The light from the fire illuminated the stone house and the scroll in the Ministry of Rites official's hands. The scroll shimmered faintly.
The edict was the will of the Emperor.
Defying the edict was equivalent to defying the Emperor's orders.
Yan Qing clenched his fists tightly. Even though he was the First Dragon Envoy of the Dragon Protection Squad, he did not want to be accused of defying the edict.
After all, this had nothing to do with life or death. It was a matter of honor and disgrace. It was treason against the 13 Constabularies.
But...
Similarly, he was unwilling to watch helplessly as he missed this golden opportunity. After all, this concerned the life and death of tens of thousands of soldiers in the Great Xia Dynasty.
"Official, if you delay our battle and cause our soldiers to die in the Icy Monkey Settlement, will you be able to bear the consequences?" Yan Qing's tone was icy.
"If we can't come to an agreement, I will die as an apology!" The Ministry of Rites official's expression was resolute. To be able to become one of the six ministers, how could he not be resolute?
As soon as he finished, the Ministry of Rites official continued, "Etiquette is the way of the sages!"
"Disrespect?"
"That is equivalent to having no rules and no morals. Only when the ruler rules with etiquette can the country prosper and its citizens live in peace."
"Only when the aristocratic families treat the sages with respect can they prosper."
"War!"
"That is indeed the way to resolve conflicts."
"However, the art of war says that the best way is to subdue the enemy without fighting. Even if it is a war between nations, we must first use etiquette before using force."
"If we only use force, how are we different from barbarians?"
At the end of his speech, the Ministry of Rites minister's wrinkled face was filled with righteousness. Although he was old, his eyes were still full of vigor and vitality.
"Stubborn old man!" After hearing what the Minister of Rites had to say, Yan Qing immediately felt a surge of air in his chest. It was a suffocating feeling that he had nowhere to vent.
The Ministry of Rites official's words made sense.
Moreover, it could even be said that it was reasonable and the debate was clear.
But...
This was a battle, an extremely cruel battlefield.
As such, there were many things that could not be judged by reason or argument. To the Ministry of Rites official, the Great Xia had won the battle at the Icy Monkey Settlement.
This was the best opportunity for peace talks.
However, in a real battle, the outcome of this battle would not affect the outcome. The Southern Region still held the absolute advantage.
Then, why would there be peace talks?
In addition, there was also the Devil Race. Would the Devil Race negotiate with the Great Xia in the Southern Region?
Stubborn!
Other than stubbornness, Yan Qing couldn't find another word to describe the way he looked at the Minister of Rites. However, he knew that it had nothing to do with the Minister's heart.
It could only be said that these were two different philosophies.
It was like an academic debate between two sides. Both sides had their own reasons. In the end, no one was absolutely wrong. Because of this, Yan Qing felt aggrieved and had nowhere to vent.
"I don't care if you call me a stubborn old man or something worse, but I will stand by my position. Moreover, this is the will of His Majesty. Do you think that His Majesty's opinion is inferior to yours?" The Minister of Rites was not angered by Fang Qing's words. Instead, he said calmly.
The Emperor's opinion?
Xing Yuanguo squinted at this moment.
Interacting with Emperor Lin Mubai was the most Xing Yuanguo had ever done in his life. Indeed, Emperor Lin Mubai had a few flaws.
For example, he spoiled Ping Yang too much. Furthermore, he often used the Dao of a ruler.
However …
Emperor Lin Mubai would never make the slightest mistake when it came to major events, especially when it came to the relationship between two nations.
If not for this, the Great Xia Dynasty would not have been able to grow stronger and stronger.
Something was wrong!
Xing Yuanguo frowned. Logically speaking, even if there was a delay in the Southern Region's report to the capital, it should not have taken too long.
At most, it would have taken one to two days.
Therefore, by right, Fang Zhengzhi's actions in the Thunderous Lion Settlement would have long spread to the Flame Capital City and into the eyes of Emperor Lin Mubai.
Since that was the case …
How could Emperor Lin Mubai not have predicted that Fang Zhengzhi would attack the Icy Monkey Settlement?
Once the battle began, the entire plan would be in disarray.
How could Emperor Lin Mubai not have guessed this as well?
Furthermore, the fall of the Stable Mountain Pass had happened a few days ago. Yet, the Emperor did not send troops to take it down. Instead, he sent the Minister of Rites with the Imperial Edict.
What was his motive?
"Can you let me take a look at the Imperial Decree in the Minister's hands?" Xing Yuanguo spoke once again, his tone extremely calm.
"Imperial Edict? This... if Xing Hou wants to take a look, of course you can! "The Minister of Rites hesitated for a moment before nodding his head and opening the edict in his hands.
