The Sword Sect has surrendered.

Throughout history, war has always been a game of victory and defeat at the top and life or death at the bottom.

No matter the eventual outcome of war, the lives of the majority at the top are always guaranteed.

But now, the situation has changed,

No matter how noble one’s integrity is, there will always be hesitation when faced with stark death.

It is undeniable that most of the Sword Sect’s leadership can uphold righteous integrity unto death, but having reached this point, they cannot only consider themselves.

They understand that Xu Changtian’s words are no joke.

After their deaths, their entire family’s members will be slaughtered by Xu Changtian, regardless of gender or age.

This is a complete reckoning by the victors upon the losers, as well as the highest form of respect through utter eradication.

And as Ran Qingmo thought to himself, the essence of this war is an internal conflict within Dayan over the distribution of benefits, lacking any moral imperative of preserving the clan from extinction that would prevent surrender.

Therefore,

After Xu Yuan expressed his stance, the Sword Sect’s leadership smoothly knelt and placed their entire bet on the Prime Minister Mansion Master.

Though an embellishment brought about by helplessness, as long as Ran Qingmo serves as a bridge for communication, the Sword Sect’s interests can always be somewhat safeguarded.

After all,

The Prime Minister’s Mansion is an extraordinarily centralized power, and the future Sect Master of the Sword Sect will inevitably become one of the Prime Minister’s wives.

The atmosphere of the entire negotiation began to relax, Xu Yuan said nothing more, and Bai Zhao consciously took over the task of negotiation, drafting the terms of surrender with the Sword Sect’s leadership under the framework proposed by the young master.

During this process, Ruan Wenzhou remained silent.

When the negotiations ended, the dawn had already risen.

The mist of the formation that shrouded the sky dissipated,

The ten tolls of the bell from the Tianyuan Main Peak and the Black Scale Army’s metallic whistle orders resounded almost simultaneously.

In this Sword Sect’s secret fortress, where the Black Scale soldiers turned into blood mist, in this moment where the Black Scale soldiers drew the blood-stained blade from the chests of the Sword Sect disciples, and at the time when both soldiers’ shouts of killing pierced the skies...

The war ended.

The golden sunlight spread over the soil stained with the blood of warriors from both sides.

The war giants of the Imperial Court began to withdraw, the flying beast groups covering the sky started to leave, and the Mountain Protection Array, which had been firing lasers endlessly, ceased its high-frequency operations.

This abrupt change swept across the entire battlefield,

Some watched helplessly while others, filled with lingering killing intent, were forcibly held back by comrades, some blankly stared at their own severed limbs, while others wept bitterly for the end of a war that began for reasons unknown.

But regardless,

This war is over.....

For the sake of the next one.

...

...

The day of surrender is set for ten days later.

Xu Yuan wanted everything to be simple, after all, battles were breaking out all over Dayan, the Sect Alliance’s war machinery had completely mobilized, and the Imperial Court’s absolute advantage in battlegrounds really only pertained to Hongnong, besides conquering the Sword Sect didn’t signify complete occupation of Hongnong. The surrounding counties, scattered throughout the Tianyuan Mountain, still required Zong Qingsheng’s Central Army to reclaim.

However, Hua Hong advised that without a grand ceremony, it would not inspire national prestige.

The surrender of the Tianyuan Sword Sect marked the greatest victory the Imperial Court had achieved since the war began and should be celebrated with the highest honors to inspire morale and intimidate the Sect Alliance,

Xu Yuan thought carefully, found it reasonable, and agreed.

...

...

...

The process of subjugation was a complex one as well.

The blood feud formed during wartime between the two sides is not easily resolved, and the Black Scale soldiers, as the victors, inevitably indulged in arrogant revenge upon occupying the Tianyuan Main Peak.

However, under the constraints of the Black Scale Army’s discipline, and after Zong Qingsheng personally executed more than a dozen troublemakers who violated military discipline, disturbed civilians, and slaughtered captives, everything returned to stability.

Listening to Zong Qingsheng’s report on these trivial matters, Xu Yuan did not hurry to make a statement.

In his understanding, mistreating captives and disturbing civilians are two different issues, the latter must be severely punished to set an example, but the former is debatable.

Mutual revenge is an endless cycle, treating captives well indeed serves as a rational end point, but after killing so many brothers who lived together day by day, inevitably there would be resentment in anyone’s heart.

Treating captives well equates to mistreating our own people.

After pondering for a while, Xu Yuan slowly said:

"There is no objection to executing those who disturb the civilians, but as for the captives... we will practice good treatment, but I leave the operational space to be decided by you in the military, the bottom line is no collective exclusion and no massacre on a large scale, after all, this war was merely an internal conflict."

Upon hearing these decisive words, a hint of emotion unconsciously appeared in Zong Qingsheng’s lowered eyes.

He did not expect someone of the young master’s upbringing to consider the soldiers at the bottom, given in this extraordinary world, cultivators and common humans could almost be spoken of as two different races, he never expected that someone born in the aristocracy at the height of power would consider the people at the bottom.

After a brief moment of consideration, Zong Qingsheng solemnly and respectfully said:

"... Thank you, young master, for your understanding."

Xu Yuan gently shook his head, a smile appearing at the corner of his lips:

"Don’t be too quick to thank me, if any propaganda issues occur within the army, I will hold you responsible."

