Chen Yu.
Once an outsider beyond the caves, he was now a name that reverberated in the ears of many influential figures within.
The genesis of it all stemmed from the mythical item, the Mandate Conferral.
Chen Yu's self-detonation in River Town had revealed the exact whereabouts of the Tiger Tally to everyone. By proactively lifting the veil of mystery, he had, in turn, caused various factions to withdraw their covert investigators, hesitant to make a move.
Each power bloc watched the others closely, none willing to be the first to act.
The Chief Financial Officer of the flourishing Tartoo royal family was, unsurprisingly, privy to this information. However, unlike other factions, he harbored no designs on the Tiger Tally. Instead, he chose to explore the possibility of cooperation, attempting to establish contact with Chen Yu and secure greater opportunities for his family.
Lia also adhered to the Chief Financial Officer's decision, serving as the nexus of communication between the two parties.
"How dare he!" Lia exclaimed, his brows furrowed as he leaned over the table, pressing his palms down. "He presumes to move against Chen Yu solely on the backing of the National Preceptor. The entire human empire and the beastman empire, dozens of kingdoms and the two great empires, dare not make rash moves. Outer forces are all observing, and how can this mere prince dare to take this step? Even if the old King were in good health, he wouldn't dare act so soon, would he? Moreover, the ailing old King has contacted quite a few people recently, yet not a single one has responded to his summons. Does the Seventh Prince not know this?"
"You believe he's after the Tiger Tally, don't you?" the Chief Financial Officer asked with a slight smile.
"What else?"
Lia spread his hands, his expression one of utter conviction.
If one were to disregard the Tiger Tally, Chen Yu would, at most, be considered a successful outsider. With some territory and wealth in his hands, he was, in the eyes of those in high positions, insignificant.
To make a move against Chen Yu at this juncture was, in all likelihood, a move directed at the Tiger Tally.
"You are mistaken if you think that," the Chief Financial Officer said with a smile. "The Seventh Prince is reckless, but that old fox is shrewder than anyone. Everyone knows the Mandate Conferral Tiger Tally is a hot potato; whoever acts first will perish. With so many forces watching from the shadows, do you think their meager numbers can seize the Tiger Tally? That's a fool's dream."
"Then… if he doesn't want the Tiger Tally, why is he attacking Chen Yu?"
"Perhaps their core objective is indeed the Tiger Tally," the Chief Financial Officer mused softly. "However, what they are displaying is not an interest in the Tiger Tally itself. They simply wish to seize some territory, preparing for the future. Viewed this way, no one would deem their actions incorrect. Seizing money, grain, resources, and land – these are daily occurrences in the cave nations. It just so happens that Chen Yu is in Hurricane City and has become its lord. They don't even need to go too far; they merely need to capture and hold a few cities within Hurricane City's territory. Then, regardless of when, they will have a claim to the Tiger Tally."
"He's mad, this boy is absolutely mad!"
Lia shook his head incessantly, his shock reaching an unfathomable level.
He actually harbored the ambition to contend for the Tiger Tally.
The struggle for the Mandate Conferral Tiger Tally was bound to be a contest among kingdoms and top-tier factions. Yet, the Seventh Prince, even before ascending the throne, was already plotting for the Tiger Tally.
His audacity was simply too great.
"You were right to reject it," Lia stated, after a moment of deliberation, nodding heavily. "If this funding were allocated to the Seventh Prince, that boy might delay our family's important matters. Allocating two hundred million to the eldest prince should allow him to effectively curb the Seventh Prince's actions on our behalf."
"Curbing him? You think too highly of the eldest," the Chief Financial Officer unexpectedly laughed and shook his head.
"The moment the National Preceptor stood beside the Seventh Prince, the eldest was destined to lose in the competition for the throne. Even if I now signal my support for him and cause officials in the court to lean towards him, it is merely a temporary reprieve. He cannot win. Have you forgotten what the National Preceptor does? The moment the old King breathes his last, the National Preceptor can directly alter the old King's dying will and establish the Seventh Prince as king."
At this point, a hint of weariness and self-mockery crept into the Chief Financial Officer's tone.
He had hunted eagles his entire life, only to be pecked by an eagle in the end.
He had intended to support the Seventh Prince to the throne and use him as his puppet, but he hadn't expected that the Seventh Prince was also using him. Over the years, he had provided considerable financial support to the Seventh Prince.
Thinking of this, the Chief Financial Officer found it utterly laughable.
"All we can do is hope that the old King can hold on for a while longer. By openly supporting the eldest, I will delay the Seventh Prince's progress, and your task is to relentlessly and firmly tie yourself to Chen Yu!" The Chief Financial Officer suddenly stood up and grasped Lia's shoulders.
Lia saw eyes in his father he had never witnessed before, black eyes with a hint of red.
"The eldest cannot be relied upon; Chen Yu is the last resort."
If it weren't a truly desperate situation, Lia believed his father would never utter such heavy words. The relationship between the National Preceptor and the Seventh Prince must have had a significant impact on him.
All preparations made, a single move to lock the game.
"I will," Lia nodded solemnly. "I will do my utmost to gain Chen Yu's trust. The Burke lineage will not fall."
"Of course, it won't fall."
To Lia's utter disbelief, his father suddenly grinned, leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed, as if Lia's earnest reply were the most amusing thing he had heard.
"While I am in power, who can touch our clan? If anyone is to fall, it will be you."
"Huh?!"
"When our clan is about to collapse, I will abdicate the position of clan leader to you, making you look utterly foolish," the Chief Financial Officer chuckled. "Anyway, your father won't be the one to look foolish."
"??? Are you even human?"
Lia's mind reeled from the absurdity. This was something a father would do, and he was truly at a loss for words.
"You focus on your own affairs. Don't get involved in the royal family's matters," the Chief Financial Officer waved his hand. "Go do what you need to do."
"Father, should I then tell Chen Yu about the situation in the royal city?"
"You make the judgment."
The Chief Financial Officer raised an eyebrow, looking at Lia, whose eyes held hesitation.
"If you need to ask me about everything, how will you manage the clan leader position in the future? Do I need to provide you with a strategy guide? If you want to tell Chen Yu about inner-city affairs, tell him; if not, don't. There's just one thing: Chen Yu might also have informants in the royal city. His urgent need for cultivation resources might stem from hearing some whispers. What you need to do most is to quickly bring him the resources he wants. As for how to present the situation, that's for you to figure out."
"Understood. Will the Seventh Prince then abandon his attack on Hurricane City?"
"Probably not," the Chief Financial Officer shook his head. "I'm not entirely sure about this. Although I haven't allocated funds, I don't know how much funding the National Preceptor has. What I can be sure of is that the Seventh Prince will definitely make a move. As for how exactly he will do it, we'll have to see when it happens."
"I really want to kill him."
Lia murmured softly, then collected his thoughts.
"Rest early, I'm leaving."