"I'm not sure either, so I'll get straight to the point. I'm here to see you about two matters."
"Let's talk about the private matter first."
Wan Lei raised his head.
"The private matter is, I need your help to rescue Xin'er. I want you to go with me."
"Oh, your wife? As a friend, I should help. How about this: once my alliance's army defeats the demons and breaks into the Liu family, I'll conveniently snatch Liu Yuxin out for you. What do you say?"
"Well... Xin'er sent me a message saying she saw many disgraced Liu family members being taken away from her cell and never returning. She also smelled a strong scent of blood. She suspects the Liu family is sacrificing their own clansmen to refine some secret technique, similar to the blood energy formation in the Narcissus Secret Realm."
"I'm worried she might be taken away and killed one day. So, this matter cannot be delayed."
"Wan Liuchuan, are you suggesting that the Alliance Leader go with you into that dragon's den, the Liu family, to rescue a member of the Liu family? Isn't that walking right into a trap? What are your intentions? Are you a spy sent by the enemy!"
An elder with a short temper immediately stood up and angrily accused Wan Liuchuan.
"This matter is indeed very dangerous..."
Wan Liuchuan appeared somewhat guilty and anxious. But at this moment, other than Wan Lei, no one else could help him. He had regretted his actions countless times, wishing he had forcefully taken Liu Yuxin away instead of letting her return to the Liu family. The thought of it made him so guilty and remorseful that he wished he could kill himself.
"Let's put this aside for now and talk about the public matter."
Wan Lei waved his hand, signaling the elder to sit down.
"If you help me with this, I'm not coming empty-handed. I can help persuade the leader of the Heavenly Tribulation to join us and bring them into the Thunder Emperor Alliance. The Heavenly Tribulation is not a weak force. They have hidden operatives in various families, and I've met their leader once. He is... a Tribulation Passing expert."
"Heh."
Wan Lei scoffed.
"The Heavenly Tribulation, a bunch of skulking rats. I truly disdain them. They claim righteousness and act as heavenly executioners, but in reality, they are all in the same boat."
"We Heavenly Tribulation are not as disgraceful as you say. Over the past few thousand years, we have punished many evil cultivators and saved many innocent people. We consider the welfare of all beings our responsibility..."
"Is that so? Then where were you, Wan Liuchuan, and where were your Heavenly Tribulation during the two anti-demon wars? During the Desert War, we were outnumbered, and we fought desperately to destroy the teleportation channel, preventing the Demon Lord from descending upon the Thunder Wind Realm and saving countless lives. Where were the righteous Heavenly Tribulation then? During the Thunder Emperor Hall battle, my Thunder Emperor Hall, on its own, killed tens of thousands of demons, fifty thousand allied troops, and eleven demon marshals, displaying the backbone of our Thunder Wind Realm and the spirit of our human race. Where were the Heavenly Tribulation, who cared for all beings, then? A bunch of rats and vermin living in the dark, yet they dare to call themselves righteous? If they had joined the anti-demon war earlier, I could have spared them and recorded their merit. But if they consistently hid in their lairs, after we annihilate the demons, it will be time to settle accounts with you traitors."
Wan Lei's words made Wan Liuchuan break out in a cold sweat. His mouth felt dry, and he didn't know how to refute him.
"Wan Lei, don't act rashly. I know you have issues with the Heavenly Tribulation, but this force is not to be underestimated. If used correctly, their operatives within the hostile three families can provide you with a lot of intelligence. They are eyes planted in the enemy's territory. If we offend them, and they defect to the enemy, their covert actions could cause you considerable damage."
That hot-tempered elder stood up again.
"Hmph, the insignificant Heavenly Tribulation dares to threaten us? They are overestimating themselves. It's good to push them towards the enemy, so we can catch them all in one net and eliminate them."
"Elder Lu, please sit down."
Fang Xiaoyu stood up, walked to the desk, and said,
"I think what Wan Liuchuan said is worth a try. After all, it's easier to dodge an open spear than a hidden arrow. We can guard against villains, but not against gentlemen. If the Heavenly Tribulation really causes trouble, it would be enough to disgust us for half a day. It's better to try and win them over."
"The Heavenly Tribulation aren't all that bad. They are people who stick to their principles. As long as we appeal to righteousness, we can influence them."
Everyone turned their gaze to Wan Lei. No matter how much they argued, Wan Lei had the final say. Wan Lei pondered for a moment, then looked at Wan Liuchuan.
"I agree to both matters you mentioned."
Wan Liuchuan was instantly overjoyed and about to speak, but Wan Lei interrupted him.
"But remember, it's because of our personal friendship that I'm willing to risk going alone to help you rescue Liu Yuxin. That's what a brother should do. It's also because of our friendship that I'm willing to give the Heavenly Tribulation a chance to repent and join our alliance, to atone for their inaction in the previous war."
"Okay."
Wan Liuchuan nodded.
"Alright, I'll personally accompany you to meet your leader."
"Alliance Leader, think twice!"
"Alliance Leader, absolutely not!"
"Alliance Leader, how can your noble person risk yourself alone!"
Wan Lei waved his hand.
"Everyone, there's no need to persuade me further. Doing this well will greatly benefit us. Bringing the Heavenly Tribulation over will also be a considerable force, at least improving our intelligence system. Going to the Liu family, I can also gather intelligence along the way. After all, we are still completely in the dark about the enemy's strength. We don't know how many people the demons sent this time, but they definitely didn't use their full strength in the Thunder Emperor Hall battle. The Liu family has at least half their forces hidden. These are all things that need to be investigated. And we don't know the Liu family's schemes. Besides me, no one else can do these things."
"Alliance Leader, I won't say anything about the Liu family. You know it's a dragon's den. If you go in, the enemy will be overjoyed. As for the Heavenly Tribulation, they are too mysterious. Who knows which side they are on? What if they turn against you?"
"Don't worry, a Tribulation Passing expert can't defeat me. Even if I can't beat them, can't I still run away?"
"Oh dear, Alliance Leader, as I said earlier, we don't know which side they are on. What if they collude with the demons and set a trap for you?"
"To win someone over, one must have sincerity. Although I look down on the Heavenly Tribulation, as I analyzed earlier, this force needs to be courted. Since the decision is made, I cannot let my personal preferences or safety concerns dictate my actions. The risk is worth it. I've weathered so many storms and am still alive and well. If I were so easily killed, I wouldn't have grown to this point. Right now, the leader of the Heavenly Tribulation is probably wondering if I dare to go. I just don't know if he dares to let me in, hahahaha."