Soon, under Zhang Bo's arrangements, these Blue Star Humans themselves found some relatively reliable and greedy individuals to form a negotiation team.
"This trip to Green Leaf Group for negotiations is to demonstrate the might of our Deherim. We must all stand tall with our chests out, letting those Green Leaf Group fellows know that our Deherim is absolutely not to be trifled with."
Zhang Bo looked at the 10 people in front of him, admonishing them with a serious tone.
"We know, Big Brother Zhang Bo, we know all this, and we'll certainly teach those Green Leaf Group fellows a lesson."
The faces of these Blue Star Humans in front of him were filled with smug expressions, as they all knew that the outcome of this battle was a victory for their Deherim. Moreover, Deherim had not only withstood the attacks of the Spiritual Realm Commander but also the sneak attacks from Green Leaf Group, thoroughly crushing those attacking forces, leaving them with heavy losses and corpses strewn across the field.
They were the victors, a group of conquerors negotiating with the defeated.
It was the kind of negotiation that was arrogant and condescending.
"Mm, very good. It's right that you can do all this." At this moment, Zhang Bo's face finally showed a satisfied expression, especially as he looked at these arrogant Blue Star Humans with sneering expressions on their faces.
His heart, however, felt even more downcast.
Zhang Bo knew very well how difficult these people could be during negotiations at Green Leaf Group, and how much humiliation they could inflict upon Green Leaf Group.
He could guess all of this.
After all, the problem was simple.
If Green Leaf Group hadn't been defeated, would these people still dare to be so arrogant, so fierce, and so self-righteous?
Certainly not.
It was precisely because they were the conquerors, the victors, that they could hold an absolute psychological advantage over Green Leaf Group.
"However, once you arrive at Green Leaf Group, during negotiations, you must follow my lead and absolutely not act on your own. Stick to the limits I set."
Zhang Bo reminded them at this point: "You need to understand whether the upcoming negotiation officer or Green Leaf Group can be incorporated into our Deherim. Don't bring up overly arrogant or excessive demands for now, and don't be too fierce in your attitude towards them."
"Ah, why, Big Brother Zhang Bo? Those Green Leaf Group fellows who ambushed us are losers. Why can't we teach them a lesson and show them a thing or two?" Immediately, some people raised objections to Zhang Bo's words.
Others also looked at Zhang Bo curiously, not understanding why Zhang Bo, as the chief negotiator this time, would say such a thing.
After all, they were the victorious nation, the conquerors.
The victors should severely humiliate the defeated, as they were just a bunch of pathetic failures.
Moreover, Green Leaf Group had even ambushed Deherim's Castle District. Even if Respected Lord Shen Mu was not harmed, their actions were extremely despicable acts of undeclared war.
One must know that they were allies before, even if it was just a verbal alliance, they were still considered allies.
Yet, they used their status as allies to launch a surprise attack on them.
No matter what world or what faction, this is an extremely infuriating matter that must be severely retaliated against.
Therefore, they found Zhang Bo's current words a bit unbelievable.
"Alright, you don't understand the inner workings. After all, you know that the foundation of Green Leaf Group is that Wood Elf Village." Zhang Bo, at this moment, showed no sign of guilt at all, directly looking at them and calmly saying, "And why did Respected Lord Shen Mu ask me to go for peace talks? Think about it, isn't it because Respected Lord Shen Mu doesn't want to completely destroy this Wood Elf Village?"
"The meaning of not wanting to destroy this Wood Elf Village... does Respected Lord Shen Mu want this Wood Elf Village to become his vassal?" Finally, someone thought of this crucial point.
"Speaking of which, those Wood Elves are indeed excellent light infantry and archers. And in our Long City, in the past, why were the Pig-Headed People from Diesel Company so wary of the Wood Elves? It was also out of fear that Green Leaf Group and Wood Elf Village would grow and pose a threat to them."
