Star Luo's Olive Branch

"Oh my, Tang Sect Leader Tang, it's been a long time! Hahaha, please come in."

Tang Wulin performed a half-bow according to etiquette, neither servile nor arrogant. "Your Majesty."

Dai Tianling waved his hand, signaling for someone to offer him a seat.

Aruheng and Sima Jinchi did not sit; they stood on either side of Tang Wulin behind him, like two swords yet to be drawn.

Besides Dai Tianling, there were only two attendants in the hall.

The candlelight was extremely bright, casting long and steady shadows on the several people.

"I've heard about the Tang Sect Master's talent and abilities all over Star Luo Empire."

Dai Tianling spoke first, her tone casual, "The Tang Sect hasn't had an easy time these past few years. Your taking over as sect leader is a well-deserved honor."

"Your Majesty flatters me."

Tang Wulin said, "The Tang Sect is not like the Spirit Pagoda, much less like the Empire. I accepted this position simply to pave a path for my disciples."

Dai Tianling laughed, "What a fine argument about 'fighting for a path.' But does Sect Leader Tang Sect know that the Tang Sect and my Star Luo Empire already have a path to take?"

He paused, picked up his tea, and said slowly, "Now that the Federation and Star Luo Empire are at war, the borders are sealed off, and trade routes are cut off. If the Tang Sect Clan is willing to trade with the Star Luo Empire and exchange goods, I can offer the Tang Sect far more than the Federation."

Tang Wulin did not rush to answer.

He had expected Dai Tianling to bring this up; Star Luo Empire was no benevolent person.

The Tang Sect is now caught between the Federation and the Star Luo Empire, and has a great deal of power at its disposal.

If Star Luo Empire can bring Tang Sect over, it will be like planting an eye in the heart of the Federation.

He looked up, his gaze calm. "Your Majesty is kind, but I have not come here to discuss business between the Tang Sect and Star Luo Empire."

"I'm here to pick up my parents. They've been detained by your country's border troops for some time now. The Tang Sect Master Token is here, and I would like to ask Your Majesty for leniency."

After listening, Dai Tianling did not speak immediately.

He put down his teacup, as if he had known all along that Tang Wulin would bring this up.

The hall fell silent for a moment.

After a moment, he slowly said, "If the Tang Sect leader wants someone, I can naturally release them. However, you are the Tang Sect Clan leader."

"Your parents were detained at my border. If word gets out, people outside will say that Star Luo Empire deliberately detained the parents of the Tang Sect Clan leader. If I release them like this, it will be difficult to explain to the court."

He paused, then looked at Tang Wulin: "How about this, since Tang Sect Leader Tang rarely comes to the Star Luo Empire, why don't you stay a few more days, accompany me to watch a few military battles, and discuss the old agreements between the Tang Sect and Star Luo Empire?"

"Once Tang Sect Leader Tang understands, I will personally escort your father and mother out of seclusion. How does that sound?"

This is to retain people.

Aruheng, standing behind Tang Wulin, turned cold.

Tang Wulin, however, did not move.

He slowly raised his eyes, and his gaze met Dai Tianling's in mid-air.

The lamp wick flickered slightly, causing all the candlelight in the hall to sway.

"Your Majesty, the Tang Sect has no intention of taking sides."

Tang Wulin said, "But if I stay in the Star Luo Empire for a few more days, the Tang Sect Clan will relay a message to the Federation on my behalf."

"But more people at Shrek will know why I haven't gone back yet. I'm not just the leader of the Tang Sect, but also one of the Shrek Seven Devils."

"If Your Majesty truly wishes to befriend the Tang Sect, you should allow me to leave with my men. If you merely wish to keep me here, then you should say so directly. I will not leave, but what you desire is not the Tang Sect."

He spoke slowly, but each word was clear.

Dai Tianling looked at him, and the smile in her eyes gradually faded.

He looked the young man over again.

A moment later, Dai Tianling smiled again. This time, there was a hint of sincerity in his smile.

"Good."

He said, "I hate listening to nonsense. Tang Sect Leader Tang speaks without any nonsense. You can take the person away tonight."

"But I have something I'd like you to convey to the new Sea God Pavilion Master."

Tang Wulin's eyes flickered slightly. "Your Majesty, please speak."

"Star Luo Empire will continue to fight against the Sun Moon Federation."

