Chapter 248: Return to Heaven Dou
Hearing Ah Yin's question, Bai Yu clicked his tongue and said with a suppressed laugh:
"Heh... cough cough, it's fine. Bibi Dong isn't in seclusion; she just encountered some matters and is a bit busy."
"Once I leave, she will naturally come out to preside over the overall situation. Even if she doesn't, the High Priest will handle it."
A question mark slowly floated above Ah Yin's head. Why did Bai Yu's expression look so much like schadenfreude?
However, Ah Yin didn't want to get involved. The relationship between Bai Yu and Bibi Dong was complicated, with Qian Renxue, whom she hadn't even met yet, caught in the middle. She certainly didn't want to meddle.
"It's good that you have a plan. Also, be careful outside and remember to protect them well. If anything happens to any of them, you'll regret it."
Bai Yu nodded, indicating he understood. Since he dared to let everyone go to the battlefield, he would naturally leave them with means of self-preservation.
The next day, Bai Yu, accompanied by the women and a five-hundred-strong knight order, set off for Heaven Dou City.
Speaking of which, this was his first time using his Saint Child's ceremonial carriage, and the only feeling it gave him was that it was agonizingly slow.
After all, he used to fly everywhere, and with his endless spirit power, he was practically a perpetual motion machine when it came to flying.
Now, suddenly having to travel by carriage, he truly wasn't used to it.
However, there was nothing he could do. His trip was an official diplomatic mission, representing Spirit Hall, and what was needed was prestige.
Flying there himself wouldn't be as impressive as arriving with a guard knight order.
Departing from Spirit City, they traveled for nearly half a month before Bai Yu and his group finally arrived at Heaven Dou City.
"We're finally here. Next, you can go explore on your own. I need to go to the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace to finalize things."
After getting out of the carriage, Bai Yu stretched lazily and turned to look at the women.
Ning Rongrong and the others didn't stand on ceremony with him. They simply waved and turned to leave.
Even Liu Erlong didn't offer to accompany him to the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace; instead, she headed to Shrek Academy.
She wanted to see what her former academy had become.
Bai Yu cursed with a smile, then turned and walked towards the Imperial Palace.
When he arrived in Heaven Dou City, the Heaven Dou Imperial Family and its ministers had already received the news. While sending people to greet him, they also gathered in the Imperial Palace, awaiting his arrival.
"Brother Bai, you've traveled a long way. Qinghe has been tied up with trivial matters and couldn't go out to meet you. Please forgive me, Brother Bai."
As soon as Bai Yu arrived at the Imperial Palace, 'Xue Qinghe' led the Heaven Dou ministers to greet him.
"Two years no see, Brother Qinghe, you're becoming more distant. It seems that now that you're emperor, you look down on your brother, eh?"
Bai Yu playfully nudged 'Xue Qinghe' with his arm, his tone teasing.
The Heaven Dou ministers behind 'Xue Qinghe' secretly breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this scene.
After all, if this Spirit Hall Saint Child was so close to their Emperor, then after the war ended, surely he wouldn't take advantage of the situation and refuse to leave, right?
'Xue Qinghe' then invited Bai Yu into the grand hall, where a banquet and music and dance had been prepared, truly a grand reception.
When the banquet was nearing its end, 'Xue Qinghe', seated at the head, suddenly raised his wine glass and said to Bai Yu:
"Brother Bai, I am endlessly grateful for your assistance. I drink this cup to express my sincerity."
"However, this war between Heaven Dou and Star Luo is on a grand scale, involving multiple powers on the continent. Qinghe wishes to know how much strength Spirit Hall is willing to commit to assisting Heaven Dou."
After 'Xue Qinghe' finished speaking, the hall immediately fell silent. Many Heaven Dou ministers also turned to look at Bai Yu, their gazes filled with inquiry.
For them, this was a situation of both fear and apprehension.
They feared that Spirit Hall had no intention of exerting itself, and that the Saint Child Bai Yu's presence was merely a personal favor due to his good relationship with their Emperor.
If that were the case, their plans to gain from Star Luo would all fall through.
However, they also feared that Spirit Hall would exert too much strength, and then even if Star Luo was defeated, Spirit Hall would become too powerful to control and latch onto Heaven Dou.
At that time, let alone enjoying the spoils of victory, they would be burning incense if Spirit Hall didn't take a bite out of them.
Bai Yu tapped his finger on his wine glass, scanned the expressions of everyone present, and a slight smile played on his lips.
"To be honest, ever since Brother Qinghe wrote to me, there has been constant debate within our Spirit Hall. Most people did not want to get involved in this messy situation."
"After all, our Spirit Hall has always maintained neutrality on the continent. Now, rashly entering the fray could easily cause controversy."
"Does Your Highness the Saint Child mean that your visit is merely a personal assistance, and not Spirit Hall's intention to aid Heaven Dou?"
Before Bai Yu could finish, Marshal Ge Long of the Heaven Dou Empire hastily spoke up.
He couldn't help but be anxious. As the Marshal of the army, he was the most knowledgeable about the battle situation on the front lines between the two nations.
On Star Luo's side, their two armies not only had the Clear Sky Sect backing them, but recently, that First Prince Dai Weisi, by some unknown means, had even managed to invite the Star Crown Sect.
Now, setting aside the regular armies, in terms of Spirit Masters alone, Heaven Dou was at an absolute disadvantage.
Although the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School had also promised to assist Heaven Dou, both the quantity and quality of Spirit Masters were somewhat insufficient.
And the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, on the other hand, had been completely silent, their intentions unknown.
His only hope now was that their Emperor Xue Qinghe could truly drag Spirit Hall into the conflict.
But from Bai Yu's words, it seemed unlikely that Spirit Hall would get involved. How could that be?
If Spirit Hall didn't get involved, wouldn't Heaven Dou have to cede territory and pay indemnities? Even he, the Grand Marshal, would be nailed to the pillar of shame!
Bai Yu didn't rush to answer Ge Long's question. Instead, he picked up his wine glass and took a sip, his expression one of deep enjoyment.
"Brother Bai, please stop savoring the wine. Marshal Ge Long is merely concerned for Heaven Dou and has no other intentions. Please don't take offense."
"Just for my sake, Brother Bai, please tell us what Spirit Hall intends to do."
'Xue Qinghe' spoke up at the opportune moment, both helping Ge Long out of a difficult spot and gaining his favor, and also showing the Heaven Dou ministers present that his relationship with the Spirit Hall Saint Child was truly excellent, killing two birds with one stone.
Bai Yu put down his wine glass and said with a smile:
"Brother Qinghe worries too much. I was simply engrossed by how fragrant and mellow this wine is, and had no intention of targeting Marshal Ge Long."
"However, since Brother Qinghe has asked, I won't keep you in suspense any longer. Spirit Hall originally indeed did not intend to get involved."
"But it's rare for Brother Qinghe to ask for a favor, so I naturally must go all out."
"Therefore, after multiple discussions between myself and the Elders, we have finally decided that Spirit Hall will assist Heaven Dou as mercenaries."