Beast Taming: Bloodline Golden Hand-Chapter 627 - 419: The Centennial Pact Negotiation Begins

Chapter 627: Chapter 419: The Centennial Pact Negotiation Begins

Lin Chen heard this, and the joy that had just risen in his heart was immediately suppressed by Chen Ming’s subsequent words.

"I can’t decide on this matter." Chen Ming explained with a serious expression.

Since the Monster Hunter Guild had been reorganized and strengthened, in order to avoid overly centralized power, the guild underwent a reform and implemented a voting system among the vice-presidents.

Based on the strength and scale of the Monster Hunter Branches in various regions and major cities, a total of eight vice-presidents were established to jointly decide on major guild affairs.

Lin Chen, as one of the vice-presidents, was also among them, and the president was elected every five years by these eight vice-presidents through voting.

Upon hearing this, Lin Chen nodded, indicating his understanding.

The essence of the Monster Hunter Guild is more of an alliance and not a monolithic centralized organization, so such a system is indeed necessary.

According to the rules, any major decision must be voted on by nine people, namely the eight vice-presidents plus the president, and requires at least five affirmative votes to pass.

That night, Chen Ming urgently summoned the other seven vice-presidents to the South City headquarters.

Before the meeting began, Chen Ming privately informed Lin Chen of some unfavorable news:

From the initial communications, it seemed that the other vice-presidents were not very willing to directly get involved in a war with the Divine Race, with most holding cautious or even opposing attitudes.

"It’s okay." Lin Chen took a deep breath, his eyes still resolute, "We must at least try."

The atmosphere in the meeting hall was heavy.

When Chen Ming presented the topic of "whether we should respond to the Spirit Academy’s request to send elite forces to assist in defending the dragon veins and combating the Divine and Ancient Clans," it indeed immediately provoked intense debate.

"The Divine Race is powerful and deeply rooted; it is unwise to confront them head-on! Our guild has just been revived and should focus on building strength. How can we easily get drawn into such a vortex?"

A slightly overweight vice-president from a major northern city was the first to oppose, frowning deeply.

"Exactly! Our guild’s purpose is to clear out Demon Beasts and protect the people. Rashly participating in a war of the gods and humans could backfire, deviating from our original intent!" Another stern-faced middle-aged woman agreed. She was the representative of the Southwest Region.

"What do we gain by aiding the Spirit Academy? What cost must we pay? This is not in line with the guild’s interests!" someone else stated more bluntly.

Chen Ming watched the group arguing but did not rush to express his stance. Instead, he looked toward Lin Chen, signaling it was his turn to speak.

Lin Chen stood up and looked around at each vice-president present. His voice was calm yet carried an undeniable authority:

"Ladies and gentlemen, please listen to me first."

"You all should still remember the recent Demon Beast chaos, right? Destruction of life, cities ruined and people perished. How many comrades did we lose? How many innocent citizens were displaced?"

"Some cities were even wiped off the map! Why were we so passive? Why did we pay such a heavy price?"

He paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping across faces that were gradually turning serious.

"It’s because we’ve always fought separately, indifferent to matters that don’t concern us."

"Always thinking disasters are far from us! But many seemingly unrelated crises often have interlinked roots."

"Now, the Spirit Academy stands on the front line against the Divine Race!"

"If their heavens are to collapse, they will be the first to be hit!"

"But can we laugh at their folly or watch coldly from the sidelines?"

"No! What we should do is reach out and hold up that sky together!"

"I understand, everyone fears war; everyone desires peace."

"But when war finds us, when everything we value is threatened, I ask, can we really hide from it?"

"The Divine Race’s goal is the dragon vein, to sever the foundation of our Human Race!"

"If today we leave the Spirit Academy to fend for themselves, who will come to aid us when the Divine Race points their swords toward the Southern Territory and your guarded cities?!"

At this moment, the slightly overweight vice-president couldn’t help but interrupt, "Vice-president Lin, you’re an elder of the Spirit Academy. Naturally, you would speak for them. Your position is inevitably biased."

