Chapter 2162

The reason Mu State proactively invaded Ya State's territory was that the Nine Abysses Great Emperor personally led the Dragon God Army to forcibly occupy Ya State's holy land, Baiqiuyuan, once defeating Ya State so thoroughly they were helpless. Mu State felt the opportunity could not be missed, thus launching an attack from Ya State's western front.

Who would have thought that just as Mu State gained momentum, Cangyan State suddenly withdrew its troops, turned around and went to seize Bailie, instead leaving Mu's army stranded on Ya State's battlefield.

At that time, Mu State did not know He Lingchuan's true identity, thus could not predict his next move, only assuming he both wanted to avenge Ya State and annex its territory, so Mu State thought joining in for a two-pronged attack would be fine.

But now Cangyan State no longer fights Ya State, so Mu State agreeing to a ceasefire would be reasonable. After all, the war with Bekka on the western front continues.

The Mu Emperor lowered his gaze, remaining silent for four or five breaths before asking: "What do all ministers think?"

"Cangyan State slaughtered my three hundred soldiers without cause, acting arrogantly and lawlessly to this extent—clearly cannot be indulged." Qian Bingmao stepped forward, saying: "I believe we must punish them severely."

"How to punish?" Ji Yingxian asked him, "We are already fighting on two fronts—do we now have to wage war on Cangyan as well?"

Even if Mu State is strong, it would not be wise to simultaneously wage war on all surrounding powerful states, would it?

"The Nine Abysses people are in Bailie, not far from Great Mu—perhaps this is the opportunity." Qian Bingmao's thoughts shifted, and he had an idea: "Why not request the Immortal Exalted to act and give him a lesson?"

The existence of the Immortal Exalted is Mu State's deterrent-level power.

Without wanting to expand the war, deterring Cangyan would surely be ideal.

As these words were spoken, the surroundings fell silent—no one dared to echo them.

Qian Bingmao waited two breaths, noticing the Mu Emperor staring fixedly at him, eyes deep, and involuntarily lowered his head.

Ah, I misspoke.

The Emperor does not wish him to propose this plan.

The small morning audience fell silent; Guo Shaoping observed his nose, his nose observed his heart, and remained silent, leaving Qian Bingmao hanging.

In the end, Ji Yingxian spoke: "When the Immortal Exalted acts, it is earth-shattering—how many catties and taels does his Nine Abysses Great Emperor amount to? Requesting the Immortal Exalted to act would be using a butcher's knife to kill a chicken—overkill, making a mountain out of a molehill."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

The emphasis lies in the latter phrase—making a mountain out of a molehill.

Against Bekka and Ya State, Mu State has not deployed this great killer, the Immortal Exalted—so why, when facing Cangyan, can it not restrain itself?

In short, Cangyan has not posed any threat to Mu State's homeland.

Of course, most importantly, the Immortal Exalted are beings who stand atop the world, looking down upon all life.

Qian Bingmao has such audacity—just opening his mouth to request their intervention?

Tang Heyuan saw an opening and interjected:

"Your Majesty, the Nine Abysses Great Emperor previously overturned Ya State and Qingyang, so he must be skilled at assessing the situation. Let us see how he will respond to Mu State this time."

The Mu Emperor still said nothing.

Clearly, he is dissatisfied with all the ministers' remarks.

Guan Huan stepped forward, introducing a new topic: "Your Majesty, I believe our war with Ya State should not seek peace now, but rather intensify the offensive, taking Qingxun's four regions in one go."

These four places lie on the Mu-Ya border, mainly mountainous. Ya State uses the terrain to defend, gaining considerable advantage.

The ministers were somewhat surprised; only the Mu Emperor flicked his eyelids.

Guan Huan's remark came abruptly, seemingly veering from the Mu Emperor's proposed question. Yet in reality, a great state's overall foreign strategy is a single chessboard—how Mu State handles Cangyan largely depends on its strategy toward Ya State.

If we cease fighting Ya State, could Mu State then free its hands to punish Cangyan?

Guan Huan continued: "These four places are not among the conditions Ya State offered; we would be better off taking them ourselves."

Qian Bingmao quickly nodded: "If we can seize Qingxun's four regions, that would indeed be better than Ya State's other offered terms. However, must this war continue?"

"Cangyan invaded Ya State, seized the holy land, and in one move established its position. Its sudden withdrawal likely stems from a secret deal with Ya State. Thus, in the short term, Ya State dares not retaliate." Guan Huan stated calmly, "Since our army has already engaged Ya State and hostilities have begun, we must make it feel pain and submit! Thereafter, Ya State will treat our country with utmost respect."

Otherwise, these past years, Ya State has repeatedly probed Mu State's borders while colluding with Bekka, truly vexing Mu State beyond endurance.

"The Nine Abysses Great Emperor saw through the necessity of fighting Ya State, thus that battle was unavoidable." Guan Huan continued, "For our army, this is also an opportunity—moreover, Cangyan gained substantial profit in this conflict; since Great Mu has dispatched troops, we must surely reclaim rich spoils of war."

This statement was put euphemistically—put plainly, Cangyan State reaped overflowing gains before and after this Ya State war, truly the biggest winner;

Bekka also gained the upper hand in the western front war;

Mu State lost Bailie—in reality, it was Cangyan State stealing the home. If Mu State does not act to punish Cangyan now and so easily withdraws from Ya State, would it not become the biggest loser?!

A great state seeks dignity—it cannot suffer the greatest loss in this chaos.

Therefore, Mu State must win, must seize substantial spoils of war!

The Mu Emperor still remained silent; Ji Yingxian pressed: "Then, what about Blade Edge Harbor?"

Guan Huan stated solemnly: "The Nine Abysses Great Emperor claims himself Lord of Bailie; our state must first verify his legitimacy. If he truly possesses both legal and moral authority, Blade Edge Harbor concerns us not—it is Bekka's forcibly leased territory. We ignored it before, and we will ignore it henceforth."

Fifty years ago, Bekka seized Blade Edge Harbor from Bailie by force, and Mu State did not step forward to uphold justice; fifty years later, Bailie reclaimed Blade Edge Harbor from Bekka, and what stance does Mu State have to obstruct it?

Qian Bingmao exhaled heavily: "Although this is so, but Cangyan State has recently been too conspicuous!"

Everyone knows the principle, yet cannot bear to see Cangyan State's petty person prospering with that smug look.

For over a hundred years, Bailie has been Mu State's vassal—yet suddenly it was stolen! As a Mu person, I feel indignant.

Guan Huan immediately said: "Bekka also does not greatly respect our Great Mu; in past years, it often straddled the fence between Mu State and Bekka, a standard fence-sitter. Today, it too should receive some lessons."

As these words were spoken, the crowd nodded—evidently recalling Bekka's smug look and feeling anger.

"We cannot let Cangyan State become too arrogant either." Cangyan State actually slaughtered Mu State's officials and soldiers. This face, Mu State must recover, Guo Shaoping immediately said: "Deploy thirty thousand elite troops, station them at Bailie's border, ready to obey orders at any moment!"

Then a minister said: "General Xu has repeatedly volunteered for service."

Lu Zhensheng was executed in his own mansion; Lu Qinglin, upon hearing the news, wept bitterly and earnestly requested to go to war.

Guo Shaoping said without hesitation: "Do not send him, lest he cannot restrain himself."

Sending those thirty thousand elite troops to garrison the border is not truly intending to fight.

"National Preceptor." Guo Shaoping turned again to Wang Xingyi, "You and the Nine Abysses Great Emperor are old acquaintances—I hope you will endure the hardship of traveling to Bailie."