Chapter 101: Entering Chu State

Chapter 101: Entering Chu State

Early the next morning, Ling Yi got up early, bringing along the cute and soft Little Fox who had woken up even earlier and put on beautiful makeup. Together with Qin Hao, Gu Tong, and the others, they drove to the airport.

Boarding the Private Jet, Ling Yi met the chief envoy for this trip, Qi Gaofeng.

Qi Gaofeng was fifty-seven this year but looked only in his early forties. As a former City Lord of a major border city, he carried a fierce aura that did not quite match the Cabinet’s style.

Seeing Ling Yi and the others, Qi Gaofeng showed a faint smile. After greeting them one by one, he looked at Ling Yi and said, “Young man, you’re good!”

Ling Yi had never met him before and felt a bit puzzled by the praise.

After sitting down, Qin Hao beside him chuckled softly and said, “Deputy Prime Minister Qi had deep conflicts with Sun Qingbo in the past. His distance from the central authority is also related to Sun Qingbo…”

Political enemies, Ling Yi nodded to show he understood.

The Private Jet took off, with two fighter jets escorting it on both sides. They escorted it all the way to the border before turning back.

After crossing the border, Chu State’s fighter jets came to escort them.

This, so to speak, was a respectful gesture toward high-level officials from another country. But to say it was purely for escort was not realistic.

Protection accounted for at most thirty percent. The rest included monitoring and showing off their military strength.

But for the people on the plane, no one paid much attention to this.

In terms of technological power, Great Qin was not inferior to Chu State. Both sides’ fighter jets were almost on the same level.

Wang Tingjian and another Daoist were also accompanying the group on the Private Jet, so there was not much to worry about.

The journey was uneventful.

When the plane landed at Chu State’s private airport, it was already noon.

They took the special vehicles that had been airlifted along with the Private Jet and arrived at their accommodation, but it was already two in the afternoon.

The distance wasn’t that far, but there was a bit of traffic.

Chu State’s explanation for this was… they had no habit of closing roads for special occasions.

But this was nonsense, as everyone kept up with the news.

However, the Chu State officials in charge of the reception remained polite and friendly, not giving any reason for complaint.

But their little tricks didn’t stop there. The person sent to receive them was far lower in status and rank than the chief envoy Qi Gaofeng.

Under normal circumstances, being half a rank lower wouldn’t be a big deal, but being several ranks lower… was clearly a sign of disrespect.

Although they expected the trip not to go smoothly, this ungraceful approach from the other side still soured everyone’s mood.

The accommodation itself was fine, a place specifically used to host diplomatic envoys from various countries.

Ignoring the fatigue from the journey, Qi Gaofeng immediately called a short meeting for the group.

In the meeting room, Wang Tingjian and the other Dao-Entry Grade expert first checked the surroundings. They didn’t understand advanced technology, but under the coverage of their Divine Sense, all listening devices were exposed.

The other side probably knew this and didn’t try anything here.

But in the past, it would have been strange if there were no devices, so they had to stay vigilant.

Qi Gaofeng looked calm. He glanced at Qin Hao and said to the members of the Diplomatic Mission, “Before coming here, I believe you already understood what we are facing on this diplomatic trip?”

Everyone nodded silently.

Qi Gaofeng said, “I’ll reiterate the purpose of this trip. It’s just two words: stall!”

“No matter what conditions they propose, if they’re excessive, reject them on the spot. Even if you can’t reject them, still reject them.”

“But absolutely no one is allowed to cause a scene on the spot!”

He looked at everyone. “We still need time to grow. We cannot easily escalate the conflict.”

“We might have to endure some grievances temporarily. Just keep them to yourselves.”

“In short, cutting territory or paying reparations is out of the question!”

“No matter what they say, just keep stalling.”

“Drag it out with them.”

“Even if we end up staying here and negotiating for half a year, it doesn’t matter!”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Then, Qi Gaofeng looked at Ling Yi. “Also, Ling Yi, you are one of their targets this time. So, try not to leave the area where the Diplomatic Mission is staying. No matter how shameless they are, they wouldn’t dare to directly attack the Diplomatic Mission.”

