“Come here.” Yan Jin waved to a ceremonial official and even stood up, saying, “I offer ten golden pearls.”
Everyone burst into laughter.
The Little Crown Prince also spoke, “I offer a jade fan. It doesn’t matter who wins; friendship comes first, and the competition is secondary.”
Everyone nodded in approval, looking at the Little Crown Prince with admiration.
Then, King Hui Mailong turned to someone behind him and spoke with authority, “Alichang, you go.”
Alichang, a burly man of almost two meters, with a face like a leopard, pressed his right hand against his right shoulder and bowed, walking to the center of the square.
Liao Chengyuan called, “Lia.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” A woman dressed in a black dress stood up slowly. She was dressed like a palace maid, with a gloomy aura around her that made people feel uneasy.
Hei Zhentian called out, “Gong Zhili.”
Gong Zhili exuded a fierce aura, indicating he was not someone to be underestimated.
King Wei Lie said, “Alan.”
Alan was short, not as strong as Alichang and the other three, and seemed like an ordinary person. At first glance, no one would think he possessed any martial skills.
Alichang, Lia, Gong Zhili, and Alan stood in a row and paid their respects to Huangfu y, saying, “Emperor Huangfu Yuchen.”
“Four esteemed emissaries, no need for formalities,” Huangfu Yuchen said, “You may just go through the motions; there’s no need to get tense.”
“Understood!”
The four surrounded Yan Ge in a coordinated manner.
“Baby, these four are all skilled, and shouldn’t be underestimated. Be careful,” Huangfu Yuchen transmitted to Yan Ge.
“Don’t worry,” Yan Ge said confidently.
He effortlessly faced off against the four men, handling them with ease.
These four were undoubtedly formidable experts by the fact that the four monarchs selected them. However, they quickly sensed Yan Ge’s ease and comfort, which astonished them, and they looked at each other in disbelief.
“Father, that Official Qin seems very relaxed,” Liao Xueyin whispered to Liao Chengyuan.
Liao Chengyuan maintained his composure, even if things didn’t go well, as a powerful monarch, he couldn’t show displeasure on his face. “It seems that things with Prince Dai are not going well either.”
Liao Xueyin nodded slightly, her gaze drifting towards Huangfu Yuhu who was watching the martial arts competition. In her eyes, Prince Dai’s appearance was not inferior to Emperor Huangfu Yuchen, but like Emperor Huangfu Yuchen, he showed no interest in her beauty, which deeply hurt her pride and self-esteem.
Alichang and the others felt that they were going to lose.
Lia temporarily withdrew from the battle circle and bowed to the audience, saying, “Emperor Huangfu Yuchen, my expertise lies in hidden weapons. I wonder…”
Liao Chengyuan reprimanded, “Lia, you must not be impolite!”
“No worries,” Yan Ge smiled. “Since there’s a prize at stake, it’s only fair for Lady Lia to use her true skills. However, since this competition is limited to a certain number of moves, we should restrict the number of hidden weapons she uses. What do the esteemed monarchs think?”
Hui Mailong, Liao Chengyuan, and the others all nodded.
“You have a point.”
Huangfu Yuchen said, “In that case, Lady Lia can use a maximum of twenty hidden weapons.”
“Yes!” Lia responded and without anyone noticing her hand movements, two hidden weapons shot towards Yan Ge.
Yan Ge used his sword to deflect them and with a “ding”, the two hidden weapons were pinned to a tree trunk.
Alichang and the other two seized the opportunity to attack, but Yan Ge held his ground firmly, leaving no room for any vulnerabilities.
Lia launched her hidden weapons again. Both hands moved continuously, and dozens of hidden weapons shot through the air with a whoosh.
Yan Ge still deflected them with his sword and Lia realized that the direction in which the hidden weapons flew was the same. When she looked in that direction, her expression changed. Yan Ge had formed her twenty hidden weapons into the shape of the character “天” (heaven).
Yan Ge estimated that around a hundred and twenty or so moves had passed. His figure moved rapidly and unpredictably, and when he finally stood still, Lia and the others had been immobilized with their acupoints sealed, motionless like statues, each in a different pose.
