Tianlong felt helpless again. He glanced at Liu Shinian, seeing that his complexion was still good, and felt relieved.
He didn't want to stay here, being an obstacle between the two, so he said,
"Since you're fine, I'll be going back."
Liu Shinian looked up slightly, surprised, and said,
"So soon?"
Tianlong smiled helplessly and sighed,
"Alas, I can't stay here and disturb someone, can I?"
As he spoke, he glanced slightly at Yueyao.
Yueyao turned her head and stuck out her tongue at him. He shook his head helplessly and simply said,
"I'm leaving."
Then he walked out without looking back.
After Tianlong left, the entire room became quiet, as if even the faint sound of falling leaves could be heard clearly.
Liu Shinian looked at Yueyao, seeing the faint blush on her fair face, like the peach blossoms outside the wall, beautiful and captivating.
He suddenly smiled, and his smile, like a delicate flower, landed in Yueyao's heart.
Liu Shinian saw that it was late and thought that she had accompanied him for a long time, so he said,
"Yueyao, it's late. Go back and sleep. I'm fine."
Yueyao disagreed, saying,
"Brother Liu just took some medicine. If something happens again with no one around, what will you do?"
Liu Shinian smiled wryly, sensing that she treated him like a child, and said,
"Don't worry, I'm fine. It's you that I worry about. If anything happens to you, how will I explain it to the clan leader?"
Speaking of the clan leader, Yueyao's face flushed slightly. She shyly turned her head away and smiled shyly,
"Who wants you to explain?"
Liu Shinian was slightly stunned and followed her gaze.
"What are you saying? Who doesn't want me to explain?"
Yueyao turned back, her face full of shyness. When he noticed, her shyness intensified. She stood up, covered her face, and walked around the table.
As she walked, she said,
"Oh, it's just, it's just that I don't want you to explain! What is there to explain? I haven't even explained myself."
Liu Shinian looked at her with even greater confusion, his eyes full of disbelief.
Seeing his confusion, Yueyao could no longer bear her shyness. She stamped her foot slightly and said,
"You sleep. I'm going back to sleep."
Then she left without looking back and returned to her residence.
Liu Shinian watched Yueyao's retreating figure, finding her endearing.
He slowly came back to his senses, lay on the bed, and stared blankly at the ceiling.
A gentle breeze blew, and his thoughts surged. He sighed in his heart with a sense of daze.
"If Yueyao knew what kind of person I am, would she still be like this?
If only in Muye..."
He smiled bitterly, shook his head slightly, and then thought of another person.
"Xue Ji... She must be very lonely down there..."
Thinking of this, his heart ached again. In just a hundred years, he had lost so much.
No matter how optimistic and cheerful he had been in the past, now he was only half a person. Whenever he closed his eyes, he felt he was no longer himself, as if he had already died.
"Shinian..."
Whenever he thought this way, he would unconsciously recall Muye's call, which brought back half of his soul.
...
The next day, Tianlong was summoned by the clan leader. Several people were already waiting for him in the large hall of the backyard.
As Tianlong entered the hall, he saw the clan leader and three protectors.
He quickly walked forward, bowed, and then asked,
"Clan leader, is there something urgent?"
This was the first time Tianlong had seen the clan leader so serious. He guessed it might be about Liu Shinian.
The clan leader stood up from the main seat and slowly walked to his side. The clan leader knew that Tianlong had been close to Liu Shinian in the past two days.
He thought that if he shared some things with him, he might be able to offer different opinions.
"This Liu Shinian is representing the Ghost Tribe to cooperate with our Mermaid Tribe.
They want us to join forces with them to attack the Four Cities. I've been thinking about it for days and still have no clear idea."
The clan leader didn't say everything, wanting to see how Tianlong viewed the matter.
Tianlong had already learned about this matter and had some thoughts in his mind. He said,
"Ever since the Dragon Tribe was annihilated, the Four Cities have been competing with us for the maritime rights of the Wangwang Sea.
In their eyes, they already consider us and the Ghost Tribe as one. They are only hesitant to fight due to the vastness of the sea and land.
Even so, once they have destroyed the Ghost Tribe, we will become their thorns in the flesh, and a battle will be inevitable sooner or later."
Tianlong's analysis was clear and logical. The clan leader's thoughts were also along these lines. He nodded slightly and agreed,
"You are right. I have also considered this matter, but I am unsure whether to cooperate with the Ghost Tribe."
Seeing the clan leader's hesitation but also his foresight, Wangyuan, one of the four protectors on the left, suggested,
"Clan leader, why don't we summon the sea ministers from each tribe to decide this matter together?"
"I think this is the only way. Issue an order to summon the sea ministers from each tribe to Penglai."
