Page 466
In order to show sincerity, the Sun-Moon Empire did not send too many troops, and the soldiers who came were all in formal attire and did not carry weapons.
The place where the two armies met was open and was a relatively flat area in the Mingdou Mountains.
Lord White Tiger quickly scanned the surroundings, and his sharp vision took in the entire mountain scene. There was no suitable shelter for an ambush, and the ground was flat and open. The Sun-Moon Empire was unlikely and had no conditions to launch an ambush.
"Are they really here to negotiate?"
Since the other party came to meet him with courtesy, Duke White Tiger should naturally treat them with courtesy as well.
The meeting place was close to the territory of the Star Luo Empire. On their home turf, even if the Sun Moon Empire wanted to launch a sneak attack, Duke White Tiger was confident that he could prevent the other side from taking advantage.
Marshal Tian slightly turned sideways and made a gesture of invitation.
"These are the envoys appointed by His Majesty himself."
Before Marshal Tian finished his introduction, Duke Baihu was already stunned.
The person standing in the center of the Sun and Moon delegation was the figure he had only briefly seen a few months ago and had never seen again.
"Yuhao?"
Why is he here?
Duke White Tiger recognized Huo Yuhao immediately, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, and his expression changed suddenly.
Not only did the Duke of White Tiger's expression change, but many of White Tiger's personal soldiers also changed their expressions and subconsciously tightened their weapons.
They had practiced for a long time before this, and if they found anything abnormal about Duke White Tiger, they could launch an attack at any time.
Duke Baihu's complicated tone was filled with confusion and bewilderment: "Yuhao, why are you here?"
He didn't expect that the long-separated father and son would reunite in this way.
Why is Huo Yuhao here?
Did he betray Xing Luo and join Ri Yue?
Or did he act as a lobbyist, using his eloquence to convince the Sun and Moon Emperor to agree to put aside the dispute?
Huo Yuhao clearly sensed the change in the mood around him. He stepped forward, saluted, and slowly said, “Hello, Marshal Baihu. I am the chief ambassador of the Sun Moon Mission. I represent Sun Moon to bring peace and development to the Xing Luo Empire.”
Duke Baihu quickly regained his composure: "Can you promise that what the Sun-Moon Empire said about peaceful coexistence is true?"
Old Du immediately gestured to the people around him, and the White Tiger guards resumed their respectful posture.
Huo Yuhao spoke in a firm tone, without the slightest hint of lying. He smiled and said, “Of course it’s true. I brought the order of the Sun-Moon Emperor. I represent the Sun-Moon Emperor.”
"My words are the words of the Sun and Moon Emperor."
(End of this chapter)
Chapter 467: Mission to Xingluo
The news that the Sun and Moon delegation had arrived at the border of Xingluo and was heading towards the capital reached Xingluo City ahead of the delegation, causing quite a shock to the imperial palace.
From the Xingluo Emperor Xu Jiawei to all the civil and military officials in the court, no one could believe that the peaceful diplomatic request made by Sun and Moon was actually true.
Since the Soul Master Competition ended and the participating teams from the three countries successfully escaped from Mingdu, almost all of Xingluo's intelligence personnel who stayed in Mingdu have also withdrawn. In the past few months, Xingluo can be said to have known almost nothing about Mingdu.
They had just learned of the death of the old Emperor Sun and Moon not long ago, and believed that Xu Tianran would take over the imperial power as expected, collude with the Holy Spirit Church, and jointly plan a war.
But no one expected that Xu Tianran, who was the most powerful, lost the power struggle. The newly enthroned Emperor Sun and Moon was a staunch advocate of peace and even made history by sending a formal delegation to Xingluo for the first time.
At the Xingluo Palace, Xu Jiawei, who had just finished discussing with the ministers, came to the Queen's palace on his own initiative. Looking at this beautiful woman whom he regarded as a confidant, Xu Jiawei was able to speak freely.
"I didn't expect all of this to be true. This is not a conspiracy by the Sun and Moon Empire to cover up the war, nor is it a short-term ceasefire agreement. Instead, it is a complete commitment to peace during his reign."
Xu Jiawei still felt that everything around him was a little unreal, and only when he was in front of his beloved queen did he feel a sense of reality.
