93: Bloodthirsty envoys, offering beautiful concubines as tribute, ceding territory to sue for peace.

Inside the Chilong Palace, it was resplendent and magnificent, grand and spacious, like a celestial palace in heaven.

It was a level of craftsmanship beyond what contemporary artisans in the Four Seas and Five Regions could achieve.

Like the Bronze Sparrow Terrace, this was a building-type Divine Artifact that Xia Xuan had drawn from the first layer of the Starry Sky Space.

Elementary draws only cost 100 tyrant points, and he occasionally tried his luck.

If he encountered a good Divine Artifact, he would simply upgrade it.

The function of the Chilong Palace was quite standard: it could refine Dragon Qi to bless its user or transform into a grand formation, covering the entire Imperial City.

What Xia Xuan valued more was the hall's area and style, making it suitable as a venue for grand court assemblies.

At this moment, inside the Chilong Palace.

The officials stood on either side, the hall was incredibly spacious, and there was no longer a scene where officials had to stand outside the hall.

"Your Majesty has arrived!"

On the imperial throne steps, Zhao Gao, dressed in a black eunuch robe, suddenly let out a soft, high-pitched warning.

The officials' hearts trembled, and they immediately composed themselves.

As Xia Xuan, in his red Dragon Emperor robe, stepped into the hall, the Nine Dragon Imperial Seal beside the imperial throne vibrated, emitting bursts of dragon roars, and the dragon-shaped Qi, formed from national destiny, paved a path beneath his feet.

"Bow!" Zhao Gao's soft voice once again echoed through the hall.

"May Your Majesty live for ten thousand years!" The officials all knelt and shouted in unison.

"Rise." Xia Xuan sat upon the imperial throne of the Chilong Palace, slightly raised his hand, and said calmly.

"Those with matters to report, speak; otherwise, the court is dismissed!" Zhao Gao said.

"Your Majesty, I have a matter to report. Now that the Nineteen Chaotic Domains are entirely under the Wu Dynasty's control, we should promptly dispatch important officials to take over the positions of provincial governors and station troops to stabilize the populace."

"Furthermore, with the Wu Dynasty gaining nineteen new provinces, the previous number of officials is no longer sufficient. We should expand the selection process for court officials."

Inside the hall, many officials proposed advice on reorganizing the nineteen provinces and expanding the official system.

Xia Xuan leaned on the armrest, feigning sleep while seated, not very interested in these matters, and left them all to the Prime Minister to resolve.

After about half an hour of reports.

The minister responsible for foreign affairs reported at an opportune moment:

"Your Majesty, the envoy from the Blood Fiend Dynasty is requesting an audience outside the hall, wishing to discuss ceding territory for peace."

"Oh?"

Xia Xuan became interested and glanced at Zhao Gao.

The latter understood, and shouted: "Announce the Blood Fiend envoy to approach!"

A moment later.

The Deputy Sect Leader of the Blood Fiend Sect entered the hall with a young man dressed in brocade robes.

The two knelt with slightly unnatural movements and said: "Greetings, Emperor Xuan Your Majesty."

Xia Xuan watched them silently, showing no intention of telling them to rise.

After kneeling for a long time, beads of cold sweat appeared on the forehead of the Deputy Sect Leader of the Blood Fiend Sect, while the young man in brocade robes beside him was already showing some impatience.

He nervously held the young man down and introduced in a gentle tone: "Your Majesty, this is Young Sect Master Yan Fei of the Blazing Demon Sect. I am the Deputy Sect Leader of the Blood Fiend Sect, also serving as the Imperial Dynasty's envoy.

I have come today on behalf of the Blood Fiend Dynasty to apologize to Emperor Xuan Your Majesty.

Previously, a traitor within the Blood Fiend Sect stole a forbidden Divine Artifact and wantonly slaughtered, committing unforgivable crimes against the Wu Dynasty.

Now, our Blood Fiend Empress has executed this person and intends to compensate Your Majesty."

Seeing that Xia Xuan remained unmoved.

The Deputy Sect Leader of the Blood Fiend Sect looked nervous and continued: "The Empress is full of sincerity and is willing to permanently cede ten cities to Your Majesty.

In addition, she will also present one Snake-person Clan Queen, along with hundreds of Snake-person Clan beauties.

One Feathered Human Clan Princess, along with hundreds of Feathered Human Clan beauties.

One peerless dancer from the Ancient Loulan Kingdom... These are just a small token of sincerity. They have all been settled in the Imperial City's inn and can be sent into the palace today, if Your Majesty agrees.

