Chapter 1800: Chapter 1785: Terms of the Deal
In the Donglai Pavilion within the Luoyi Imperial Palace of Great Zhou, Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long looked at the Shadow Capture Jade Slip handed over by Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu, and his brows gradually furrowed into a "川" shape.
"Wud Qing, is this... true?"
With a casual swipe, the shadow within the Jade Slip seemed to project itself around the Donglai Pavilion.
It appeared to be a valley full of towering trees, where shadows of a bizarre array of Demon Clan warriors were gathered.
In the center of these Demon Clan warriors, there was a Vortex Light Gate, three meters high and ten meters wide, into which countless Demon Clan warriors were swarming.
After stepping into the Vortex Light Gate, the Demon Clan warriors disappeared into thin air.
Almost every breath saw nearly a thousand Demon Clan warriors rush into the Vortex Light Gate and vanish, and within fewer than a hundred breaths, the shadows of the Demon Clan within the valley disappeared without a trace.
"Your Majesty, according to Xio Qiangu, this scene was discovered by a Heavenly Patrol Divine Hunter under his West Patrol during a search. Being alone, he dared not startle the enemy, so after notifying nearby colleagues, he first captured the shadow for observation.
Unfortunately, by the time his colleagues arrived, those hundred thousand Demon Clan warriors had already vanished completely through the Vortex Light Gate." Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu replied.
"Wud Qing, do you trust this Shadow Capture Jade Slip? What is your opinion?" Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long tapped the imperial desk and asked.
"Your Majesty, this is... hard to say."
The matter left Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu uncertain, "Xio Qiangu intends to use this shadow to prove that the hundred-thousand Demon Clan warriors have left, but currently, it can only be said that the authenticity is questionable."
"Questionable authenticity? How so?" Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long inquired.
"Your Majesty, first of all, this is just a captured shadow. From the shadow, we can barely make out that the Vortex Light Gate might be an entrance to a small world, where nearly a hundred thousand Demon Clan warriors are scrambling to leave through this entrance.
However, the information we can decipher is limited and doesn’t allow more judgment. Moreover, only one Heavenly Patrol Divine Hunter captured the shadow.
More importantly, at the last moment, the Heavenly Patrol Divine Hunter who sneaked in was discovered by the Demon Clan Commander and was cut down.
The Shadow Capture Jade Slip was also picked up by colleagues who arrived after receiving Talisman Communication.
From this perspective, apart from the shadow itself, it’s impossible to prove the shadow’s authenticity.
On the other hand, shadows on such a scale are very difficult to fake, as even top Dao Realm experts’ illusion techniques couldn’t reach this level.
Moreover, fundamentally, Xio Qiangu from the West Patrol wouldn’t dare and couldn’t afford to fabricate this.
Now, with the evidence that the hundred-thousand Demon Clan warriors have left, if they hadn’t really left and appear again to cause harm after some days, then even if Xio Qiangu holds the esteemed position of West Patrol, he would face the consequences." Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu explained.
Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long’s eyes moved, "So, Wud Qing, you have a favorable view of this Shadow Capture Jade Slip?"
"Pretty much." Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu nodded slightly, "Your Majesty, this matter has persisted till now, public opinion is boiling, dissatisfaction is widespread, and the Military Department is overwhelmed. We must have a resolution."
"We must have a resolution..."
After pondering for several breaths, Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long suddenly nodded, "In that case, send this Shadow Capture Jade Slip to the Left Minister’s residence and let the Left Minister proclaim it to the world. Also notify all relevant offices."
"Yes, I accept the order." Wu Yu nodded.
"This matter is secondary. This time, for the newly appointed Third and Seventh Route Wind Patrol Envoys, make sure to pay close attention and ensure they successfully take charge.
If they also manage to get a foothold like Ye Zhen in the West Patrol, then a third of the West Patrol will be under my control.
In the future, even when reckoning with the Xio Clan, we would have some confidence."
At this point, Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long paused, "To ensure no lapses, Wud Qing, you might secretly send a couple of Void Hunting Kings to keep an eye on them.
This would prevent Xio Qiangu from harming them."
"I understand, Your Majesty. I will certainly fulfill your instructions." With that, Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu took his leave.
After Wu Yu’s departure, Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long continued to excitedly ready his fists, "As long as the Third and Seventh Route Wind Patrol Envoys successfully take charge and fully control these two patrol routes, then counting Ye Zhen, after allowing them to develop well for dozens of years.
In my lifetime, perhaps I could rid the Xio Clan, this troublesome plague, benefiting my Ji Clan descendants."
"Great Attendant, including Ye Zhen’s Wind Patrol Envoy route, carefully watch these three Wind Patrol Envoys with your subordinates. If Xio Qiangu makes any movement, quickly find a way to inform them." Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long added.
"Yes, I obey the command."
With the dissemination of the Shadow Capture Jade Slip, along with the distribution of documents from the Military Department, Ministry of Justice, Heavenly Patrol Department, and all states and offices, the furor surrounding the invasion by the hundred-thousand Demon Clan army temporarily came to an end.
Troops stationed everywhere and personnel searching could finally breathe a sigh of relief and rest.
Some fell asleep on the spot, and others fell ill immediately, showing just how significant the impact of this incident was.
The state of war readiness and travel restrictions in Pingzhou, Weizhou, and neighboring states were immediately lifted, allowing for normal travel and commerce.
Meanwhile, the Human-Demon Battlefield, which had been calm for tens of thousands of years, reverted to peace. However, given this lesson, the Grand Marshal, Prince Ji Yuan, had ordered a simple defensive line to be constructed at the rear of the Human-Demon Battlefield to prevent similar incidents from happening again.
