This Human Immortal Is Too Serious-Chapter 496 - 494: The Northern Wilderness has many sturdy waists, Qingqiu has many long legs

Per Wu Wang's request, the welcome ceremony was kept simple.

No sooner had the thousand-strong caravan arrived at the border camp than Wu Wang, not even stopping to rest, immediately summoned the various military leaders to discuss matters regarding the Celestial Fox Tribe, in his capacity as Envoy.

Inside the large tent, Wu Wang sat in the central seat, his eyes slightly closed, as if gathering his energy.

One by one, generals rushed in from the night's darkness. After their identities were verified, they entered and took their designated seats.

These generals were curiously sizing up the figure in the main seat.

Some deliberately released the pressure of their cultivation realms, while others began pondering tricky questions.

It was not without reason; most of the generals had notable achievements in Martial Arts. While they would certainly follow the orders of the Divine Spirit's Envoy, in other respects, they also wanted to assert their own authority.

Before long, the strategy tent had effectively become a proving ground for the Martial Emperor Realm generals.

Chun Luan stood behind Wu Wang with her arms crossed, worry evident in her eyes.

Although she was influential in the military, the world of Martial Artists was straightforward: either conquer them with strength or outwit them with intelligence; otherwise, they would reveal their unruly side.

Later, I'll still need to come up with a plan to support Junior Brother, she thought. It's a pity I haven't yet reached the Martial Emperor Realm; otherwise, I could have exerted some influence...

"COUGH!"

This familiar cough sounded again as Meng Xianglin stepped forward. "Envoy, most have arrived. A few from distant camps should be sending their deputies, as the main generals cannot stray too far from their posts."

"Let's begin," Wu Wang's calm voice sounded as he opened his eyes and naturally surveyed the room.

The generals instantly felt an inexplicable pressure.

This pressure baffled them, but in their moment of daze, it had quietly dissipated...

That was a close call, Wu Wang thought with relief. In such a situation, such a scene, I almost awakened the Heavenly Emperor's 'muscle memory'!

Meng Xianglin whispered, "Envoy?"

"Hmm, what is it?" Wu Wang responded.

When Wu Wang looked up at him, Meng Xianglin first gave an embarrassed smile, as if hoping Wu Wang would forget their prior conversation.

A gentle smile touched Wu Wang's lips, indicating he would cherish this... amusing experience.

Meng Xianglin said, "Envoy, may I speak first? To introduce you to everyone?"

"Thank you, General Meng," Wu Wang replied.

"Not at all," Meng Xianglin responded with a smile. He then turned to face his old friends, cupped his hands in greeting, cleared his throat, and began, "Gentlemen! The Celestial Fox Tribe has been causing trouble recently, destabilizing the border and bringing harm to many towns!"

Wu Wang interjected, "General Meng, keep it brief."

"Right, I'll make it brief," Meng Xianglin amended, then raised his voice and said, "The Envoy's arrival is the arrival of justice! The Envoy's arrival means the Liuli God herself is here! I'm sure you've all heard the order from the Shrine Institute.

"The Envoy has full authority to deal with matters concerning the Celestial Fox Tribe! All armies must cooperate fully, and the Envoy's orders are the Shrine Institute's military commands!"

Having said this, Meng Xianglin cupped his hands again and retreated to a seat behind a low table.

It was, indeed, quite succinct.

Some generals nodded with smiles, while others whispered amongst themselves.

"Generals," Wu Wang suddenly spoke, leaning forward slightly, exerting a subtle pressure on the figures around him.

The tent immediately fell silent. Wu Wang did not rush to speak, letting the silence linger until a general shifted uneasily in his seat.

"I am young, and I became an Envoy only through the Liuli God's favor.

"I've discovered that the Celestial Fox Tribe was anciently known as the Qingqiu nation, a major clan even before the ancient wars of the gods. The branch within our Luili Realm is merely a small offshoot among many in the Divine Realms.

"About thirty thousand miles from our Luili Realm, there is a Divine Realm still named Qingqiu, home to millions of Celestial Foxes and several other large, closely related non-human tribes.