For four thousand years, although the huge Sun-Moon Empire lost the holy war, it is still a dormant dragon entrenched in the west of the Star Luo Empire, sharpening its claws from time to time in the Mingdou Mountains.
Its huge size was like a dangerous wall blocking the Star Luo Empire that could collapse at any time, forcing the Star Luo Empire to never let down its guard.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty. At least for the next few generations, Xingluo will not have to worry about the threat of war." The Queen was sincerely happy for Xu Jiawei.
"Yes, this is really the best news I have heard since I ascended the throne." The joy in Xu Jiawei's eyes did not last long, and turned into a trace of worry for a rainy day, "But who can guarantee that the new Sun and Moon Emperor's ideas will not change? Moreover, if after his death, the new Sun and Moon Emperor is a war advocate, it will only postpone the war for a few decades."
The Queen smiled and said, "Your Majesty, it is a good thing to be prepared for danger in times of peace, but worrying too much will only add to your troubles."
She advised slowly: "The Sun-Moon Empire's advantage lies in its soul guidance technology. Therefore, in the next few decades, Xing Luo must strengthen cooperation with the Sun-Moon Empire, share what they have, learn their advanced soul guidance technology, and narrow the gap between the two countries."
"By then, it won't be so easy for the Sun-Moon Empire to start a war again."
The queen's gentle and peaceful voice made Xu Jiawei very happy. He was relieved and laughed heartily: "Haha, that's right, this is a once-in-a-millennium opportunity for me. I will hold a grand banquet in the palace to entertain the envoys from the sun and the moon."
White Tiger Duke's Mansion.
"What did you say?"
A voice of surprise came from the mouth of a woman in luxurious clothes, and she looked at the servant in front of her who was reporting the news in disbelief.
She is the wife of Duke Baihu and the biological mother of the brothers Dai Huabin and Dai Yueheng.
"Yes, Madam, this is absolutely true. The Sun and Moon envoys have arrived at the border. Your Majesty will host a banquet in the Imperial Palace to entertain the Sun and Moon envoys."
The servant half-knelt on the ground and said with a fist clasped.
"Understood, you go down."
After the servant left, the Duchess sat on the armchair with joy in her eyes.
If the Sun-Moon Empire is willing to stop the war, it means that Dai Hao will no longer have to be stationed on the western border for years.
She stayed alone in the Duke's Mansion all year round, and usually went only to the palace or visited other nobles. She inevitably felt a little empty.
Fortunately, her eldest son Dai Yueheng graduated from Shrek Academy a few years ago. Although he is also serving in the army, he can come back to visit her from time to time. However, the Duchess still wants to accompany her beloved husband, Duke White Tiger, the most.
There were fewer battles on the Western Front, and she was finally able to fulfill her wish.
But soon, the Duchess thought of something and her expression changed slightly.
She is not only a duchess, but also a member of the Xingluo royal family.
The Duchess was born into a royal family, so she naturally knew what the royal family was thinking.
If there really is no more war in the future, can Duke White Tiger still hold on to such a high position with peace of mind?
During the Holy War four thousand years ago, the Xingguan Sect came into being and the White Tiger lineage abdicated. After the Xingluo Empire was handed over to the Xu family, the White Tiger lineage was still allowed to command the three armies because they were afraid of the threat from the Sun and Moon Empire.
If one day, the Sun-Moon Empire really chooses to coexist peacefully with the Star Luo Empire, how can the royal family continue to let the White Tiger lineage command the three armies?
Even if the Xu family didn't say anything, in the eyes of all the civil and military officials in the court, how could the Duke of White Tiger not be suspected of being too successful and a threat to the emperor?
Even if her generation still has a marriage relationship with the royal family, what about the generation of her two sons?
A series of questions kept flashing before her eyes, and a feeling of impatience grew in the Duchess's heart.
She was a person with a deep paranoia, just as she had once been so worried that a maid without soul power would threaten her position.
……
The news has already spread its wings and reached Xingluo City, while the Sun and Moon Envoys are still on their way to Xingluo City.
The Sun and Moon Envoys were escorted by the Duke of White Tiger and a team of White Tiger soldiers, and they were in no hurry to travel. Everyone rode on horse-like spirit beasts and advanced slowly along the official road, and would deliberately stay in some cities for half a day to a day when passing through.
