CHAPTER 259: SIZE!

"You have enlightened us, matriarch!!" The ministers responded in unison, looking at the treasure in a new light.

Even though a hundred years was a long time, the treasure still held a huge value when just taking its function into consideration.

Curing any disease or ailment wasn’t something to scoff at.

There were many unknown arts that could put someone’s life in danger; this treasure could work as a game changer in times of need.

"Ahem..." The supreme minister cleared his throat to get everyone’s attention and suggested, "Since we now know the value of this treasure, we should decide on how many prefecture lords to send on this expedition."

The ministers nodded in agreement before pondering among themselves.

The matriarch also seemed to be lost in contemplation.

Since they didn’t need this treasure urgently, they were a bit hesitant to go full force at it like the Xue Mo tribe.

This decision needed careful contemplation. If they decided to go after the treasure, then they couldn’t be laid back about it.

Anyone who goes on this expedition will be putting their lives on the line.

If they only sent a few King Realm experts, they would be losing both the treasure and the King Realm experts.

There were only two choices in front of them.

Either don’t go after it at all, or send a large enough number of king realm experts so that they may at least return alive.

A force too small will be hunted and annihilated by the other tribes.

With a large force, at least they wouldn’t be looked at as easy targets. They will also be able to defend themselves if they are large in number, ensuring that there won’t be large damage to the tribe in case they can’t acquire the treasure.

One of the ministers, after finishing his contemplation, asked,

"Is not going on this expedition an option??"

He was asking this to know if the tribe was sure about going after this treasure. The safest option was to conserve their strength by not going at all.

As he asked this question, everyone’s gaze turned to the matriarch. She was the only one suitable to answer this question.

"It’s not." The matriarch answered clearly. "I have attended the meeting, and I can assure you that every tribe is going to participate in this expedition without fail. They seemed eager to acquire the treasure. However, the most impatient was the Blood Demon Lord of the Xue Mo Tribe. Even though he tried to hide it, I still sensed his desire for the treasure."

She then swept her gaze on the gathering of ministers and spoke firmly:

"I assure you that acquiring this treasure is a necessity and an opportunity for our tribe. We cannot let this go."

The ministers nodded in understanding before pondering over the issue again.

Since not participating in the expedition wasn’t an option, they had one less thing to take into consideration now.

They only had to decide on the number of King realm experts to send to this expedition to ensure the least damage and most rewards.

At this moment, Fanrong raised her hand and muttered slowly to the matriarch from her throne. "Mother..." Her voice was low. "I would like to suggest an idea."

The matriarch turned to her left and looked at Fanrong with a smile.

"Yes. Deputy Leader Fanrong. Speak your mind."

She spoke loudly so as to attract the attention of all ministers.

She intentionally addressed her by her new title to give her words weightage.

This was her way to show care for the daughter she had neglected all this time.

Fanrong also understood her intentions as she nodded in gratitude before standing and walking to the front of her mother.

She bowed to the matriarch before beginning to speak with confidence:

"Matriarch." She addressed her by her title to keep it formal. "I’d like to lead the expedition party of our tribe this time. I request your permission."

The matriarch looked at her daughter’s determined expression, commenting internally.

You’ve grown, my daughter.

With a light smile, she nodded in agreement.

"Of course, deputy leader Fanrong. Since you’ve been appointed the deputy leader, it is natural for you to lead the expedition."

A bright smile appeared on Fanrong’s face in response to her mother’s agreement. She instantly expressed her gratitude:

"Thank you, Matriarch!"

The matriarch smiled in appreciation before asking:

"Then tell me, Deputy Leader Fanrong. How many King realm experts do you intend to take on this expedition?"

This was the main question. She couldn’t take too many with her since that would leave the tribe undefended.

Moreover, if they were to die in this expedition, that would leave the tribe too weak to defend.

The number couldn’t be too large nor too small.

It should be optimal enough that even if the expedition party were to perish, the tribe wouldn’t suffer greatly.

Fanrong also knew this, and hence she asked for the maximum number of king realm experts that would be allowed by the matriarch to take on this expedition.

"Matriarch, I think taking eight king realm cultivators with me should be enough."

"Hmm..." The matriarch contemplated a bit before nodding in agreement. "Alright, Fanrong. I shall allow you to take eight king realm cultivators of our tribe. Speak, who are these eight cultivators you want to take with you?"

As she instructed Fanrong, one of the servants prepared to note down the names she was going to take.

Fanrong had already thought of the ones she wanted to take with her.

Without hesitation, she announced their names:

"Elder Huan Shou!"

"Elder Kui Long!"

...

...

"Elder Lang Zhen!"

"Prefecture Lord Cheng Tao!"

As she finished, everyone looked at her with bewildered expressions. Even the matriarch was speechless.

She didn’t include Ashen in her list.

What was she thinking?

Other than Ashen himself, almost everyone thought of her as foolish.

This expedition was dangerous, and her whole expedition party could get wiped out.

Even then she was leaving Ashen, her biggest asset, out?

Even the matriarch couldn’t understand her daughter as she asked,

"Fanrong... You didn’t take Lord Huan Tian’s name. Is it possible you forgot to include him in the list?"

Fanrong shook her head and answered confidently.

"I haven’t forgotten him, Matriarch. I simply want to rely on my own abilities to complete this expedition. Until now, I have received a lot of help from Lord Huan Tian. I don’t want to bother him this time."

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