Neither the Moses family nor the Dragon Ruins, as witnesses to the negotiation, had the right to interfere with the talks between the two parties.
That was the rule.
Despite clearly understanding this, Jessica deliberately asked Su Ziyu in public how she viewed the current negotiation.
Thus, Su Ziyu seized the opportunity to voice the Dragon Ruins' stance.
That was, they hoped Zhao Tingshan would continue to reject all the unreasonable demands Jessica had put forward!
Su Ziyu's direct answer stunned everyone present.
Because her attitude represented the attitude of the Dragon Ruins.
"Is the Dragon Ruins, because of Li Qianfan's death, willing to disregard the fact that I carry Li Qianfan's only bloodline and interfere in this matter?"
Jessica thought to herself, her expression shifting between anger and contemplation.
After Zhao Tingshan regained his senses, he exchanged a few glances with his assistants before looking at Su Ziyu. "May I ask, Ms. Su, if we reject the other party's unreasonable demands, what should be our next course of action? Are we to completely disregard the safety of the hostages thereafter?"
Since Jessica had broken the rule by asking a witness to the negotiation, Zhao Tingshan naturally felt he could do the same.
Su Ziyu replied, "Rejecting unreasonable demands is about upholding our legitimate rights. Demanding the unconditional release of hostages, on the other hand, is a reasonable request."
Her response was also very official.
Zhao Tingshan forced a wry smile.
Jessica, however, scoffed, "Does Ms. Su not know that this negotiation is the final one between our two parties?"
Su Ziyu looked at her. "This is by no means the final negotiation. Neither Patriarch Moses nor I will be witnessing your negotiations for the last time."
Jessica's smile faded. "I can guarantee that today's negotiation will be the last."
Su Ziyu, however, shook her head. "Your guarantee is invalid."
"Ms. Su, you may not fully grasp that negotiations of this caliber are not won by simply being stubborn or boasting."
Jessica sat down, but her gaze remained fixed on Su Ziyu. "To fight for your interests, you must rely on strength!"
"I agree with your statement."
Su Ziyu did not continue to argue with Jessica.
She only needed to use Jessica's outburst to convey the Dragon Ruins' clear intentions to Zhao Tingshan.
Her appearance today, representing the Dragon Ruins, was also the first time Li Gongdie had presented her to the public.
This would further solidify her status as the future Lady of the Dragon Lord!
"Could it be that Li Qianfan did not freeze to death in the Black Water Forest?"
Realizing why Li Xiao of the Dragon Ruins had pushed Su Ziyu forward, Alexander and the others finally began to ponder this question.
But soon,
Everyone dismissed the idea.
They simply could not fathom how Li Qianfan, dressed only in warm clothing, could have survived for so long in a snowfield with temperatures tens of degrees below zero.
But if Li Qianfan was dead, then why was Li Xiao so strongly supporting Su Ziyu?
They couldn't figure it out—
So they stopped thinking about it!
The negotiation began.
The two sides started bickering again—
In fact, any negotiation between equals devolved into bickering.
Through repeated back-and-forth, a balance point that both sides could grudgingly accept was sought, based on the bottom line of securing one's ultimate interests.
An hour and a half passed quickly.
Neither side had obtained what they desired from the talks.
"Mr. Zhao."
Jessica, who had prepared for both outcomes, finally lost patience. "Since your side shows no sincerity, I regret to inform you that there is no point in wasting any more precious time and energy on negotiations."
Zhao Tingshan's eyebrows twitched, but he remained silent.
"On behalf of the Rhode family, I officially announce,"
Jessica slowly stood up, placed her hands on the table, glanced at Su Ziyu, and then said, "Our side is permanently terminating the resolution of the Black Water Forest conflict through negotiation. Let the warriors on the Black Water Forest side resolve the issue with their strength."
Termination of negotiations—
This was not the outcome Zhao Tingshan wanted.
Because it meant he had failed to complete the mission entrusted to him.
However, influenced by the clear stance of the Dragon Ruins before the negotiation began, he had already reached this point. He could only steel himself and nod, saying, "I express my regret regarding this."
"Heh, it's common for negotiations to be fruitless."
As Jessica chuckled, she seemed to recall something. "Oh, right. Actually, something happened on the Black Water Forest side last night."
Alexander, who had been silent, promptly chimed in, "May I ask, Mrs. Rhode, what interesting events could have occurred there?"
Jessica said, "Around 10 p.m. local time in the Black Water Forest last night, Murong Mingyuan, one of the women of the late Mr. Li Qianfan who was captured, persuaded Rhode to help her castrate all 36 male hostages (in fact, one was shot and killed by Murong Mingyuan, leaving 35). "
What!?
Zhao Tingshan and the others' eyes widened abruptly.
Even Alexander was stunned.