Dai Tianling stood up, walked to the front of the hall, his back to the candlelight, and said in a low voice, "But Star Luo Empire doesn't want to be enemies with Shrek."

"If Pavilion Master has any ideas in the future, you are welcome to come to the Star Luo Empire for a discussion."

After saying that, he turned to Tang Wulin and said, "Tang Sect Leader Tang, have a safe journey."

Tang Wulin's message arrived at night.

The voice of Half-Sweet Coffee rang out very softly in the darkness. "Master, Tang Wulin has sent a message. He has escaped from the Star Luo Imperial City, his parents have been safely brought back, and Emperor Dai Tianling of Star Luo Emperor asked him to deliver a message."

Yun Jingheng was sitting by the bed, and upon hearing this, he slightly turned his head.

Ye Xinglan leaned against him without moving.

"Explain."

"Star Luo Empire will continue to fight the Federation, but Star Luo Empire does not want to be enemies with Shrek. If you are interested, you can visit Star Luo Empire in person."

After listening, Yun Jingheng chuckled very softly.

"Dai Tianling is smarter than those guys in Ming Capital. He knows I understand the situation."

"If Star Luo Empire wants to attack the Federation, they first need to make sure Shrek won't stab them in the back."

Ye Xinglan turned her head to look at him.

Her face appeared soft in the light, but her voice was clear. "Are you going?"

"I'm not going."

Yun Jingheng said, "Going now would be giving him face. Let's wait and see. Once he's taken over those ports on the Federation border, he'll send more people."

"By then, Star Luo Empire will be begging us not to interfere."

Ye Xinglan remained silent.

She leaned her head against his shoulder again.

After a long pause, she finally said, "You always calculate everything too precisely."

Yun Jingheng looked down at her, without refuting her.

He reached out and gently tucked the strands of hair that had fallen onto her shoulder behind her ear.

He certainly knows how to calculate things.

From the Far North to Ming Capital, from the Tang Sect to Spirit Pagoda, from the Star Luo Empire to the Abyss, he had mentally planned out which step to take first and which to take last.

But there was only one person he couldn't count, and that was the person right next to him now.

"Xing Lan".

"Um?"

"If one day, the Far North is defended and Shrek is rebuilt, where would you want to go?"

He asked slowly, his fingers unconsciously twirling a strand of her hair, the pressure so light it was almost imperceptible.

Ye Xinglan did not answer immediately.

She seemed to think about it seriously for a moment before saying, "Shrek. Or, go home and see."

She paused, then turned to look at him. "And you?"

"I?"

Yun Jingheng smiled, his eyes fixed on a certain spot ahead. "I'll probably find a secluded place first and sleep for three days. I won't think about the bureau, count people, or touch the blueprints."

Ye Xinglan didn't speak, but simply reached out and gently placed her hand on the back of his hand.

Her fingers were a little cold, but very steady.

She asked, "Have you been thinking about something dangerous lately?"

Yun Jingheng neither moved nor answered.

After a couple of breaths, he reached back and enveloped her hand completely, saying, "No, I'm just a little tired."

Ye Xinglan stared at him for a long while.

She knows him too well.

Whenever he says he's "a little tired," it means he's started to shoulder some responsibilities alone.

But she didn't ask any further questions.

If he refuses to tell us now, asking him won't help; it's better to wait.

So she simply hummed in agreement, leaned back against his shoulder, and whispered, "You'll take me with you, right?"

Yun Jingheng's Adam's apple bobbed.

He raised his other hand and placed it on the top of her head, gently rubbing it like he used to comfort her when she was little, saying, "Yes."

The wind and snow outside hadn't stopped, and the two people inside were leaning against each other.

At that moment, everyone thought there would be many more nights like this.

But Yun Jingheng knew that when he asked, "Where do you want to go?", he wasn't actually asking her.

He was wondering if, if he really went there, he could come back and take her to those places.

He didn't dare let her see, so he just held her hand tighter.

They were afraid that if they relaxed their guard, even this future, which hadn't even begun, would end prematurely.

As night deepened, Ye Xinglan fell into a deep sleep.

Yun Jingheng was still awake; he looked down at her.

His brow finally relaxed completely as she fell asleep. He gazed at her for a long time, gently kissed her forehead, and then closed his eyes.

The wind pattered against the window, very gently.