Chapter 402: Cangming, Let’s Talk Alone

"I have to admit, I never thought I’d see the day you’d come back on your own."

Cangming sat on the main dais, looking down at Lu Sangjiu with a knowing, cold smirk.

Lu Sangjiu blinked, feigning innocence. "Sect Leader Cangming, what do you mean by that? We got along rather well before, didn’t we?"

"It’s just that the Cold Crow Sect became busy, and I didn’t want to impose on you any further, so I left without a word."

"But I’m sure you can appreciate my consideration for all your hard work and won’t hold it against me, right?"

Cangming’s lips twitched. "Such a silver tongue."

Despite his words, his expression visibly softened. He clearly wasn’t opposed to Lu Sangjiu’s glib excuses and clever little tricks.

Seeing his chance, Fa Shan immediately spoke up. "I brought Lu here today to discuss something with you."

Cangming scoffed, staring at Fa Shan with disdain. "Bringing an Immortal Cultivator here to discuss things with me... Don’t tell me you’re here to sue for peace on behalf of the Cultivators."

His words hit the nail right on the head, leaving Fa Shan momentarily speechless.

Seeing his reaction, Cangming became even more certain of his suspicions.

"Fa Shan, do you have any idea what you’re doing?"

"Just as my Western Demon Realm goes to war with the Cultivation World, I hear you’ve been standing guard by the Forbidden Land for these few Immortal Cultivators."

"And now you’re coming here to act as their mouthpiece, a lobbyist for the Cultivators? Tell me, you haven’t fallen for someone at your ripe old age, have you?"

Fa Shan: "..."

When he saw Cangming’s eyes darting between him and Lu Sangjiu, Fa Shan’s face darkened. "You’re an old man. Why are you still so fond of spouting nonsense?"

"I’m just a bag of old bones, so it doesn’t matter what you say about me, but don’t you dare ruin a young lady’s reputation!"

But hearing Fa Shan defend Lu Sangjiu only made Cangming more convinced he was right.

He gave Lu Sangjiu a strange look. "You’re quite something for such a young girl."

"This old codger has been a bachelor ever since his beloved died a few hundred years ago. I’ve never seen him take an interest in another woman."

He suddenly paused, then looked at Fa Shan. "Wait, she couldn’t be Bai Sheng’s reincarnation, could she?"

"No, that’s not right. Wasn’t it said that woman’s Divine Soul was completely annihilated?"

"Cangming!"

The moment Bai Sheng was mentioned, Fa Shan became truly enraged.

"I came here to discuss a serious matter with you, not to listen to you run your mouth!"

"I may not be your match right now, but if my Divine Tomb Sect were to withdraw its forces, it would certainly put a lot more pressure on your Cold Crow Sect, wouldn’t it?"

"Do I have to threaten you just to get you to listen?"

Cangming’s expression hardened. "Hah. So you’re threatening me now? For those disgusting Cultivators?"

"Fine. Let’s hear it. Let’s see what you have to say that’s so important!"

Lu Sangjiu had been sitting quietly the whole time, listening to the two bicker without getting involved.

She mainly didn’t want to anger Cangming, so she let his idle gossip slide.

Only when they finally stopped arguing and got back to business did she put down her teacup and look up at Cangming.

"Sect Leader, you guessed correctly. We have indeed come to negotiate a truce."

"But rest assured, Sect Master Fa Shan has no intention of siding with the Cultivation World. He was willing to bring me here to speak with you solely because of something I told him."

Lu Sangjiu left him in suspense, wanting to gauge Cangming’s reaction.

He paused at her words but showed little interest, merely saying, "Oh? Then let’s hear it."

Seeing his reaction, Lu Sangjiu’s heart sank.

She had already suspected that Cangming might not be completely in the dark about his cooperation with He Guang’s group. Now, his reaction made her even more certain that he probably knew everything.

And if he already knew what He Guang was planning, then trying to appeal to him for the sake of all living beings would be utterly futile.

Despite her bad feeling, she knew she had to try now that it had come to this.

Composing herself, Lu Sangjiu’s expression turned serious as she began to tell Cangming all about He Guang’s conspiracy.

As she spoke, she watched his expression closely, but she couldn’t detect any significant change.

Finally, she concluded, "I know you’re cooperating with them, Sect Leader Cangming, but please believe me, his motives are not pure. Working with him will not end well."

"Whether for the sake of the Demon Cultivators of the Western Demon Realm or for all the people of the world, I implore you to agree to a truce."

Lu Sangjiu finished, but Cangming remained silent.

Beside her, Fa Shan grew impatient. "Cangming, I know you’ve always resented the concessions we made for the last truce. That’s why you wanted to strike back for revenge the moment you gained enough power."

"But... that’s all in the past! The present is what’s most important!"

"Lu has promised that if we agree to a truce, she will do everything in her power to fight for fair treatment from the Cultivation World."

"Wouldn’t it be better for the Cultivation World and the Western Demon Realm to truly coexist in peace from now on?"

Cangming suddenly looked up, shooting Fa Shan a cold glare. "You and your misplaced compassion. A Demon Cultivator talking to me about world peace... Don’t you find that ridiculous?"

Fa Shan couldn’t help but retort, "You know full well this is what Gu Huang always wanted!"

The moment he spoke, the entire hall fell so silent you could hear a pin drop.

Cangming’s eyes turned glacial, and his gaze toward Fa Shan was laced with killing intent.

"Don’t you dare use her name to pressure me. She’s been dead for centuries!"

"Besides, if you hadn’t been constantly whispering in her ear back then, she never would have been so indecisive!"

"With her power, she could have led the Western Demon Realm to conquer the entire Cultivation World! We never would have suffered these last few centuries of humiliation!"

"Fa Shan, for your sake, I won’t make things difficult for you today. Leave."

"But the Cold Crow Sect will never agree to a truce."

Fa Shan couldn’t comprehend Cangming’s reasoning. "You know it’s a conspiracy, yet you’re still determined to throw lives away for it?!"

"Your Cold Crow Sect has so many members. Can you truly face them after making a decision like this?"

Cangming said coldly, "You needn’t trouble yourself with that."

"I just want them to die. I don’t care about anything else you’ve said."

"You’re incorrigible!"

Fa Shan was livid. He flung his sleeve back forcefully. It seemed the only thing stopping him from attacking was the knowledge that he couldn’t win.

Cangming had grown tired of it as well. He rose to his feet. "If there’s nothing else, get out. Before I change my mind and you can’t leave even if you want to."

Watching Cangming turn to leave, Lu Sangjiu sighed inwardly. ’So, it still has to come to this, after all.’

"Cangming... let’s talk. Alone."