Chapter 545: 引风吹火,借刀杀人

At the beginning of the war, the Saintlan Tribe seized three prefectures from Fenghai County. After the war concluded, these lands were taken over by the Seventh Prince. To this day, they have not been returned to Fenghai County. This arrangement was understandable, as the Seventh Prince had recovered those three prefectures, and Fenghai County was prepared to offer compensation for their return. However, the Seventh Prince had shown no intention of negotiation previously, and a significant number of his troops remained stationed there.

Since this was an internal matter for humanity, the Saintlan Tribe would not interfere. These three prefectures were rich in spirit stones and contained multiple mining areas with rare refining materials. Their value was considerable for Fenghai County's future recovery, so they could not be abandoned.

It wasn't until this time that the Seventh Prince extended an invitation to Xu Qing and proposed negotiations regarding the prefectures' ownership. "Marquis Yao hopes you can go," he said. "But I didn't immediately agree. Fourth, this is your decision."

"However, regarding safety, there's no major concern," he continued. "If something were to happen to you on this trip, the Seventh Prince would be held accountable. Given his character, he wouldn't be so foolish."

Seventh Master outlined the potential risks and benefits to Xu Qing. Thus, what appeared to be a reasonable situation, when viewed from a different perspective, revealed some subtle clues.

In front of the ancient sword was First Master's enormous wing, its white body exuding a chilling aura, stirring up fierce winds that enveloped the surroundings.

Most of the people present were descendants of nobility; their families had either once produced a Heavenly Marquis or currently had ancestors in high positions. A few others were well-known figures in the Imperial Capital.

Long Yongping was filled with righteous indignation and spoke angrily.

His cultivation had also improved. Two years ago, he possessed ten Heavenly Palaces. After experiencing many events, as Long Yongping's foremost prodigy at the time, not only did the number of his Heavenly Palaces increase, but they were also successively transforming into Nascent Souls.

"This is the grandson of Grand Commandant Meng of our dynasty," the First Prince said with a smile, introducing him to Marquis Yao.

Zhang Qifan's actions could hardly be said to be solely for the purpose of currying favor with the First Prince.

"His Highness bore immense pressure to rescue Meng Yunbai, overcoming all opposition," he declared. "At the time when humanity was battling Li Yunshan, he led a large army to Fenghai, resolving Fenghai's existential crisis. This is a life-saving kindness."

Just like that, several days later, a large army departed from Meng Yunbai.

As he hesitated, others at the banquet inadvertently brought up the Daytime Divine Son who had once appeared in that region.

After the First Prince finished speaking, he looked at Princess Anhai beside him.

"Marquis Yao, Meng Yunbai is not just ordinarily far from here," he asked. "Have you ever heard of that Daytime Divine Son?"

Marquis Yao wanted to do something for Meng Yunbai before leaving, so he didn't agree.

After speaking, the First Prince pointed to the people at the banquet and began introducing their identities to Marquis Yao.

"If reinforcements had arrived even an incense stick's time earlier, Sword-Wielder Kong Xianglong wouldn't have died tragically," he roared. "And to my knowledge, the reinforcements had departed from the Imperial Capital very early! Did they have to wait until almost everyone was dead before the reinforcements arrived? Was it perhaps to prevent the survivors from claiming credit?!"

"This is Marquis Yao of Meng Yunbai, whom we previously mentioned," the First Prince announced. "He was commended by the Emperor, bestowed with a golden plaque, yellow robes, qualification for the Imperial Academy, and first-class military merits for humanity."

Marquis Yao and Fenghai County had never heard of these subsequent events and didn't understand the specifics, so they remained silent.

I still remember Marquis Yao and his senior brother transforming right before my eyes into the appearance of Long Yongping, and then heading to the place where we now stand.

Fenghai County was also part of this journey.

Among them, one person caught Marquis Yao's attention.

The smile on his face was genuine, revealing a sense of emotion.

Below the seven prominent figures, on either side of the main hall, sat over a dozen young people, both male and female. Most had impressive cultivation levels, at least Nascent Soul, and several even emitted fluctuations indicative of the Spirit Depository stage.

That place did not border Fenghai County and was of little practical value to Fenghai County. However, for the Seventh Prince, its significance was different.

Marquis Yao glanced at Princess Anhai, who stood beside the First Prince with an intense expression. He chose to remain silent and not get involved.

"Marquis Yao, this is my elder sister, Princess Anhai."

Luo Jinsong froze for a moment, then looked at Marquis Yao suspiciously. He was instinctively skeptical, but the jade slip contained numerous, incredibly detailed answers, even noting the depth of the "Heart-Questioning" trials. It was clear that a considerable amount of effort and resources had been expended to compile it.

The surrounding people had varying expressions as they looked at Marquis Yao.

The moment they stepped in, the singing and dancing in the luxurious palace continued, but the laughter and chatter momentarily ceased as all eyes converged on the newcomers.

The First Prince smiled but said nothing more.

Many among the Saintlan Tribe knew or had heard about this matter. Although most of the participants had died, rumors could not be suppressed, and even humanity gradually became aware of it.

He wore a light yellow robe. Though handsome, his expression seemed habitually stern, which paradoxically gave him an air of benevolence.

"Your Highness is kind-hearted and noble-minded, unwilling to stoop to the level of petty individuals," he declared. "But I, Luo, truly cannot stand by and watch. Some people, after their lives were saved, are so ungrateful. If they truly have the ability, they should expand territory themselves, instead of resorting to schemes and tricks."

"This is..."

"Long Yong, you may not have met this person," he said. "But he is also one of us from Meng Yunbai, a Black Sky tribe prodigy of the Palace Master Demonic Sect. Eighty years ago, he went to the Imperial Capital for study, and recently returned with the princess."

