Chapter 9: Haotian Seeks Peace

  Before long, Yang Tian chased Luo Ming to a forest outside the city. The rising sun shone through the leaves, casting beams of light and creating a dappled glow. The mist in the forest was slightly thick, but it couldn't block the freshness of the air. The nearby birds were frightened into silence by the approaching people, while the distant birds continued to sing happily.

  Looking at Luo Ming three zhang away with his back to him, Yang Tian clasped his fists and bowed slightly, saying loudly: "Luo senior's magnanimity is boundless, I don't know what teachings you have for me?" Regardless of whether it was three or seven or twenty-one, Yang Tian came up first and presented a high hat before speaking.

  "Haha!" Luo Ming laughed loudly and turned around, saying, "There's nothing much to teach anymore. You have me for leading troops in battle, and Lei Meng for governing the city."

  "Hmm, how did this person find out so clearly? But it seems like there's no malice in his tone. What's his background? What's his purpose? Yang Tian couldn't help but raise his vigilance to the highest level and asked: 'What's your business here?'"

  "I am from Tianwei Gate, and Meng Fan is my disciple." Luo Ming proudly lifted his head and puffed out his chest.

  "What? You're the master of Meng Fan, who was defeated by us two years ago?" Yang Tian was truly surprised this time. This person's background was not small at all. His eyes were rolling around, thinking about something, but his mouth was spouting out deadly words.

  "What? That little stinker wasn't taken away by you two?" Luo Ming was furious, his proud disciple had actually been subdued by the two who were still children just two years ago. "Then let me come and weigh your worth!"

  After finishing speaking, Luo Ming brought out a residual shadow and stretched out his right arm straight, pointing at Yang Tian's chest. Yang Tian's martial arts had also made great progress in the past two years, but due to the lack of opponents to compare with, he didn't know what his actual strength was; encountering this expert, he could finally show off his skills.

  Yang Tian took a deep breath and charged forward with a straight punch, engaging in a hard-hitting exchange. Luo Ming changed his finger to palm, lightly brushing aside the incoming fist, wrapping around Yang Tian's arm, attempting to seize him with his left hand.

  Yang Tian exerted force with a flick of his right arm, shaking off Luo Ming's right hand. He quickly retreated backwards with force underfoot. This first move still had the upper hand, Yang Tian felt a bit regretful that he hadn't been more cautious on his way here.

  Luo Ming pursued closely, occasionally launching attacks on Yang Tian. However, he didn't use his full strength, only forcing Yang Tian to constantly retreat.

  Yang Tian was not a fool, he also saw that Luo Ming could defeat him, but he just teased him, testing his strength. Suddenly, Yang Tian's back, which had been retreating rapidly, collided with a large tree. Yang Tian's heart tightened as he saw the swift incoming fingers and was unable to block them, so he hastily dodged to the left and rolled away.

  He hadn't even turned around, but heard the sound of wind rushing towards him from behind. Yang Tianqiang took a deep breath and sprinted six zhangs away before stopping to listen, and only then did he turn back to see Luo Ming still standing beside the same giant pine tree as before, smiling at him and saying: "Hmm, not bad hand speed. As long as you don't act rashly, it shouldn't be a problem for you to survive in the Huantian Boundary."

  "Thanks for the advice, senior!" Yang Tian sincerely bowed his hands in gratitude. From his tone, he inferred that there were still formidable experts within the Realm of Clear Heavens who weren't someone he could defeat at present.

  "Benefiting all living beings is the creed of my sect, and your actions have already been recognized by my sect. From now on, you must continue to treat the common people well." Luo Ming's voice came from all directions, and when Yang Tian looked up, he saw Luo Ming's figure slowly dissipating.

  Looking at the lush forest, Yang Tian still felt relaxed despite his defeat. He walked to the pine tree he had bumped into earlier and saw a hole in the trunk that seemed to have been made by a finger. He couldn't help but take a deep breath of cold air. If he hadn't dodged quickly enough earlier, would there be a bloody hole on his body now? That was ruthless!

