Oriental Mingyue smiled upon hearing this and said, "It is an honor for our Hidden Group to join forces with a peak force like the Blazing Fire Academy. Of course, I fully support this."
From Ye Cangtian's words, Oriental Mingyue could tell that Ye Cangtian had no objections to this alliance.
So, she readily agreed.
"Excellent, excellent, excellent!"
Hearing Oriental Mingyue's words, Ye Yaoyang immediately laughed. He then promptly instructed Ye Zhenghao to draft the agreement. While establishing the written record might seem a bit cliché, it still carried a certain binding force. After all, both parties considered themselves righteous, so neither would openly violate the agreement.
Before long, Ye Zhenghao had drafted the document, creating two copies and presenting them to Oriental Mingyue and Ye Yaoyang for review.
Both parties glanced over the document. Finding no issues, they signed it and affixed the official seal of the Hidden Group.
On the other side, as Ye Yaoyang watched Oriental Mingyue affix the seal, he let out a sigh of relief and a faint smile appeared on his face.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Ye Yaoyang directly asked, "Since we have now established a defensive alliance, what are your plans regarding the Blazing Fire Academy's upcoming actions?"
Heh, so this is what they were waiting for!
Hearing this, Ye Cangtian inwardly chuckled. He had indeed found it unusual for them to be so eager to form an alliance before even dealing with the Viper Hall. Now it seemed their calculations were quite elaborate.
With the defensive alliance in place, if the Hidden Group were aware of the Blazing Fire Academy's actions but chose not to participate, it would clearly be a breach of contract and damage the Hidden Group's reputation.
If they were to participate, there were at least two benefits. Firstly, Ye Yaoyang could use this opportunity to have Ye Zhenghao make a good impression on Oriental Mingyue, thereby improving their relationship. Secondly, if the Hidden Group and the Blazing Fire Hall joined forces to eliminate the Viper Hall, it would also divert the vengeful wrath of the Five Poisons Sect.
Frankly speaking, the Blazing Fire Academy did not wish to bear the full brunt of the Five Poisons Sect's retaliation. Therefore, Ye Yaoyang was openly pulling the Hidden Group into the fray. The most critical point was that the Hidden Group had no reason to refuse. Firstly, there was the signed treaty. Secondly, dealing with the Five Poisons Sect was something the Hidden Group had proposed. To refuse now would be to lose face and credibility.
As Ye Cangtian pondered this, Oriental Mingyue was also mentally cursing Ye Yaoyang for his cunning. She had arrived at the same conclusions as Ye Cangtian.
The next moment, Oriental Mingyue looked at Ye Yaoyang and said, "We will naturally support the Blazing Fire Academy's actions. However, with just the two of us present, dispatching any teams might take some time!"
"It is merely a minor matter, why would the Hidden Group need to mobilize troops?" Ye Yaoyang looked at Oriental Mingyue, stroked his beard, and said with a smile. "If we can't even eliminate the Viper Hall and require the Hidden Group's intervention, wouldn't the Blazing Fire Academy become a laughingstock?"
Huh?
Oriental Mingyue was stunned for a moment, her eyes showing confusion. Why would Ye Yaoyang invite the Hidden Group to participate and then forbid them from sending troops? What was the meaning of this?
Pondering this, she looked at him and said, "Dean Ye, let's speak plainly."
"Actually, my intention is very simple. Eliminating the Viper Hall is a mere trifle. It should not require the Hidden Group's intervention, but since our two parties are now allied," Ye Yaoyang explained quickly, "I believe it would suffice if Miss Mingyue could dispatch just one person to accompany the action. Rest assured, this individual will not need to take action during the operation. They merely need to witness everything and perhaps enjoy the scenery. Everything else will be handled by the Blazing Fire Academy..."
Upon hearing Ye Yaoyang's explanation, Ye Cangtian inwardly sneered. Frankly, Ye Yaoyang's intention was for him to go along. After all, Oriental Mingyue, as a manager of the Hidden Group, was not in a convenient position to personally eliminate the Viper Hall. And since Ye Cangtian was the only one by Oriental Mingyue's side, it was natural for him to be sent. The purpose of doing so was simple: to separate him from Oriental Mingyue. Once Oriental Mingyue lost her support, it would be much easier to deal with her.
On the other side, Oriental Mingyue's expression turned grim. Clearly, she had also figured this out.
"I understand Dean Ye's intentions. I will write a letter immediately to dispatch someone to participate in the action. Please allow Dean Ye a few more days to wait." Oriental Mingyue could only feign ignorance. After all, sending Ye Cangtian away was absolutely out of the question.
