Chapter 1168

General Hong didn't say a word. She wore a mask, and others couldn't see her expression at all. But He Lingchuan understood that from the Demon Emperor's perspective, Beijia had actually lowered its posture toward Panlongcheng.

As long as Zhong Shengguang nodded, the years of war could be avoided immediately, and Panlongcheng's long-standing heart-trouble would be swept away;

As long as Zhong Shengguang nodded, Beijia would inject capital here, and the economy and environment of the Panlong Wasteland would have visible and significant improvement.

While the internal and external troubles were greatly alleviated, Lingxu City actually didn't require Zhong Shengguang to abandon Lady Mitian, nor did it require him to change his service to the Lingxu gods!

Others might not be aware, but He Lingchuan had traveled through Beijia and deeply realized the rule and influence of the Lingxu gods on the northern demon nation. Therefore, he understood very well that for the high-and-mighty Lingxu City, this was a huge concession!

"Lingxu City believes that it has done its best to show favor to us. This is the arrogance of a great power, and I'm afraid it's also the final ultimatum." Wen Daolun spoke slowly. "If Commander Zhong doesn't obey, Beijia will have the wrath of thunder."

The Demon Emperor had already shown his greatest sincerity, but Panlongcheng treated it like discarded shoes; what reaction would Beijia have? Everyone knew that this great power had a bad temper.

I lowered my status and spoke to you nicely, but you don't appreciate it and want to spit on me? Then fight, fight until you kneel down and call me father.

Commander-in-Chief Zhao Xianhe couldn't help but say: "To be able to have the Demon Emperor personally 'recruit' you, you are the first one, right?"

"No." Zhong Shengguang's face was cold as frost. "The first to set a precedent was the Yuan King. Back then, the Beijia Demon Emperor also sent him an official letter, hoping he would give up resistance."

The Yuan King didn't obey and the whole country resisted.

He Lingchuan and the others already knew their ending.

Zhong Shengguang had finally reached this step; if he didn't obey, he would also have to gamble the lives of millions of people to fight against Beijia and the gods! This was truly another big gamble, another cycle.

Zhong Shengguang's gaze swept across everyone present, and he said solemnly:

"Everyone present is the backbone of Panlongcheng, and also the backbone, blood, and reliance of Panlongcheng. Zhong summoned you today because Panlongcheng has reached a critical moment again, just like seven years ago!"

Seven years ago? Everyone present was startled. This special time node was when Zhong Shengguang sacrificed to the gods and asked Lady Mitian to descend.

Panlongcheng resisted for twelve years, unable to continue, before asking Lady Mitian for help.

Lady Mitian appeared attached to General Hong, which indeed saved Panlongcheng from danger.

Now, Panlongcheng had reached the critical moment of life and death again. Facing the olive branch thrown by Beijia, was it prepared to compromise or fight to the end?

"I inform you all today, if you have concerns, are afraid or unwilling to face Beijia, don't want to get entangled with it, and just want to live a peaceful life, you can leave Panlongcheng now. The world outside is vast, and Zhong wishes everyone who leaves a bright future." Zhong Shengguang pressed one hand on the table. "Those who choose to stay must be prepared to welcome the storm; from now on, peace and joy will have nothing to do with you!"

Caught off guard, he issued an ultimatum, and the Gange Hall was silent.

General Hong suddenly sat down and put her long legs on the table.

This attitude was very clear; she was already bound to Panlongcheng. For her, there was no such thing as an option.

General Nanke said loudly: "Beijia's recruitment is also harboring evil intentions, and it also said that the Panlong Army should obey Xiluo's dispatch, hehe! They want to use us as a long spear; they point where we hit. What is Beijia's nature? Even if we compromise with it, Panlongcheng won't have any good fruit to eat!"

He also sat down boldly: "I stay, and live and die with Commander Zhong!"

He Lingchuan subconsciously looked at him more.

General Nanke was straightforward, and he didn't avoid He Lingchuan when he impeached him last time, expressing his opinions directly.

Today, he acted as Zhong Shengguang's assist.

This guy, he wasn't as straightforward as he appeared on the surface.

Sure enough, after he expressed his stance, several generals sat down one after another.

"We are willing to be the vanguard for Commander Zhong."

"Beijia's minions made trouble in my hometown, causing us to be displaced; now they want to attack Panlongcheng, we will never avoid it again!"

The snow leopard also hesitated for a while before sitting in the chair.

Nine others thought for a long time before taking two steps forward and bowing to Zhong Shengguang: "We are ashamed of Commander Zhong."

"We are really..."

Zhong Shengguang waved his hand: "Everyone gathered and dispersed with Panlongcheng, the fate is over, no need to be awkward. Zhong wishes everyone to find a pure land on earth, carefree and peaceful."

Someone asked in confusion: "The world is so vast, why are you worried that Beijia can't accommodate Panlongcheng?"

How strong is Beijia? In comparison, Panlongcheng is just a firefly beside the bright moon.

Zhong Shengguang only said: "Beside the couch, how can others be allowed to sleep soundly?"

How could Beijia sit and watch a new regime become strong and threaten itself? And Panlongcheng seems to have revealed such qualities.

