Tree King: What? I've become the Abundant Pharmacist?

Chapter 575 The Value of That Moment in Summer

"Oh... such a secret is hidden under your heavy eye patch."

Serhis shook its head slightly, feeling both shocked and regretful about what Xia had experienced.

But it was still not entirely convinced.

"However, this story is not so much related to what you're planning... it's completely unrelated."

“The answer lies within,” Xia continued. “If you can’t even figure this out, you might as well relinquish the authority of ‘reason’ to me; keeping it is a waste.”

"That's the end of my story. Now it's time to tell you your secret. It's all about 'equivalent exchange,' right?"

"As expected, she set a trap for me..." Cecis guessed that Xia was trying to trick him.

"Unfortunately... even if I were to recount my past, I might not know more than you do."

"Oh? The famous one admits he's not wise enough. You believers are going to be disappointed," Na Kexia said with a hint of sarcasm.

“Son of man, remember this: the greatest wisdom is to know your own ignorance.”

"No wonder you asked me to answer your nonsensical question."

"Not only that, but only you can answer my questions—as the saying goes, 'the onlooker sees most of the game.'"

"Hmph, 'the bystander sees more of the game,' huh..." Xia snorted coldly at that moment.

"At that moment, Lord Xia—!"

At that moment, a soldier walked over.

"Um…?"

"You were just talking to yourself, were you having some kind of delirious thought process? I apologize for interrupting you, but time is of the essence..." The soldier immediately answered Xia's question and relayed the instructions.

"I have come on the orders of Lord Legus to report that Lady Katniss has arrived at the Senate and awaits your arrival. Please proceed immediately."

"Hmph... You've finally arrived."

“Cephale, the creator god is also the god of destruction…” Cepheus sighed.

"If you truly do not reach an end... how will you respond to the questions posed by the rebellious?"

.............

At that moment, Xia arrived at the square led by a soldier, where Katniss had been waiting for a long time.

“Lord Anaxagoras! I’ve long admired your name—” Katniss said first.

"The leader of the 'School of Wisdom' in the Divine Enlightenment Tree Court, the infamous 'Blasphemer,' a golden descendant possessing the seed of Sersis, a survivor of the Tree Court massacre... I wonder if I've overlooked anything? If so, I hope you will kindly enlighten me and fill in any gaps."

"It seems that Lady Katniss already knows me quite well, so there's no need for me to introduce myself." That moment Xia was quite satisfied, but he still frowned.

"However, perhaps it's a difference in customs? In my hometown, there's a custom called 'guest-host': the host should be warm and hospitable to the guest, offering fine wine and water, and a warm bed for a peaceful sleep..."

"But when I came this time, instead of receiving gifts from my master, I was questioned. Even more absurdly, this master had sharpened a butcher's knife and instructed his servants to wait in the shadows—"

At that moment, Xia glanced at the corner, where the soldiers were hiding.

"Does Your Excellency intend to dissect my heart, extract the fire, and then host a grand banquet for your guests?"

Katniss's face turned cold; she knew that Ke Xia was not someone to be trifled with.

She waved.

"Everyone, step back."

The hidden soldiers silently left upon receiving the order.

Only then did Xia relax her furrowed brows.

"Thank you for your understanding. I am but a weak scholar, and I cannot stand the smell of money and blood."

“No need for such modesty, Your Excellency.” Katniss was somewhat displeased, but she did not show it.

"In my opinion, your courage and boldness are worthy of the name of the Seven Sages, and you are capable of undertaking our bloody and dangerous mission."

"You want a war?" Naksha asked directly.

"The Golden Blood call for war, and we will respond with war. Conflict is inevitable: since Aglaia attempts to suppress the good people with the power of the Golden Blood, we will not hesitate to demonstrate the rights and spirit that the citizens of Ohma should have."

"You ask me if there is still a glimmer of hope for peace? I can only say: everything depends on the next citizens' assembly, whether they can be awakened by the people's voices, and your presence as a member of the Golden Family has truly added a ray of hope to our lives."

