Hearing Gao Weiye's threatening words, Jiang Gong realized that this time Gao Weiye was truly angry. He had urged multiple times for an immediate war with the Dawson Empire, but Jiang Gong had been stalling.
"General, I assure you that I have been searching for the best opportunity for battle. The military expenses weigh on my mind even more than they do on yours. Please believe me, there will definitely be a battle soon. You may return and await good news."
Jiang Gong was also feeling frustrated, and his voice grew louder. After finishing his words, he immediately raised his cup to send Gao Weiye off, not wanting to engage in further discussion. His true thoughts were something he would never reveal to this Antique.
Gao Weiye, furious, snorted and left with a flick of his sleeve.
However, just as he stepped out of the Crown Prince's tent, he felt an overwhelming pressure descending upon the Prince's military camp, so terrifying that even Gao Weiye found himself unable to move.
Inside the main tent, Jiang Gong also sensed an enemy attack and shouted, "Someone, enemy attack!"
But no one responded.
"Hahaha, the Crown Prince of the Southern Source Empire dares to invade the Dawson Empire? What audacity!"
With a loud laugh, several individuals entered the Crown Prince's main tent. Jiang Gong looked up to see that the leader was a middle-aged man wearing a yellow long robe. He appeared very elegant and had the demeanor of a teacher, exuding an unwavering willpower.
This man smiled at Jiang Gong as if appraising a precious treasure.
"Who are you?" Jiang Gong asked cautiously.
"I am Regretless Sage," the middle-aged man replied calmly.
Jiang Gong was taken aback: Regretless Sage? The one who possesses two Children of Heaven and Earth from Dawson Empire's Changshan Academy? The master who Eastern Hawk failed to capture?
His mind raced as his expression changed, and he burst into laughter: "So it's Regretless Sage who has arrived! I've long admired you."
Regretless Sage also smiled and said, "If I had known the Crown Prince was so hospitable, I wouldn't have needed to make such a grand entrance."
Ignoring Regretless Sage's subtly threatening remark, Jiang Gong continued to greet him with a smile and asked, "What brings you here, Master?"
"I am merely a martial artist; how could I dare to presume to instruct His Highness the Southern Prince? I am just curious why the Crown Prince has come to my Dawson Empire for so long without taking any significant action. Is it not to reclaim lost territory?" Regretless Sage, this old fox, skillfully avoided giving a direct answer.
Jiang Gong knew that this statement was not his true intention, yet he deliberately said, "Although I, the Crown Prince, have come to reclaim lost territory, considering the suffering of the people of the Dawson Empire, I cannot bear to harm the common folk. Therefore, I have held back my forces, truly to drive away the nearby populace, so that when our two nations go to war, there will be less damage."
"In that case, it seems that the Crown Prince is indeed a remarkable heir who cares for the people and their well-being," Regretless Sage wanted to say more, but suddenly his expression froze. After a moment, he forced a smile and said, "Crown Prince, I am here on behalf of the Dawson Empire's Second Prince."
Indeed, as soon as his voice fell, a young and elegant gentleman appeared in Jiang Gong's military tent. The young man stood at nearly six feet three inches tall, with a natural demeanor and the pride of a victor. His deep-set eyes held meanings that no one could decipher.
When he spoke, his voice was very loud: "Your Highness Jiang Gong, I am Modai, the Second Prince of the Dawson Empire."
Regarding Modai, Jiang Gong had long heard of him and knew he was a strong contender for the throne of the Dawson Empire and a prominent figure in power.
"Ah, it is an honor to welcome the Second Prince. I shall not mention formalities, but it is indeed my fortune to meet you," Jiang Gong replied calmly despite being surrounded by Dawson Disciple forces.
Modai smiled and said, "It is also my great fortune to meet you today, Crown Prince."
Jiang Gong immediately instructed his attendants to serve tea, and both he and Modai took their seats as host and guest.
Modai then stated, "I have come today with important matters to discuss with Your Highness. All others may leave except for Regretless Sage."
As he spoke, Modai naturally exuded an air of authority that even Jiang Gong secretly admired.
The three of them—Modai, Jiang Gong, and Regretless Sage—settled into their respective roles. Everyone else was dismissed from the tent, including all guards and soldiers from both the Dawson Empire and the Southern Source Empire, as well as attendants serving the Crown Prince.
"Crown Prince, it is unfortunate that we must meet under these circumstances; I hope you understand," Modai stood up formally and bowed to Jiang Gong.
Jiang Gong smiled lightly: "I must thank you, Brother Mo, for creating this opportunity for us to meet."
After sitting back down, Modai formally said, "Crown Prince, have you come regarding the Child of Heaven and Earth?"
Seeing that Modai had gotten straight to the point, Jiang Gong was momentarily at a loss for words.
Modai smiled again and continued: "Perhaps you do not know much about the Child of Heaven and Earth. Currently, Regretless Sage possesses two of them and has already begun utilizing them. I would like to ask Regretless Sage to introduce their characteristics to you."
Jiang Gong was also very eager to know what was special about the Child of Heaven and Earth, so he nodded in agreement immediately. Although he had browsed through many ancient texts in search of answers, he still had only a vague understanding of the Child of Heaven and Earth.