Zong Qingsheng heard the words and smiled knowingly, replying loudly:

"Yes!"

"Rise, do not kneel."

Xu Yuan helped him up, pondering slightly, and asked with a smile:

"Today is the day the Sword Sect surrenders. Are you, the great commander of the Black Scale Army, interested in accompanying me?"

Zong Qingsheng paused as he stood, instinctively wanting to agree, but then realized something and cupped his hands as he spoke:

"This humble one is honored by your invitation, Young Master, but the military affairs are pressing. I’m afraid I am unable to accompany you, for there are still many rebels yet to be subdued within Hongnong."

Zong Qingsheng, though a soldier, still had basic political acumen. When the young master personally took the risk to go to the Tianyuan Main Peak for negotiations, all the highlights and achievements of the Hongnong battle would belong to the young master alone. If he chose to go together for the surrender of the Sword Sect, it would indeed seem that he coveted too much power.

Xu Yuan understood as well and shook his head, speaking softly:

"If that’s the case, I won’t insist. Walk with me to the palace deck; I have some matters to discuss with you."

...

...

...

The distance from the sleeping quarters to the deck wasn’t far, but Xu Yuan and Zong Qingsheng discussed many things, ranging from plans for future wars, dealing with the Sword Sect, and even the most sensitive topic within the Black Scale Army—Yuan Hao.

During the era of Xu Yinhè, Zong Qingsheng was a singular tyrant within the Black Scale Army, but now it was different. Yuan Hao, as a direct lineage under Xu Yuan, rose swiftly and became independent in just a few years, threatening Zong Qingsheng’s position as Black Scale Commander.

Nobody would want to see their power diminish, and Zong Qingsheng was no exception, but unfortunately, in this conversation, he did not receive the assurances he wanted.

Xu Yuan merely mentioned Yuan Hao’s recent situation in passing and did not elaborate further, making it difficult for Zong Qingsheng to grasp the meaning behind Xu Yuan’s words or his plans for the future of the Black Scale Army.

...

...

Stepping onto the deck of the Mystic Eagle Palace, the tempestuous gales strong enough to tear metal were gently blocked by an invisible barrier, transforming into a soft breeze twining around the fingers.

Xu Yuan leaned against the railing, gazing into the distance. Where his eyes traveled, there was no longer that lush and vibrant green forest from his memory.

Over two-thirds of the Tianyuan Mountain range had turned into a charred dead land, the remnants of war glowing like countless blood-red eyes, exuding a burnt stench across the cracked earth.

An eagle broke through the sky, carrying its new master swiftly toward the only unscathed sanctuary—Tianyuan Main Peak.

Xu Yuan looked down from his elevated position.

The banner of Black Dragon Swallowing the Sun fluttered wildly at the highest point of the Tianyuan Main Peak, squad after squad of fierce black scale armored warriors stood with their blades ready, like solemn sculptures lining the deserted streets, countless Tianyuan Mountain People cast eyes filled with either apathy or resentment from behind doors and windows, gazing upon the colossal figure that obscured the sky.

The Mystic Eagle statue vibrated its wings, summoning a towering tempest before landing gently atop the Tianyuan summit, below it lay the last dignity of the Sword Sect—Luo Wei, the great elder of the Sword Sect, the Array Sword Peak Master, and... at the foremost of the crowd, stood the figure like solitary snow and cold plum, her.

The day’s sun was at its zenith; the roars of thousands of war beasts at the mountain’s foot were earth-shattering, and the warm sunlight carved shadows of everyone with surgical precision.

Xu Yuan watched indifferently as all this unfolded, the hem of his robe embroidered with a dark black dragon brushing the ground with an unsettling gentle scraping sound.

He lifted his foot and, from the edge of the Mystic Eagle Palace, took the first step toward the already surrendered Sword Sect.

Then,

Clang... clang...

The clash of gold and jade pendants, the friction of armor against knee bones, the contact of cloth with dust.

Hundreds of nobles, ten thousand armored troops, a million commoners, stretching for miles!

Beneath this ancient main peak, everything surrendered toward the slowly descending figure, towards the pinnacle of power.

Except... her.

A gentle stream of Origin Qi supported her.

This was his private intention, as one’s own human desire.

The dazzling sunlight was blinding.

Amidst this kneeling plaza, she remained as pristine as when they first met, dressed in black ink, untouched by dust.

But the one approaching her step by step, was no longer the same frivolous and reckless young man of old, enveloped by an unfathomable shroud of darkness and authority.

Feeling the unique energy mechanism around her, Ran Qingmo’s deep, dark eyes gazed at him, watched him walk past the kneeling crowd, through the dappled shadows of the treetops, stopping in front of her, blocking out the chilling sun....

And it was only then,

The girl, in a daze, realized that the man in front of her seemed never to have changed.

As a person.

Their eyes met, and time seemed to rewind.

Xu Yuan looked at her with a mischievous grin, just like when he was merely a Soul Condensation master.

The world fell into silence, even the wind held its breath. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Xu Yuan took a deep breath.

"Mr. Ran."

In this silent plaza,

under her misty-eyed gaze,

he presented his letter of devotion to her.

"The original promise, I have fulfilled, you know."