Chapter 1259: Treaty of Yiwei Shuofang

In March, the frost and snow at Shuofang Terrace and Heyuan Prefecture remained as white as ever, thick ice armor spreading across the lake surface, white snow covering the mountains, but compared to the coldest one or two months of the year, the cold knives in the wind seemed somewhat dulled, able to cut skin and flesh but not reach the bone.

On the Golden Sea, towering barges loomed. Dragon keels crushed the ice armor, dark blue floating ice drifting and colliding. Small boats dotted both north and south sides, like wings spread, stretching and undulating.

The deck was clean, soldiers clad in armor and wielding weapons, newly promoted grandmaster Yang Xu leading the patrol, maintaining safety, the bleak river wind stirring the fur on his wide-brimmed hat. One after another, prominent figures boarded the barge, took their seats, and examined the treaty, until the kings stepped down.

Noon.

Yang Xu gave the order.

The soldiers on board turned, accompanied by a unified step, all facing outward.

The chimera beast furnace exhaled white mist, hazy sunlight, a brown long table dividing the two sides.

On the spacious top deck of the barge, filled with figures ordinary people would need to look up to, Liang Qu leaned back in a high chair, able to see the vast expanse of the river, the sun climbing to its zenith, sunlight blazing, soldiers holding halberds, able to hear low murmurs and discussions, fingers pointing at the treaty inquiring about details.

On the north side, the bear beast led; on the south, He Ningyuan led; Prince Canghou E Qirui sat to one side, with envoys from both delegations accompanying, seated in two rows.

Behind the long table, the ground was not flat but formed three tiers, layered and rising gradually, arranged in a two-two-one pattern, each seat holding several martial sages, the chair backs extremely high, blocking the slanting sunlight, each person's expression shrouded in shadow.

The Northern Court comprised the Five Peaks Mountain, Wolf Lord, Iron Spine King, Dalahan King, and Eagle-Eyed Chuan Zha Na Yan; the Heavenly Order comprised the Pingyang King, Dragon-Elephant King, Goose King, Martial Might King, and Huai King.

In the golden eyes, vivid colors of light halo clustered together, like the aurora seen on festival eves, visible to all together. Zhang Longxiang's colors appeared even more vivid than when seen in November, clearly Liang Qu's strength had similarly improved during this period.

Attendants stepped forward, presenting the inkstone and vermilion red paste, the glowing fire stone warming the inkstone, the freshly ground ink steaming up a faint, clear fragrance.

The auspicious time arrived.

The envoys announced names, recited the treaty.

Heavenly messengers conveyed the gilded scroll, the bright red imperial seal especially conspicuous.

With each clause of the treaty recited, they looked toward the Northern Court, rechecking for accuracy.

Likewise, the Northern Court, with each clause recited, looked toward the Great Order, verifying no error.

Exchange.

Signing.

Sealing.

On the treaty, successive weighty names fell, including the "origin" of the matter, the key witness Prince Canghou E Qirui.

Thereafter, the martial sages from both sides signed their names.

The Huai King of the Great Order and the Eagle-Eyed Chuan Zha Na Yan of the Northern Court led the way down from their seats.

Receiving the wolf-hair brush from the attendant, Liang Xu glanced at the glittering golden scroll.

The Treaty of Yiwei Shuofang.

When I studied texts as a child, I always had to memorize various treaty names, corresponding signing times, impacts and contents, and below, another oil painting was to be pasted, each person's demeanor rendered in the painter's imagination, presenting the appropriate dramatic tension, all kinds of details —

The same great ship.

The same scene.

In a daze, the oil painting and reality overlapped.

"I am also able to participate in such national affairs — "

Took a deep breath.

Liang Qu, at the corresponding signing position, dragons flying and phoenixes dancing, signed his name, stamped the king's seal, then pricked his finger, smeared a red blood imprint, and handed it to the opposite Chuan Zha Na Yan.

Chuan Zha Na Yan held the scroll, glanced at Liang Qu, and performed the same action.

Emperor, generals, and ten martial sages all signed, the entire treaty completed, clearly just a scroll, yet the content it carried was unprecedentedly heavy, each person completing their task silently exhaled in relief, each tidying up, next would be announcing to the world, within the treaty's stipulated time, fulfilling its contents.

The Great Order and Northern Court peacefully negotiated, exchanged Shuofang Terrace City, friendly trade, the news like a tremendous stone smashing into the calm lake surface, stirring up great waves.

Whether Northern Court or Great Order soldiers, in streets and alleys, teahouses and wine shops, traveling merchants and porters, none failed to discuss this matter.

Thus.

