Chapter Forty-Six: The Arrogant Xiao Liba

At that very moment, Wan Lü Invincible and Xiao Li Ba arrived as well, astonishingly riding horses into the luncheon area. Meanwhile, all the soldiers from the Liao Ancient Kingdom cheered for the two of them.

Just then, General Feng Yucai, who had also just arrived, felt a surge of anger and was about to reprimand them. The strategist Feng Qingping, standing nearby, quickly spoke to Feng Yucai:

“General, this must have been arranged by Minister Qian. Today, we can only wait and see. Let us speak again once His Majesty arrives.”

Feng Yucai pondered for a moment and finally agreed. Then, Wan Lü Invincible caught sight of Liu Yuting. His eyes lit up, and he swiftly approached Liu Yuanwai and his party, fixing his gaze on Liu Yuting with a wicked smile.

“Miss Liu, fate truly brings us together. We meet again so soon.”

Liu Yuting replied coldly, “Marshal, greetings.”

Wan Lü Invincible said, “After seeing you yesterday, I couldn't sleep all night. Have you seriously considered my proposal? Wealth and glory are within your grasp. I promise you a position just one rank below the principal wife.”

Liu Yuting’s tone grew colder still. “Marshal, your intentions are kind, but I already belong to someone. If you have no other business, please leave.”

Wan Lü Invincible laughed, “Miss Liu, perhaps in a moment you won’t have so much to say. What is about to happen is beyond your control. Even if you already belong to someone, it might not help you. Besides, I’ve never heard you were promised to anyone.”

Liu Yuanwai, unable to restrain himself any longer, addressed Wan Lü Invincible directly: “Marshal, you have said enough. No matter what, my daughter is already promised, and we could never aspire to someone of your stature. Please leave.”

Wan Lü Invincible replied, “Hmph, only the strong deserve women. I’d like to see if your so-called fiancé truly has what it takes.”

Liu Yuanwai, already furious, was about to speak further when General Feng Yucai strode over and angrily said to Wan Lü Invincible:

“That’s enough, you Liao Ancient Kingdom dogs. Don’t think you can act so arrogantly. I warn you, this is the Great Prosperity Kingdom, not Liao Ancient Kingdom. If you keep behaving so disrespectfully, someone will put you in your place.”

Wan Lü Invincible sneered, “Good, very good! General Feng Yucai, you have courage. So today you intend to oppose me?”

Feng Yucai replied, “I’m telling you now, leave immediately. If you persist, don’t blame me for being harsh. Today, I am here to help the Liu family, because we are people of the Great Prosperity Kingdom. So leave, you Liao dogs.”

Wan Lü Invincible laughed, “Very well! I hope General Feng will remain so bold. You’ve greatly disappointed me today. If we meet elsewhere in the future, I will make you regret your actions today. Let’s go!”

With that, Wan Lü Invincible led his men back to their seats. Liu Yuanwai and his party immediately thanked General Feng Yucai for his righteous intervention.

Liu Yuanwai and his daughter expressed their gratitude: “Thank you, General Feng, for your righteous words and for dissolving today’s threat.”

Feng Yucai replied promptly, “It’s nothing. If a general of the Great Prosperity Kingdom cannot even help his own people, what kind of general would I be? But you must be careful. Based on what they said, they are likely plotting something. Rest assured, I will do everything in my power to assist you.”

Liu Yuanwai and his daughter responded gratefully, “Thank you, General!”

Feng Yucai waved his hand and returned to his seat. Soon, all the guests arrived in succession. With a resonant sound, everyone took their seats.

Before long, Emperor Zhao Xinglong of the Great Prosperity Kingdom arrived.

Zhao Xinglong, his face somewhat pale from excessive indulgence, nonetheless possessed handsome features. His eyes were bright and alert, his forehead broad and dignified, though he appeared slightly frail. His lips, not overly full, lent him a somewhat youthful, almost delicate air.

He wore an elongated ceremonial crown, rounded at the front and square at the back, dozens of strings of pearls and jade hanging from the top, threaded with red and yellow cords, bestowing him with imperial authority.

His yellow dragon robe was painted on the upper garment and embroidered on the lower, adorned with sun, moon, stars, dragons, and other motifs—sumptuously magnificent.

He walked alone to the most distinguished seat, his consorts seated at three tables behind him, and his guards stationed to either side and behind. This arrangement indeed conveyed the majesty of a sovereign.

All present knelt, awaiting his seating. Of course, Wan Lü Invincible and Xiao Li Ba from Liao Ancient Kingdom merely placed their right hands upon their chests in salute.

After the chorus of congratulatory greetings, everyone resumed their seats. Palace maids served wine to all guests. Soon, Emperor Zhao Xinglong spoke:

“This time, the emperor of Liao Ancient Kingdom has sent his imperial brother, one of the five great marshals, Wan Lü Invincible, along with Liao’s foremost warrior, Xiao Li Ba, to meet with me and discuss relations between our countries. Let us drink to the friendship between the Great Prosperity Kingdom and Liao Ancient Kingdom.”

