Chapter 502: Negotiation

Han Sanhe was speechless.

His horse kneeled down as if had committed a crime and was lowering its head like a prisoner.

This had caused Han Sanhe's feet to come into contact with the ground despite him still being mounted on the horse. Even though Han Sanhe was prepared to die, he could not help but feel exasperation racking through his body.

Pausing only for a moment, Han Sanhe quickly hopped off his steed and stood up smoothly with hands on his back. He smiled and said, "It looks like my aged eyes have failed me. I've been ignorant, Young Master Yun's steed is actually the rare legendary horse king! According to legend, when the king approaches all horses bow down before it. It appears the legend is indeed true. Young Master Yun is blessed with great fortune. Your Horse Majesty, this marshal apologizes, I've embarrassed myself."

"Marshal Han, you show great grace," Yun Yang said genuinely.

"I suppose you could say a general of a routed army is pretty much left with nothing but this little grace," replied Han Sanhe faintly.

He then laughed and said more openly, "The greatest fortune for a militant is to be born amidst chaotic times and to be able to contribute merits. But in this haven of militants, an additional weapon bestowed by heaven that shouldn't exist and has tipped the balance of the war."

Yun Yang nodded emphatically and answered, "Correct."

"Yutang's Nine Supremes should not exist in this world, moreover, it should not even be present in the battlefield. The existence of the Nine Supremes is the nightmare of all militants and marshals; it is their source of despair." Han Sanhe heaved a long sigh and continued, "Regardless of strategies and measures, nothing can defend against the power of nature!"

"The so-called talent of a marshal is but a joke in the face of this powerful force." Han Sanhe continued more faintly, "Actually, the Nine Supremes isn't only the source of despair for this old man and the other marshals of the four nations, they are also aggrieved by Yutang marshals like Tie Zheng and Fu Baoguo! Young Master Yun, do you agree with this?"

Yun Yang nodded. "I agree! But the basis of this matter concerns us directly, which is why I'm more than happy to see this existence that shouldn't exist continue existing in Yutang! The stronger the better! The enemy's nightmare should be what we Yutang love to see the most, no?"

Han Sanhe chortled. "Good point. If the Nine Supremes descended in Dongxuan, I wouldn't mind at all."

As both of them talked, Yutang's army arrived and halted somewhere slightly further away from Han Sanhe. The troop's flag fluttered in the wind, their formation was intimidating.

Fu Baoguo came as well, naturally.

Fu Baoguo did not dare slack along the way. He was afraid that Yutang's army would be blinded by victory and perhaps accidentally provide the enemy a chance to retaliate. Otherwise, he would not have arrived so late.

However, now that Fu Baoguo saw how the situation was, he could not help but feel his suspicion rising and so he restrained his troop at once. His years of experience in the military informed him that what was laid in front of his eyes might be the stroke of luck they desperately needed.

Even though Yutang's army had the upper hand, for now, they were not yet victorious. After all, Dongxuan had sufficient military strength and their combined forces still far exceeded Yutang's. Any sudden circumstance could change the entire course of the war!

He looked at Yun Yang and Han Sanhe who were speaking to each other from afar.

It looked like their conversation was going very well, the pair occasionally chortling even. Fu Baoguo stroked his face and murmured to himself, "I would never have thought that Marquis Yun's young master was on such friendly terms with Han Sanhe. Experts are certainly unfathomable indeed."

When it seemed that their conversation was about to come to an end, Fu Baoguo urged his horse forward and joined in the greatest talk of the century.

Yun Yang did not turn his head back, with his eyes still on Han Sanhe he said with a faint smile, "Yutang's main character, Fu Baoguo, is here!"

An inscrutable emotion flashed through Han Sanhe's eyes as if all his past glories had slipped under his eyes at this moment. He stood tall, arms still resting on his back, and gazed indifferently at Fu Baoguo who was galloping towards them.

"Marshal Han, long time no see. We meet again." Fu Baoguo hopped off his horse when he was near enough and strode over in large steps.

In spite of their own opposing armies and grudges that ran deep between them like an ocean of blood with no hope of reconciliation, any militant would still show respect to someone like Han Sanhe - the legendary God of War. No matter how deep the resentment ran, the respect accorded to him was like that of a deity.

Han Sanhe stared at Fu Baoguo for a very long time before admiration slowly drifted into his gaze. "Fu Baoguo, you've indeed become a very steadfast talent. It's Yutang's fortune that you are on their side!"

"You flatter me, Marshal Han." Fu Baoguo said, "Our position in this battle now is out of pure luck."

Han Sanhe shook his head and said, "How can warfare be about luck? You, Fu Baoguo, are indeed qualified to contend against any notable general in this world. This is an undeniable truth that has become reality.

