Zhao Changhe had no choice but to say, "The sword is named Star River. But I won't give it to you."

"Why?" Jiuyou said, "If you give me this sword, I can teach you how to win her over, and I could also throw in news of Bodhisattva. That's not an unfair deal."

Actually, even if you only wanted some toilet paper, I wouldn't dare give it to you, with Blind staring like that. Let alone Star River, which isn't just a sword, but my precious daughter. Dream on.

Zhao Changhe directly responded truthfully, "The sword has a spirit and is as close to me as a daughter, I would never give it to anyone. You'd better change to another condition."

Star River: "..."

Jiuyou was taken aback, "A sword spirit is not a human, what's this father-daughter issue? It wouldn't even have such emotions, why are you projecting paternal feelings onto a sword?"

"Not being human doesn't mean there's no emotion," Zhao Changhe replied, "Theoretically, you and Emperor Ye aren't human either, you are both innate divine spirits, representatives of an entire system of Heavenly Dao rules. Yet the rivalry and resentment between you two seem even more significant than anyone's, isn't that emotion? Where there's hate, there's love. Besides, it doesn't matter how Star River views me, it only matters that I see her as a daughter, and I won't give her to anyone."

Little Star River sat there with her arms crossed, her pitch-black eyes blinking.

It wasn't just Little Star River; even the Blind and Jiuyou seemed a bit at a loss, and the atmosphere became strangely silent.

After a while, Jiuyou finally spoke slowly, "This sword encompasses the intent of Emperor Ye, yet is broader than her intent. I want to glimpse its Dao, that's why I want the sword. Of course, doing without the sword is also possible..."

She paused, faintly smiling, "That means I'd require you instead. You are the new Emperor Ye, your sword intent is your intent."

Zhao Changhe looked up to the sky, "We've gone full circle, right? You're a good person, but not just anyone can enter my inner court."

Jiuyou's eyes filled with vicious energy, "Obtaining you doesn't require that sort of approach. You'll become my puppet, under my control, squeezing every last drop of cognition from your mind. Yuxu Vermilion Bird Yue Hongling won't be with you all the time, neither will Ye Wuming. Don't let me find any opportunity, or you'll know the meaning of regret."

A completely vicious threat, yet Zhao Changhe only grasped three words from it in his heart.

Ye Wuming.

You claim you're not Emperor Ye?

Jiuyou turned and departed, "Since the negotiation failed, this so-called mission is dismissed. To you, the enmity between Hu and Han might seem paramount, but to me, it's no different than two groups of ants biting each other. The more chaotic, the happier I become. As long as I exist, the unification of the Divine Continent you desire will forever be out of reach."

Throughout, Jiuyou didn't ascertain whether the Blind was around or not, holding back the attack in her hand and ultimately didn't unleash it.

Negotiations failed, marking the most definitive enemy from now on.

And the reason negotiations failed, whether it's because of the Blind or Little Star River, remains unknown.

...

With negotiations collapsed, the charade between Vermilion Bird and Li Boping in the grand hall was meaningless, yet they still maintained the decorum of a civilized nation, accommodating everyone in the embassy.

Once at the embassy, Zhao Changhe directly reverted to his own face. Given the current situation, whether or not to disguise makes no difference, whether it escalates into a fight depends on when Jiuyou goes crazy. Better to change back for the comfort of his wives.

The goal for this trip to Chang'an, whether achieved or worsened, remains uncertain.

The primary objective wasn't to rely on the Li Family genuinely collaborating with a military campaign against the Hu people. The aim was simply to prevent the Buddhist and Taoist sects from siding with them. Should conflict with the Hu arise and the Li Family march from Hangu Pass to cut off our retreat, as long as Yuxu and others aren't involved, it will be easier to handle. Cui Wenjing will manage that side; old Cui is no pushover, and with Li Shentong agreeing to the Northern Expedition in Hanzhong, the situation with no Buddhist and Taoist participation assures peace of mind.

Thus, leaving Chang'an prematurely isn't an option; there's still some loose ends to tie up, still a visit needed at Louguan Platform to see how things stand with Yuxu and Tao Venerable. However, heading there directly might provoke Jiuyou to go crazy, perhaps it's best to discreetly go at night.

However, even with the potential Buddhist-Taoist obstruction resolved, the trouble had shifted to Jiuyou.

This is a god of chaos who disregards rules, far more frightening... Heaven knows how she might act heedlessly, she could personally head to Hangu Pass or even directly enter the Central Plains of Hebei; old Cui is not her match.

Fortunately, it seems the Blind won't stand idly by regarding Jiuyou's matters; perhaps we can count on the Blind to keep an eye on Jiuyou?

In the embassy, Zhao Changhe stood in the courtyard, watching the sun set on the western horizon, and called softly, "Mingming~"

Blind's eyebrows raised sternly, "Shut up!"

"Isn't Ye Wuming you?" Zhao Changhe sighed, "You yourself mentioned Wuming, isn't that spot on. Damn it, your name is Wuming, so your implication is you've already told me your name, and it's my fault for being too dumb to understand?"

The Blind snorted twice, saying nothing.

"So, Mingming..."

"If you use that name to call me again, I'll rip your head off."

"Alright, Blindie."

Surprisingly, Blind didn't protest.

Zhao Changhe chuckled, "So Blindie, we're so familiar, yet you continue to hide your name, does it amuse you? As my deepest inner desire, you're making this difficult, Blindie."

"Get lost!" the Blind chuckled in exasperation, "So now you're spreading it out openly, huh?"

Zhao Changhe shrugged, "Whether stated or not, the facts remain, might as well be honest. You see, your biggest problem is not being forthright. Clearly, you are Emperor Ye, those three words 'Ye Wuming' are already solid proof, and yet you still lie with open eyes."

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