Chapter 1670 — I Simply Won't Sign

"Five Daoist brothers, this way, please. " At the Wendao Academy of Jingping, Yuchenzi, Wei Suifeng and the others received the Heavenly Court's envoys of negotiation.

This time the one sent at the command of Emperor Haotian to lead the delegation was the Five Inner Emperor Thrones.

The Five Inner Emperor Thrones was a vital office in the Heavenly Court, wielding enormous power, second only to the Seven Dukes.

The Heavenly Court held many Emperor Throne-level powerhouses; the Seven Dukes, the Four Ministers, the Three Preceptors, the Two Aides, the Five Emperor Thrones and the Five Inner Emperor Thrones were all posts that only Emperor Throne-level powerhouses could hold. The Five Emperor Thrones and the Five Inner Emperor Thrones were the reserve for the Four Colored Great Emperors: should one of the Four Colored Great Emperors fall in battle or turn traitor, the Five Inner Emperor Thrones would fill the place.

That the Heavenly Court had sent out the five great ministers of the Five Inner Emperor Thrones for these talks showed just how seriously it took them. Each of them brought several hundred retainers, an imposing show of strength; these retainers were not there to wait on their food and lodging, but were the Heavenly Court's masters of divination arts and its elite negotiators.

Nian Guanhe of the Five Inner Emperor Thrones suddenly halted, watching as a young girl hurried over, hung a bright mirror on the plaque above the academy gate, and hurried away.

Nian Guanhe was surprised. He looked at Yuchenzi, Wei Suifeng and the rest who had come out to welcome him, and laughed, "Jingping hangs up a mirror the very moment we arrive—could it be a demon-revealing mirror? Do you mean to force us to show our true forms?

" Wei Suifeng burst out laughing. "Brother Nian, you are over-suspicious. You carry the bloodline of the Nian beast; who does not know it, who has not heard of it?

What hangs in that mirror is a Dao Question, a custom of the Wendao Academy, kept for exchange. If someone meets a difficulty in cultivation, they hang up a bright mirror, and the talents of the world will try their hand at answering it. The Emperor likewise sets aside a portion of coin from the national treasury, a generous reward for whoever solves the hard questions.

" "So that is how it is. " Nian Guanhe raised his head and studied the bright mirror. "No wonder Jingping's scholarly air is so flourishing—even a Heavenly Venerable must reincarnate into Jingping to study. " Suddenly Meng Xianqiu of the Five Inner Emperor Thrones laughed. "The wealth in Jingping's treasury is the Heavenly Court's wealth as well. How can Emperor Yanfeng take the Heavenly Court's wealth and hand it out to others at random?

By law his head should be struck off!

" Wei Suifeng's expression shifted slightly. He sneered, "Little Meng, Jingping has not surrendered yet.

You come to behead my Emperor of Jingping—believe me, shall I butcher you first? " "Emperor Yunluo, once Jingping surrenders, killing you ought to be no more than a word from me, would you not say? " Meng Xianqiu said with a half-smile.

Yuchenzi hastily put in, "The people of Jingping are the Heavenly Court's people too. The Emperor gives the Heavenly Court's wealth to the Heavenly Court's people—the meat still rots in the pot, it has not leaked out.

Esteemed sirs, this way, please! " The five powerful ministers of the Five Inner Emperor Thrones laughed heartily.

Meng Xianqiu praised him, "It is Yuchenzi who knows how to talk. This way, please! " Yuchenzi bent low, raised a hand, and smiled, "After you, five envoys.

" The party filed in and entered the Wendao Academy. Meng Xianqiu sat down with a swagger, legs spread wide.

"The previous rounds of talks went slowly, and His Majesty was greatly angered.

Therefore he ordered us to work through the night, to copy out His Majesty's will.

This time we have not come to negotiate—the contract is already drawn up. Jingping need only sign! " Wei Suifeng flew into a rage. He slammed the table and rose to his feet, and thundered, "Is the Heavenly Court so very great? Not a single word of discussion, and you draw up the contract and send it over—have I surrendered?

I have not surrendered yet! Damn it all, the Heavenly Venerable Mu may have surrendered, but I have not! " The faces of the Five Inner Emperor Thrones each changed. Yuchenzi slapped the table and raged, "Wei Suifeng!

Shut your mouth for me!

In these talks with the Heavenly Court, the Heavenly Venerable Mu put me in full charge. You are my subordinate. I have not spoken—what are you grumbling for?

" Wei Suifeng sneered, "Who does not know that Yuchenzi robs his own house to fatten outsiders? The Heavenly Venerable Mu must be blind to put you in charge—you would sell Jingping whole! You were a spy the Heavenly Court planted in Jingping from the start!

" Yuchenzi was beside himself, shaking all over with fury.

Wei Suifeng said coldly, "The Heavenly Court sends the contract straight over—has it left me any territory? Left me any benefit? Besides me, there is the Primal Lord of Earthly Virtue; may she not ask for a little benefit? Prince Youming is a resounding Emperor Throne-level powerhouse too; may he not ask for something? They say nothing of it; let us speak only of the Heavenly Venerables—the Heavenly Venerable Yue, the Heavenly Venerable Ling, the Heavenly Venerable You—where have their benefits gone? If you sign, I will not kill you, but they will! And more: I am the leader of the Feathered Forest Army, with no fewer than a hundred thousand elite Feathered Forest troops beneath me. You would have us drink the northwest wind—at the worst we rebel and make ourselves kings of the mountains! " Yuchenzi choked with rage. "Men!

Throw this wretch out for me!

" Wei Suifeng brought down his palm and knocked him head over heels. Prince Youming hurried to stop him, and said slowly, "You two, do not quarrel.

. . " Yuchenzi scrambled up and hid behind Prince Youming.

"Prince Youming, you and that fellow Wei are both my deputies. Wei has rebelled—seize him for me!

" Prince Youming said slowly, "Yuchenzi, to sign the contract outright is indeed improper; it will be hard to convince anyone. .

.

" Wei Suifeng, murderous, shouted, "Old You, step aside! I will hack him to death and have the Heavenly Venerable Mu send another man! " Prince Youming said unhurriedly, "Do not make trouble.

. .

" The Five Inner Emperor Thrones each frowned. Nian Guanhe turned and asked the retainer behind him, "The contract His Majesty fixed—does it leave the powers of Jingping enough benefit? " The retainer shook his head and said in a low voice, "His Majesty takes all of Jingping's wealth and power; he leaves no benefit behind.

" Nian Guanhe's frown deepened.

To the other Inner Emperor Thrones he said, "No wonder Jingping reacts so violently.

The contract His Majesty drew up is indeed improper; I fear it will provoke a backlash from Jingping. " Meng Xianqiu said, "If Jingping lashes back, then we kill them, and that is all. " Nian Guanhe shook his head.

"His Majesty does not fear Jingping.

What His Majesty fears is that one in seclusion. " He broke off abruptly and did not go on. "His Majesty wants to swallow it all in one gulp, but Jingping has many fierce heroes. Without leaving them some benefit, I fear the contract cannot be signed. " "I rebel!

" Wei Suifeng shook out his cloak and turned to leave, crying, "This time it is that fellow Shen who wants to surrender, not I, Wei! High and low in Jingping are already loud with grievance!

If that fellow Shen will not fight, I will fight in his place! I am going now to the Heavenly Venerable Yue, the Heavenly Venerable Ling and the Heavenly Venerable You, and together with Carefree Land we will rebel! " The Five Inner Emperor Thrones exchanged glances.