Chapter 2173: The Return to Blade's Port

Cang Yan secretly reached an agreement with the State of Ya, pulling out from under the State of Mu and leaving it mired in the war with Ya. Cang Yan then immediately turned to seize Bailie. Wasn't this like betraying the State of Mu?

Why wasn't the State of Mu angry? Why did it even sign an agreement with Cang Yan?

Could the State of Mu tolerate this? Was this still the powerful, prosperous nation they remembered?

How exactly did Cang Yan manage this?

The most critical question was: with the State of Mu acting this way, what was the State of Qing to do? What would become of it?

Amidst the State of Qing's panic, the Dragon God Army suddenly turned west, bypassing Blade Port and heading directly into Qing territory!

According to scouts, the army of over a hundred thousand troops, with their banners obscuring the sky and their armored ranks flowing like steel, completely covered the ground, making its original color indistinguishable.

In less than an hour, three border outposts and military cities were captured!

The King of Qing was terrified, immediately sending a plea for peace and offering to return Blade Port!

What would Emperor Jiuyou do?

Would he continue the advance, or would reclaiming Blade Port be enough?

When Emperor Mu summoned You Huan, You Huan offered the latter prediction.

"Emperor Jiuyou has strong reasons to reclaim Bailie and Blade Port, but conquering the State of Qing is not one of them," he reasoned. "Furthermore, the State of Cang Yan's territory is already vast enough. The small State of Qing would be little more than a burden, leading to more friction with our state if it were to be conquered, making it not worth the effort."

"After committing these two audacious acts, the State of Cang Yan should not continue to challenge the dignity and forbearance of the State of Mu," he continued. "At the same time, it needs to demonstrate to all neighboring countries that it is not excessively greedy. Therefore, I believe it is highly likely they will know when to stop."

You Huan's words were confirmed half a day later: Emperor Jiuyou agreed to the State of Qing's request.

After Cang Yan and Qing completed the handover at Blade Port, the Dragon God Army withdrew from Qing territory without the slightest hesitation or reluctance.

It was as decisive and swift as their withdrawal from the State of Ya.

Furthermore, Cang Yan immediately announced to the world that Blade Port's status as a free port would remain unchanged, taxes would not be raised, and it would continue to be open for business with all factions.

In summary, nothing changed except for its ownership.

Merchants and residents in Blade Port, apart from seeing the Dragon God Army stationed there, hardly noticed any change in their daily lives.

This was because, although Blade Port's original management team had largely been replaced, one crucial person was retained:

Supervisor Wu.

He had served in the local administration for over a decade, possessing a thorough understanding of Blade Port, highly proficient in his duties, and skilled in management.

Most importantly, during the period when the King of Qing received Cang Yan's ultimatum, Supervisor Wu himself immediately went to the Dragon God Army's camp and directly pledged his allegiance to Emperor Jiuyou!

He and Emperor Jiuyou were old acquaintances. Leveraging this connection, his entire family voluntarily joined the State of Cang Yan, becoming glorious citizens.

Supervisor Wu clearly understood that if he lost his position as Supervisor of Blade Port, he wouldn't gain any favorable position returning to the State of Qing. In contrast, the State of Cang Yan was like the rising sun, with limitless prospects.

People naturally gravitate towards better opportunities. For a person of his humble standing, choice was far more important than effort.

Benefiting from the State of Cang Yan's rising fortunes under Emperor Jiuyou was surely better than returning to the State of Qing to face a deteriorating life, wasn't it?

He Lingchuan indeed needed an experienced hand to ensure Blade Port's smooth operation during the handover, as well as someone capable of handling various unforeseen incidents. Thus, he specially appointed Supervisor Wu to his original post.

He was well aware that both the State of Mu and the State of Qing, if they harbored resentment, might secretly or openly obstruct Blade Port's trade. Supervisor Wu was an old hand, perfectly clear on these matters, and familiar with the officialdom of both sides, making him far better than any newly appointed official.