  I wonder what level I can reach? Thinking in his heart, Yang Tian raised his energy and poured it into his right arm. His two fingers stood upright and pointed quickly at the tree body. When his fingertips were inserted into the trunk with a "pa" sound, he spat out his energy from his fingertips again.

  After a series of "Ka" sounds, Yang Tian withdrew his fingers and leaned forward to take a look. All he saw was an inky blackness that seemed bottomless, and he knew it was impassable.

  "Alas, I'm still too young. In over a decade, I'll definitely surpass you! Old man!" Yang Tian sighed to himself before storming off in a huff, leaving behind the increasingly lively forest.

  In the imperial capital of Haotian, Chu Wei listened to Cai Yan's report in a secret room: Feng Feifan died in battle, and the 100,000-strong army was defeated and scattered without a trace; only the old and weak soldiers were left in Haoyue City, which was quickly taken by Yang Tian's troops through deception and intimidation.

  Chu Wei listened and sat at his desk for a long time without speaking. After a while, he raised his head and asked: "Is there any news about Liu Jin?"

  "It's said that they were also bombed to the point of having no remains." Cai Yan knelt on the ground and reported, cold sweat dripping from his forehead. The two great generals who could conquer the southeast direction had both died, what a huge loss this was.

  "How many people know about the defeat of the army?" Chu Wei narrowed his eyes and asked with a hint of cruelty.

  Cai Yanzhi felt a chill, could this be an attempt to silence him? He stammered: "I don't know. However, as the defeated soldiers scatter, this news will soon spread throughout the land."

  "Alas! Forget it!" Chu Wei let out a deep sigh and continued to ponder with his head hung low.

  Seeing an opportunity arise, Cai Yan raised his head and advised: "Victory and defeat are common occurrences in war. Your Majesty..."

  "No need to say more, I understand. You may withdraw!" Chu Wei waved his hand to interrupt Cai Yan's words and said in a stiff tone.

  It's indeed like accompanying a tiger, Cai Yan felt a chill run down his spine, silently got up, slowly backed away and left without making a single sound while closing the door.

  "Shadow! What's the origin of this thunder and Yang Tian?! They can even bring out those powerful killing moves!" Chu Wei sat quietly for a long time, suddenly shouting loudly at the air.

  A black human-shaped shadow suddenly appeared about a meter away from Chu Wei, and chuckled twice in a strange tone: "Could it be that the old ghosts of Tianwei Gate are behind this to support them?"

  "Impossible! If they had those things, they would have given them to me to destroy Jin Yuan long ago." Chu Wei stood up and denied it, apparently he was still very clear about the inside information of Tianwei Gate.

  "What about the Shenwu Gate?" The shadow's piercing voice sounded again.

  "Shenwu Gate? Isn't he always helping Jin Yuan?" Chu Wei's suspicions were not small, although he had heard that Jin Yuan was also defeated in battle. He still suspected Shenwu Gate of supporting Lei Ming and the others, who knew if they were just pretending?

  "I heard that Wei Ming, the representative of Shenwei Gate, has left Jin Yuan Emperor's side. Do you think it's possible?" The shadow provided the latest intelligence.

  "What? Left?" Chu Wei stood up in surprise, he knew that the Shenwu Gate had been supporting Jin Yuan for a hundred years, how could it be said to leave just like that.

  "What's impossible, the Heavenly Gate that has been standing against the heavens for so long is also starting to leave the Heavens?" The shadow didn't think so, lightly floating to the edge of the door and said, "Otherwise, how would you have found me?" Then, the shadow disappeared into the night.

  Chu Wei sat stunned on the armchair, silent and speechless.

  The next day, Chu Wei announced to the entire Huatian territory that the Huatian army had been defeated and the city of Huayue was lost. However, for the sake of the people all over the world, he was willing to give up the city of Huayue in order to seek a good relationship with the Qin and Jin dynasties under Leiming's rule.

  The entire nation of Haotian was shocked. When did the Emperor of Haotian become so weak? Has he really changed his ways and is now concerned with the lives and deaths of his people?

