Xu Qing’s voice echoed out in all directions. He sounded very calm, and only the tiniest scrap of craziness was visible in his eyes. After all that he had experienced through the years, including more than one instance of engaging in a friendly negotiation, he was now very familiar with how to manifest the spirit of friendship when doing business. For example, by remaining kind and professional when dealing with Emperor Ancient Spirit and the god’s finger, he had successfully reached acceptable deals. Given those examples of success, he didn’t feel the least amount of stress at having to deal with these Demi-Immortals. 𝓇𝘦𝒶.𝘤𝘰𝑚

Xu Qing knew well that, when involved in a business discussion, sincerity had to be used like a weapon to get the best results. Only by being truly genuine could one touch the heart of the party on the other side of the negotiation table. The more simple and direct you were, the better. That was why he had stuck to concrete facts.

If Sea-Sealing County fell into enemy hands, why would the Swordsage Palace go to the trouble of keeping that god sealed up? The most logical thing to do would be to release the god, regardless of who lived or died afterward.

The best way to get a good outcome in this friendly negotiation was to stick to logic and focus on pros and cons.

When Xu Qing finished speaking, the three Demi-Immortal cultivators in the sky all had scowls on their faces. They all had high positions in Demi-Immortal society, being in the patriarch level. Yet all of them had to admit that if Xu Qing really freed that sealed god, then… given how close the Demi-Immortals were to the county capital, they would be the first ones in line to be devoured.

It was true that the county capital was mostly full of mortals. What was more, they were under the protection of the net created by all the taboo treasures. There would be two options presented to that freed god: a little appetizer that would require great care to eat, and a huge feast that could be gobbled down with ease. It was self-evident which of those two options would be selected.

If it happened, Sea-Sealing County would be done for. But it was also true that unless the humans got the resources they needed, the front lines would collapse, and the end result would be the same.

As a result, Xu Qing’s final question ‘do you dare?’ echoed out into heaven and earth, and especially within the hearts of the three Demi-Immortal patriarchs.

A long moment passed. Finally, the female Demi-Immortal said, “You’re the first human we’ve ever encountered who would dare to threaten people like us with a cultivation base that low. The reality is that though you came here and caused trouble for the Fullspirits, your actual goal was to draw us out into the open. Well-played. Very clever. Maintaining the status quo in Sea-Sealing County is actually the best outcome for us. So, tell us your demands.”

“I’m not demanding anything, as this is a negotiation,” Xu Qing corrected, his facial expression one of full sincerity. It was no surprise to him that the Demi-Immortals were willing to compromise. Any logical person would do that. However, he was also aware that the situation wasn’t over yet. Everything would come down to whether it was worth it or not for the various parties involved. Xu Qing had come to realize how that worked back in Seven Blood Eyes. If he made demands that weren’t worth it, then everything would devolve into chaos. Looking up at the three of them, he continued, “All resources required for the battlefield will be made available at a fair price. Purchasing on credit will be allowed!”

The female Demi-Immortal looked down at him expressionlessly. “So, this is a negotiation, huh? Fine. Your requests… are acceptable.”

“The oath of alliance between our two species will remain in place,” Xu Qing continued. “Furthermore, you will continue to abide by Palace Lord Kong’s suggestion to remain sequestered.”

The demands weren’t unreasonable at all, which was evidenced by how the three Demi-Immortals considered the proposal and then nodded.

“However,” the leader said, “you will cease your slaughter of the Fullspirits!”

The truth was that it was a good deal for them. They didn’t want to participate in the war, which was why they had agreed to Palace Lord Kong’s original suggestion. The only difference now was that they were leery of Xu Qing’s threat of releasing the god. That said, all they needed was enough time to prepare, and then even that threat could be dealt with.

And with that, the deal was struck. Because of it being wartime, things were relatively simple, and Xu Qing didn’t feel the need to talk about any further details. Nor was he worried about the Demi-Immortals going back on their word.

Going forward, it wouldn’t take long for the other nonhumans in the county to find out about how the Demi-Immortals had agreed to a compromise. And everyone would know that the Fullspirit species was nearly wiped off the face of the map. No one would want to risk the same thing happening to them.

With the negotiation over, the three Demi-Immortals opened the rift again. Before entering, the female asked, “What’s your name?”

Xu Qing thought for a moment. There wasn’t really a need to hide the truth; if the Demi-Immortals wanted that information, it wouldn’t be hard for them to find out.

