From afar, soldiers looked on, a bit surprised by what they saw, yet still engrossed.
The sky was blue, the clouds white, humans harmonious, everything so peaceful, not a trace of war's cruelty left.
Hua Man Lou was a luxurious restaurant in Dan Feng Kingdom. Due to the war, there weren't many people inside. Only a few individuals ate hurriedly, paid, and left. When Qing Yao and Yin Xuan's group arrived at Hua Man Lou, the establishment was deserted. Only an elderly proprietor and a waiter stood at the entrance, gazing down the deserted street.
Upon seeing their figures, they were astonished. However, with guests arriving, they were delighted and quickly stepped forward.
"Are the honored guests here to dine or for lodging?"
The waiter, looking at the tall Yin Xuan, blushed slightly. Such a handsome man was truly a rare sight. This was Dan Feng Kingdom, where men rarely went out, preferring to be kept in seclusion. Hence, the waiter was immediately struck by Yin Xuan's divine beauty. However, a man upstairs was also not bad, as refined as elegant bamboo, appearing gentle and cultured.
"Someone arranged to meet us here. Have they not arrived?"
As soon as Qing Yao finished speaking, the waiter immediately recalled the upstairs guest's instructions and respectfully replied, "Yes, yes, a guest is waiting for you in the private room. May I ask if the honored guest's surname is Mu?"
Qing Yao nodded. The waiter immediately turned respectfully and led them upstairs.
The hall was very quiet, with no one present. This was the cruelty of war; many had fled. However, they had already posted notices, urging the citizens to return home, and believed people would soon come back. This place would once again be bustling, but for now, it was still deserted.
Their footsteps echoed. In a private room by the window on the second floor, a refined man was quietly sipping tea. He had a slender and well-proportioned figure, elegant bearing, and refined features, clearly a distinguished individual.
Outside the private room door, the waiter's voice rang out, "Honored guests, I have brought them."
"Come in," a gentle voice replied. Mo Chou reached out and pushed the door open. Inside the small private room, a man sat comfortably, drinking tea. Behind him stood a poker-faced personal subordinate. Hearing the movement by the door, he cast a cold glance over, then casually averted his gaze, continuing to stare at the empty air.
As Qing Yao entered, she saw the man by the table sipping tea. It was Shangguan Hao. The man exuded an aura of peace and tranquility, calmly drinking his tea as if he were just a harmless scholar among the common people. However, Qing Yao knew what a treacherous person he truly was.
"You've arrived?" Shangguan Hao looked up, gazing at the woman entering from the door, her beauty elegant and graceful. Such a woman, blending into a crowd, would at most be considered a beauty. Who would have thought she was the Grand Marshal who had annihilated the Dan Feng Kingdom? This showed how sharp her mind was. Could such a person be kept?
The corners of Shangguan Hao's lips curved into a warm smile, his gaze exceptionally gentle as he looked at Mu Qing Yao. He also glanced at Mo Chou and another man behind her. A fleeting glint of coldness appeared in his eyes. Standing rigidly by the door, he emanated an aura that could not be underestimated. Who was this man? Could he be Yin Xuan, a man of unfathomable depth? Where did he come from, and for what purpose?
Ignoring Shangguan Hao, Qing Yao directly led Yin Xuan and Mo Chou to sit opposite Shangguan Hao and looked up, speaking coldly.
"You asked me to meet you here. For what purpose?"
"I invited you to discuss joining forces."
As soon as he finished speaking, Qing Yao let out a mocking laugh. "This is truly a good joke. Why should we join forces with you? You should be worried about your own country, not trying to form an alliance with me?"
Qing Yao's piercing gaze fixed on him, her words silencing Shangguan Hao. He was choked with anger and stunned. He hadn't expected this woman to have no intention of negotiation, her demeanor supremely disdainful, as if conquering Wan He Kingdom was a trivial matter she was determined to achieve.
"You? Our Wan He Kingdom's strength is no less than your Xian Yue's. If we join forces, wouldn't you have a greater chance of victory?"
Shangguan Hao suppressed his temper with great effort. This woman was not easy to deal with. He still hoped to stall them. Currently, Wan He Kingdom was attacking Yue Rang Kingdom. In a few more days, they would conquer it. By then, Wan He Kingdom's territory would expand, its military strength would increase, and there would be nothing to fear. What he feared most was a sudden move from them, which would leave them vulnerable from both front and rear, and Wan He Kingdom could truly perish.
"But why are you so kindly offering to help us?"
Qing Yao retorted. Could he be helping them without any motive? She suspected there was another agenda. Firstly, he wanted to gain benefits from them, and secondly, to delay them. Once they conquered Yue Rang Kingdom, they could focus entirely on attacking them. If he then allied with Qing Luo Kingdom and Yun Cang Kingdom, it would be their Xian Yue that would truly suffer. She would never give him such an opportunity.
"Once the world is won, we can divide it equally. Two countries are better than seven."
Shangguan Hao stated matter-of-factly, as if this were the most normal thing in the world. Qing Yao suddenly burst into laughter, unrestrainedly, completely disregarding Shangguan Hao's expression. His subordinates instantly drew their swords, glaring angrily. Shangguan Hao's expression shifted several times. Finally, with a gesture, he signaled his subordinates to sheathe their swords. He took a deep breath, finally adjusting himself to his usual gentle demeanor, and said faintly, "The Marshal disagrees?"
Qing Yao abruptly stopped laughing, her expression serious and her tone earnest. "I disagree. If it were someone else today, I, Mu Qing Yao, might consider it. But spare me. From the night you broke into Mu Residence, you have been no different than scum in my heart. Therefore, I will never join forces with scum."
As Qing Yao finished speaking, she stood up. Shangguan Hao, opposite her, finally lost his composure, his face changing, and he shouted, "Do you think you can leave?"
"What's there to prevent us from leaving? With just the two of you, I can't leave?"
Qing Yao had come prepared and was not afraid of him. She coldly eyed Shangguan Hao, realizing this man's intellect was truly lacking. Although he was under the tutelage of Elder Chi Xia, had he truly learned anything? She doubted it. If she hadn't been fully prepared, would she have come? Moreover, the reason she had come was simply to capture all of them in one go.
"The two of us?"
Shangguan Hao sneered. With a sweep of his hand, he opened the private room door. A large number of subordinates surged in from the entrance, arranging themselves in neat rows in the hall, staring coldly at the stairway.
Seeing the scene before her, Qing Yao's lips curved into a sinister smile. She suddenly let out a clear whistle. Immediately, countless figures poured out from outside the hall entrance, clashing with the people downstairs in the blink of an eye.