At this moment, a negotiation expert among the Blue Star Humans stroked his chin and found a suitable reason: "It's clear now that Respected Lord Shen Mu's heavy infantry and heavy cavalry are quite powerful, which is undeniable and forms the main force of Deherim. However, the ranged attackers are a mix of human archers and Crossbowmen, and in our opinion, they do seem inferior to Wood Elves."
Everyone could see this point.
Among the ranged attackers in Deherim, those human archers and Crossbowmen, although appearing quite powerful, with some even wearing heavy armor.
They looked quite elite.
But it could also be noticed that even though these ranged attackers wore heavy armor, had excellent defense, and could draw their waist weapons for close combat.
However, this did not mean their archery skills were strong.
At least in the impression of these Blue Star Humans, although the lightly armored Wood Elves did not have good defense, their archery was truly extremely accurate and swift.
One must know that in the wilderness, during skirmishes or ambushes, even the tough-skinned Pig-Headed People from Diesel Company, who were also equipped with leather armor, would flee in disarray when facing those agile Wood Elf shooting teams.
They even proactively demarcated the territory of Bali River Street with those Wood Elves.
As long as they passed a certain road, these Pig-Headed People would absolutely not cross it, which meant they ceded the area from that road to the deepest parts of Long City to those Wood Elves.
This also proves the strength of the Wood Elves.
"That's right, Respected Lord Shen Mu has taken a liking to the Wood Elves in those Wood Elf Villages. If these Wood Elves can be incorporated into the troop sequence of Deherim, think carefully, won't Deherim become even stronger?"
Zhang Bo's lips curled slightly, and he nodded to the negotiation expert who first proposed this idea, acknowledging his statement, and then said to him with satisfaction: "This is also why Respected Lord Shen Mu, after severely injuring those attacking forces, did not counterattack Green Leaf Group, but instead had us go to Green Leaf Group to negotiate with them, for peaceful negotiations."
"So that's how it is."
Immediately, these Blue Star Humans nodded repeatedly.
They all accepted this explanation.
"If you ask me, think carefully, if it wasn't for the Wood Elves in the Wood Elf Village, why would Respected Lord Shen Mu negotiate with Green Leaf Group?"
Zhang Bo further emphasized this point: "Those Green Leaf Group fellows originally ambushed Deherim, trying to steal a chicken but losing the rice. According to our powerful human heavy armored legions in Deherim now, as long as they reach the vicinity of Green Leaf Group, one charge would probably be enough to take down Green Leaf Group's Wood Elf Village. If we were to negotiate again, it would obviously be unnecessary."
"That's true, that's true. Negotiating now is like stripping off your pants to fart, completely unnecessary. If it were up to us, we'd just destroy the Wood Elf Village directly."
"The main force of Green Leaf Group was slaughtered by Respected Lord Shen Mu in the Castle District, leaving corpses strewn everywhere. They simply cannot contend with our Deherim's heavy armored formations."
"It seems Respected Lord Shen Mu is indeed coveting those Wood Elves. After all, these ranged attackers are really good, even as scouts."
Among the other Blue Star Humans, someone also stroked his chin and said thoughtfully: "As expected of Respected Lord Shen Mu, his thoughts are very far-reaching, thinking three steps ahead. After all, if those Wood Elves can be subdued, it would indeed be a very useful help for Deherim's troop hierarchy."
"Exactly, exactly." The other Blue Star Humans also nodded in agreement with his statement.
They were all whispering to each other, discussing how powerful the Wood Elves' archery was and how effective they could be if they joined Deherim's forces for Deherim's wall defense and in skirmishes.
Seeing that these Blue Star Humans had focused the crux of the matter on the reason he had given them, Zhang Bo's lips also curved into a smile.
As long as he held the pace of the negotiations in his hands, he could secure a relatively good and decent outcome for Green Leaf Group.
So that they wouldn't truly be like defeated opponents, forced to lie on the ground, barely clinging to life, subject to others' exploitation and suppression.
