"Have you... finished speaking?"

Xu Yuan lightly tapped the desk in front of him with his fingertips, producing a series of rhythmic and deep sounds. His long, narrow phoenix eyes slightly squinted, revealing a dangerous glimmer. A slow and steady voice sounded:

"Actually, I think you shouldn’t treat Qingmo with this attitude."

The hall plunged into a dead silence, the air filled with the aroma of sandalwood, diffusing the light from the Inscription Pattern Lamp.

After a moment,

the Array Sword Peak Master frowned and spoke:

"Han King, this should be the Sword Sect’s family matter."

Xu Yuan looked into the eyes of the middle-aged man, his gaze obscure and uncertain, and said:

"This is also my family matter."

"...."

The high-level members of the Sword Sect exchanged glances, seemingly not expecting Xu Yuan to say such a thing.

They certainly knew the relationship between Ran Qingmo and Xu Yuan,

but,

The country is greater than the family.

That was their consensus.

They accused Ran Qingmo because of her betrayal to the Sword Sect, an act of righteousness.

But Xu Yuan’s involvement was for romantic reasons, which, as the diplomatic representative of the Imperial Court, was already a misstep in identity.

Xu Yuan did not mind these unusual looks. He suddenly stood up and walked deeper into the hall, stepping onto the towering steps leading to the main platform deep within the main hall.

With each step he took, the sound of his toes tapping lightly on the jade steps echoed throughout the empty hall.

"Do you all know this? Everyone alive in the Sword Sect today should be grateful to Ran Qingmo."

The crowd watched his stepping onto the stairs, his back turned to them.

Xu Yuan walked to the topmost point and looked up towards the deepest part of the hall, at the floor-to-ceiling banner behind the Sect Master’s throne, staring at the elegant Sword Sect emblem on the soft fabric, he said:

"The place my father initially wanted to destroy was actually not Jiangnan, but the Tianyuan Mountains."

The hall remained silent, with only the occasional sound of cannon fire echoing from outside the hall.

Xu Yuan retracted his gaze, slightly leaned forward, gently brushed his fingertips across the high-backed chair in front of him, and said in a declarative tone:

"It was I who changed the location to Jiangnan,

"It was I who devised a comprehensive plan to persuade my father to change his plan of destroying the Sword Sect to trampling Jiangnan with horses."

Saying this, Xu Yuan turned around, standing high above on the main hall, looking down at the Sword Sect high-level members, the huge banner behind him became his deepest backdrop:

"And one of the very important reasons I did this was because the Sword Sect was Qingmo’s home."

After speaking,

Xu Yuan directly sat on that cold, heavy chair, without any smile, looked down at everyone below, enunciating each word:

"Therefore, if the Sword Sect is no longer Qingmo’s home, then I’m afraid I must regretfully inform you that there is no longer any reason for this negotiation to continue."

"...."

The Sword Sect high-level members’ expressions were somewhat displeased, this was not negotiation, but utterly and completely humiliation.

Humiliation from the "disparity in national power."

The originally stable Formation Energy Mechanism within the hall became violent at this moment, as if countless invisible sharp blades were slicing through the air.

The Sword Sect Great Elder took a deep breath, his face, wrinkled like old bark, squeezed out a reluctant decorum:

"Han King, we have gathered here today for future peace, for the soldiers still shedding blood in battle, not for these trivial family matters, am I right?"

"Of course."

Xu Yuan’s chilly expression suddenly retracted, he leaned askew on the throne, spread his hands, and smiled warmly:

"If possible, I also hope to end all of this."

Saying this, Xu Yuan stared at the challenging Array Sword Peak Master, his tone gradually intensifying:

"However, before that, during this meeting, I do not wish to hear any more words of humiliation."

"...."

High above, power reigning across the world.

Watching the always carefree him now emit authority, Ran Qingmo’s heartbeat involuntarily sped up, the eyes that always remained calm like water now rippled with fine waves.

The grievances of a moment ago were swept away, replaced by an extremely complex sentiment, she didn’t understand what this sentiment was called and didn’t wait for it to spread in her heart...

Bang!!!

A muffled sound exploded in the silent hall.

Veins burst on the forehead of the Array Sword Peak Master, he slammed the table, the air beside him twisted visibly due to the rapid flow of Origin Qi:

"Words of humiliation? Xu Changtian, then what do you call your insult to our Sword Sect here!"

Xu Yuan turned to look:

"I am stating a fact and hope you can face this fact, otherwise, the negotiations that follow may not be very pleasant."

At this, his gaze held a hint of stern killing intent, and he asked:

"Got it?"

Got it?

Got what?

What is this?

An order?

What qualification does Xu Changtian, a mere yellow-haired youth, have to order the Sword Sect?!

The blatant humiliation almost made the Array Sword Peak Master furious on the spot, but before he could act, the withered, claw-like hand of the Sword Sect Great Elder was one step ahead in grabbing him under the table.

The Great Elder shook his head at him.

The Array Sword Peak Master’s expression changed drastically and eventually, with a heavy snort, he sat back in his original seat, causing the dust on the ground to lift slightly.

The Sword Sect Great Elder gently nodded, his wrinkled cheeks stretching out a reluctant smile, and said:

"Since this is your request, Han King, we shall comply. Let’s return to the main topic."

After speaking, the hunchbacked old woman to the left side of the Great Elder took out a scroll from the Sumeru Ring. With a slight movement of her fingers, the paper roll transformed into a white light, landing accurately on the desk in front of Xu Yuan.

The Sword Sect Great Elder said in a deep voice:

"These are the conditions of our Sword Sect, please take a look, Han King."

...

