On the city wall, a general in full armor addressed the Fen Tian Army below: "I am You Liao, Guardian of the Huo Gen Order, under orders from the king to defend this city gate. All who come with ill intent shall not be permitted entry." With a wave of his hand, the first row of archers loosed their arrows. Not a single one hit its mark—it seemed only intended as a warning. You Liao focused his gaze, and sure enough, not a single person retreated. Standing at the front was Huang Tian's Berserker Corps, surrounding Ruo Wen, each of them with a strange expression, as if they were excited by the prospect of a massacre. Seeing this, You Liao’s heart filled with alarm. Though Mizan had seen little war, facing enemies this mad, no one could defend their land without bloodshed. No wonder His Majesty had issued an urgent summons, commanding all the national troops to gather at Fu Ping. If this pack of wolves and tigers broke through, the world would become a living hell.
Ruo Wen looked up at You Liao and frowned slightly. With 300,000 soldiers, they couldn’t break through. It seemed that Mizan’s king was no pushover—he had a clear head. As long as Fu Ping was held, Fen Tian would have no chance to gain a foothold. And furthermore…
With that thought, Ruo Wen boredly flicked his whip. He wasn’t interested in Mizan. Its territory was remote, its resources scarce, and even the women were ugly. Due to their devotion to the Sun God, everyone in the country was as dark as coal. While most people living in the desert had tanned skin, none were as black as the people of Mizan.
Poor, ugly, and celibate—he had no interest in fighting such people.
But the person he wanted was here, wasn’t she?
At the thought of that crimson figure, Ruo Wen’s eyes turned cold. "Blow it up!"
At his command, Mang Hu and Lang Tou sprang into action.
“Wait!” At that moment, Ge Xin Wei spurred her horse forward and positioned herself in front of Ruo Wen. “Your Majesty! I have a plan!”
Ruo Wen raised his hand, signaling Mang Hu and the others who were about to move the explosives to stand down.
Once Ge Xin Wei had steadied herself, she continued, “Your Majesty, please allow me to negotiate with Mizan. If the Yunpei delegation can initiate peace talks, why can’t we from Fentian do the same?”
Ruo Wen narrowed his eyes at her, “Peace talks? Now that’s a fresh idea!”
Ge Xin Wei pressed on, “Your Majesty, Wei'er knows you’re not truly interested in fighting this battle. Let me go to Mizan on your behalf. I will bring back what you desire, and bring it directly to you.” Her gaze was firm and resolute.
Ruo Wen chuckled, his tone dripping with sarcasm, “You think you can manage that?”
Ge Xin Wei’s expression darkened slightly, and she spoke bitterly, “Or… do you think I’m no match for her?”
Ruo Wen lowered his whip, “Mang Hu, take a thousand men and go with her. You have three hours!”
Ge Xin Wei nodded, turning to gallop toward the city gate with Mang Hu.
Ah, women. Why can’t you distance yourselves from men?
Ah, women. Why, even after your heart and spirit are wounded, do you still love that man?
Is it because his broad chest shelters your tender soul?
Or is it because his rough hands grip the persistence of your love?
Ah, women. If you cannot have him, yet cannot leave him;
If you cannot cry, and cannot laugh…
Then in the end, what will you become? Will you even remain?
* * *
In Fu Ping’s city lord’s mansion, Wu Jihai sat in the main hall. His host was a frail old man in his sixties, holding an official document in his hand. “General Wu, I hope you can understand today’s situation. His Majesty gave strict orders that no delegation can enter without the Fire Gen Army’s arrival. Fortunately, we averted a disaster just in time.”
Wu Jihai was too shaken to be angry. He had broken out in a cold sweat; they had entered the city just moments before the Fentian army arrived. Had they been a little later, the consequences would have been unimaginable. After a moment, he said, “Thank you for your hospitality, Sir Nake. Our Queen Consort Guan Ying is injured and unable to leave Fu Ping for the time being. Our journey to Youzhou will have to be postponed.”
Nake smiled. “You’re welcome to rest here, but as the lord of Fu Ping, I must make it clear: my priority is always Mizan’s interests. If the Mad Blood King launches an attack, we won’t sacrifice our 300,000 elite soldiers. I hope you understand.”
As coarse and straightforward as Wu Jihai was, he couldn’t miss the underlying meaning of Nake’s words. He clenched his fists tightly but held back his anger.
“City lord, a Fentian envoy requests an audience!” A sudden shout broke the silence in the hall.
“What?” Both men were startled.
“The Fentian envoy, Ge Xin Wei, requests an audience!” the soldier repeated urgently.
After a brief pause, Nake nodded. “Two armies at war don’t harm envoys. Let her in! General Wu, you need not leave; I suspect this envoy wishes to meet with your queen.”
Wu Jihai remained seated, his gaze fierce as he stared at the door. Before their departure, His Majesty had described Ruo Wen as a brute with no strategy beyond brute strength. But today, his actions seemed entirely different from that assessment.
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