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Chu Zhiyuan felt reassured.
His main goal had been achieved.
However, that was only his own objective.
The goal of the Da Jing delegation in this negotiation was to discuss a truce between the two dynasties.
But in his eyes, the most crucial part was the agreent of the three dynasties to unite in eradicating the Evil Sect.
As for the truce treaty between the two dynasties, it wasn’t as important.
Because the key to either ceasefire or war was not the treaty, but the circumstances between parties.
Once the situation required war, a treaty could be torn up at will.
The main focus of this negotiation was to establish trade and mutual markets.
This was almost impossible to achieve.
Li Hongzhao couldn’t suppress the military enough to agree to these terms.
Establishing a trade market at the border would most benefit the military.
As the saying goes, "The pavilion closest to the water enjoys the moon first," and "Living by the mountain eats from the mountain, living by the sea eats from the sea."
With this trade market, the border army could gain countless tangible and intangible benefits.
Once a trade market was ford, apart from the military, many wealthy and powerful people could also benefit.
These would be the vested interests.
This would create a massive obstacle to restarting the war.
Interests are the root of political attitudes; those ministers at court, for the interests they represent, would oppose going to war.
If the border army benefits the most, they would strive to avoid war.
In a situation where Li Hongzhao couldn’t suppress the border army, consenting to develop trade and mutual markets would further complicate control.
So he did not hold onto hope.
Li Hongzhao lounged behind the Dragon Desk, languidly saying, "Where should we begin?"
"Eradicate the Main Altar," Chu Zhiyuan said, "Cut off their source of power, and the rest can be taken care of gradually."
"The Main Altar isn’t that easy to exterminate, is it?" Li Hongzhao said, "Let alone finding it, even if found, can it be breached?"
Chu Zhiyuan said, "If aided by the military, plus Martial Arts experts, it’s not difficult."
Using Array against Array.
Deploying a military formation against the Heaven and Earth Array, along with the assistance of Martial Arts experts, breaking the array wouldn’t be too challenging.
"The military..." Li Hongzhao pondered.
Chu Zhiyuan smiled slightly.
Li Hongzhao snorted, "What are you smiling at?"
Chu Zhiyuan said, "It’s best to use the Stepping Cloud Iron Cavalry; if that’s not possible, let our Thunder Spear Formation co to help."
"The Stepping Cloud Iron Cavalry it is!" Li Hongzhao said, "How many do you need?"
"At least a thousand."
"A thousand Stepping Cloud Iron Cavalry..." Li Hongzhao pondered, slowly nodding, "Alright!"
Chu Zhiyuan asked, "Have your Imperial Guards ever trained with an Array?"
Li Hongzhao shook her head, "Their Array is far inferior to the Stepping Cloud Iron Cavalry."
Chu Zhiyuan said, "Then it’s the Stepping Cloud Iron Cavalry; I’ll lead them first, and the remaining negotiations can be handled by others."
"There’s nothing else worth discussing," Li Hongzhao said lazily, "No need to discuss more."
Chu Zhiyuan suggested, "If both dynasties establish a market on the border, both will benefit."
Li Hongzhao looked at him askance, her phoenix eyes sparkling.
Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "And what about the Secret Land? Do we not wish to exchange insights on the Secret Land?"
"Not necessary," Li Hongzhao snorted, "There’s nothing good in your Secret Land."
"Then let’s talk about exchanging prisoners."
"This is sothing we can discuss," Li Hongzhao said.
Speaking of which, this was her biggest achievent in her diplomatic mission to Da Jing and the key to gaining so military support.
And now, through exchanging prisoners to garner support from so lower-level soldiers, and through political maneuvers to gain so upper-level support, she could almost sway the military.
The military isn’t monolithic; there are many factions, making it hard to withstand her combination of soft and hard tactics.
Everyone present fell silent, listening to the two set the grand sche with a few words.
At this point, Li Hongzhao stood up, "I’m a bit tired, so I won’t stay longer. Feel free to drink and enjoy yourselves."
She gracefully departed.
Everyone hurried to stand and clasp their fists, bidding farewell respectfully.
Once she left, they all breathed a sigh of relief.
