The Xia Emperor said mockingly, “I don’t know what they want with you, Fellow Daoist, but I do know what the House of the Skywalking Sword wants with the imperial family. They’re just here to loot a burning house.”

Loot a burning house? Su Yi thought it over, then quickly understood.

The seven top ancient factions saw the imperial family as prey. Sooner or later, they’d come to blows.

What about the cultivators of the House of the Skywalking Sword? Given the circumstances, there was no way they’d remain unmoved.

After all, the imperial family’s core territories, Nine Tripod City and Mount Heavenbristle, were the most flourishing places in the entire Great Xia!

“So the House of the Skywalking Sword plans to get involved?” asked Su Yi.

“No,” said the emperor. “They’re unwilling to come into conflict with the top ancient factions. They’re just taking the opportunity to scoop up some of the benefits, that’s all.”

 “Did you agree to their demands?” asked Su Yi.

The Xia Emperor shook his head. “I did not.”

“That was the right choice,” said Su Yi. “If you agreed to their demands, it’d be no different from using firewood to put out a fire or drinking...