First Round of Negotiations

The next day, Shi Ji received the list from Wen Zhong.

Gu Changqing took the list, a knowing smile on his face. Wen Zhong truly understands me.

These past few days, when Wen Zhong sought help, he didn't look for the strongest, but for the worst.

The previous list given to him was almost entirely used up.

The final value of those people was as bargaining chips.

Two days later, Gu Changqing returned to Chaoge and handed the Heavenly Mystery Abode over to Di Xin.

After meeting with Tong Tian, master and disciple set off together for Wa Palace.

On the way, Tong Tian asked, "Changqing, how do you plan to negotiate?"

Gu Changqing chuckled, "Of course, we'll sit and talk."

Tong Tian's sword-like brows furrowed. "Are you saying my Four Swords of Zhuxian can't beat people up anymore?"

"Not at all," Gu Changqing said, pulling out the Six Souls Banner and handing it to Tong Tian. "Master, isn't this your lost Six Souls Banner?"

Now, the Ten Thousand Immortals Grand Formation was meaningless, and the Six Souls Banner was equally meaningless.

"Yes!" Tong Tian took the Six Souls Banner. "Where did you get it?"

"I picked it up in the Eastern Sea," Gu Changqing chuckled. "Maybe you dropped it while out for a stroll, Master."

Heh heh!

I don't believe a word of that! I, Laozi, never go for strolls!

Tong Tian naturally didn't believe Gu Changqing's nonsense, but he also didn't want to dig deeper.

Everyone had secrets, and he respected Gu Changqing's privacy.

This unexpected disciple had brought him too many surprises. Not to mention that he had already achieved Dao, although many Intercepting Sect disciples were lost during the Tribulation, their Luck had significantly increased because of it.

Gu Changqing had already used the Tribulation to clean up the Intercepting Sect.

Now that the Intercepting Sect's Luck had greatly increased, his cultivation had become much smoother.

Moreover, as the Tribulation progressed, he hadn't had to worry about a thing.

Not only had he not worried, but the eight direct disciples of the Intercepting Sect hadn't even left their homes, yet victory was now assured.

All of this was due to Gu Changqing's strategic planning.

Tong Tian pulled his thoughts back and asked again, "Changqing, how do you plan to negotiate?"

Gu Changqing laughed, "However we want to negotiate, that's how we'll negotiate, because we are the victors."

Tong Tian frowned slightly. "A proud army is bound to lose."

Gu Changqing glanced at Tong Tian. Senior, are you sure you're talking about me and not yourself?

Seeing Gu Changqing silent, Tong Tian couldn't bear to scold him further. He added, "This negotiation will be led by you. If there are any problems, the Four Swords of Zhuxian will speak for you."

Gu Changqing: Thank you, but please burn those kindling sticks of yours. They're useless now!

After the two arrived at Wa Palace, all the Saints were already there, even the Two Sages of the West.

When the Two Sages of the West looked at Gu Changqing, their eyes held no small amount of awe.

Even Laozi's eternally unchanging face showed a slight shift in expression.

Yuanshi also looked very uncomfortable.

Nüwa glanced at the Saints' reactions, knowing that their failure to eliminate the demons was not as simple as it seemed; they had probably suffered a great loss at Gu Changqing's hands.

Nüwa's gaze towards Gu Changqing gradually filled with pride.

This is a rising star of my Human Race!

Her eyes were like a mother seeing her son come in first place.

Tong Tian: What's going on?

I'm the protagonist here!

You should be afraid of me, shouldn't you?

Why are they all so wary of that kid?

Have my Four Swords of Zhuxian rusted?

He glanced at Gu Changqing. Kid, did you do something earth-shattering behind my back again?

Seeing the unusual expression on Tong Tian's face, Gu Changqing gave an awkward smile and said to the Saints, "Changqing greets all Senior Uncles and Senior Aunts."

The Saints: Is that a greeting? At least raise your hand!

Laozi let out two dry laughs and replied, "Daoist Changqing, no need for such formality."

Tong Tian: When did Eldest Brother become so polite? Shouldn't he be scolding Gu Changqing for his rudeness?

Gu Changqing ignored Laozi and went before Nüwa, bowing slightly. "Changqing greets Empress Nüwa."

Nüwa smiled, "Daoist Changqing has already achieved Dao. We are peers; there's no need for such formality."

Gu Changqing chuckled. "Your Ladyship is the Human Ancestor; it is only right that all of humanity respects you. I, too, am human, and I would never forget my origins."

Gu Changqing's attitude towards Nüwa caused friction among the Saints.