Although Li Hongzhao was a woman, her presence was intimidating, and with her seated here, everyone felt pressured.
As soon as she left, the atmosphere in the hall imdiately beca lively.
Chu Zhiyuan also took his leave.
As he walked out of Chengtian Hall, Wen Cheng’en ca to greet him outside.
Chu Zhiyuan didn’t say much and followed him forward.
He looked up at the night sky.
A bright moon hung high, with stars dimd around.
A Great Sword spanned across the void, faintly discernible, with nurous white lines converging on it, and patterns on the Sword faintly flowing.
Strings of lanterns were hung under the palace eaves, and more lanterns were suspended in mid-air, illuminating the surroundings brightly, leaving no dark corners.
Chu Zhiyuan arrived at a side hall.
To the north of the side hall was a Luohan bed, arranged warmly and softly.
Li Hongzhao reclined on the Luohan bed.
A broad lake green robe gently clung to her graceful body, embroidered with floral patterns, exuding luxury.
She propped her head on one hand, leisurely looking at Chu Zhiyuan as he entered.
A palace maid brought over an embroidery stool, and Chu Zhiyuan sat down with a fist salute and smiled, "Congratulations."
"Where does the joy co from?"
"With further advancent in cultivation, your grasp of the Emperor’s Sword must have strengthened, right?"
"You’ve advanced as well," Li Hongzhao snorted, "You really are sothing."
Upon reaching Great Grandmaster, it’s almost impossible to advance further.
Almost everyone else stays at the First Layer, and he quickly advanced to the Second Layer.
Now it seems the Second Layer can’t hold him either, as he’s about to step into the Third Layer.
He still managed to take a step ahead of her.
Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "Without the Emperor’s Sword, I’m ultimately not your match."
Li Hongzhao said, "Now I see why you want to eradicate the Evil Sect so much."
Chu Zhiyuan smiled at her.
Li Hongzhao remarked, "Because killing the Evil Sect’s demon people benefits your cultivation, right?"
Chu Zhiyuan clapped in admiration.
Li Hongzhao snorted, "After reaching Great Grandmaster, you can’t kill indiscriminately, but it’s no issue to kill demon people; that’s why all the world’s demon people have beco your aides in training, though the Purple Sun Scripture isn’t that path, is it?"
Chu Zhiyuan said, "By killing one more, I find clarity in my thoughts, and with clarity, my spirit thrives, naturally accelerating my cultivation."
"Is that all?" Li Hongzhao was half-skeptical.
She felt that Chu Zhiyuan’s rapid progress after entering Great Grandmaster was likely due to the Evil Sect.
But the Evil Sect Heart thod also stagnates after reaching Great Grandmaster.
So he shouldn’t be borrowing from the Evil Sect Heart thod; it must be a Breakthrough Technique based on slaughter.
"What else?" Chu Zhiyuan had to admire her keen insight.
Without these demon people, the Glazed Blade Scripture couldn’t have reached this level.
Killing demon beasts in the Secret Land is another path, but far inferior to demon people of the Evil Sect.
He believed that if he killed all the demon people of the Evil Sect, he could possibly master the Glazed Blade Scripture to Perfection.
Whether or not he could truly beco Undying or achieve immortality was uncertain.
Chu Zhiyuan then said, "Your Phoenix Bloodline cultivation proceeds without hindrance, always allowing you to advance swiftly, and you’re planning for Ascension, right?"
Li Hongzhao frowned slightly, staring at him.
Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "Understood, you’re indeed preparing for Ascension, given your current rate of progress, it shouldn’t take too long, right?"
"If I don’t sort things out, the Emperor’s Sword can’t assist in Ascension."
"Only by fully mastering the Emperor’s Sword, can one break the void and ascend, and to thoroughly master the Emperor’s Sword, one needs to have their thoughts sorted out."
"...Right," Li Hongzhao said.
He had extraordinary comprehension, so it wasn’t surprising he could deduce this.
Chu Zhiyuan said, "It takes enough ti to win hearts and fully establish prestige, ...for you, ten years should be sufficient."
Then he smiled, "Looks like you’ll be Emperor for ten years before your Ascension."
Li Hongzhao smiled proudly, "This ti, I will be one step ahead of you."
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