Ch 476: The Ransom Conditions
“I represent the Blood Sand Kingdom, and I am here for Lord Huang Tian. If Your Majesty grants their release, the Blood Sand Kingdom will certainly fulfill any request…”
After the Blood Sand Kingdom Envoy finished speaking, the envoys from the other three Demon Kingdoms quickly chimed in.
“If Your Majesty allows Lord Kuang Shi to return to our You Xu Kingdom, we will agree to any conditions the Divine Palace sets forth!”
“My Xuan Luo Kingdom feels the same!”
“……”
After the envoys finished speaking, they all looked up at Xiao Tiansheng on the Dragon Throne, waiting for his response.
These envoys who came to negotiate were all members of the Four Great Rulers’ royal families. Their presence at the Divine Palace truly represented the royal families’ sincerity.
Their goal was to negotiate with Xiao Tiansheng for a solution that would both release the prisoners and not inflict too much pain on their respective countries.
Therefore, although their tone was neither humble nor arrogant, they gave off a strangely insubstantial feeling.
Seeing this, the civil and military officials on the side couldn’t help but smile knowingly, their hearts filled with satisfaction.
In the past, the Demon Race would have devoured any Human Race member they encountered, yet their posture now was so low. If the Divine Palace hadn’t captured these Demon Saints from the various Demon Kingdoms, they would likely never witness such a scene in their lifetime.
“You say you will fulfill any request; then I shall see your sincerity.”
At this time, Xiao Tiansheng sat securely on the Dragon Throne, his expressionless gaze sweeping across the Demon Race envoys below, before speaking calmly.
Then, as if they had rehearsed beforehand, the envoys from the four Demon Kingdoms answered in unison.
“As long as it is not beyond our national capabilities, we can agree.”
Hearing this, all the civil and military officials in the court narrowed their eyes. Those who reached their positions in the Imperial Court were no ordinary individuals.
They naturally understood how empty the Demon Race envoys’ words were.
On the surface, it seemed like they would agree to anything, but if they had the slightest dissatisfaction with their requests, they could immediately use the excuse of “beyond our capabilities” to refuse.
Xiao Tiansheng remained silent, turning to Xiao Han.
Xiao Han immediately understood and, looking at the Demon Race envoys, calmly said,
“If you wish to redeem your Demon Saints, there is only one condition: exchange a terrestrial vein for them with our Divine Palace.”
These words caused a stir.
The civil and military officials’ eyes lit up, and their expressions brightened.
What was needed to save their Divine Palace was no longer a secret.
Among these, a terrestrial vein was an irreplaceable necessity. Even though terrestrial veins were dispensable to other states in Dongyan Province, they were unwilling to help their Divine Palace.
If they could obtain a terrestrial vein from the Demon Race, half of their Divine Palace’s crisis would be instantly resolved.
The Demon Race envoys, however, were momentarily stunned.
Their environment in Western Ting was far worse than Dongyan Province. It wasn’t just the environment; other aspects were also deplorable.
Natural disasters occurred occasionally, and each one inflicted irreversible damage to their territory.
Without terrestrial veins, Western Ting would be even more desolate, possibly becoming an environment they couldn’t even adapt to.
Therefore, terrestrial veins were the unshakeable foundation of each of their countries.
The Demon Race envoys’ faces turned extremely ugly.
Before coming, they had expected the Divine Palace to make exorbitant demands, requesting rare treasures, but they never imagined that the Divine Palace’s appetite would be so great, demanding a terrestrial vein at the outset.
This was undoubtedly shaking the foundation of their respective countries.
The Demon Race envoys exchanged uneasy glances.
Finally, the Blood Sand Kingdom Envoy stepped forward and said, “Terrestrial veins are crucial to the stability of our territory and play a vital role. Please excuse us for not being able to agree.”
Looking at the determined Demon Race envoy, Xiao Han smiled indifferently and said calmly, “If you want to redeem Huang Tian and the others, this is the only condition. If you cannot fulfill it, you may leave.”
As the words reached their ears, the Demon Race envoys’ expressions grew even more strained.
They had traveled far and wide, solely to redeem Huang Tian and the other three Demon Saints. If they left empty-handed, their journey would have been in vain.
Not to mention, returning empty-handed would surely bring them unpleasant consequences.
Under no circumstances could they leave without achieving their goal; Huang Tian and the other three Demon Saints had to be redeemed.
The Blood Sand Kingdom Envoy stood motionless, took a deep breath, and said, “May I ask Your Highness, is it possible to change the condition?”
“Currently, this is the only condition. However, we only need one terrestrial vein and it can only redeem one Demon Saint. Whoever is willing to offer a terrestrial vein can have their country’s Demon Saint returned.”
Xiao Han changed his tone and continued, “But the price for the second one will be different.”
“You…”
The Blood Sand Kingdom Envoy looked at Xiao Tiansheng and said through gritted teeth, “Your Majesty, is there no room for negotiation?”
They had planned to unite and redeem Huang Tian and the others, but Xiao Han had presented them with a difficult problem.
Demanding a terrestrial vein was one thing, but demanding only one vein in exchange for only one person would result in even greater losses for the remaining three rulers if one of them agreed.
Xiao Tiansheng said decisively, “The Crown Prince’s words are my words.”
The Demon Race envoys fell silent.
They understood that there was no room for negotiation.
Therefore, the Blood Sand Kingdom Envoy spoke again, this time in a tone of consultation, “This matter is of great importance; I must report it to the Ruler of the Nation.”
The envoys from the other three kingdoms echoed the sentiment.
“That’s right. The decision regarding the terrestrial vein is not in our hands; we must explain the situation to the Ruler of the Nation.”
“Please grant us some time, Your Majesty!”
“We will inform you immediately once we have an answer!”
“……”
Hearing this, Xiao Tiansheng waved his hand and said, “I permit it, but do not delay too long, or the offer will be void.”
“Understood.”
The Blood Sand Kingdom Envoy’s tone was heavy. After receiving the reply, he immediately left the Dragon Hall.
The other envoys quickly followed suit.
The court meeting came to a temporary end.
Each official leaving the Great Hall felt extremely satisfied.
They never expected to witness such a scene in their lifetime—putting pressure on the Demon Race, and the Demon Race being unable to refuse. This was something that hadn’t happened in many years.
As the Dragon Hall emptied, only Xiao Han and Xiao Tiansheng remained.
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