"I believe the God sent me here to handle this situation precisely with these considerations in mind.

"If we rashly expel these Celestial Foxes, could it provoke challenges from other Divine Realms and Divine Spirits? This could lead to irreversible consequences and damage the reputation of the entire Martial God World."

As Wu Wang finished speaking, the expressions of many generals changed.

They were well aware of the true situation with the Celestial Fox Tribe.

However, they had not previously considered the angle Wu Wang presented.

Expelling the Celestial Fox Tribe could provoke protests from other Divine Realms, potentially harming the Martial God World's reputation and thereby causing Divine Spirits to become dissatisfied with cultivators like them.

Could this be?

The generals could no longer sit still.

It's common knowledge that one's own affairs often seem trivial, but when another's household is involved, the matter instantly becomes ten times more serious. It's much like the childhood belief that "the rice in other people's homes always smells better."

Wu Wang observed the generals' reactions. Heh, he chuckled inwardly.

Initial influence and persuasiveness were thus established.

"Generals, I would like to hear your opinions on the Celestial Fox Tribe," Wu Wang said solemnly. "The twenty-odd individuals here are the most knowledgeable about the Fox Tribe in the entire Luili Realm. You are the experts on the Celestial Fox Tribe, the authorities on this matter.

"When I came here, the Liuli God instructed me to observe carefully and listen intently, respecting your opinions.

"Generals, please give me a definitive answer: has the Celestial Fox Tribe committed sins worthy of expulsion?

"And what significance does the Celestial Fox Tribe's existence hold for the Luili Realm?"

Upon hearing this, the generals' faces grew solemn as they began to ponder.

Behind Wu Wang, Chun Luan also found herself contemplating the questions her Junior Brother had raised.

She suddenly came to her senses, looking at her Little Junior Brother's back.

This...

Has he taken control of the room?

With just a few words, Little Junior Brother has already established his position in this tent. The generals' previous exclusionary attitude and their intent to intimidate have vanished without a trace.

What is this?

Personal charm? Or is Little Junior Brother a born leader, one who doesn't need to learn or practice, who naturally becomes one?

Chun Luan recalled the recent events involving her Little Junior Brother: his use of the Destroying Cloud Technique when they met outside, his summoning of troops for reinforcement from a thousand miles away, his two bloody battles back in Dragon Valley, and how just a few words from him in the main tent had calmed everyone's hearts.

Little Junior Brother is really too, too…

At that moment, Chun Luan couldn't find the words to describe Wu Wang. She found it all too absurd, and her own life too pale in comparison—at seventeen or eighteen, she had dreamt daily of marrying a handsome man.

An old general spoke up: "Before we announced that supplies were insufficient and that we intended to expel the Celestial Fox Tribe to claim their land, the Celestial Fox Tribe had always coexisted harmoniously with the border soldiers, with frequent instances of mutual aid."

Once one person spoke, others naturally joined in.

"The Celestial Fox Tribe does not prohibit intermarriage with our Human race. Many of their men and women have ventured into the Martial God World, with many marrying into our Human race and many of our own marrying into theirs."

"There was a time when Celestial Fox Tribe maidens were very popular among the nobility. They were often taken by nobles into their households as maidens, serving them in their bedchambers. Later, due to the Celestial Fox Tribe's discontent, the Shrine Institute explicitly prohibited this practice."

"The Celestial Fox Tribe has made no special contributions to the Luili Realm, but neither do they cause harm. In fact, if not for their pointed ears and fox tails, how different would they be from the Human race?"

...

Wu Wang listened attentively. The generals' words were actually quite reasonable.

The expulsion of the Celestial Fox Tribe was a measure devised by the Shrine Institute to alleviate pressure on the Luili Realm itself, following consecutive defeats in the Twelve Realms competition.

It was the Shrine Institute that first pressured the Celestial Fox Tribe, provoking their resistance.

It was even possible that the Shrine Institute was secretly backing many of the radicals within the Celestial Fox Tribe.

The situation was just that simple.

