"Why is this?"
Jiao Chen stood atop a wave tens of feet high, looking down at Shuangchen Pass and smiling, "The demon race's two hundred thousand iron cavalry are marching south, their swords pointed directly at Qinghu Pass. This is the reason. Our Marshal Lin dislikes being coerced and even more dislikes his own backyard catching fire."
"Our Marshal Lin?"
Cao Yan gritted his teeth, "Ancestor Jiao Chen, you, the dignified lord of the East Sea, are you also bowing and scraping to the human race? Don't forget, the Flood Dragon race is also a branch of the demon race. Why are you defecting to the human race's domain?"
"A branch?"
Jiao Chen narrowed his eyes and smiled, "For thousands of years, swordsmen of the human race's Upper Five Realms have treated the East Sea like a neighborhood. They come and go as they please. Have the people from Zushan ever managed us? Since that's the case, I, Jiao Chen, naturally have to consider a retreat for the descendants of the Flood Dragon race. Moreover, as a branch of the demon race, our Flood Dragon race is only attacking Nishang Heaven, not overstepping into the demon realm itself!"
"Jiao Chen!"
The Demon Emperor trembled with rage, "You insist on being used by Lin Baiyi, is that right?"
"What do you mean 'used'?"
Jiao Chen frowned, "The Flood Dragon race has its own interests. I am simply thinking of the long-term stability of the Flood Dragon race and the East Sea."
Saying this, Jiao Chen slammed his palm heavily downwards. With a mighty "boom," a great cultivator of the fourteenth realm unleashed his divine ability. The heavens and earth shook, and a stream of golden ripples spread out, filled with the rich maritime fortunes of the East Sea. Jiao Chen looked at the group of mountain cultivators of the demon race and said calmly, "Immediately send orders for the two hundred thousand demon cavalry at Qinghu Pass to retreat and obediently remain in Nishang Heaven. If even one person or one horse from your side moves south or west, the waters of the East Sea will no longer recognize you."
"..."
Su Chan clenched his fists, trembling with rage, but was utterly helpless.
"Marshal."
The Demon Emperor frowned and transmitted his voice, "What should we do now?"
Su Chan transmitted back, "Your Majesty, this is clearly another contingency plan left by Lin Zhao. When he dared to lead the human race's army north to attack the demon race, he had already made thorough preparations. If we persist in moving south or west at this time, Nishang Heaven will likely become an ocean. Our densely populated cities are all near Dongshan. Once the East Sea waters overflow Dongshan, the lifeblood of Nishang Heaven will be cut off."
The Demon Emperor said calmly, "The Marshal means... we are to withdraw our troops?"
"Yes."
Su Chan said, "We just received a message by flying fish. Ghost Emperor Tan Xin has already led eighty thousand ghost troops north, fighting side-by-side with Lin Baiyi, attacking the demon realm from the east and west. The tide has turned. Even if we sacrifice fifty thousand divine race troops now, we cannot reverse the situation. Moreover, the human race's forces on the mountains have already gained the upper hand. If we go, I fear even Your Majesty may not be able to escape."
"..."
The Demon Emperor pondered in silence and said, "Marshal, have you considered what to do afterwards? After the human race annihilates the demon race, will we in Nishang Heaven be their next target?"
"Not necessarily."
Su Chan's eyes held a deep luster as he transmitted, "Your Majesty, consider this: although Lin Baiyi is the Grand Marshal of the human race's three armies, he is not the Human Emperor. What meaning would conquering all the heavens hold for him? Once the Great Shang Dynasty controls most of the world, will the royal families still continue to worship Lin Baiyi? I doubt it. If I were Lin Baiyi, I might as well leave Nishang Heaven as a check and balance. On one hand, there's no need to pursue them to the bitter end; on the other hand, it serves as a warning to the Great Shang Dynasty, telling them not to overstep their bounds."
"These matters..."
The Demon Emperor frowned, "Should we inform Lin Baiyi first?"
"Mm."
Su Chan nodded and smiled, "Didn't His Majesty say last time he met Lin Baiyi that if our divine race had any thoughts, we should send an envoy to see him? Since that's the case, I am willing to serve as the envoy and go to the demon realm alone to meet Lin Baiyi on the battlefield and convey our wishes in Nishang Heaven."
"Good."
The Demon Emperor nodded, "The honor and disgrace of Nishang Heaven rest on the Marshal's words. Please, Marshal, strive to gain as much as possible for Nishang Heaven, lest our divine race's citizens can only live under others' thumbs for the next few hundred years."
Su Chan said meaningfully, "Your Majesty, under the overwhelming tide, the citizens of our divine race are destined to live under others' thumbs for the next few hundred years. Please bear with it for now."
"Understood. You may go. Regarding all major affairs in Nishang Heaven, the Marshal has the final say."
"Yes!"
At Shuangchen Pass, the Demon Emperor set up a tea table, brewed a pot of tea, and then rose, cupping his fist towards Jiao Chen with a smile, "Marshal Su has already gone to the demon realm to see Lin Zhao. If Daoist Jiao Chen doesn't mind, you are welcome to have a cup of tea here at the pass."
"In that case, it would be rude to refuse."
Jiao Chen retracted his Dharma form, instantly transforming into an old man in a grey long gown who floated down onto the city pass. A thick demonic aura emanated from him. Outside the pass, two Flood Dragons of the twelfth realm followed, one of whom was the twelfth realm swordswoman Yun Wu.
...
In the demon realm, Tuozi Lin.