Without Rhode's consent, the actions Murong Mingyuan took last night could not have been uploaded to the internet.
After all, the network signals within the defense zone were under Rhode's control.
After the incident, Rhode reported it to Jessica.
Jessica was also very surprised upon hearing this and even admired Murong Mingyuan's "spirit." She then instructed Rhode to block the news for the time being.
Now,
After permanently terminating the negotiation, Jessica revealed this as an amusing anecdote.
Why did she do this?
One.
If she had revealed it earlier, Zhao Tingshan's resolve to pay a price for a few useless individuals would have been significantly weakened.
If Murong Mingyuan had killed all the hostages one by one last night, then Zhao Tingshan would have had even less reason to negotiate.
Two.
Jessica was telling Zhao Tingshan, "It is because of your persistence that these hostages have suffered such a tragic fate!"
This was intended to deliver a severe psychological blow to him and to create animosity towards him and the Dragon Ruins in the East Land.
The Dragon Ruins naturally would not care about animosity from the Thirteen Noble Families.
But what about Zhao Tingshan?
This could also be considered Jessica's revenge against Zhao Tingshan for sticking to his bottom line in several negotiations.
There were also third, and even fourth points, and so on.
In short, what Murong Mingyuan did last night was beneficial to Jessica.
She had even changed her mind about hanging the hostages in the Black Water Forest before retreating.
She decided to send the castrated fat pigs back to their country.
After these individuals were returned to their homeland, their psychology would surely become warped!
Letting them live and create trouble in the East Land, as deviants, would be far more valuable than letting them die in the Black Water Forest.
"Murong Mingyuan is indeed a woman of the Dragon Ruins."
Jessica looked at Su Ziyu, who was equally astonished, and said with a half-smile, "Her methods are far beyond those of ordinary people. I wonder if those who were humiliated will have any grievances against the Dragon Ruins. Will they have any grievances against Mr. Zhao?"
This—
Zhao Tingshan was momentarily at a loss for words.
Su Ziyu, however, suddenly said, "Do the women of our Dragon Ruins need to care if others have grievances? Even if they do, so what?"
Jessica—
Although she could tell Su Ziyu was bluffing, she found herself unable to refute her.
"Mr. Zhao, Mr. Alexander, I shall take my leave now."
Su Ziyu nodded to both of them and quickly departed.
She had come to the Moses family, of course, accompanying Li Xiao.
While she represented the Dragon Ruins in the final round of negotiations between the two parties, Li Xiao, along with Mo Hongti and his secretary Xiuzi, was strolling on the solemn lawn of the Moses estate.
Li Gongdie was casually recounting his "brotherhood" with Alexander over the years to Mo Hongti.
As he was boasting, he saw Su Ziyu approaching rapidly.
"It seems the negotiation has concluded."
Li Xiao smiled and took out a cigarette.
"Dad."
Su Ziyu hurried over and, without waiting to report the negotiation's outcome, briefly recounted the news Jessica had revealed.
Huh?
Even Li Gongdie, who had weathered many storms, had never encountered, nor personally performed, the act of sending a full 36 " Peerless Scholars" into castration.
In his shock,
He dropped the cigarette he had just lit without even realizing it.
Instead, Mo Hongti and Xiuzi, like Zhao Tingshan and the others, were stunned for a moment before exclaiming, "Really?"
The reason Li Gongdie was utterly shocked was that Murong Mingyuan, who had performed this act, was his son's woman.
If someone else's family had done it, he would have merely raised an eyebrow and moved on.
"It is indeed true."
Su Ziyu replied to Xiuzi and the others, "I don't think Jessica, given her status, would lie."
"This is troublesome now."
Mo Hongti's mind was still sharp.
She immediately considered the negative repercussions this incident would bring to the Dragon Ruins.
Li Xiao bent down, picked up the cigarette from the lawn, and placed it in his mouth. After taking a puff, he frowned and looked up at the sky.
Su Ziyu and the others knew that Li Xiao needed time to carefully consider how to handle the aftermath of this incident.
They all quietly stepped back, fearing they might disturb him.
After a full ten minutes.
Li Xiao finally asked Su Ziyu, "Ziyu, what do you think we should do with these eunuchs?"
Upon hearing him refer to them as "eunuchs," Mo Hongti couldn't help but stifle a chuckle, quickly covering her mouth.
Su Ziyu, however, hesitated.
Li Xiao said, "Speak your mind. It's alright if you say something wrong."
"Dad, I think,"
Encouraged, Su Ziyu no longer hesitated and softly said, "No matter what, we must let them leave the Black Water Forest alive. But only leave the Black Water Forest alive. As for whether they can return home alive,"
Su Ziyu paused here.
Then she continued, "That will depend on whether their families want them to return home alive to be shamed!"