Chapter 1162: Zhong Shengguang's Determination

The Red General remained silent. She wore a mask, so no one could see her expression.

However, He Lingchuan understood that from the perspective of the Demon Emperor, Beijia had already condescended to Panlong City.

If Zhong Shengguang agreed, years of conflict would immediately cease, and Panlong City’s long-standing major threat would be entirely eliminated.

Should Zhong Shengguang agree, Beijia would inject capital, leading to a visibly significant improvement in the economy and environment of the Panlong Wilderness.

While external threats and internal strife would be greatly alleviated, Lingxu City remarkably did not demand Zhong Shengguang abandon Mitian, nor did it require him to switch his allegiance to the gods of Lingxu!

Others might not have realized it, but He Lingchuan had traveled through Beijia and deeply understood the dominion and influence of the Lingxu gods over the northern demon kingdom. Thus, he clearly recognized this as an enormous concession from the lofty Lingxu City.

“Lingxu City believes it has done its utmost to show us goodwill. This is the arrogance of a great power, and likely an ultimatum,” Wen Daolun said slowly. “If Commander Zhong does not comply, Beijia will unleash its thunderous wrath.”

The Demon Emperor had already demonstrated his utmost sincerity, yet Panlong City would discard it like an old shoe. How would Beijia react?

Everyone knew this great power had a short temper.

“I’ve deigned to speak to you kindly, yet you show no appreciation and wish to scorn me? Then we shall fight, and I will make you kneel and beg.”

Deputy Commander Zhao Xianhe couldn't help but ask, “You are the first, aren’t you, to receive a personal offer of appeasement from the Demon Emperor?”

“No,” Zhong Shengguang replied, his face grim. “King Yuan set the precedent. Back then, the Beijia Demon Emperor also sent him an official letter, hoping he would cease his resistance.”

King Yuan refused, and his entire nation resisted.

He Lingchuan and the others already knew their fate.

Zhong Shengguang had finally reached this juncture. If he, too, refused to comply, he would similarly have to gamble the lives of millions to contend against Beijia and its gods!

This was truly another high-stakes gamble, another turn of the wheel.

Zhong Shengguang’s gaze swept across the faces of those present, and he declared solemnly:

“Everyone present here represents the backbone of Panlong City, its courage, its resolve, and its strength. I have gathered you today because Panlong City faces another critical juncture, just as it did seven years ago!”

Seven years ago? A sudden realization struck everyone present. That specific point in time was when Zhong Shengguang paid tribute to the gods and requested Mitian’s descent.

Panlong City had resisted for twelve years, only turning to Mitian for help when it could no longer sustain the struggle.

Mitian, manifesting through the Red General, indeed saved Panlong City from its perilous situation.

Now, Panlong City had again reached a life-or-death moment. Faced with Beijia’s olive branch, would it compromise or resist to the very end?

“I inform you all today,” Zhong Shengguang said, pressing a hand on the table, “if any of you harbor concerns, are unwilling or afraid to confront Beijia directly, wish to avoid endless entanglement with it, or simply desire a peaceful life, you may now rise and depart Panlong City. The world outside is vast, and I wish those who leave a prosperous future. However, those who choose to remain must prepare to face a raging storm, for from this day forward, peace and happiness will no longer be your concern!”

His sudden ultimatum rendered the War Council Hall silent; a pin drop would have been audible.

The Red General suddenly sat down, propping her long legs onto the table.

Her posture made her stance clear: she was already inextricably linked with Panlong City. For her, other options simply did not exist.

General Nanke declared loudly, “Beijia’s offer of appeasement is also ill-intentioned. They even propose that the Panlong army should obey Xiluo’s command, hah! They want to use us as their personal spears, to strike wherever they point. What is Beijia’s true nature? Even if we compromise with them, Panlong City will never truly benefit!”

He too sat down casually, stating, “I will stay and share life and death with Commander Zhong!”

He Lingchuan instinctively cast another glance at him.

General Nanke was known for his straightforwardness; during his previous impeachment of He Lingchuan, he had been equally unreserved and direct in expressing his views.

Yet today, he was clearly assisting Zhong Shengguang.

This individual was not as guileless as he seemed.

As expected, immediately after his declaration, several generals took their seats.

“We are willing to be Commander Zhong’s vanguard.”

“Beijia’s agents caused chaos in my homeland, forcing us to abandon our homes. Now they intend to strike Panlong City, and we will no longer back down!”

Even the snow leopard hesitated briefly before taking its seat.

Nine other individuals pondered for a considerable time before stepping forward, bowing deeply to Zhong Shengguang:

“We regret that we must disappoint Lord Zhong.”

“We are truly unable…”

Zhong Shengguang waved a hand. “Your paths converged and diverged with Panlong City like drifting duckweed; our shared destiny has simply concluded. There is no need for ill will. I wish you all find your earthly haven, where you may live in peace and freedom.”

Another person, still perplexed, asked, “The world is so vast; why do you fear Beijia cannot tolerate Panlong City?”

Beijia was immensely powerful; in comparison, Panlong City was but a firefly beside a bright moon.

Zhong Shengguang simply stated, “How can one allow others to sleep soundly beside their bed?”

How could Beijia simply stand by and watch a nascent power grow strong enough to threaten it? And Panlong City appeared to already be demonstrating such potential.

To make matters worse, Panlong City was not far from Beijia, separated only by a few weak nations.

