This Pavilion Master Wasn't Easy to Talk To

The old barracks are not far away.

The door was half-open, and the wind made the cotton curtains collapse inwards bit by bit.

Before Yun Jingheng even reached the door, he called out, "Director Chen! Director Chen! Oh dear, how can this place possibly accommodate you!"

He had already reached the door when he finished speaking.

Ye Xinglan stopped three steps away at a leisurely pace, her hands tucked into her sleeves, and did not follow him inside.

Chen Zeng had already stood up.

Two War God Temple Douluo stood on either side.

They had just heard those shouts outside and were about to go to greet them when Yun Jingheng lifted the curtain.

A cold wind swept in, momentarily dimming the charcoal fire in the room.

Yun Jingheng, losing his balance, grabbed Chen Zeng's arm, as if finally seeing a respected elder on the Far North snowfield. "Director Chen, I'm so sorry! I've been at the front lines for seven days now, and General Zhang, you didn't even send anyone to call me, leaving you waiting in this weather. It's all my fault."

As he spoke, he led Chen Zeng toward the brazier, then turned and shouted outside, "Go get some good charcoal! And bring a pot of hot soup! How come there isn't even a decent chair in this room!"

A soldier outside responded and ran away.

Chen Zeng was somewhat taken aback by this sudden enthusiasm.

He had come all the way north, prepared many excuses, and was also prepared to be treated coldly.

He never expected that the new master of the Sea God Pavilion would be more enthusiastic than anyone else upon his return.

The two War God Temple Douluo exchanged bewildered glances.

They originally thought that a young man who dared to exchange blows with the Abyssal Sage King must be extremely arrogant and cold.

But the person in front of him was squatting down to help Chen Zeng brush the snow off his trouser legs.

"Pavilion Master, there's no need for that."

Chen Zeng finally managed to pull his arm back, took a step back, and bowed. "It's only right that we wait a few days. The front lines are the priority."

"Director Chen, what are you saying? No matter how important the front lines are, they can't be more important than what you just said that needs to be discussed."

Yun Jingheng straightened up, his smile genuine, but his eyes were incredibly bright, like two pieces of ice hidden behind warm light.

He glanced at Ye Xinglan.

Ye Xinglan was still standing at the door, showing no intention of coming in.

He then pulled the curtain closed tighter himself and gestured to Chen Zeng and the two Douluo, saying, "Sit down. Sit down and let's talk. It's cold outside, don't let yourselves get too cold."

Chen Zeng sat down, and the two Douluo slowly followed suit, though one of them still kept an eye on him.

Yun Jingheng didn't mind, and pulled up an old wooden box to sit opposite the three of them.

He spread his legs wide, rested his hands on his knees, as if he wanted to have a casual chat. "Director Chen, how was your journey? I hope the northern route wasn't disrupted by the Star Luo Empire's scouts?"

"It's alright. It's just that the snow is heavy up north, so the car is moving slowly," Chen Zeng said, but a tension was slowly building in his heart.

The more the young man laughed, the more uncertain he felt.

He originally intended to explain his purpose first, and then slowly probe for information.

But Yun Jingheng wouldn't let him start; he only asked if he was cold on the way and if he was used to the food, and then asked him to Douluo.

Chen Zeng answered each question, his vest already slightly damp.

Yun Jingheng tugged at Chen Zeng's sleeve again, asking if there was enough charcoal, and then asked the taxi driver outside to bring two more thick felt blankets.

He asked detailed questions, as if the person sitting in this old barracks were an elder who had come from afar.

Chen Zeng's questions, and the smile on his face gradually faded.

Seeing his enthusiasm, the two War God Temple Douluo, though still suspicious, relaxed their shoulders and backs a little.

Finally, seeing that the fire in the brazier had been rekindled and hot water had been added, Chen Zeng straightened his collar and solemnly said, "Pavilion Master, I have come here on the orders of the Federal Parliament to discuss a few matters with the Sea God Pavilion."

Yun Jingheng, holding an old enamel mug, slowly hummed in acknowledgment, signaling him to continue.

Chen Zeng then said, "First, the Federation is willing to drop all arrest warrants and false accusations against former Shrek members. Second, the Council wants to hold formal consultations with the Sea God Pavilion regarding the war in the Far North and the situation on the continent. Third, regarding the former Shrek City site, the Federation intends to provide certain resources to assist in its reconstruction. However, we hope that the Sea God Pavilion can provide a relatively clear explanation regarding the relationship between the students currently active outside and the Tang Sect and the Spirit Pagoda."

After he finished speaking, he paused with great deference and looked at Yun Jingheng.

These conditions are not bad.

In particular, he proactively brought up the matter of the arrest warrant.

Before Chen Zeng came, the council had discussed it repeatedly and concluded that this was exactly what Shrek wanted to hear most.

After listening, Yun Jingheng nodded, his expression extremely serious. "Director Chen explained it clearly. I understand as well."

He paused, slowly put down his cup, and said, "Since you've brought it up, I'll say a few words as well."

