Reincarnated as a Ginkgo Tree: I Create an Eternal Divine Kingdom - Chapter 102

“The Qingzhou Sword is a national treasure; we absolutely cannot lose it. We must demand that the Misty Forbidden Zone return the Qingzhou Sword,” He Libing, a commander of Green Hills Mansion, stated sternly.

“Demand that the Misty Forbidden Zone return the Qingzhou Sword?” Xia Yuerong mocked, “The issue isn’t about what we want the Misty Forbidden Zone to do. The real problem is that this incident has undoubtedly angered them, and now we must consider how Green Hills Mansion will face the inevitable retaliation from the Misty Forbidden Zone.”

“Retaliation? Let them try…” He Libing wanted to assert that they weren’t afraid of retaliation from the Misty Forbidden Zone, but the words caught in his throat. After all, if even the Qingzhou Sword couldn’t destroy the Forbidden Zone’s forbidden entity, he couldn’t bring himself to utter such bold claims. A force that could withstand a national treasure could easily be considered on par with a small country.

Xia Yuerong no longer looked at him, instead turning her serious gaze toward Li Tianming, “Mansion Lord, our immediate priority is to send someone to the Misty Forbidden Zone to clarify that this incident does not reflect the will of Green Hills Mansion. It was Fang Zhaodong acting on his own, and we must hope that the Misty Forbidden Zone does not hold Green Hills Mansion responsible.”

Although Li Tianming was displeased by this suggestion—because it meant that Green Hills Mansion would have to bow to the Misty Forbidden Zone—he knew that at this point, there was no better option. Green Hills Mansion would have to bear the consequences of Fang Zhaodong’s mistake.

“But who should we send to negotiate?” Li Tianming asked.

“Su Yao is from Su Family Village, now Su City, which lies on the edge of the Ancient Wilderness Mountains. Let Su Yao go,” He Libing suggested.

“That’s not appropriate,” Li Tianming shook his head even before Xia Yuerong could respond. “Su Yao has great potential, and given the current dangers in the Misty Forbidden Zone, it’s not wise to send her into harm’s way. Instead, since the Misty Forbidden Zone is located in Nanjing County, we should have someone from Nanjing County handle it.”

Nanjing City.

When Li Qianjue received the news, his heart grew heavy. The Misty Forbidden Zone had just been attacked by the Qingzhou Sword, and the beasts within, along with the forbidden entity, were likely furious. Sending someone there now was undoubtedly extremely dangerous. However, he had no choice but to comply with orders from above.

“City Lord, let me go,” Wen Yuchao volunteered. “As you know, I have had several encounters with the Misty Forbidden Zone. While I still don’t fully understand it, I have a better chance of survival there than others.”

“But this time is different,” Li Qianjue said with concern.

“City Lord, other people’s lives are also precious,” Wen Yuchao replied.

In the end, Li Qianjue couldn’t argue further and reluctantly waved his hand, allowing Wen Yuchao to proceed.

Wen Yuchao, though deeply concerned, wasn’t lying when he said he believed others would surely die if sent. He thought he might stand a better chance.

After bidding farewell to Li Qianjue, Wen Yuchao did not head directly to the Misty Forbidden Zone. Instead, he first visited Su City to meet with Su Clan Chief Su Yan.

“General Wen,” Su Yan greeted him courteously.

Wen Yuchao’s gaze was complex. Once, he was a high-ranking lieutenant, while Su Yan was merely a minor village head. But now, Su Yan had become the lord of a city, while Wen Yuchao remained a lieutenant. Their positions had completely reversed.

“Junior Wen Yuchao pays respects to Clan Chief Su,” Wen Yuchao said.

“There’s no need for that,” Su Yan responded kindly, still exuding the same demeanor he had as the village head.

“Clan Chief Su, establishing Su City has not only stabilized the region outside the Misty Forbidden Zone but has also generated enormous benefits for Green Hills Mansion. I truly admire you,” Wen Yuchao said sincerely.

Su Yan smiled and didn’t dwell on the matter. “What brings you here, General Wen?” he asked.

Wen Yuchao straightened up and said, “I’m sure you’re more aware of recent events than I am. I’ll be straightforward with you. I’ve come as a representative of Green Hills Mansion and Nanjing City to engage with the Misty Forbidden Zone and avoid any misunderstandings.”

Su Yan did not respond immediately. He tapped his fingers on the table, pondering for a while before speaking slowly. “General Wen, what do you think of the current state of the Great Xia Empire?”

Wen Yuchao was taken aback but then replied, “I’m just a small figure; I’m not in a position to evaluate the empire.”

“General Wen, I know your capabilities,” Su Yan said sincerely. “But for someone like you to still be a lieutenant in Nanjing City… Never mind, I won’t say more. Let Su Qing accompany you to the Misty Forbidden Zone.”

Wen Yuchao’s visit to Su City before heading to the Misty Forbidden Zone revealed to Su Yan that Wen Yuchao had likely sensed some connection between Su City and the Misty Forbidden Zone. Since that was the case, there was no point in hiding it.

Moreover, Wen Yuchao’s position wasn’t high, so whatever he said wouldn’t carry much weight. Therefore, Su Yan wasn’t worried about him divulging anything.

Wen Yuchao was shocked. He had his suspicions, but hearing Su Yan’s words made his heart pound. Su Family Village, or rather Su City, really did have a connection with the Misty Forbidden Zone.

If that were true, then the Misty Forbidden Zone was even more terrifying than he had imagined, not just because it focused on its own development, but because it was also infiltrating human society. Wen Yuchao instinctively wanted to report this information, but he quickly abandoned the idea.

