Chapter 2171: Unwanted Favor

“If the Grand Devil had the ability to kill me, he should have acted when I caused chaos in the Heavenly Palace, when I dealt with Nairuo Tian, when I disrupted Yaoguo, when I killed Bai Ziqi and Qingyang, and when I eliminated Baitian and unified Shanjing.” He Lingchuan hooked his finger, and the Golden Serpent Ring flew to him, settling on his wrist, fitting like a bracelet. “Especially since Miao Zhan Tian himself descended to the mortal realm and tried to kill me in the Upside-Down Sea! That Upside-Down Sea truly resembled a colossal battle arena. Alas, in the end, it wasn't Miao Zhan Tian or True Immortal Qianhuan who emerged alive from the Upside-Down Sea, but me!”

Wang Xingyi could only listen.

Any one of these astonishing deeds would bring immense fame to an ordinary person. Yet, Emperor Jiuyou accomplished all of them without exception, offending the Grand Devil to his core, and still lives well, even achieving an unprecedented dominion in Shanjing that hasn't been seen in a thousand years.

The Grand Devil indeed failed to kill him. In this world, it seemed no one had more right than him to claim fearlessness.

“The Grand Devil?” He Lingchuan scoffed. “He's nothing special!”

He was warning Wang Xingyi that he had personally witnessed the battles between the Grand Devil and True Immortals, experiencing everything from world-shattering destruction to moving mountains and filling seas.

As for the ultimate powers Wang Xingyi spoke of—Grand Devil Miao Zhan Tian and True Immortal Qianhuan—where were they now? Only he, Emperor Jiuyou, was the ultimate victor!

Heh, if the Grand Devil couldn't defeat him, could a True Immortal from Mount Ling?

“I'm just sitting here, completely exposed. Why hasn't the Grand Devil come to blast me to smithereens?” Why hasn't a True Immortal come to blast him to smithereens?

Wang Xingyi had encountered such arrogant people before. Hearing this, he didn't get angry; instead, he chuckled, “I never imagined Your Majesty would completely disregard the Grand Devil.”

“That's not entirely accurate,” He Lingchuan said earnestly. “Who can deny the Grand Devil's terror? But there's no need for excessive fear.”

“Oh? Please enlighten me.”

“Even though Emperor's Dew occurrences are frequent, the current environment is still unsuitable for powerful beings to appear. If the Grand Devil wishes to descend to the mortal realm, the conditions are extremely harsh, and the cost is immense. Miao Zhan Tian's incursion into the Upside-Down Sea was only possible by fully possessing the body of a True Immortal. Heh, how many True Immortal bodies does the Grand Devil have at his disposal?”

True Immortals are not as common as cabbages, available for the taking. Even in ancient times, when spiritual energy was abundant, True Immortals were few, and those captured by Grand Devils and refined into bodies were even rarer.

“As for ordinary divine descents, I've killed over a dozen of them myself. Frankly, it's not difficult.”

He was no immortal, yet this statement was boundlessly arrogant, and yet not a single word was false. Wang Xingyi listened, his feelings an indescribable mix.

“Moreover, the Deities of Lingxu lost Grand Devil Miao Zhan Tian, suffering severe blows to their strength. The demon realm has also been in chaos lately, so who would dare descend again?”

The Deities of Lingxu lost a powerful main god, Miao Zhan Tian, while Mount Ling lost True Immortal Qianhuan. How could this not be a loss of strength?

Mount Ling couldn't even fill their rotation list for Grand Immortals; did they still want to seek trouble with He Lingchuan?

“Furthermore, don't Beijia and the Grand Devil also have rivals in the mortal realm?” He Lingchuan spread his hands. “If they go all out against me, aren't they afraid that Mouguo and Mount Ling will seize the opportunity to attack and destroy their strongholds?”

He looked at Wang Xingyi, smiling with exceptional boldness, “If the Grand Devil is smart, he shouldn't come looking for trouble with me at this time.”

Wang Xingyi remained silent for a long time before uttering several “good”s. “Emperor Jiuyou is indeed magnificently bold and fearlessly courageous.”

He Lingchuan raised his hand and personally poured him a cup of tea. “Actually, State Preceptor Wang also understands that cooperation between Mouguo and Cangyan benefits both, while conflict harms both, only allowing Beijia to profit without effort.”

Wang Xingyi raised his cup and took a small sip. “Begging your pardon, but Cangyan's previous actions could hardly be called 'mutually beneficial.'”

Emperor Jiuyou first seized Bailie, then demanded Blade Harbor; both actions repeatedly provoked Mouguo's sore spots. Did that look like a genuine desire for cooperation?

That was simply bullying!

“As I said before, international relations are simply about upholding trust and reason,” He Lingchuan smiled. “State Preceptor Wang, which of our country's previous actions do you find unreasonable?”

After speaking, he took out an old contract and gently spread it flat on the table.

“This is the original contract from fifty years ago, when Qingguo forcibly leased Blade Harbor. It expired ten years ago.”

The old contract had been carefully preserved; its pages had yellowed and curled, but the writing and seals were not blurred and could be clearly discerned by the naked eye.

Since he had reclaimed his identity as the Lord of Bailie, and Wang Xingyi had acknowledged it on behalf of Mouguo, He Lingchuan's actions, whether killing Lu Zhensheng to avenge his clan or demanding Blade Harbor from Qingguo, were all justified and well-founded.

Conversely, since Emperor Jiuyou's actions were based on reason, Mouguo would find no sufficient grounds to obstruct him.

Otherwise, Wang Xingyi would not need to subtly threaten him today.

He Lingchuan spoke of "reason," while Mouguo relied on "force."

One sought to persuade with reason, the other to overpower with might.

Thus, He Lingchuan also hinted to Wang Xingyi, "Bring it on. I don't even fear the Grand Devil, so why would I fear you?"

Of course, this wasn't arrogance or blind recklessness, but a calculated assessment that Mouguo was merely bluffing at the moment.

Mouguo was engaged in war with Beijia on the western front and invading Yaguo in the east. If they were to roll up their sleeves and start a conflict with Cangyan as well, they would offend every strong nation in the vicinity!

Even the most deranged monarch wouldn't attempt such a thing.

Therefore, if Mouguo's strategy of overpowering by force failed, they would have to return to the negotiating table of reason.

Wang Xingyi looked at the old contract on the table and secretly sighed. This diplomatic mission was truly difficult. Before he departed, he had received instructions from Emperor Mou.

He must succeed in the negotiations.

The two conversed for a while longer, and as the atmosphere improved, He Lingchuan then said:

“Actually, I have an impudent request.”

“Please state it, Your Majesty.” A request would be even better.

“I heard your esteemed nation possesses a treasure called the Thunderclap Spear?”

Wang Xingyi paused, slightly startled. “Indeed, it is a weapon passed down from the founding ancestor of Great Mou, and it has always been enshrined in the palace.”

He Lingchuan smiled, “Its fame precedes it. I would like to borrow it for a look, if I'm so fortunate. State Preceptor Wang, would you be able to speak on my behalf when you return?”

The Soul-Capturing Mirror in his embrace let out a simulated whistle, “Oh my!”

Was the Thunderclap Spear merely the weapon of Mouguo's founding emperor? It was originally General Hong's favored weapon; He Lingchuan had seen her use the Thunderclap Spear in battle three out of ten times in the Panlong World.

It was truly a divine artifact capable of countless killings.

But after the fall of Panlong City, this weapon eventually came into the possession of Mouguo's founding ancestor.

This request was a little abrupt, and Wang Xingyi was somewhat surprised, but he immediately said, “Your Majesty's request, I will certainly convey it upon my return.”