Let Me Explain, Fairy
Chapter 768 - 482: Arrogance_2

Chapter 768: Chapter 482: Arrogance_2

Li Junqing silently shook his head and thought, "Not weak, that person is considered skilled within the palace walls of the court."

"Then your Imperial Family really lost face, huh? To be slapped in the face during a martial gathering like that."

At these words, Xu Yuan’s voice carried a hint of schadenfreude. But as he spoke, his tone shifted, "But these individual combat strengths don’t matter. What’s important is whether this Xi’en Kingdom’s army has something similar to military formations?"

Xu Yuan didn’t really care much about what Li Junqing said.

There are gaps even between Grandmasters, a reality Xu Yuan had long recognized.

If Xu Changge could defeat peers in seconds, then that unknown empire from across the sea should also have similar people.

Facing someone like Big Ice Lump, those pampered ladies of heaven, the result against that tin can would definitely be different.

What is important now is whether they have a means to counter the Dayan Army Formation.

Li Junqing fell silent for a moment, then spoke softly, "I have asked Father Emperor about this, but he did not inform me."

Xu Yuan rolled his eyes and muttered, "Given your character, would you dare dive in without figuring out the situation there?"

Li Junqing’s eye corner twitched as he retorted, "I’m trying to be tactful here; can’t you understand that, boy?"

"We’re like brothers, aren’t we? Sharing a bit won’t cost you a piece of flesh. Plus, I’m planning to invest in you on your trip to the Eastern Seas, as the Crown Prince of the Prime Minister’s Mansion."

"Tsk tsk, Crown Prince of the Prime Minister’s Mansion, you really don’t treat me as an outsider, huh?"

"Everyone outside says so anyway. So, is there or isn’t there?"

"...."

After a few seconds of silence, Li Junqing chose to disclose, "Haven’t I always been doing business with the daimyos from the Eastern Seas... "

"Didn’t you swindle them out of several million taels worth of military equipment before?"

"Tsk, no one would take you for a mute if you didn’t speak."

"Heh."

"In any case, through this channel, I’ve learned some information about the battlefield over there. This Xi’en Kingdom seems to have something similar to our military formations. However, unlike in Great Yan, their ’formation’ only has defensive capabilities, resembling a tortoise shell."

"A military formation that only defends and doesn’t attack?"

"Don’t underestimate the Xi’en Kingdom. That tortoise shell is like a giant chariot on the battlefield, crushing everything in its path. Moreover..."

Li Junqing paused for a moment, then continued, "And who told you they only defend and don’t attack? In addition to those iron-clad tortoise shells, the Xi’en Kingdom also has Cultivators capable of uniting to cast powerful spellcraft."

As he spoke, he cast a subtle glance toward O’Reilly.

Having been exposed to countless ACG cultures and various novels, Xu Yuan immediately grasped what Li Junqing was hinting at.

At the same time, a trace of puzzlement appeared in his eyes,

"If the martial prowess of the Xi’en Kingdom is so abundant, why then can those islanders hold out against them?"

Li Junqing shrugged his shoulders and replied with a smile, "Who knows? Maybe they have some clever strategies using the terrain, or perhaps they rely on something else. After all, after plundering the coastal areas of Great Yan for hundreds of years, those islanders have something worth taking note of in their cultivation methods."

After this exchange, Xu Yuan and Li Junqing both laughed.

But Xu Yuan’s voice soon came through again,

"One last question."

"Just ask if you have something on your mind; we’re like brothers, after all."

"What do you intend to do by seeking out these two tonight?"

"Naturally, I plan to discuss with them the governance of the Eastern Seas Islands."

"....."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yuan was startled and almost lost his composure, stopping in his tracks.

You were supposed to be fighting foreigners, weren’t you? How did it change to dividing the Eastern Seas with them?

But before Xu Yuan could voice his questions, Li Junqing had already stopped in front of a private room named ’Ink Rice,’ casually pushing the door open and smiling as he looked back,

"Princess O’Reilly, we have arrived, please come in."

"....." Xu Yuan.

