The sunlight outside the window gradually rises, and the light spots that seep through the gaps in the curtains move slowly, like the silent passage of time.

……

Two days later, Star Luo City returned to normal operation under the reorganization of the Spirit Hall, as if nothing had happened.

The streets have returned to their former bustling state, shops have reopened, pedestrians come and go, and the sounds of vendors calling out their wares rise and fall.

The buildings damaged in the war were repaired, the bloodstains on the walls were cleaned up, and the potholes on the ground were filled in.

If you hadn't seen it with your own eyes, it would be hard to believe that just a few days ago this place was a battlefield where blood flowed like a river.

A new boundary marker was erected at the city gate, bearing the emblem of the Spirit Hall: a longsword crossed over a shield, with the sword tip pointing upwards, symbolizing the Spirit Hall's authority and power.

Chapter 191 The Snow Night Emperor Sent Me to Negotiate Peace

Yang Jian did not kill any of the Star Luo Empire soldiers who had surrendered earlier.

He simply sent everyone home and gave them a sum of money, just enough for them to live on for a few months.

There was no particular reason; he simply felt that he would eventually unify the continent and wouldn't need so many soldiers.

Keeping them alive is a waste of food; it's better to release them and gain a reputation for benevolence.

Before leaving, the surrendered soldiers all knelt and bowed in the direction of the palace. Regardless of whether Yang Jian was present, they kowtowed three times and then turned to leave.

Their faces showed relief, joy, and a complex mix of emotions that were hard to define.

On this day, Yang Jian was preparing to return to the Spirit Hall when someone suddenly came to report that the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire was requesting an audience.

Yang Jian raised an eyebrow slightly. He knew the other person was Qian Renxue, but he didn't expect her to arrive so quickly.

He had Xue Qinghe summoned, and then sat on the throne, waiting quietly.

Soon, Qian Renxue arrived at the main hall, led by a guard.

She was still disguised as a man, with blond hair, blue eyes, and a handsome face. She wore a white prince's robe with a gold belt around her waist, and she looked gentle and elegant.

She walked into the main hall, her gaze falling on Yang Jian, who was sitting on the throne, a faint smile playing on her lips.

Her steps were steady, as if she were walking in her own backyard. When she reached the center of the hall, she stopped, bowed slightly, and performed a standard aristocratic bow.

Yang Jian waved for everyone to leave.

Once the gates closed, leaving only the two of them in the hall, he finally spoke, asking, "What are you doing here?"

Qian Renxue smiled faintly and gently wiped her face with her hand.

A flash of golden light, and the blond-haired, blue-eyed crown prince of the Heavenly Dou Empire vanished, replaced by a woman.

Her long, golden hair cascaded down to her waist like a waterfall. She had delicate features, fair skin, and an air of nobility and aloofness.

A smile played on her lips, and her eyes reflected the flickering candlelight in the hall, as if two stars were hidden within them.

She asked with a smile, "Can't I come to see you if there's nothing wrong?"

Yang Jian looked at her, his tone completely flat: "Get to the point."

Qian Renxue pursed her lips, thinking Yang Jian was really boring.

She walked over, sat down on the chair next to her, crossed her legs, and moved with a casual yet elegant posture.

"Emperor Xueye sent me to negotiate peace."

She picked up the teacup on the table, poured herself a cup of tea. The tea was emerald green and fragrant. She took a sip, put the cup down, and said, "That old man heard that you destroyed the Star Luo Empire, and he was so scared that he couldn't eat. He just lay in bed coughing all day."

"He sent me to negotiate with you. I'll offer whatever price you want, as long as you don't attack the Heavenly Dou Empire."

Yang Jian readily agreed: "Peace talks are possible, but we don't need to set any conditions."

Qian Renxue was quite surprised. She originally thought that Yang Jian would take the opportunity to exploit the Tiandou Empire and put forward all sorts of harsh conditions.

"I thought you would disagree and try to squeeze out as much money as possible."

Her tone was a mix of teasing and curiosity. She put down her teacup, rested her chin on her hand, and looked at Yang Jian.

Yang Jian casually said, "Anyway, it won't be long before you take control of the Heaven Dou Empire, so it doesn't matter whether we negotiate or not. Unless you betray us halfway and choose to fight for the Heaven Dou Empire and rebel against the Spirit Hall."

Qian Renxue rolled her eyes: "I'm not stupid, why would I fight for the Heavenly Dou Empire?"

"Putting aside the fact that I am originally from the Spirit Hall, just in terms of overall strength, even if everyone in the Heaven Dou Empire went to the battlefield, it probably wouldn't be enough to defeat the Spirit Hall."