The audience was astonished.
“Four esteemed envoys, you’ve been lenient.” Yan Ge grinned as he clasped his hands together.
Huangfu Yuchen laughed heartily, “Official Qin, your martial arts have improved significantly. Now, please release the acupoints of the four esteemed envoys.”
“Of course.” Yan Ge pressed the acupoints of the four, then clasped his fists, handed the sword to an attendant, and returned to his seat. He surreptitiously glanced at the note recording the total amount of gold.
Yan Xiaojing glanced at Yan Ge, then turned away and didn’t look at him again.
Hui Mailong, Liao Chengyuan, Hei Zhentian, and Wei Lie looked at each other with great astonishment. Just who was this Official Qin? His martial arts were unexpectedly formidable. The four top experts couldn’t defeat him even when they teamed up!
However, this competition was just an episode, and not their ultimate purpose in coming to Great Han Kingdom. After adjusting their emotions, they regained their composure.
They realized that the roundabout approach they took with Emperor Huangfu didn’t work at all; it was better to be direct.
“Your Majesty Huangfu,” Hui Mailong said, “we have come from afar not only to congratulate Your Majesty but also for another reason.”
“Oh?” Huangfu Yuchen said, “I’m all ears.”
Hui Mailong looked around and finally fixed his gaze on Huangfu Yuchen. With a strong demeanor, he said, “Great Han Kingdom has been flourishing under Your Majesty’s governance and the talented Yan Caiqing. Whether it’s pens, delicacies, beautiful garments, or bicycles, I won’t elaborate on them all. Especially the invention of cement, which has earned great praise. I wonder what Your Majesty thinks about it?”
Huangfu Yuchen nodded, “This is my fortune.”
“I have a request.” Hui Mailong continued.
Huangfu Yuchen’s ink-black eyes narrowed, but his expression remained unchanged. “King Mailong can speak his mind.”
“I would like to invite Yan Caiqing to visit the Mai Kingdom as a guest and seek his advice on our kingdom’s development,” Hui Mailong said.
Huangfu Yuchen’s mind seemed to race at lightning speed. Hui Mailong’s words sparked an idea in his mind—He had always been unable to figure out why the Centipede Organization wanted to capture his beloved. Now, he suddenly had a thought: Could it be that the Centipede Organization wanted to capture his baby to exploit his talents?
The ministers of Great Han showed grim expressions upon hearing Hui Mailong’s words.
Hui Mailong seemed not to notice and continued, “We have majestic mountains and rivers, diverse cultures, especially in spring, there is lush grass and singing birds, creating exceptionally beautiful scenery. I believe Yan Caiqing would enjoy it there. Also, forgive me for amusing you; I actually have a new male consort who is the same age as Yan Caiqing. They would surely get along well.”
No one believed his words. Hui Mailong was almost sixty years old, and if he liked men, he would have had several male consorts when he was young instead of waiting until now.
Hui Mailong continued to prattle self righteously, and Huangfu Yuchen’s lips curved into a cold smile.
Hui Mailong remained unfazed. He dared to speak like this because he had something to rely on. Although Great Han Kingdom had indeed developed well, its strength was only above average among the dozens of kingdoms in the surrounding area. If he increased the troops at the border between the two kingdoms, he could frighten Huangfu Yuchen and force him to make concessions for the sake of his people, even if he cherished Yan Caiqing.
“Your Majesty, you have indeed put me in a difficult situation,” Huangfu Yuchen said calmly. “Yan Ge is my beloved. How could I bear to send him to the Mai Kingdom?”
Yan Ge leaned on the table and raised his head in bewilderment, “Yuchen, did you call me?”
All foreigners looked at Yan Ge in unison. Yuchen? Wasn’t that Emperor Huangfu Yuchen’s given name? What was the relationship between this Official Qin and the emperor? How could he dare to address him directly by his name in public?
“Xiao Ge, is that you?”
Yan Ge seemed to have just remembered the situation. He stood up, tore off the disguise on his face, and smiled, “Your Majesty, forgive me. I got bored inside the hall, so I came out for a casual look.”