...

Formally entering the negotiation stage, everyone’s expression carried solemnity, closely watching that young man slowly reading the paper he picked up.

The light within the hall seemed even dimmer, only the rice paper in Xu Yuan’s hands appeared particularly glaring under the dim light.

Throughout past years, even amidst disputes, threats, and even direct battles during such conferences, the final conditions were always subjected to careful deliberations by both parties’ think tanks.

This has always been the norm.

Yet today’s developments took them somewhat by surprise.

Under everyone’s gaze, Xu Yuan quickly scanned through the terms on the paper, and just as all were waiting for his response, he gently pinched the top of the paper with his other hand.

Then,

Rip...

The faint sound of tearing paper echoed in the spacious hall, audible as a pin drop.

As he tore, a trace of smile appeared at the corner of Xu Yuan’s lips as he raised his eyes, yet his gaze remained cold, sending shivers down one’s spine.

The paper boasted thousands of words, but the key points were only three.

First, the status of Sword Sect as the Dayan Kingdom’s national religion cannot be altered.

Second, they will collaborate with the Imperial Court to send troops southward.

Third, Sword Sect wants tax exemption rights for three hundred years.

Such interesting terms.

With a flick of his wrist, the shredded paper fell like scattered snow, strikingly conspicuous against the dark tiles, as Xu Yuan looked at the Sword Sect members and asked:

"Do you... deserve it?"

"....."

Inhaling air, extreme rage, grief, endurance...

Various expressions wandered across the faces of the Sword Sect’s senior members. The atmosphere in the hall froze to a chilling point, the smoke that originally rose from the incense burner now scattered by the tense aura.

Array Sword Peak Master was the first to speak, his voice icy as a cold pond; the giant sword in his hand emerging slightly from the sheath, revealing a chilling gleam:

"You mean to refuse?"

Xu Yuan glanced at the torn paper on the ground:

"I won’t agree to a single word on this."

Array Sword Peak Master took a deep breath, and this time directly addressed him by name:

"Xu Changtian, can you bear the responsibility for your actions?"

Xu Yuan was silent for a moment, seemingly amused by the words, shaking his head lightly with a chuckle:

"Are you out of words? Or can you not see the situation clearly?"

Xu Yuan sunk back into the wide Sect Master’s throne, shadows hiding his expression:

"I am the Dayan Imperial Court,

"The extension of my will is the current national policy of Dayan."

"..."

"..."

The words fell, no one refuted the statement that bordered on treason; after a long silence, suppressed anger finally released a trembling voice:

"Then let us fight... This Xu Changtian wasn’t here to negotiate."

Saying this, Array Sword Peak Master stood and drew his sword, the broad-bladed giant sword brimming with sword energy, pointing toward Xu Yuan on the high throne, angrily saying:

"Xu Changtian, you will pay for your arrogance."

Vast Origin Qi surged within the hall, like a raging sea storm. The once tranquil palace suddenly became chaotic; sharp will-spirits locked onto Xu Yuan.

The situation was fraught with tension.

Xu Yuan was surprised, then scanned the expressions of others with interest, seeing Sword Sect’s senior members all maintaining silence.

They quietly sat, letting Array Sword Peak Master’s sword energy spread within the hall, seeming to all agree with his opinion.

They were all old foxes.

Knowing that this negotiation was initiated by him having Luo Wei act as a mediator, they were assured he wouldn’t end it easily.

This was forcing him to concede.

Standing at the left of the negotiation table, Zhou Chen watched the increasingly tense atmosphere, feeling his heart sink slightly, gripping the knife handle at his waist, feeling the near-crushing pressure around him, his back dampened by cold sweat.

If a fight started, it was likely the young master would not die, but his accompanying personnel were certainly doomed for the nation.

No fear per se, but a bitterness brewed; he found it absurd that the negotiation collapsed within half an hour.

Just as he gathered Qi preparing to face death, Zhou Chen suddenly heard Bai Zhao at his side speak.

Bai Zhao, dressed in Confucian robe, spoke in a voice so steady it betrayed no emotion:

"So, Array Sword Peak Master, can you bear the responsibility for your words?"

"..." Zhou Chen was momentarily stunned, then regretful.

He had failed in his duty.

The young master brought them not to be ornaments, but to speak when he was inconvenient.

Seeing one of Xu Yuan’s entourage speaking, the Sword Sect members felt relieved.

There was indeed room for negotiation.

Array Sword Peak Master was silent for a moment, then coldly said:

"Of course, I can bear the responsibility! Once Sword Sect is destroyed, other sects will live in fear of the Imperial Court, like fear of a tiger. There will be no room for negotiation between you anymore.

"And do you really think Sword Sect has no resistance left? The reinforcements from Sect Alliance will arrive soon, then the outcome of this battle is still uncertain!

"Your Minister Xu’s Family will spill its last drop of blood at Tianyuan Mountain!"

Bai Zhao raised his eyebrows at the erupting man, continuing to ask:

"Are you threatening the young master?"

Array Sword Peak Master responded unyieldingly:

"Just stating facts."

"Facts? Ha...."

Xu Yuan’s soft laughter interrupted the dialogue, Bai Zhao immediately turned sideways and bowed to Xu Yuan, awaiting his words.

Xu Yuan laughed for a while before collecting himself, asking:

"Just now, Qingmo addressed him as Ruan Wenzhou, correct?"

Bai Zhao replied:

"Yes, young master."

"Good."

Xu Yuan smiled faintly, staring at the determined face of Array Sword Peak Master, softly instructing Bai Zhao:

"Remember my words,

"If this man says another word, annihilate his entire Ruan clan."