Ge Wenxuan’s heart stirred:

“Grand General, you mean…”

Qi Guangbo smiled:

“Attack the heart first!”

With these simple words, many of the astute figures present immediately understood Qi Guangbo’s thinking.

Initiating peace talks was meant to seize greater benefits without bloodshed.

Once the army finished reorganizing, secured Qingzhou’s territory, got provisions and military supplies in place, and the Imperial Preceptor refined Qingzhou’s fate energy, they would tear up the treaty and march north.

The ultimate goal remained unchanged, but they could further strengthen their power and expand their advantage.

Ji Xuan nodded slightly:

“Driving Great Feng to desperation would inevitably trigger a frenzied counterattack, causing heavy casualties for our army as well. A clever hunter knows when to leave an opening.”

“Without the Judiciary, the Great Feng court is panic-stricken. If we propose peace now, it’s like lifting a corner of the net, giving them hope and making them lose the courage to fight to the death.”

“Meanwhile, we can take the opportunity to seize benefits—demand money and provisions.”

Hearing his explanation, those generals who hadn’t understood immediately cast admiring looks at Qi Guangbo.

The saying goes that supreme warfare targets strategy. Leading an army was different from single combat—the latter only required unleashing violence, while the former was a technical endeavor.

While everyone was still immersed in the joy of eliminating the Judiciary and taking Qingzhou, the Grand General had already devised a clever plan based on the situation and psychology.

Following Qi Guangbo’s line of thought, Ge Wenxuan thought of more and sneered:

“Young Master Ji, money and provisions are certainly needed, but we can be even more ambitious. Great Feng is a little better than fish on a chopping block now. If they want to negotiate with us, how can they not pay a heavy price?”

“At a minimum, they should cede several provinces.”

The generals’ eyes lit up, but then someone frowned:

“Isn’t this forcing Great Feng into a corner? In my opinion, we should know when to stop—demanding money and provisions is enough. We can use Great Feng’s resources to recruit troops, then turn around and attack them.”

“If we’re too greedy, it’ll all be for nothing.”

This was the conservative approach.

Someone immediately objected: “The Judiciary is gone—whatever we say goes. Would the Great Feng court dare say ‘no’? Even if we demand the little emperor issue a self-reproaching edict, he wouldn’t dare refuse.”

This was the aggressive faction’s view.

Ji Xuan pondered:

“We must maintain proper balance. Pure greed will only backfire. Though Great Feng has lost the Judiciary, don’t forget—what about Xu Qi’an?”

He looked around at everyone, analyzing in a resonant tone:

“Zhao Shou has been out of office for years with no official position. He won’t die for Great Feng’s principles, and the same goes for Luo Yuheng. But Xu Qi’an bears the nation’s fate—if Great Feng falls, he must perish with it.”

“Therefore, he will certainly try to influence court affairs. His character bends but doesn’t break. If pushed too hard, he’ll only take desperate measures and perish together with us.”

“Of course, Yunzhou’s army taking control of the Central Plains is practically assured. He’s just a Third Grade warrior—he can’t make waves. But the Grand General’s peace talk strategy would certainly fall through.”

Ge Wenxuan seemed about to speak but stopped himself, mindful of Ji Xuan’s status.

Tap tap!

Qi Guangbo knocked on the table, interrupting the discussion, and smiled:

“Zisu, your vision is still somewhat shallow. You only see the power comparison between both sides, only see Xu Qi’an’s character.”

Ji Xuan lowered his head slightly:

“Please instruct me, Grand General.”

Qi Guangbo was his enlightening teacher.

Qi Guangbo spoke slowly:

“The young Yongxing Emperor excels at maintaining but lacks courage. For such a ruler, the Judiciary was his final backbone. With the Judiciary dead, do you think he will stake everything on fighting to the death, or accept our peace talks?”

“He’ll certainly choose to accept,” Ge Wenxuan smiled.

Qi Guangbo nodded and continued:

“Second are the court ministers. Wang Zhenwen is bedridden, Wei Yuan died at Jing Mountain City, and those remaining, whether corrupt or upright, all fall short. So in these peace talks, the only obstacle is Xu Qi’an.”

“But the little emperor’s interests differ from Xu Qi’an’s. For the little emperor, making peace can stabilize the situation—without war, he’s secure. At a minimum, it can bring a period of peace, letting Great Feng catch its breath.”

“But for Xu Qi’an, this means no hope of turning the tables. Therefore, these two will certainly grow apart.”

Zhuo Haoran stroked his chin:

“So Grand General’s plan kills two birds with one stone. If it succeeds, we get provisions and money and can force the court to cede territory without moving a single soldier. If it fails, we can still drive Xu Qi’an and the little emperor apart—if it causes some chaos, even better.”

If even a butcher like Zhuo Haoran understood, the others certainly could too.

Ji Xuan was convinced.

Qi Guangbo continued:

“That Xu Qi’an is a thorn in Hidden Dragon City’s side, a thorn in the Imperial Preceptor’s side. Previously he had Wei Yuan and the Judiciary’s protection, acting without restraint.”

