Chapter 758: Chapter 757 Essence
Facing Tang Shuwan’s clear eyes, Ning Shucheng believed her.
Although the two had not become husband and wife, he understood her.
Just like she, being a woman of the Tang Family and the Tang Family being of the Qin Family’s faction, had come alone to see him under such an extreme situation, it proved that in her heart, he was someone trustworthy.
"What do you want me to do?" Ning Shucheng slowly began.
Tang Shuwan said, "Convince the Chu Family, the Sun Family, and the people of the Duanmu Family to give up."
Ning Shucheng was startled, then chuckled lightly, slowly shaking his head and saying, "Do you know what giving up means? It means losing everything, even life. For such a big matter, there always needs to be someone to pay a price."
Tang Shuwan nodded and said, "I know, so I’m asking you to convince those who can be convinced, and as for those who can’t, let them pay the price for this matter."
Ning Shucheng shook his head and said, "It’s not that easy. Not to mention other families, within my Ning Family alone, many people cannot be convinced."
"What about you?" Tang Shuwan suddenly asked.
Ning Shucheng was silent for a moment, and then with a sigh he said, "If it could end all this sooner, I would spare no cost. But things aren’t as simple as you think, even if we admit defeat and temporarily restore great unity, the future will still be very troublesome."
"Are you talking about the Hidden Sect?" Tang Shuwan asked.
Ning Shucheng nodded: "The Hidden Sect is like a sword hanging over the head of the Divine Continent. Should it fall, it will injure this country, or even destroy it. Without eradicating the threat of the Hidden Sect, there can be no talk of absolute peace and tranquility."
"Indeed, the threat of the Hidden Sect needs to be properly addressed, but what you are doing now is not solving the threat of the Hidden Sect, but fragmenting the Divine Continent; you are adding frost to snow," Tang Shuwan said.
Ning Shucheng gave a bitter smile: "To use the words of the Martial Arts World, for the vast majority of people, this matter is beyond their control."
Tang Shuwan nodded, not finding Ning Shucheng hypocritical at all. She said, "I understand, faced with the pressure of the Hidden Sect’s powerful individuals, not many can disregard their own life and death, and are forced to make the wrong choice. But it is precisely for this reason that I say, as long as you are willing to bow your heads and give up, there is still a chance for redemption."
Ning Shucheng looked at her.
Tang Shuwan continued, "As long as we can end this unnecessary internal strife and division in the Divine Continent sooner, it would be a great deed. Let some people pay the price afterwards, and this matter will be over. Although it will cause many families to lose a lot, at least they won’t have to bear an eternal curse, nor will all their family members be dragged down to suffer."
Ning Shucheng was silent.
He knew what Tang Shuwan was saying made sense.
If things could really be resolved this way, it would indeed save many lives.
But if both sides confront each other to the end, the losing side will inevitably suffer a massacre with blood flowing into rivers.
According to Tang Shuwan’s words, all families could save many lives, leaving many seeds for the future.
For the current dire situation, it is not a bad option.
However, Ning Shucheng knew that things were not so easy.
As he had said earlier, not to mention other families, even their Ning Family alone could not just give up and admit defeat so directly.
Even if many in the family would support him, just as many would oppose him.
Tang Shuwan saw the difficulty Ning Shucheng was facing, so she revealed the most crucial piece of information: "I have come back this time because the situation overseas has changed significantly. Heaven has gradually gained control of the situation, and the Western World, having previously suffered from disasters, has been greatly impacted. In order to defend their dominance, they have decided to embark on the Eastern Conquest."
Ning Shucheng’s expression changed drastically upon hearing this, surprised he said, "What? An Eastern Conquest? Is the message reliable?"
Tang Shuwan nodded.
Unable to contain himself, Ning Shucheng stood up, but the space in the helicopter was limited, so he sat back down again.
He finally understood why Tang Shuwan had come alone to see him, knowing full well the situation was beyond hope.
This matter was indeed very serious.
A few moments later, Ning Shucheng asked, "Has the Qin Family been informed?"
Tang Shuwan slightly pondered, then shook her head and said, "I don’t know, but given the Qin Family’s intelligence system, they should have received the news."
