Chen!”

“The Devil Lord Hook Chen?” Xiang Loulan was taken aback. “Wasn’t he wounded by Wang Invincible in the Northern Territory?”

“The one injured by Wang Invincible was indeed the real Devil Lord Hook Chen, while the one in the western region of Longzhou is an imposter.”

Handing over a sealed document from the table to Xiang Loulan, Xiang Ange indifferently said, “When setting plans within an alliance, what’s most important is not how ingenious the strategies are but whether the goals of the allies align with yours.”

As Xiang Loulan perused the content of the sealed document, his expression darkened. Most of the time in this world, the more anxious you are, the more effort you put in.

Originally thinking that Chaochang would be the anxious one, he did not expect the truly anxious one to be Duan Longcheng. No wonder this ranked powerhouse was so patient.

“Slap!” Xiang Loulan slammed the document on the table and said angrily, “These two bastards, they actually plan on using the Xiang Family!”

“There’s no need to be hasty.” Xiang Ange said calmly, “Now that we know the Evil King Palace is more desperate, the situation is different.”

“Hmm?” Xiang Loulan was stunned. “Father means, we can turn the tables and use them?”

“Not use them, but sincerely cooperate!” Xiang Ange said lightly, “Duan Longcheng’s deduction of the situation is correct; the Longxi Alliance is currently rallying in Chaochang to prepare for taking control of Chaochang. Chaochang’s craftsmen, technology, and wealth are fatally attractive to the Longxi Alliance. Whether it takes three years or five, the Tang Clan will inevitably have a branch relocating to Chaochang!”

“How can we allow others to sleep peacefully on the couch beside our bed!” A ruthless light flashed in Xiang Loulan’s eyes. “As long as the Tang Clan dares to move in, they will not be returning!”

“You’re wrong again,” said Xiang Ange indifferently. “Seas embrace hundreds of rivers for their capacity to hold; Chaochang is Longzhou’s Chaochang, not the Xiang Family’s Chaochang. There are nearly a hundred representatives of powerful forces living here, not eighty. It’s because of these people that Chaochang has become the pearl of the South Sea. This is also the foundation of Chaochang’s status as a giant city of the South Sea. Do you wish to shake the foundation of Chaochang?”

“So we just let them in?” Xiang Loulan argued, “Knowing they harbor ill intent and still talking about fundamental righteousness, be careful not to raise a tiger that will turn on us!”

“That’s why we must sincerely cooperate with the Evil King Palace.”

Xiang Ange reached into his sleeve and took out a jade slip inlaid with a golden dragon pattern, shaking it lightly, “The palace has already signaled back, leaving us to handle it at our discretion!”

“Then what shall we do?”

“Tell Duan Longcheng and his son that I will host a banquet at the residence tomorrow.”

…

The next day

Tang Luo, who had been covertly lingering within the Xiang Residence for several days, finally met with Xiang Ange.

The two of them decidedly did not mention the alliance or the waiting matter, and at the banquet, they were toasting and drinking, just like old friends who hadn’t seen each other for years.

This grand feast continued until midnight, and the still-unsatisfied Xiang Ange and Duan Longcheng were making merry over their cups.

Eventually, Xiang Ange, who couldn’t handle his liquor, was supported into a side hall to rest, while the bleary-eyed Duan Longcheng was carried to the adjacent room.

Though just previously bleary-eyed, the two men, separated only by a wall, now seemed to be speaking right into each other’s ears.

“The link between the Tang Clan and the Longxi gentry is those two treasure ships. It’s rumored that these noble families are so obedient to the Tang Clan because the Tang Clan divides the profits from the treasure ships into dozens of shares, each share corresponding to a spot. With the treasure ships sailing every two years, the list of names is also updated biennially. To remain on the list, the Longxi families nearly come to blows.”

“Does the Xiang Family Head mean to suggest that in order to deal with the Longxi Alliance, we must first destroy the two Wancheng Treasure Ships?”

“Correct, to annihilate Longxi, start with the ships!”

“How will the plan be enacted?”

“The Wancheng Treasure Ships do overseas trade, and ultimately they all return through the South Sea inlet. With the right setup, we may achieve success.”

“What are the odds?”

“Sixty percent.”

“And the other forty percent?”

“The Longxi powerhouses, the Martial Ancestors of the Tang Clan.”

“They’re nothing but a rabble, all will be slaughtered by this palace.”

“With that, we have a ninety percent chance.”

“Very good.”

“The first step in destroying the ships is that once the ships are destroyed, Longxi will be enraged and will surely send troops to the South Sea to investigate!”

“How should we handle it?”

“Spread impunity among the rich and powerful within the inner city; Longxi will certainly not rest easy!”

“What a marvelous plan!”

The rest of the plan needed not to be spoken for it was clear: the incensed Tang Clan and Chaochang nobility would clash, while the Evil King Palace and the Xiang Clan alliance would opportunistically strike.

This would make the Longxi Alliance unable to attend to issues at both ends. There might be seven cities, but they wouldn’t withstand several waves of mystical grade combined assaults.

And the Longxi Alliance, having suffered huge losses, would not quit, signaling the onset of a great war.

The thought of Longzhou soon to be engulfed in the flames of war, its people displaced, Sister Xiu’er, who had been eavesdropping outside, hidden by the Cloud Veil, felt a sudden disturbance in her mind. The meticulously crafted Cloud Veil Body Painting revealed a slight crack, then instantly sealed again.

This subtle aura, let alone from across the room, might not be distinctly felt even if one were lying under the bed. Still, to be cautious, Sister Xiu’er decided it was time to retreat.

As she was about to gracefully depart, she suddenly felt a heart palpitation. A silver-scaled, red-eyed evil dragon roared forth, tearing a large hole in the stone wall.