"Yes."
Wangyuan received the order and hurried to deliver the message.
The clan leader turned back and waved his hand, signaling them to leave.
Within three days, the sea ministers from each tribe had gathered on Penglai Island. In the Penglai Grand Hall, people filled both sides.
The maid Miaoyun heard the news and immediately rushed to Liu Shinian's residence to report.
"Princess, Young Master Liu, good news, good news!"
She ran so fast that she almost fell. Yueyao heard the shouts and rushed out of the house.
She saw Miaoyun running towards her, almost colliding with her, but luckily she stopped in time.
"What is it?"
Yueyao quickly stopped her.
Miaoyun took a breath to calm herself and then blurted out,
"Princess, Princess, great news! The clan leader has summoned everyone to the Penglai Grand Hall to discuss Young Master Liu's matter."
Yueyao couldn't believe it. She had watched her father do nothing for the past few days and thought that Liu Shinian's matter would not be resolved.
Now it seemed that her observation was too superficial.
She immediately returned to her room to tell Liu Shinian about it.
"Brother Liu, your matter finally has a breakthrough. My father and the others have convened a general meeting to discuss your matter, and a result will be reached soon."
Liu Shinian was overjoyed and sat up straight, asking,
"Really?"
"Yes, Miaoyun saw it with her own eyes."
At this moment, Miaoyun also walked in, excitedly saying,
"It's true, it's true! They are in the Penglai Grand Hall right now."
"That's wonderful."
Liu Shinian felt a great sense of relief. After waiting for so many days, there was finally a result. Having been away from Black Mountain for so long, he missed Black Mountain's fine wine.
Meanwhile, in the Penglai Grand Hall, everyone was waiting anxiously. At this moment, the clan leader, surrounded by the four protectors, walked from the back of the hall to the front.
He sat on the Penglai Immortal Throne, took out the letter brought by Liu Shinian, and handed it to Qingyuan, one of the four protectors, to pass it down for everyone to see.
It turned out that he had not burned the letter that night, but wanted to see what kind of people were in Black Mountain through Liu Shinian.
Upon seeing the letter, everyone became restless and began to discuss.
"King of Ten Thousand Ghosts? Wasn't the King of Ten Thousand Ghosts dead long ago?"
"The border guards said he has been resurrected and is currently fighting against the Four Cities."
"What do they want us for?"
"I guess they want us to attack the Four Cities with them."
Hearing the chatter from below, which was quite noisy,
The clan leader tapped his staff, and the crowd immediately fell silent. He stood up and said solemnly,
"The Ghost Tribe has sent an envoy. The letter you saw is from the King of Ten Thousand Ghosts.
They now want to join forces with us and jointly dispatch troops to attack the Four Cities."
As soon as he finished speaking, a minister from the Western Sea's Western Mermaid Tribe stood up and objected,
"Our Mermaid Tribe has been at peace for thousands of years and does not know much about outsiders. How can we cooperate just like that?"
Everyone thought it made sense, but some supported it. Bu Bu Li, the minister of the Eastern Sea's Bu Bu Li Mermaid Tribe, who sat in the third position on the right, had a different opinion.
"This is an opportunity for us. The Four Cities have been at odds with us for more than a day.
I believe a battle is inevitable sooner or later. It would be better to cooperate with the Ghost Tribe to conquer the Four Cities, thus eliminating a major threat and gaining land cities."
Some people waved their hands, while others nodded. There were still significant disagreements.
At this moment, the minister of the Ya Mei Mermaid Tribe, sitting in the middle on the left, closest to Penglai Island, proposed,
"Why don't we meet the envoy and hear what he has to say?"
Everyone thought it was feasible, and the clan leader also agreed. Tianlong volunteered,
"Clan leader, I'll go and call him."
The clan leader nodded in agreement.
Tianlong went through the back door and arrived at Liu Shinian's residence. As soon as he entered, he saw Liu Shinian, Princess Yueyao, and a group of maids. He didn't know when they had arrived.
At this time, Liu Shinian was already dressed and looked much more energetic than the previous two days.
Liu Shinian also knew that this meeting would not be complete without his appearance.
"Are you alright?"
Tianlong asked with some concern.
Liu Shinian stretched his arm and said with a smile,
"Much better, I'm fine."
But he was still a little worried.
"Facing so many Mermaid Tribe ministers this time, do you have confidence?"
"Don't worry, I've waited long enough for this day."
Seeing the confident expression on Liu Shinian's face, Tianlong was no longer worried. He patted his shoulder and said,
"As long as you are confident, don't worry. Say what you need to say."
Liu Shinian nodded as if accepting his advice.
