Li Weiliang raised her eyebrows, standing before the steps of King Ming's throne, gazing down with mocking eyes at the two Vice Sect Hierarchs, Divine Envoys, Dharma Kings, and the numerous Red Priests below.
"Who among those present in this hall has the resources, spare effort, strength, and the will to rescue the Beicheng district?"
Lin Rui also frowned slightly, his voice serious: "My friends! Although I am new, I am aware that to the north of Da Cheng Country is one of the Light God Sect's largest districts. Not only does it boast 230 million adherents of the Light, but it's also the most important source of our sect's wealth. It is the very foundation of the Light God Sect and must not be lost. Dharma King, I would like to know how many troops and masters the Main Temple currently has available for deployment?"
He turned his gaze toward a man on his left, clad in white, tall and slender, with a refined and handsome face.
That was Bai Xishi, the Protector Dharma King amongst the seven Dharma Kings, holding a status within the Light God Sect equivalent to that of the Commander of the defense forces at the Earth Federation Government's headquarters.
Upon hearing this, the man answered with an indifferent face and a cupped-fist salute: "Your Highness, the headquarters has approximately two hundred thousand Holy Protectors, and 20 of the 'Light Guards' and 'Light Elders' from the Ninth Realm are available for reinforcement to Beicheng."
Lin Rui slightly shook his head, thinking how could this handful of troops be enough? Without the core combat power of Divine Envoy level, it would also be impossible to confront the Second Divine Envoy from Da Cheng Country.
He glanced over those present: "My friends, the troops of the Main Temple are slightly insufficient. I wonder which district or branch within the Sect has surplus military strength and manpower to support the Beicheng district?"
Lin Rui was hopeful that someone among those gathered in the Great Ming Hall would take the initiative to bear the burden of the Beicheng district's war. However, to his disappointment, even Wan Lei, whom he had great hopes for, remained silent.
Lin Rui had seen reports from the Security Bureau that the several districts under Wan Lei's leadership were also facing immense pressure. However, with Wan Lei's strength and foundation, it would be enough to dispatch a few from the Ninth Realm and one or two million of the Divine Army.
Lin Rui also noticed that Wanyan Layman, the wise Divine Envoy Xiao Xingyi, the Shancai Divine Envoy Zhao Chongling, and others all seemed to be on the verge of speaking.
Yet he sneered inwardly, guessing that these people wanted to persuade him to negotiate with Da Cheng Country, to cede more taxes in exchange for Da Cheng Country's withdrawal from the war.
But in doing so, would there be any dignity left for him as the newly appointed King Ming?
And what would they do if Da Cheng Country became even more demanding after the negotiation?
Many of the so-called 'Three Ambassadors, Five Pillars, and Seven Envoys' within the Light God Sect are mostly independent leaders, even warlords, each ruling over a separate territory, much like those Honorary Members of the Earth Federation who run industries, nurture followers, and maintain private armies.
They are neither willing to be embroiled in war nor do they wish for the Main Temple and King Ming's authority to grow too strong. They are now only concerned with their own sect's calculations, and there are only a few who are truly devoted to the Light.
This is why other powers dare to move against the Light God Sect, as they have concluded that the Sect cannot unite internally.
At this moment, Lin Rui also saw the Invincible Dharma King turn around, her eyes mocking as she looked at him.
Meanwhile, she silently mouthed four words with her lips: "Relocate to Star Port!"
Lin Rui couldn't help but click his tongue in secret, and then with a clear voice, he said: "Since that is the case, I appoint the Invincible Dharma King as the Regent Deputy Sect Leader to oversee the military affairs of the Beicheng district!"
This was actually one of the conditions agreed upon with the Invincible Dharma King the day before.
The Invincible Dharma King had supported him in relocating the Main Temple to the underground of the Great Song Star Port in exchange for Lin Hao's support in her appointment as the Regent Deputy Sect Leader.
Lin Rui thought to himself, since these scoundrels were unwilling to dispatch troops and support the Main Temple, let the Invincible Dharma King trouble them.
As the Sect Hierarch, he was unable to extract even a single soldier from these people, yet the Invincible Dharma King, with her formidable strength and solid foundation, certainly had ways to manage.
After all, being manipulated like a puppet, whose puppet you become didn't really matter, did it?
By entrusting the major duties of the sect to the Invincible Dharma King, Lin Rui could at least reap some benefits, consolidating power within the Main Temple. But if he agreed to the wishes of these Divine Envoys and Dharma Kings, then the Light God Sect would inevitably rot away in the end.
Lin Rui glanced again at Zhuang Fatian, the Judgement Divine Envoy, whose expression was unwavering: "Judgement Divine Envoy, the Invincible Dharma King is still branded with crime. Whether she may assume the official role of Regent Deputy Sect Leader and how her crimes will be punished can be decided after the military affairs of the Beicheng district are settled. Once the two cases are investigated clearly, then disposition should be taken according to the sect's rules: reward if it's due and punishment if warranted."
The Invincible Dharma King's eyes turned slightly cold; this 'Lin Hao' was still not playing straight, still leaving her with unease, keeping a tail.
Nevertheless, being able to obtain the position of Regent Deputy Sect Leader, commanding the sect's authority, was already the most crucial step she had taken.