The assembly cheered and drank enthusiastically. When Zhao Xinglong invited everyone to begin their meal, he clapped his hands twice, producing a crisp sound. The musicians by the doors began playing with renewed vigor.

Nearly two hundred beautiful dancers entered the hall, their hair styled in swallow-tail chignons, wearing semi-transparent, lightweight robes of various styles, dancing gracefully like flying swans as they sang.

Liu Yuting, feeling dissatisfied, whispered to Liu Yuanwai, “Their dancing is nothing special. My dancing is far better. If Desen…”

Suddenly, Liu Yuting realized she’d said something she shouldn’t and fell silent. Liu Yuanwai smiled, “You’re absolutely right! Desen will surely like it.”

Liu Yuting blushed, feeling even more embarrassed, and focused on watching the dancers. Soon, the dancers finished and withdrew, leaving the hall fragrant. All eyes turned to Zhao Xinglong, awaiting his speech in breathless silence. The vast palace was so quiet, a pin drop could be heard.

Zhao Xinglong spoke: “Since our founding by the Great Ancestor, our Great Prosperity Kingdom has always ruled through civil officials and benevolence, governing with virtue and spreading righteousness to all lands. Now, with generals like Feng Yucai overseeing our army, our kingdom flourishes like the midday sun. Let us drink to this prosperity.”

After everyone finished their drinks, Wan Lü Invincible spoke:

“Your Majesty, the Great Prosperity Kingdom is indeed prosperous. I could see it on the streets. But ruling with benevolence may not be effective.”

He took a sip of wine and continued: “My Liao Ancient Kingdom’s territory now stretches from the east at Sakhalin, west to Zunghar, north to the Small Sea, south to the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun. Soon, countries like Haijin and Luge will disappear. All of this is the result of Liao Ancient Kingdom’s rule through martial strength.”

He glanced contemptuously at General Feng Yucai opposite him. “And now, looking at your army’s foremost man, General Feng Yucai, though he has some achievements, I’ve never seen him help the Great Prosperity Kingdom destroy Haijin and Luge, or recover lost lands in the Central Plains. Can he compare to our five great marshals? Each of our marshals earned their positions through military merit.”

He turned again to Zhao Xinglong: “My elder brother, the emperor of Liao Ancient Kingdom, won countless battles with nothing but a curved blade and a bow, earning our allegiance and ascending the throne. Where is the benevolence in that?”

Xiao Li Ba, standing nearby, added: “Our Liao Ancient Kingdom always rules through martial prowess. If anyone is dissatisfied, come challenge me!”

All the delegates from the Great Prosperity Kingdom were infuriated, even Minister Qian felt deeply embarrassed but could not oppose Wan Lü Invincible outright.

General Feng Yucai responded: “Hmph, your Liao Ancient Kingdom may be strong, but I’d like to see for myself…”

At this moment, Feng Yucai’s son, Feng Qiwei, volunteered: “Father, you need not act. Let me do it.”

Feng Qiwei, who had long accompanied his father in campaigns and earned countless military honors, was deeply admired by Feng Yucai, who knew his abilities but still warned, “Be careful, son!”

Feng Qiwei replied, “Rest assured, Father!”

Zhao Xinglong then turned to Wan Lü Invincible: “Is this truly what your Liao Ancient Kingdom desires?”

Wan Lü Invincible declared, “Since it’s been said, let it be done. Does the Great Prosperity Kingdom have no one? Let’s compete for real—no restrictions, a fight to the death. That is the Liao Ancient Kingdom way. If you have the ability, even in our homeland, you will be honored as a distinguished guest. Otherwise, blood will stain the hall.”

The Chancellor Zhang Chengwei, who had been silent, now spoke angrily: “Don’t forget, this is the Great Prosperity Kingdom, not your Liao Ancient Kingdom!”

Xiao Li Ba boasted: “If anyone can kill me, then your kingdom has skill. But the person who can kill me hasn’t been born yet, hmph!”

Zhao Xinglong thought for a moment and said, “Very well, for the dignity of the Great Prosperity Kingdom, I accept. Whoever brings glory to our kingdom will immediately be appointed Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guards. Let’s begin!”

Minister Qian suddenly proposed: “Your Majesty, since that is so, and since heroes have always been paired with beauties, to add to the spectacle and further demonstrate your resolve in promoting swordsmanship to all, I have another suggestion.”

Zhao Xinglong asked, “What do you propose, Minister Qian?”

Minister Qian replied: “I suggest that the winner of today’s contest may freely choose ten beauties from the palace as companions. With both beauty and official rank, it would be a grand affair. May Your Majesty approve.”

Many senior ministers felt uneasy, but none knew quite what to say.