FID – Chapter 813

Chapter 813 — Battle, Nanling Fears Nothing

“General, did you perhaps think that I’ve been locked in my room these past days just napping?”

“I wouldn’t dare!” Cheng Sheng hurriedly cupped his hands in apology — had the Prince grown so astute that he could guess exactly what he was thinking?

Around them, a few deputy generals pressed their fists to their lips, wanting to cough but not daring to.

Right before this military discussion, hadn’t the general just spent a good while complaining to them about several of the Prince’s supposed faults?

And now he reversed his stance so quickly.

Bold enough to speak, but not brave enough to admit it.

“It doesn’t matter whether you dare or not. I have never before stepped onto a battlefield — no wonder the military men look down on me. Continue your discussion. When you’re done, give me an update on Dongyue’s movements. I’ve already been at the border for three days; by now, they should have realized the purpose of my arrival. Tomorrow, I will send a formal letter to the Emperor, requesting talks at the front lines.”

Inside the side hall, the military discussions resumed.

Feng Qingbai stood beside them without interrupting again. He simply listened quietly to their deliberations.

At first, the officers were wary, fearing that he might suddenly interject with advice or start nitpicking their conversation.

Clearly ignorant of warfare, yet possibly eager to lecture seasoned veterans.

But none of that happened.

When those deputy generals eventually left, the expressions on their faces made Wei Zi nearly laugh aloud.

With this move, the prince had already won a third of their trust.

To secure full allegiance and claim the remaining two-thirds — he would need to prove his strength.

On the fourth day, the letter of invitation was delivered into the hands of the Dongyue Emperor.

The time for the negotiations was set for five days later.

The other side replied: Agreed. Arrogant. Utterly conceited.

Five days passed in the blink of an eye.

On the eve of departure, Feng Qingbai requested brush and ink and shut himself in his room.

Wei Zi thought his master was preparing strategies for the coming confrontation, ensuring every contingency was covered.

But when he was summoned into the room and saw the ink painting laid out before him, his mouth twitched uncontrollably.

A negotiation between the commanders of two armies was as perilous as a full-scale battle — and at a time like this, the prince actually had the leisure to paint a portrait of the Princess Consort!

“Here, take it back to Nanling.”

“Master, tomorrow is the meeting with the Dongyue Emperor. Now that the painting is finished, you should get some rest.”

“I still have enough energy for this.”

Is this about energy? 

Of course he knew how much stamina his master had — the issue was timing. Shouldn’t matters of romance be set aside for now?

“Hurry up and go.” The man lifted his gaze and swept a calm glance over.

“Yes, Master. I’ll go immediately.” Wei Zi accepted the command and withdrew.

In his mind, he couldn’t help but recall the inscription he’d glimpsed on the painting earlier — indecent, to say the least.

To think his master could come up with something like that!

At the border, a marsh served as the dividing line — one side belonged to Dongyue, the other to Nanling.

Beside the marsh, a simple bamboo pavilion had been hastily erected. Inside stood a low table and two bamboo chairs.

A pot of clear wine and two cups.

It was all very modest, yet seated there were the most powerful figures of the two nations.

“I fear this pavilion will become famous in the future. We ought to give it a name — how about Junlin Pavilion? What does Your Highness think?” Twirling his wine cup, the Emperor of Dongyue smiled as he asked.

He was around twenty-five or twenty-six years old, about the same age as Feng Qingbai — full of youthful vigor, with a sharp, commanding presence.

Feng Qingbai smiled lightly. “Junlin Pavilion… Your Majesty is the sovereign of a nation; I am merely a prince — how could I presume to stand shoulder to shoulder with Your Majesty? The words ‘Junlin’ (to rule as a sovereign) are not suited for me.”

“Junlin, Junlin — a gentleman, too, can be called jun. Why would it be unfit?” The Emperor laughed heartily, then smoothly changed the subject. “Besides, with the King’s standing in Nanling, all it would take is a single call, and surely countless would answer. That position (the throne) would be within easy reach.”

“Our late emperor, on his deathbed, entrusted me with the care of the young emperor — instructing me to support him in ascending the throne and to assist him in ruling the nation. The young sovereign is diligent and will surely become a wise ruler in time. With our current emperor at the helm, Nanling prospers, the realm is at peace, and the people live in security. My ambitions are fulfilled.”