With Gu Changqing showing such profound respect for Nüwa, she was surely inclined to favor him. This negotiation was likely to be exceptionally difficult.

Laozi and Yuanshi felt the most pressure, while the Two Sages of the West were comparatively relaxed. After all, they had already decided not to get involved in the affairs of the Eastern Lands.

Just then, Laozi spoke again, "The Investiture of the Gods Calamity was ordained by the Dao Ancestor. Neither you nor I can defy it..."

Gu Changqing cut him off, retorting, "The Investiture of the Gods was indeed personally decreed by the Dao Ancestor, but the Dao Ancestor never said anything about Zhou replacing Shang, nor did he say anything about demoting the Human King to the Son of Heaven."

"This..." Laozi frowned, immediately deflecting. "Demoting the Human King to the Son of Heaven was Haotian's idea."

Gu Changqing continued, "Haotian rules the heavens, the Human King rules the earth, and Houtu presides over reincarnation; it has been this way since ancient times. For Haotian to demote the Human King to the Son of Heaven is to go against the natural order."

"The Three Sects colluding with the Xiqi rebellion is undermining the legitimate tradition of our Human Race. They are a rebellious faction and must be suppressed."

The Saints: Aren't we the heavens? Isn't Haotian the heavens?

It's frustrating. Our piece of heaven isn't as big as Gu Changqing's piece of earth.

Laozi felt bitter. Demoting the Human King to the Son of Heaven was Haotian's idea and also served the interests of the Saints.

In principle, Gu Changqing's words weren't wrong either, as the Primordial World had operated under this system for many years.

The crucial point was that Nüwa was the first to act against Great Shang, and now Nüwa had betrayed them.

No matter what was said now, the other side held the moral high ground.

Seeing that verbal arguments were useless and he couldn't establish himself on the moral high ground, Laozi said, "Although this calamity is fated, we should still try our best to control it and prevent it from expanding indefinitely."

Gu Changqing nodded. "Grand Senior Martial Uncle is absolutely right. For the sake of all living beings, I ask that the Western Sect withdraw from the Eastern Lands, and that the Human and Chan Sects relocate to the Heavenly Court. With no more conflict in the Human Realm, wouldn't the calamity end beautifully?"

"Our Western Sect is willing to withdraw from the Eastern Lands."

Before Laozi could speak, Jie Yin quickly chimed in.

These two had been thoroughly intimidated by Gu Changqing.

Laozi felt a chill run down his spine as he saw the Two Sages of the West also betray him.

Yuanshi: If everyone's moving, what's even the point anymore?

Laozi saw the veins throbbing on Yuanshi's face, knowing his second brother was furious. He quickly sent a telepathic message to comfort him: "Junior Brother, do not be impulsive. When Master emerges from seclusion, he will surely uphold justice for us."

Yuanshi thought of the omnipotent Hongjun, glanced at Gu Changqing, and thought, Let you gloat for a while.

Laozi then said, "The foundation of the Human and Chan Sects is to educate all people; this is ordained by heaven. For Fellow Daoist Changqing to ask us to relocate to the Heavenly Court, wouldn't that go against the will of heaven?"

"Not so, not so!"

Gu Changqing chuckled. "The Human and Chan Sects relocating to the Heavenly Court does not affect their mission of education. Humans are mostly mortals, and Qi Refining disciples are sufficient to educate them. The disciples of both sects who have reached Foundation Establishment and above relocating to the Heavenly Court will not hinder the Qi Refining disciples' educational efforts."

Pfft!

Pfft!

Laozi and Yuanshi nearly coughed up blood.

Tong Tian, however, burst out laughing.

You're truly a genius, you bastard!

To come up with such a wicked plan!

You're not here to negotiate; you're here to pick a fight!

Thinking of a fight, Tong Tian secretly activated the Four Swords of Zhuxian, ready to strike at any moment.

But he waited for a long time, and his eldest and second brothers showed no intention of making a move.

What's going on?

We've talked to this point, and you still won't teach this kid a lesson?

Second Brother, aren't you the one who looks down on our Intercepting Sect the most? Make a move!

Tong Tian was anxious.

If he didn't act, his protagonist's halo would never return.

Yuanshi and Laozi's expressions changed repeatedly, but in the end, they didn't pull out the Pangu Banner or the Taiji Diagram.

They couldn't win anyway, and now that the Two Sages of the West and Nüwa had betrayed them, fighting would only be self-humiliation.

Laozi then said, "Since Fellow Daoist Changqing has no sincerity today, how about we talk again tomorrow?"

"Agreed!"

Gu Changqing thought, You'll soon see my sincerity.