Xu Tianran's words were spoken casually and nonchalantly.
But this was something he did deliberately, to ensure that everyone present could clearly hear what he had just said.
This is a meticulously planned, overt scheme.
If Xu Tianran, the Sun Moon Emperor, were to meet with misfortune here tonight, the murderer could only be Kong Deming.
The Royal Soul Engineer Corps taxi drivers outside the door were the most direct witnesses.
Even if Kong Deming were ruthless enough to kill everyone who came tonight, this matter could not be kept secret forever, and ultimately the blame would still fall on Kong Deming.
Given his limited strength, Xu Tianran had no choice but to do this, his aim being to make Kong Deming hesitate to act rashly.
He was betting that Kong Deming would not want to personally shatter the empire's superficial stability, nor would he want to bear the infamy of regicide.
Led by Kong Xuan, Ju Zi pushed Xu Tianran through the courtyard and into the reception room not far away.
The hall was brightly lit and furnished in a simple and elegant style. Kong Deming was already seated in the head seat, with a cup of tea beside him, its white smoke curling upwards.
Ju Zi pushed Xu Tianran's wheelchair to the main seat on the other side, parallel to Kong Deming. After settling him in, Ju Zi stood quietly to the side with her head bowed.
Kong Deming broke the silence first, his gaze calmly fixed on Xu Tianran: "Your Majesty, what brings you to my humble abode so late at night?"
Xu Tianran's face appeared even more somber under the lamplight, his gaze piercing Kong Deming, his voice carrying a suppressed coldness. "Why does the Palace Master need to ask a question he already knows the answer to?"
He paused, his chest rising and falling slightly. "Besides, it would be better if the Palace Master addressed me by my given name directly, after all... even in front of outsiders during the day, the Palace Master was not so 'polite'."
He was referring, of course, to Kong Deming's actions today in Ten Thousand Stars City, where he publicly called out " Xu Tianran " by his name and forcefully interfered in military affairs.
The air in the hall suddenly tensed up at those words. Ju Zi lowered her head even further, while Kong Xuan looked on with great interest.
Upon hearing this, Kong Deming's expression remained unchanged. He simply put down his teacup, the porcelain making a soft, crisp sound as it touched the wooden table.
His gaze swept over Xu Tianran's gloomy face, his tone remaining calm. "So, Xu Tianran... what brings you here so late at night?"
Hearing the other person actually call him by his name, Xu Tianran's suppressed anger surged up. He abruptly looked up at Kong Deming, practically spitting out a single word through gritted teeth. "You...!"
However, seeing the almost bursting anger on his face, Kong Deming not only didn't get angry, but instead smiled gently.
"Look, you get upset when I actually call your name. So... who's the hypocrite here?"
Kong Deming's smile vanished abruptly, his expression turning solemn as he asked directly, "You've come for peace talks?"
Xu Tianran's knuckles turned white from gripping the wheelchair armrests so tightly that the wooden handrails creaked under the weight.
His chest heaved violently a few times, clearly struggling to control his turbulent emotions.
After a moment, he slowly released his grip, letting out a long breath, as if trying to suppress all his emotions for the time being.
"The Temple Master once said that the Worship Hall would not interfere in the war." His gaze was fixed on Kong Deming. "Now, the Temple Master is not only personally going to the front lines, but also interfering in military affairs."
"Furthermore, they proposed... peace talks? Are they perhaps trying to renege on their promises?"
Kong Deming let out a soft, cold snort, "What I said that day was that I wouldn't help you start a war, but I never said... I wouldn't stop this war."
Seeing the sudden, almost ferocious expression on Xu Tianran's face, Kong Deming remained unmoved, his voice still steady.
"At this point in the war, both sides have been severely weakened, and the taxes levied on the empire's people are already unbearable. The people yearn for peace, and now is the best time to stop the fighting and negotiate."
Xu Tianran's chest heaved violently; if it weren't for his crippled legs, he probably would have already stood up abruptly by now.
Overwhelmed by rage, he slammed his hand on the table beside him with a dull thud, and roared, " Ten Thousand Stars City has fallen! The gates of the Star Luo Empire are wide open, and there are no more obstacles beyond. Our Sun Moon Army should press our advantage and pursue them in one fell swoop..."
"Enough!"
Kong Deming's voice suddenly rose, abruptly interrupting Xu Tianran.
"You've probably already seen the battle reports from the front lines. Don't you know the situation of the Evil Lord and Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Corps? What are the casualties and morale of each legion? Can't you really see that?"
His words grew increasingly forceful, pressing on relentlessly. "Do you intend to continue your relentless militarism, using the lives of your soldiers as fuel until the last drop of blood is shed, ultimately crippling the entire nation, all for the sake of your dream of unifying the continent?!"
Kong Deming's questioning not only failed to extinguish Xu Tianran's anger, but instead, like hot oil being poured on him, it ignited the nameless Heavenly Spirit that had been building up inside him.
"The Palace Master's words are truly righteous and dignified, so full of lofty ideals!"
Xu Tianran's voice trembled slightly with excitement, and he stared intently at Kong Deming, his eyes bloodshot.
"If the Worship Hall were willing to intervene, our Sun Moon warriors would not have suffered such heavy casualties!"
This time, Kong Deming fell silent, and the air in the hall seemed to freeze.
Xu Tianran's accusations were not wrong.
A complex emotion flickered in Kong Deming's deep eyes. He neither explained nor refuted, but simply sighed almost inaudibly.
That sigh may contain both a steadfast adherence to the established stance and a sense of apology for the victims.
He stopped dwelling on the "what ifs" of the past, his gaze regained its calm and firmness as he looked at Xu Tianran, his voice returning to its previous steady tone.
"My mind is made up on this matter."
He paused, each word falling Qian Jun in the silent living room.
"Your Majesty, it would be best to issue a decree for peace talks."
"This will save me from going through any more trouble."
Xu Tianran's face flickered in and out of focus under the light, his hands clenched into fists again, his nails almost digging into his palms.
He sensed the undisguised threat beneath those calm words.
Xu Tianran is by no means a submissive person.
He was a ruthless leader who would rather walk on a knife's edge than easily bow down and compromise.
Upon hearing Kong Deming's almost ultimatum-like words, he not only did not back down, but his eyes blazed with an even more sinister flame.
"Oh? What if I... insist on refusing?" He leaned forward slightly, the wheelchair making a soft creaking sound. "What will the Palace Master do then? Are you planning to personally assassinate the Emperor and install a new ruler?"
He laid bare the worst possibilities, with an almost self-destructive provocation, attempting to force Kong Deming to his limit and to maintain his own crumbling imperial dignity.
Upon hearing this, Kong Deming merely smiled faintly.
There was no murderous intent in that smile; instead, there was a strange composure, even a hint of pity.
Why go through all that trouble?
He shook his head and said in a relaxed tone, "At tomorrow's court assembly, court officials will surely vehemently denounce the current problems and earnestly request a cessation of hostilities and peace talks."
"Although you are the Sun Moon Emperor, such matters concerning the fate of the nation cannot be decided in a single word."