While Supervisor Wu's official title remained the same, his standing implicitly rose several ranks, transforming him from an official of the State of Qing to Cang Yan's Commissioner of Port Affairs.

Thus, after fifty years of forced lease, Blade Port finally returned to Bailie, and Emperor Jiuyou emerged as the undisputed overall winner.

However, compared to the uneventful handover of Blade Port, a momentous event, like a deep-sea thunderclap, soon occurred in the State of Mu:

Guo Shaoping resigned as Grand Councilor and returned to his post in the Imperial Council. Emperor Mu personally appointed You Huan, a scholar of the Imperial Council, as the new Grand Councilor of Great Mu, effective immediately!

Overnight, You Huan ascended to the pinnacle of power in the State of Mu, second only to the Emperor and above ten thousand others.

This selection of the Grand Councilor once again demonstrated Emperor Mu's supreme authority.

After the inauguration ceremony, countless colleagues came to offer their congratulations.

You Huan fulfilled his previous promise, booking the venue at Sumao Qingxi for seven days and seven nights, inviting everyone to enjoy tea and performances, celebrating lavishly.

For three consecutive nights, he stayed at Sumao Qingxi, not returning to his residence.

As he slept, intoxicating fragrances wafted through the air; upon waking, beautiful women like blossoming flowers awaited him.

During the day, everyone saw him radiant and in high spirits.

Life couldn't be more triumphant.

After the agreement between Cang Yan and the State of Mu was signed, the State of Mu quickly withdrew thirty thousand troops from the Bailie border, redeploying them directly into the war with the State of Ya in the south.

Fighting on two fronts, its forces were already strained. Reaching an agreement with Cang Yan was a relief for the court, military, and common people of the State of Mu.

The Dragon God Army also withdrew from Bailie back into Cang Yan territory. Bailie, as Emperor Jiuyou's ancestral home, exchanged half of its own army with the Dragon God Army.

Only a small number of troops remained stationed at the borders between the State of Mu and Cang Yan, and between the State of Ya and Cang Yan, also tasked with ensuring the safety of border trade.

The Soul-Capturing Mirror still felt it was a pity: "Why were the agreements reached with the States of Ya and Mu so lenient? Wouldn't it have been better to fleece them thoroughly?"

Neither of these agreements gained a significant advantage, which seemed inconsistent with its master's status as a victor.

He Lingchuan scoffed with a laugh, "Do you think I'm as shortsighted as the King of Ya?"

"Huh?"

"The State of Ya doesn't lack elite soldiers or fierce generals, but its weakness lies in the King of Ya's lack of discretion. Why do you think the State of Mu dispatched troops this time? Besides my effective bait, it's also because the State of Mu utterly despises the State of Ya," He Lingchuan added, not forgetting to praise himself. "The State of Ya has consistently been two-faced, repeatedly provoking the State of Mu from behind, which finally compelled Mu to resolve to give it a bloody lesson."

"Think carefully: Cang Yan's strong rise is merely a superficial appearance. Behind Beijia are the Great Heavenly Demons and Grand Immortals, and behind the State of Mu are Spirit Mountain and True Immortals. What do we have behind us?"

"Uh..." Indeed, there was no deterrent-level ultimate power.

The Soul-Capturing Mirror had witnessed the powers of Great Heavenly Demons and True Immortals in the Upside-Down Sea.

"If we were to push the State of Mu to its breaking point, and it recklessly sent out a True Immortal, then..." He Lingchuan did not finish, merely shrugging.

If a common man's rage can lead to bloodshed within five steps, what about the wrath of a True Immortal?

"Furthermore, the State of Mu's economic and military strength undoubtedly surpasses ours," He Lingchuan continued, though not pessimistically. "That said, as long as we secure enough space for rapid development, these issues will eventually be resolved."

Changes in the world always unfold subtly and silently.

As long as he and the State of Cang Yan continued to move forward steadily, step by step, opportunities would surely arise.