"Ha, how arrogant." Xia's eyes were filled with disdain.

"Your loyal 'cleansers' who just stepped down probably heard something quite different from this."

Although Naksha was not in Ohma, she knew what the Cleansers were.

Led by Katniss during the Golden Wars, the organization secretly established a network of infiltrators in multiple city-states. They used genetic tracing technology to locate carriers of the Golden Bloodline and primarily carried out a systematic extermination plan to eliminate the Golden Bloodline.

The Cleansers employ a three-dimensional attack strategy of assassination, poisoning, and political persecution, with their members activating dormant agents to carry out simultaneous cross-city-state eradication operations.

This could be considered one of the reasons why the Senate could restrain the Golden Clan.

“To be honest, that’s right. After all, their job is to clean up harmful things. And just now, you were on the side of the Golden Race.” Katniss readily admitted.

"Of course, you're one of us now. Please, to avoid being overheard, let's continue somewhere else."

"where?"

"The power center of Ohma, the Demigods' Council."

........................

The Demigods' Council.

"Welcome back to the center of the 'Council of Demigods,' Lord Anaxxramas."

"I'm sure you remember: countless eloquent orators have stood here, triumphantly returning with their persuasive words; and countless blasphemous philosophers have also stood here, drinking poison to their deaths for refusing to defend themselves."

"This small stage is the most profound microcosm of Ohmar's history over the past millennia. And in fifteen days and nights, this place will become the most important and final turning point in Ohmar's history..."

"May we both fulfill our mission and lead the world back to a golden age free from death, strife, and intrigue."

"We don't need to say anything." Xia closed her eyes at that moment, seemingly a little annoyed.

Serhis jumped out from the side again.

"Ah, fifteen days and nights...that was precisely your death day. Is there such a coincidence in the world?"

"To prove the truth through death is exactly what I want."

That sentence was meant for Cecilia, but it sounded different to Katniss.

"How resounding! No wonder she's a hero who dares to stand up to 'Golden Weave'!" Kaine immediately became happy.

“Hehe…she really misunderstood.” Serhith smiled.

"Alright, Lady Katniss, let's skip the formalities. I've come here to work with the senators on the great cause of the world; don't test my patience with these empty formalities."

“That’s true, but you also need my help to save your life from the Golden Thread’s pursuit, don’t you?” Katniss countered.

"You're overthinking it. She still needs to win people's support at the Citizens' Assembly, so she certainly won't act rashly."

"Even I can see that she has almost no humanity left. Can you really be so sure that she will play by the rules?"

“As you can see, Aglaia covets the fire in my arms. This is the leverage that I, and all of you, have to contend with her, but in return, I need the Senate to provide all the support, including guards.”

"You know better than I how much the flame of Ceres means in the Golden Age you've been so desperately pursuing..."

"Further words are useless; take care of yourself."

"Of course, I understand. The so-called game is nothing more than each side getting what they want. As long as the demands are reasonable, the Senate will never treat its allies unfairly. Since you and I both have the desire to cooperate, let's be frank and speak frankly."

"Let's be frank?" Xia's eyes narrowed slightly at that moment.

"Let us, like true philosophers, use words and wisdom to decide how much we can fight for ourselves and how much we can sacrifice for ourselves."

"I don't need time to think, let's begin."

Katniss chuckled. "I like smart people like you."

“Aglaia, she is the second most senior among the golden descendants of Ohm, who has gradually lost her humanity through the wear and tear of time and the burning of fire... She is a formidable and respectable opponent.”

"Admittedly, she has every reason to kill you, but what you said is not without merit: as a seasoned political animal, it is still unknown whether she will truly cross that line, and besides, she needs you to complete the Titan's trial..."

"Among those present, who can swear an oath to Cephallus that you did not collude with that woman before this meeting, merely to cover for others and encourage her tyranny?"

Faced with Katniss's doubts, Xia couldn't help but smile.

