Way of Heaven

Amidst the battle between the feathered race and yao, a glorious city stood tall. It was called the City of Light.

The immense city resembled a vicious beast, surrounded by tall walls and natural terrain that halted the advance of the yao army.

The Yu dynasty’s army was stationed in the city. Their troops covered the sky, the walls, and the streets. They patrolled the city on high alert.

The yao people that had originally lived in the city were either killed when the Yu dynasty’s army attacked or enslaved. The enslaved were sent to the backline of the Yu dynasty.

A lavish mansion resided in the city. It had been transformed into a temporary palace for the emperor. It was a meeting place for the generals and the emperor to discuss.

Emperor Feng Yu sat in the palace casually dressed, sitting on his throne. He was angry. The people around him avoided his gaze.

“The other races can’t stay still. They are unwilling to watch us destroy the four races and then use it as a foundation to swallow the southern continent.”

 “Currently, the other races are secretly supporting the four races. Our casualties have soared during this period. Do any of you have a plan to resolve this matter?”

A blue-winged feathered man, dressed in heavy armor, stood up from his seat. He respectfully said, “Your Majesty, the Yu dynasty’s army is invincible. So what if the yao race is being supported by the other races? This little one is willing to personally lead the army to break the yao. I will kill every last one of them. How can they halt the Yu dynasty’s path to prosperity?”

A general stood up, hearing what the blue-winged featured man. He refuted the statement.

“Impossible. The yao race’s strength has greatly increased after receiving support from the other races. They cannot be underestimated. If we were to rashly engage, they’ll be heavy casualties on both sides. Our strength will be reduced, and we will be taken advantage of by the other races.”

Another war general stood up. “Hmph, how can we stay turtled up here? We fight!”

…

 Looking at his generals argue with each other, Feng Yu opened his mouth: “Enough.”

The generals fell silent. They waited, not saying a word.

“Spread the decree that I wish to end the fighting with the four races. In half a month, the delegates of the four races and I will hold an armistice meeting.

“Your Majesty this order…

“I-I will obey!”

A blue-feathered general hesitantly agreed to carry out the order, his face complicated.

The other races couldn’t sit idly by, as the Yu dynasty conquered the territory of the four races, expanding their power. It would be inappropriate if the Yu dynasty became the enemy of all the southern races right after its establishment.

As such, the Yu dynasty would most likely retreat, giving up its conquered territories. Otherwise, when the other races increase their support or even outright enter the war, the Yu dynasty would be in danger.

The Yu dynasty had already plundered massive amounts of resources from their invasion. These resources would practically triple their strength in the future. Overall, the Yu dynasty had already benefited a lot from their campaign. 

Since the four races couldn’t be obliterated and there would be unfavorable consequences for dragging the war out, the Yu dynasty, left with no choice, proposed an armistice. Of course, Feng Yu would still try to squeeze out the best conditions from the armistice.

…

During half a month’s time, the yao, yue, yi, and jia races received and rejoiced over the armistice proposal, which was sent out by Emperor Yu. They sent their delegates to the City of Light. They were anxious, fearful that one wrong move could continue this bloody war and eventually lead to the annihilation of their race.

They were fully aware that without the help of the other races their race would become extinct, annihilated by the blitzing Yu dynasty. 

In addition, the other races’ secret support wasn’t free. They had to pay a price.

Their territory was regained entirely because of the other races’ support. Their ‘victory’ over the feathered race was because of the other races’ support. They had to pay a heavy price. They had to become vassals to the other races; their future was sealed.

Since the Yu dynasty was willing to put an end to the war, the four races naturally rejoiced. However, they didn’t fully trust the Yu dynasty, fearing that this armistice meeting was a facade to kill all their leaders in one place. As such, they invited numerous delegates from all the other southern races, hoping they could oversee the negotiations.

If the Yu dynasty wished to take action during the meeting, they would have to go through many delegates from the other races, thus giving said race an excuse to directly involve themselves in the war.

At the City of Light, numerous races gathered together in a palace to discuss the terms of the armistice.

“For the Yu dynasty to withdraw its soldiers from the conquered territories, the Yu dynasty must be compensated with the cultivation resources for 30 coagulation realm experts and the territory of 10 cities.” At the negotiating table, a feathered man went straight to the point. He flatly stated the conditions for the Yu dynasty to retreat.

Although each race’s native language was different, there were naturally some people who could understand multiple languages. After all, negotiations and trades between races were commonplace in this world. Translators existed.

The translator translated the conditions stated by the Yu dynasty’s delegate. The other delegates couldn’t believe their ears. 

BAM!

A yao delegate slammed the stone table. The force rippled across the table, forming cracks. He angrily yelled, “Cultivation resources for 30 coagulation realm experts, 10 cities, this is a robbery! This is impossible!”

The three delegates of the other three races also protested. “Indeed, we can’t accept such conditions!”

Giving the Yu dynasty ten cities was quite doable. But, the cultivation resources for 30 coagulation realm experts was something they simply couldn’t accept.

The Yu dynasty seized large amounts of territory and resources. They only had less than a third of their resources. They needed to use the resources to sustain themselves.

Every single coagulation realm warrior was part of a race’s elite force. In the prime of the four races, there were only 80 to 90 coagulation realm experts.

As such, the delegates were furious, thinking how unreasonable the Yu dynasty was. Did they just want to throw their weight around during this meeting? 

They wanted to end the meeting right then after such a disgraceful offer. That would continue the stalemate with the Yu dynasty. But, they hesitated. What would happen to them once the negotiation was over? Their race was close to collapsing. If the other races on a whim decided it wasn’t worth keeping them around anymore, they would surely be annihilated, their entire race extinct. It was better to make peace right now.

Breath in. Breath out.

The delegates of the four races took deep breaths and exchanged glances, calming themselves. “Your demands are too high. We cannot agree to it. What will it take for the Yu dynasty to withdraw its troops? Let’s negotiate.”