Compensation

The next day, Fu Qing led Mo Qingkuang and the others to the small courtyard early in the morning to escort Lan Xiao and Liu Qing to the palace to witness the negotiations. 

Everyone was well aware that the people from the Blue Flame Empire had secretly entered the small courtyard last night to meet with Lan Xiao and Liu Qing. 

Regarding matters of national interest, even if Tianxuan tried to block it, the Blue Flame Empire would not sit idly by while Tianxuan and the Holy Envoys conspired against them. Therefore, a secret night visit to the courtyard was almost inevitable, and the Tianxuan side chose to turn a blind eye. 

The Holy Land's people were not fools. Even though Holy Envoy Lan Xiao was still young, Domain Lord Liu was there to guide him. Negotiations are negotiations; without benefits, who would be willing to mediate? 

From the beginning, Tianxuan had prepared for the Holy Land to take a significant share. 

In the Golden Throne Hall, the Empress sat high above, veiled in a light curtain. Hua Ge led the Tianxuan negotiation team, and the Blue Flame negotiation team stood on opposite sides, with Lan Xiao and Domain Lord Liu seated in the centre. 

"Ladies and gentlemen, this time, Penglai Immortal Island, on behalf of Yaoshen Mountain, Tianfeng Peak, and Sealing God Realm, will handle the Blue Flame Empire's attempt to use force to invade Tianxuan Empire," Lan Xiao stood up and cupped his hands to those around him. 

"After investigation, it is confirmed that Wang Hua, the former Prime Minister of Tianxuan Empire, was indeed an undercover agent sent by the Blue Flame Empire. The evidence is irrefutable and indisputable!" 

"Wang Hua governed Tianxuan for nearly a century. According to incomplete statistics, he provided the Blue Flame Empire with 791 pieces of information on various aspects of Tianxuan, among which..." 

"After investigation, it is confirmed that the Blue Flame Empire had indeed made significant troop movements towards the Tianxuan border. The evidence is irrefutable and indisputable." 

"May I ask, do either side have any objections?" 

Lan Xiao's words were decisive. Although phrased as a question, they were actually a declaration! This was the conclusion set by the Holy Land, unchangeable. 

This negotiation was not about debating right and wrong but discussing the compensation the Blue Flame Empire owed Tianxuan. 

"No objections." 

"No objections." 

Both sides spoke in unison. 

Both sides knew better than to dispute the Holy Land's conclusions. 

Then, Lan Xiao continued, "Since that's the case, let's discuss the compensation from the Blue Flame Empire for the losses caused by their undercover operation and the theft of Tianxuan's state secrets." 

"Does the Tianxuan Empire have any demands?" 

Hua Ge stepped forward, cupping his hands, "Everything is at the discretion of the Holy Land." 

Retreating to advance, Hua Ge was consistent. 

"Very well, it is proposed that the Blue Flame Empire compensates the Tianxuan Empire with ten eighth-grade Emperor Ascension Pills, twenty seventh-grade King Sealing Pills, and one hundred sixth-grade Venerable Breaking Pills. Any objections?" Lan Xiao nodded and looked at the Blue Flame Empire side. 

Fu Qing and Hua Ge, upon hearing this, were secretly delighted. The Holy Envoy had opened his mouth wide, giving Tianxuan more than they had expected. 

It seemed that Mo Qingkuang's strategy of playing weak, poor, and humble had worked. 

The main representative of the Blue Flame Empire was a first-rank Martial Emperor, who looked scholarly and refined. 

He stepped forward, pinching his voice, and shouted, "Impossible! Even if we emptied the Blue Flame Empire's treasury, we couldn't come up with that many! Absolutely impossible!" 

Lan Xiao frowned upon hearing this and said in a deep voice, "Then what does the Blue Flame Empire propose?" 

