Between the snowy plains and Gua Zhou, the yellow earth and withered sands seemed to have forgotten the passage of time. Layers of dust swirled up, then fell again, silently etching crescent-shaped dunes across the vast desert trenches, one after another. Looking out across the expanse, it was as grand and vast as the sea. But no matter how extraordinary nature's craftsmanship, what moves heaven and earth most profoundly is always people—the countless, seemingly insignificant people, swarming like ants. And among them, those who stand out like dragons and phoenixes, how much more capable are they of stirring chaos and emotions?
"Exchange the flags!" a commanding voice rang out.
Before the assembled armies, at some point, a magnificent pavilion had been erected. Two large soldiers, each bearing hostile expressions, hefted flags weighing at least several dozen kilograms. They strode toward each other with fierce gazes, barely managing a formal nod as they exchanged flags—the banner of Tiandu and the banner of Yunpei.
The master of ceremonies was a middle-aged man from Weak Water. After the flag exchange was completed, he called out again in a booming voice: "To destroy the flag is to bring collapse. To return the flag is to restore order! Now, we invite the third-party mediator, Mr. Na Yan Xing!" As soon as he finished speaking, about thirty men emerged from Tiandu's side, pushing a slender young man forward. The youth had delicate features, an air of a scholar, but his expression was filled with unease. He was practically being pushed along, stumbling forward until he stood under the grand pavilion. He kept his head lowered, not looking at the forces of Tiandu on the left or the Yunpei soldiers on the right. He simply stood there, isolated and powerless, a stark contrast to the military tension and fury around him.
Seeing that he had taken his place, the master of ceremonies shouted once again, "Three drumbeats shall mark the end, and we invite the kings of both nations to take their seats!"
Then, from beneath the swirling sands and within the howling winds, boom—boom—boom! Three deep, thunderous drumbeats echoed, heralding the arrival of the two kings—Zhan, King of Zhan, from the south, and Huo Qing Yun, King of Jing, from the north. One wore bright red armor, the other a black robe with sturdy boots. Their footsteps were heavy and deliberate, their gazes fierce and intense as they stared at one another.
"Please, be seated!" Na Yan Xing, feeling small in the presence of such formidable figures, shrank back slightly as he spoke.
Zhan turned his head slightly, casting a fleeting glance at the thin young mediator, while Qing Yun chuckled and sat down first.
"I don't consider him a third party," Zhan said as he followed suit, fixing his gaze on Qing Yun.
"You could say that," Qing Yun replied, leaning back and clasping his hands. "After all, he was born in the Guanghan Palace."
Zhan’s eyes turned cold. "I'm curious—what else do you know?"
Qing Yun met his gaze calmly. "I hope we can get to the point soon."
Zhan raised an eyebrow. "Then speak."
“I demand that you relinquish Gua Zhou and the twelve frontier cities of Yunpei as the condition for a ceasefire,” Qing Yun stated.
Zhan burst into laughter. “That’s impossible!”
Upon hearing this, Qing Yun also smirked coldly. “Indeed, his life isn’t worth that much!” As he spoke, Ji Hua’s large blade pressed against Na Yan Xing’s neck. “Or should I help you by killing him?”
Zhan, seeing this situation, remained silent for a moment, then sighed and said, “I’m surprised you managed to catch him. I’ve been searching for him for seven years without a trace. But if I were you, I wouldn’t have played this card so soon.”
Qing Yun’s face darkened at those words. “If I were you, I wouldn’t have sent an envoy to Mizan at this time! You’ve surprised me as well.”
Zhan caught the underlying meaning and smiled as if he had regained the upper hand. He leaned back in his chair, clasping his hands together in a posture mirroring Qing Yun’s.
“My Queen Consort, Guan Ying, is a very captivating woman. I didn’t expect even a hero like King Jing of Heaven to be so enamored by her,” Zhan said with a sly smile.
Qing Yun’s brows furrowed deeply. “Oh? You seem quite relaxed about sending your wife into the hands of bandits—is that your idea of fun?”
Zhan’s eyes sharpened. “How amusing. Sending her to Mizan was just to lure Ruo Wen away. However, it seems there’s been an unexpected outcome. Do you really like her that much? Enough to meet with me for peace talks in the midst of a battle? It seems I overestimated you as an opponent.” His words dripped with mockery as his eagle-like eyes fixed coldly on Qing Yun.
“How long have you spent with her? A day? Two? Not even a month, right? Slept with her yet? How many times? I’m truly amazed at your audacity to confront me like this. Did you forget that she is my wife? Her name will forever be engraved on the founding monument of Yunpei’s creation!” He took a slow, deliberate sip of tea as he spoke.
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