Ling Yi looked at Qi Gaofeng and nodded. Then he said, “Deputy Prime Minister Qi, I have a question. May I ask?”

Qi Gaofeng was a bit surprised but still nodded.

Ling Yi said, “For this invitation, Chu State didn’t just invite our Qin State Diplomatic Mission, did they?”

Qi Gaofeng froze for a moment, then looked at Ling Yi and nodded. “They also invited the diplomatic missions from the other five nations.”

Glancing at the others’ expressions, it seemed everyone already knew this outcome.

Ling Yi nodded and didn’t ask anything further.

Clearly, this diplomatic trip to Chu State was many times more severe than they had initially thought!

Why did Chu State invite the other five nations?

Just look at Qin State’s geographical position.

Facing the Beast Tide, all Seven Nations on the continent seemed to be struggling to protect themselves.

But what if, in such a time, they united and casually took down Qin State?

Would they refuse?

Most likely not!

By dividing up Qin State’s wealth, wouldn’t they be better equipped to face the Beast Tide in the future?

Obviously, yes.

A weak nation has no diplomacy.

From today’s treatment, Ling Yi felt the power of this statement even more deeply.

From his personal perspective, Lu Qingming had detained Luo Xue and used her as a threat to force him to come to Great Chu, all to uncover the secrets on him.

But this… was merely a small wave under a roaring torrent.

Whether this incident happened or not, it wouldn’t affect Chu State’s attitude toward Qin State or Qin State’s current international situation.

Why was the final chief envoy Qi Gaofeng, a former border City Lord?

Perhaps only a figure like him, with a fierce and resolute aura but not from the military, could navigate such a harsh situation and remain as steady as a mountain no matter what happened.

Qin Hao was still too young.

The other side had already drawn their sword.

At such a time, no matter how intelligent you were, it was hard to change anything.

But Ling Yi still wanted to try.

After the short meeting ended, he found Qin Hao and asked him, “Have you ever thought about uniting with the other nations?”

Qin Hao smiled bitterly. “How could I not have thought about it? But they won’t engage!”

One sentence expressed countless heartaches.

“What do you mean they won’t engage?” Ling Yi looked at him.

“It means no matter what conditions you propose or how much you sacrifice and compromise, they just ignore you!” Qin Hao said with a bitter smile.

“What benefit could be greater than sucking blood from your corpse? As for Chu State’s wolfish ambitions… everyone knows about them, but knowing doesn’t change anything, does it?”

“Not to mention, even if the other six states joined forces now, they might not be able to do anything to Chu State.”

“Rather than that, why not divide up Qin State first!”

“Maybe this wave of wealth, enough to rival a nation, could also be used to train a group of elite young people in our own state to stand against Chu State?”

Qin Hao looked at Ling Yi and sighed. “So, to put it bluntly, the mindset of the other states right now is clearly ‘rather my friend die than me suffer.'”

“Whether your Great Qin lives or dies, what does it have to do with us?”

After hearing Qin Hao’s words, Ling Yi stayed silent for a while, then nodded without saying anything more.

In the evening, someone came to the Qin State Diplomatic Mission’s lodgings, saying they wanted to see Ling Yi.

The visitor was an assistant from Lu Qingming’s side—a tall, thin young man wearing glasses, who looked gentle and refined.

Upon seeing Ling Yi, he examined him carefully for a few moments, then nodded slightly. “Hello, Mr. Ling Yi. The State Preceptor wants to see you. Get ready and come with me.”

There was no condescension, no sarcasm—only commands and indifference.

An order from a superior to a subordinate, and a near-dismissive indifference.

Qin Hao and Gu Tong both frowned, never expecting Lu Qingming to want to see Ling Yi so urgently.

What if…

Ling Yi looked at Lu Qingming’s assistant and nodded. “Alright, lead the way.”

“Ling Yi…” Gu Tong called out with a frown.

Ling Yi glanced at him. “Senior Brother, don’t worry.”

There was no way not to worry, so in such a situation, neither Gu Tong nor Qin Hao wanted Ling Yi to go.

The chief envoy, Deputy Prime Minister Qi Gaofeng, had been busy all along. The meeting with Chu State’s top officials was scheduled for a few days later.