Subsequently, if Emperor Xuan Your Majesty is willing to forge a permanent alliance with the Blood Fiend Dynasty to jointly resist the Sun and Moon and Loulan, the Empress can offer even more to Your Majesty."

After he finished speaking, the officials discussed animatedly.

They all knew that Xuan Emperor was fond of beautiful women.

The Blood Fiend Dynasty was ceding territory and offering beauties; wasn't this exactly what Xuan Emperor desired?

Immediately, an official advised:

"Your Majesty, I believe we can cease hostilities and accept the Blood Fiend Dynasty's territorial compensation."

Currently, at the border between the Wu Dynasty and the Blood Fiend Dynasty, there was a small battle every three days and a major battle every ten days, with an intensity no less than that of the Northern Plains.

"I second that!"

"The Blood Fiend Dynasty's request for peace this time is quite sincere; we can give them a chance."

The military generals remained silent, while the civil officials were the first to express their opinions. Some of them genuinely wanted to end the war, while others wanted to curry favor with Xia Xuan and cater to his preferences.

The Deputy Sect Leader of the Blood Fiend Sect saw the situation improve, secretly breathed a sigh of relief, a smile appeared on his face, and he whispered: "Your Majesty?"

Boom!

A dragon's roar suddenly echoed through the Chilong Palace.

An overwhelmingly powerful golden Dragon Qi surged out of the hall, pressing the two Blood Fiend Dynasty envoys to the ground, their kneecaps audibly cracking.

"Your, Your, Your Majesty!?"

The Deputy Sect Leader of the Blood Fiend Sect was greatly alarmed, his expression pained and utterly bewildered.

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger!" The officials were startled and all knelt in unison.

"I will accept all the compensation, but seeking peace is impossible."

Xia Xuan said calmly: "Summon Lü Bu and Zhao Yun to the hall!"

A moment later.

Lü Bu, wearing dark gold beast-faced armor with interlocking plates, standing over ten feet tall and exuding immense pressure, and Zhao Yun, in white robes and silver armor, surrounded by dragon souls, majestic and valiant, simultaneously entered the hall.

"Your subject Lü Bu / Zhao Yun, greets Your Majesty!"

"Effective immediately, you two will each lead an army of 300,000 to conquer the Blood Fiend Dynasty. Within one month, I want to see Xia Ying's head!"

"We respectfully obey Your Majesty's command!"

The two bowed and accepted the order, not only not finding the conditions strict, but even showing a hint of joy in their expressions.

Upon hearing this, the Deputy Sect Leader of the Blood Fiend Sect's mind went blank, his expression panicked, and he blurted out: "Your Majesty, you cannot go back on your word! After receiving compensation, the two Imperial Dynasties should cease hostilities."

Yan Fei stared at Xia Xuan, gritting his teeth: "You, you..."

He didn't know what words to use to curse, yet he didn't dare to actually utter them.

Inside the Chilong Palace, some concerned officials dared to advise:

"Your Majesty, war is not advisable. Currently, our Wu Dynasty's national strength is growing daily, and continued development would be more appropriate. War exhausts the people and resources, and the Blood Fiend Dynasty possesses a forbidden Divine Artifact, which once nearly completely destroyed the Imperial Palace of the old capital. If we push them to a dead end, they might retaliate desperately."

The Wu Dynasty had strong individuals who were not afraid of forbidden Divine Artifacts, but that was limited to the very top echelon.

Most people in the court still vividly remembered the terrifying scene of the bloody catastrophe over the imperial capital that day.

No one wanted to suddenly die under the widespread attack of a forbidden Divine Artifact while living well.

"Your Majesty, although the Wu Dynasty's national strength surpasses that of the Blood Fiend Dynasty, if it comes to a decisive battle and they use the forbidden Divine Artifact at all costs, it will be the common people who suffer."

There was a chorus of opposition among the officials.

Even Prime Minister hesitated, after all, the absolute deterrent power of a forbidden Divine Artifact could not be ignored.

"What I need, I will take myself; I do not need others to bestow it!"

Xia Xuan snorted coldly, flicked his sleeve, and left, "Court dismissed!"

Zhao Gao narrowed his eyes slightly, pulling a silver thread in his hand.

A flash of silver light swept past several officials who wanted to chase after Xia Xuan crying, as well as the two envoys from the Blood Fiend Dynasty.

He smiled faintly: "Guards, seal those two heads and send them to the Blood Fiend Empress."