King of Creation Chapter 1800 - 1785: Terms of the Deal

Within the Luoyi Imperial Palace of Great Zhou, in the grand Donglai Pavilion, Emperor Ji Long's gaze was fixed upon the Shadow Capture Jade Slip presented by Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu. His brows, set in a deep, furrowed line resembling the character '川,' gradually knitted together.

"Wud Qing, is this... verifiable?"

With a casual motion, the spectral images within the Jade Slip seemed to materialize and fill the space around the Donglai Pavilion.

A valley, choked with towering trees, became visible, its depths teeming with the shadowy forms of various Demon Clan warriors.

At the heart of this gathering, a Vortex Light Gate, an imposing structure measuring three meters in height and ten meters across, pulsed as countless Demon Clan warriors poured into its swirling depths.

Upon crossing the threshold of the Vortex Light Gate, the Demon Clan warriors simply ceased to exist, vanishing as if into thin air.

In what felt like mere moments, nearly a thousand Demon Clan warriors entered the Vortex Light Gate with each passing breath, and within less than a hundred breaths, the specters of the Demon Clan within the valley had completely disappeared.

"Your Majesty," Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu responded, "according to Xio Qiangu, this scene was chanced upon by a Heavenly Patrol Divine Hunter serving under his West Patrol during a reconnaissance mission. Acting alone, he dared not alert the enemy. Thus, after signaling nearby colleagues, he first captured the shadow for observation."

"Regrettably, by the time his associates arrived, those hundred thousand Demon Clan warriors had already vanished entirely through the Vortex Light Gate."

"Wud Qing, do you place your trust in this Shadow Capture Jade Slip? What is your assessment?" Emperor Ji Long inquired, his fingers drumming a steady rhythm on the imperial desk.

"Your Majesty, this... is difficult to ascertain."

The situation left Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu in a state of uncertainty. "Xio Qiangu intends to leverage this visual record to assert that the hundred-thousand Demon Clan warriors have departed. However, at present, we can only speak of its questionable authenticity."

"Questionable authenticity? In what regard?" Emperor Ji Long pressed.

"Your Majesty, firstly, this is merely a captured shadow. From it, we can faintly discern that the Vortex Light Gate might possibly be an entryway to a pocket dimension, through which nearly a hundred thousand Demon Clan warriors were scrambling to exit.

Nonetheless, the information we can extract is severely limited, precluding any definitive judgment. Furthermore, the shadow was captured by only one Heavenly Patrol Divine Hunter.

Most critically, in the final moments, the infiltrating Heavenly Patrol Divine Hunter was detected by a Demon Clan Commander and was struck down.

The Shadow Capture Jade Slip itself was subsequently retrieved by colleagues who arrived after receiving a Talisman Communication.

From this perspective, beyond the shadow itself, there exists no irrefutable proof of its veracity.

Conversely, shadows of such magnitude are exceedingly challenging to fabricate; even the most skilled illusionists at the peak of the Dao Realm could not replicate such a feat.

Moreover, at its core, Xio Qiangu of the West Patrol would neither dare nor possess the means to concoct such a deception.

Now, presented with evidence suggesting the departure of the hundred-thousand Demon Clan warriors, if they were indeed to reappear and inflict harm at a later date, Xio Qiangu, despite his esteemed position as West Patrol, would face dire repercussions." Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu elucidated.

Emperor Ji Long's gaze shifted slightly. "So, Wud Qing, you lean towards a favorable view of this Shadow Capture Jade Slip?"

"Indeed, to a significant extent." Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu offered a slight nod. "Your Majesty, this predicament has lingered, public sentiment is inflamed, dissatisfaction is rampant, and the Military Department is struggling to cope. A resolution is imperative."

"A resolution is imperative..."

After a period of contemplation lasting several breaths, Emperor Ji Long suddenly nodded. "In that case, dispatch this Shadow Capture Jade Slip to the Left Minister's residence. Instruct the Left Minister to publicly announce its contents to the world. Furthermore, ensure all relevant offices are duly notified."

"Yes, I shall carry out the order." Wu Yu inclined his head.

"This matter, while important, is secondary. This time, regarding the newly appointed Third and Seventh Route Wind Patrol Envoys, ensure their successful assumption of duties is rigorously monitored.