What was my own purpose for being here? Wu Wang pondered carefully. He tried to understand the Liuli God's intent, but the Liuli God's intent was, in fact, of no consequence—the Goddess didn't care much for the Luili Realm. His role as Envoy was, in the end, merely an arrangement by the Martial God.

What did the Martial God want to do?

From the Martial God's perspective, it was natural not to want the Martial God World's reputation to be tarnished.

However, now that the Celestial Fox Tribe and the Human race had become adversaries, appeasing and allowing them to stay might not necessarily be a good thing.

After the generals finished speaking, Wu Wang sat in his chair, lost in thought.

Chun Luan said, "Envoy, the generals should not be away from their posts for too long..."

Wu Wang asked, "Is drinking alcohol permissible in the military camp?"

"A small amount is acceptable."

"Please, Senior Sister, bring some wine. I wish to offer a few cups to these seniors for troubling them to come here so late at night."

The generals naturally understood his polite dismissal and quickly rose, stating their military duties were pressing. After paying their respects to Wu Wang, they arranged to depart.

Wu Wang wasn't deliberately sending them away; he was simply... too lazy to mingle in the Luili Realm's various circles.

After the generals left, the few Martial Emperor Realm experts from the Shrine Institute who had accompanied Wu Wang entered. The generals who had participated in the Battle of Dragon Valley with Chun Luan also remained.

Wu Wang certainly wouldn't let them come for nothing; if they could achieve merit this time, they would naturally receive their share.

Chun Luan also walked over to a low table and sat down casually, ordering Soldiers to bring thirst-quenching fruit wine and energy-replenishing grilled meat.

For Martial Artists, eating and drinking were paramount.

Chun Luan asked, "Envoy, how are you planning to handle this matter?"

"I haven't decided yet," Wu Wang clicked his tongue.

Meng Xianglin asked, "Then, what is our Liuli God's stance?"

"The problem is, the Liuli God didn't tell me her stance."

Wu Wang slumped back into the wooden chair, his still somewhat youthful face etched with the weariness of life's trials.

"Regardless, the Liuli God sent me here, obviously wanting me to handle this matter appropriately. I cannot disappoint her.

"Tomorrow, I will go to the Celestial Fox Tribe's territory.

"Everyone, help me build up momentum. Spread the word everywhere that I have arrived with the Liuli God's decree. Tell them plainly that at noon tomorrow, I will lead a contingent to the Celestial Fox Tribe's territory and enter it alone."

"Alone?" Chun Luan's almond eyes widened.

"What are you doing? Don't you know that two factions with differing opinions have emerged within the Celestial Fox Tribe, constantly feuding?

"The radicals among them have already begun ambushing our patrol Soldiers! What can you accomplish by going? Are you betting they won't kill an underage human whelp?"

Wu Wang snorted with laughter. Eldest Martial Sister's way of speaking is truly amusing.

"I want to give them an opportunity," Wu Wang said solemnly.

"That's why I need you to create a spectacle. The grander the spectacle, the safer I will be.

"I did some investigation on my way here. The Celestial Fox Tribe has a unique characteristic: they worship the Fox God and practice the Heavenly Fox Secret Technique. The strong members of their tribe are all protected by Heavenly Fox guardians.

"As for Heavenly Foxes, their strength is determined by the number of their tails. The Nine-tailed Heavenly Fox exists only in legend and is said to be able to contend with Divine Spirits.

"The strength of this branch of the Celestial Fox Tribe is unknown. If their tribe happens to have young Heavenly Foxes capable of awakening more than eight tails, they would be a valuable asset for the Twelve Realms competition. If we expel them, wouldn't we be forsaking the essential for the trivial?"

The crowd collectively leaned back.

"Sir," Meng Xianglin asked, "the Celestial Fox Tribe rarely interacts with us. May I be so bold as to ask where you conducted this investigation?"

Wu Wang paused. In the Heavenly Dao, he thought.

"Do not underestimate the elders of Liuli City," Wu Wang said, his expression inscrutable. The others looked as if they half-understood, yet each felt they had grasped some hidden meaning.