He still needed to use these few days to try and meet with members of the other five states’ Diplomatic Missions.

At the moment, he was working hard to make contact.

Even if it was difficult to change anything, he still had to make the effort.

And this time, Qi Gaofeng wasn’t completely unprepared.

For example, that Blue Light in Spring City.

Even though he didn’t understand it, it didn’t stop him from using it.

“If you take the person away, you must bring him back to us,” Gu Tong said to the man, looking very serious.

The man smiled faintly and nodded. “Don’t worry.”

Ling Yi got into a car with him. Two cars led the way in front, and two cars escorted from behind.

The traffic was also under control.

In a foreign land, the Diplomatic Mission didn’t even receive such treatment, but under the “care” of the enemy, Ling Yi enjoyed a privilege.

How ironic.

From the moment they got in the car, Lu Qingming’s assistant didn’t say a single word to Ling Yi, as if treating him like air.

Ling Yi couldn’t be bothered with him either, instead communicating with the Enchantress in his mind.

“Do you think they’ll make a move this time?” Ling Yi asked.

“No, they’re more interested in the secrets on you. If someone like Lu Qingming wanted to kill you, he wouldn’t likely do it in his own residence,” the Enchantress said.

“Enchantress.”

“Yes?”

“Can we win?”

“Heh… what does this little scene amount to? You’re not scared, are you?”

“Yeah, I’m scared I won’t get the chance to avenge my dad.”

“I already told you, I’m here.”

“Okay.”

Still no conversation the whole way.

The car drove into Lu Qingming’s residence.

As soon as they entered, they felt it… what a huge estate!

To be more precise, it was like a huge park!

Lakes were everywhere, mountain paths wound through, flowers and plants filled the air with fragrance, ancient trees towered to the sky, and the air carried an incredibly fresh scent.

This was a residence located in the central area of the Capital of Great Chu, but Ling Yi felt like he had stepped into a massive forest park.

The motorcade drove at a steady speed of forty kilometers per hour along the winding mountain road for over twenty minutes, finally stopping in front of a villa by a lake.

“We’re here,” the young man with gold-rimmed glasses glanced at Ling Yi.

Someone stepped forward over there to open the car door for the young man.

No one did for Ling Yi.

So, Ling Yi stayed seated in the car without moving.

Lu Qingming’s assistant was slightly taken aback, then signaled a subordinate to open the door for Ling Yi.

That person showed a hint of reluctance in his eyes, but still walked around the car and came to open the door for Ling Yi.

Ling Yi didn’t even look at the person, calmly getting out of the car.

He looked at the gold-rimmed glasses young man and said lightly, “Even if I’m going to die here today, I’m still a guest you invited! And your behavior is quite tacky.”

The young man was slightly stunned, probably not expecting Ling Yi to pick a fight over such a thing, looking a bit embarrassed.

Just then, a clear, pleasant voice said, “Oh, and being so particular about it, aren’t you being a bit petty too?”

As she spoke, a Crimson-skirted Maid walked over from the side.

Ling Yi glanced over. Quite pretty, but compared to the little fox spirit, she fell a bit short.

“Why aren’t you saying anything?” The Crimson-skirted Maid looked at Ling Yi with great interest.

Ling Yi turned his head back to the gold-rimmed glasses young man. “Did you invite me here to attend a family banquet?”

The young man looked at the Crimson-skirted Maid, his eyes showing some helplessness, then said to Ling Yi, “Please come inside. The State Preceptor is waiting for you.”

“Hey, how can you be so rude?” The Crimson-skirted Maid widened her eyes, looking at Ling Yi who had turned away without a glance at her, and shouted angrily.

“Great Chu is truly hospitable. I’ve learned my lesson,” Ling Yi said indifferently.

Ignoring the Crimson-skirted Maid’s shocked and furious expression, he said to the gold-rimmed glasses young man, “Why are you standing there? Lead the way.”

You treat me like air, so I can only treat you like a little guide follower.

The young man was stunned for a moment, wanting to say something, but found that nothing seemed appropriate.

As for the Crimson-skirted Maid, Ling Yi completely left her hanging there. From start to finish, he didn’t even give her an extra glance—

Who do I know you are?

No sense of propriety.