Invincible Divine Destiny Selection System Chapter 7: Chapter 7 - No peace, no land grant, no compensation! _1

"The Great Qin Dynasty envoy has arrived!"

The announcement was whispered among the officials, their expressions heavy with gravity.

A mere three months ago, Dawu stood at the pinnacle of the five kingdoms. However, the world shifted overnight; Great Qin has now emerged as the dominant power. This rapid reversal of fortune left the court officials grappling with a complex swirl of emotions.

"The Great Qin envoy enters!"

A procession soon marched into the Divine Martial Hall. A contingent of guards, armored in silver fish-scale plate and radiating the formidable aura of the Soul Forge realm, acted as an escort for a young man leading the way.

Clad in golden scale armor, the youth possessed a commanding presence. Walking with his head held high, he exuded a draconic majesty that shimmered in the light; remarkably, he had already attained the Ninth Level of the Original Spirit.

"That is Lin Ye, the Seventh Prince of Great Qin. At only twenty-five years old, he is a genius of the Ninth Level of the Original Spirit. While he isn't the Crown Prince, he is the Empress's biological son and the Crown Prince's full brother. Once the Crown Prince takes the throne, Lin Ye will likely become the most influential and trusted king in the land!"

Observing the Seventh Prince, the officials sighed in admiration of his talent while realizing the weight of this visitation. Great Qin had sent a true heavyweight; the outcome now rested entirely on the Emperor’s reaction.

"So, you are Chu Yuan, the second emperor of Dawu."

Upon reaching the center of the court, Lin Ye stared at Chu Yuan without a shred of courtesy. His demeanor was cold and indifferent, neglecting even the most basic protocols—a blatant display of contempt for the Great Wu Dynasty.

"Impudent! To address the reigning Emperor by his name is an act of treason!" Eunuch Wei barked in fury, "Kneel at once!"

"Haha, I come bearing a decree from my Emperor. Since I represent the sovereign of Great Qin, why should I kneel?"

Lin Ye laughed arrogantly, looking down on Chu Yuan. "Furthermore, our two nations are both great dynasties of equal status. It is simply that the current strength of Dawu is far inferior to that of my Great Qin."

"Are the citizens of Great Qin nothing but barbarians? It seems they have forgotten how to even spell the word 'etiquette'."

Chu Yuan’s gaze flashed with the intensity of lightning.

"Hmph! Little Emperor of Dawu, I was forced to wait outside this Divine Martial Hall for three days. Your delay has deeply offended and angered the Great Qin envoy. If you wish to appease my wrath, there is a price to pay."

Lin Ye spoke with overbearing confidence.

"Is that so? And what exactly do you intend to do?" Chu Yuan inquired.

"I won't mince words. I have brought the Edict of Great Qin, which details our various requirements. Affix your seal to it, and I can guarantee Dawu one year of peace. Refuse, and prepare for the flames of war."

As Lin Ye spoke, a guard in fish-scale armor stepped forward to present the bound edict.

"Read it."

Chu Yuan did not reach for the scroll, instead commanding Eunuch Wei to open it.

"Second Emperor of Dawu..." Eunuch Wei’s face turned pale the moment he scanned the text. He froze, unable to continue.

"It is fine. Read it aloud," Chu Yuan said with a wave of his hand.

"Your Majesty!"

Eunuch Wei took a trembling breath and resumed: "To Chu, the second Emperor of Dawu: I am deeply saddened by the news of the former emperor's passing. To preserve the peace and spare the commoners from the horrors of conflict, I propose we solidify our ties. We shall establish a border at the fifteen prefectures across the provinces of Qingyang, Heyang, and Quanyang, separating our lands. Furthermore, as compensation, Dawu shall provide three hundred million crystal stones and arrange for a princess to marry into Great Qin. If the second Emperor signs this edict, I promise no war shall touch your borders for one year, nor will other nations interfere."

"What! Ceding land, paying tribute, and a forced marriage?"

"This is an absolute disgrace! A humiliation!"

