Forty Millenniums of Cultivation, page 654
"Right. It is not very accurate to say that they 'coerced' the government. In fact, in the Star Glory Federation, which had just secured a glorious victory and conquered the Grand Desolate Plateau, the combat-type Cultivators and the federal army were enjoying greater prestige even. They were worshipped by all the enthusiastic citizens. They had control of the parliament. They were the federal government!
"In the end, the federal government issued a new bundle bond that was a combination of a development bond targeting the Grand Desolate Plateau and a war bond targeting the Blood Demon Sector. According to their fancy description, in order to defend the Grand Desolate Plateau, they had to launch an attack against the Blood Demon Sector, the nest of all demons, before they were attacked!
"All the Cultivators and sects who purchased the bond would be granted mother lodes, lands and… slaves after the Blood Demon Sector was conquered!
"Maybe at the beginning, it was just an expedient that the military and the Cultivators utilized to stabilize their position. They might not have been really interested in attacking the Blood Demon Sector.
"But once the war bond was issued, the sleeping ferocious beast was awakened, and they could not control public opinion anymore.
"The Cultivators and sects who bought the bonds became the most frantic supporters of the war. It must be noted that many of them were the Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators who boasted tremendous influence, if not control, over parliament!
"Therefore, the first war bonds were issued for the development of the Grand Desolate Plateau. But in order to redeem the war bond, the Blood Demon Sector had to be conquered.
"In order to conquer the Blood Demon Sector, more money had to be raised, more resources had to be summoned, and an army of an even larger scale had to be maintained, all of which demanded a second, a third, a fourth bond…"
Jin Tuyi's lips cured into a vague smile, but there seemed to be sorrow in his deep eyes. "At that time, the Star Glory Federation knew nothing about the Blood Demon Sector. You compared us to the 'Far East Demon Kingdom' and the 'Alliance of Demons of Grand Desolate Plateau'. You thought that the Blood Demon Sector was an upgraded version of the Grand Desolate Plateau at best. You believed that we would be conquered in no time.
"Your madness did not pause until you learned the capability of the Blood Demon Sector and realized what a formidable opponent you were faced with.
"But it was too late.
"The hiatus of the invasion plan against the Blood Demon Sector led to the greatest economic crisis of the Star Glory Federation a hundred and seven years ago. Fifty-five sects collapsed, and two Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators even killed themselves.
"I believe that you must've read about the economic crisis, which was later known as 'Black September', in your textbooks, but you might not be able to know the truth of the economic crisis from the textbook."
Chapter 989: Another Choice! |
Li Yao opened his mouth, meaning to argue, but Jin Tuyi simply shook his hands and said, "You must feel that I am embellishing us and smearing the federation and that I am talking as if the demons of the Blood Demon Sector are all innocent rabbits, right?
"That is absolutely not what I meant.
"In fact, it didn't matter whether the Star Glory Federation issued war bonds targeting the Blood Demon Sector or not. From the second that the Heaven's Origin Sector was discovered, the Blood Demon Sector has been actively planning invasions against the Heaven's Origin Sector.
"However, two factors hindered the invasion plan.
"First of all, the Heaven's Origin Sector and the Blood Demon Sector were still too far away from each other back then. The super-large demon beasts, devilish warships, skeleton tanks, and demon emperors could not pass through the narrow, unstable wormholes. Even if they did, it was barely possible for them to survive in the Heaven's Origin Sector due to the lack of supplies.
"Secondly, the Blood Demon Sector was seriously divided at that time. The Feather Clan, the Insect Clan, the Horn Clan, the Sea Clan, and the Claw Clan—the five main clans were conspiring and attacking each other every day.
"In the decades after the Heaven's Origin Sector was discovered, a civil war was fought in the Blood Demon Sector in which the Feather Clan, the Insect Clan, the Sea Clan, and the Claw Clan joined hands and split apart the 'Horn Fire Kingdom', a country ruled by the Horn Clan, forcing the Horn Clan to become the vassal of the other four clans.