“Zhang Siyun!” he said. Despite the reality of the situation, Xu Qing was just too cautious of a person. It didn’t matter if the Demi-Immortals could easily find out his true identity. He didn’t want to be the one to tell them the truth. That was especially true considering that although the negotiation had gone smoothly, it would be a big pity to slip up at the very end. He had no idea what magical techniques a Void Returning expert might be able to unleash. For instance, what if they had some special way of striking a fatal blow if they knew his real name?

At almost the exact same moment that Xu Qing spoke, a whistling sound echoed out from the direction of the county capital as a figure blurred toward them at top speed.

It was none other than the lieutenant governor. He was scowling anxiously as he rushed over to them. Upon arriving, he saw the three Demi-Immortals, and then he saw Xu Qing. Noticing Xu Qing’s calm demeanor, he relaxed inwardly.

“Zhang Siyun!” he barked. “You’ve got a lot of guts to do something like this. I’m definitely going to report you to the palace lord!” Turning to the three Demi-Immortals, he clasped hands and plastered an apologetic look onto his face. “This was a big misunderstanding. The situation on the battlefield is critical, and Zhang Siyun got a bit too anxious. That’s what led to this disaster. After the war is over, I’ll make this up to you!”

The three Demi-Immortals all gave cold harrumphs. “Lieutenant Governor, this human of yours has some potential. He actually dared to threaten us!”

Looking very stern, the lieutenant governor glared at Xu Qing and snapped, “Zhang Siyun, hurry up and apologize to the Demi-Immortal patriarchs!”

Xu Qing blinked a few times, then bowed his head and clasped hands to the Demi-Immortals.

“Seniors,” he said, sounding very sincere, “I was really anxious about the battlefield situation, and thus inadvertently offended you. Please, I hope the three of you patriarchs can forgive me.”

The three Demi-Immortals didn’t respond. Filled with a variety of thoughts and emotions, they turned back to the rift.

Except, just then, the female Demi-Immortal’s expression flickered, and she suddenly coughed up a mouthful of violet blood. Turning, she looked at the lieutenant governor, then Xu Qing, her expression grim, and her eyes flickering with a profound look.

Xu Qing’s expression didn’t change. However, it was obvious that she had used some sort of magical technique, and… it had failed.

The lieutenant governor’s eyes went wide and he looked confused. “What just happened?”

The female Demi-Immortal gritted her teeth but didn’t say anything. There wasn’t going to be an easy way to offer an explanation. As a matriarch of the Demi-Immortals, she had ways to plot against people if she knew their name. If the technique had worked, no one would have been the wiser. Except it didn’t work….

It was a passive technique that, once employed, required no action on her part. Normally speaking, it wouldn’t matter if it worked or not. But contrary to all expectations, when the technique failed, she instantly suffered a serious backlash. What was more noteworthy was that moments ago, she got the distinct feeling that some unknown entity was watching her.

Scowling, she hurried into the rift and disappeared.

After they were gone, the Fullspirit patriarch backed up a few steps. He took in the devastation around, then looked at Xu Qing and the lieutenant governor. He sighed.

The lieutenant governor, meanwhile, looked at Xu Qing. “You took a really big risk today.”

“CAW!” Qingqin’s three heads all glared at the lieutenant governor, as if Qingqin wasn’t very pleased at hearing his Eldest Brother’s bro being criticized. That was especially true considering that the little bro provided a very filling meal, and also the fact that, just like Qingqin and his Eldest Brother, could harness light. 1

Seeing that response, the lieutenant governor smiled wryly and clasped hands to Qingqin. Qingqin then looked away from him.

“Many thanks for coming, Lieutenant Governor,” said Xu Qing. “Sorry for the trouble, sir.”

Xu Qing really did feel sorry for doing something so crazy. Clasping hands, he bowed to the lieutenant governor. Besides, the lieutenant governor had played along with his act, which brought a warm feeling to Xu Qing’s heart.

“It was no trouble at all,” the lieutenant governor said. “It was all for Sea-Sealing County. However, next time… maybe you could let me know ahead of time when you do something like this.” From the haggard look on the lieutenant governor’s face, it was obvious he had been working very hard over the past few days. “Palace Lord Kong asked me to work with you to handle this situation. That just goes to show that he trusts both of us. Now, let’s get back to the capital.”

Xu Qing nodded. Qingqin flapped his wings and flew up into the air, casting one longing glance back at the dilapidated Fullspirits. They had lost about forty percent of their population, which was a grievous blow. Worse, two of their branch chiefs had been eaten by Qingqin. Xu Qing also looked down at the Fullspirits, but didn’t say anything. All the Fullspirits could do was watch bitterly as they left.

