Chapter 725: Negotiations
With an already planned explanation in mind, Noah spoke slowly, allowing everyone to process the information as he went on. He started by explaining when Tian Heng and Yuan Ming, the two disciples of Feng, were first exposed to the cult.
He reported several similar incidents of their interactions while skillfully keeping some vital details to himself. He also did not reveal the fact that he could create things that could block the curse or remove it.
The materials for such things were very scarce and precious; he could not mass produce them even with all of the materials on the planet. It was pointless and wasteful. This is why he only made a handful of these things to help those who would be the greatest assets in fighting against the cult.
The Emperor hummed along to Noah's words, while in his mind he was reviewing every detail he heard from Noah to look for any plot holes or signs of deception, but sadly he found none.
"When was the first point you came across this cult in our empire?" Once Noah was done speaking, he continued with his questions that Noah was willing to answer one by one.
This time he revealed everything that had happened in the Great Expanse City except for his deal with the city lord. He did not know how the people before him would take it, so he decided not to take a chance.
The Emperor sat in contemplative silence for a few breaths after Noah's last answer. His fingers tapped lightly against the armrest of the silver throne, each sound echoing faintly in the vast chamber.
Noah stood calmly, meeting his gaze without the slightest ripple of tension. He knew what he had chosen to omit and why.
Finally, the Emperor gave a slow nod. "Very well. The timeline aligns with the reports we received from the Great Expanse City. That city has always been a sensitive region due to its trade routes and proximity to the rift lands."
Even though he confirmed Noah did not lie, he did not outright admit that the envoy of another empire saved one of their cities. If he did, that would be a bit shameful in the eyes of the public.
But it seemed like not everyone was living in the worries of the consequence as he was.
At that moment, Lady Lianxue stepped forward, her sharp presence lightened by the curve of a genuine smile.
"Daoist Noah, please allow me to express my gratitude." she said, her voice clear and confident. "Thank you… for what you did in the Great Expanse City. It is under my sect's jurisdiction, and though I could not find the problem and help my city on time, the reports my disciples delivered matched your account."
She gave a short bow—not just as a formality, but one laced with genuine respect.
"You prevented a tragedy and also brought the real culprit to light; had it not been for your action, we would never have found out that he was the demon behind the attempt."
"For that, I, as the Sect Leader of the Illusionary Lotus Sect, extend my gratitude." Saying that she pulled out a jade box from her storage ring and presented it to Noah. In the box lay a token of the sect and a small blue lotus that shimmered with different light.
"I doubt that you would not be able to find who was behind all of this even if I was not there." Noah offered her a polite smile. "But I will accept this gift as the token of your friendship."
He took the box from her hands and put it away, surprising the woman.
Lady Lianxue sensed no desire for the lotus from Noah, and that caught her off guard. She did not mind the lack of the fake politeness before he eventually accepted the gift.
In fact it made her chuckle in delight, "Daoist Noah is truly a charming and handsome fellow."
She complimented Noah genuinely, but there was also a hint of pity in her eyes. As soon as those words came out of her mouth, the sect mistress froze. She turned her head a little to see Xin Yan staring at her with a warm smile.
A smile that made her chuckle wryly and back away.
The abbot gave a soft hum of agreement, not noticing the invisible tension in the room, and the final sect leader gave Noah a more approving glance than before.
The chill in the room had eased somewhat.
From there, the atmosphere subtly shifted as the Emperor rose from his throne.
"Let us move. This matter will not be resolved in one conversation, and our heads are clearer when our stomachs are not empty." He gestured, and the side doors to the Sky Jade Pavilion opened, revealing a corridor that led to the inner dining hall.
The plates were already arranged on the long table; the servants came in and placed the freshly cooked hot food on the table.
Everyone sat down on their seats; the emperor made Noah sit down on the seat next to him, and Xin Yan sat beside him, leaving a seat empty to her left. Opposite to them, the leaders of the sect sat down.
…
After finishing the dinner talks, the emperor made everyone change venue once more.
"This way," he said simply, leading them all through a side passage up a flight of white marble stairs.
On the top of the royal castle was a garden; it felt like heaven on earth as soon as Noah and Xin Yan walked into it.
Xin Yan, who appreciated mending flowers, looked around with curiosity; her expression softened a little. The garden was wide, open, and filled with floating lanterns that softly drifted in the air like glowing petals.
From the edge of the garden, Noah could see the whole city, a sea of rooftops, pagodas, and lanterns stretching to the mountains at the edge of the world.
The sect leaders wandered toward the balustrade, talking among themselves; their tones were somber and their postures tense.
That's when the Emperor stepped aside and motioned for Noah and Xin Yan to follow him to a quieter corner, beneath a massive cherry blossom tree that grew defiantly through the white stone floor.
Petals fell silently around them.
"Noah. Xin Yan," he said in a low tone, different from before. "I understand the gravity of the situation. The thought that I am being surrounded by traitors without even realizing it is horrifying, to be honest."
He paused and looked deeper into Noah's eyes and asked, "So, I would like to understand the intentions of Emperor Feng Wuhan. How does he plan to help our empire?" and..." He took another deep breath and continued, "What does he want in return?"
Noah, who had been patiently waiting for him to ask this question, smiled inwardly before opening his mouth to speak. "We…"