Chapter 278: Chapter 278: 800-Li Urgent Dispatch, Icy Killing Intent

White Jade City.

Taihe Hall.

"Your Majesty, the envoys from the Jin Meng Empire have agreed to the marriage alliance with Princess Lan Yue, but they demand to escort her back to the Jin Meng Empire within two days."

Grandmaster Yan Hongwen was reporting the situation to the Old Emperor, Yang Yu.

The Old Emperor had specifically entrusted the matter of the marriage alliance to Grandmaster Yan Hongwen. His orders were not to finalize the alliance quickly, but to stall the Jin Meng Empire.

When Grandmaster Yan Hongwen heard this, he thought he had misheard. Only after confirming it again did he realize that this was indeed Old Emperor Yang Yu’s decree.

Although he found the Old Emperor’s actions strange, he followed Yang Yu’s orders without question. He knew just how cunning the Old Emperor was.

During the Crown Prince’s rebellion, Old Emperor Yang Yu had purged many treacherous factions, consolidating his imperial authority once more. He had also made the wavering courtiers fall back in line behind him.

The major Sects had all suffered greatly during the rebellion, and it was a loss they couldn’t even complain about.

It seemed the Imperial Family had also paid a heavy price, but in reality, it had no real impact on Old Emperor Yang Yu. The people he had sacrificed were all people he had wanted to eliminate anyway.

Furthermore, the confiscation of assets from the exterminated clans had filled the Emperor’s private treasury, even replenishing it with many items the Old Emperor needed.

He was privy to a secret: the Old Emperor was once again arranging for the refining of an Earth Element Supreme Pill. It was obvious he was preparing for another breakthrough. However, no one knew the specific location of the alchemy, and Yan Hongwen dared not investigate further, lest disaster befall him.

Because he knew this, he was even more baffled by Old Emperor Yang Yu’s actions. Logically, the Emperor should want to complete the marriage alliance and buy himself more time.

Although the Jin Meng Empire’s stance on the alliance wasn’t entirely clear, more time would give the Emperor a better chance at his breakthrough.

Yan Hongwen was aware of all this, but he didn’t voice his questions. Instead, he proceeded according to Old Emperor Yang Yu’s arrangements.

Having reached his station, he well understood the art of self-preservation. His opposition was directed at the major Sects of the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty, not at Old Emperor Yang Yu. Otherwise, his position as Grandmaster would have long since been given to someone else.

"Agree to their terms," the Emperor commanded. "But have the garrison at Lan State’s Jinyun City prepare for a potential attack from the Jin Meng Empire. Also, transfer some troops from Qi State and Yu State to Jinyun City."

"Send these orders out with the utmost urgency. Also, tell the Sects in Lan, Qi, and Yu States to be ready to dispatch their disciples."

Yang Yu issued several more orders, each more perplexing than the last.

This was exactly what Yan Hongwen was thinking. ’The Old Emperor must have received news about the Jin Meng Empire—bad news, at that. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be making these arrangements.’

Lan State’s Jinyun City was a border city between the Jin Meng Empire and the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty, garrisoned by a large army. The Qianqiu Pavilion Sect was also located there. Unlike in other states, Qianqiu Pavilion’s influence in Lan State was not absolute; it shared power equally with the garrison. Because of the constant threat of Jin Meng incursions, the relationship between the two sides was naturally quite harmonious.

The presence of an external enemy naturally reduced internal strife. After all, if Lan State were to fall, neither of them would benefit.

"Your Majesty, is it necessary to go this far?"

After a moment’s thought, Yan Hongwen decided to probe. As the Grandmaster of the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty, it was his duty to understand the situation.

"I have a very bad feeling about this," the Emperor said. "These actions are merely a precaution. It doesn’t mean we are actually going to war."

"The Jin Meng Empire’s purpose in coming to the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty this time is not simple. It’s better to be prepared, lest we be caught off guard."

Old Emperor Yang Yu didn’t reveal specifics, but he gave a general sense of the situation.

A deep line even creased his brow, a clear sign that something was troubling him.

"I understand. I will see to it that the messages are delivered to Lan, Qi, and Yu States with the greatest haste."

"However, regarding the major Sects, I must ask Your Majesty to arrange for someone else to deliver the orders."

Yan Hongwen knew the gravity of the situation. He would naturally send personal letters to the various states, but it was not appropriate for him to be the one contacting the major Sects.

His relationship with the Sects was adversarial. If he were to deliver the message, the major Sects would assume he was sending them to their deaths, which could ultimately jeopardize Old Emperor Yang Yu’s plans.

Yan Hongwen was well aware of this, which was why he brought it up directly.

"Do not concern yourself with the Sects. I have already arranged for someone to deliver the messages."

Old Emperor Yang Yu said slowly.

It was then that Yan Hongwen noticed a shadowy figure that had been in Taihe Hall the entire time. He suddenly understood that the Old Emperor’s last words hadn’t been directed at him, but at the shadow.

"I understand. I will make the arrangements at once."

"I will take my leave."

Yan Hongwen bowed deeply before exiting Taihe Hall.

A moment later, he vanished from Yang Yu’s sight.

At the same time, the shadowy figure also disappeared.

Silence returned to the great hall.

’Leaving within two days... It seems you can finally no longer resist probing.’

At that moment, Old Emperor Yang Yu’s gaze was profound, his eyes turning exceedingly cold and filled with a killing intent even stronger than what he had shown when facing the rebellion of Crown Prince Yang Qian and the others.

’Just one more step... but this step is so difficult to take.’

’The Old Ancestor can only intervene one more time at most. I must break through as soon as possible.’

Old Emperor Yang Yu took a deep breath and spoke slowly to himself.

He knew the true purpose of the Jin Meng Empire’s marriage alliance: to test whether the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty’s National Guardian Martial Saint was still alive. Very few people in the entire Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty knew the truth of this matter.

Even the Grandmaster, Yan Hongwen, was completely unaware. This was why he could not guess the true motives behind the Jin Meng Empire’s actions, or the Emperor’s.

In the eyes of most, the National Guardian Martial Saint of the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty was simply in seclusion, so they would never suspect the truth of his condition. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

The Jin Meng Empire knew something only because of their own National Guardian Martial Saint. Only an expert of that level could sense that something was amiss.

’The Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty can only be ruled by a Yang. Never by another name.’

Yang Yu’s gaze was resolute. He had already prepared for the worst.

Even if it meant war between the two nations, he could not allow the Jin Meng Empire to discover the truth about the Great Zhou’s National Guardian Martial Saint. An unyielding, firm stance was the best form of camouflage.

Only a party with absolute confidence would adopt such a hardline stance, leaving no room for compromise and dragging out the negotiations indefinitely.

The same was true for the Jin Meng Empire. Unable to verify the situation, they couldn’t simply end their investigation, which was why the matter of the marriage alliance had dragged on for so long.

This was the longest marriage negotiation in the history of the Jin Meng Empire and the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty, surprising many who could not fathom the subtle machinations at play.

After speaking his thoughts aloud, Old Emperor Yang Yu closed his eyes and resumed his Cultivation, adjusting his condition to its absolute peak. He had tasked Lu Qianfan, the Alliance Leader of the Pharmacist Alliance, with refining an Earth Element Supreme Pill, which would allow him to attempt another breakthrough.