Chapter 2691

If the Demon Emperor also had this ability to stir hearts, what would he worry about a few petty demon vassal kings refusing to submit?

Nie Xiaolou said in a low voice: "Perhaps they have no better choice either."

At this moment, a stone-carved butterfly on the Coiling Dragon Pillar suddenly came to life, its color swiftly shifting from grayish-white to black with orange spots, even bearing a hint of blue fluorescence, very splendid.

It moved from stillness to motion, fluttering up gracefully, and the trail it flew left behind faint blue specks of light.

This butterfly fluttered back and forth before the Demon Emperor.

Nie Xiaolou knew that someone outside was trying to communicate with the Demon Emperor, which was why the stone butterfly had been animated. But this was usually a long-distance divine ability, highly energy-consuming.

Who could it be?

Seeing the colorful butterfly dance, the Demon Emperor immediately said: "You may withdraw first."

The two State Preceptors responded and withdrew.

……

Mu Kingdom Palace, Jade Listening Pavilion.

This is where Mu Emperor holds small meetings; today only You Huan, the Chief Assistant of the Assistant Platform Pavilion, is present at his side.

After several years apart, You Huan has once again assumed the position of Chief Assistant. Compared to when Mei Wu Niang first witnessed his initial ascent to high office, he is now noticeably more restrained and composed.

Mu Emperor today set aside his busy schedule to convene this meeting because Between Between Between Beijia, regarding the recent complex and tangled state of human affairs, has sent a copy of the "Peace and Stability Agreement" to both Mu Kingdom and Cang Yan.

Recently, Cang Yan and Mu Kingdom have been specifically targeting the overseas extensions of the Heavenly Palace Party's demon vassal states, coordinating effectively and throwing those demon vassal states into chaos.

These matters accumulating, the Spirit Void King's Court, under pressure, also had no choice but to send a formal diplomatic consultation to the two states. The main content of this agreement is simply hoping the three states can sit down and talk properly, delineate their respective territorial ranges, and thereafter not encroach upon each other. As compensation, Between Between Between Beijia considers canceling multiple sanctions against Cang Yan and also hopes to end the war with Mu Kingdom.

Frankly speaking, upon receiving this agreement, the officials of the Mu Kingdom King's Court were quite moved, even State Preceptor Wang Xingyi, representing Lingshan, declared willingness to engage in proper talks.

First, the war between Mu Kingdom and Between Between Between Beijia has never truly ended, occasionally flaring up. After great difficulty, over a decade of heaven and earth spiritual energy bursting forth, does Mu Kingdom want to wage war? No, it also wishes to seize the opportunity to develop properly, but it has always remained caught in the pattern of two powers contending, unable to extricate itself.

Every war with Between Between Between Beijia has been a massive drain on manpower, material resources, wealth, and even patience; Mu Kingdom has long felt exhausted.

It is rare now to have an opportunity to disengage from war, especially since Between Between Between Beijia proactively proposed it; Mu Kingdom also hopes to accumulate strength in preparation for the descent of the myriad gods.

Secondly, Mu Kingdom also has many vassal states, which in recent years have suffered greatly from Between Between Between Beijia's raids and plundering. Especially since Mu Kingdom recently moved to take a share of the demon vassal states' cake, naturally they retaliated in kind, directing their anger at Mu Kingdom's vassal states. Thus, Mu Kingdom bears an additional burden compared to Cang Yan: the resentment and pleas for aid from its vassal states.

When the elder brother ignores the life or death of the younger brother over time, eventually there will be no younger brother left.

If Between Between Between Beijia's proposal takes effect and the three states properly divide their spheres of influence, Mu Kingdom's vassal states below would also be secure. No matter how Between Between Between Beijia acts ruthlessly, it cannot bully them.

But unfortunately, this negotiation fundamentally has no chance to begin.

Because Cang Yan outright vetoed it.

The Nine Abysses Great Emperor, in his reply to the other two sovereigns, wrote: In the world, small states stand thick as trees, all striving desperately to survive. Their fate should not be spread across the negotiation table, to be carved up and commented upon by great powers.

