Forty Millenniums of Cultivation, page 687
"We will not leave any food or crystals for you. We will even burn the dead bodies of our companions. The only thing you will get is a wasteland that is full of venomous fog and debris.
"By then, the compensation for the federal soldiers sacrificed in the war will be enough to bankrupt the federal government. How are you going to cope with the expedition army of the Imperium of True Human Beings that will come soon?
"Of course, you can choose to ignore the Blood Demon Sector. You can simply stay behind your defense line after the two worlds have integrated and consider the Blood Demon Sector to be nonexistent. After all, the Blood Demon Sector is not likely to launch an attack again.
"Then, when the expedition army of the Imperium of True Human Beings does come, you will have to think about the worst possibility, which is that the Blood Demon Sector will surrender to the Imperium of True Human Beings in desperation!"
Shocked, Li Yao felt that his cold sweat was popping up nonstop.
"Don't think that I'm joking," Jin Tuyi said casually. "People can do anything for survival, or when they realize that they are dead for sure."
Chapter 1042: Iron Triangle! |
Li Yao stared at Jin Tuyi, with killing intent condensing inside his eyes inch by inch. He sneered, "Senior Jin, the Star Glory Federation rose on the foundation of corpses and blood, too. You think demons are the only ones unafraid of death? Take back your threat of co-destruction and just tell me your aim!"
"Alright. I'll get to the point straightforwardly now," Jin Tuyi said. "I want to surrender!"
"Huh?"
"Isn't it obvious? The Blood Demon Sector's all-in plan of the final battle has been disrupted by the Ultra-Level Federal Hero Li Yao. Right now, the Blood Demon Sector is not able to attack, and our war potential is far from the alliance of the Heaven's Origin Sector and the Flying Star Sector. Besides, Elder Nether Spring is still instigating trouble inside. We have completely lost the war!
"When you take a gamble, you must be prepared for failure. The Red Tide Plan on the surface was a shocking gamble in the first place. Now that we've lost, isn't it only natural that we try to secure a 'conditional surrender' while we still have bargaining chips for the negotiation?
"Vulture Li Yao, you are the only living Ultra-Level Federal Hero since the Star Glory Federation was established. That's why I said so much to you. I want you to bring my words to the leadership of the federal government to initiate the negotiations between the two parties.
"As for the specific conditions of the surrender, everything can be negotiated. Even if the Blood Demon Sector has to be classified as a special administrative area and merged into the Star Glory Federation at a certain time, it doesn't matter. Let's just sit down and talk!
"However, if your side refuses negotiations and is determined to annihilate the Blood Demon Sector, the outcome will be what I described just now. Let's simply maul each other and die together!"
Li Yao was rendered speechless. He did not know whether he should accuse Jin Tuyi of his shamelessness or compliment him on his frankness.
"If you don't believe my sincerity about the surrender, I can surrender to you in secret as the commander-in-chief if you want."
Jin Tuyi coughed and said with a smile, "You are an Ultra-Level Federal Hero. To some extent, you are a representative of the federal government, aren't you? Besides, you've also destroyed the Eye of Blood Demon and stopped the Red Tide Plan!
"Well, well, well. Right when the federation is in peril, the young hero who saved the federation ten years ago appeared again and broke into the enemy's nest on his own, stopping the enemy's insane battle plan and killing fourteen super experts and the best troops. Eventually, he suppressed the enemy's supreme commander with his unparalleled charisma!
"One person has defeated an entire world!
"Vulture Li Yao, with everything you've done, you are definitely the well-deserved greatest hero of the federation. When you return to the federation, nobody will protest even if you campaign for the position of Speaker of Parliament!"
Jin Tuyi did not resort to any of his demonic energy, but Li Yao's resolution was shaking violently in the surging tides.
For a moment, all kinds of delirious thoughts were appearing in his head!
However, the next moment, the delirious thoughts were all swallowed by the mental devil.
"Hey—
"Are you able to do this or not?" the mental devil asked lazily. "Should I take your place?"
Li Yao was dazed. "What did you say?"