“Now, we’ll let this renowned Xu Yinluo understand just how vast the heavens and seas are.”

Zhuo Haoran and other commanders laughed in agreement:

“Grand General speaks truly. Without the Judiciary and Wei Yuan, what is Xu Qi’an to dare challenge the Imperial Preceptor and Hidden Dragon City? He’s probably trembling like a quail right now.”

“Xu Qi’an just has a big reputation. In terms of cultivation, our Young Master Ji is also Third Grade.”

“Nothing special—perhaps the Imperial Preceptor won’t even need to act. Young Master Ji could slay him personally.”

“Turn him into a blood pill to advance Young Master Ji’s cultivation.”

The generals either cursed or roared with laughter.

Ji Xuan was silent for a moment before saying word by word:

“I want to see how Xu Qi’an handles himself. What can he use to turn the tables with just his Third-grade martial arts?”

He couldn’t wait to fly to the capital to see Xu Qi’an’s face full of unwilling helplessness.

Ge Wenxuan laughed:

“He can’t turn the tables. Even if he immediately advanced to Second Grade, he wouldn’t be a match for Teacher and the Galore Tree Bodhisattva, let alone in his sealed state.”

Ji Xuan immediately gave a cold laugh.

Qi Guangbo spoke again:

“After the victory celebration, immediately begin this plan. Make sure to spread the news—the more exaggerated the better. Whether the Imperial Preceptor can obtain several more provinces’ fate energy depends on this move. Wenxuan, visit the Imperial Preceptor later to ask his opinion on the specific details of the peace talks.”

With Yunzhou’s current military strength, demanding too much territory would be a burden. They also needed to consider the Imperial Preceptor’s current state and whether he could absorb so much territory.

Ge Wenxuan smiled: “Yes!”

…

Clear Cloud Mountain.

Zhao Shou, sitting quietly in the bamboo pavilion, suddenly opened his eyes and looked at the shadows under the table.

A shadow emerged and expanded, taking human form—it was Xu Qi’an.

“You’ve finally returned.”

Zhao Shou nodded.

“I just went to the Imperial Observatory but didn’t see the Judiciary, so I came here.”

Xu Qi’an acknowledged with a nod:

“Is the Judiciary truly dead or alive?”

Zhao Shou said: “As long as Great Feng doesn’t fall, the Judiciary won’t die. He must be sealed.”

The Confucian school understood the artificer system quite thoroughly, knowing some secrets others didn’t.

Though he had never believed the Judiciary would die, it wasn’t until hearing this answer that Xu Qi’an truly felt relieved. He asked:

“Did the Judiciary do this deliberately? Did he leave any contingencies?”

Zhao Shou thought for a moment:

“I don’t think so. If it were deliberate, I truly can’t think what would be worth him risking death and pushing Great Feng toward the abyss of destruction.”

“If he had known of this beforehand, he wouldn’t have fallen into the trap.”

Zhao Shou didn’t know about the First Generation’s contingencies and gave his analysis based on his insight.

The Judiciary truly fell this time… Xu Qi’an sighed.

When he learned that the First Generation Judiciary was the master of the great tomb the Chai family had guarded for generations, Xu Qi’an had been prepared.

Even if the Judiciary could glimpse the future, what if the First Generation had ways to counter him?

Every system had weaknesses, just as snakes have their vital points.

The Judiciary wasn’t a god.

Xu Qi’an told Zhao Shou about the Chai family matter.

“So that’s it…” Zhao Shou realized, pondering before saying:

“I think even if the Judiciary was caught off guard and captured due to a mistake, he must have considered such possibilities. Even ordinary people prepare for rain before it falls, let alone him.”

“However, without the Judiciary, Great Feng is already in grave danger.”

“Xu Qi’an, how will you handle this?”

Bearing the nation’s fate meant his destiny was bound to the court. If the nation fell, just as the Judiciary would die, so would Xu Qi’an.

Xu Qi’an said:

“That’s why I came to find you.”

Looking at the court, only this pillar of the Confucian system before him, a peak Third Grade Great Scholar, could discuss matters with him.

Zhao Shou pondered briefly:

“First, you must understand who the enemy is.”

Xu Qi’an answered:

“Xu Pingfeng, Black Lotus, Galore Tree, and White Emperor.”

Only after visiting the Imperial Observatory did he learn that after ending the transmission that day, Sun Xuanji had risked death to investigate and discover the White Emperor’s presence.

Zhao Shou immediately asked:

“Why would the White Emperor move against the Judiciary?”

Xu Qi’an thought for a moment:

“I suspect the Judiciary is the Gatekeeper…”

He immediately told Zhao Shou about the Gatekeeper’s secrets and the White Emperor’s identity as one of the Great Wilderness.

Zhao Shou was silent for a moment, couldn’t help pinching his brow, and sighed:

“Looking at it this way, it’s a fight to the death. Xu Qi’an, are you truly blessed by fate?”