It must be said, watching the hundred-thousand Demon Clan army invade and leave safely after annihilating two county towns, was a disgrace to all departments of Great Zhou.
Especially the Heavenly Patrol Department, its face nearly swollen from slaps, not to mention the numerous memorials like snowflakes impeaching Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu’s West Patrol Officer Xi Qiangu.
Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long couldn’t yet deal with Xi Qiangu, but taking advantage of this momentum, he gave Xi Qiangu a harsh reprimand.
A verbal admonishment every two days, and an imperial decree scolding every three days, made Xi Qiangu furious while sulking the entire West Patrol Office.
However, compared to the West Patrol, Ye Zhen was more relaxed here, even joyful.
Without a doubt, the Shadow Capture Jade Slip Xi Qiangu submitted to end this matter originated from Ye Zhen.
After Ye Zhen and Xi Qiangu agreed on the trade terms, Ye Zhen would provide the corresponding evidence to conclude this major event he personally orchestrated.
But to let the fifty thousand Demon Soul Army roam around again, Ye Zhen truly didn’t have the courage.
Ye Zhen could guarantee that if his fifty thousand Demon Soul Army dared to show up, they’d be annihilated immediately.
Does he really think the Great Zhou Dynasty is that harmless?
A few Void Hunting Kings and Dao Realm experts could easily wipe them out.
Unable to showcase them, Ye Zhen still needed to offer Xi Qiangu evidence to resolve the matter.
Ultimately, Ye Zhen resorted to using the Mirage Dragon Primordial Spirit Achou.
This fellow’s Illusion Technique was Grandmaster level, combined with the Origin Mirage Qi of the Ancient Mirage Dragon, Dao Realm experts couldn’t see through it, let alone the Spirit Shadow in the Shadow Capture Jade Slip.
Thus, Ye Zhen chose a location, applied the Misty Formation outside, shrouding it in thick fog, while Achou exhibited the Illusion Technique inside. Ye Zhen personally recorded that Shadow Capture Jade Slip.
Afterward, Ye Zhen handed the Shadow Capture Jade Slip to Xi Qiangu.
Ye Zhen’s explanation was also elaborate, claiming that a Heavenly Patrol Divine Hunter under his command accidentally ventured into a mountain recording the Spirit Shadow.
Avoiding Xi Qiangu secretly using tricks to leave a handle against him.
As for how to patch it up, how to fabricate the narrative, that was Xi Qiangu’s problem, whereas Ye Zhen obtained what he desired, just waiting to receive it.
"Liuu Feng, how are your preparations?" Ye Zhen summoned Liuu Feng inquiring.
"Reporting to the lord, everything is ready; we can set off anytime," Liuu Feng replied.
Nodding, Ye Zhen produced a Seal along with a Jade Scroll and handed them to Liuu Feng, "From now on, I appoint you as the Deputy Envoy of the Heavenly Patrol Department’s West Patrol Second Road Wind Patrol Envoy to Marquisate Haiyuan."
Upon hearing this, Liuu Feng knelt on one knee, receiving the Seal from Ye Zhen’s hand, "I will not fail the lord’s trust."
Nodding his head, Ye Zhen helped Liuu Feng up, "This is the list of hidden guards in Marquisate Haiyuan of the West Patrol. You may use it as needed.
In Marquisate Haiyuan, feel free to act boldly.
But remember, the first task is to ensure the Ancient Teleportation Array of Marquisate Haiyuan is firmly controlled.
The Teleportation Token of Marquisate Haiyuan’s Ancient Teleportation Array must be entrusted to trustworthy individuals."
"Rest assured, my lord."
A few breaths later, Liuu Feng led one-third of the Second Road Wind Patrol Envoy’s forces, along with ten thousand elite soldiers meticulously selected from Heijun County, heading to Marquisate Haiyuan.
And the jurisdiction inspection rights over Marquisate Haiyuan were Ye Zhen’s trade terms proposed to West Patrol Officer Xi Qiangu.
Speaking of this jurisdiction inspection right, one must discuss the current situation of Ye Zhen’s Second Road Wind Patrol Envoy.
Originally, the jurisdiction region of the West Patrol Second Road Wind Patrol Envoy encompassed four states.
But after the previous Wind Patrol Envoy died by Ye Zhen’s hand, and Ye Zhen was forcibly appointed by Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long as the West Patrol Second Road Wind Patrol Envoy, changes occurred.
Regarding Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long’s imperial decree, Xi Qiangu had no choice but could play with the details.
Upon Ye Zhen’s initial appointment, Xi Qiangu claimed the Second Road Wind Patrol Envoy required rebuilding due to lack of manpower, reducing the jurisdiction from four states to one.
Only the department in Lingzhou with jurisdiction over Heijun County.
This effectively cut the Second Road Wind Patrol Envoy’s influence and strength by over seventy percent.
Yet, in that situation, the Ren Venerate Emperor merely wished to place a nail in the West Patrol, not caring about such details.
Under Ye Zhen’s command, there indeed weren’t many available hands; even Liuu Feng and Gu Tieqi were abducted from Luoyi Imperial Capital, mere big cats and small cats, just a few.
Only governing one state then, one state it would be; after all, it wasn’t a lucrative position.
Originally, Ye Zhen didn’t care, but as the Second Road Wind Patrol Envoy and Heijun County developed and grew, Ye Zhen’s expansion became necessary.
Especially the jurisdiction rights over Marquisate Haiyuan, Ye Zhen had a compelling reason to acquire them.