The mental devil yawned and said, "Hasn't you discovered it yet? You've been crushed from the beginning to the end. You are now basically meat paste. I do feel sorry for you!
"But it is not your fault. Demagogism is his specialty after all. How can you ever be match for Chief Jin in terms of debating?
"Moreover, the dark side in your soul has mostly been absorbed by me. How can you expect to deal with such an old, cunning fox?"
Li Yao gnashed his teeth. "Will you do any better?"
"At the very least," the mental devil said, "I will not be rendered speechless all the time. If you have to lose, you'd better lose gracefully."
Li Yao was rendered speechless.
"You see? You are rendered speechless again!" the mental devil exclaimed.
"Achiu!" Li Yao sneezed greatly.
He rubbed his left eye hard as if some dust had intruded. It was not until more than ten seconds later that he took a long breath in relief and stared at Jin Tuyi thoughtfully, blinking his left eye.
Jin Tuyi was slightly dazed.
Since the moment he entered the warehouse, he had been in control of the situation.
Even when Li Yao put fatal crystal bombs on him, he had still been manipulating Li Yao easily.
This was the first time that he had been startled during the entire game, but he could not find any reason for his startle at all!
He only vaguely felt that the bloody brilliance inside Li Yao's left eye was slightly different from a moment ago.
"There's no need to surrender to me. I haven't been in the federation for the last ten years. The so-called Ultra-Level Federal Hero is just an honorary title that entails no real power. Chances are that I will be involved in boring political struggles when I am back to the federation," Li Yao said lightheartedly. "Now that Senior Jin is so sincere, I will certainly bring your words for the peace of the two worlds!
"However, you must know that both worlds have suffered heavy casualties after such a long period of warfare. Putting everything before aside, the Red Tide Plan itself must've already killed and injured many citizens of the capital city.
"Right now, the Star Glory Federation must be stirred up. 99% of the citizens will be hawks now, shouting to march into the Blood Demon Sector.
"On the other hand, the Blood Demon Sector has lost fourteen demon emperors and a large batch of elite troops, and Elder Nether Spring is still an internal problem. Also, your reign is not very stable yet, Senior Jin. This is the feeblest time of the Blood Demon Sector.
"Therefore, Senior Jin, if you really want a 'conditional surrender', you'd better offer certain attractive conditions. Otherwise, as an insignificant Cultivator in the Core Formation Stage, I will not be able to decide what the infuriated Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators are going to do."
"Of course." Jin Tuyi frowned and felt that Li Yao was a bit weird.
"Anything else you want to say?" Li Yao was actually taking the initiative to conclude the conversation.
Jin Tuyi narrowed his eyes and observed Li Yao carefully for a long time, but he did not find any trace on Li Yao's face.
He gritted his teeth and threw out his last card.
"Everything I want to say to Li Yao, the Cultivator from the Heaven's Origin Sector and the Ultra-Level Federal Hero, has been said. However, now, I want to talk to Li Yao, the Cultivator from the Flying Star Sector, the owner of the Glorious Sunlight Group, and the best warrior of the six tribes of Iron Plateau!"
Bloody brilliance blinked inside Li Yao's eyes. "Interesting. I seem to know what you are going to say next, but please continue."
"As the commander-in-chief of the coalition army of demons and the leader of the Blood Demon Sector, I am proposing a dialogue with Li Yao of the Flying Star Sector, hoping that the Flying Star Sector will try to facilitate the peace talk between the Heaven's Origin Sector and the Blood Demon Sector," Jin Tuyi said solemnly.
"It is naturally going to be very difficult to stop two ferocious war beasts from attacking each other. On my side, I will try to calm down all the advocates of war in the Blood Demon Sector.
"But if the Heaven's Origin Sector is too stubborn to give up on the war, I want the Blood Demon Sector and the Flying Star Sector to establish a normal bilateral relationship and start an in-depth communication in economics and culture."
Not giving a direct answer, Li Yao replied, "Are you mistaken about something, Commander Jin? The Flying Star Sector and the Heaven's Origin Sector are both civilizations of human beings. We are natural allies. You are asking us to stab our ally right in the back!"