"Emperor Xueye's millions of troops are no different from paper in front of Soul Masters. It seems that defeat is inevitable."

She paused, her gaze falling on Yang Jian's face, and blushed slightly.

They immediately changed the topic again.

"Um... Grandpa said that if you can unify the continent, he'll let us... What do you think about this?"

Her voice became slurred, her speech was halting, and even her ears turned red.

She lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her dress. Where was the composure and elegance she had when she was the crown prince? She looked more like a young girl experiencing her first love.

Her heart was racing, and she could feel her cheeks burning, but she still mustered her courage, looked up at Yang Jian, and waited for his answer.

Yang Jian remained calm, as if discussing something unrelated to himself: "In the end, this is just a deal between me and your grandfather. Don't have too many illusions."

Qian Renxue froze, her smile turning to silence.

"You don't want to marry me?"

Yang Jian shook her head, her tone completely flat: "What I mean is, this deal won't bring love, and I myself find it difficult to love someone."

"So don't fantasize that you can get love from me after you marry me, that's unrealistic."

"I might not even touch you."

His tone was flat, and his eyes showed no emotion, as still as a stagnant pool.

Qian Renxue almost lost her balance, feeling as if she had been struck by lightning.

Her eyes widened, her mouth slightly agape, and her face was filled with disbelief.

She had never been rejected like this before, from childhood to adulthood.

She was beautiful, talented, and of noble status; the men who pursued her could stretch from Wuhun City to Tiandou City.

But Yang Jian said he wouldn't touch her?

Can't they even give me love?

This is the greatest insult to her.

But soon, Qian Renxue's competitive spirit rekindled.

Looking at Yang Jian's expressionless face, she felt a surge of anger, thinking that he was just pretending to be a saint.

With her being so beautiful, how could Yang Jian not have any thoughts about her?

She snorted coldly, a bold idea forming in her mind. She stepped forward, her pretty face almost touching Yang Jian's.

Her eyes were fixed on his, unblinking, her breath on his face.

"Look me in the eyes and say it again, you really don't want to touch me?"

Her voice carried a hint of provocation, a touch of defiance, and a barely perceptible tension.

Yang Jian kept his eyes straight ahead, showing no trace of desire.

"I really don't want to."

His voice was steady, without any tremor.

Qian Renxue had long eyelashes and bright eyes, like two golden gems, but in his eyes, those eyes were no different from dewdrops on roadside stones.

His heart was as calm as a stagnant pool, unmoved by any external stimuli.

"I don't believe it!" Qian Renxue felt offended.

Her pride and self-esteem were fully unleashed at that moment.

She sat directly on Yang Jian's lap, getting even closer, and reached out to grab Yang Jian's hand.

She wanted to place his hand on her waist, to let him feel her warmth and softness.

But those hands were as still as if they were cast in iron, and no matter how much force she used, she couldn't pull them off.

Chapter 192 Qian Renxue's Fighting Spirit

Qian Renxue's breathing became slightly rapid.

She was somewhat flustered, but more than that, she was unwilling to accept it.

She gritted her teeth, wrapped her arms around Yang Jian's neck, and brought her lips to his ear, her voice trembling slightly: "Don't you really have any feelings for me at all?"

Yang Jian roughly guessed what she was trying to do and stopped her, saying, "You don't need to do this. What I said is true, I'm not lying to you."

Qian Renxue's stubbornness flared up.

Her face was full of stubbornness and defiance. She gritted her teeth, steeled her resolve, and kissed Yang Jian directly on the lips.

The moment her lips touched his, Yang Jian's body stiffened slightly.

But soon, that stiffness disappeared, and he returned to his calm and composed demeanor.

He did not resist, letting Qian Renxue do as she pleased, but remained unmoved.

His breathing was steady, his heartbeat was normal, and even his pupils were not dilated.

Qian Renxue kissed him for a long time, from initial awkwardness to later passion. Her lips lingered on his, but Yang Jian remained unresponsive, like a statue.

Qian Renxue's confidence was dealt another blow.

She released Yang Jian's mouth, panting, her eyes filled with resentment and confusion.

Looking at Yang Jian's indifferent face, she felt a deep sense of defeat.

She clenched her fists, deciding to take it one step further.

She reached out and ripped off Yang Jian's belt, her voice filled with a hint of defiance and determination: "If you've got the guts, don't run away!"

……

Two hours later, Qian Renxue, dressed and looking utterly dejected, sat on the throne, staring blankly at the ceiling.

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