"Then let's go."
With that, Tianlong led him out of the room. Yueyao and the maids followed behind them, coming to cheer Liu Shinian on with full confidence.
Upon arriving at the Penglai Grand Hall, Liu Shinian was immediately surrounded by suspicious glances as soon as he appeared.
Yueyao and the other maids could not enter and could only hide behind the back door to peek.
When everyone saw Liu Shinian, they felt that he was dignified, impressive, and had the spirit of a determined young man, which made them have a good impression of Black Mountain.
Liu Shinian first paid his respects to the clan leader and then to all the ministers.
"Envoy of Black Mountain, Liu Shinian, pays his respects to the clan leader and all the Mermaid Tribe ministers."
Then he explained his purpose.
"I am here this time, primarily on the orders of the King of Ten Thousand Ghosts, to discuss an alliance with the clan leader and all the ministers."
Upon hearing this, the minister of the Southern Sea's Luota Mermaid Tribe stood up and reprimanded,
"Isn't this King of Ten Thousand Ghosts too insincere? Sending you alone seems to not take us seriously."
Liu Shinian knew he was deliberately making things difficult, but he calmly and clearly explained,
"The Mermaid Tribe has had little contact with the mainland, and few people know where Penglai Island is, let alone have seen the Mermaid Tribe leader.
The Ghost King sent me, firstly, to make it easier to find the Mermaid Tribe, and secondly, to avoid the eyes and ears of the Four Cities and prevent unnecessary risks to the Mermaid Tribe."
Everyone was very satisfied after hearing this, nodding and praising him. Yueyao and the maids, who were secretly peeking from behind the screen, also praised Liu Shinian silently.
When discussing cooperation, it was natural to discuss benefits. The minister of the Eastern Sea's Duoduo Island's Li Ya'er Mermaid Tribe raised this difficult question.
"Since we are to cooperate, there must be a benefit. After the matter is accomplished, what will become of our Mermaid Tribe?"
This question hit the mark. Liu Shinian's expression was calm. He recalled that before he left, Muye had not told him what benefits to offer the Mermaid Tribe.
Now that he was asked, he could only improvise.
"The Ghost King said that after conquering the Four Cities, the Western Purple Kingdom will be given to the Mermaid Tribe, and the Mermaid Tribe can go ashore forever, free from the hardship of seclusion."
The Western Purple Kingdom was vast and rich in resources, comparable to two Dongyue Towns. With this as a selling point, the Mermaid Tribe could not help but be tempted.
Everyone also thought it was good and nodded in agreement. Seeing that everyone was satisfied, the clan leader also felt satisfied.
So he said,
"Does anyone else have any objections?"
Everyone remained silent, implicitly agreeing. Seeing this, the clan leader understood everyone's thoughts and said,
"Since no one objects, it is decided to cooperate with the Ghost Tribe to jointly attack the Four Cities."
Then, a chorus of voices rose from below.
"We will abide by the clan leader's decision."
Liu Shinian's slightly worried heart was also released at this moment. The burden of negotiating the cooperation was finally lifted.
After everyone dispersed, the clan leader called Liu Shinian back and asked him,
"Since the matter has been decided, when will Young Master Liu return to Black Mountain?"
"I will return tomorrow."
Yueyao and the maids, who had been hiding behind the screen, rushed out upon hearing this and asked him with reluctance,
"Are you really leaving so soon?"
"Can you stay a few more days?"
Everyone was reluctant to see Liu Shinian go.
Liu Shinian shook his head helplessly and said,
"No, I must return quickly to deliver this good news to the Ghost King."
Everyone looked disappointed and stood aside dejectedly.
The clan leader said,
"In that case, I will write a letter for you to take back to the King of Ten Thousand Ghosts tomorrow."
Liu Shinian quickly cupped his hands in thanks,
"Thank you, clan leader."
The clan leader waved his hand, signaling them to leave, and everyone then withdrew.
After Liu Shinian left the grand hall, Mu Han, one of the four protectors of the Penglai Grand Hall, had already been waiting for a long time. He stepped forward and called out to Liu Shinian.
"Since you are leaving tomorrow, why don't you have a drink with us tonight? I admire your courage and boldness."
Liu Shinian smiled slightly,
"I am nothing. If you were to meet our Ghost King, you would surely like her too."
"You say that, and I really want to meet her."
"There will be opportunities."
"Let's have a drink together tonight."
"Alright."
After making the arrangement, he left first. Liu Shinian then returned to his residence.
However, this matter finally had a good ending.
His heart was already eager to bring this news back to Black Mountain, back to Muye.
Upon returning to the courtyard, he gazed into the distance, and the direction he looked was that of Black Mountain.