Chapter 163: Yi Yan

Underneath Fang Mountain, the leaders of both factions walked forth, each accompanied by around forty followers, stopping at a distance from each other.

"General Ironblood, could it be that you will be leading the talks this time?" Princess Qianyou smiled, holding a folding fan in her hand.

General Ironblood's expression was solemn as he glanced at the people opposite him, speaking in a deep voice, "The talks at Fang Mountain concern matters of both dynasties. How could I take the lead? We shall commence once the Grand Commander of our dynasty arrives."

"Oh?" Princess Qianyou's expression turned serious, and behind her, her companions mirrored her demeanor.

"I didn't expect the Grand Commander of the Great Yu Empire to come forward. I've admired him for a long time," Princess Qianyou said earnestly, with a tone of genuine respect.

Not only Princess Qianyou, but everyone behind her showed expressions of respect.

In the nearby tent, Zhongshan furrowed his brows.

The Grand Commander of the Great Yu Empire? Who is this person? Respect, yes, it's respect that even makes enemies feel it? This Grand Commander must possess considerable personal charm.

Zhongshan was well aware of General Ironblood's strength. Even the formidable individuals of the previous alliance were his subordinates, and each one of them held him in utmost respect. When facing General Ironblood, Princess Qianyou seemed calm and composed, but upon hearing the Grand Commander's name, her expression turned solemn.

The Grand Commander of the Great Yu Empire?

"Is the Grand Commander of the Great Yu Empire powerful?" Nan Batian whispered to Shui Wuhen.

Zhongshan also listened intently, obviously curious about this Grand Commander.

"The Grand Commander of the Great Yu Empire is not strong in terms of cultivation, but he's formidable," Shui Wuhen explained.

"Huh?" Nan Batian looked puzzled. Not strong? But formidable? What does that mean?

"The Grand Commander of the Great Yu Empire, named Yi Yan, is only in the Yuan Infant stage in terms of cultivation. However, his position in the Great Yu Empire is irreplaceable. Even within the ranks of the Great Yu Empire's army, his prestige surpasses that of the imperial capital itself," Shui Wuhen elaborated.

"Are you saying that Yi Yan is only in the Yuan Infant stage?" Nan Batian wore an incredulous expression.

"Yes, he's here!" Shui Wuhen pointed to the distance.

Indeed, everyone beneath Fang Mountain fell silent, gazing at a growing black dot in the sky.

On the side of Princess Qianyou's Da Luo Tian Dynasty, everyone waited quietly, their eyes showing reverence. In the opposing army, nearly everyone displayed admiration, including Ironblood General, the commander of the Great Yu Empire's First Legion, who was visibly excited.

As the black dot drew nearer, Zhongshan finally made out the flying object.

It was a large sedan chair, resembling a house, carried by sixteen sedan bearers, each shouldering a massive beam, stepping on white clouds as they carefully lifted the sedan chair. These sixteen bearers were all at the Yuan Infant stage, formidable figures equivalent to sect masters on Tian Lang Island. Yet here, they were merely sedan bearers?

Of course, Zhongshan understood that only Yi Yan would command such powerful individuals to serve as sedan bearers.

As the sedan bearers flew, they not only stabilized the sedan chair but also cast spells, enveloping it in a protective barrier, shielding it from gusts of wind and maintaining its stability.

This Yi Yan, he's quite extravagant!

Slowly, the sedan chair landed beneath Fang Mountain before the crowd.

With the sedan chair settled, the sixteen Yuan Infant stage sedan bearers swiftly stood by the sedan doors, in a posture of respectful welcome.

Seeing the sedan chair land, Princess Qianyou and her entourage remained still, representing the Da Luo Tian Dynasty.

General Ironblood quickly ran towards the sedan chair. Upon reaching it, he didn't lift the curtains but stood silently in front of it, waiting for the occupant inside to open them.

From afar, Zhongshan observed the extravagant sedan chair, even the top adorned with huge night pearls. Zhongshan had seen these pearls in the market of Wu Shuang City days ago; even the smallest one was worth twenty thousand top-grade spirit stones.

The sedan door was raised half a person's height from the ground.

"Grand Commander!" General Ironblood whispered.

"CoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCough"

From inside the sedan, came a series of intense coughs, heavy as if from someone plagued for years, on the brink of death.

The entire army stood silently, all waiting for the occupant's coughs to subside. At this moment, no one complained; they all waited patiently, displaying no resentment. Among General Ironblood's group, worry was evident on every face, yet none of the people from the Da Luo Tian Dynasty showed any hint of mockery.