On the ground within the elegant chamber of Mordao, a precious Demonic Beast skin carpet lay flat, the temperature kept warm and comfortable by a constant temperature formation. Even with the window lattices open, one could not feel the desolate chill of Di’an City’s winter night, and through that window lattice carved with golden phoenixes, one could perfectly view the bright full moon in the dark sky.

They entered, took their seats, and when in Rome, do as the Romans do, the four of them sat around a heavy, dragon-carved tea table, about an hour long.

The can of iron felt like a small mountain, exerting an oppressive presence.

The golden-haired woman, however, had an ethereal grace that made her true nature and thoughts completely inscrutable.

Due to the importance of tonight’s conversation, Li Junqing did not call upon the musicians from Yacui Palace to play the zither for entertainment. He poured tea for his guests with an effortless elegance; after some brief pleasantries, he plunged directly into the main topic.

During the talk, Xu Yuan and the iron-clad knight named Xiulun remained silent, listening to the conversation between Li Junqing and O’Reilly.

And just as Li Junqing had mentioned before entering, the matter he discussed with O’Reilly was indeed about the division of interests regarding the Eastern Isles.

It was like two bandits discussing how to divide the spoils of a house without the owner’s consent.

Of course, since it was a negotiation, it was naturally not possible to finalize all the details in one go.

The Western princess named O’Reilly seemed quite adept at diplomatic maneuvering, going back and forth with Li Junqing like a dance, never giving a straightforward answer.

After half an hour, Li Junqing and the other party were still entangled over the issue of dispatching troops.

"Third Prince, can the Kingdom of Xi’en take your words as representing the will of the Emperor of the Dayan Empire?"

After a negotiation that went from superficial to in-depth, O’Reilly’s blue eyes suddenly fixed on Li Junqing, asking such a question.

Li Junqing’s eyebrows twitched. He calmly refilled his empty porcelain cup with the steaming tea before him, then slowly smiled and said:

"O’Reilly, this question should have been asked at the very beginning of our conversation, but I can give you a definitive answer.

"The Emperor’s stance towards the Eastern Isles is the same as mine."

O’Reilly’s lips curled into a slight smile, and lifting her hand, she tucked her hair behind her ear, speaking softly:

"Although I have not left Honglu Temple these days, I have still learned a lot about the customs of Dayan. According to my understanding, with the traditions of Dayan, you should not have any right to succeed to the throne."

... the right to succeed to the throne...

Li Junqing’s tea-sipping hand paused for a moment, then quickly recovered, and he spoke softly with a laugh:

"Do not assume the practices of the Kingdom of Xi’en apply to the Dayan Imperial. Just because I have no right of succession does not mean I lack authority.

"O’Reilly,

"You only need to understand that to the Great Dayan, the Eastern Isles are but a trifling piece of land.

"My father has appointed me as envoi to the Eastern Isles, which implies that I have full authority to deal with matters there."

Towards the end, Li Junqing’s gaze carried a trace of impatience:

"Working with you Westerners or with those of the Eastern Isles makes no difference to the Great Dayan. If you, O’Reilly, think I am not qualified, I can summon the envoys from the Eastern Isles right now."

Arrogant, disdainful.

Xiulun glanced unconsciously at the curvaceous princess by his side.

It seemed that this prince and the other People of Yan were no different, exuding an inherent arrogance that was distasteful.

It was at this moment that O’Reilly suddenly smiled beautifully:

"I was somewhat presumptuous, indeed. The power of the Dayan is at its peak and should be so. May I ask you, Third Prince, a question?"

"A question?"

Li Junqing thudded his porcelain cup onto the tea table: "Speak your mind."

O’Reilly’s eyes narrowed into crescents, like crescent moons:

"There is an old saying in Dayan, ’drive out the tiger to swallow the wolf,’ but there is also ’inviting the tiger into one’s home.’ Third Prince, why did you choose to cooperate with Xi’en?"

"Pfft... Hahaha!"

Upon hearing this, Li Junqing suddenly laughed, loudly, and did not stop until he had his fill.

Then he fixed his gaze on O’Reilly’s crescent-like eyes and replied with a smile:

"Whether the Eastern Isles are occupied by you people from Xi’en or by the natives makes no difference to the Great Dayan.

"Do you understand?"