271: Hitting the overseas envoys! And by the way, I want to know something...

Inside the main hall of the Jiangnan Yamen.

The envoys from the six overseas nations had been waiting there for nearly an hour.

Their initial curiosity and anticipation gradually gave way to anxiety and unease.

The hall was elegantly furnished, and the fragrant tea had been changed several times, but none of them were in the mood to appreciate it.

Several martial officials, dressed in splendid official robes and with curved sabers at their waists, frowned slightly and exchanged glances. Their aura was steady, and their eyes gleamed with sharpness, clearly indicating their formidable cultivation.

Even though a hint of impatience subtly emerged, everyone tried their best to suppress it, not daring to show any of that emotion.

Today was different from the past. The current Great Qian, especially Li Shengyuan, who presided over Jiangnan and personally slew the top experts of the Demonic Sect, wielded immense power.

His might was so great that it filled these island nations, far across the sea, with awe and respect.

With the Demonic Sect defeated and its powerful figures dead, their past, ambiguous collaborations now hung over their hearts like a sharp sword.

Just as the atmosphere in the hall grew increasingly heavy, a steady sound of footsteps came from outside the door.

Li Shengyuan, dressed in casual clothes and with a gentle smile, slowly walked in, followed by Ye Hangzhou, Luo Qingwan, and a few others. Although they were not wearing official robes, they possessed an inherent captivating demeanor.

"Esteemed envoys, I am truly sorry. I was tied up with trivial matters and kept you waiting," Li Shengyuan cupped his hands, his tone casual yet carrying an undeniable authority.

Seeing this, the envoys quickly rose, their faces instantly filled with respectful, even fawning, smiles, and they bowed in unison.

They knew that Li Shengyuan had been out enjoying himself, leaving them to wait, and hadn't been doing anything serious, yet they dared not show the slightest hint of reproach.

An envoy with curly hair, dark skin, and dressed in a silk robe was the first to speak, using slightly accented but fluent Great Qian official dialect:

"Lord Li, you are too kind! To be granted an audience with you is already a tremendous honor for us."

"Lord Li is busy with a myriad of affairs, toiling for the peace of our small overseas nations; it is only right that we wait a little longer," another civil official-like envoy immediately chimed in, his tone full of flattery:

"Precisely! Lord Li's divine might, eliminating the scourge of the Demonic Sect and eradicating pirates in one fell swoop, has restored peace both domestically and overseas. When the news reached our lands, our kings and common people were all overjoyed, filled with immense admiration for His Highness and the Celestial Empire!"

"Yes, indeed..." another envoy echoed, "The Demonic Sect acted against all reason, bringing disaster upon the common people. Lord Li's actions are truly immeasurable in merit!"

"We have been sent by our kings to pay homage to His Majesty the Emperor of Great Qian and to Lord Marquis. We wish to honor Great Qian for generations, and we humbly request the protection of the Celestial Empire, and permission for trade, so that our small nations may bask in the grace of the Celestial Dynasty."

Li Shengyuan walked to the main seat and sat down, picking up a teacup and gently stirring the tea foam, his expression calm, as if the flattery was not directed at him.

His gaze slowly swept over everyone present. That look seemed calm, yet it made several envoys with guilty consciences instinctively lower their heads.

"You have traveled a long way, and I appreciate your efforts," Li Shengyuan put down his teacup, his voice gentle, "The Demonic Sect's menace was not just a problem for Great Qian, but a cancer for the entire world."

"Eliminating them is Great Qian's duty. As for the peace overseas..." He paused, his tone slightly sinking, "As long as there are no more collaborations with demonic evildoers or plundering of merchants at sea, it will naturally be a time of peace."

"Esteemed envoys, do you agree?"

He spoke lightly, yet his words struck the hearts of the envoys like heavy hammers.

How could they not hear the warning in his words?

In the past, some of them had indeed had overt or covert dealings with the Demonic Sect, even condoning pirates. Now that this was brought to light, cold sweat trickled down their backs.

The leading envoy quickly expressed his stance, saying with a look of indignation, "Lord Li, you are absolutely right! In the past, we were forced to, under the threat of the Demonic Sect."

"From now on, our six nations will surely uphold our duties and never dare to act against the Celestial Empire again! If there is any lawlessness at sea, there will be no need for His Highness to act; we will clean up our own house!"

The others also nodded repeatedly, expressing their agreement.

"That would be for the best," Li Shengyuan smiled faintly, no longer pressing the issue, and changed the subject, "Since you speak of paying homage to the Celestial Empire and seeking protection, this Marquis accepts this sentiment on behalf of His Majesty."

Just as the envoys breathed a sigh of relief, they heard Li Shengyuan's tone shift: "However, the Celestial Empire has its own regulations."

"The tribute ceremony is both a sign of submission and a sincerity in diplomatic relations. If the tribute is insufficient to show that sincerity..."

His gaze swept over everyone again. Although he still smiled, it made everyone feel an invisible pressure.

"I'm afraid it will be difficult even to cross the threshold of this Jiangnan government office, let alone proceed to the capital to meet His Majesty."

His meaning was clear: since they came to pay homage and offer tribute, they should show genuine sincerity.

If the tribute was paltry, they wouldn't even have the right to negotiate.

The envoys' hearts trembled, and they immediately understood the formidable nature of this young Marquis.

Not only was his strength extraordinary, but his methods of manipulating people's hearts were also unequivocal.

"Yes, yes, yes! Marquis, you are absolutely right!" the envoys quickly responded.

"The tribute list is here; please review it, Your Highness. We will certainly do our utmost to prepare the tributes that best reflect our sincerity and respect, and we would never dare to be negligent!"

Li Shengyuan took the tribute list handed to him by the attendant, glanced at it briefly, and without expressing an opinion, simply said:

"That's good then. All of you, please settle down at the guesthouse and prepare all the tributes. Once this Prince verifies them, I will arrange your journey north to the capital."

"Then we thank you, Marquis," the envoys quickly said.

Li Shengyuan nodded calmly, put down his teacup, and looked at the envoys, asking with a smile:

"There's one more thing this Marquis would like to inquire about from you."

"Please speak, Marquis!"

Li Shengyuan's gaze suddenly sharpened, and he said coldly:

"A few days ago, when I went overseas to eradicate the pirate Lord Nu Tao, two second-rank experts ambushed me there, intending to take my life!"

"One of them was a Demonic Venerable from the Demonic Sect, and the other was a top second-rank expert from overseas. Do any of you know this person?!"

Before he finished speaking, Li Shengyuan raised his hand and conjured the appearance and attire of that second-rank expert in the hall.

Seeing this, all the envoys were greatly alarmed!

...