「On that high-up cloud.」

Though the Martial God had left, the Liuli God, following the Martial God's command, continued to hover in the sky, watching over Wu Wang.

At this moment, the Liuli God wasn't using the Cloud Mirror to watch Wu Wang, merely listening to the sounds from the tent.

I'm not some peeping Tom!

Little Jin Wei was meditating nearby under her arrangement; the Liuli God had taken this opportunity to begin teaching Jin Wei some Divine Arts.

The Liuli God had no intention of teaching Jin Wei Martial Arts, as she herself was not proficient in them.

She was cultivating Jin Wei as one would a high-ranking Divine General: bestowing Divine Power, teaching Divine Arts and Martial Techniques, and occasionally gifting some treasures—that would suffice.

After all, the Luili Realm had provided her with vast amounts of faith power over countless ages. The Divine Power converted from this faith was useless to the Liuli God herself, as her own advancement had long since reached its zenith.

That fellow Ming Qing...

The image of a sultry Goddess in a black gauze skirt appeared in the Liuli God's mind, her lips curling slightly.

She isn't even the God of Purity, yet she dares to covet the Martial God. How could the Martial God possibly look her way?

The Liuli God narrowed her eyes, an expression of enjoyment on her face, as she sat on the cloud stool the Martial God had previously occupied, utterly entranced.

「The next day, nearing noon.」

War drums thundered along the southwestern border of the Luili Realm. A large number of soldiers received orders and moved to surround the Celestial Fox Tribe's territory within the border, appearing as if they were preparing to launch an attack to clear out the Celestial Fox Tribe that very day.

Martial Artists of the Martial Emperor Realm appeared at various points along the border, revealing their auras to exert pressure on the Celestial Fox Tribe.

The Celestial Fox Tribe's lands were situated within a vast forest, and the Human race's grand army of the Luili Realm had positioned themselves on all four sides of this forest.

Viewed from afar, the forest seemed to conceal countless ferocious beasts, emanating an aura of danger.

"Junior Brother, are you really going alone?" Qingluan was still trying to persuade Wu Wang to abandon the idea.

"At the very least, take me, your Senior Sister, with you. If anything untoward happens to you, I'll simply stay by your side and personally explain it to our Teacher."

Meng Xianglin, at the side, added, "I'll accompany you too."

"Rest assured, Senior Sister," Wu Wang declared seriously. "The Celestial Fox Tribe desires peace even more than we do. I've given them an entire morning. If they still can't make the necessary arrangements and suppress those radicals, then starting a war today wouldn't be out of the question."

"But this..."

"General Chun Luan, the Envoy's words are commands," a nearby general interjected. "Do not let concern breed chaos. The Envoy is correct."

"Alright, I'm off," Wu Wang said with a smile. He then leaped from his spot, his toes tapping lightly a few times, moving as if riding the wind, and drifted down to the western slope of the Heavenly Fox forest.

He landed before the thousand-strong troop of elite Martial Artists who had accompanied him. Their eyes instantly lit up, their fighting spirit blazing.

Wu Wang, dressed in a black robe and unarmed, a thumb ring on his thumb, began walking slowly towards the forest ahead.

Behind him, hundreds of Martial Artists with arms thicker than their thighs drew back specially-made longbows, their arrows aimed at the forest's edge.

Amidst the clouds, Jin Wei clung to her teacher's arm, her young face etched with tension.

"I am an Envoy sent by the Liuli God!" Wu Wang's voice, carried far by Spiritual Power, permeated the forest.

"I have come here today, personally appointed by the Liuli God, to make contact with the Celestial Fox Tribe and understand your grievances!

"We all bask in the glory of the Liuli God and are all children of the Liuli God. Yet, we have witnessed the tragedy of Celestial Fox Tribe members attacking our border patrols!

"Recently, external forces from beyond the Luili Realm have been constantly stirring up trouble. I want to know if the Celestial Fox Tribe has been unjustly accused or if there are unspoken difficulties you cannot reveal to us!

"I have come to listen!

"I, Martial Artist Qing Shan, am here to request an audience with the Clan Leader of the Celestial Fox Tribe!"