"Since our founding, Dawu has been built on martial Cultivation and strength! Never have we surrendered territory or bought peace with a princess!"

"If this is signed, the late Emperor will never find peace in the afterlife!"

The hall erupted in chaos as the officials heard the terms. It was a blatant insult to Dawu—a direct slap to the face of the nation.

To sign such a document would be a total surrender of sovereignty, turning the empire into a global laughingstock.

[Option one: Agree to the territorial concessions and tribute for a royal marriage. Reward: 100 Destiny Points and the achievement 'Capitulation'. Note: While equipped with 'Capitulation', you gain the Turtle Breath Technique, increasing cultivation speed by 10% and personal defense by 100%.]

[Option two: Refuse all demands for land, tribute, and marriage. Reward: 100 Destiny Points and the achievement 'Unyielding Iron Bones'. Note: Stand tall and act with steel; death is preferable to the slightest surrender.]

The two choices manifested vividly before Chu Yuan’s eyes, glowing with brilliance.

"A marriage? Who is it you intend to marry?"

Two bolts of light erupted from Chu Yuan’s eyes, dancing like electric dragons through the hall. His voice was chillingly cold.

"The former Emperor had three daughters. The eldest left Great Wu before it was even established and hasn't been seen in years. The second princess left the capital a decade ago on the late Emperor's orders. Only the youngest, Princess Chenxi, remains. Naturally, she is the one who will marry," Li Yun explained smoothly, as if providing a helpful reminder.

"Your Great Wu only has Princess Chenxi left, and I am the prince she will marry to secure your peace. I am taking on this role of groom quite reluctantly. My brothers will surely mock me when I return."

Lin Ye acted as if he were the one being wronged.

Leftovers? Did he truly view Princess Chenxi as some discarded scrap from a market stall?

"You are mistaken. Regarding the land, the stones, and the bride: I will not yield a single inch of territory, I will not pay a single copper, and I will never send my sister, Princess Chenxi, to your Great Qin. I reject every single demand you have brought."

Chu Yuan seized the scroll containing the demands and ripped it into two pieces.

"Ding! The host has selected option two. Reward: 100 Destiny Points and the 'Iron Bones' achievement."

"You dare tear the national edict? This means war!"

Lin Ye’s face flushed with explosive rage.

"A million-man army of Great Qin is already massed at your southern border, waiting for my signal. Furthermore, the armies of Dalu, Dacheng, and Daqi are also marching south with millions more. Countless reinforcements are on the way. Your capital will fall within months!"

Lin Ye sneered, "What good is your 'unyielding spirit' against absolute power? It is utterly useless."

"We cannot survive a combined assault from four nations. The current state of Great Wu cannot endure such a conflict," the Grand Marshall interjected. "I beg Your Majesty to reconsider. Do not destroy the foundation of our Sect and state over a moment of pride."

"The tribute and marriage could be negotiated, but fifteen prefectures is an excessive demand. Perhaps we could offer one province and five prefectures instead? What do you say, Seventh Prince?" Li Yun suggested.

"Not an inch less. To satisfy the other three nations, Great Qin has already made significant concessions," Lin Ye replied coldly.

"How amusing. Why don't I send the daughters and granddaughters of the Grand Marshall and yourself to Great Qin for marriage instead?" Chu Yuan let out a frigid laugh. "Since when has Great Wu, a nation forged in the fires of war, ever known fear? If you want war, then war it is!"

"Fine! You said it! The next time we meet will be when my million-strong army tramples this Imperial City. Your Chu clan will be wiped out, and your heads will roll. None shall be spared!" Lin Ye shouted back, laughing in his fury.

[Option one: Allow the Great Qin delegation to depart. Reward: 100 Destiny Points. Prepare for battle.]

[Option two: Take the Great Qin delegation hostage. Reward: 100 Destiny Points.]

[Option three: Execute the Great Qin delegation to show the resolve of the Great Wu Emperor and initiate the war. Reward: 100 Destiny Points.]

The God-level choices appeared once more!