Should they establish a presence akin to Ye Zhen within the West Patrol, a third of the West Patrol's influence will fall under my command.

In the future, when confronting the Xio Clan, we shall possess a greater degree of confidence."

Emperor Ji Long paused, then continued, "To guarantee no missteps occur, Wud Qing, you may discreetly dispatch a pair of Void Hunting Kings to discreetly observe them.

This measure will serve to prevent Xio Qiangu from causing them harm."

"I understand, Your Majesty. I shall certainly execute your instructions precisely." With that, Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu took his leave.

Following Wu Yu’s departure, Venerate Emperor Ji Long clenched his fists with excitement. "As long as the Third and Seventh Route Wind Patrol Envoys successfully establish their command and fully secure these two patrol routes, coupled with Ye Zhen's development over dozens of years, perhaps in my lifetime, I can eradicate the Xio Clan, this persistent blight, thereby benefiting my Ji Clan descendants."

"Great Attendant," Venerate Emperor Ji Long continued, "including Ye Zhen's Wind Patrol Envoy route, you and your subordinates must meticulously monitor these three Wind Patrol Envoys. If Xio Qiangu makes any moves, be swift to inform me."

"Yes, I shall obey your command."

With the distribution of the Shadow Capture Jade Slip and the accompanying documents from the Military Department, Ministry of Justice, Heavenly Patrol Department, and all states and offices, the uproar surrounding the invasion by the hundred-thousand-strong Demon Clan army gradually subsided.

Garrisons stationed across the land and the personnel who had been actively searching could finally heave a sigh of relief and find some rest.

Some collapsed into sleep right where they stood, while others were immediately struck by illness, a clear testament to the immense impact of the recent incident.

The state of military readiness and the travel restrictions imposed on Pingzhou, Weizhou, and the surrounding states were promptly lifted, permitting the resumption of normal travel and commerce.

Meanwhile, the Human-Demon Battlefield, which had remained tranquil for tens of thousands of years, returned to its peaceful state. Nevertheless, having learned from this recent event, the Grand Marshal, Prince Ji Yuan, had ordered the construction of a basic defensive line at the rear of the Human-Demon Battlefield to ward off any recurrence of similar incidents.

It must be acknowledged that witnessing the hundred-thousand Demon Clan army invade and then retreat unscathed after annihilating two county towns was a profound disgrace to every department of the Great Zhou.

This was particularly true for the Heavenly Patrol Department, whose reputation had been severely tarnished. Countless memorials, piling up like snowflakes, impeached Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu’s West Patrol Officer Xi Qiangu.

Although Venerate Emperor Ji Long could not directly confront Xi Qiangu at this moment, he seized the opportunity to issue a stern reprimand.

A verbal admonishment every two days and an imperial decree of scolding every three days were enough to infuriate Xi Qiangu and cast a pall over the entire West Patrol Office.

However, in contrast to the West Patrol's plight, Ye Zhen found himself in a far more relaxed, even joyful, position.

Without question, the Shadow Capture Jade Slip that Xi Qiangu had submitted to resolve the matter originated from Ye Zhen himself.

After Ye Zhen and Xi Qiangu had finalized their agreement on the trade terms, Ye Zhen would provide the necessary evidence to conclude this significant event, which he had masterminded.

Nevertheless, bringing the fifty thousand Demon Soul Army back into the open was a risk Ye Zhen was unwilling to take.

Ye Zhen was confident that if his fifty thousand Demon Soul Army were to reappear, they would be annihilated without delay.

Did they truly believe the Great Zhou Dynasty posed no threat?

A mere handful of Void Hunting Kings and Dao Realm experts could easily decimate them.

Since displaying them was not an option, Ye Zhen still needed to furnish Xi Qiangu with proof to settle the situation.

Ultimately, Ye Zhen opted to utilize the Mirage Dragon Primordial Spirit, Achou.

This entity possessed Grandmaster-level Illusion Techniques, and when combined with the Origin Mirage Qi of the Ancient Mirage Dragon, even Dao Realm experts would be unable to see through the deception, let alone the Spirit Shadow captured within the Shadow Capture Jade Slip.

