Over the years of war between the Wei Kingdom and Yan Kingdom, who knows how many promissory notes they had written to New Xia. Among these, more than two-thirds had specified repayment deadlines, and now New Xia was demanding payment for the remaining third.
Even though it was only a third, it still amounted to an astronomical figure. Not only was the Wei Kingdom unlikely to repay it, but even if they could, they would immediately be reduced to abject poverty.
Pulling the firewood from under the cauldron—had this woman turned hostile so abruptly?
What infuriated Xiao Yan most was that the small border nation of Luo Yue had also interfered, harassing Wei Kingdom’s northeastern border. There was a small gap in the national defense there, which New Xia had seized upon—
With Xiao Yan’s discernment, he could clearly see that Luo Yue’s incursion was instigated by New Xia.
Yun Ya didn’t respond, merely giving him a glance with cold eyes.
The anger in his eyes resembled a brewing storm, the kind that carried hailstones. Xiao Yan was startled by this look and lowered his voice: “Ahem, that’s not what I meant.”
Yun Ya’s voice was cool: “She is no longer An’an, but the Demon King.” He then recounted all the events that had transpired in Yingshui City.
Xiao Yan listened without missing a word. After a long silence, he finally awoke as if from a dream: “Ah, so you’re not the Demon King?”
Was this fellow focusing on the wrong point? “I am not.”
“This is disastrous.” Xiao Yan pressed his forehead. “The current military situation is already at a critical juncture. We cannot afford to have New Xia dragging us down.”
“Given the current depth of our advance, I fear we won’t be able to conquer Yan Kingdom within two years,” Yun Ya said, the anger fading from his eyes. “Even if New Xia doesn’t intervene.”
No one understood Wei Kingdom’s current predicament better than these two. Years ago, when the Yan Kingdom launched its northern campaign, it easily attacked the Wei Kingdom’s southern regions. However, the further north they advanced, the more difficult it became. By the time they had conquered the central regions, their progress had become painfully slow, almost at a standstill. At that time, no brilliant strategy could make a ripple, let alone change the course of the war. If Yun Ya hadn’t coincidentally had his will compromised by the Demon King’s projection, leaving no one to coordinate Wei Kingdom’s elemental forces, the Yan forces would have struggled to advance further.
Ultimately, there was only one reason: the supply lines had been stretched too long.
This led to insufficient supplies, blocked communication channels, and the predicament of being surrounded by enemies on all sides when deep in hostile territory.
Now the tables had turned, and all these problems, without exception, had fallen upon the Wei army. After all, they had now penetrated the central regions of Yan Kingdom.
Since the national strength and military power of both countries had no qualitative difference, it was destined that this war would not be as swift and decisive as when the Yan Kingdom conquered the Xi Kingdom.
Under these circumstances, Feng Miaojun’s decision to cut off supplies to the Wei Kingdom was adding frost to the snow.
Xiao Yan also knew how precarious the situation was: “The Demon King has taken over the Queen of New Xia, and stopping supplies is just the first step. It will likely find an excuse to intervene in the war.” He looked pitifully at Yun Ya. “Don’t you have any way to deal with her?”
Yun Ya remained silent for a long time before uttering a single word:
“Yes.”
Xiao Yan’s spirits lifted, but then he heard Yun Ya’s voice grow solemn: “However, this method is dangerous, with unpredictable consequences. Afterward, I’m afraid I won’t be able to continue accompanying Great Wei on its path.”
Xiao Yan rose abruptly, his expression changing: “What do you mean? How confident are you?”
“Against the Demon King, no one can be confident.” Yet Yun Ya smiled, walking to the table to pour two cups of wine. He handed one to Xiao Yan. “I once said I would help the Xiao family contend for the world. When Minister Xiao first took power, the Wei Kingdom was just a small border state. Yet now it has conquered eight countries, subdued forty-one Pan countries, and looking across the northern and southern continents, only Yan and Xia remain worthy opponents. I have fulfilled my promise.”
“I know, you haven’t broken your word.” Xiao Yan exhaled heavily, his brows nearly forming the character of ‘river.’ “Is there no other, safer method? We can take our time with the Demon King. Doesn’t the Queen of New Xia have any sensible people under her? We could find them to join forces and…”
Yun Ya’s agreement with the Xiao family was only to help the Wei Kingdom “contend for” rather than “unify” the world. A man like him would never make absolute promises, and Xiao Yan, as a ruler, understood that while men propose, heaven disposes.
Even with Yun Ya’s full support, no one could guarantee that the Wei Kingdom would ultimately claim the world.
Yun Ya lowered his head, seeing his reflection in the wine cup, as well as the determination in his eyes: “This time, it’s a necessary move.”
Interrupted before he could finish, Xiao Yan opened and closed his mouth like a fish, ultimately unable to say anything more.
Having been both a teacher and friend for many years, he had come to understand Yun Ya’s temperament. This man appeared unrestrained, but his heart was as firm as bedrock. Once he decided to do something, not even ten horses could pull him back.
Xiao Yan had also seen the portrait of Emperor Li of Hao Li and knew that Yun Ya was of the Hao Li royal bloodline. So there was an old score to settle between him and the Demon King. This matter involved national grudges and personal vendettas, and Xiao Yan had neither the standing nor the means to oppose it.
Even as a monarch, he once again experienced a sense of powerlessness.
Xiao Yan sighed deeply, accepted the cup, and toasted with him: “Be careful.”
“After this matter, you must take care of yourself.” Yun Ya drained his cup in one gulp, laughed heartily, and turned to leave.
There was no one else in the garden, and Xiao Yan felt that the jade-like figure had a certain loneliness about it. At that moment, the autumn breeze was refreshing, and a cassia flower floated down with the wind, landing steadily on Yun Ya’s broad shoulders, accompanying him there.
Xiao Yan remained motionless, watching his silhouette disappear beyond the distant wall before sitting down to personally write two documents.
The first was addressed to the Queen of New Xia, stating that the Wei Kingdom would gather funds and repay the debt as soon as possible.
The wording and tone were very gentle, even somewhat sincere. Even the Demon King who had usurped the Queen of New Xia’s throne could find no fault with it.
The second was a document to appease the Kingdom of Luo Yue. The so-called “appeasement” was essentially paying Luo Yue to behave itself for a winter. For the Wei Kingdom, whose treasury was already depleted, this was adding frost to snow.
However, it had to be done.
Previously, he wouldn’t have taken such a small country seriously, but now it was like a bone stuck in the throat—if not handled properly, it could lead to disaster.
For Wei Kingdom, Yun Ya, needed to find ways to buy more time.
Yun Ya returned to his lodgings, dismissed everyone around him, and set up a barrier. Only then did he take out an object from his storage ring?
Simple in design with a long handle, it was just a mirror.
If Feng Miaojun were here, she would recognize it as the Water Moon Mirror she had obtained from Yu Wa. However, Yun Ya had taken it back while she was asleep and dreaming.
He examined the mirror repeatedly, pondering for a long time as if making up his mind. Finally, he lightly tapped around the frame, infusing a bit of spiritual power.
The mirror’s surface flickered with faint light, soon rippling like water.
After a while, the ripples subsided, and the image in the mirror became clear again, but it was no longer Yun Ya himself:
A square face, thick eyebrows, and tiger-like eyes, imposing without even showing anger.