Fu Baoguo smiled and said seriously, "Luck has always had an inherent part to play alongside our skill, but this luck I speak of is really just that, pure luck. If Marshal Han had personally overseen the battle, Yutang's Eastern troop would not have been able to win despite receiving help from the Nine Supreme Lords. We could never have achieved this current state. This is the truth."

Han Sanhe said nothing, but his face held a faint smile as he sighed unnoticeably.

At this point, there was no more need for humble toleration. Han Sanhe knew that what Fu Baoguo said was the truth and he also knew that Fu Baoguo sincerely meant it. He intended to let Zhan Ge rise to fame in one single battle knowing that it would be a huge risk to take; the current reality was now the costly payback for this risk!

"I wonder if Marshal Han has anything to ask Baoguo by personally coming and waiting here?" asked Fu Baoguo.

The moment Fu Baoguo saw Han Sanhe standing here, he had managed to guess his intentions immediately. It was because he knew about it that his respect and reverence for Han Sanhe increased further. This was a terrifying enemy before him but also an opponent worthy of anyone's respect.

Han Sanhe answered smiling, "Of course I wanted to talk to Marshal Fu. I believe there is a saying that goes something like this, it is as hard to become a confidant as it is to become a nemesis; I think it accurately reflects our current situation.

"Do speak what's on your mind, Marshal Han," said Fu Baoguo respectfully, ignoring Han Sanhe's mocking tone.

Han Sanhe turned to glance at his Dongxuan troop, not missing the many pairs of eyes brimming with concern for him. He could not help but feel a pang of pain and turned back to say, "I believe that Marshal Fu can discern that after this war today, while Dongxuan's resources and military morale have suffered significant damage, Yutang has lost its natural barrier as well. The reputation of the indestructible eastern border doesn't exist anymore. It's foreseeable how devastating the scene will be if we were to forcefully continue this battle. I believe this is something that both you and I wouldn't want to see."

Fu Baoguo answered calmly, "Yes, Marshal Han is right. But we Yutang fighters have long disregarded our own lives. Our only thoughts are of guarding our homeland to the last breath. If we must die, then we shall die alongside our enemy."

Fu Baoguo had replied calmly on the surface but his words were laced with an imposing tone.

Han Sanhe remained collected as he replied, "My army has lost this battle today, it's a fact. But I've already reassembled and formed the troop's combat power. If the war continues, I am confident to obtain the result of both sides losing, a result Marshal Fu expects. But do you really want to welcome such an ending?"

The current situation was that Dongxuan had lost, a great loss indeed. Their remaining soldiers were less than three hundred thousand men while their confidence and combat aggressiveness had dropped below a freezing point. For them to be able to reassemble into a functioning army could only be due to absolute reverence for Han Sanhe.

Despite their losses, however, Yutang was in an equally terrible state. Their remaining troops were far lesser in number than Dongxuan and their men being exhausted. A burning spirit and fiery motivation were important but there was still a physical need for sufficient strength and combat power. If this battle were to go on, it would be an arduous task to completely defeat Dongxuan. In fact, as Han Sanhe had just mentioned, the best case scenario at this point for Yutang would be that both sides lose.

The reality of their situation was brutal. While it was certainly impossible for Han Sanhe to win, to regain the landslide victory, but to make it an internecine war, he could still accomplish that.

Han Sanhe was not simply boasting.

Fu Baoguo knew it as well, keeping silent for a while, and said, "Marshal Han is clear-minded."

"To continue this war is longer meaningful. It will only add to both countries' casualties for nothing." Han Sanhe said, "So this old man waits here to negotiate with Marshal Fu. Why not let both sides end the war here and leave the rest to the future?"

"I'm listening. Even if we withdraw the army, there should still be some finer details to sort out, no?" Fu Baoguo replied calmly.

Han Sanhe said, "The current situation is unusual. We'll gloss over the details. My side will withdraw entirely to the initial border that both countries share. The Resilience Fortress still belongs to Yutang. I believe Marshal Fu understands that Dongxuan won't be able to invade Yutang for the time being after retreating. I suggest that both sides can have at least ten years as a buffer."

"Isn't Marshal Han indulging in your own wishes too much? The current situation is my side currently having the upper hand. Most importantly, Marshal Han has to know that if the Nine Supreme Lords appear again and strike without warning, Dongxuan's three hundred thousand soldiers' remaining fighting spirit will be thoroughly crushed. Under such circumstances, we could very well pursue relentlessly all the way to Dongxuan's border and even invade it."

Fu Baoguo said sharply, "Under this premise, Marshal Han might need to show more sincerity and reason to have us return to the initial border that both nations share."