Proofreader: Papatonks
By Baili Jingwei’s decree, the officials drafted the documents quickly, sending them to the four lands’ leaders through ambassadors. As the Sword Star Empire was focused on recovery the past century, it maintained stable relations with the other lands. The lands were very much wary of this large enemy, but the appearances were kept, with some seldom cooperation taking place.
Baili Jingwei sent the ambassadors as goodwill. The four lands were welcome to refuse, but that would raise tension with the empire and lead to further problems that they would rather do without.
What was the harm of one small errand boy paying a visit anyway? As for Devil Palace, they were at peace with them now, but who knew what the future held?
The day might come when all the lands had to unite and remove this organization. Taking precautions for that was only natural.
After careful consideration, the four lands agreed to the empire’s ambassador.
Yuwen Yong and Prince of Harvest, Baili Yunming, took their flashy honor guard to western lands. Unlike the other lands’ envoys, they had to make a stop by the Tianyu Empire before going to Double Dragon Manor.
“The empire’s ambassador is passing by and wants us to receive him?”
Three months later, in the Imperial Palace’s study, the middle-aged emperor, Yuwen Cong, lost his youthful chubbiness, thinning somewhat. He even had a mustache. He gasped as he stared at Luo Yunhai sitting across from him, “Alliance Leader Luo, are you sure? Tianyu isn’t in the direct path between western lands’ border and Double Dragon Manor. Are you sure that’s right?”
Luo Yunhai sighed, “Of course I am, since it came directly from Double Dragon Manor. Saying there’s someone from Tianyu among the delegation making a glorious return and asking explicitly for the Luo Alliance to receive them.”
“From Tianyu? Who?”
Yuwen Cong paced about in thought, “Some glory, when it’s just some guised detour. Humph, I am the Emperor of Tianyu. Any that have been from Tianyu are my people. But to come back as Sword Star Empire’s delegate, he’s demanding my respect? That’s humiliating.”
Luo Yunhai chuckled, “Your Majesty, what humiliation? This is in constant flux. Weren’t you respectful when meeting me before you even became emperor?”
“Oh, I see.”
Yuwen Cong chuckled, “Speaking of, Alliance Leader Luo, you were very kind back then. When Zhuo Fan seized everything, I thought I’d be reduced to a puppet my entire life. But after the Luo Alliance expanded, you returned ruling back to me. I’ll always be grateful for that.”
Luo Yunhai said, “Your Majesty, the Luo clan is also thankful for all your care back then.”
“We both know it was an investment. Like Zhuo Fan said, having motives. But you lacked any with me, offering back the power to rule in sincerity. They just don’t compare.”
“Regardless, the kindness still remains. The Luo clan will never lord over their supporters.”
Yuwen Cong chuckled, “Alliance Leader Luo, no, brother Yunhai, I shall return your respect manifold. Whoever comes back to strut, I’ll be sure to shower him in glory, so as not to nitpick with you.”
“Nitpick?”
“Brother Luo, I may be the ruler of some small kingdom, but things happening in western lands do reach my ear. I know Double Dragon Manor is watching you like a hawk, ready to use anything as an excuse, right? I have vied for the throne and know how to handle problems.”
Luo Yunhai’s face twitched, then beamed…
After three more days, the imperial capital was adorned with colorful decorations. Emperor Yuwen Cong and Empress Long Kui stood at the entrance. It was the highest honor given by the Tianyu Empire to any guest, that of the emperor welcoming the delegation himself.
Though soon found it to be given, since it came from the Sword Star Empire.
Next to them stood the Luo Alliance high officials, with Luo Yunhai in the lead. All stood there, waiting until noon, when the sun was at its highest, to reveal a rumbling carriage forward guarded by an escort of a hundred thousand men and pulled by dozens of spiritual beasts.
“That’s western lands’ ambassador? Baili Jingwei must’ve sniffed a weakness in western lands and wants to take a bite.” Zhuo Fan looked at the large army from the shadows of the walls.
Snickering, Murong Xue said, “How do you know Baili Jingwei is after western lands?”
“If it feels off and looks off, then it must be something off. The other lands’ ambassadors aren’t as armed. Care to know why?”
Murong Xue nodded.
“Because all other ambassadors are second-rates while only ours has a prince included. Something is bound to happen in western lands.”
Zhuo Fan grinned, “They say the prince is also, ha-ha-ha. Just watch…”
Murong Xue watched curiously as the procession came to a stop at the gates.
Luo Yunhai’s group stepped forward and bowed, “I am Alliance Leader Luo Yunhai and welcome the central area’s ambassador.”
“I am the Emperor of Tianyu, Yuwen Cong, welcome!” Yuwen Cong smiled while holding his empress’ hand.
There was no reply from the carriage though.
A sinister laughter cracked up, “Ha-ha-ha, third brother, it’s been ages. I almost forgot you were the emperor.”
Yuwen Cong shook all over as he glared at the carriage, still in disbelief of what he was hearing.
“That voice…”
“Ha-ha-ha, have you forgotten your own brother’s voice?”
The door of the carriage opened and a man with sharp eyes stepped out.
Yuwen Cong paled, his finger shaky, “S-second brother?”
Everyone gasped.
[The emperor’s second brother, it’s that second prince Yuwen Yong that went missing? What’s he doing back? He was being hunted for treason, and now…]
“Third brother, you lost weight!”
Yuwen Yong had a vile smile as he approached Yuwen Cong, patting his cheek twice, “When I told you to get thin, you said you couldn’t, gaining even from drinking water. How come you’re so thin? Oh, I got it, it was an act. When seizing the throne, you played the innocent chubby to avoid suspicion. You fooled me and our elder brother. Now that you got to be emperor, there’s no need for any pretense, is there? Ha-ha-ha…”
Clap~
Yuwen Yong made sure to slap hard enough to swell, laughing at his expense, driven by hatred, “Old third, aren’t you tired of acting? You became emperor, but now what? Aren’t you just a lapdog licking my boots?”
“How dare you address His Majesty without proper respect?” Long Kui shouted. Luo Yunhai scoffed, “Ambassador, you represent the central area. Please watch yourself with Tianyu’s emperor. Don’t take it too far!”
“Too far? The lord of some third-rate empire can compare to the glorious Sword Star Empire’s Deputy Minister of War?”
Yuwen Yong’s snickered, “Alliance Leader Luo, you’re western lands’s Marshal, half of it is yours and you have my respect. As for His Ex-Lardness? What do you think the Exalted Double Dragons would ever do to me?”
Yuwen Yong gathered Yuan Qi in his palm. Luo Yunhai panicked and grabbed it, “What are you doing?”
“Just stretching. Alliance Leader Luo, lighten up. I’m not about to cause trouble as the central area’s ambassador, humph…”
Yuwen Yong rolled his shoulder like he really was stretching. His hand slipped from Luo Yunhai’s hold and sent a taunting and sinister look.
Luo Yunhai gnashed his teeth, his face dark. Yuwen Cong took a deep breath, bowing while straining to hold it in, “After you, ambassador!”
“Sure, Your Majesty!”
Yuwen Yong showed a malicious smile, signaling the troops, “Enter the city but be careful. Prince of Harvest is sleeping and we don’t want to disturb him or heads will roll!”
“Yes, sir!”
The army rumbled onwards with dozens of carriages. Yuwen Cong’s group was filled with fury and revulsion.
The Sword Star Empire’s ambassador was western lands’ guest and they could do nothing against him.
The same happened in the past in this nation, but regardless of the discontent, never had it been the emperor suffering for it.
Though this time, it was the ambassador of the largest empire in the central area hitting the emperor of a third-rate nation…
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