On the way back to the capital, Xu Qing sent some voice messages to his subordinates in the Secretariat Division and had them once again get in contact with the various nonhumans in the county to start collecting resources. That included the Fullspirits.

By the time he got back to the Swordsage Palace, three days had gone by.

During that time, all nonhumans in the county, be they big species or small species, were in a state of frenzied activity. Everyone knew about what happened to the Fullspirits, and how the Demi-Immortals had been forced into a compromise. It was a big shock to everyone. What was more, it wasn’t long before people found out the name of the person who was central to it all: Xu Qing. Because of that, Xu Qing’s name became known to leadership figures of species all over.

“We don’t know exactly where he started out, but we do know he was very young when he joined Seven Blood Eyes in the continent of South Phoenix. He served in their Violent Crimes Division, where he slaughtered countless criminals. He’s cruel and ruthless, and is very skilled in the use of poison!”

“Back when Seven Blood Eyes was at war with the Seazombies, he and his Elder Brother, who were both in Foundation Establishment at the time, carried out a daring plot to steal the nose of one of the Seazombies’ divine likenesses. And then, when he was only known as a random disciple from that backwater sect, he actually slaughtered the Eight Sect Coalition’s dao child Master Shengyun, and absolutely crushed all the other chosen disciples. Eventually, he became the Eight Sect Coalition’s newest dao child!”

“He participated in the swordsage recruiting event in Emperor-Receiving Prefecture, where he dominated the dao child from the Supreme Arbiter Immortal Society, as well as all the other elite chosen from that prefecture. He took first place in that event, hands down. The Grand Emperor of humankind blessed him with a 30,000-meter pillar of light, making him the number one figure in all of Sea-Sealing County!”

“After he got to the county capital, Palace Lord Kong made him his first and only secretary-general. And then, when he was only in Gold Core, he became a Unit C jailer in the Corrections Division!”

“Before the war, he worked with the palace lord of the Swordsage Palace to handle a lot of official business. He founded the Secretariat Division and became well-known far and wide. A lot of people are saying he’s the most likely candidate to succeed Palace Lord Kong!”

“At Mount Daybreak, he came out of nowhere to save the Swordsage Court from imminent peril. He slaughtered two early Nascent Soul enemies, and forced mid- and late-stage cultivators into retreat. During that battle, he killed hundreds of rogue cultivators with his poison. It was brutal! Anyone who got infected by his poison ended up melting into a black sludge! They were destroyed in body and soul!”

“He can actually devour the heavenly palaces of others! It’s hard to imagine what he’s going to be like when he rises to the Nascent Soul level. He’s going to be a complete monster!”

“And now he actually worked with Qingqin to devour the Fullspirit species. He threatened three Demi-Immortal patriarchs. Considering that and everything else he’s done, this guy comes across as being totally crazy!”

All sorts of stories were spreading through Sea-Sealing County, and Xu Qing’s name was causing a big stir.

When Ning Yan heard the news, he just sighed.

They don’t know the half of it. Among the other crazy things he’s done are: impersonating a Nightshade godchild; destroying the Ten Entrails Tree; becoming the father of a heaven-god; and… coming very close to becoming a high-ranking figure among the Holytides.

When Qing Qiu heard the news, she was a bit stunned. What was the most troubling to her, however, was the revelation that Xu Qing came from the continent of South Phoenix. Thinking back to the way he’d looked at her at the Ten Entrails Tree, a theory began to form in her heart that she didn’t dare to believe was true. In fact, the moment it rose up in her, she quashed it.

There’s no way. This guy is horrible. It’s absolutely not possible!

As she realized what it would mean if her speculation was actually true, she inhaled sharply.

Xu Qing looked over at her. “What’s wrong? Keep reading the report. I want to know all the details about which species are delivering supplies.”

“Oh, right,” she said, sounding very much like she had when she was a handmaiden back at the Ten Entrails Tree. She immediately began to continue with the report. Only then did her reaction kick in. She snorted coldly, and her facial expression beneath her mask once again became one of icy arrogance.

1. The part about ‘harnessing light’ is a vague metaphor invented by the author. It combines a verb that means ‘to brush or swipe’ with the character for ‘light.’ I saw numerous theories

/explanations in the reader comments for what exactly it means. Most agreed that it was something related to light. There is never any explanation for what it means, so it seems open to interpretation. ?

The source 𝙤f this content is 𝙡𝙞𝒓𝙚𝓪𝙙.𝒄𝓸𝓶