His low status meant that even if he did report it, no one would likely care, and they might even think he was making trouble for no reason. Sighing, he could only follow Su Qing toward the Misty Forbidden Zone.

Before they even entered the Misty Forbidden Zone, just on the outskirts, Wen Yuchao suddenly felt his breath catch. Ahead, a massive number of beasts were pouring out of the Misty Forbidden Zone and heading forward.

“This is bad,” Wen Yuchao thought, panicking. The Misty Forbidden Zone had clearly begun its retaliation, yet many of the high-ranking officials in Green Hills Mansion still arrogantly believed that the Misty Forbidden Zone wouldn’t dare do anything to them. Wen Yuchao grew more anxious.

“Young Master Su Qing, could you please hurry?” Wen Yuchao urged.

Su Qing smiled and replied, “Of course.” He was clearly very familiar with the Misty Forbidden Zone. Wen Yuchao followed Su Qing along the Sui River by boat, and not a single beast obstructed them.

This realization made Wen Yuchao’s heart sink even further. The scene before him seemed to tell him that the Misty Forbidden Zone was Su Qing’s home. Su Family Village wasn’t just connected to the Misty Forbidden Zone; they had deep ties.

Finally, the boat stopped at the edge of the core of the Misty Forbidden Zone, where they were no longer allowed to proceed. A giant white python blocked their path. On the python’s back sat a green-haired woman who looked like a spirit.

“Sister Shuling,” Su Qing greeted her with a smile.

Shuling? Wen Yuchao was startled, as he seemed to recognize the name. Huang Shuling had once been quite famous in Green Hills Mansion. However, he kept his thoughts to himself, trying to act as if he knew nothing.

Huang Shuling glanced at Wen Yuchao with a faint smile. “I know why you’re here. Go back and tell Green Hills Mansion that there’s nothing to negotiate. They must hand over the person who ordered the use of the Qingzhou Sword.”

“This is a misunderstanding. Please, Misty Forbidden Zone, suspend your retaliation…” Wen Yuchao pleaded.

“Whether it’s a misunderstanding or not doesn’t matter,” Huang Shuling interrupted. “The fact is that Green Hills Mansion used the Qingzhou Sword to attack the Misty Forbidden Zone. If the Misty Forbidden Zone does not retaliate, the Great Xia Empire might truly start seeing it as an easy target. General Wen, you’re just a messenger. There’s no need for you to worry about those bigwigs. Just deliver the message. Once again, tell them to hand over the person who ordered the use of the Qingzhou Sword, or they will face the consequences. Su Qing, please escort our guest out.”

“I…” Wen Yuchao wanted to say more, but Su Qing had already begun turning the boat around.

Huang Shuling had disappeared into the mist, leaving Wen Yuchao with no chance to say anything further. He could only relay the results of the negotiations to Li Qianjue as quickly as possible through a spirit talisman.

After receiving the message, Li Qianjue was surprisingly calm compared to Wen Yuchao. The matter was too significant for him to handle, and he knew he wouldn’t be held responsible. Without hesitation, he reported the situation to the higher-ups at Green Hills Mansion.

Green Hills Mansion.

“They want us to hand over the person who used the Qingzhou Sword?” He Libing fumed. “Do those monsters in the Misty Forbidden Zone think they are? How dare they make such demands?”

“The one who used the Qingzhou Sword was Lord Fang,” Li Tianming said. “We don’t have the authority to deal with him, let alone hand him over. Send someone from Nanjing City to negotiate with the Misty Forbidden Zone again.”

“Negotiate what?” He Libing retorted angrily. “I refuse to believe the Misty Forbidden Zone would really dare to retaliate against Green Hills Mansion.”

The other officials exchanged glances, their thoughts clearly aligning with He Libing’s. The Great Xia Empire had stood for three thousand years. No beast had ever dared to challenge it. Even in the year since the resurgence of spiritual energy, while there had been trouble from various forbidden zones, none had dared to extend their power beyond their boundaries.

At that moment, Xia Yuerong received some news that made her face change drastically. “The retaliation from the Misty Forbidden Zone has already begun.”

“What?” The high-ranking officials of Green Hills Mansion were shocked.

He Libing turned to Xia Yuerong, his eyes filled with disbelief.

Xia Yuerong took a deep breath and said, “Just now, tens of thousands of beasts poured out from the Misty Forbidden Zone. Some are attacking various locations in the Ancient Wilderness Mountains, where many of our outposts have already been destroyed, and our fortresses are under siege. Another group is attacking Wushui. Our naval forces stationed there, as well as the docks along the river, are also under attack.”

“Ridiculous!” He Libing roared, “Is the Misty Forbidden Zone rebelling?”

“Report this to the Emperor immediately,” Li Tianming ordered. “This matter is beyond what Green Hills Mansion can handle.”

No one else spoke. At this moment, they all realized how serious the situation had become. It was clear they had underestimated the Misty Forbidden Zone. They had assumed that the Misty Forbidden Zone would fear the might of the Great Xia Empire and wouldn’t dare to retaliate. But now it was obvious that the Misty Forbidden Zone had no such fears.

Ancient Wilderness Mountains.

Ligu Path.

This was one of the mountain paths in the Ancient Wilderness Mountains controlled by Green Hills Mansion. In the middle of Ligu Path stood the Ligu Fortress, responsible for protecting the caravans traveling along the route. This fortress had stood for a thousand years, and no beast had ever breached it. But now, a tide of beasts surged outside the gates of Ligu Fortress. Tens of thousands of beasts roared in terror.