"The issue isn't whether you withdraw the arrest warrant or not; it's that it shouldn't exist in the first place. The Federation knows how many of us died that night in Shrek City, and how many died in the outer city."

"You all know better than anyone who issued the order to massacre the city and who sits at the same table with the Holy Spirit Cult. Now you're using 'withdrawing the arrest warrant' as a sign of sincerity, Director Chen. To put it bluntly, isn't this sincerity just a load of bull?"

He said this with a smile on his face.

But that smile faded.

The two Douluo's nerves tightened almost simultaneously, and Chen Zeng also noticed that the air in the room seemed to have become heavier.

The fire in the brazier didn't go down, but it seemed to be suppressed by something, and the light was even lowered by an inch.

Yun Jingheng continued, "As for rebuilding Shrek, we don't need Federation approval. We have the land deeds, and we're already doing it."

"As for the Tang Sect and the Spirit Pagoda, the former has its own sect leader, and the latter has a new tower master. I can't control who they associate with, and I suppose the Federation can't control that either."

"If you really take the Sea God Pavilion seriously, then first withdraw those few troops still holding onto the old orders at the border, and then let the Federal Parliament tell you who laughed out loud on the ruins of Shrek City back then."

As soon as he finished speaking, he leaned forward slightly, as if he had simply changed his sitting posture.

But in that instant, an extremely faint yet chilling pressure emanated from him.

The two Titled Douluo's expressions changed simultaneously; it was an extremely pure sense of oppression.

Do not act rashly! You could really die!

Their hands, which were originally on their knees, tightened simultaneously. One of the younger Douluo even instinctively took half an inch back, his back pressed against the wall.

Chen Zeng was in an even worse state. Although his cultivation was not weak, he felt as if he had been pushed underwater by this kind of pressure. He opened his mouth but could not utter a word.

Yun Jingheng seemed oblivious to everything, slowly leaning back against the wooden crate, and added with a smile, "Of course, these things are not unnecessarily unacceptable. Since you gentlemen are willing to wait seven days, I am not an unreasonable person."

"So... let's get down to business? No need to repeat the vocabulary the Federation gave you for talking nonsense."

Chen Zeng's face had turned somewhat pale.

He understood the meaning behind Yun Jingheng's words.

Those platitudes, those ambiguous "willing," "intentional," and "hope," are like scraps of paper in the snow—blown away by the wind as soon as they're pulled out in front of this person.

Yun Jingheng didn't want that; what he wanted was something that could be seen, written down, and recognized by the entire continent.

"Then, Pavilion Master... please speak plainly." Chen Zeng managed to keep his voice steady, though it was somewhat strained.

Yun Jingheng slowly placed the enamel cup on the ground, making a very soft sound.

The polite smile on his face was still there, but all three of them felt that the smile was colder than the wind and snow outside.

"First: The Federation apologizes to the innocent lives lost in Shrek City, publicly to the entire Federation, and withdraws all charges against Shrek."

"Second: The rebuilt Shrek City will be constructed on the same scale as the original Shrek City, and all expenses incurred during the reconstruction process will be borne by the Federation. There must be no obstruction or delay."

"Third: Federation troops cannot remain within 10,000 miles of the Far North. Since you can't control the Far North, then stay out of it completely."

The expressions on the two Douluo's faces were beyond just ugly.

Yun Jingheng's tone was not harsh, even mild, but every word was like a knife.

He left no room for compromise and was not afraid of offending anyone.

The young Douluo's apple bobbed, unsure of where to put his hands.

Another older Titled Douluo finally couldn't hold back any longer and whispered, "Pavilion Master, what you've proposed isn't something the three of us can agree to on the spot."

I know you can't.

Yun Jingheng smiled, his eyes crinkling. "So I'm just clarifying things with you first. Once you take this back to Ming Capital, we'll have someone who can make the final decision."

"There's more than one negotiating table. I'm not in a hurry, but the Abyss in the Far North won't wait, nor will the blue light Shrek City. If the Federation doesn't want to negotiate anymore, that's fine with me."

"I'll keep fighting, and you can stay in your seats. But next time you come, don't talk about withdrawing the arrest warrant. By then, you'll have much more to discuss."

After he finished speaking, he slowly stood up.

But this very act of getting up caused all three of them to freeze simultaneously.

Yun Jingheng stood there, no more than three or four feet away from them.

He no longer exuded any oppressive aura, but the feeling of being doused with ice water hadn't dissipated.

Chen Zeng was the first to stand up, as if he were being lifted up by something.

The two Douluo slowly stood up straight.

Yun Jingheng took two steps toward the door, then turned back, suddenly remembering something. "Oh right, Director Chen."

Chen Zeng hurriedly replied, "Yes."

"If you return to Ming Capital, please pass on a message to those gentlemen who laughed out loud."

Yun Jingheng said in a low but clear voice that made one's heart tighten, "I am now the Sea God Pavilion Master, but I may not be as easy to talk to as my father."