The armies of the human and ghost races advanced northward. Especially the human forces, while their cavalry charged, spirit vessels deployed in the air, their cannons aimed directly north. A series of "boom, boom, boom" cannonades continuously erupted, causing mushroom clouds of fire to rise in the forests, bombarding the demon race's army into utter chaos and despair.
Lin Zhao stood atop a high mountain east of Tuozi Lin, overlooking the entire battlefield. Beside him, Huang Tingyu, Wu Zhi, Tang Guangjun, Yu Wanling, and others stood guard, not rushing to act. After all, the battlefield below was currently for ordinary troops, and it was not particularly necessary for them to intervene. The true places requiring action would likely be the demon race's ancestral mountain and ancestral land.
At this moment, a brilliant light approached from the east, carrying a powerful aura – a martial artist of the Rebirth realm.
Su Chan, the Grand Marshal of Nishang Heaven, clad in armor, with a sword at his waist.
His Rebirth realm was forged through rigorous training and tempering, making it quite stable. However, as those on the mountaintop looked over, Yu Wanling curled her lips. She was confident she could defeat Su Chan within fifty moves. In Yu Wanling's eyes, Su Chan's Rebirth realm was only slightly stronger than paper, perhaps not even as strong as Chu Yu's Rebirth realm back then.
"Nishang Heaven, Su Chan, requests an audience with Marshal Lin!"
From a considerable distance, Su Chan stopped in the wind, cupping his fists respectfully.
Lin Zhao nodded, "Marshal Su, speak closer."
"Thank you!"
Su Chan floated over. Huang Tingyu, Wu Zhi, and Tang Guangjun, the three great sword immortals of the thirteenth realm, had eyes filled with ill intent, looking as though they might draw their swords at any moment. This made Su Chan somewhat uneasy. On the other side, Tong Yu, Zhang Luobai, and Zhuang Yirong also did not have pleasant expressions. In short, among the human race, Nishang Heaven's reputation was certainly not good.
Further away, a breathtakingly beautiful immortal in Taoist robes, holding a little girl's hand, was admiring the scenery by a cliff. When her gaze fell upon the Taoist nun, Su Chan's eyes stung, and he immediately averted his gaze, not daring to look. This was a true master of the Great Dao, someone a mere Rebirth realm cultivator like him could not possibly fathom.
"Marshal Su, please sit."
Lin Zhao took out a table and chairs from his storage bag, set down a pot of tea, and sat opposite Su Chan, as an equal. He smiled and said, "Marshal Su, you are here as an envoy, aren't you? If I'm not mistaken, Jiao Chen and the East Sea Flood Dragons have already reached the eastern border of Nishang Heaven."
"Indeed."
Su Chan sighed, "Marshal Lin's calculations are divine. You have accounted for everything. Su Chan and Nishang Heaven willingly concede defeat. This trip is precisely to discuss matters after the great war with Marshal Lin."
"Oh?"
Lin Zhao narrowed his eyes and smiled, "So, Nishang Heaven has decided to retreat, and you have come to discuss the specifics with me?"
"Something like that."
Su Chan frowned, "Marshal Lin wishes to pacify the demon realm. This... Nishang Heaven can remain indifferent. Now, there are not many who would dare to block this tide. As for how Marshal Lin will deal with Nishang Heaven after conquering the demon realm, please give us a clear answer, so I may report back to His Majesty."
Lin Zhao smiled, "As Marshal Su is the envoy, you should speak."
"Very well, then I shall presume to speak out of turn."
Su Chan nodded and said, "In Su Chan's view, the demon race and the human race are ancient enemies, but our divine race and the human race are not. Every time we marched south, we were instigated and coerced by the demon race. Nishang Heaven can watch Marshal Lin conquer the demon realm, but after conquering it, we hope that the divine race and the human race can re-establish a good relationship and form an alliance of mutual progress. This would be best for the people of both races, and the lower realm could usher in a true era of peace and prosperity."
He frowned and continued, "We shall demarcate our territories by Qinghu Pass. The land north of Qinghu Pass belongs to Nishang Heaven, and the vast territory to the south will all belong to the human race. Furthermore, we will maintain the boundary between the divine race and the demon race. Nishang Heaven seeks no expansion, only the preservation of its territory. In addition, we are willing to pay fifty thousand Jin Zi coins annually to the human race. What does Marshal Lin think?"
"Unacceptable."
Lin Zhao shook his head and smiled, "Marshal Su, don't forget, you are the one who came to seek peace with me, or to put it more politely, to negotiate peace. And now, the initiative is with me. Nishang Heaven wants to march south, and I won't stop you. You can try to get past Lin Ruo and Jiao Chen first."
"This..."
Su Chan's brows furrowed deeply, "Marshal, please state your thoughts directly."
"Good."
Lin Zhao said slowly, "Firstly, one of the conditions for the human race not to destroy the demon race after the war is that Nishang Heaven must become a vassal of the human race. That is to say, Nishang Heaven will no longer be an independent dynasty. You must send Princess Ming Yu to Baidi City as a hostage. Secondly, Nishang Heaven is not allowed to maintain an army. Your existing iron cavalry must all move south and be incorporated into the Great Shang Dynasty's army. Each city in Nishang Heaven can only retain a patrol force of no more than two thousand men."
He looked at Su Chan and smiled, "Finally, you will pay one hundred thousand Jin Zi coins annually to the human race. Not a single one less."
Su Chan's face turned ashen, "Is there no room for negotiation?"
"No."
Lin Zhao shook his head and smiled, "Go back and report to the Demon Emperor. If he is willing to agree, then so be it. If he is not willing, then wait for me to lead my army to destroy you, just as we destroyed the demon race. The grievances of thousands of years should finally be resolved."