Chapter 2223

Qianhuan's true form is a giant seashell; the Heavenly Demon certainly couldn't directly descend upon it, but an external dharma body could. And Qianhuan has one insanely awesome ability: turning the illusory into the real.

Several of his avatars do indeed have human form.

He Lingchuan and the Illusion Sect shattered Miao Zhantian's scheme, a great contribution to the mortal world.

He asked the crucial question: "Can Lord Yin-shen separate out a human-form avatar?"

"I've never seen it, but merely mimicking a shape probably wouldn't be too hard." Emperor Mou's expression wasn't good either. "Your concern is justified; this isn't good news!"

After he returned to his country, he would naturally have to consult with Lingshan.

Chatting to this point, both felt they hadn't talked enough, so they decisively ended the meeting.

……

In the evening, the Nine Nether Emperor held an extremely grand banquet for the honored guests.

At the morning meeting of the two emperors, the ministers all wore official robes to observe protocol; but by this banquet, Mou officials had to change into everyday casual wear like Cangyan ministers, to show they followed local customs.

The Shanjing people not only disliked wearing official robes for such a large feast, they also hated sitting frozen in their seats like logs, and even more hated the stiff, suffocating formality of assigned seating, so after dining they immediately moved to another elegant gathering hall built over a stream, with pavilions and terraces, where guests could stroll and chat freely in a relaxed atmosphere.

Those who hadn't eaten their fill or wanted some quiet could simply walk back to the dining hall.

In the eyes of Mou ministers, this country was somewhat lacking in rules; but Cangyan ministers felt perfectly at ease, because the Nine Nether Emperor had said a newly founded nation didn't need all those tedious formalities.

The days ahead were still long; let them have the time and leisure to slowly establish those boring rules, in short, etiquette.

Around the Nine Nether Emperor and Emperor Mou, it was like stars surrounding the moon.

High officials from Cangyan and Mou came forward one after another to offer toasts, and the Nine Nether Emperor accepted them all with a smile.

The atmosphere on site was harmonious and lively, everyone wearing smiles.

Cangyan and Mou had had localized minor clashes, but no fundamental contradictions, and they were aligned in the general direction with shared interests.

The attitudes of the two Emperor Lords determined the two countries would further draw closer.

At this moment, Mou's Grand Chancellor You Huan also stepped forward, introduced by Xun Yu, the Right Vice Minister of the Qinghong Office.

"So this is Grand Chancellor You; seeing once is better than hearing a hundred times." Facing You Huan's toast, He Lingchuan also straightforwardly raised his cup and drained it in one gulp.

He gave him full face.

Du Shan laughed at the side: "Long heard of Grand Chancellor You's civil and military brilliance; seeing you today, you truly cut a dashing, radiant figure."

Today You Huan wore a dark-glimmering blue-gold brocade robe of silk-faced satin, speckled with faint light, like the Milky Way's stars on the night sky from afar; his collar used the haitang flower-shaped gold clasps common in the Mou capital, setting off his jade-tree-like bearing even more.

Standing among the officials, You Huan stood out with imposing magnificence.

Accompanying the Emperor Lord on a diplomatic visit, attire must not merely be proper. Coming to Cangyan, one must not be outshone by the other side.

"Grand Chancellor You's strategy was apt, especially the great battle at the Four Qing Territories, which not only halted the Bega army's advance but also broke their sharp momentum." The Nine Nether Emperor smiled. "Those few major battles were fought timely and effectively; our generals often use them for study and drill."

Not a word of exaggeration, yet every word is praise; not only praised, but praised with substance.

Those few strategic moves were indeed You Huan's proudest achievements; his expression remained reserved, but inwardly he was overjoyed.

This was affirmation from the Nine Nether Emperor!

What a hero the Nine Nether Emperor is — not only single-handedly conquering the vast Shanjing Plain, achieving an unprecedented feat in a thousand years, but even the Great Mou Emperor Lord personally crossed borders to pay a visit.

Affirmation from the Nine Nether Emperor carries full weight.

"Your Majesty overpraises. Your unparalleled achievement in unifying the Shanjing Plain was also analyzed in detail by the Emperor Lord in court, with unstinting praise."

In fact, the Nine Nether Emperor's Shanjing strategy has always been a key focus of study for all nations.

This round of mutual achievement-praising left everyone around smiling, the elegant hall full of harmony.

You Huan again said with utmost respect: "Your Majesty is the world-recognized master strategist; should there be an opportunity in the future, I, You, would still like to seek Your Majesty's guidance."

This was just a polite formula for the occasion, yet He Lingchuan set down his cup upon hearing it and readily agreed: "Good. No day like today; the banquet hall is empty now, let's discuss a round."

He said "seek guidance," but the Nine Nether Emperor used "discuss."

You Huan was startled, then overjoyed!

If You Huan had come to Cangyan specifically for a state visit, his counterpart would mostly be Du Shan; seeing the Nine Nether Emperor wasn't easy — to use a common saying, you'd better have business.

But the banquet atmosphere was relaxed, without so many rigid rules, so He Lingchuan acted amiable and magnanimous.

You Huan glanced at Emperor Mou, who nodded at him.

Meaning: go ahead.

The Nine Nether wouldn't open his mouth for no reason; go listen to what he wants to say.

The Nine Nether Emperor walked back to the banquet hall at a leisurely pace; his guards intercepted a few times, and the officials sensibly stopped following.

It was about to be one-on-one; You Huan followed behind him, inexplicably a bit nervous.

Emperor Mou not far away also averted his gaze.

By now the banquet hall had been cleared; You Huan surprisingly spotted someone sitting at a table wolfing down food.

Even when the Nine Nether Emperor entered, he merely lifted his eyes, unhurriedly swallowing a glutinous rice pearl ball.

As if no one else existed.

The Nine Nether Emperor was about to enter the banquet hall, but seeing this he changed direction and walked toward the waterside corridor outside.

You Huan subconsciously looked back again — who was that?

After walking ten-odd zhang, with rippling river water beneath the stone bridge, He Lingchuan asked You Huan:

"What do you want to ask?"

"Your Majesty sees far and wide, and my Emperor Lord also said you understand Bega exceptionally well." You Huan no longer beat around the bush, directly asking for guidance, "In your view, when will Bega finally cease hostilities?"

At present, Bega is still the attacker. These dozen-odd battles in Mou's early stage were exceptionally difficult.

As the master planner of this war, You Huan exhausted his mind and energy daily, walking on thin ice.

Emperor Mou had also said the Nine Nether Emperor's grasp of the war situation and opportunities was beyond others' reach. So seizing this great opportunity, You Huan naturally had to seriously seek guidance.

"Cease hostilities?" He Lingchuan laughed. "Does Grand Chancellor You think the war between Bega and your country differs from the Mou-Ya War, that Bega couldn't possibly harbor the delusion of destroying your country?"

Barely fought for long, and already thinking of ending it?

"Why would the Nine Nether Great Emperor speak such words?" You Huan felt a chill in his heart, but his expression remained unchanged: "The Ya Kingdom and our country cannot be mentioned in the same breath."

Between Between Between Beijia could not possibly do this. The Mou Kingdom is also a powerful nation of the current era; its contained war potential is equally terrifying, and it has a True Immortal holding the fort. To think of crushing the Mou Kingdom through war alone — even if Between Between Between Beijia could accomplish it, what price would he himself have to pay?

Although You Huan was directing this war, he was not worried that Between Between Between Beijia would directly uproot the Mou Kingdom.

Impossible, absolutely impossible.