Consequently, Ye Zhen selected a secluded location, erected a Misty Formation to cloak it in dense fog, and within this veil, Achou unleashed his Illusion Technique. Ye Zhen himself then meticulously recorded the Shadow Capture Jade Slip.

Subsequently, Ye Zhen presented the Shadow Capture Jade Slip to Xi Qiangu.

Ye Zhen offered a detailed explanation, fabricating a story about a Heavenly Patrol Divine Hunter under his command who had stumbled upon a mountain and accidentally recorded the Spirit Shadow.

This was a strategic move to prevent Xi Qiangu from secretly employing any stratagems that might leave him vulnerable later.

As for how to smooth over the details and construct the complete narrative, that was Xi Qiangu's responsibility. Ye Zhen, on the other hand, had secured what he desired and was now simply awaiting its delivery.

"Liou Feng, how are your preparations coming along?" Ye Zhen summoned Liou Feng to inquire.

"Reporting to my lord, all preparations are complete; we can depart at any moment," Liou Feng responded.

Nodding, Ye Zhen produced a Seal and a Jade Scroll, handing them to Liou Feng. "From this moment forth, I appoint you as the Deputy Envoy of the Heavenly Patrol Department’s West Patrol Second Road Wind Patrol Envoy to Marquisate Haiyuan."

Upon hearing this, Liou Feng knelt on one knee, accepting the Seal from Ye Zhen's hand. "I shall not fail the trust you have placed in me, my lord."

Ye Zhen nodded and helped Liou Feng to his feet. "This is the roster of the hidden guards within Marquisate Haiyuan of the West Patrol. You may utilize it as you see fit.

In Marquisate Haiyuan, feel empowered to act decisively."

However, the paramount objective is to secure the Ancient Teleportation Array within Marquisate Haiyuan.

The crucial Teleportation Token for this array must be placed in the hands of the utterly trustworthy.

"Rest assured, my lord," came the crisp reply.

Merely a few moments later, Liuu Feng was leading one-third of the Second Road Wind Patrol Envoy’s forces, accompanied by ten thousand elite soldiers meticulously chosen from Heijun County, en route to Marquisate Haiyuan.

The authority to inspect and oversee Marquisate Haiyuan was a significant bargaining chip Ye Zhen had presented to the West Patrol Officer, Xi Qiangu.

To truly understand this jurisdictional inspection right, one must first delve into the current circumstances of Ye Zhen's Second Road Wind Patrol Envoy position.

Initially, the territory overseen by the West Patrol Second Road Wind Patrol Envoy spanned four entire states.

But following the demise of the previous Wind Patrol Envoy at Ye Zhen’s own hands, and Ye Zhen’s subsequent, forceful appointment by Emperor Ji Long as the West Patrol Second Road Wind Patrol Envoy, a shift occurred.

Faced with Emperor Ji Long's imperial decree, Xi Qiangu found himself with little recourse but to manipulate the finer points.

Upon Ye Zhen's initial installation, Xi Qiangu declared that the Second Road Wind Patrol Envoy's office required a complete overhaul due to a severe lack of personnel. This led to a reduction in jurisdiction, shrinking it from four states down to just one.

This solitary state was the department within Lingzhou that held jurisdiction over Heijun County.

In essence, this move drastically curtailed the Second Road Wind Patrol Envoy’s influence and operational capacity by more than seventy percent.

Nevertheless, even in that precarious situation, Emperor Ji Long’s sole intention was to subtly undermine the West Patrol, showing no concern for such granular details.

Underneath Ye Zhen’s command, the available manpower was indeed scarce; even Liuu Feng and Gu Tieqi had been requisitioned from the Luoyi Imperial Capital, a mere handful of key figures, like catching a few stray cats.

Governing only a single state was therefore the inevitable outcome; after all, it was hardly a position of significant prestige or reward.

Initially, Ye Zhen paid little mind to this limitation. However, as the Second Road Wind Patrol Envoy and Heijun County experienced their own growth and development, Ye Zhen recognized the growing necessity for expansion.

The jurisdiction rights over Marquisate Haiyuan, in particular, presented Ye Zhen with a compelling strategic advantage he was determined to secure.