Chapter 106: Negotiations

After tidying up, Su Yun laid Yao Ye flat on the ground, his expression dark and incredibly grim. He locked the cell door and stormed off in a rage.

At this moment, Emperor Xiong arrived at the residence of Chi Lian and the others, where the four of them began a secret conversation.

"Speak up! Why on earth would you make such a request? Delaying the cleansing of the continent is no small matter; without a compelling reason, the leader will never agree to it!"

Emperor Xiong leaned back in his chair with an arrogant air, gently waving his folding fan. Seeing this, Chi Lian’s expression turned sour.

"Emperor Xiong! Is that any way to speak to us? If I hadn't recommended you to the tribe leader in the first place, would you even be where you are today?"

Hearing Chi Lian bring up the past yet again, Emperor Xiong stopped waving his fan. He straightened his posture, his expression turning gloomy, and slowly snapped the fan shut.

"And so, Elder Chi, what would you have me do? Kneel before you?"

"You!"

Hearing this retort, Chi Lian was so furious that he pointed a finger at Emperor Xiong. Seeing Chi Lian’s indignant rage, Mang Huang quickly stepped in to mediate.

"Enough! Enough! What are you two doing? You are both prominent figures; if word of this gets out, it won’t look good for anyone. If you keep bickering like this, will it lead to any results?"

Faced with Mang Huang’s pacification, neither said another word. Seeing that they had stopped arguing, Mang Huang sat down.

"That’s more like it! Harmony brings prosperity!"

After Mang Huang gave Chi Lian a meaningful look, Chi Lian swallowed the words he had been about to spit out.

"What exactly are you two up to? I have other business to attend to. If you won't say it, I shall take my leave!"

Emperor Xiong made as if to rise and depart, but Mang Huang hurriedly stepped forward and pressed his hand down on Emperor Xiong’s shoulder.

"Young Master, please, calm yourself! Calm yourself! Just listen to me and I will explain everything."

Emperor Xiong sat back down and opened his fan, waving it gently once more.

"Fine! But if you don't give me a reasonable request, I'm afraid I won't be able to help you."

"Young Master, it is like this: I have recently taken on a disciple, but she is merely a vessel being prepared for the Special Inspector! However, she still requires refinement. This was a task specifically entrusted to me by the Special Inspector last time."

Emperor Xiong looked at Mang Huang with suspicion. "Is what you say true? But since this is a task from the Special Inspector, couldn't you just go directly to the Alliance Leader?"

Mang Huang laughed awkwardly. "Ahem! Well, you see, the vessel originally prepared was destroyed by my incompetent descendant. I hope you can do me a favor, Young Master!"

"So that’s it. You want to buy time, and this happens to be your chance to make amends, right?"

Mang Huang chuckled. "Exactly! Heh heh! I hope you can grant me this favor, Young Master!"

Emperor Xiong closed his fan and stood up. He looked at Mang Huang, who was acting quite deferential, and began to ponder.

"Very well! I will do you this favor. I owe you for the Creation Cauldron, so let this settle our debt. However, I can only give you twenty years! Beyond that, there is nothing I can do!"

"Oh! Many thanks, Young Master! Twenty years is plenty! Thank you, thank you!"

"Fine! Since the matter is settled, I shall take my leave now. I have other things to attend to."

"Young Master, after you!"

After seeing the Young Master out, Mang Huang walked back into the room. Seeing Chi Lian looking sullen, he patted him gently on the shoulder.

"Come now! What is there to be so angry about? A gentleman’s revenge is never too late, even after ten years. There will be a time for you to vent your frustration. The matter is finally settled; we can all breathe a sigh of relief."

Mang Yuan stepped forward, his face full of flattery as he began to praise Mang Huang.

"You really are something! When Emperor Xiong was questioning us over and over again, I didn't know what to say. I didn't expect you to answer so fluently, and most importantly, your performance was excellent!"

"Hahaha! I had already guessed he would press us, so I had thought of the excuses in advance!"

"Ah! It’s a pity Emperor Xiong doesn't realize that he’s traded a watermelon for a sesame seed, and in the process, dug a hole for himself! Hahaha!"

Hearing their conversation, Chi Lian couldn't help but laugh as well. "Emperor Xiong, you ungrateful wretch, I will make you pay the price!"

"Chi Lian, what are you thinking about? Why is your expression so sinister?"

Hearing Mang Yuan’s question, Mang Huang laughed heartily. He stepped forward, looked at the two of them, and smiled.

"He is thinking about how to kill Emperor Xiong and his son in the future!"

Seeing that his intentions had been guessed, Chi Lian did not get angry. He let out a cold snort, muttering the names of Xiong Batian and his son under his breath.

"Since it’s all settled, we will take Liu Xin and leave here tomorrow."

Mang Huang and Mang Yuan nodded. The three of them discussed the details until late into the night before finally departing.