This discussion, Cang Yan will not participate in.

The meeting of the three giants, if Cang Yan does not attend, it will only amount to nothing.

Mu Emperor gazed out the window at the winter plum: "Does the Assistant Platform Pavilion have strong opinions?"

You Huan, as head of the Assistant Platform Pavilion, has come to audience after gathering the views from below.

"Not only that, the court officials are also furious, believing Cang Yan's response is too absolute, only concerned with its own loftiness, utterly disregarding Mu Kingdom's difficulties. These years have been my great Mu Kingdom facing off directly against Between Between Between Beijia; we have shielded Cang Yan from wind and rain, while Cang Yan hid behind us to hurriedly build its strength, and its trade with Between Between Between Beijia remains prosperous and thriving." You Huan paused, then continued: "This time, Cang Yan's rejection of the proposal is also because its vassal states are too few, and it fails to sympathize with our difficulties."

Mu Emperor grunted: "What do they want?"

"Cang Yan should not have blocked this route directly. Although we cannot simply accept Between Between Between Beijia's proposal in full, we can propose more favorable terms." You Huan said, "The officials believe we can exert pressure on Cang Yan."

"How to exert pressure?"

"Cang Yan dispatches troops outward, either by borrowing our territory and routes, or needing our logistical support. If we intend to halt it, Cang Yan's current strategy and battlefield situation would suffer major impact."

Mu Emperor rested his chin, expression unchanged: "Chief Assistant You, what is your view?"

To guess the Emperor's thoughts has never been easy. But You Huan had long anticipated his question and immediately replied:

"I also lean toward halting the negotiations, withstanding the pressure, and continuing to cooperate with Cang Yan."

"Reason?"

"The sanctions the Spirit Void King's Court imposes on Cang Yan are growing ever more numerous, appearing ever harsher, but in truth they are merely loud thunder and little rain. We and Cang Yan precisely strike the Heavenly Palace Party's demon vassal states; the Spirit Void Court naturally welcomes this, for the more those demon vassal states are weakened, the stronger the Spirit Void Court's power becomes. Only under pressure from the demons does it send over this agreement. I see, the Demon Emperor may not truly intend to implement it."

"Anything else?"

"This consultation was initiated by Cang Yan's call to halt. It has already been many years since it last fought a major war; currently no one can fathom its true strength, neither we nor Between Between Between Beijia can. Added to its especially firm stance toward the demons—nearly absolute—this is excellent. When the demon hordes descend to the lower realm, the first to be dealt with will inevitably be Cang Yan; the stronger Cang Yan is then, the better for us, and even better for the Spirit Void Court. As the saying goes, 'When the birds are gone, the bow is put away'; if the enemy is not strong, what need does the demon horde have for the Spirit Void Court?"

Mu Kingdom has long stood on the front line resisting the demons; it is now time for Cang Yan to step forward and bear the main burden.

Mu Emperor's first words upon speaking made You Huan lower his head:

"In the Assistant Platform Pavilion, a bunch of grass-and-clay troupe!"

"Still wanting to cut off Cang Yan's logistics and pressure it?" Mu Emperor rarely coldly snorted, "Have they forgotten, Cang Yan is actually our great logistical support?"

How many years have Mu Kingdom and Between Between Between Beijia been at war? Judging by true national strength, Mu Kingdom is far less rich in resources than Between Between Between Beijia; these years, being able to fight Between Between Between Beijia with alternating success and still stand firm, even advance forward, owes greatly to the strategic cooperation achieved between Mu Emperor and the Nine Abysses Great Emperor, whereby Mu Kingdom received from Cang Yan, beyond war, many forms of support—such as economy, war preparations, materials, even personnel.

Over a decade has passed; Mu people have grown accustomed to this cooperation and remember that Cang Yan indeed stands on the same battle line as them, but they often unconsciously forget that this support and aid are in fact not gratuitous.

If Mu Kingdom does not continue fighting Between Between Between Beijia, why would Cang Yan still support it?