The great victory on the Sailuomen Plain spread far and wide, and the joy of victory permeated every corner of Wansheng Country.

To celebrate this triumph, Baihua City began to busily arrange a celebration. They cleared the piled-up snow from the streets and hung red lanterns on both sides, adorning every building beautifully.

The day the good news arrived was coincidentally New Year's Day of the new year. The residents of Baihua City decided to combine the celebration of New Year with the celebration of the victory, reveling for many days on end.

After receiving contact from Ming Dalak, Yang Yu rushed back to Baihua City overnight from the Sailuomen Plain.

Ajiket had already learned of Ming Dalak's intentions in advance, telling Yang Yu not to worry about the aftermath's trivial matters and to focus on preparing for the negotiations.

It must be remembered that even in defeat, the Luo Ze Empire remained arrogant, likely intending to create difficulties for Wansheng Country before the giant dragon, aiming to gain something at the negotiation table.

Only by making them truly suffer would they regret this war.

The Luo Ze Empire placed great importance on so-called honor.

They appointed generals to negotiate, and upon seeing a reserve general sitting opposite, they were very likely to question Wansheng Country's attitude towards peace talks.

They might say things like, "We sent out negotiators of high rank, yet you appointed a reserve general to head negotiations, which is blatant contempt" or "The Colorful-haired Masked Man made such contributions, yet you didn't grant him a higher military rank, allowing him to negotiate under the title of reserve general; this reveals Wansheng Country's attitude," to seize the initiative in the negotiations.

Hence, awarding honors was necessary for the upcoming negotiations.

Yang Yu naturally understood this principle; it could be said that this was an inevitable result.

Even if Wansheng Country didn't want him to appear, the Luo Ze Empire would certainly clamor for him to be present at the negotiation table.

Deciding how to disgust them into making concessions after they made their difficulties, or finding a win-win solution that they couldn't refuse, were all key negotiation points.

Once confirming that such a method was feasible, Yang Yu began preparing countermeasures a long time ago.

Especially before the big fire, Yang Yu contemplated even more.

Nowadays, the coping strategy has basically taken shape; the rest depends on how shameless the Luo Ze Empire would be and how much could be utilized.

Thanks to the addition of a title, Lotcar's speed significantly increased, and at full speed, it took only two and a half days to get Yang Yu from the Sailuomen Plain to Baihua City.

As soon as Yang Yu appeared in Baihua City, he was warmly welcomed by the residents.

People filled the streets to the brim, all eager to see the young leader and to convey their blessings.

Yang Yu greeted everyone warmly and then proceeded directly to the Imperial Palace under their admiring gaze.

Passing through the spacious main hall, Yang Yu paid respects to the radiant Wanzhang Lion.

After a lengthy ceremony, Wanzhang Lion prioritized expressing gratitude to Yang Yu for saving his life:

"Thank you, Mr. Potato Thorn, I am pleased to see you again.

Because of you, my illness could heal smoothly.

I really didn't expect you to contribute so greatly to this country."

"Not at all. Thanks to His Majesty's gift of Racial Essence, I am nearly free from the affliction of Woodification Disease. With Wansheng Country treating me so well, I naturally must devote myself."

Beneath the throne, Yang Yu was exceedingly polite, his words full of reverence with not a hint of insincerity.

Wanzhang Lion laughed heartily, yet with unwavering dignity: "You are truly modest. Our Wansheng Country does not treat anyone who contributes to the nation unfairly.

Originally, I wanted to get on the battlefield when my health improved, leading the country to victory.

Unexpectedly, you achieved it before I did.

Looking back at how we got here today, I am filled with emotion.

If you count it, since the Luo Ze Empire launched the war, it's been over eight years, almost nine years now.

During this period, our country went through various crises, stubborn nobles, betrayers reaching outwards, subhumans lacking unity, and the unexpected death of the former National Guardian General...

Each became nearly the last straw to break the camel's back.

I'll never forget how we endured it all.

It was because of outstanding talents like you who emerged during crises, supporting the walls ready to collapse, that our country could persist to this day and greet the dawn.

A few days ago, the envoy from the Luo Ze Empire had already been here.

After discussion, we set the negotiation date for January 9th, which is in a week.

Our two nations will put forward our revised opinions on the rules set by the giant dragon and ultimately sign a ceasefire agreement.

I hope you can represent Wansheng Country at that time.

To thank you for your achievements and to give you an equal position to negotiate with the other side, I will personally grant you the position of general.

After the successful completion of the negotiations, I will also bestow upon you a formal nobility title and grant you a territory of your own, to thank you for everything you've done for Wansheng Country."

Although tempted to exchange the nobility title and land for something else, given the current atmosphere, Yang Yu couldn't bring himself to voice his request, so he refrained:

"I am deeply honored by His Majesty the King's favor."

"Next is the official conferring ceremony. Thank you again for everything you have done for Wansheng Country. From today, you are a general of Wansheng Country. I look forward to your future."

Wanzhang Lion summoned a maid and had Qian Xialan step forward to officially begin the conferring.

The Beastmen, since ancient times, have disliked complicated procedures. They believe there is no need for complex conferring ceremonies like the humans do, as long as the kingdom's goodwill, deserved authority, and rewards are bestowed upon the hero, the conferring is considered complete.

From Qian Xialan's hand, Yang Yu received a distinctive General Token engraved with his name and a well-crafted General's Command Sword also engraved with his name.

Originally, there was also a suit of General's Armor, but no one expected such dramatic changes in the battlefield, with the war on Sailuomen Plain ending so swiftly that the armor was not finished.

It's uncertain whether the armor would be ready by the time Yang Yu returns from the negotiations.

Yang Yu wasn't concerned though. The armor, while offering excellent defensive power, was too heavy.

The size of the armor would also affect Yang Yu's movements, making him less agile at critical moments.

The armor bestowed was merely a symbol of identity. In some sense, Yang Yu's mask and colorful hair were so distinctive that there was no need for armor to distinguish the rank of general.

Therefore, whether or not he received the General's Armor afterward, Yang Yu did not care.

He doesn't need it now, and won't need it in the future.

Yang Yu looked at the Camp Task; the promotion to general's task reward was already collectable.

Unfortunately, it seems the last prize might never be attainable.

It's an unavoidable fact, for he could never become the National Guardian General of Wansheng Country.

Because he wasn't completely aligned with Wansheng Country.

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