Everlasting Immortal Firmament

[TL Note: In ancient China and Japan, a prince of an emperor or a royal was usually sent to a neighboring country as an act of fealty or submission. Because of the high value of a prince, this practice was widely accepted. The hostage prince was normally treated well, and the main restriction they faced was remaining in the host country. This was not just practiced in China but also in ancient Rome, where these hostage princes were educated in Rome, resulting in the continued loyalty of vassal nations and possibly the next ruler of the vassal nation having a Roman ideology. Here is a Wikipedia entry on this topic: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hostage_diplomacy.]

The Han Imperial Dynasty erected a massive grave marker outside Three Mountains City. The colossal stone stele stood tall, with the words “Grave of Three Mountains City’s Two Hundred Million Departed Spirits,” and engraved on the sides was Gu Hai’s epitaph.

Gu Hai bowed gravely three times, ending this memorial service.

From the moment Long Shenying joined the Han Nation, the surroundings were silent, including the citizens of the two dynasties. After their shock, they became extremely quiet.

Everyone initially thought honoring the dead Three Mountains City citizens was just a show that Gu Hai staged to gain the citizens’ support through hypocritical means. However, the events that transpired during the memorial service shocked them all.

The oath and epitaph showed Gu Hai’s determination.

Some citizens unwilling to submit to Gu Hai started to change their attitudes because of that epitaph. Moreover, the Spirit Mountain Holy Land had attacked, yet Gu Hai had been indifferent to it. It felt like he had everything in control. This made everyone feel calm—until the Ying Imperial Dynasty strangely submitted. Countless citizens suddenly felt a fanatical adoration for Gu Hai.

Even after the memorial service ended, everyone still felt like they were dreaming.

Far away, Emperor Kong and Mister Starless were silent for a long time.

“Hah! Gu Hai? His Holy Eminence’s considerations were right. This person’s means are no weaker than Long Zhanguo’s,” Emperor Kong said with a sullen expression.

Mister Starless narrowed his eyes slightly at Gu Hai as though analyzing something.

“Alright. Mister Starless, someone will report this matter to His Holy Eminence. It is time to go to the nether realm’s Heavenly Demon Holy Land. Lifespan Nangong, I’ll have to trouble you!” Emperor Kong turned to a juvenile-looking man among the black-clad men they led.

That man nodded and waved his hand.

Whoosh!

Black fog appeared in the forest.

Emperor Kong, Mister Starless, and the rest of their group stepped into the black fog and vanished in the next moment as though they had never been there.

No one noticed their disappearance. Only the Unborn Man, who was behind Gu Hai far away, suddenly turned his head in that direction. However, the group was already gone.

All at once, Gu Hai and his officials turned their heads towards a nearby mountain.

Everyone observing the ceremony felt bewildered as they looked in the same direction.

They saw the leaders of three mid-tier sects and three imperial dynasties standing on the summit. Although these six appeared extremely calm, they had crumbled mentally.

It turned out that after I plotted for so long, everything had been in Gu Hai’s control all along?

Disrupting the Han Nation’s public memorial service? That is simply a joke. Gu Hai already knew everything long ago.

Long Shenying had submitted to the Han Imperial Dynasty much earlier?

They were just putting on a show? Had I known Long Shenying had joined the Han Imperial Dynasty, would we have planned this battle? How could we have gone around finding ways to deal with the Han Nation?

This is simply smashing a rock on my foot, right?

The six wanted to escape from the Han Nation, but it was dangerous now.

Fall out with them? What a joke! I don’t have blessings to protect me here. If Kong Xuan and the Mosquito Daoist attack, the six of us will die here.

“The six of you have traveled a long way to Borderless Heavenly Capital. How about following us to Borderless Heavenly Capital and sitting for a while?” Gu Hai said indifferently.

The observers felt confused. The six, however, were anxious, as they understood what was going on.

Many thoughts flashed through their hearts as they remained silent. Finally, a sovereign nodded. “Alright. Since Imperial Emperor Gu invited us, there’s no reason to refuse.”

The other five looked at him, but his gaze slowly turned from uncertain to determined.

Since I cannot escape today, I might as well follow Gu Hai. After all, Gu Hai invited us; I would be his guest. If Gu Hai suddenly killed his guest, it would not be good for his reputation.

After the five gave it some thought, they also nodded.

Borderless Heavenly Capital had already approached by now.

Gu Hai flew back to Borderless Heavenly Capital with his officials first.

The six faction leaders remained silent for a while. Instead of fleeing, they followed, flying over.

------

In a large hall:

Gu Hai only had Long Shenying accompany him while he had a private chat with the six faction leaders.

In the hall, Long Shenying looked at the six with interest. The six showed bitter expressions.

“This is the best batch of tea harvested in Borderless Heavenly Capital this year. The six of you, please try it,” Gu Hai said with a smile as he held up a teacup.

Tea?

The six would find it hard to swallow, no matter how excellent the tea was.

They looked at the teacups beside them, not touching the cups.

By meeting with the six alone, Gu Hai had already given them sufficient face. The six understood Gu Hai was waiting for them to give him an account.

“Imperial Emperor Gu, we were indeed in the wrong this time. We offer our apologies with this cup of tea!” a sect master said as he raised a teacup.

“Imperial Emperor Gu, we are extremely sorry. We have been rude!”

“We have been rude!”

The six raised their teacups to Gu Hai.

However, Gu Hai looked at the six and said, “Sect Masters and Imperial Emperors, Gu Hai feels like everyone here is a good friend despite never having met. However, everyone has gone too far today. We do not desire to make things difficult for everyone, so we arranged for this private discussion.”