Luo Jinsong was no different.

The vast army surged forth with a roar as thousands of enormous war airships sped by, their massive shadows sweeping over the mountains and rivers below.

Returning here now, Marquis Yao couldn't help but look up at the sky, as scenes from the past replayed in his mind.

Princess Anhai remained aloof, nodding slightly without uttering a single word.

As for the specifics, the information Marquis Yao had reviewed contained no further descriptions. This might also be why the captain needed to go out and gather more information.

As they looked at Marquis Yao and Fenghai County, the First Prince subtly raised his hand. Instantly, the singing and dancing in the hall ceased, the music stopped, and his boisterous laughter rang out.

People spoke one after another. When mentioning the Daytime Divine Son, regardless of their status, they revealed apprehension in their words. Clearly, the name "Daytime Divine Son" carried significant weight for them.

"Silence!"

"Your Highness, Princess, I, Xu, have just arrived today and feel somewhat tired," he said. "If there are no other matters, I shall take my leave first."

The speaker was not the Black Sky Tribe member, but a young man seated to the right of Marquis Yao and Fenghai County's table.

"Long Yong, Fenghai County."

The First Prince sat in the foremost position of honor, smiling as he looked towards Marquis Yao.

"Although this is so, he has achieved an unprecedented feat," he continued. "He also brought the Saintlan Tribe back to humanity, shining light upon the ancient world. Yet behind the scenes, someone slandered him with despicable means, causing His Highness to be reprimanded by His Majesty for negligence and given a demerit!"

The person introduced by the First Prince was a middle-aged man. He stood up and cupped his fist towards Long Yong, his expression filled with emotion and appreciation.

These cultivators he pointed to also nodded with a smile towards Long Yong.

Marquis Yao glanced at Luo Jinsong, took out a jade slip from his storage bag, and handed it over.

"When countless lives were sacrificed on the western and northern fronts of my Meng Yunbai, where were the reinforcements?!"

During the era of the Profound Specter Ancient Emperor, this place was naturally human territory. It was lost afterward, and now belongs to Long Yongping.

"Long Yong, actually, I mostly want to see what these current generation of human prodigies from the Imperial Capital are truly like."

As for Taixuhua and the others, we did not travel together.

It was only after we arrived here that rumors about the Daytime Divine Son began to spread in this place.

Countless gazes fell upon the ground, looking at the still unrecovering land and the several ravines carved by Sword-Wielder Kong Xianglong, and also at the known location where Kong Xiang perished in battle.

Fenghai County opened his eyes. He didn't look straight ahead, but instead gazed towards the Saintlan Tribe, speaking intensely.

"Long Yongping is evil," he stated. "That Divine Son is probably even worse; he cannot escape the path of sacrifice. Most likely, he sacrificed the Ten-Intestine Tree of the Calamity Immortal Tribe to his master, the Crimson Mother."

"They are probably both extraordinary," Long Yong said softly.

Beside him, Fenghai County also bowed in greeting.

The First Prince seemed not to mind Fenghai County's actions. He looked at Marquis Yao, his eyes showing appreciation, then addressed the crowd.

"Nonsense!"

Marquis Yao's expectations, his master's inquiries, and everyone he had seen contributing to Long Yongping's stability after going out. Since he had enjoyed the fortune blessings of most of Fenghai, he naturally had to bear the corresponding responsibilities.

Marquis Yao returned the bow.

For example, Fenghai County remained expressionless; although he bowed, he uttered no words.

Marquis Yao saw this, raised his wine cup, and after drinking, a voice came from beside him.

"That Zhang Qifan is one of them," the voice whispered. "He's a bit foolish and single-mindedly tries to follow the First Prince, but the First Prince doesn't favor him. So today, he's going to publicly challenge him to curry favor with the First Prince."

This place was still quite different from how Marquis Yao remembered it.

"This is Zhang Qifan, a descendant of Heavenly Marquis Luo Yun."

"Greetings, Your Highness."

This place was now entirely occupied by the Imperial Capital's army. The entire city was filled with a chilling aura of combat, and there were still dried bloodstains on the ground.

After a long while, he retracted his gaze. Greeted by the First Prince's subordinates, the army was arranged to set up camp outside, while he and Long Yongping were invited to the imperial palace where a banquet was being held.

Finally, the First Prince's expression turned solemn. He stood up and bowed towards the aloof woman beside him, then turned and spoke to Long Yong.

After all, in the First Prince's eyes, only a few individuals from all of Meng Yunbai were worth remembering. Fenghai County's invitation was also due to his grandfather.

After the Meng Yunbai party entered the former great domain of the Saintlan Tribe, their journey was smooth, encountering no dangers or obstructions. Using the teleportation arrays here, by the evening of the First Prince's private banquet, they arrived at the former Ten-Intestine Tree area.

Marquis Yao turned, his gaze falling on Luo Jinsong, then looking at Fairy Liuling. Just as he was about to politely refuse, Luo Jinsong smiled and suddenly spoke again.

The First Prince's eyes held deep meaning, and a smile appeared on his face as he was just about to speak.

This expedition was led by Sword-Wielder Kong Xianglong, who had achieved the Void Transformation stage. He was accompanied by two newly promoted Deputy Kong Xiangs from the Palace of Execution and the Palace of Laws.

"Greetings, Princess."

Xu Qing thought for a moment. His senior brother hadn't returned yet, so he still had some time.

Marquis Yao nodded, and together with Long Yongping, he sat at the far end of the right side of the main hall, near the entrance.

The First Prince spoke indifferently.

Everyone lowered