The forest remained silent and still as Wu Wang continued walking until he crossed the safety line.

—The so-called safety line was the maximum distance into the forest from which their own experts could guarantee Wu Wang's rescue in case of an ambush.

Chun Luan stared intently at any movement in the forest, not even blinking, her hand already gripping her long spear.

Even the archers, their palms beginning to sweat, felt the tension.

Wu Wang took another dozen or so steps when a shadow seemed to flicker in the woods.

"Alert!" a general shouted.

Wu Wang, however, raised his left hand, signaling everyone not to panic.

He stopped, looked into the forest, and said in a measured tone, "Friends from the Celestial Fox Tribe, could I have some response?"

No sooner had he spoken than a faint tinkling of bells came from the forest. A slender figure emerged gracefully, followed by several elders whose auras were deep and resonant.

The figure was that of a breathtakingly beautiful young maiden. Her snow-white fox ears and lively fox tail, combined with a light blue miniskirt that perfectly accentuated her slender, well-proportioned figure, and her delicate, bare feet, compelled even Wu Wang to offer a silent word of praise in his heart.

What a spirited Celestial Fox Tribe maiden, Wu Wang mused. Even more eye-catching than that Maiden from his Qingqiu nation.

Her face, with large, misty eyes and gently curved eyebrows, seemed so delicate that sunlight might scorch her translucent skin, and a mere breeze might carry away her light, graceful form. Her features, which could have been bewitchingly foxy, instead exuded an air of pure, ethereal innocence.

She curtsied elegantly, a faint smile on her lips, her fox tail gently swaying behind her, her eyes fixed on Wu Wang.

"I have heard of the Envoy's great renown. It seems you defeated all the other Martial Artists in the Luili Realm's grand examination." Her voice was also quite soft and lovely.

Wu Wang replied, "It was merely some young Martial Artists. And that, fundamentally, is why I am here now, rather than on the training grounds."

"Could it be you'd rather not be such an Envoy? Commanding the entire army, wielding authority?"

"Martial Artists should live for Martial Arts, striving to explore their ultimate limits."

Wu Wang smiled. "This hardly seems the place for idle chatter. Since you've appeared, Maiden, and given your beauty, you must be either a princess or a candidate for Clan Leader within the Celestial Fox Tribe. Why not invite me in?"

The fox maiden giggled, covering her mouth, and winked at Wu Wang. "The Envoy certainly knows how to please a lady. I am indeed a candidate for Clan Leader here, though we have no such title as 'princess'.

"Envoy, do you truly intend to enter alone?"

"I come representing the Liuli God," Wu Wang stated formally. "The Celestial Fox Tribe should be able to discern the gravity of the situation."

The maiden, however, clearly hesitated, murmuring, "To be honest, Envoy, I was not instructed to meet you. My kinsmen are currently arguing, and I do not wish to see a war erupt that would destroy my ancestral land.

"Could you grant me some time? I will try to persuade a few of our elders who are deeply dissatisfied with the Luili Realm."

"Are they still arguing?"

"Mm," she replied, sadness evident on her pretty face.

Wu Wang smiled. "In that case, it's perfect. Take me to witness how they argue. As a mere Martial Soul Realm Martial Artist, I surely pose no threat to your tribe."

"This?" The fox maiden was startled. "Envoy, are you not afraid something might happen?"

"The Celestial Fox Tribe has its pride; otherwise, it wouldn't have reached this awkward predicament today," Wu Wang said calmly. "The Gods are watching us. And I wish to resolve this matter quickly so I can return to cultivating my Martial Arts in peace."

"You may call me Lu'er." The maiden stepped slightly aside and bowed. "I swear to the Fox God, on my life, I will guarantee your safety. If any misfortune befalls you here, I will accompany you in death."

Wu Wang nodded, utterly fearless and composed, and walked forward with his hands clasped behind his back.

Before entering the forest, Wu Wang didn't forget to turn and call out, "All troops, remain on alert! Do not advance without my command!"

"YES!"

The roars of the Martial Artists echoed across the mountains and valleys, shaking the very clouds.