"This..."
Upon hearing this, three black lines immediately appeared on Ye Yaoyang's forehead. This Oriental Mingyue was being difficult. She clearly understood his intentions but was deliberately making this decision.
Thinking this, Ye Yaoyang said, "The army's action is imminent. It would be inappropriate to dispatch someone now. Furthermore, speed is of the essence in military operations. If there are further delays, the Viper Hall might receive news, and we could suffer heavy losses!" He paused and continued, "In my opinion, it would be best to have Mr. Ye assume the role of supervisor. That way, all troubles will be resolved." Since Oriental Mingyue was playing dumb, he might as well be blunt and see how Oriental Mingyue would respond.
"That doesn't seem appropriate!" Oriental Mingyue frowned.
"I don't see anything inappropriate about it!" Ye Yaoyang quickly interrupted Oriental Mingyue, continuing, "I know Mr. Ye's primary responsibility is your safety, but within our Blazing Fire Academy, who else could possibly harm you?"
This...
With those words, Oriental Mingyue's frown deepened. If she refused now, after he had spoken so clearly, it would likely affect their amicable relations. However, if she agreed, she would be walking into a trap. She knew Ye Yaoyang must have some ulterior motive. For a moment, Oriental Mingyue found herself in a dilemma.
"I think it's not appropriate!" At this moment, Ye Cangtian, who had been standing by, stepped forward. He looked at Ye Yaoyang and continued, "Dean Ye, are you and Sister Mingyue considered guests of the Blazing Fire Academy?"
"Of course! Not just guests, but honored guests!" Ye Yaoyang blurted out almost instinctively, then looked at him, wondering what he was about to say.
On the other side, Ye Cangtian, upon hearing this, continued, "Since we are guests of the Blazing Fire Academy, if such a minor matter as eliminating the Viper Hall requires guests to participate, how will the outside world judge the Blazing Fire Academy?"
Uh...
As his words fell, Ye Yaoyang stood there dumbfounded, his expression growing increasingly grim. Ye Cangtian's point was valid! If such a minor affair required guests to act, the Blazing Fire Academy would surely become a laughingstock. What about their hospitality? However, Ye Cangtian was a troublesome individual. With him by Oriental Mingyue's side, his son would have fewer opportunities to shine.
After a long period of hesitation, Ye Yaoyang said, "Mr. Ye, for the sake of our alliance's grand plan, it is not a problem for the Blazing Fire Academy to endure some criticism. Besides, why does the Blazing Fire Academy need others to judge it!" For his son, Ye Yaoyang was willing to go to great lengths, even temporarily setting aside the Blazing Fire Academy's reputation. In his opinion, as long as Ye Zhenghao could win over Oriental Mingyue, everything else could be managed.
Oh, damn! This old fellow is truly ruthless!
Ye Cangtian was somewhat surprised. He had truly not expected Ye Yaoyang to be so ruthless as to disregard the Blazing Fire Academy's reputation. Thinking this, a peculiar smile appeared on his face. "Since Dean Ye is making such a great sacrifice, I cannot possibly refuse. However, I have one condition!"
"What condition? Please state it. Don't just say one condition, even ten conditions, and for the sake of our alliance, I will agree to them!" Ye Yaoyang's heart lit up with joy, and he quickly replied. As long as he could separate them, he was willing to do anything.
Ye Cangtian heard this and smiled slightly, "My only condition is that Sister Mingyue accompanies me!"
What!
With that statement, Ye Yaoyang's eyes widened in disbelief. He had gone to great lengths to separate the two of them, only for the other party to propose this condition. Wouldn't that make all his efforts futile? But how could he refuse? After all, he had just said he would agree to ten conditions. If he went back on his word now, wouldn't he be contradicting himself?
No! For his son, what did his own face matter!
Ye Yaoyang looked at Ye Cangtian and gritted his teeth, "That might not be appropriate. If you take Oriental Mingyue away, and outsiders find out, they will surely say my Blazing Fire Academy is incompetent, unable to even protect guests. The Blazing Fire Academy..."
"Don't place such a heavy burden. I never said the Blazing Fire Academy was incompetent. You said that yourself," Ye Cangtian interrupted Ye Yaoyang directly and continued, "However, to be honest, I believe Sister Mingyue is safest by my side..."
"You!"
With that statement, Ye Yaoyang's face instantly turned somber. Not only him, but everyone in the hall also had their expressions change.