Human Clan Defender-Chapter 614 - s 9 to 12: Demon Evil Attacks the City, The Barking of Dogs (Four in One, Requesting Monthly Tickets)_5

"They all say a Realm is just a designation, but if it can be delineated, it can also give others a clear understanding." Shen Changqing's fingers tapped lightly on the tabletop. Ancient Realm. In fact, not much of it has been passed down. To say it has taken root in people's hearts is even less likely. As for the Realm beyond Grandmaster, what it's actually like—that's entirely for him to define. This means there are certain intricacies involved.

Shaking his head, he put the question aside for the moment. First, he would collate the general principles of Martial Arts to ensure the continuity of the Human Clan Martial Path, then he would reclassify each Realm. Shen Changqing had a rough idea in mind. Now, all he had to do was wait for the time to come.

「Half a month passed.」

Shen Changqing had remained in the study the entire time, without moving. Combing through Martial Arts and organizing their general principles was no easy task. It had nothing to do with one's Realm; the higher one's Realm, the more detailed the material to be organized became. Therefore, it naturally took longer.

For half a month, he had sat there, barely moving, and the scrolls on his desk remained blank.

Just as he was about to start writing, Shen Changqing suddenly paused. A thought stirred in his mind, and the door latch automatically opened.

"Come in!"

His voice was neither hurried nor slow.

In the next instant, the door was pushed open. Dongfang Zhao entered from outside.

"I haven't disturbed Defender Shen, have I?"

"Defender Dongfang jests. May I know what brings you here at this time?" Shen Changqing shook his head with a wry smile. It could hardly be called a disturbance. Since he already had a clear direction in mind, the subsequent writing would be much easier.

Hearing this, Dongfang Zhao also smiled faintly. "The Imperial Family just sent a message, asking us both to head to the imperial court for a discussion."

"Imperial court discussion?" Shen Changqing looked out the window at the light outside, his brow furrowing slightly. "I recall that the morning court session should have ended by now."

He had not participated in the court sessions, but he had some understanding of their timing. It was almost noon; it was impossible for a court session to be starting at this hour.

Dongfang Zhao shook his head. "The morning court session has indeed ended, but a message just arrived: members of the Barbarian Clan have entered the Capital City. If I'm not mistaken, this sudden imperial court discussion probably has something to do with the Barbarian Clan."

"The Barbarian Clan!" Shen Changqing's expression shifted. This news caught him off guard. The Barbarian Clan and Great Qin shared centuries of deep-seated enmity. For them to openly enter the Capital City now, there had to be another reason.

With this thought, Shen Changqing once again turned his gaze to Dongfang Zhao, waiting for the latter to continue. He had been in seclusion and cut off from outside news, but that might not be the case for Dongfang Zhao. Even outside Great Qin, the Heavenly Inspection Guard had a considerable presence. If something truly happened with the Barbarian Clan, they certainly couldn't keep it hidden from the Heavenly Inspection Guard.

Sensing his gaze, Dongfang Zhao nodded. "News arrived recently that Demon Evil has been causing chaos in the Barbarian Clan's territory. The Great Demons that escaped from Fallen Saint Pass seem to have set their sights on the Barbarian Clan. The Barbarian Clan is currently in disarray. Their sending envoys to Great Qin now is likely related to this matter."

Upon hearing this, Shen Changqing had a sudden realization. So, their little boat of friendship had capsized.

He had anticipated such events. After all, the Barbarian Clan and Demon Evil were never of the same race. Their cooperation was based solely on mutual interests. "Those not of our kind are bound to have different allegiances." This principle applied universally. Once the mutual benefits disappeared, it was perfectly normal for them to turn on each other. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

However, what surprised Shen Changqing was that after their boat of friendship with Demon Evil capsized, the Barbarian Clan actually chose to come to Great Qin. Could Great Qin truly have become so magnanimous?

"By the way," Dongfang Zhao suddenly spoke again. "When Great Wilderness Prefecture was fully recovered, all the cities overrun by the Barbarian Clan had become dead cities, with mountains of civilian corpses. It seems the Barbarian Clan used them for some kind of ritual. This is highly problematic."

Dongfang Zhao's casual words conjured in Shen Changqing's mind a vision of mountains of corpses and a sea of blood. In the previous battle for Great Wilderness Prefecture, the territory seized by the Barbarian Clan was vast. The civilians who had lived there, even if not a hundred million, numbered in the tens of millions.

His chest heaved slightly. Shen Changqing rose from his seat.

"Since His Majesty wishes us to attend, let's go and see."

「Imperial Palace.」

「In the Imperial Court.」

Civil and military officials gathered. Gu Xing was seated on the throne, and standing below were three members of the Barbarian Clan. The leader, a man with a rugged face and a potent aura, carried himself with the demeanor of a great general. He was now addressing the court, speaking with conviction.

"Emperor Qin, my clan is now sincerely willing to make peace with Great Qin. The prior incident in Great Wilderness Prefecture was unbeknownst to my clan, as it was individuals acting on their own accord. My clan has since imprisoned those responsible. If Great Qin agrees, it won't take long for us to deliver their heads. In addition, we are willing to compensate for some of the losses caused in Great Wilderness Prefecture and swear never to invade the borders of Great Qin again. What do you think, Emperor Qin?"

When he finished speaking, some officials' expressions changed, while others glared angrily.

Atop the throne, Gu Xing's expression was calm, but inwardly he was quite conflicted. Agree? Or disagree? Inwardly, he leaned towards the former. He had just taken office and had no notable achievements to his name. If he could accept the Barbarian Clan's peace offer, he would undoubtedly leave a significant mark in the annals of history.