"What?"

"She might have absorbed the lessons of ancient defeat. Without a humane foundation, everything is but an illusion. Her actions after this resurgence carry a tinge of that...," the Blind Man said, smiling sardonically. "She is also trying to tread the path of the Emperor Ye, seeing if there are any references for her... But the two are fundamentally opposed. If she can unify them, she wouldn't be herself anymore."

"Then what is it?"

"It's the Heavenly Dao."

Zhao Changhe: "..."

The Blind Man spoke in a relaxed tone, "Ironically, her current identity as a young lady has tied her in knots, and now someone has come to propose marriage. I am very eager to see her expression. You all should work harder on this matter, don't just play around. Give it your all. If she gets infuriated, I've got it covered."

This was the first time the Blind Man expressed "I've got it covered," willing to intervene openly for this matter.

Zhao Changhe's expression was incredibly strange. Is your reason for intervening a bit odd... You said everything has to have rules, yet you're breaking rules just to have some fun?

Whatever, anyway, by pulling the conversation in all directions to discuss serious matters, they managed to cover up that illusion of springtime scenery. The Blind Man didn't dwell on that matter anymore, which could be considered an achievement.

The voice of Li Boping came from the side: "Venerable, please ascend to the hall."

The two snapped back to reality, realizing they were already in the grand hall, with Li Boping already seated.

Standing beside Li Boping was Jiuyou, who was steadily staring at Zhao Changhe, her previously calm eyes now showing a hint of confusion.

The Blind Man was startled, he had been so absorbed in idle chat that he'd forgotten to observe his surroundings, let alone observe the world. He almost got noticed by Jiuyou.

She dared to enter dreams during Yue Hongling's intimate moments, unafraid of being recognized by Yue Hongling, but when facing Jiuyou, even with the void between them, she dared not be distracted for even a moment; otherwise, she might be discovered at any time.

——Jiuyou's current strength could probably only reach the early stage of the Imperial Realm Second Layer, but her understanding of the Heavenly Dao Laws was firmly at the level of the Third Layer, absolutely not to be underestimated.

On the other side, the Vermilion Bird had also taken a seat in the hall, with Zhao Changhe and Yue Hongling standing silently by her sides. All three of their gazes were fixed on Jiuyou beside Li Boping, tension written all over their faces.

Li Boping was saying: "Your family and mine are natural enemies, and since the Venerable is here as an emissary, we as a civilized nation will naturally not make things difficult for you. Whatever the Venerable wishes to discuss, feel free to speak your mind."

The Vermilion Bird smiled faintly: "Earlier, King Qin mentioned Bo'e being hidden here, and you all claim not to know?"

Li Boping straightforwardly lied: "Indeed, we do not know."

"Then the fact that Ye Leitu led light cavalry from Guanglong, bypassed the Three Jin, and launched a surprise attack on the Capital has nothing to do with you?"

"Of course not. As everyone knows, the Northern Hu once bypassed Yumen and raided Guanglong. Even Chang'an was attacked back then but was soon driven out by us." Li Boping continued lying: "To this day, there are still some small groups of Northern Hu troops harassing various places in Guanglong, and we've even sent troops to suppress them, but with little success. So when Ye Leitu's army bypassed Chang'an straight to Taihang, there was nothing we could do."

Despite there being later developments involving the Li Family's troops being ambushed by Huangfu Shaozong, he pretended it never happened. If the Vermilion Bird pressed further, he could always say it was a war between their two houses. What? The Northern Hu opened the path first? Sorry, our scouts were insufficient, we weren't aware of it.

No matter how fake the claims are, if they still plan on ruling the Divine Continent in the future, they must cover up the past use of the Northern Hu troops; if they successfully unify the land, they will still launch a northern campaign. After all, whoever sits on the throne is an enemy to the Northern Hu.

The Vermilion Bird naturally couldn't be bothered to expose the lie, merely saying lazily: "Spring begins tomorrow... Although historically, the Northern Hu usually come south in the autumn, when the horses are strong and fat, and not in spring, like last year in autumn. But you and I both know that this year is different. The Great Han has just experienced turmoil, King Qin recently mentioned that Guanglong was once broken through and raided by the Northern Hu, so besides the prosperity of Chang'an, elsewhere might be relatively desolate, with everyone in a state of rebuilding. In contrast, Tie Muer has just defeated Ba Tu and regained control of the Southern Desert. They won't give us an opportunity; as soon as the snow stops, they will certainly come south."

Li Boping thought to himself, "That's exactly what I want, them coming south, and you're telling me this..."

But outwardly he could only say: "Exactly, is that the reason for the Venerable's mission?"

"Naturally. If the Great Han and King Qin could temporarily cease their hostilities and jointly fight against the Northern Hu, victory is not impossible. After all, Tie Muer suffered a loss last year and isn't as strong as imagined. We are simply weakened by infighting and entanglement." The Vermilion Bird said forcefully: "If we can cooperate, then not only can we resist invasion, we might even launch an expedition beyond the Northern Border and clean house!"

Li Boping smiled: "Guanglong is exhausted, only enough to protect ourselves. If the Venerable has a mind for a northern campaign, I greatly admire it and wish you success."

The Vermilion Bird said: "I can launch an attack, are you that weak?"

"We can't compare to the Great Han's vast lands and strong military."

"In that case, if you can stay behind closed doors and not cause trouble for us, it might not be impossible." The Vermilion Bird said leisurely: "But such an alliance is extremely fragile; without something to bind us, we cannot trust it. So perhaps a marriage alliance?"

Finally, the topic turned to this, and Li Boping sneaked a glance at Jiuyou beside him, yet Jiuyou was still staring at Zhao Changhe, expressionless as a porcelain doll from beginning to end.

Li Boping was slightly puzzled in his heart, could it be, you actually favor him?

Without instructions from the ancestor, Li Boping could only brace himself and make a random lie: "A marriage alliance isn't impossible, but why can't it be that I propose for my son to marry a Princess of the Great Han?"

"We don't even have a Princess in our family, hahaha."

Li Boping: "..."

"Besides, you're not worthy; even a maid of ours isn't someone you can touch." The Vermilion Bird said leisurely: "Let's not waste words, it's meaningless. I heard your family's young lady is quite beautiful; if you are willing to send her to serve as a consort to our King Zhao, both sides can temporarily cease fighting. If not... with Bo'e's presence in Chang'an and Bodhisattva emerging from the Buddhist sect, the world will naturally have its opinion on what the Li family's real motive for refusing the alliance is. Tomorrow, when the Great Han troops march out from Hangu Pass, and the Heavenly Soldiers arrive, all will be obliterated; don't say you weren't warned."

What kind of proposal is this? This was obviously causing trouble; the Vermilion Bird certainly wasn't sincerely proposing marriage for Zhao Changhe.

Even if Li Boping truly had a daughter, he couldn't stomach this kind of talk. Just as he was about to vehemently refuse, Jiuyou next to him suddenly spoke faintly: "If you truly want to discuss marriage, some details can be laid out for discussion. If the requirements are met, it's not out of the question."

Eh?

Li Boping was dumbfounded, and the Vermilion Bird widened her eyes, stunned.

You little vixen, what are you trying to do!

Even Yue Hongling, who had been standing silent all along as a guard, instinctively grasped her sword hilt.

Zhao Changhe's mouth was agape, desperately wanting to pull the Blind Man back from the void. What is she up to, go on, say something!

Unfortunately, even the Blind Man was dumbstruck at that moment.

————

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