From October — no, from midsummer July, beginning with the Southern Border Insect Valley Festival, a chain of events unfolded, lasting over half a year, on the surface drawing a complete period —

The most shocking aspect of this, none other than the Southern Border.

The Yi Fruit Exchange Fortress!

Flying swallows skimmed the sky.

The old tribal chief unfolded the letter, face solemn.

Although no longer the chief of the Nine Villages of the Southern Border, as a Great Manifest, and with the subordinates he had cultivated in the past, he still had many channels to obtain information quickly.

Especially the southern waterways of the Great Order, indirectly aiding information transmission, now the distance from the Treaty of Yiwei Shuofang

Signed, merely separated by three days.

"Grandfather, what is the Yi fruit? What is its use, that it can exchange for Shuofang Terrace City, letting the Great Order breathe easy.

Xie Hongyu stared in shock at the battle report in his hand.

"An old almanac from a hundred years ago, when you were not yet born." The old tribal chief handed over the letter, recounting the full origins involving the Great Qian, Great Order, and Northern Court, "With this Yi fruit, the Great Order unifying into one, counts as re-mastering the central Yi fruit of the Yellow Shahe, meaning extraordinary."

Xie Hongyu was no fool, his thoughts like lightning.

"The Great Order is copying your idea, also wanting to build its own Yellow Sand True Dragon?"

The old tribal chief nodded, leaning on his knees, eyes gazing into the distance.

"The sixty-year cycle approaches, the Yellow Shahe Dragon King will appear, this dragon king's nature is violent and hard to restrain, if controllable, it would equal the Great Order having one less enemy and one more friend, a decrease and an increase, doubling the number of peak soaring dragons, benefit not small, plus material production.

In contrast, Shuofang Terrace, the blood and qi city wall must be relocated and rebuilt, during which at least five soaring dragons cannot be easily moved, simultaneously requiring painstaking development, for the next decades, strategically very constrained, the benefit gained merely an opportunity to attack the Northern Court's abdomen."

"And the Golden Sea?"

"Most of the Golden Sea was originally under Great Order rule, rich in resources, yet unable to be fully fished, driving out the Northern Court, the Northern Court suffered huge losses, but the Great Order gained little.

The Heavenly Order's founding emperor was eager for expansion, but the current second emperor prefers internal construction, digging canals, building wonders, developing divine commandments, running martial academies — in matters of expanding territory, he is very conservative, which is also one of the reasons he could ascend the throne."

"This — "

Xie Hongyu speechless, gripping the letter, pressing out a crease, feeling an indescribable suffocation in his heart.

My grandfather painstakingly united the Nine Villages, gathered long qi, created a true dragon, yet the Huai King came once, efforts wasted, even using our Southern Border as a stepping stone, leaping to the Northern Court, wildly stirring and entangling to obtain the Yi fruit, to forge his own true dragon!

The key point is, Bai Yuan has already driven away the flood dragon in Huaijiang.

Bai Yuan and the Prince of Huai wear the same pants, sharing hardships and growing together; the Prince of Huai also shares a bed with the Holy Emperor.

Especially the Prince of Huai's background: he studied under Yang Dongxiong of the Western Army, Yang Dongxiong being a sworn brother of Xu Wenchu, whose father is a duke, a founding general greatly trusted by the Holy Emperor.

When the Prince of Huai was still obscure, the Holy Emperor personally appointed him, granting him an official post starting from the eighth rank, promoting him with one hand; the value and trust between them were extraordinarily high.

After all, isn't it just Bai Yuan and the Emperor of Dashun wearing the same underpants?

Among the world's few great rivers, two lie within Dashun's borders, fully regulated by Dashun, unleashing potential simply unimaginable.

Which dynasty, which era, has ever seen such a golden age of prosperity?

"A good opportunity." The old tribal chief suddenly spoke.

"Grandfather?" Xie Hongyu did not understand.

"The Great Khan of Bei Ting is considered a notable figure; he holds the Yi fruit in his hand, merely an ordinary small position fruit, but for Dashun it is different—taking it out can exchange for greater benefits. Likewise, when Dashun obtains the Yi fruit, it will first exert great effort to govern the Huangsha River, with no leisure to attend to others, and the more Dashun mobilizes masses to govern the Huangsha River, the more restless our Nine Villages will become."

Xie Hongyu faintly realized: "Grandfather means————when the great ones of Nine Villages see Dashun mobilizing troops, will they grow envious?"

The old tribal chief nodded: "Especially the first three villages, which recently gained benefits from Dashun and jointly denounced Bei Ting; in truth, they fear most being annexed by Dashun.

Whether I can rise again is uncertain, but if we two stir the waters and fan the flames, Dashun's move will force the new tribal chief to yield under pressure, continue executing the True Dragon Plan, produce long qi, and condense the position fruit.