"So, as you can see, we were equally ambitious, and we wouldn't hesitate to swallow each other.
"The only difference is that the Blood Demon Sector has developed to the peak. We are strong right now, but we are short of resources, and our future isn't very promising. Therefore, the Blood Demon Sector decides to attack actively.
"In comparison, the Star Glory Federation is still developing. Your capability becomes higher with each passing day. Your resources are slightly more abundant than the resources of the Blood Demon Sector, too. Therefore, you choose home defense.
"But are we any different from each other essentially? We are both… two cold, cruel, and yet nervous and paranoid hunters in your 'dark forest', who are willing to do anything for survival.
"Hehe. Vulture Li Yao, even if your 'same-origin' theory is not supported by any proof, I still believe you because the two races are too similar. We are equally cruel, equally greedy, equally brutal, equally ambitious, trying to conquer everything that we see!"
Li Yao sniffed, with intense brilliance beaming out of his eyes, like a rooster whose glamorous feathers were standing up.
Jin Tuyi smiled. "I can see disdain and contempt in your eyes. Although you are saying that 'human beings and demons are of the same origin' and 'human beings and demons are the same', deep down in your heart, you still feel that we are not the same, don't you?
"How can the unified, equal, free, and democratic Star Glory Federation be the same as the ruthless, bloodthirsty, backstabbing, evil demons? Isn't that what you are thinking?
"Let me tell you something. No race is born brutal. Everything is just a matter of resources.
"The Blood Demon Sector does not have sufficient resources to feed too many experts. Therefore, when the number of the silver-blood demons grows too large, the excessive part must be eliminated by cruel internal strife or by invading the Heaven's Origin Sector!
"It is like how two tigers cannot live on the same mountain. There can only be a limited number of tigers in a forest. If the tigers don't fight each other and there are more and more of them until their population surpasses what the environment can support, the entire ecological system will collapse.
"We have to be ruthless. We have to attack each other. If we don't, the only result will be that the number of the silver-blood demons will grow exponentially, and all the resources will be drained in several decades. Then, all demons will starve.
"On the other hand, since the Star Glory Federation has been at war with foreign enemies for hundreds of years without rest, naturally, it is in your culture to be unified and to fight against a common foe.
"If we swap our environment and you'd lived in the barren Blood Demon Sector all the time while we'd lived in the Heaven's Origin Sector surrounded by foes, you would certainly be as ruthless and heartless as us, and we would be as unified and hotblooded as you.
"I've told you a lot of stuff because I am trying to enlighten you. It is useless to convince me, the commander-in-chief of the coalition army. It is even more useless to convince the entire Blood Demon Sector. You must also convince the Heaven's Origin Sector, the Flying Star Sector, and your ambitious compatriots who are craving to expand their territory and gain their fame by slaying demons!
"Trust me. It will be a hundred times more difficult to convince them than to convince me!"
"Senior Jin," Li Yao said solemnly, "I don't want to discuss whether one is born kind or vicious. It is a question that carries no answers. If you really think that all the Cultivators are such degenerates, I don't want to change your mindset right now. But right now, with the threat of the Imperium of True Human Beings drawing near, even the most ambitious Cultivators who hate demons the most will still calm down and think about how to survive, won't they?"
Jin Tuyi smiled. "In your opinion, under the threat of the Imperium of True Human Beings, the Heaven's Origin Sector, the Flying Star Sector and the Blood Demon Sector should be united, right?
"The Flying Star Sector boasts advanced universal sailing and space jump technology. The Heaven's Origin Sector has been well developed and boasts a high construction ability and abundant experience in the operation of a super-large government. The Blood Demon Sector boasts state-of-the-art biochemical technology and can provide the strongest miners. We will work together to develop Boneyard, the resource planets of the Flying Star Sector and even vaster worlds. That is the only way to fight against the Imperium of True Human Beings, right?"