However, he did not converse with these Negotiation Experts selected from the Blue Star Humans for too long here.
After a brief chat and confirming everyone's identities, he stood up.
"Alright, everyone, don't just sit here. Come with me to see Respected Lord Shen Mu." Zhang Bo patted the non-existent dust from his backside, and seeing everyone stand up, their faces showing surprise at the mention of seeing Respected Lord Shen Mu, a smile appeared on his lips: "I know this is your first time seeing Respected Lord Shen Mu, so behave well, don't talk too much, just place your hand on your chest, bow, and lower your head."
As he spoke, Zhang Bo also demonstrated the action simply for them, giving them an example.
"Understood, we all understand." The Negotiation Experts among these Blue Star Humans all mimicked the gesture of placing their hand on their chest, bowing, and lowering their head.
It was quite standard.
Zhang Bo nodded, satisfied: "Mm, just like that. Alright, everyone, follow me then."
Then Zhang Bo led them to the entrance of the Noble Residence where Shen Mu resided.
After the Swadian Sergeant, who served as a guard at the entrance, reported their arrival, he allowed them to enter together.
"All of you, be honest. When meeting Respected Lord Shen Mu, do not whisper, do not look around, and remain silent! Answer only when Respected Lord Shen Mu asks you something. If you are not questioned, it is strictly forbidden to speak casually."
Of course, before entering, the Swadian Sergeant leading the way still looked at these Negotiation Experts and sternly reminded them: "If I find any improper actions or offensive remarks from you, then don't blame me for using what's in my hand to give you a good beating."
As he spoke, the Swadian Sergeant leading the way even lifted his own surcoat, showing them the morning star hanging from his belt.
It was a sharp morning star forged from fine steel, capable of smashing open even armor.
Its cold gleam shimmered.
Carrying the menacing aura of an armor-piercing weapon.
"Of course, Respected Human Sergeant, we will all be obedient." Zhang Bo, at this moment, was also very respectful, bowing his head to the Swadian Sergeant to show his submission.
"Yes, yes, we will be obedient." The 10 Negotiation Experts behind him also quickly lowered their heads, not daring to speak too much, looking as if they were quails.
There was nothing they could do; they were just ordinary Blue Star Humans.
Before this, they were just Blue Star Humans who had honestly contributed their spiritual power in other factions.
They didn't have much opportunity to interact with Spiritual Realm races, nor were they Spiritual Realm Commanders, nor were they among the group of Ten-Man Commanders previously enfeoffed by Shen Mu.
They were just ordinary Blue Star Humans.
It was only due to a stroke of luck that they were chosen by Zhang Bo to become Negotiation Experts in the negotiation team because of their negotiation skills, effectively skyrocketing them into a high-level group organized by Shen Mu to work in.
Therefore, this was also their first time entering a Noble Residence.
"Mm, very good. I will keep a close eye on you at all times." The Swadian Sergeant, seeing their respectful demeanor, nodded and turned to lead them into the Noble Residence.
After reporting, he proactively pushed open the conference room door.
"Respected Lord Shen Mu, Mage Zhang Bo and the Negotiation Experts have been brought in." The Swadian Sergeant reported.
"Mm, let them in." Shen Mu's voice came from within.
Then Zhang Bo and the negotiation team consisting of these 10 Negotiation Experts quickly entered the conference room with their heads bowed. At Zhang Bo's hand signal, they respectfully bowed their heads, bent their waists, and placed their hands on their chests in front of the conference room, facing the direction from which the voice came:
"Greetings, Respected Lord Shen Mu."
They all respectfully greeted him.
"Mm, very good." Shen Mu's voice came from the front again, and only then did the Negotiation Experts among these Blue Star Humans dare to straighten their backs.
However, even after straightening their backs, they did not dare to casually raise their heads, still looking down at the empty space in front of them.
Their reverence was beyond words. (End of chapter)
