A cornered rabbit would bite, and while it was fine to have killed that previous patrol of Ink Clan and seized a small advantage, if Ink Clan envoys were slain time and again, crushing all hope of negotiations, it would benefit the human race not at all.
After the Seventh-Order Open Heaven cultivator finished speaking, everyone nodded in agreement.
"I'll go make contact," the Seventh-Order said, stepping out of hiding and standing openly in the void, gazing arrogantly at the approaching patrol of Ink Clan.
From a distance, the lead Ink Clan Domain Lord spotted this Seventh-Order Open Heaven cultivator, and his already anxious heart immediately relaxed. He had witnessed the fate of that previous Ink Clan patrol all too clearly, and ever since receiving his orders, he had been terrified of meeting the same end.
But now that the humans were willing to reveal themselves, it meant they understood his intentions. The white flag, it seemed, had worked.
Some time later, a patrol of Ink Clan arrived near the floating continent, led by several Domain Lords at the fore. Only that single Seventh-Order had revealed himself, while the rest remained hidden on the floating continent fragments.
Though he stood alone, his bearing was commanding and heroic.
The Ink Clan patrol halted ten thousand li from the Seventh-Order. The Domain Lord carrying the white flag turned and gestured, and a Seventh-Order Ink Disciple at his side stepped forward, cupping his fists: "Might I ask which Senior Brother stands before us?"
The Seventh-Order Open Heaven cultivator ahead regarded this Ink Disciple and let out a soft sigh, returning the salute: "Mu Tianzong, of Wuxiang Heaven!"
Had it been an Ink Clan member asking, he would not have shown such courtesy. But this was an Ink Disciple — and though this one's condition appeared beyond saving, he had still been human at his root, and his corruption had not been by his own choice.
On the battlefield, any human soldier encountering such Ink Disciples would strike without mercy, for death was the only release for those poor souls.
But the situation at hand did not call for hostility. This Ink Disciple had once been one of them, had once fought and bled against the Ink Clan alongside his fellow humans.
The lead Domain Lord was a clever one — rather than speaking himself, he had sent an Ink Disciple to do the talking, a wise move indeed.
The Seventh-Order Ink Disciple nodded: "Lian Xu, of Dayan!"
Mu Tianzong dispensed with pleasantries and went straight to the point: "The Ink Clan raises a white flag. What is the meaning of this?"
Lian Xu replied: "To answer Senior Brother — the Ink Clan wishes to negotiate. We raise the white flag as a gesture of sincerity."
"Negotiate?" Mu Tianzong raised an eyebrow, looking genuinely surprised. "Our two races share a blood feud that can never be resolved. Do you truly believe the human race would trust such a claim?"
Lian Xu said: "Whether Senior Brother believes it or not is irrelevant. What matters is whether the Corps Commanders and General Governors above believe it."
The implication was clear — you don't have the authority to decide how this is handled.
Mu Tianzong stared at him for a long moment, then let out a cold snort.
It had to be said that the Ink Clan's decision to have an Ink Disciple handle the negotiations was far more effective than having an Ink Clan member do it themselves. Only humans truly understood other humans.
The Ink Disciple Lian Xu continued: "Over the past century, the Dayan Ink Clan and the army to which Senior Brother belongs have clashed repeatedly, with heavy casualties on both sides. Now the Ink Clan is bottled up in Dayan, and the humans dare not act rashly. In this stalemate, time and energy are wasted to no end. The Ink Clan is willing to return Dayan to the human race — though whether the humans are willing to accept is another matter."
Mu Tianzong sneered inwardly.
In truth, it was the Ink Clan that had been defeated in the battle at the Royal City, and the Dayan Ink Disciples were about to abandon their stronghold and flee. Yet from this man's lips, it sounded as though the Ink Clan were bestowing some great favor upon humanity.
Did they think the Northern and Southern Armies knew nothing of the Royal City battle?
Everything had unfolded exactly as Lord Mi had predicted — the Ink Clan would seize on this very point. He understood the full picture but maintained a mask of ignorance, wearing an expression of surprise: "The Ink Clan intends to return Dayan to the human race?"
Lian Xu nodded: "Dayan was a human fortress from the beginning. Returning it now is simply restoring it to its rightful owners."
"And the Ink Clan's conditions?" Mu Tianzong's face showed interest. "Surely they wouldn't return it for nothing — the Ink Clan isn't that generous."
Lian Xu offered a faint smile: "Naturally, the Ink Clan has conditions. But such matters cannot be settled between the likes of you and me. Only when the leaders of both races meet can a conclusion be reached."
Mu Tianzong nodded: "That makes sense. Very well, wait here while I send word back."
With that, he produced a communication bead, channeling his spiritual sense into it to contact the forces stationed on the floating continent.
The Ink Clan waited in anxious silence, especially the Domain Lord holding the white flag, who couldn't shake the feeling that countless hidden gazes — and killing intent — were trained on him. The experience was deeply uncomfortable.
After a moment, Mu Tianzong raised his head: "Word from above — if the Ink Clan wishes to negotiate, they should send a Domain Lord who has the authority to make decisions. The Corps Commanders and General Governors will speak with him properly."
Lian Xu seemed to have anticipated this response. He simply smiled and shook his head: "That won't do. If a Domain Lord were to come, and the Corps Commanders and General Governors were to launch a sudden attack, the Domain Lord might not make it back in one piece."
Mu Tianzong snorted coldly: "You were once human yourself. You should know that a human's word is his bond!"
Lian Xu replied: "And I also know that all is fair in war!"
Mu Tianzong said impatiently: "Then what do you suggest?"
"Please wait, Senior Brother." With that, Lian Xu turned to the Domain Lord carrying the white flag and engaged him in a spiritual communication.
Mu Tianzong couldn't hear their exchange, but he watched as the Domain Lord nodded repeatedly, deferring entirely to Lian Xu's judgment.
No doubt the hidden killing intent from every direction had rattled him badly. At a time like this, the Domain Lord had no mind to think for himself — whatever Lian Xu said, he agreed to.