Ning Shucheng said, "Even if we know, it’s useless. If Heaven dominates the Western World, and they launch an eastern campaign, it will be like a hundred years ago and will initiate a dark war. This kind of war can’t be contended with by mere mortal forces, and in the end, we would still have to seek help from the Hidden Sect."
"Therefore, the most important thing right now is to unite and jointly resist foreign clans. But now, the Divine Continent is consumed with infighting, how similar is this to a hundred years ago?" Tang Shuwan said with a troubled heart.
The Divine Continent had not easily freed itself from feudal shackles, slowly reviving amidst suffering, and just when it seemed about to emerge as a global superpower, regaining its former glory, this situation arose.
This deeply pained Tang Shuwan. Despite knowing her influence was limited and her power was small, she still refused to give up and was trying to do whatever she could.
Ning Shucheng’s expression also became extremely solemn.
If he had previously thought Tang Shuwan’s persuasion was somewhat naive and laughable, now he had no choice but to take her advice seriously.
As a soldier, patriotism was ingrained in him.
That was precisely why Tang Shuwan had come to see him.
This trust touched him, and combined with the severe international situation, made him feel he must do something, must end the current situation sooner.
At this moment, Ning Shucheng’s phone rang.
He glanced at the number and answered the call in front of Tang Shuwan.
After a brief moment, Ning Shucheng’s face revealed an exasperated yet amused expression, "Are you certain the information is reliable?"
"Absolutely, I saw it with my own eyes."
Ning Shucheng said, "Alright, keep on watching, I understand."
After hanging up, Tang Shuwan, whose hearing was exceptional and had overheard the conversation, gave a slight smile and said to Ning Shucheng, "It seems your camp is not very united."
Ning Shucheng gave a bitter smile and said, "No wonder they play politics; they never put all their eggs in one basket."
"That’s one thing, but could it be that there are already underlying issues within your ranks? With the Sun Family’s political insight, they might have foreseen your end and thus made changes accordingly?" asked Tang Shuwan.
Ning Shucheng fell silent.
Whether it was the people from the Hidden Sect or their decision-makers, they had all made mistakes leading the situation to become increasingly unfavorable for them.
Perhaps the Sun Family had seen this and, feeling there was no chance of winning, sought another path.
Tang Shuwan said, "Although the Sun Family will be greatly diminished by doing this, by realizing their wrongs and attempting to make amends, the family can still retain a significant part of its power. No one knows how the future will unfold. For them, as long as the people and the family’s legacy persist, there is hope. After all, every dynasty needs people to govern it."
"Our Ning Family is not the same as the Sun Family," Ning Shucheng said in a low voice.
Tang Shuwan’s heart sank and she nodded, "It’s different, but the Qin Family is not the former Zhang Family. Besides, you are well aware of the Qin Family’s attitude toward the Hidden Sect. So the future is not about your struggle with the Qin Family, but about how to unite against the Hidden Sect’s power and prevent them from dictating everything."
Ning Shucheng said, "We can’t stop it. The Hidden Sect’s power is too strong. Now that Heaven, the Hidden Sect, and Penglai from the Three Realms have all made a significant move into the world, the future will be the era of the aristocratic families."
Tang Shuwan frowned and said, "This is a regression of history, impossible."
Ning Shucheng laughed upon hearing this, "What do you think is the difference between the governments of modern nations and the eras of old ruled by Gate Valve Clans? The former Zhang Family and now the Qin, Chu, Sun, Ning, Duanmu families—don’t each of these have massive influence? Across the seas globally, which country isn’t influenced by powerful capital?
Yes, they don’t call themselves Gate Valve Clans, but rather capital. It’s just a change of name, a new packaging. And the so-called democracy, freedom, and equality that the world touts are nothing more than beautiful lies told by the rulers to deceive the lower classes.
The essence of this world has never truly changed since ancient times. Human history has always been a cycle of repeating itself. One narrative collapses and is replaced by another, constantly demolished and rebuilt, nothing more."
Tang Shuwan sighed silently, finding herself at a loss for words.