Upon arriving at the edge of the Radiant Empire, the Storm Alliance Fleet temporarily stationed itself at a massive interstellar fortress. This fortress was built by the Federation specifically to resist the Pan-Human Alliance.
The Pan-Human Alliance had already received news of the Storm Alliance's movements. At their headquarters within the Azure Dragon Interstellar Fortress, five empire leaders, the chieftain of the Interstellar Beastman race, the Alliance's Speaker, and fleet commanders gathered in the largest conference room. At the head sat Tiger Banner, the chieftain of the Tiger Clan and the leader of the Interstellar Beastman race. To his left and right were the representatives and commanders of the five empires and the beastmen fleet.
Tiger Banner, with his intense tiger eyes surveying the room, spoke with a weary gaze, "Everyone, the Storm Alliance's power is on the rise. After three major battles, the Pan-Human Alliance has suffered heavy fleet losses. Our priority now should be to recover. What are your thoughts?"
Tiger Banner was testing the waters. Although the beastmen were sometimes impulsive, they weren't foolish. They shared similar traits with humans, and they could even interbreed, leading to the half-beastman race. The Interstellar Beastmen had superior physical strength compared to humans, though they were slightly behind in starship engineering.
After Tiger Banner posed the question, the representative of the Five Empires, Luyi, on his left, cleared his throat and said, "I believe Tiger Banner is correct. The Alliance could consider negotiating with Feng Mo. Currently, the Storm Alliance occupies four-fifths of the Federation's territory, so Feng Mo likely also wants to consolidate these new holdings and address potential issues. Now is the ideal time for negotiations."
Tiger Banner nodded. "Luyi has a point. The Pan-Human Alliance is indeed exhausted. Furthermore, the Interstellar Insectoids have shown signs of aggression. They seem not to be targeting the Federation but are instead redirecting toward the Beastman systems. This threat can't be ignored."
"So, since we're agreed on negotiations, to show our respect, I ask Dest and Luyi to personally represent us in the meeting with this young lord Feng Mo."
Tiger Banner appointed two individuals: Luyi, the speaker of the Xuanling Empire, and Dest, the Beastman High Elder and a member of their advisory council. These two held significant positions within the Pan-Human Alliance, second only to Tiger Banner himself. Sending them to meet Feng Mo was the highest display of respect.
Meanwhile, in the Radiant Empire's fortress meeting room, Feng Mo, Gu Jun, and Chu Yunjia were discussing strategies for advancing into the Pan-Human Alliance territory.
"I believe we should concentrate our forces on capturing the Xuanling Empire first. Securing it would give us a forward base. From there, we can advance or retreat as needed," suggested Gu Jun, pointing to the Xuanling Empire on the star map. As one of the five eastern empires, it bordered both the Radiant Empire and four other eastern empires, making it an ideal strategic hub.
As they discussed their plans, Ai Er entered and reported, "Lord Feng, a negotiation delegation from the Pan-Human Alliance has arrived and is stationed in the neighboring meeting room. Would you like to meet them?"
"A negotiation delegation, huh? Interesting. They're clearly here to sue for peace. I'm curious to see what terms they're offering. Ai Er, Shuwen, come with me to greet our guests."
Feng Mo, accompanied by Ai Er and Xing Shuwen, proceeded to the adjacent meeting room.
In the meeting room, the Beastman delegation awaited. Feng Mo entered to find a human and a half-beastman present. He recognized the human from intelligence records as Luyi, Speaker of the Xuanling Empire. As for the half-beastman, Feng Mo couldn't immediately identify him by appearance, but judging from his stature and demeanor, he deduced this Beastman must be part of their advisory council.
"Speaker Luyi and… an unimportant other. Are you here to negotiate peace, or have you come to declare war?"
Feng Mo, with Ai Er and Xing Shuwen seated across from them, regarded them coolly. Given his current position, these two representatives were not on equal footing with him, so he felt no need to show undue courtesy.
"Respected Lord Feng," Luyi began, "the Pan-Human Alliance has come to negotiate peace. We are prepared to cede five star systems and provide you with critical information in exchange for a ten-year ceasefire. What do you think?"
Feng Mo replied, "Not interested. If the Alliance wishes for peace, there's only one acceptable condition: withdraw from all territory of the Eastern Five Empires, vacate the Azure Dragon Interstellar Fortress, and respect the integrity of the Federation's borders. That is our bottom line—an unshakeable bottom line. It applies to everyone."
Feng Mo's voice was unwavering. His eyes narrowed as he stared down Luyi and added coldly, "I've shown you respect as fellow humans. Deliver this message to your leaders: if they wish to speak with me, they need to send someone of higher standing. You have seven days to comply. Now, you may leave."
"Ai Er, see them out."
With that, Feng Mo rose, taking Xing Shuwen with him, leaving Luyi and Dest with darkened expressions. Ai Er smiled as she addressed them, "Don't take offense, esteemed envoys. Our lord has a temper. But be thankful: Feng Mo doesn't adhere to the old custom of sparing emissaries, so count yourselves lucky to be leaving alive."
"And if you linger much longer, I might just make you into pet food. Consider it a blessing in disguise."
Though Ai Er spoke with a smile, her words chilled the two envoys to the bone. They could sense she was not joking about her willingness to kill them.
Luyi, feeling the brunt of her intimidation, broke into a cold sweat. Having witnessed the East's betrayal and collaboration with an external force, Ai Er was in no mood to show mercy. Her killing intent was almost palpable, particularly directed toward Luyi.
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