Regretless Sage said very seriously, "Crown Prince, you also possess the Child of Heaven and Earth. Have you ever made it react or awakened it?"
Jiang Gong shook his head. This was exactly what he wanted to know.
Regretless Sage continued, "The Child of Heaven and Earth is the culmination of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy, concentrating the essence of that energy. To awaken it requires a powerful Disciple, as well as sufficient mental control and strong bloodline heritage to suppress the Child of Heaven and Earth's formidable resistance and compel it to obey."
As he spoke, Regretless Sage took out a Child of Heaven and Earth: "This is Water Child. I captured it in the Guardian Realm. I happened to meet the conditions for capturing it: possessing a strong Mental Strength and having a rare enhanced bloodline heritage."
With a single motion of his hand holding the Child of Heaven and Earth, countless strands of fine rain fell from the sky, which then transformed into raindrops descending downwards.
Regretless Sage smiled and said, "The power of this water is limitless; I can freeze vast distances or solidify the world. But what truly makes it move is the power of blood. Therefore, only those with a strong bloodline heritage can truly use the Child of Heaven and Earth."
The implication in Regretless Sage's words was very clear: even if you, Crown Prince, obtained the Child of Heaven and Earth, you would not be able to use it!
Jiang Gong listened expressionlessly as Regretless Sage continued, "In fact, there are ten Children of Heaven and Earth, among which the most significant is the Child of the Earth. The Child of the Earth is key to forming the Mother of Heaven and Earth. Moreover, the Child of the Earth can sense the locations and paths of other Children of Heaven and Earth."
Regretless Sage's words caught Jiang Gong's attention. So the key lies in the Child of the Earth.
"The reason I am telling you this, Crown Prince, is that I wish to collaborate with you. What do you think?" Regretless Sage looked directly at Jiang Gong, waiting for his response.
"How do we collaborate?" Jiang Gong wanted to know their cards.
At this moment, Modai spoke up: "Crown Prince, our two nations have always been bullied by the Vast Empire; we should unite against them instead of fighting amongst ourselves. Do you agree?"
Jiang Gong nodded without hesitation.
Modai continued, "Unity makes us strong; division leads to destruction. We both understand this principle. This time we will send troops to occupy several routes in Your Country and then wait for your response. This time, Crown Prince has personally led the expedition, and your performance has pleased us greatly. Therefore, we intend to collaborate with you for mutual defense against the threats posed by the Vast Empire."
Jiang Gong did not express his stance but quietly watched Modai, waiting for his further remarks.
"We can cooperate in three areas. First, we firmly support you inheriting the throne. Second, our two nations will secretly cooperate against the Vast Empire, sharing intelligence; if necessary, we can fight side by side. Thirdly, we will also share the Child of Heaven and Earth; whoever finds the Child of the Earth first will have priority in utilizing the Child of Heaven and Earth. If we succeed in forming the Mother of Heaven and Earth, then both our nations will take turns governing it."
Modai's suggestion made Jiang Gong's heart flutter. After pondering for a moment, he said, "I also promise to fully support the Second Prince in inheriting the throne. I have no objections to the other two points. However, the Regretless Sage must teach me how to use the Child of Heaven and Earth. As for the personnel involved, I believe there will be someone among the billions of beings in my Southern Source Empire."
Modai smiled and said, "We have come today not only to teach the Crown Prince how to use the Child of Heaven and Earth but also to return several territories we have occupied in Your Country as spoils of victory for the Crown Prince. This will allow you to return triumphantly."
Jiang Gong's face then showed joy as he said, "In that case, I will certainly not disappoint the Second Prince's great kindness. I will repay this favor."
Modai also smiled and said, "I hope that the Crown Prince will no longer be at odds with the Regretless Sage. The Regretless Sage is planning to visit Your Country soon, so I hope the Crown Prince can provide him with convenience."
"No problem. Please rest assured, I will do my best," Jiang Gong readily agreed to this matter. However, he did not notice that during his conversation with Modai, Regretless Sage's expression changed continuously, and his fingers were constantly tapping.
The Crown Prince of Southern Source Empire, Jiang Gong, and the Second Prince of Dawson Empire, under the witness of Regretless Sage, reached a consensus on many issues after two hours of discussion. This made both sides very happy.
As for how Dawson Empire would relinquish the land it had occupied from Southern Source Empire, both sides put in considerable effort.
If Dawson withdrew directly, then Crown Prince Jiang Gong would have no military achievements. If Jiang Gong defeated Dawson Empire's army, then Second Prince Modai would have difficulty explaining this to the emperor.
In the end, they agreed that only after both sides pretended to engage in combat and fought hard would they negotiate peace. Dawson Empire would agree to relinquish occupied territories in exchange for peace, which would make both sides happy. Each could also report back satisfactorily to their respective emperors.
Finally, Jiang Gong and Modai shook hands in satisfaction. Their determination to help each other ascend to the throne was genuine. Of course, once one side ascended to the throne, the reliability of this agreement might undergo subtle changes.
Of course, that is a story for another time! For now, let’s not mention it.
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