A Powerful Noblewoman Can Reach My Forward Command Post by Phone

That day, the envoy's flying vessel finally arrived above Flower-Fruit Mountain.

The mountain was a fine one, with layers of emerald peaks, secluded and wondrous ravines, crimson cliffs and strange rocks, sheer walls and jagged summits.

The forest was a fine one as well. Precious grasses and exotic flowers never withered through the seasons, while green pines and cypresses remained evergreen for ages.

What was more, its peaks stood like halberds, piercing the clouds. Its caverns were deep and shadowy, with multicolored demonic lights flickering faintly within. The surging demonic aura had nearly solidified, stirring the winds and clouds and striking fear into all who saw it.

Most eye-catching of all was the great banner standing tall before Water-Curtain Cave, bearing four earthshaking words—"Great Sage Equal to Heaven"!

It snapped loudly in the wind, radiating unbridled arrogance.

Around that main banner stood six slightly smaller yet equally imposing flags, respectively bearing the words: Great Sage Pacifying Heaven, Great Sage Overturning the Sea, Great Sage Confounding Heaven, Great Sage Moving Mountains, Great Sage Ventilating Heaven, and Great Sage Driving Away Gods!

The mountain was steeped in killing intent. Demons of every kind—wolves, insects, tigers, leopards, roe deer, musk deer, and muntjacs—

wielded swords, spears, and axes as they howled and leaped about, drilling battle formations amid spreading demonic clouds and grim, monstrous mists.

Through the water curtain, the center of the cave abode could vaguely be seen.

Sun Wukong wore Linked Gold Armor, a Phoenix-Wing Purple-Gold Crown upon his head, and Lotus-Silk Cloud-Walking Shoes on his feet. With one leg crossed over the other, he sat leisurely on a stone throne, pouring himself drinks as though he had not even noticed the flying vessel overhead.

On the deck, several accompanying immortal officials were caught off guard by the soaring demonic aura below and instinctively took half a step back.

Venus Star Lord was just about to order the flying vessel to halt and find a safe place to land.

Suddenly, a red talisman for direct-line communications in the main cabin began flashing urgently.

Venus Star Lord frowned slightly and strode into the cabin to answer it. After listening for only a few sentences, a flash of anger crossed his face before he immediately became exceedingly respectful, answering again and again:

"Yes, yes... All right, all right, no problem. Please make a list."

After ending the transmission, his face darkened so much it seemed water might drip from it. He slapped the table and roared:

"This is outrageous! Some 'noblewoman' with immense divine powers actually managed to place a call directly from beyond the heavens to my forward command post! She has pulled strings all the way into my Pacification Recruitment Team! What does she think this place is?!"

Everyone outside the cabin heard him clearly. They all stared at their noses, then at their hearts, remaining silent for fear of provoking his wrath.

Venus Star Lord took a deep breath, suppressed his anger, and stepped out of the main cabin. His cold gaze swept across the group.

"Those whose names I call, step forward."

"Xu Jingyang, Su Yuan..."

He called out around ten names in succession.

Su Yuan and the others who had been named felt their hearts tighten and stepped forward.

Venus Star Lord looked at those remaining and snorted.

"As for the rest of you whose names were not called, congratulations. You may go 'freely enjoy yourselves'!"

With that, he flicked his sleeve and returned to the main cabin, clearly still simmering with anger.

A slight commotion immediately broke out on deck. The immortal officials who had not been named felt as though they had received a pardon. They hurriedly packed their belongings, transformed into streaks of light, and flew away from this troublesome place without looking back, returning straight to the Heavenly Court.

Seeing this, Su Yuan quickly followed Venus Star Lord into the main cabin.

Venus Star Lord was sitting in his chair, still fuming.

"Master, please calm down." Su Yuan skillfully poured him a cup of tea.

"How could I not be angry?" Venus Star Lord took the teacup and set it down heavily.

"What do these people take the Pacification Recruitment Team for? They come whenever they please and leave whenever they please! They even went to Queen Mother of the West to pressure me, forcing me to let them go! This is utterly outrageous!"

Su Yuan smiled faintly and consoled him.

"Master, please quell your anger. In negotiations, more people do not necessarily mean better results. Streamlining the ranks and removing the useless is a good thing."

"You certainly know how to comfort people."

Venus Star Lord's expression eased slightly. He glanced at him, then suddenly asked,

"What do you think of this pacification mission?"

Su Yuan pondered for a moment before saying, "Before this disciple ascended, there were two old sayings in the minor world where I lived that I found quite reasonable."

"Oh? Let's hear them."

