Chapter 1108: Promoting

Boom~

Sun Sea Sect Leader Bu Xingyun appeared among some broken ruins. He watched the lightning flaring in the distance and noticed it had ebbed since yesterday, its weariness becoming more pronounced as time passed.

His eyes shook and he took a deep breath, turning from the incredible display to looking around.

Crack!

The splitting of a rock entered his ear and Bu Xingyun's eye lit up. His attention snapped to the source, reaching it in moments. He sent a palm attack, blowing away the rubble and revealing the frail Sect Leader of Sea Bright Sect, Ling Yuntian.

With his ruined clothes, messy hair, pale face and blood on his mouth, he didn't look as dignified.

"Sect Leader Ling, how are you? Here, take this healing pill. I'll take you somewhere safe to recover." Bu Xingyun helped him and a blue pill entered his mouth.

Bu Xingyun then placed him on his back moving swiftly through the air.

[Now they're all accounted for, ha-ha-ha...]

Whoosh~

Bu Xingyun arrived minutes later ten miles outside Sea Bright Sect, at a tent. The patrols were all Sea Bright Sect disciples that had survived, they moved with purpose at their arrival and helped him take Ling Yuntian into the tent.

There were many others inside lying down and wounded, Exalted Double Dragons and the three Shangguan clan venerables among them.

At the time the Invincible Sword's powerful sword struck, they all survived by the grace of the three divine swords. Although they were now hanging by a thread.

Seeing the new addition, they all cheered, "Sect Leader Ling..."

Ling Yuntian was placed on a stretcher like the rest and as he heard the frail voices, he cracked an eyelid to wheeze out, "W-where am I? What happened?"

"Ha-ha-ha, Sect Leader Ling, did the monster's blow hit you in the head? We've all been defeated and damn nearly killed. It's thanks to Sect Leader Bu that we're still alive, coming to our rescue before breathing our last among rubble."

Exalted Hei Ran explained with gratitude for Bu Xingyun, "Sect Leader Bu is our savior. We can't thank him enough."

Bu Xingyun gave a modest wave, even blaming himself, "You're too kind, sirs, I am ashamed to not have been there alongside you to fight. This little help is nothing."

"If you had come with us, you'd have been buried under the ruins like us then no one could've helped some old men. Sect Leader Bu, you were right not to join the battle. I ask your forgiveness for the many disagreements we had before."

"It's fine, Exalted Hei Ran. We're all in this together. They were mere trifles, ha-ha-ha..." Bu Xingyun gave a bright laugh.

Ling Yuntian knew by now that all the men here got saved by Bu Xingyun. He forced himself to prop his body and thank Bu Xingyun.

Whoosh~

The tent opened just then and a man in a black robe entered laughing, "I am very pleased to know that all of you are still in this world. Sect Leader Ling, Exalted Double Dragons, as well as the representatives of the eastern lands and southern lands, I wonder if your precarious condition had made you more tolerant for my advice?"

"Who are you? State your name!" Ling Yuntian shouted.

The man in black removed his cowl, revealing a savage smile, "I guess some of you here have yet to meet me. Then allow me to introduce myself. I am central area Sword Star Empire's Prime Minister, Baili Jingwei!"

"You're Baili Jingwei?" Everyone gasped and stared with big eyes, "What are you doing so deep in the northern lands? How did you pass Sea Bright Sect's defenses? Guards, seize him!"

Someone raised his hand to grab Baili Yutian, shouting, "Ha-ha-ha, instead of enjoying yourself from your position, you dared venture here. Now we're not only taking your empire's cornerstone, Baili Yutian, but even the wisest Baili Jingwei. The destruction of the Sword Star Empire is nigh!"

A group of Sea Bright Sect disciple entered to cut off the intruder's escape.

"Wait!"

Baili Jingwei shouted before Bu Xingyun got to grab him. Bu Xingyun smirked, "Prime Minister Baili, what trick are you playing now? Humph, you may be clever, renowned throughout the lands, but you are a frail scholar."

"Why so nervous then?"

With a sneaky smile, Baili Jingwei shrugged and spoke to the wounded elders, "Sect Leader Ling, I have come alone and weak before you just so we can talk. You're free to take me prisoner once I'm done, taking down the head. Or are you perhaps afraid of a little old scholar standing in your domain among the greatest experts in the lands? You wouldn't even give me the chance to speak?"

Bu Xingyun paused and turned to Ling Yuntian for directions.

Ling Yuntian coughed for a bit and gave a weak wave, sending the disciples away.

Bu Xingyun snapped his head back on Baili Jingwie, cursing, "Your tricks won't work here, humph!"

Baili Jingwei nodded with calmness.

"Prime Minister Baili, with both sides trapped in a bitter war, what purpose does your visit hold?" Ling Yuntian demanded.

The others focused on Baili Jingwei and awaited his reply.

[What's this sneaky Prime Minister playing at? Coming in here without so much as a Sword King for escort? Does he have a death wish?]

Baili Jingwei shook his head, his voce firm, "To be honest, I've come to save everyone."

"Save us?" They all looked stumped, then Exalted Hei Ran mocked him, "Prime Minister Baili, are you alright? We hold all the cards and morale has never been higher. A disciple came in just now saying your Patriarch is barely holding on while we still have millions of soldiers ready to fight still and finish him. And you have the nerve to come into our domain and proclaim you're here to save us? What a sick joke.

"They say Prime Minister Baili is beyond wise, but to think you came to preach such idiotic nonsense. The rumors must be inflated, ha-ha-ha..." They all laughed at his expense.

Baili Jingwei shook his head, not falling for his jab, waiting for them to laugh before continuing, "You're all right and you have victory in your grasp. I am aware and accept my loss. Everyone is very close to ruining my empire with your ingenious plan. But while that is a bitter reality, so too will your demise following our nation's defeat."

Ugh!

The smiles froze on their faces and looked grave. Ling Yuntian glared, "Baili Jingwei, what's that supposed to mean?"

"Ha-ha-ha, haven't you considered what might come next after you employ such a plan?"

Baili Jingwei's eyes shone with wisdom, "I admit you win this round, but you'll be losing as well. You will crush the undefeated Sword Star Empire, but at a cost of your own demise. Be it Sea Bright Sect or Double Dragon Manor, Shangguan clan and Murong clan, they all will fall in time, experiencing the same defeat as my nation, erased from this world."

"What a load of bull! Your Sword Star Empire is the one to fall here. It has nothing to do with us! Why would we be joining you in death?"

"Nothing? Then do you all know how gaining victory against a mighty foe ruins my nation?"

"Absolutely!"

Ling Yuntian smirked, "As long as we take the Invincible Sword down, your empire loses their foundation!"

"Then I still have at my disposal millions of soldiers and four Sword Kings. While you are drained and weary from the fight with Patriarch, I can still destroy the four lands."

"Really? Those kings you're so proud of will turn on you in the end!" Ling Yuntian disdained, "Without the Invincible Sword to coerce them, the Sword Kings won't ever listen to you."

They all let out smug smiles, filled with confidence.

Baili Jingwei's eyes shone with mockery as he smiled, "What makes you so sure the first thing they'll do when learning of Patriarch's passing, they'll be turning on me?"

"Er..."

The wounded elders all froze, unable to reply...