CHAPTER 589: CHAPTER 363: THE CONDITIONS SET EARLIER

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However, accepting Yan Xiaobao as the Great Marshall also meant accepting the terms he had previously set, which were conditions they were unwilling to agree to. After a while, Mr. Pan stood up and said in a clear voice, "I accept Yan Xiaobao as the Great Marshall. Although I do not entirely agree with his terms, I can accept them as part of the whole. But, if humans cause trouble for our beasts, don’t expect us to treat them politely."

Hearing this, Yan Xiaobao nodded, a faint "naturally" slipping from his lips. His voice betrayed no emotion, and no one could discern the pressure from the Saint he had just dealt with. Upon hearing this, one after another, the Lords stood up. "Yan Xiaobao is indeed suitable to be the Great Marshall," they all agreed. Wan Qiao secretly felt elated, her excitement rising like waves, for things were finally playing out as she had dreamed of for years. Ever since they were forced to retreat to the Divine Domain, Wan Qiao had hoped for a counterattack to prove that the beasts were not subjugated. But she had to wait four thousand years for this. Now that it was unfolding before her, she would do everything in her power to make it a success.

Eventually, all sixty-four Saints seated around the table stood up. Some gave slight bows to Yan Xiaobao, while others nodded their approval respectfully. Although Yan Xiaobao was not as strong as they were, he had other attributes that earned him the respect of the highest-ranking beasts within the Divine Domain.

Seeing this, Yan Xiaobao was surprised at how smoothly everything had progressed. He had never imagined that Wan Qiao would manage to persuade so many people at the outset, nor had he anticipated that the Lords would genuinely endorse him.

Yan Xiaobao smiled faintly, knowing that, now that the matter was settled, it was time for him to start planning. His plan included Li Meilin. As he looked down at the table, a subtle smile appeared on his face. A sense of rising success filled his chest, and a peculiar sense of pride appeared within him. This was the first time in Yan Xiaobao’s life he had been entrusted with such responsibility, and he was determined to prove himself worthy of this respect.

Slowly, Yan Xiaobao stood up. When he began to speak, a small smile appeared on his face. "Everyone, I thank you for the honor you’ve bestowed upon me. I will now retire to my room; I need to think through many things, but I will summon you soon for a gathering. A meeting that will include all the information we need to begin the war."

As Yan Xiaobao finished speaking, the meeting officially ended. All the Lords returned to the accommodations provided for them within the castle. Some were excited, while others were utterly exhausted. Some looked forward to joining the military efforts, while others wished for simpler tasks, such as staying at home to tend to their responsibilities within their own realms.

The last people to leave the library were Yan Xiaobao, Wan Qiao, and Lord Pan. The three exchanged smiles, though Yan Xiaobao’s smile seemed more weary than the other two. Still, he was satisfied with what had been achieved.

"I need something from you," he said to Wan Qiao, leaning back in his chair with his eyes closed.

"You told me I could choose who I want to serve in the military, but I can’t make a decision unless you provide me with a list of every Lord. If they wish to join the war effort or prefer to stay in the Divine Domain, I need to know which beasts they are and understand their overall strength."

"Can you get those to me within a few days?" Yan Xiaobao asked. "Also, I need someone to ensure that Li Meilin returns quickly to her Kingdom. I plan to speak with her about the war."

"So, you really intend to make this woman a part of your plan?" Wan Qiao asked. She knew Yan Xiaobao had mentioned this before, but to actually carry it out was ruthless—it left Li Meilin with no choice. Even if Li Meilin realized she was walking into a trap, she had no alternative but to comply with what Yan Xiaobao wanted. According to his plan, her only option would be to leave the Divine Domain. To send her rushing back home to warn the Siban Empire of the impending war would make Yan Xiaobao happiest. From Li Meilin’s perspective, hurrying home was undoubtedly the best course of action as well.

Nodding, Yan Xiaobao stood up. Bowing once more to the two Saints, Yan Xiaobao left the room to find Li Meilin and discuss the brewing war. It was news that she had suspected but could not yet confirm.

Looking around, Yan Xiaobao could not find Li Meilin. He began to grow puzzled about where this woman might be hiding, only to discover that no matter how much he searched, he could not find her. Imagining the various scenarios where she might have already returned to her Kingdom, he sighed in frustration, feeling a twinge of headache. Perhaps she had already left the city and was on her way back; perhaps she was moving about the city gathering information. Regardless, Yan Xiaobao had no idea where she might be. He began to feel a bit irritated at the thought that she wasn’t simply waiting for him to tell her about the impending war and then helping him secure her return home. Hopefully, without realizing Yan Xiaobao’s deliberate intentions, this was still something he could bring to completion.

Yan Xiaobao waited outside Li Meilin’s room, his body propped against the wall. The longer he waited, the heavier his mood became. Finally, as the last rays of sunlight disappeared, Li Meilin appeared at her door. Her hair was damp, and her skin was flushed. It was clear she had been bathing somewhere, though what she had been doing before that remained a mystery to Yan Xiaobao.