Furthermore, Dashun is too powerful; previously, we and Bei Ting neither wished to be the first to act, now we cannot avoid joining forces, for the Great Khan of Bei Ting has seen this clearly."

Xie Hongyu held his breath and focused, feeling helpless, resenting iron for not becoming steel.

If the flood dragon still existed and the Guimu Sect were not destroyed, when the Blue Lake of the Snow Mountain draws in the魅fruit, Nanjiang and Bei Ting could early ally; Dashun would still be unable to resist.

Alas, wishful thinking—everyone wants to be the mantis catching the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind; now times have changed, once Dashun regulates the two rivers, they cannot avoid joining forces.

Humans are just such a thing.

Everyone knows such development is bad, everyone knows it should be stopped, yet the worst thing happens under everyone's gaze.

All transfers were completed on the Jinhai Sea.

Part of the boats dispersed from both sides of the tower ship.

In the Shuofang Terrace, He Ningyuan halted dismantling the Blood-Soaked Great Wall; the laborers who toiled hard all winter withdrew in order.

By late March, soldiers and civilians had much discussion; fortunately, He Ningyuan had prepared in advance, administered preventive shots, plus timely court supplies, distributed military pay and rewards, preventing the clamor from spreading.

—

Under Liang Qu's guidance, He Ningyuan additionally organized several temporary outdoor free screenings, showing《Saving the Martial Master Wang Two》, which enabled sudden enlightenment, using enlightenment as a gimmick to draw people in; after viewing, the effect was excellent.

During this period, Yang Xu and Du Zhu captured Bei Ting spies coming to copy this cloth shadow; they originally wanted to arrest them, but following Liang Qu's suggestion, released them to return.

Twenty-third day.

The frozen lower half of the Wunan River King's corpse, together with the diseased tiger carcass in Liang Qu's hand, were placed into a coffin, brought by E Qirui to the tower ship together.

The cold wind was piercing, the hidden wounds chilling to the bone.

He was truly dead.

The Eight Beasts of Bei Ting, Haru Khan and several others, even the dismissed Batu Mengke, stood by the roadside, silently gazing at Suhe Baru, intense sorrow and grief rising in their hearts.

The Wunan River King's residence was razed to the ground, the diseased tiger missing, the upper master had no news, the reply from the Lotus Sect was equally vague; everyone knew the diseased tiger was very likely dead, yet could not help clinging to the last sliver of hope.

What if it was merely wounded and missing, or injured and captured?

That was the diseased tiger, chief of the Eight Beasts.

E Qirui stood with arms crossed, watching coldly, sneering repeatedly.

The supremely strong need not anger to exude might; the supremely great need not speak to command respect. Bei Ting, Nanjiang, dwelling in remote barbarous lands, narrow in territory and weak in strength—yet they awe at the majesty of the Celestial Dynasty, tremble before the sharpness of the royal army, like fireflies before sun and moon, ants before Mount Tai!

Comparing themselves to bears, tigers, wolves—willing to let human ethics fall to beastly conduct————

He had memorized backward the article written by the Prince of Huai.

What are these petty Eight Beasts, compared to Dashun's profound words and righteousness, citing classics to substantiate their rank?

Do these Bei Ting barbarians even know what the two characters "Cang Yue" mean?

The Eight Beasts felt ill at ease under E Qirui's gaze full of contempt, disdaining traitors, too lazy to bother, leading two corpses away swiftly from the tower ship.

The small boat shuttled, bumping onto land.

The bear beast personally carried the coffin.

After walking several steps, he let several monks halt in the snow.

The leading rooster-crowned monk, palms together: "Master Angji greets you all; the remains of the Diseased Tiger Sir, entrust them to us."

The bear beast frowned.

Formerly, it was precisely the Lotus Sect master who said divination revealed danger, could be prevented, yet brought Suhe Baru, losing his life; if Suhe Baru were present, could the Shuofang Terrace be broken? Still unknown.

Suddenly demanding the Diseased Tiger's remains, entirely without goodwill.

The bear beast spoke harshly: "The Diseased Tiger is a hero of Bei Ting; why send him to the Lotus Sect?"

"This is the Great Khan's command." The rooster-crowned monk drew a scroll from his sleeve.

The bear beast fell silent.

After a long while.

The ice coffin landed on the ground.

The Lotus Sect monks carried away the Diseased Tiger's corpse, gradually vanishing into the wind and snow.

The group stood in the snow, long hair gradually dusted with snowflakes, at a loss.

Only Batu Mengke's eyes flashed, fixed on the monk's back, suddenly speaking: "Everyone, do you remember the Guimu Sect?"