Xing Yuanguo.
He was a rank one General of the Stabilisation Constabulary, the leader of the 13 Constabularies, and the pillar of the Great Xia Dynasty. Even if the Emperor were here personally, he would have to listen to Xing Yuanguo's orders.
If not for this...
How could the Minister of Rites come to the Icy Monkey Settlement first? Furthermore, how could he say that he had to go to the Icy Monkey Settlement at such a crucial time?
Xing Yuanguo did not say much as he nodded his head. Then, he looked at the Emperor's edict carefully.
Line after line of words were written on the golden silk.
At the end of the Imperial Edict, Emperor Lin Mubai's seal was stamped on it.
It was to show the Emperor's sincerity in negotiating with the Southern Region. He was sending the Minister of Rites to negotiate on behalf of the Great Xia Dynasty and the Southern Region.
After reading it once, Xing Yuanguo frowned again and continued to look at the first word...
Time passed by slowly.
The stone hut was extremely silent. There were only a few words on the Imperial Edict, but Xing Yuanguo read it over and over again for almost an hour.
No matter how patient the Minister of Rites was, he was about to lose his patience.
However, he did not dare to speak.
Because...
The other party was Xing Yuanguo, a man that Emperor Lin Mubai called a brother.
Fang Qing did not speak either.
Even though he knew that if he continued to delay, the battle would become more and more dangerous and the chances of a sneak attack would become even slimmer, he still didn't say anything.
There was no reason for this. It was also because the other party was Xing Yuanguo.
A man who could always remain calm on the battlefield. A man who was even more respected in the Great Xia Dynasty than Duan Xinjue.
If there was one person who was calm in the stone hut, it would be Nangong Hao. He was also looking at the Imperial Edict, word by word...
"I understand!" Xing Yuanguo's voice rang out, breaking the silence in the stone hut. At the same time, he kept the Imperial Edict and placed it in the hands of the Minister of Rites.
The Minister of Rites wanted to say something, but he did not. He was waiting for Xing Yuanguo's decision.
"Then I will have to trouble you to make a trip to the Sage City. I will send 500 soldiers to ensure your safety!" Xing Yuanguo continued when he saw that the Minister of Rites did not speak.
"This means that Xing Hou is... preparing to..." The Minister of Rites was overjoyed, but he still confirmed it carefully.
"I will follow the Emperor's orders!"
"Xing Hou is wise. I will head to the Sagely Mountain City now. I will not disappoint the Emperor!"
"Qingsui, send 500 elite soldiers to follow the Minister out of the city!" Xing Yuanguo looked at the Minister of Rites and turned to Xing Qingsui.
"Lord Father, this..." Xing Qingsui was visibly dissatisfied.
"This is a military order!"
"Yes, Lord Father!" Xing Qingsui's expression changed. However, he gritted his teeth and followed the Minister of Rites out of the stone hut.
He watched as the Minister of Rites and Xing Qingsui left.
Yan Qing's expression changed as well. He bit his lips and clenched his fists. He looked as though he wanted to say something, but in the end, he did not say anything.
"My Lord, when do we leave?" Nangong Hao stood up and placed a hand on Yan Qing's shoulder as he asked calmly.
Xing Yuanguo did not speak. He only looked out the window of the stone house, towards the outside of the Icy Monkey Settlement, towards the broken cliff by the side of the wind valley...
The night in the Icy Monkey Settlement was silent. The wind picked up once again, whistling through the night and dispersing the stench of blood in the air.
At this moment, there was a sword that shone with a cold light stuck into the broken cliff of Wind Valley.
This sword was called Traceless.
It belonged to the Sagely Battle God of the Great Xia Dynasty, Meng Tian.
Fang Zhengzhi had been kicked off the cliff by Yun Qingwu. As such, he did not have the time or opportunity to take the sword with him.
Even though Yun Qingwu had Bai Xing and Wu Ji with her when she left, Chi Guyan was still on the cliff. As such, she could not take the sword with her.
As for Chi Guyan...
When she left the cliff, she didn't even look at the sword.
This sword had once been hidden in the World of the Sage. Countless people dreamed of getting their hands on this sword.
After this sword was pulled out of the World of the Sage, the Crown Prince and King Duan of the Great Xia had fought over it. Everyone wanted to get their hands on this sword.
But now, this sword was stuck in the cliff of Wind Valley, allowing the moonlight to shine and the wind to blow. It looked down at the vast land and the majestic castle of the Icy Monkey Settlement, but no one took it away from the cliff.
Because it did not want to leave.
This was a form of arrogance.
It was a kind of innate arrogance.
Of course, there was another possibility...
It was waiting!
...
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