"No!" Lin Chen immediately retorted decisively,

"Today I stand not only as an elder of the Spirit Academy but also as a vice-president of the Southern Monster Hunter Guild!"

"I implore everyone to aid the Spirit Academy, and it’s by no means for personal gain!"

"If someone here today could stand up and say the Spirit Academy is wrong in guarding the dragon veins, out of selfish intentions, or if someone believes that the Divine Race seizing the dragon veins poses no harm to the future of the Human Race, then I, Lin Chen, will immediately relinquish my vote and will not say another word!"

At this moment, the entire conference hall fell silent.

Everyone looked at each other, with no one able to dispute.

Because everyone present knew that during the previous Demon Beast crisis, the disciples and elders of the Spirit Academy fought valiantly, suffering heavy casualties, stabilizing the central battlefield, and saving many from the Human Race. Their contributions and sacrifices were evident to all.

Moreover, it was agreed upon that the dragon veins concerned the Human Race’s destiny.

The arrogance and ambition of the Divine Race were also evident from recent reports.

Seeing the time was right, Chen Ming slowly spoke: "In that case, let’s begin the voting."

He glanced over everyone: "Those in favor of the guild sending forces to assist the Spirit Academy in guarding the dragon veins, please raise your hand."

After a brief silence, Chen Ming was the first to raise his hand.

Soon after, Lin Chen raised his hand without hesitation.

Subsequently, the previously doubting, slightly overweight vice-president pondered for a moment, let out a heavy sigh, and raised his hand as well.

Then one, two, three...

Eventually, all nine people present raised their hands together!

Unanimous approval!

...

Mount Fallen Deity

Negotiation Camp.

In the large conference room, the atmosphere was tense.

The arrival of the Ancient Clan marked the official commencement of the long-delayed "Hundred-Year Pact" negotiations.

On either side of the massive round table, the Divine Race representatives, led by Xuanyuan Zhou and Gu Feng, sat opposite the Human Race representatives led by Gu Youshan and Li Gu, with powerful entourages standing behind them, their exchanged glances sparking off invisible sparks.

Gu Youshan looked at Gu Feng across the room, whose face appeared sullen and clearly showed signs of fatigue, causing a faint sense of satisfaction to stir within him.

The news of the Ancient Clan’s defeat at Spirit Academy was now public knowledge, serving as a potent morale booster to the Human Race camp, significantly dampening the Divine Race’s arrogance.

Xuanyuan Zhou, as the main representative of the Divine Race, was the first to speak, attempting to seize the initiative, his face bearing a smile but his tone allowing no contradiction:

"Patriarch Gu, esteemed Human Race representatives, concerning the issue of transferring and managing the dragon veins, I’ve already clarified the standpoint and necessity from our Divine Race perspective. I wonder what your side has considered over these days?"

Hearing this, Li Gu immediately wanted to rise in anger, but was held back by a glance from Gu Youshan beside him.

Gu Youshan, unhurried, leaned forward slightly and looked at Xuanyuan Zhou with calm eyes, countering:

"Elder Xuanyuan, your side repeatedly emphasizes the dragon veins’ significance to the balance of heaven and earth, and that the Divine Race’s takeover is for the welfare of all under heaven. However, I’ve always had a question in my heart, not sure if I should ask it?"

"Patriarch Gu, please speak." Xuanyuan Zhou’s smile remained unchanged.

"I would like to ask," Gu Youshan articulated clearly, "what exactly is the intention behind the Divine Race’s demand for the dragon veins?"

Unexpectedly, Xuanyuan Zhou responded, "Alright, since Patriarch Gu asked so directly, I shall also answer candidly."

"We, the Divine Race, believe that the Human Race’s excessive use of the dragon veins has already affected their foundation."

"This, in turn, affects the Heavenly Dao and the destiny of this land."

"For the future, you must relinquish them."