Except for Huo Yuhao, the other members of this delegation were basically selected lords and officials of the Sun-Moon Empire. Several Xing Luo officials served as guides for them, carefully introducing the scenery or cities along the way.
These envoys from the Sun and the Moon were all visiting Xing Luo for the first time, and they had a strong interest in the urban landscape of the Xing Luo Empire.
At the front of the team, Huo Yuhao did not listen to the guide's explanation, nor did he need to listen. He rode his dragon-scale warhorse to lead the way. The White Tiger Duke's mount was his iconic white tiger colt, majestic, handsome and mighty, and rode side by side with Huo Yuhao's mount.
Huo Qiuer listened to the explanation absentmindedly, but her attention was always on Huo Yuhao and Duke White Tiger at the front of the team.
The warhorse under her was very energetic at first, but after setting off, it seemed to have caught a cold. It kept shivering all the way, and its neck kept lowering unconsciously. If Huo Qiuer hadn't pulled the reins from time to time, the horse might not even dare to stand up.
As they walked along the road, Huo Yuhao and Duke White Tiger did not say much, and there was an eerie silence between them.
Suddenly, Duke Baihu said, "Yuhao, I haven't seen you for so many years. You have grown up and I can't see through your strength."
It's like I don't know how to start the conversation and I have to work hard to find a topic.
Huo Yuhao replied calmly: “Yeah.”
Duke White Tiger added: "Not counting our hasty farewell last time, we haven't seen each other for more than five years."
Huo Yuhao took over the conversation softly and said, “Yes, it was exactly five years between the last competition and the last one.”
"Then if you calculate the time, you will almost be an adult."
"Yes."
The topic seemed to be opened up, and the two of them talked more and more.
Duke Baihu finally asked the most puzzling question: "Why are you in the Sun and Moon Mission, and are their chief ambassador?"
Huo Yuhao answered briefly: "While studying abroad at Sun Moon Academy, I met and got to know the reclusive Sun Moon New Emperor. He was a prince who was living abroad. Xu Tianran's father had launched a coup, killed his father and took over."
"I helped him to successfully take revenge and defeat Xu Tianran to regain the throne. To express his gratitude, he swore in the name of the sun and the moon after ascending the throne that he would never wage war against Xing Luo during his reign."
The version of the story that is currently circulating in the Sun-Moon Empire about how Huo Yuhao and the new emperor met is that the new emperor fled overseas and accidentally met the Beidi family. Huo Yuhao, the heir of the Beidi family, sneaked into the Sun-Moon Academy with the new emperor, waiting for revenge.
Finally, his hard work paid off. With the help of the Northern family, the new emperor regained the throne.
Several other versions of the story are roughly the same, with only slight differences in the timelines of the events. Therefore, Huo Yuhao himself also gained an awe-inspiring identity in the Sun-Moon Empire.
After saying this, Huo Yuhao lowered his head and fell silent, with an illusory dark figure appearing in his sight.
He Cai Tou, to be precise, Xu He.
He had assumed his identity, but had also taken on his consequences. He had kept his promise at the Poseidon Lake, helped him complete his revenge, and dealt with the main participants in the coup.
It sounds like a very fair deal, and there's no need to feel guilty about it.
Just like the greedy devil in a dark fairy tale, although the price of realizing his wish is expensive life and soul, once the deal is formed, he will always abide by the spirit of the contract and never betray it.
The generous angels and gods always selflessly send various rewards to kind people, but they also test their humanity over and over again. Once they find that they reveal the original sin inherent in human beings, they will not only take back the rewards, but also take away everything they originally had.
Huo Yuhao doesn’t want to see angels, but he doesn’t like devils either. He just wants to deal with people.
Whenever he thought of the once honest bald black guy, Huo Yuhao always felt extremely melancholy.
"I see." After hearing the explanation, Duke White Tiger nodded slightly without questioning.
It sounds like an understatement, but he believes that Huo Yuhao will face many difficulties alone in a foreign country.
"Sun Moon and my Xing Luo are sworn enemies. How could the new Sun Moon Emperor be willing to withstand such great resistance and coexist peacefully with Xing Luo?"