CHAPTER 235: ANNOUNCEMENT!!

"Lord Huan Tian, what if the Prefecture Lords betray the tribe and join the enemy tribe just to escape this Conqueror’s Battlefield? We cannot afford to lose King Realm experts when they are the ones maintaining the power balance among the tribes."

At this question, Ashen’s tone turned serious as he asked: "Are you doubting the Prefecture Lords’ loyalty towards the tribe?"

The Minister was immediately taken aback as he instantly denied the accusation:

"No, I didn’t mean it like that. Of course, I believe in the loyalty the prefecture Lords have for the tribe."

"Oh, then why does your question not reflect this?" Ashen asked sarcastically.

The Minister couldn’t answer as his head hung low in defeat.

Even then, Ashen answered his question: "Still, I’ll answer your question."

The Minister was instantly delighted by this proclamation.

"To avoid such an outcome, I have given them the option to choose their leader before the battle. Moreover, I have removed myself as a candidate due to this being one of the reasons. I don’t have royal blood, and asking the prefecture lords to follow me would be unjustified; however, they shouldn’t have any problem following someone who has a claim to the throne and has the royal blood in their veins, right? Lastly, no one should have a problem following someone stronger than themselves."

"If even after all this, they still choose to betray the tribe, then don’t you think they weren’t loyal to the tribe in the first place?" Ashen said while shrugging with a helpless expression.

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The further questions weren’t too difficult to answer as Ashen clarified all their worries patiently.

At last, it was the matriarch who asked a question:

"Lord Huan Tian, what will happen if both the Prince and Princess are defeated by prefecture lords?"

Hearing the question, Ashen glanced at Fanrong before answering:

"Though it is not possible, however, if it does happen, then it will be upto you to decide if you want to allow a prefecture lord to become the leader or if you want to try again by organizing the Conqueror’s Battlefield again after a few years."

The matriarch nodded in understanding as she pondered over her decision in silence.

Soon after, she nodded at Ashen with a smile and announced:

"Alright, we will do it according to your plan, Lord Huan Tian. The Zhuji Tribe will organize the Conqueror’s Battlefield in twenty days from now!"

She then glanced at Fanrong and continued:

"Fanrong, you have till then to organize your forces. You are also allowed to visit the tribe’s Beast King Sect to recruit cultivators who are willing to follow you. Same privileges will be given to your brother, so make sure you try your best here so you don’t have any complaints later on."

Next, she rolled her fingers, calling the supreme minister in front, and ordered:

"Supreme Minister, you will go and explain everything that happened here to Prince Ming Han in person so that he can also prepare!"

Afterwards, her gaze swept the ministers as she ordered loudly:

"Every Minister present here will leave with the decree of the Conqueror’s Battlefield to the Prefecture Lords and explain the rules to them! I believe you all will be able to clear their doubts and also gauge their reactions. Make sure to report to me as soon as you return."

As all the announcements were made, the meeting was dismissed, and all left in a hurry to prepare.

The tribe was soon going to be in an uproar.

Ashen, Fanrong, and Zhu Loyan also returned to the Princess Palace.

In the main hall of the Princess Palace,

Ashen was sitting on a luxurious couch, calmly sipping tea that was served to him by the head maid herself.

Opposite him sat Princess Fanrong and Zhu Loyan on a similar couch. They hadn’t spoken a word to Ashen after witnessing his eloquence in front of the matriarch. She couldn’t help but respect him for how confidently he carried himself.

Princess Fanrong knew her place and felt little in front of Ashen. Even in the Conqueror’s Battlefield, she could only count on Ashen to win.

Right now, she was gathering courage to speak to him, not wanting to offend him. If he were to also leave her side, she would really be lost right now.

"Umm... Lord Huan Tian..." The Princess muttered, gathering courage to speak.

"Yes, Princess?" Ashen answered, looking at her with a smile.

"W-What do you propose I should do now? Please guide me." The Princess requested with a pleading gaze.

"Hmm," Ashen nodded in understanding before expressing his opinion: "Princess, are you close with any prefecture lord who might join your side?"

The princess pondered for a moment before shaking her head in response.

"Hmm, then we do not have any choice but to visit the Beast King Sect. The three prefecture lords of the central prefecture are the supreme elders of the sect. We may be able to gain their favor. It will be a win even if they promise to follow the winner of the Conqueror’s Battlefield and do not take anyone’s side. We will have a few battles to fight and fewer enemies to defeat."

"Yes. I agree." The princess nodded in agreement: "Then what should we do afterwards?"

"Afterwards, it will be your work mainly." Ashen, raising his finger, explained: "We have twenty days to prepare. You should go and meet every prefecture lord separately to try and persuade them to join your side. This will also help to become familiar with your enemies and gauge their strength."

The Princess’s eyes widened as she became excited and spoke her ideas:

"Yes. This will also let me see their intentions, and we can also prepare ourselves by knowing how many we will have to fight in the end. Alright, I will do as you say, but won’t you join me in meeting them?"

Shaking his head, Ashen answered: "No, I’ll meet them on the battlefield itself. Moreover, I shouldn’t show my cards before the war, right?"

"Yes, you are correct, my lord. We will act according to your wishes."

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(A/N - Thanks for reading. ^..^)