Jin Tuyi smiled. "There are no 'natural allies' in the universe; there is only 'natural interest'!
"Those idiotic Cultivators of the Heaven's Origin Sector, especially the idiotic Li Yao, thought that he had brought reinforcements from the Flying Star Sector. It never occurred to him why the Flying Star Sector should help him without considering returns."
"Exactly." Li Yao nodded. "I do feel the same!"
Jin Tuyi was dazed again and felt that the atmosphere was weird. Pondering for a moment, he continued his speech. "Perhaps, not just 'Li Yao of the Heaven's Origin Sector', the majority in the Blood Demon Sector, the Heaven's Origin Sector, and the Flying Star Sector haven't let go of the stereotype, either!
"For the Heaven's Origin Sector, they have been fighting the demons since their country was founded. Therefore, demons are their sworn enemies. All their history books and textbooks spare no efforts elaborating on the evilness and horror of the demon race. After hundreds of years, their hatred toward the demon race is ingrained in their very being.
"But the Flying Star Sector is different.
"The Flying Star Sector has never been at war with the demon race since the Star Ocean Imperium collapsed ten thousand years ago.
"In the past five thousand years, the Flying Star Sector was attacked by the apocalypse at first and nearly wiped. The survivors were divided into 'spacers' and 'homers' who were at loggerheads with each other.
"Then, in the dark, boundless universe, the two great enemies named 'extraterrestrial devils' and 'space pirates' emerged, too.
"In the past years, threats of the 'Immortal Cultivators' and the Imperium of True Human Beings have been drawing near, too!
"Extraterrestrial devils, space pirates, the Immortal Cultivators, the apocalypse, the Imperium of True Human Beings… They are the greatest trouble for the Flying Star Sector. The demon race, in comparison, is just an old enemy from ten thousand years ago and much lower on the rank!
"Even the deepest hatred will gradually wear off over ten thousand years. For the Flying Star Sector, the demons are just enemies in tales. Their hatred against us can be traced back to the ancestors of their ancestors!
"Although I haven't read the history books of the Flying Star Sector yet, I guarantee that the content regarding the demons' oppression of human beings will be no more than ten pages!
"Hehe. Faced with the imminent threat of the Immortal Cultivators, is the groundless, obsolete hatred worth mentioning at all?
"Therefore, whether or not peace between the Blood Demon Sector and the Heaven's Origin Sector can be reached, peace between the Blood Demon Sector and the Flying Star Sector is very hopeful. What do you think, Fellow Cultivator Li Yao from the Flying Star Sector?"
Li Yao smiled. "That explains a lot. I understand everything now!
"I was wondering why Senior Jin was so certain that peace would come. Did you say last time that you were scared that the coalition army of the Heaven's Origin Sector and the Flying Star Sector would march into the Blood Demon Sector?
"It turns out to be a lie. You were not scared about that at all because you had long discovered the subtle conflict of interest between the Heaven's Origin Sector and the Flying Star Sector. You were planning to hamstring the Heaven's Origin Sector with the Flying Star Sector!
"Not one-sided hamstring, but check and balance."
"Triangle is the steadiest form," Jin Tuyi said. "The Heaven's Origin Sector, the Flying Star Sector, and the Blood Demon Sector will play an equally important role with mutual check and balance. That will be the most reasonable social structure and the strongest iron triangle against the Imperium of True Human Beings!"
Chapter 1043: Here Comes the Saintess! |
Li Yao tilted his head and pondered for a moment before mumbling, "After hearing your words, Senior Jin, it suddenly occurred to me that the Blood Demon Sector and the Flying Star Sector are highly complementary, even more complementary than the Heaven's Origin Sector and the Flying Star Sector!
"The Flying Star Sector boasts a boundless territory of dozens of space zones and hundreds of resource planets, but most of the resource planets have harsh environments and are unfeasible to exploit.
"The Blood Demon Sector, on the other hand, boasts tremendous miners who are highly adaptive to the harsh environments but doesn't have developable resources.
