#674 - The Invisible Battlefield (V)
What is this?
A pig's nose stuck with scallions?
Seeing the dark shadow, Wei Changtian narrowed his eyes.
Although he didn't know what the thing that appeared behind Tang Chen was called, he understood that it must be the latter's Qi Luck Divine Beast.
Obviously, Tang Chen was currently using his “mind-reading” ability, and the target was undoubtedly Chu Xianping.
Chu Xianping seemed completely unaware of this, and kept staring at Xu Heng.
This was actually normal, because according to past experience, only Wei Changtian and the thirteen Chosen of Heaven could see the Qi Luck Divine Beast.
But what was not normal was that Li Zimu next to him also seemed to sense something.
Judging from her expression, she shouldn't be able to see this "pig-elephant", but just felt that something was wrong with Tang Chen.
So Li Zimu also shifted her attention from Xu Heng to Tang Chen, trying to find the source of this abnormality.
However, she didn't see anything.
Including Wei Changtian, he only saw the pig-elephant staring at Chu Xianping for a moment, and then closing its eyes again, lying prone at Tang Chen's feet and not moving anymore.
So... that's it?
The Qi Luck Divine Beast can know what the other person is thinking with just one glance?
Isn't this a bit too outrageous?!
No, the effect shouldn't be so exaggerated.
There are so many thoughts in people's minds, this thing can't possibly see through them all with just one glance.
So its "mind-reading" is likely to have limitations.
I just don't know what the limitations are, and I don't know what Chu Xianping's thoughts Tang Chen knows now...
Withdrawing his gaze, Wei Changtian's brain was running fast, but he didn't immediately summon the four Qi Luck Divine Beasts in his body to suppress Tang Chen.
He believed that Ying Yu, Huanglong and other divine beasts should be able to exert a deterrent effect on the "pig-elephant", just like when they suppressed "Yan Luo" back then.
The reason why he wasn't in a hurry to do so was mainly because the time was not right.
After all, although the "mind-reading" ability was terrifying, if used properly, it might actually help him achieve his goals.
So, wait a little longer...
A rough plan emerged in his mind, Wei Changtian chose to stand still, preparing to wait until he understood the extent of Tang Chen's mind-reading ability before responding accordingly.
And he didn't wait too long.
Because soon Tang Chen turned his head to look at Yan Huaiqing, and then nodded slightly.
From Chu Xianping saying "It's just a continuation of the fight", to Tang Chen nodding to Yan Huaiqing.
It seemed like a long time had passed in the middle, but it was actually just a few breaths.
So, the meaning of Tang Chen's nod was most likely only one possibility—
He was telling Yan Huaiqing that what Chu Xianping said was true.
The latter was not bargaining, but indeed would not accept the plan previously proposed by Xu Heng no matter what.
Then...
“Young Master Chu, since this is the case, why don’t you tell us what you are thinking?”
And Chu Xianping's words just now were not a bluff, he really couldn't accept the suggestion of "giving up Da Ning and withdrawing from the war".
Also, because Yan Huaiqing trusts Tang Chen's mind-reading ability very much, he didn't waste his breath to continue persuading, but directly threw the question back.
It makes sense!
Almost in an instant, Wei Changtian understood all of this, and the plan in his mind was further formed.
On the other side, Chu Xianping also slowly opened his mouth and said:
“Your Highness, as I said just now, since it is a peace talk, the purpose should only be to stop the war.”
“Not only to stop the war between Da Jue and Da Shu, but also to stop the war between Da Jue and Da Ning.”
“Therefore, we hope that your country can withdraw…”
“Young Master Chu is not going to say withdraw troops, is he?”
Before Chu Xianping could finish speaking, Xu Heng interrupted with a sneer: "Hmph, this is absolutely impossible!"
“Since our army has come out, there is absolutely no reason to return empty-handed!”
“…”
Absolutely impossible.
Xu Heng's attitude was similar to Chu Xianping's just now, both were very tough.
However, Chu Xianping didn't bother to pay attention to him at all, but just looked at Yan Huaiqing and asked lightly:
“Your Highness, is there any room for negotiation on the withdrawal of troops?”
“If there is room for negotiation, then I will continue to speak.”
“If there is no room for negotiation, then we will turn around and leave, and we will meet on the battlefield later.”
“…”
The charcoal fire was scorching hot, occasionally making a "crackling" sound and bursting into sparks.
Yan Huaiqing waved his hand to stop Xu Heng, whose face was flushed, and said calmly after a while:
“Young Master Chu, yes, the power of your new gunpowder is indeed huge, and I really don’t want the Da Jue soldiers to die tragically in a foreign land like they did that night in Xianchi.”
“However, you must also understand that repeating the same trick is not an easy task, and besides, my Da Jue may not have any means that you don’t know about.”
“Therefore, now we might as well open the skylight and speak frankly.”
“The 500,000 troops you have stationed in Liangzhou are all the assets that Da Ning and Da Shu can come up with. Even if you win this battle, there will not be many soldiers left who can fight.”
“Although the new Feng in the west has the help of Buddhism, it seems that defeat is only a matter of time.”
“And when Da Qian and Da Hui conquer the new Feng and continue to march eastward, you will no longer be able to resist, and the destruction of the country will still be unavoidable.”
“Therefore, you are willing to negotiate peace with me in order to preserve your strength to resist the Qian and Hui countries.”
“I wonder if I am right?”
“…”
Yan Huaiqing revealed the true intentions of Wei Changtian and the other two in a few words, but the latter did not argue anything.
Everyone is a smart person, they can see this kind of thing clearly, and denying it is meaningless.
“Yes, Your Highness is right.”
Nodding, Chu Xianping was not flustered, but used the same logic to analyze in reverse:
“However, in my opinion, Da Jue's situation is no different from ours.”
“Just as Your Highness said, no matter who wins this battle between you and me, the result will definitely be a pyrrhic victory.”
“In this way, even if the Jue-Ji allied forces can capture Liangzhou, I am afraid that there will not be many soldiers left who can fight.”
“And at that time, the Qian and Hui countries will definitely not share the plundered land with Da Jue, and it is even possible that they will play a trick of 'the snipe and the clam fight, and the fisherman benefits'.”
“Therefore, Your Highness took the initiative to propose peace talks in order not to be used by the Qian and Hui countries.”
“Your Highness, I wonder if I am right again?”
“…”
You analyze my situation, and I analyze your situation.
When the underlying motivations of both parties are laid out on the table and explained clearly, this negotiation enters another stage.
Everyone has the demands of peace talks and ceasefires, but they also have bottom lines that they will never concede.
Then what needs to be done next is undoubtedly to start testing the other party's bottom line.
“Good.”
Smiling and shaking his sleeves, Yan Huaiqing also did not deny Chu Xianping's statement.
He just slowly narrowed his eyes and said word by word:
“I really don’t want to end up empty-handed, or even be used by others.”
“So the withdrawal of troops is not impossible to negotiate.”
“However…”
“After the start of the war, not only did Young Master Wei kidnap my father, but nearly 100,000 soldiers of Da Jue were either killed or injured on the night of Xianchi.”
“You have to give me an explanation for these two things.”
“Naturally.”
Nodding, Chu Xianping was just about to give the conditions that had been discussed.
However, at this moment, Wei Changtian, who had not spoken, suddenly spoke, taking the lead and chuckling:
“Your Highness, what kind of explanation do you want?”