"Exactly!" Li Yao replied resolutely.
"Then," Jin Tuyi continued, "what is the position of the miners of the demon race in the new alliance? Slaves?"
Li Yao shook his head. "Of course not. Even though the two parties cannot be integrated shortly, we will still be able to reach a reciprocal agreement at least. Demon miners will be exactly like human miners. They will have their own salary, rights, and benefits. I believe that, after tremendous resources are excavated, both the civilians of mankind and those of the demon race will have a better life than theirs right now."
Jin Tuyi smiled and said, "Alright. Let's say that I believe the Imperium of True Human Beings does exist, that I believe that it is necessary for the Heaven's Origin Sector, the Flying Star Sector, and the Blood Demon Sector to be united, and that the physically strong miners from the demon race who are more adapted to the harsh environment is an indispensable part in the fight against the Imperium of True Human Beings.
"Then, take a guess. If I were the Speaker of Parliament of the Star Glory Federation or the leader of the Cultivators, what choice would I make when I am given such information?
"I could resist the pressure to force me to resign, stand the humiliation where I am labeled a spy, soothe fury of the public, and suppress the hatred that has lasted hundreds of years, just in order to reach a total peace with the Blood Demon Sector.
"But as a result, the tremendous war bonds and victory funds will never be redeemed, a lot of sects and Cultivators will go bankrupt, and the economic system that is built on 'conquering the Blood Demon Sector' will be on the verge of falling apart. As for the administration under my lead, there is no doubt that it will collapse.
"Yes. We are now able to develop Boneyard and the resource planets of the Flying Star Sector on a large scale, but it will take decades for a virtuous circle to be created and yield high returns. The benefits are too far away to resolve the imminent problem.
"Besides, after the peace agreement is reached, demons will legally be equal to human beings. If demons are hired as miners, they will certain claim salaries and benefits. Since they are going to be sent to places far away such as Boneyard or the Flying Star Sector to work, how much do you think I should be paying them?
"The cost on every miner will certainly be extremely high!
"Besides, since we are all in total peace now and are prepared to fight against a common foe, then the major forces of the Blood Demon Sector will certain have a say in the future alliance, right? Who exactly will lead the alliance in the fight against the Imperium of True Human Beings?
"There are too many questions that cannot be solved by just the word 'peace'.
"However, I do have a second choice."
Two black flames suddenly burnt in the bottom of Jin Tuyi's eyes. Baring his sharp teeth, he smiled and said, "Young man, let me tell you what I would do if I were the leader of the Star Glory Federation.
"Step one, I would publicize the threat of the Imperium of True Human Beings and send a delegation to the Blood Demon Sector, hoping to reach total peace with the Blood Demon Sector, exactly as you are going right now.
"Step two, I would send a large number of delegations to the Blood Demon Sector in the next three to five years. They would be offering mediocre technology to the demons while investigating and surveying the Blood Demon Sector.
"In the meantime, I would develop the crystal suit and starship technologies through the large-scale communication with the Flying Star Sector. Also, I would expand the crystal suit legions under the pretext of making preparations for the Imperium of True Human Beings. My aim would be to establish at least thirty crystal suit legions in five years.
"Step three, three to five years later, with the comprehensive survey on the Blood Demon Sector completed, the thirty crystal suit legions as well as the powerful fleets from the Flying Star Sector would be ready, and the demons would have been intoxicated by the delicious wine named 'peace'. I would mobilize all the troops and attack the Blood Demon Sector, destroying the central armed forces of the Blood Demon Sector!
"Of course, a decapitation strategy could be played first. For example, I could invite the leaders of the demon race to the Heaven's Origin Sector for a peace gala where I would kill all of them easily… There is no need to talk about such details.
"Step four, after suppressing the resistance of the demon race, I would group and train all the demons into slaves before sending them to mine on Boneyard or the Flying Star Sector!