The crowd puzzled, turned their heads.

Batu Mengke explained: "Rumor has it the Guimu Sect has a ritual that can make the dead return to life, precisely devised by the eighth-generation Lotus Dharma Master of the Great Snow Mountain————"

"You mean————" The bear beast's expression changed.

"Guess."

The Eight Beasts' faces showed delight.

Could it be————Su Hebalu still has a chance?

"It's finally going to end."

Liang Qu cradled Su Hebalu's soul in his palm, confirmed there were no changes, and stuffed it back into Ze Guo.

The new Creation Great Medicine is already on the way; this time it is a finished Creation Great Pill, the main ingredient is a superior Creation Great Medicine, supplemented by a portion of inferior Creation Great Medicine, worth a full three Unparalleled Merits, plus other Great Medicines worth one hundred Great Merits, extremely precious, refining began in the first month and took ninety-nine eighty-one days to complete.

The governance of Yellow Sand is also not taking office immediately.

This idle period in between is just right for a trip into the Dream Dynasty.

The next Most Critical Priority.

Obtain the Yi Fruit.

Exchange time confirmed.

Qintianjian's Lan Jicai specially took the water route, rushing to Shuofangtai to divine fortune and misfortune.

This is the most dangerous moment in the entire transaction process; the Wu Sheng holding the Position Fruit has soaring combat power, and with equal numbers, it is extremely dangerous.

Likewise, the Northern Court is also unwilling to let the Great Shun take the Position Fruit in equal exchange; otherwise, once exchanged away, it would be two Position Fruits against zero Position Fruits.

Likewise, the Northern Court was also unwilling to let Great Shun receive a Position Fruit on equal terms; otherwise, the exchange would amount to two Position Fruits for none.

Under mutual deep distrust, the final result could only be both sides dispatching several Entering Zhen Xiang to make contact, with Martial Saints watching from hundreds of li away.

This heavy responsibility falls squarely on Yang Xu's head!

Whether it's the "Eye Consciousness Method", "Ear Consciousness Method", or the Reverberating Long Breath, all make Master Yang Xu an indispensable member of the contact team.

"Can't you not go?" Madam Xu tried to keep him.

"It's fine, Mother, it just sounds dangerous; if the Northern Court uses the Position Fruit to seize the opportunity to attack, that's tearing up the agreement, Shuofangtai didn't give it to them, just to kill two Entering Zhen Xiang, it's not worth it, they wouldn't be that stupid." Yang Xu replied.

"Rest assured, I'll be watching; if Big Brother doesn't come back, I won't come back either." Liang Qu put his arm around Yang Xu's shoulder.

"Spouting nonsense all day, neither of you coming back — where do you think you're going?" Madam Xu feigned anger, "Hurry up and come rinse your mouths!"

"Rinse mouths for what?" Liang Qu was puzzled.

"To dispel bad luck! Drink!"

Liang Qu and Yang Xu were pulled along to rinse a pot of tea, then pushed out the door by Madam Xu: "Hurry up and go, hurry up and go, if you two aren't back within two hours, just you wait!"

Liang Qu and Yang Xu were pulled along to rinse down a whole pot of tea, then shoved out the door by Lady Xu: "Hurry up and go, hurry up and go — if you two aren't back within two hours, just you wait!"

"One hour, can't you fly?"

"Alright alright, I'll fly, I'll fly."

On the Flowing Gold Sea, crushed ice collided.

The Wu Sheng scale from the signing day gathered once more, the world's eyes fixed upon it.

In Lingnan, King Chong sensed the movements, fully focused, guarding against a sneak attack from the Southern Frontier.

In Lingnan, King Chong sensed the movements, fully focused, guarding against a sneak attack from the Southern Frontier.

The little Mirage Dragon massaged the old toad's back and squeezed its shoulders.

"Respected, great, and capable Frog Lord, is this handover reliable?"

The old toad held a watermelon in its palm and let out a huge, satisfied burp.

The old toad cupped a watermelon in his palms and let out a huge, satisfied burp.

"Reliable!"

Cold wind bleak.

A lone boat, a mere few people.

The Bear Beast held a dark jade square chest the size of a chest with both hands level, approaching slowly. The chest was low and squat, perfectly stable, with a thick lid; within the jade quality, amid reflected skylight, it displayed countless fine, leaf-vein-like water patterns.

He Ningyuan led men away from the formation, also stepping onto a flat boat, facing the Bear Beast face to face, the two gazing at each other, and received this dark jade square chest worth a whole Shuofangtai!

He Ningyuan led his people away from the group, also stepping onto a small boat, facing the bear beast directly, their eyes meeting, and he received this jade square vessel worth a Shuofang Terrace!