“No wonder everyone says the King of Nanling is a true gentleman — with you speaking so nobly, you’ve made me seem like the villain,” the Emperor remarked.

Their eyes met — Feng Qingbai calm and unruffled, while a flash of hostility had already surfaced in the Emperor’s gaze.

A regency entrusted by the late emperor.

In Dongyue, he too had once been entrusted by the late emperor to guide a young sovereign — only for him to seize the throne for himself in the end.

The same situation: Feng Qingbai was the gentleman, he, on the other hand… the usurper.

“Each man has his own ambitions. Nanling and Dongyue have long been neighboring nations, coexisting peacefully through the ages. This time, Your Majesty of Dongyue raised an army in anger — the reason behind it is quite baffling.” Feng Qingbai set his cup down, his smile still as serene as ever, as though the two were truly just engaging in casual conversation. “The traitor of Dongyue — might Your Majesty be referring to the runaway Seventh Prince?”

“Since you’ve brought it up, there’s no need for us to speak in circles anymore. As long as Nanling hands him over, I will immediately withdraw my troops!” the Emperor declared.

“I cannot hand him over,.”

Thud — the wine cup hit the table as the Emperor’s hostility deepened.

“The King would do well to consider carefully whether he can answer to the millions of people of Nanling for this statement! For the sake of one traitor, is Nanling truly determined to stand against my Dongyue?”

“Your Majesty, you are mistaken. My Nanling has never harbored any traitors from Dongyue. How then can we hand anyone over? In this situation, it is not that I cannot account for myself to the people of Nanling, but rather that Your Majesty will find it difficult to earn the trust of the other three nations on the continent.”

“My consort is a healer, a physician who saves lives without discrimination. When treating the sick and injured, she does not first investigate their identities — nor should she. Your Majesty has ascended the throne, yet without the Imperial Seal, you already struggle to command loyalty. If, at such a precarious time, you still insist on stirring conflict with a neighboring nation, the result will be mutual ruin, giving others the perfect opportunity to strike. Unless, of course, you are absolutely certain that your throne is unassailable.”

The wine in the cup remained untouched.

The land between the two armies was open and empty; the wind blew from all directions into the bamboo pavilion, stirring their hair and robes.

From afar, it looked as though the two were having a pleasant conversation — but only those seated in the pavilion knew how tense the atmosphere had become, tightening with every passing moment.

The Emperor’s eyes were now brimming with murderous intent, while the man opposite him remained as calm and serene as water.

With that calmness, Feng Qingbai declared: If there is war, Nanling fears nothing.

But it was a decision the Dongyue Emperor needed to think through carefully.

Having just seized the throne by force, he had not yet secured full loyalty from his people. Moreover, without the Imperial Seal, his legitimacy was questioned — not only within Dongyue but among the other nations as well.

If he insisted on launching a war now, it would only weaken Dongyue, and it would be he who bore the cost.

He was the Dongyue Emperor.

A ruler who brings hardship and suffering to his people right after seizing power would surely lose the hearts of the people.

Besides, how could a ruler who lost the people’s hearts hope to rule the world?

Not far from the pavilion, the soldiers of both armies stood in their respective stations, watching, ready and waiting.

The armies of the two nations faced each other from a distance, all eyes fixed on the pavilion, waiting to see the outcome of the negotiations between the two leaders.

If they reached an agreement, both sides would withdraw.

If not, a great battle would be inevitable.

The tension among the soldiers was no less intense than inside the pavilion.

“General, do you think the Prince can really persuade the Emperor of Dongyue?”

On Nanling’s side, as the wait dragged on, unease began to stir in the hearts of the troops.

“Negotiations before battle have always been uncertain — who can say for sure whether an agreement can be reached? Our task is simply to protect the Prince. If they can’t reach a deal, we’ll fight. That’s all there is to it,” Cheng Sheng replied, his sharp eyes locked on the opposing commander, battle intent burning fiercely within him.

Whatever happened, their momentum must not falter, not even in the slightest.

To lose momentum was to lose half the battle before it even began.

“Hey! General, look! They’re coming out!”

Cheng Sheng turned his gaze toward the pavilion, and sure enough, the two men were already walking out side by side. From such a distance, it was impossible to see their expressions clearly. It was impossible to guess who had won or lost.