"If so, the war bonds and victory funds I issued earlier could be redeemed by the land of the Blood Demon Sector, the towns of the demon kingdoms, and the slaves themselves, and the stability of the federal government and the economic system would be maintained.
"More importantly, slaves cost nothing. They could be driven to mine on Boneyard and the resource planets of the Flying Star Sector however I wanted, until the last bit of strength in their bones is exploited. It would not matter even if they were exhausted to death on the glittering crystals they have collected!
"I believe that this is the only solution to collect the most resources in the shortest amount of time with a minimal cost in order to compete with the Imperium of True Human Beings!"
Chapter 990: Li Yao's Desperation? |
Sweating hard, Li Yao was lost for words while Jin Tuyi took the initiative of the conversation.
He thought that everything would be good after he convinced Jin Tuyi of the threat of the Imperium of True Human Beings. It never occurred to him that, even if Jin Tuyi believed in the existence of the Imperium of True Human Beings, the guy could still infer an opposite, dark future different from what was on his mind!
And he could not find any argument to fight back!
"You don't have anything to say now, do you?" Jin Tuyi said coldly. "Maybe, you can promise me that Cultivators like you are kindhearted and sympathetic, and you will never commit such a foul betrayal. But we are both clear that I cannot wager the fate of a whole race on your personal promise.
"We are talking about the future of a Sector. Vulture Li Yao, you couldn't promise anything even if your Cultivation was levels higher!
"Did you know? There's something that is quite ironic.
"The arrival of Flying Star Sector, another world of human beings, motivated the Blood Demon Sector to be united and fight a last war. It has significantly improved the Blood Demon Sector's desire for war, too!
"Before, after learning the basic situation of the Blood Demon Sector, the Star Glory Federation has always been in an awkward situation because the federation will not be able to gain too many benefits even if the Blood Demon Sector is conquered.
"The resources of the Blood Demon Sector have been mostly drained by the demons. This is a rough land dominated by a rough people.
"Even if the federation pays a high price to conquer the Blood Demon Sector, they might not be able to exploit enough benefits from us to make up for the losses during the war.
"We are a burden for them. They cannot stop fighting us, but they cannot gain much after fighting us, either.
"But it is different now.
"Although the Heaven's Origin Sector and the Blood Demon Sector are both worlds with a single galaxy where there are not many resource planets, the Flying Star Sector does boast tremendous resource planets that are waiting to be developed.
"As a result, the Star Glory Federation's demand for 'slaves' has soared. Every strong slave means countless crystals, ores, and Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures!
"Where can they capture almost infinite slaves? The Blood Demon Sector, of course!
"Do you understand now? The arrival of the Flying Star Sector has multiplied the possible benefits that the Star Glory Federation can gain from the war. Even the Cultivators who are not very passionate about the war will be eager to fight after calculating the gains and losses!
"Vulture Li Yao, you thought that you brought hope of peace back from the Flying Star Sector across the sea of stars.
"But in fact, you've brought back a dangerous crystal bomb that increased the determination for war of both Sectors. There's no stopping it now!"
Li Yao was breathing more and more hastily. His hair was standing up, and blood streaks were all over his eyes. Hot steam was popping up from his body. He was in such a trance as if he was going to be mentally deranged!
"Listen to me!" He scratched his hair hard, as if he did not know what to do anymore. "Senior Jin, listen to me. Even if everything you said might happen, what you are doing right now will only make things worse!
"Jin Xinyue and I have already figured what you are up to!
"You firmly believe that the federation will attack the Blood Demon Sector anyway when the time is right. Therefore, you have to attack before you are attacked and wage a final war through the 'Red Tide Plan' before the federation is fully prepared, right?
"You are planning to ask part of the main force of the coalition army of demons and a great amount of cannon fodder to pretend that you are marching on a full scale from the regular route, namely the Dark Desolate Domain to the Grand Desolate Plateau and then to the Giant Blade Pass. But it is actually a fake army. They are not the real main force but decoys!