"One says, 'Truth only exists within the range of one's divine powers.' The other says, 'What cannot be won on the battlefield cannot be won at the negotiating table either.'"

Su Yuan spoke slowly.

"In this disciple's judgment, the seven great sages of the demon race have just repelled the heavenly troops. Their momentum is at its height, and their blades are sharp. When we enter the mountain for negotiations tomorrow, we will likely suffer some humiliation as they seek to undermine the Heavenly Court's prestige. Whether negotiations can ultimately succeed will not depend on eloquence, but on the true bottom line the Heavenly Court is willing to offer this time."

Hearing this, Venus Star Lord fell silent for a moment before speaking in a low voice.

"Humiliation... is not a problem. Those unwilling to endure it have already used their own means to arrange transfers back. As long as the Heavenly Court's great affairs are not delayed, it will be fine. As for the bottom line..."

He lowered his voice even further.

"His Majesty has issued an edict. If that monkey is willing to accept pacification, he may be granted the title of 'Great Sage.' As for the designation... it may be as he requested, 'Equal to Heaven.' His rank will be equivalent to that of the Four Imperial Sovereigns, answering summons but not commands."

Xu Jingyang happened to enter at that moment. Hearing this, he sucked in a sharp breath and blurted out,

"This... Star Lord! Isn't that far too generous? Even if that wild monkey possesses great divine powers, he is still only a demon immortal at the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm. What has he done to deserve this? Could it be that he truly has some connection with the one at Nüwa Palace..."

He unconsciously pointed upward.

"Silence!"

Venus Star Lord cut him off sharply.

"Do not make wild guesses! The will of Heaven is unfathomable. We need only act according to the edict!"

Realizing he had misspoken, Xu Jingyang hurriedly bowed and silently retreated to the side, not daring to say another word.

Venus Star Lord rubbed his brow and said to everyone,

"Enough. Rest properly today. Tomorrow, we enter the mountain for negotiations. Little Su, the Heavenly Court requires that every detail of tomorrow's negotiations be reported simultaneously to Gouchen Dijun through recording jade slips and communication talismans. You will draft the consolidated report."

Su Yuan cupped his hands. "This disciple obeys."

The next day, Venus Star Lord straightened his robes and personally came outside Water-Curtain Cave, calling out loudly,

"Great Sage, are you home? This old man, Venus Star Lord, has come under an imperial edict from the Heavenly Court to pay you a visit!"

A loud shout came from inside the cave. "This Old Sun isn't home! Get lost!"

Before the words had even faded, a Golden-Hooped Staff violently thrust out from Water-Curtain Cave and swept toward Venus Star Lord and the others!

"Move!"

Venus Star Lord's expression changed. He hurriedly swept his sleeve, pulling Su Yuan, Xu Jingyang, and the others with him as they transformed into golden light and retreated several miles. The fright left their faces pale.

The demon kings in the mountain immediately erupted into jeers, curses, and laughter.

After steadying himself, Xu Jingyang looked at Flower-Fruit Mountain, where demonic aura soared into the sky, and said worriedly,

"What are we supposed to do? We cannot even enter the mountain gate. How can we negotiate?"

When he turned around, however, he saw Su Yuan holding a jade slip and writing furiously. Curious, he released his divine sense and looked over.

Minutes of the Heavenly Court Pacification Envoy Delegation's First-Day Talks at Flower-Fruit Mountain

May 22, Year 123,605 of the Celestial Emperor Calendar

Today, Venus Star Lord, chief representative of the Heavenly Court Pacification Envoy Delegation, led the delegation into the airspace above Flower-Fruit Mountain on the Eastern Victory Divine Continent, where preliminary contact and talks were held with Great Sage Equal to Heaven Sun Wukong and the other six Great Sages.

During the talks, Venus Star Lord conveyed the Heavenly Court's sincere desire and goodwill in resolving the current situation through peaceful means to the Flower-Fruit Mountain side. The two sides also candidly exchanged views on matters of mutual concern. This contact provided an opportunity for both sides to deepen mutual understanding, and the talks were conducted in an open and equal atmosphere.

The Heavenly Court Pacification Envoy Delegation looks forward to maintaining communication with the Flower-Fruit Mountain side in order to promote further easing and stabilization of the situation. The delegation remains stationed in the designated airspace and will continue monitoring developments.

Signed: Heavenly Court Pacification Envoy Delegation

Principal Drafter: Su Yuan

Is this appropriate? Respectfully submitted for Gouchen Dijun's approval.

Xu Jingyang turned to Venus Star Lord and exclaimed sincerely,

"Star Lord, I finally understand why you value this kid so highly."