The six’s eyes lit up slightly as they looked at Gu Hai.

“However, we cannot ignore the matter. The Han Imperial Dynasty cannot be humiliated by anyone. The Spirit Mountain Holy Land killed the Han Nation citizens. We will pursue this grudge to the death. Although you caused no destruction, you intended to destroy the Han Nation,” Gu Hai said.

“Imperial Emperor Gu, we don’t dare!” the six said.

“How about this? How about you propose the resolution?” Gu Hai looked at the six.

The six exchanged looks, showing extremely complicated expressions.

“Imperial Emperor Gu, my sect is willing to give you five cities as compensation.”

“My nation is willing to give you five cities as compensation!”

…

The six immediately proposed ceding some territory to Gu Hai.

However, Gu Hai shook his head and smiled faintly.

“Imperial Emperor Gu, my sect is not as big as your Han Nation. Five cities are already our limit,” a sect master said with a frown.

“You misunderstand. Now that we already have more than a certain number of cities, a few more cities do not matter to us. We have no intention of taking your cities.” Gu Hai smiled.

“Oh?” The six felt slightly startled.

“Today, everyone colluded with the Spirit Mountain Holy Land to deal with the Han Imperial Dynasty. We do not hope for a next time,” Gu Hai said gravely.

“That is for sure. Imperial Emperor Gu, there will be no next time!” a sect master immediately said with an apologetic smile.

“It is difficult for a nation or sect to gain a city. We will not demand such from you. However, we cannot fully trust your guarantee, either. How about we reach a compromise?” Gu Hai said, then took a sip of tea.

“Oh?”

“How about the crown princes of the three dynasties and the young sect masters of the three sects remain in my Han Nation for forty years as hostages? As long as no one has thoughts of destroying the Han Nation, we guarantee their safety. We will also give them the treatment and salary of a viscount, letting them cultivate freely. How about that?” Gu Hai said seriously.

“What?” The six’s expressions changed.

Send my son to the Han Nation as a hostage?

Gu Hai was in no hurry and waited quietly for the six, who appeared uncertain.

Indeed, it was as Gu Hai said. This was the best solution. However, the six were reluctant.

Nevertheless, one sovereign thought about it and eventually said, “Alright. Imperial Emperor Gu, I’ll immediately send my nation’s crown prince over as a hostage.”

The others exchanged looks before finally nodding. “Alright, Imperial Emperor Gu, we promise you.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll permit you to communicate with your sons. They will have absolute freedom within a certain area,” Gu Hai said seriously.

“Many thanks, Imperial Emperor Gu!” The six bowed slightly.

“Alright. The six of you may leave. I expect to see your sons in three days,” Gu Hai said gravely.

“You are letting us go?” a sovereign said in shock.

Gu Hai raised his teacup as though in toast to them. He smiled faintly and started drinking.

The six exchanged looks. Finally, they bowed to Gu Hai. “Imperial Emperor Gu, we’ll take our leave now.”

Creak!

The hall’s doors opened.

The six turned into six beams of light shooting into the distance and disappeared into the horizon.

Clack! Gu Hai placed the teacup down.

“Your Reverence, do you trust them that much? What if they leave and never send their sons over? What are you going to do?” Long Shenying frowned.

“Do you think they will do that?” Gu Hai smiled.

“Uh…probably not. The Han Imperial Dynasty is flourishing, standing out like the sun. It’s one thing if they had not exposed their enmity. Now, they are surely worried about Your Reverence using them as examples,” Long Shenying said after some thought.

Gu Hai nodded. “The six of them each offered five cities; that makes thirty cities, barely the territory of a small royal dynasty. Unfortunately, the Han Imperial Dynasty has grown rapidly and merged with the Ying Nation. After occupying some scattered cities, we have reached about one thousand four hundred cities. It is easy to expand territory, but it is difficult to maintain stability. The Han Imperial Dynasty lacks talents. We need to start supplementary examinations immediately and recruit geniuses from all over the world. Just my officials alone are insufficient. If we forcibly accepted those thirty cities, not only would our foundation would be unstable, but our administration of those cities would also be weak. Moreover, we would have to fight the influence of the six factions. It is not worth it.”

“If the six factions send hostages, they will not harbor other thoughts. As they border my Han Imperial Dynasty, they are a natural barrier for my Han Imperial Dynasty, blocking other factions. Your Reverence, an excellent plan! You use them to block any unrest from other factions and allow the Han Nation to thrive. When the Han Nation’s foundation is stable, there will be no need to fear unrest. Then we can focus on dealing with the Spirit Mountain Holy Land,” Long Shenying marveled.

Gu Hai smiled faintly as he shook his head. “No. The battle against the Spirit Mountain Holy Land started a few days ago.”

“Oh?” Long Shenying felt slightly startled.

It has already started? Why do I not know about it? Furthermore, there are many factions between the Han Imperial Dynasty and the Spirit Mountain Holy Land. How can this battle be fought?

“This is why I called for you,” Gu Hai said with a solemn expression.

“Your Reverence, please issue your instructions!” Long Shenying said seriously.

“We have secretly arranged for Gu Qin to take charge of the first wave against the Spirit Mountain Holy Land. Meet with Chen Tianshan and Sima Changkong to expedite the merger of the Ying Nation’s territory into the Han Nation lest someone with hidden motives foment trouble among the people. After you deal with everything, immediately protect and assist Gu Qin. His job this time is extraordinary; nothing must go wrong,” Gu Hai said gravely.

“Yes! Your Reverence, rest assured. I will deal with everything quickly and assist Crown Prince Gu Qin afterwards!” Long Shenying said with a stern expression.