What level of prestige could command such respect from the entire army?

Finally, after nearly half a stick of incense worth of coughing, the interior quietened down.

Gently, a maid-like woman lifted the sedan curtain, allowing the door to open wide, and then from inside, she slowly assisted a frail old man.

The old man's face was extremely haggard, but his eyes gleamed with a wise light. Assisted by the maid, he slowly approached the sedan door.

Seeing the old man before him, Zhongshan revealed a hint of shock. Was Yi Yan only in the Yuan Infant stage? How could he be this weak? Near death's door? He seemed older and weaker than Zhongshan himself.

Yi Yan reached the edge of the sedan door, but with it half a person's height above the ground, it was difficult for him to descend steadily without a stool.

At this moment, General Ironblood, who was standing nearby, suddenly approached and knelt down horizontally, his head touching the ground, offering his back as a step for Yi Yan.

Witnessing this scene, Zhongshan was shaken. General Ironblood, the commander of the Great Yu Empire's First Legion, actually chose to be a step for Yi Yan? No, it was willingly done, for if General Ironblood had any reluctance, someone else could have offered. Yet, he knelt without any hesitation, willingly allowing the elderly and frail Yi Yan to step down on his back.

Yi Yan swayed as he stepped down on General Ironblood's back. The maid dared not step on General Ironblood, but her ability to assist Yi Yan indicated that she was also at least at the Yuan Infant stage.

Once Yi Yan stepped off the sedan, a gentle breeze blew, causing his thin figure to waver as if he could fall at any moment. The maid held him tightly.

Gently, Yi Yan brushed off the maid's hand and stood alone in the wind, gazing around at all four sides.

Seeing Yi Yan refusing assistance, the maid could only respectfully stand behind him.

General Ironblood quickly stood up, paying no attention to the dust on his knees as if he hadn't noticed it at all, and promptly bowed to Yi Yan, "Greetings, Grand Commander."

"All hail the Grand Commander," all the soldiers of the Great Yu Empire bowed respectfully, each genuinely and without hesitation.

Yi Yan merely nodded slightly and slowly made his way towards Princess Qianyou and her companions at the foot of Fang Mountain.

"Greetings, Mr. Yi Yan," Princess Qianyou said.

"Hmm, Princess Qianyou, I've heard of your esteemed reputation," Yi Yan replied with a faint smile.

"I dare not, Mr. Yi Yan. Your presence at the Fang Mountain talks today is truly an honor for me," Princess Qianyou said.

"Princess Qianyou is too polite. Please," Yi Yan said gently, gesturing for her to proceed.

"Please," Princess Qianyou also gestured in return.

Subsequently, Princess Qianyou and Yi Yan walked at the forefront, with their respective leaders following respectfully behind.

Yi Yan's pace was slow and arduous, as if climbing Fang Mountain required all his strength. However, he insisted on walking without assistance. Everyone behind him waited respectfully, showing no impatience. Because he was Yi Yan.

Despite the three hundred meters of Fang Mountain taking half an incense stick's worth of time to climb, no one showed impatience.

On top of Fang Mountain, Zhongshan couldn't see the figures of the people below, but his mind was in turmoil.

Yi Yan? What kind of person is he?

Beside him, Nan Batian also stared wide-eyed, full of disbelief. How could such a person exist? This was too exaggerated!

In another tent not far away, within another tent.

Three people stood in the tent, one kneeling on the ground. The one kneeling was Mo Yanbing's subordinate Xiaosan, and among the three standing, one was Mo Yanbing himself.

Mo Yanbing looked at Xiaosan with a hint of satisfaction.

"Young Master, that Zhongshan is in the tent to the left. I saw it with my own eyes," Xiaosan said respectfully.

"Good, since he's come to us, keep an eye on him. After the Fang Mountain talks, I'll deal with him," Mo Yanbing said solemnly.

"Young Master, what about Shui Wuhen? He might intervene," Xiaosan said with a trace of concern.

"This, I'll have to trouble you two," Mo Yanbing looked at the two people beside him with a smile.

"Young Master, don't worry, with the two of us, we can definitely stop Shui Wuhen. He won't dare to harm us. We're just curious, how did that Zhongshan offend you?" one of them asked with a hint of confusion.

Glancing at the person, Mo Yanbing frowned slightly, obviously embarrassed to mention the humiliating incident from last time.

"Please, let's not dwell on past matters," Mo Yanbing shook his head.

Seeing Mo Yanbing's expression, the two knew not to ask further. They nodded and one of them said, "Young Master, rest assured."