"The two parties have no deep grudges. If the Blood Demon Sector is attacking the Heaven's Origin Sector aggressively, then, for the sake of humanity, the Flying Star Sector will perhaps reinforce the Heaven's Origin Sector.
"But right now, if the Blood Demon Sector is ready to sit down and talk, is there any reason the Flying Star Sector shouldn't?
"Once communication between the Blood Demon Sector and the Flying Star Sector begins, the Heaven's Origin Sector will be in awkward situation. If the war continues, it will be the troublemaker of the three Sectors.
"It must be noted that the enemies that the Flying Star Sector is faced with, including the Iron Plateau rebels, the space pirates, and the Immortal Cultivators alike, are all human beings!
"Therefore, I'm afraid that the idea that 'human beings are all kindhearted and shouldn't attack each other' has never entered the minds of the Cultivators of the Flying Star Sector. History tells them that mankind boasts many unpardonable criminals and many unpardonable civilizations, too!
"If the Heaven's Origin Sector is acting aggressively all the time and never ceases to fight, the Flying Star Sector will certainly be vigilant, too, and it will be even less likely to attack the Blood Demon Sector together with the Heaven's Origin Sector!
"Having no other choices, the Star Glory Federation will have to join the peace negotiations.
"Also, when there are two possible targets of 'surrender', the price of surrender can be better negotiated, too. If the Heaven's Origin Sector is not willing to accept the Blood Demon Sector's surrender, there's always the Flying Star Sector.
"In the end, when the peace talks work out, the Flying Star Sector will provide boundless territory, sailing technology, and resource planets; the Blood Demon Sector will provide biochemical technology and well-trained miners; the Heaven's Origin Sector will provide a highly coherent government and a functioning model. An iron triangle against the Imperium of True Human Beings will be formed!
"This is the future that Senior Jin wishes to see, right?"
Jin Tuyi smiled and clapped his hands. "Marvelous. Truly marvelous. As expected of Vulture Li Yao. You have depicted exactly everything on my mind! Yes. That is the future that I want to see, and I believe that it is also the future that you want to see and the only way possible to defeat the Imperium of True Human Beings and preserve the tinder of our civilizations!"
"Alright. I'll bring all of your words to the most appropriate person." After pausing for a moment, Li Yao said carefully, "However, I have to remind Senior Jin of something beforehand.
"I can see that Senior Jin is a great player of the chess game, but do you know when a chess game is the most perfect and flawless?"
Jin Tuyi raised his eyebrow. "When?"
"At the beginning of a chess game, before any chess piece is moved. That is the only flawless form of a chess game. Once the chess pieces are moved, so much as one single step, there will be loopholes, and the chess game will not proceed exactly as the player has calculated."
Staring at Jin Tuyi in the eyes, Li Yao said, one word after another, "Moreover, I don't like being a chess piece. I prefer to be a player. Not any player, but an unreasonable one who will knock over the board at any time.
"This time, Senior Jin has prepared such a large chess game, hoping to finish the Red Tide Plan through me. That's not going to be a problem!
"However, under my influence, will the future of the Red Tide Plan be exactly the same as Senior Jin has predicted? That will be hard to say!
"The chess game between us has only just begun!"
With a bitter smile, Jin Tuyi sighed. "Do I not know what a dreadful thing it is to cooperate with such a dangerous person as 'Vulture Li Yao'? But it is a pity that I don't have enough time.
"Honestly speaking, if my brain could work normally for another hundred years, I would definitely try to kill you with whatever methods possible!
"But right now… I can only look toward my daughter.
"Please help me find Jin Xinyue. I will tell her the following procedures of the Red Tide Plan. Although you will certainly learn the secret later, I want her to hear it and make a choice first."
Jin Tuyi waved his hands lethargically and struggled to stand straight. He then walked out of the room, ending the conversation.
Seeing his back, which indicated that he was exhausted, Li Yao's left eye was rippling with circles of strange fire.
"Why did you agree on his offer so easily?"
"Because he does have a point," the mental devil replied. "Three Sectors working together against the Imperium of True Human Beings, isn't that our plan as well? Everyone gets what they want from the cooperation. What's not good about it?"
