Inside the conference room.
The highest Six Eyes representing Tai Island sat around the circular table, facing the large screen.
On the large screen.
The high-ranking official from the Second Circle's Tai Island spoke first.
"Esteemed Six Eyes of the Third Circle's Tai Island, I have convened this emergency meeting because there is a very serious matter that requires our joint discussion between your circle and ours."
In terms of strength, the Second Circle Tai Island official was certainly superior to the Third Circle Six Eyes.
But national governance cannot rely solely on power.
The Second Circle Tai Island official gestured to introduce the people on his left and right.
"This is Miss Su Hongyu, representative of the Second Circle's Su Family."
"This is Mr. Dong Minglong, representative of the Second Circle's Dragon Keeper Clan's Dong Family.""These two individuals wish to cooperate with our Tai Island, using our channel to access the Third Circle."
"Miss Su Hongyu wants to retrieve the body of her half-brother, while Mr. Dong Minglong wishes to recover the dragon seed left behind by his ancestors."
This manner of introduction practically signaled that the Second Circle Tai Island official favored Su Hongyu and Dong Minglong's positions.
This was also why Dong Minglong had approached Tai Island.
If they had gone to any other nation originating from the Third Circle, they would have had to pay some painfully steep price.
But Tai Island was different.
This nation held deep enmity with the Great Han.
As these words fell.
Kagu Yu, the Human Eye among Tai Island's Six Eyes, immediately stood up.
Pointing directly at the screen, he activated his microphone!
"I spit on this!!!!"
A large glob of phlegm flew out, splattering against the screen.
"You Tai Island vermin, Third Circle scum, unworthy as a son, unfit as a servant!!!"
Pointing at the Second Circle Tai Island official.
Kagu Yu's tirade continued: "With your crooked eyebrows, slanted eyes, pointy mouth and monkey cheeks, haven't you used your brain to consider what the Third Circle represents!?"
"This is our stronghold!!"
"Even if our development in the Second Circle falters, we can retreat to the Third Circle to regroup. The iron rule maintained by dozens of nations for so many years—you actually want to make an exception?"
"Once this precedent is set, with the first time comes the second, and the third!!!!"
"I ask you!!"
"After Second Circle powerhouses enter the Third Circle and disrupt the perfect ecological balance, the consequences will be unimaginable."
"Can you bear this responsibility!!"
Everyone sends their powerful experts outward precisely to prevent any single power from dominating and to avoid disasters caused by impure intentions among the strong. Yet you want to welcome them in?
The Crooked-Mouth Old Man is a perfect example—that guy follows no laws, human or divine.
With this accusation leveled.
The Second Circle Tai Island official grew flushed, hurriedly defending himself: "Currently, our Tai Island nation in the Third Circle faces difficult circumstances and will inevitably be defeated by the Great Han. When that happens, ceding territory and offering reparations would be a disgrace, contrary to our bushido spirit!!"
"To hell with your bushido spirit!"
"How old are you? Still talking about bushido spirit? Look back to feudal times—how many samurai betrayed their lords, don't you know that?"
"Why didn't they follow the bushido spirit!?"
"The so-called bushido spirit represents the integrity of the brave, the backbone of the principled—not something to be invoked for every seppuku or hung on one's lips!!"
"And disgrace? We started the trouble, we got beaten, we lost—we should accept the consequences. Honor your bets—that's what true bushido spirit means, not resorting to underhanded methods because you can't accept defeat!"
"Ceding territory and offering reparations—these are the stakes. We can afford to lose!"
"The current Third Circle situation remains stable. Even at its worst, the Great Han won't annihilate our Tai Island nation."
"But if we create an opening, allowing Second Circle powerhouses into the Third Circle to disrupt the balance, it would be like drinking poison to quench thirst, inviting wolves into the house—bringing momentary glory but welcoming eternal destruction!"
"I ask you, can you bear this consequence!? Answer me!!!"
The old man's imposing presence made the Second Circle Tai Island official's face flush crimson.
Kagu Yu, one of Tai Island's Six Eyes, was also the great-grandfather of Kagu Muto.
The very same Tai Island youth whom Lu Ding had released on the Whaleguard Island battlefield.
Seeing this Third Circle old man being so unreceptive, Dong Minglong immediately stood up and spoke: "Heh, you old fool, don't refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit."
Kagu Yu stiffened his neck, expression turning fierce: "Heh, you little beast."
Leaning his head forward, he made a slicing motion across his neck with his hand: "If you've got what it takes, come to the Third Circle and finish me off. I'm already this old anyway—no chance of me reaching the Second Circle in this lifetime."
"Would you dare come!!?"
"Could you even come!!?"
"Hehe, this old fool will deadbolt the door today—won't even let you come if you wanted to!!"
"If you've got the guts, attack us. Would you dare!?"
"Dragon Keeper Clan, though originating from the Great Han, you want to use our Tai Island channel. Everyone understands your intentions—isn't it because you see the poor relations between Tai Island and the Great Han!?"
"If your intentions were truly as simple as you claim, would you have come to Tai Island!?"
"No matter how fiercely we fight with the Great Han, that's our business. Neither side will push things to the extreme!!"
"You Dragon Keeper Clan originated from the Great Han, yet come to the enemy camp seeking cooperation—this is disloyalty!!"
"You Su Family cooperates with the Great Han, enjoys the Great Han's benefits, yet deliberately schemes against them, disregarding the Great Han's laws—this is dishonor!!!"
"At my age, I could be your grandfather. I didn't mention you earlier, yet you immediately called me an old beast—this is disrespect!!"
"Still want cooperation? Cooperating with such disloyal, dishonorable, disrespectful people would insult this old man's bushido spirit!!!"
The old man went all out, growing more energetic with each curse.
Now.
Not only was the Second Circle Tai Island official flushed with anger.
Su Hongyu and Dong Minglong joined him in turning crimson.
Dong Minglong slammed the table, pointing at the old man: "You dare insult me? Do you know who I am!?"
He said this hoping to bait Kagu Yu into asking about his identity.
But the old man didn't follow his script at all.
"I don't care who you are. The world is vast, but you have no authority in the Third Circle, and I won't let you come through."
"Su Hongyu, right? Dong Minglong, right? Smile for me!"
Click.
The old man had somehow produced a phone and taken pictures of both their faces.
"Not only will I block your entry, I'm going to report you both."
At this, Kagu Yu looked toward the other five Six Eyes.
"You've been worried that if the Great Han wins the war, they'll become overbearing. If we report these two, the Great Han will surely show restraint out of gratitude for this gesture!"
"Even if we have to cede territory and offer reparations!"
Here, the old man's stature seemed to grow instantly.
"Then cede the territory under my jurisdiction! I alone will bear all responsibility, ensuring none of you are affected!!!"
After Kagu Muto returned, he had subtly influenced the old man with his perspectives.
The old man had originally held pro-Great Han sentiments anyway.
But he lacked opportunity, lacked a pledge of allegiance, and lacked a pretext for approaching the Weigao Nation.
But today.
All these elements were present—the Great Han winning the war provided the opportunity, reporting these two attempting illegal entry provided the pledge, and ceding Ryukyu territory provided the pretext!
With heaven's timing, earth's advantage, and human harmony aligned, if he didn't return to the embrace of the motherland, who would?
If others hadn't investigated, they might have already seen that bright red 749 Bureau application form sitting in the old man's safe.