Even worse, Panlongcheng is actually not far from Beijia, separated by only a few weak countries.

These nine people looked ashamed and looked at each other, but finally turned and left the Gange Hall.

To stay, they have to get entangled and fight with Beijia, so they will take their families and clansmen away from Panlongcheng.

He Lingchuan calculated that these nine people accounted for about thirty percent of those present, most of whom were new faces.

They had only been in Panlongcheng for a year or so, and didn't have the belief of the Panlongcheng military and civilians, and weren't prepared to fight against Beijia and live and die with Panlongcheng; this wasn't strange at all.

People came to seek a new life, not to join the battle.

After the hall door was closed again, Zhong Shengguang bowed and clasped his fists to everyone remaining: "Everyone entrusted their lives and lived and died with Panlongcheng; Zhong is moved and admired, and will definitely not dare to let you down!"

Those who stayed expressed their hearts with actions, so he didn't have to hide anymore and could speak freely.

"After Beijia was founded, the world has been in turmoil, with blood and rain everywhere, transporting endless evil energy to the God Realm for six hundred years. Panlongcheng is located in a remote area, and for nineteen years, it has been in war and danger, all thanks to Beijia! The source of human suffering lies in the northern demon nation, in this vast country that is actually a public thief of the human world that harms itself!"

The generals present knew about the evil energy, and no one looked surprised.

"When I sacrificed to the gods back then, I made a blood oath to do my best to move this great mountain above the heads of all living beings. Even if Beijia is as towering as a distant mountain, I will use my meager body to shake the mountain and move the earth, doing what others cannot do!" Zhong Shengguang's voice echoed in the quiet room. "Seven years ago, Panlongcheng was weak, so this oath dared not be spread; seven years later, Panlongcheng is increasingly prosperous, and Zhong's ambition remains unchanged." Zhong Shengguang back then was just a small commander, with few men, little financial resources, a small territory, and an unfavorable situation. Even if he had grand ambitions, he could only hold them in his heart, lest others laugh at him.

Panlongcheng today is not what it used to be. Zhong Shengguang finally had the opportunity and confidence to express his feelings! He Lingchuan's eyebrows moved.

Isn't his management of the Yangshan Islands the same? When the power was still weak and the manpower was insufficient, he could only hide his true strategic intentions deep in his heart, and didn't dare to tell anyone—except the Soul-Absorbing Mirror.

"Commander Zhong's ambition is also our ambition. Besides, the conditions Beijia offered seem generous, but they didn't give us a second path to take. It needs the Panlong Wasteland to be chaotic and weak like the southern countries, or simply become its minions, helping it make trouble in the world, just like Baling and Xianyou now." Wen Daolun said solemnly, "Looking back three hundred years, except for Beijia's few vassal demon nations, those who compromised with it didn't have a good ending."

Taking history as a mirror, it is indeed the case. Everyone nodded.

Zhong Shengguang then said: "Since the tone has been set, let's discuss countermeasures. Beijia won't give up this time, I'm afraid Panlongcheng will have a big battle soon! However, we can't just wait for Beijia to make a move."

He is an experienced military strategist and won't stupidly fight Beijia head-on.

So after this military meeting, Panlongcheng sent a letter to Lingxu City, first protesting the usurpation of the fake monarch, questioning its legitimacy, and then making many demands regarding Beijia's mediation agreement.

Since it's called an "agreement," there's room for negotiation.

Once Panlongcheng softens, Beijia wants to use it as a chess piece, preferably to form a deterrent force against the surrounding area, creating conflict and tension.

So Panlongcheng wants to fight for its own rights in the agreement and fight for more initiative—

For example, the territory it occupied is its own, and it will not be returned! In short, it's bargaining.

Panlongcheng and Beijia are far apart, even with bird-delivered letters, this back-and-forth, pushing and pulling, wasted several months.

Taking advantage of this time, Panlongcheng sharpened its weapons and prepared for war, and with General Hong as the commander, launched a fierce attack on the Xianyou Nation again!

The Xianyou Nation had suffered many defeats before, and the military and civilians were terrified of General Hong; this time the war was rekindled, and it burned directly to the north of the Great River.

General Hong launched a surprise attack, sweeping away everything, and took three cities before encountering decent resistance.

Xianyou had to organize a counterattack while asking Baling and Beijia for help.

Lingxu City's reaction was somewhat subtle.

Panlongcheng was negotiating with it, demanding that it recognize the land it had occupied.

Then, before the agreement was officially signed, Panlongcheng taking the opportunity to occupy more land seemed reasonable.

At this time, should Lingxu City show some sincerity?

Of course, a great power has capable people who pointed out that this is likely Zhong Shengguang's trick to confuse the enemy; and all kinds of internal information about Panlongcheng's decree issuance, military mobilization, and various internal lines were also sent to Beijia continuously.

But all these can only be advice, can only be a reference; the decision is made by the Demon Emperor and the Heavenly Gods.

If Panlongcheng is just being coy, can the agreement really be reached in the end?

Beijia is probably very tempted by this possibility.

If you have a request, you are easily confused.

With Panlongcheng's toughness today, if it can compromise with Beijia and act as Beijia's remote thug, it would be more useful than Baling and Xianyou combined.

(End of chapter)