These nine individuals, their faces tinged with shame, exchanged glances before ultimately turning and departing the War Council Hall.

Remaining meant entanglement and conflict with Beijia, so they would leave Panlong City with their families and clans.

He Lingchuan estimated that these nine individuals comprised roughly thirty percent of those present, and most were new faces.

They had only been in Panlong City for a year or so, lacked the deep conviction of its long-standing military and citizens, and were simply not prepared to oppose Beijia or pledge their lives to Panlong City. This was not surprising.

They had come seeking a new life, not to immerse themselves in battle.

Once the hall doors were securely closed, Zhong Shengguang bowed deeply to the remaining individuals, clasping his hands. “You have entrusted your lives and committed to sharing Panlong City’s fate. I am deeply grateful and filled with admiration, and I assure you I will not fail you!”

Those who remained had demonstrated their resolve through their actions, allowing him to speak openly and without reservation.

“Since Beijia’s establishment, the world has been in perpetual turmoil, awash with bloodshed, supplying endless nightmare energy to the divine realm for six hundred years. Even a remote place like Panlong City has endured nineteen years of perilous warfare, all due to Beijia! The root of human suffering lies within the northern demon kingdom, within this formidable nation that is truly an enemy to itself and a public menace to humanity!”

All the generals present were aware of the nightmare energy; no one showed any surprise.

“When I paid tribute to the gods back then,” Zhong Shengguang’s voice resonated through the quiet room, “I swore a blood oath to do everything in my power to lift this immense burden from all beings. Even if Beijia truly stands as tall as a distant mountain, I will use my meager self to shake that mountain and move the earth, accomplishing what others deem impossible! Seven years ago, Panlong City was fragile, and I dared not reveal this oath. Seven years later, Panlong City flourishes, and my resolve remains unwavering.” Back then, Zhong Shengguang was merely a minor commander, with limited forces, meager funds, and a small, precarious territory. Even with ambitious aspirations, he had to keep them hidden, lest he be ridiculed.

Today’s Panlong City is incomparable to its former self. Zhong Shengguang finally had the opportunity and confidence to speak his mind!

He Lingchuan’s brow furrowed.

Hadn’t his own management of the Yangshan Archipelago been precisely the same?

When his forces were weak and manpower insufficient, he had to keep his true strategic intentions hidden deep within, daring to confide in no one—except his personal Soul Mirror.

“Lord Zhong’s ambition is also our ambition. Furthermore, while Beijia’s terms appear generous, they offer us no real alternative. Beijia wants the Panlong Wilderness to be chaotic and weak, like the southern states, or for us to simply become its pawns, stirring up trouble in the world on its behalf, much like Baling and Xianyou are doing now.” Wen Daolun stated solemnly, “Looking back over the last three hundred years, with the exception of Beijia’s direct vassal demon states, those who compromised with it ultimately met a grim fate.”

History confirmed this to be true. Everyone nodded in agreement.

Zhong Shengguang then stated, “Since our course is set, let us discuss countermeasures. Beijia will not relent this time, and Panlong City will likely face another major conflict soon! However, we cannot simply wait for Beijia to make its move.”

As a seasoned military strategist, he would not foolishly provoke Beijia head-on.

Therefore, after this military council concluded, Panlong City dispatched a letter to Lingxu City, first protesting the false monarch’s usurpation and questioning its legitimacy, and then outlining numerous demands concerning Beijia’s mediation agreement.

Since it was termed an “agreement,” it inherently implied room for negotiation.

Should Panlong City yield, Beijia intended to use it as a pawn, ideally to establish a deterrent force in the surrounding regions, thereby instigating conflicts and tensions.

Therefore, Panlong City sought to secure its own rights and gain greater initiative within the agreement—

For instance, any occupied territories were now its own, non-returnable and non-exchangeable!

In essence, it was all about bargaining.

Panlong City and Beijia were geographically distant. Even with avian messengers, the back-and-forth negotiations, delays, and bickering consumed several months.

Taking advantage of this period, Panlong City meticulously prepared for war, and with the Red General leading the offensive, launched another powerful assault on Xianyou State!

Xianyou State had previously suffered multiple defeats, and its military and citizens turned pale at the mere mention of the Red General. This renewed conflict directly ignited territories north of the Great River.

The Red General launched a surprise attack, advancing with irresistible force and capturing three cities consecutively before encountering any significant resistance.

Xianyou could only simultaneously organize a counterattack and appeal to Baling and Beijia for assistance.

Lingxu City’s reaction, however, was somewhat nuanced.

Panlong City was currently negotiating with it, demanding recognition of the territories it had seized.

Therefore, it seemed reasonable for Panlong City to seize the opportunity to expand its conquests before the agreement was officially signed.

At this point, should Lingxu City demonstrate some sincerity?

Naturally, the great nation had shrewd individuals who astutely pointed out that this was likely a feint by Zhong Shengguang to mislead the enemy. Furthermore, a steady stream of internal intelligence concerning Panlong City’s decrees, military deployments, and various other matters continued to be sent to Beijia.

However, all these were merely recommendations and references; the final decision rested with the Demon Emperor and the Heavenly Gods.

What if Panlong City was merely being stubborn, and the agreement could genuinely be finalized after all?

This possibility likely enticed Beijia greatly.

When one has a desire, one is easily swayed.

Given Panlong City’s formidable strength today, if it could compromise with Beijia and serve as its long-range enforcer, it would be far more useful than Baling and Xianyou combined.