"The executioner, Xia Die, I believe you are familiar with this name."

“Xia Die, I know that little girl has a silver tongue.” Katniss nodded slightly.

Whenever the Golden Clan made a significant move, Aglaia would send this little girl to lobby the Senate.

“Aglaia sent her to monitor me as soon as I returned to Ohma. If I fail to keep our appointment in time, Senatos will definitely come looking for me first,” Naksha continued.

"Compared to the 'safest approach' with an uncertain outcome, wouldn't it be better to simply cut open my chest and extract the fire, saving her from any unforeseen complications? Everything is already prepared; she just needs the right opportunity."

"Ah... I understand your opinion."

"At least, we both agree that this extravagant and tyrannical ruler is the greatest enemy of the peace of Ohmma. The Senate is willing to defend your right to live, just as we defend every oppressed citizen."

"However, regrettably, the sentiment supporting the Golden Clan and Aglaia continues to grow stronger. The peace we yearn for, and everything we love, will turn to ashes and the blood of our citizens..."

"Tell me, Your Excellency: how much power can you dedicate to our noble citizens so that they may defeat the enemies of the city-state?"

"My support represents the support of the entire Shuting Group."

"The entire Tree Garden?" Katniss was clearly intrigued.

"Although it is regrettable, objectively speaking, after the attack on the Tree Pavilion, I became the actual power holder of the academy."

"To bring down Aglaia, the Senate needs support, and the entire Academy is clearly powerful enough."

"To put it another way, I have long been Shuting's special envoy in Ohma, and naturally I also retain a crucial vote in the Citizens' Assembly."

"Furthermore, I will also crush Aglaia's arrogance." A cold glint flashed in Xia's eyes.

Katniss nodded in satisfaction.

She was very satisfied with Naksha's words, after all, whether it was the Citizens' Assembly or the fight against Aglaia, Naksha had spoken of his valuable worth.

"On behalf of Kefaller, Ohmma thanks you for your sincerity and valuable advice."

"Now that we've reached this point, you and I should both have a good idea of ​​what we can gain from this debate. Let me put it this way: the Senate has always been known for its impartiality, and impartiality is based on sincerity..."

"The Senate swears eternal loyalty to all citizens of Ohma—as for you, Your Excellency, how can you guarantee that you are worthy of this sincerity, and will not betray the invincible people of Ohma at the opportune moment, just as you have now betrayed Aglaia?"

"Hmph, laughable. My loyalty needs no proof, but the Senate's demand for proof of loyalty is tantamount to betrayal."

Katniss snorted, but did not refute Nashi Xia.

"Furthermore, I'd like to know if the Senate has placed Eve on the danger list?"

“Eve? A familiar name.” Katniss didn’t take the name Eve seriously at all.

“Oh, I remember now, visitors from outer space, right?” Katniss suddenly laughed and waved her hand.

“She is nothing but a weak ant, not worth worrying about. Her companions are currently in the Senate prison.”

"Oh?" Xia was somewhat surprised, and a strange expression appeared on her face.

Just then, footsteps interrupted their conversation.

Lai Gushi came down the steps.

"It is a great honor to see the two of you shake hands and make peace in a civilized manner. However, please allow me to interrupt briefly—"

"In the name of 'Divine Audience,' I saw Lady Aglaia, the 'Golden Weave,' setting off for Dawn Cloud Cliff."

"Oh? We seem to have a bit too many guests today." Katniss's face instantly turned ashen.

"You're not reconciled, are you, Lady Katniss? The Senate sits high on the clouds, yet it still has to look up to the Golden Clan."

"Heh, I didn't expect you to have a trick up your sleeve. I was outmaneuvered. However, I personally am quite pleased with her appearance..."

“Tell me, Anaxxramas: Now that you are an ally, what should I do if Aglaia comes to me demanding people?”

“You can hand me over and tell her that the Senate only wants to chat with me and has no intention of offending me,” Naksha said.

............................................................................

Hi, hi, oh o(*￣▽￣*)o