"Reporting to the Holy Envoy! The Blue Flame Empire acknowledges its fault in this matter. However, may I ask, hasn't Tianxuan also planted people in our Blue Flame Empire? They just haven't been exposed yet!" The Blue Flame representative looked agitated, appearing very wronged. 

Of course, Tianxuan had planted people in the Blue Flame Empire; it was an unspoken rule between nations. However, they hadn't managed to reach the position of Prime Minister! 

Lan Xiao's face darkened, and he said coldly, "I asked, what does the Blue Flame Empire propose regarding the amount of compensation?" 

The Blue Flame representative, realizing he had digressed, hurriedly said, "Holy Envoy, we truly don't have that much. The materials needed for these three types of pills are extremely precious. They require..." 

Before the representative could elaborate on the difficulties of producing these pills, Lan Xiao impatiently interrupted, "Just say how many you can provide." 

"One Emperor Ascension Pill, five King Sealing Pills, and ten Venerable Breaking Pills," the Blue Flame representative said softly, then felt he might have cut too much and added, "We can also compensate with some additional funds." 

"Who wants your money? Can the things Wang Hua stole from us over the years be compensated with money?" Hua Ge shouted angrily. 

"It's your own incompetence that you couldn't uncover Wang Hua's true identity and even promoted him to a high position," the Blue Flame envoy, showing no weakness, retorted towards Hua Ge, though he was more cautious with Lan Xiao. 

"Enough arguing!" Lan Xiao snorted coldly, glaring at the Blue Flame envoy with icy eyes. "That's too little! Five Emperor Ascension Pills, ten King Sealing Pills, and fifty Venerable Breaking Pills! That's final!" 

"Holy Envoy..." the Blue Flame envoy tried to speak again. 

Lan Xiao glared at him fiercely, "If the Blue Flame Empire does not agree, I will have the elders from the Holy Land personally go to your Capital and talk to the Blue Flame Emperor!" 

"This... the Blue Flame Empire will comply with the Holy Land's decree," the Blue Flame envoy, seeing no other option, had to grit his teeth and accept. 

In the end, under Lan Xiao's insistence, the compensation from the Blue Flame Empire to the Tianxuan Empire was finalized. 

The amount was halved from the original proposal but still greatly exceeded the Tianxuan Empire's expectations. 

Five Emperor Ascension Pills were enough to create at least three Martial Emperor powerhouses for the Tianxuan Empire, and with good luck, even five. 

As for the Blue Flame Empire, they found this acceptable. 

This time, righteousness and the Holy Land were not on their side, so they had to accept the loss. 

They could gather the items, albeit with some difficulty. Not giving Tianxuan too much was the main goal of the Blue Flame Empire's secret meeting with the Holy Envoy last night. 

At that time, Liu Qing and Lan Xiao had firmly insisted on the ten Emperor Ascension Pills, not budging an inch. 

This forced the Blue Flame envoy into a corner, leading to his final statement: "Fine! I can produce ten Emperor Ascension Pills, twenty King Sealing Pills, and a hundred Venerable sonBreaking Pills! But this is not just for Tianxuan, it's also for the Holy Land. You decide how to split it." 

Therefore, Lan Xiao and Liu Qing discussed and decided that since Tianxuan was weak and needed support, they couldn't be too greedy. 

Hence, they decided to split it equally. 

They also required the Blue Flame Empire to cooperate in staging a scene, leading to today's performance. 

The Holy Land handled the matter, pocketed the benefits, and the outcome satisfied both Tianxuan and Blue Flame. 

It was a win-win situation, ending harmoniously. 

Lan Xiao felt a surge of excitement. His first mission for the Holy Land was a complete success, and his master would surely praise him. His position as the Holy Envoy would also be more secure, leaving his unrealistic competitors further behind. 

Additionally, Liu Qing had opened a new door for him... 

As the dust settled, the Empress, who had been silently seated, finally spoke in a cold tone, "Holy Envoy, envoy of Blue Flame, you have worked hard. Someone, prepare a feast."

***

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