I think you’re cursed with misfortune instead.

After the quip, Zhao Shou brought the topic back:

“There’s something I must tell you. Before the Judiciary went to battle, he borrowed my Confucian Sage’s Knife and Vice Sage’s Crown. He probably intended to follow Wei Yuan’s example and summon the Confucian Sage’s heroic spirit.”

Xu Qi’an’s pupils contracted slightly as he asked incredulously:

“If the Confucian Sage’s spirit fought, how could he lose?!”

Zhao Shou shook his head:

“The details are unknown, but you must be wary—there must have been a transcendent involved.”

A transcendent involved… Xu Qi’an repeated these words in his heart, suddenly feeling somewhat desperate.

If Yunzhou had transcendent backing, how could they fight? Even if he followed Wei Yuan and the Judiciary’s example, letting the Confucian Sage appear a third time, at most it would be a desperate last stand, meaningless.

Seeing him silent with a rigid expression, Zhao Shou shook his head slightly.

The person under the most pressure now wasn’t Yongxing on the dragon throne, wasn’t the royal clan, wasn’t Yang Gong defending the borders, but this renowned young man before him.

He was Great Feng’s only backbone now.

“Let me share my views for your consideration.”

Zhao Shou knocked on the table, bringing the dazed Xu Qi’an back to his senses:

“First: You must compensate for the deficiency in extraordinary combat power.”

“That White Emperor and Galore Tree are both First Grade or have combat power comparable to First Grade. Xu Pingfeng is a peak Second Grade artificer, and after refining Qingzhou’s fate energy, his power will rise further. Then there’s Black Lotus.”

“Second: Become a chess player.”

“Xu Qi’an, if you want to survive this catastrophe, to let Great Feng survive, strive to become a chess player. Generals are easy to find, but strategists are rare. You’re not content to always be a chess piece for Xu Pingfeng and the Judiciary, right?”

“Third: Address Great Feng’s provisions problem, have a stable foundation to support your game against Xu Pingfeng.”

“If the court collapses, no matter how hard you try, no matter how much your cultivation increases, it will be useless. Always remember, Great Feng is your foundation.”

“Fourth: Revive Wei Yuan.”

“Why did Xu Pingfeng only dare rebel after Wei Yuan’s death? During Wei Yuan’s time in court, whether Buddhism, Yunzhou, or the Shaman Religion, none dared move rashly. The Shaman Religion had to stake everything to help their god break the seal, but what was the result? They lost more than they gained.”

“Wei Yuan’s terror wasn’t in his combat power. He was a rare strategic genius seen once in a thousand years. In wisdom and strategy, Xu Pingfeng couldn’t match him. In leading armies and warfare, Xu Pingfeng was even further behind.”

“If he returns to life, I dare not say Great Feng would certainly win, but at least we wouldn’t be in such dire straits.”

“Easier said than done.” Xu Qi’an gave a bitter laugh.

Of these four points, anyone was as difficult as ascending to heaven.

First was extraordinary combat power. Currently, only Luo Yuheng had hope of entering First Grade.

But one wasn’t enough.

Just White Emperor and Galore Tree, two First Grade experts, could sweep away all of Great Feng’s extraordinary combat power. And cultivation couldn’t be rushed—it was impossible to catch up in the short term.

Moreover, the White Emperor certainly had greater schemes and might be hiding his true strength.

Second, becoming a chess player.

This was perhaps the most feasible point. Though Xu Pingfeng had fatherly love, his filial self wasn’t afraid of him. When it came to using his mind, Xu Qi’an truly hadn’t feared anyone. However, in the past year and more, he had constantly been manipulated like a chess piece by the Judiciary and Xu Pingfeng.

But he had been too weak then, starting from nothing. Who hadn’t been played with by the powerful when they were weak?

Then, the problem of the provision.

Unsolvable!

If Great Feng had money and provisions, they wouldn’t have fallen to this state. If even the Judiciary couldn’t solve it, what could he do? The world’s most unsolvable problem—poverty!

Even immortals would be helpless.

Finally, reviving Lord Wei.

The soul-summoning banner to revive Lord Wei had its main materials gathered, but still lacked the final piece. He should ask Minister Song later how to find that thing… Xu Qi’an rose to take his leave:

“I won’t disturb the Principal further.”

He bowed and walked out of the bamboo pavilion.

Just as he stepped outside, the familiar heart palpitation came.

In the Book of Earth chat group, Li Miaozhen transmitted:

[Two: Recently people everywhere have been spreading news that Qingzhou has fallen and the Judiciary was killed. Are the Yunzhou rebels at their last gasp, using such base methods?”

“Though these tricks are indeed extremely effective—the common people have always been most foolish.]

While various factions in the capital had been anxious and unsettled for several days, Li Miaozhen had only just received the news.

After all, she didn’t have a developed intelligence network, and those in the know—Xu Qi’an and Huaiqing—truly hadn’t had the heart for chat transmissions these past few days.

Her message was half complaint, half seeking confirmation.