Huangfu Yuchen didn’t mind, “Hmm. And where is Official Qin?” Of course, there was no Official Qin, but since they were acting, there couldn’t be any flaws.
He and Yan Ge understood each other perfectly. “He is resting in the side hall.”
Hui Mailong and Liao Chengyuan stood up in surprise, looking at Yan Ge in disbelief. Could it be that he was the renowned Yan Caiqing?
Yan Ge walked to the center of the square with a smile, bowing to Hui Mailong and the others, “Respected monarchs, I apologize for any previous offenses. I hope you can forgive me.”
All envoys carefully scrutinized him and immediately understood why Emperor Huangfu Yuchen favored him. Not only was he talented, but he also possessed outstanding looks, with a smiling expression that was highly endearing.
A consort has such exceptional martial arts skills! Hui Mailong and Liao Chengyuan were still in shock.
Hei Zhentian had to speak on their behalf, “ Yan Caiqing, you’re too modest.”
“Earlier, it seemed that all the monarchs mentioned someone named Yan,” Yan Ge asked knowingly.
Hui Mailong dared not bring up the previous topic again. This Yan Caiqing’s martial arts were unfathomable; if they were to take him to the Mai Kingdom, he probably wouldn’t even know how he died. Now that he thought about it, Yan Caiqing might have been already guessed his plan, so he put on this act. Not only did he calmly take away tens of thousands of gold from them, but he also used his profound martial arts to express his attitude.
Hui Mailong’s Grand Tutor He spoke up, “Please forgive me Your Majesty Huangfu and Yan Caiqing. Our emperor heard that Yan Caiqing appreciates beautiful scenery, so he boldly extended the invitation. However, Great Han Kingdom currently needs Yan Caiqing and I’m sure he is occupied.”
Yan Ge stood with his hands behind his back, Looking elegant and suave, “I see. Xiguan Pass is under the Qiongshan Mountain. The sky is like a vast expanse, covering the four wildernesses. The sky is boundless, the wild is vast, and the flying grass reveals cattle and sheep. Mai has more grasslands than Xiguan Pass, so I imagine the scenery is even more beautiful. I thank the king of the Mai Kingdom for the gracious invitation. If I have the chance in the future, I will definitely visit to appreciate the grassland scenery.”
Hui Mailong said solemnly, “You are welcome.”
Some civil officials quietly repeated, “Xiguan Pass is under the Qiongshan Mountain. The sky is like a vast expanse, covering the four wildernesses. The sky is boundless, the wild is vast, and the flying grass reveals cattle and sheep… What beautiful verses!”
“Only a few lines depict the abundance and grandeur of the grassland at the border. The atmosphere is magnificent. These are indeed beautiful verses!”
Yan Ge returned to the table.
Huangfu Yuchen said, “Earlier, King Mailong used the term ‘we.’ Do the other monarchs have a second reason for this visit?”
Although displaying his personal strength impressed the monarchs, it wouldn’t deter them from pursuing their goals. They still had things to discuss.
Liao Chengyuan said, “Indeed. We have come for cement. We hope His Majesty Huangfu can open up foreign trade for your kingdom’s cement.” He didn’t fear Emperor Huangfu Yuchen. Liao Kingdom was powerful, and together with the Mai Kingdom, Great Han couldn’t overpower each other. So, even if they were blunt, it wouldn’t be an issue.
Huangfu Yuchen said, “Since all the monarchs know about the existence of cement, you must also be aware that the cement currently produced in Great Han is only enough to meet domestic demand.”
Hui Mailong smiled faintly, “Your Majesty Huangfu, we do understand that. That’s why we are willing to pay a high price to purchase the formula for cement from Great Han. We understand the importance of cement, and it’s very tempting.”
Hei Zhentian added lightly, “When people can’t resist temptation, they often do irrational things.”
The square fell silent.
Huangfu Yuchen remained composed and looked at the sky, “It’s getting late. Everyone, please move to the Reception Hall for lunch. I have prepared another exciting program for you in the afternoon.”
Since they would reconvene in the afternoon, Liao Chengyuan and the others decided not to discuss cement matters further and followed Huangfu Yuchen.