  Chu Wei sent a letter of surrender to Cai Yan, ordering him to go to Huanyue City. Cai Yan took it with a bitter face and rushed to Huanyue City.

  Along the way, looking at the smiling faces of the people, Cai Yan was infected and felt relieved in his heart. It turned out that the people did not like war, and war would make the people suffer greatly; making the people happy is also a happy thing.

  Two days later, Cai Yan finally arrived at the outskirts of Huanyue City on horseback after rushing and hurrying. After reporting, he was led by soldiers to the outside of the city master's mansion.

  Yang Tian heard the soldier's transmission and came out of the great hall to greet him, looking at Cai Yan standing outside with a handkerchief in his hand. He smiled and said: "Oh my, what wind blew our Emperor Huangtian's favorite, Marshal Cai, here? No wonder the magpie was chirping frantically this morning."

  Looking at the peaceful citizens along the street, Cai Yan was a bit distracted, but after hearing Yang Tian's words, he quickly cupped his hands and said: "I don't dare, I don't dare, actually letting General Yang come out to welcome me in person."

  "Please, come in!" Yang Tian stretched out his hand and invited Cai Yan to enter. The two armies were at war, but they wouldn't kill the messenger, would they? He had come, so they might as well invite him in to understand the situation. Besides, with Cai Yan's abilities, even if he were allowed to run around, he couldn't stir up any big waves; moreover, they didn't want to fight further west either.

  Upon entering the hall, Cai Yan hastily presented a white silk cloth and said: "Feng Feifan, that old scoundrel, actually relied on his military achievements to privately order a large army to attack Hexi. This is truly a heinous crime; fortunately, General Yang is wise and powerful, leading the elite troops in a counterattack, greatly defeating Feng Feifan outside the city of Hexi, without causing any losses to Hexi. The Emperor has specially ordered me, Cai Yan, to come and present the city of Huáng Yuè to the General for management. I hope the General will understand."

  Yang Tian was shocked, how could the Emperor of the Vast Heaven retreat so quickly? This Moon City is a big piece of fat meat! Hmm, it should be a delaying tactic. Yang Tian thought, and then smiled and asked: "Is there such a good thing in the world? Giving away a fertile land to others?"

  Cai Yan was terrified and said, "This matter is absolutely true. The edict has already been spread throughout the Huan Tian realm, but Cai Yan delayed his journey and only arrived at Huan Yue City now."

  Yang Tian unfolded the white silk and took a glance, indeed it was an imperial edict with the Emperor of Heaven's seal. He turned his eyes, sat in the main seat, casually hung the white silk on the armrest, tapped his fingers on the armrest, and said with a hint of a smile: "This Huanyue City was built by Yang himself, it has always been Yang's, why mention giving it as a gift?"

  Cai Yanzhong was flustered and anxious, not knowing how to respond. Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck him, and he remembered that there were still over 200,000 troops in Tianyuan City. With some confidence, he said: "There are still over 300,000 troops inside Tianyuan City, it shouldn't be too difficult to return to Huanyue."

  "Hmm, you've passed the test. I'll take over Huángyuè City then." Seeing that Cai Yan was still somewhat quick-witted, Yang Tian nodded his head in approval and stopped being difficult, but he turned stern again, gritting his teeth as he said, "If, if Huáng Tiān dares to come and harass these cities of mine again! I will definitely make sure Huáng Tiān is unable to rest easy! Féng Fēi will be the first example!"

  Cai Yan heard that Yang Tian had put away Huang Tian, and knew that the war would not start again, so he nodded in agreement with a smile.

  "Go back and tell Chu Wei! His heart's desire, Yang Tian has received; his intention, Yang Tian also knows." Yang Tian waved his hand and said, "You can go back now."

  In this way, Cai Yan felt that his face was not going well, but the situation was stronger than the person, he endured it and retreated with a gloomy expression.

  After Cai Yan left, Yang Tian burst out laughing: "This Chu Wei still wants to use the slow military tactics, trying to stir up trouble between me and Lei Ming, how ridiculous! How ridiculous indeed!"