Let Me Explain, Fairy
Chapter 769 - Four Hundred and Eighty-Three: Borrowing Troops

Chapter 769: Chapter Four Hundred and Eighty-Three: Borrowing Troops

Li Junqing’s words carried an arrogance that seemed to infuriate the princess from across the seas.

O’Reilly’s azure eyes narrowed almost into slits, shooting out strands of cold light, yet her speech remained nonchalant:

"I had thought that Third Prince Your Highness would be different from the others within Great Yan, but now it seems I was mistaken."

"The respect an envoy can receive is derived from the imperial backing behind you."

Li Junqing chuckled softly, his eyes narrowing:

"Princess of the Xi’en Kingdom, let me tell you a story—oh no, this isn’t a story, it’s a fact that took place just last year."

O’Reilly’s eyebrows knitted slightly:

"Please do tell, Your Highness. I am listening."

Li Junqing gestured leisurely as if lifting a wine glass, using the light of the Inscription Lamp to gently sway his hand, causing ripples to spread across the light green tea:

"To the northwest of Great Yan lies a place called the Great Desert, where there’s a Dachao Royal Court. Its national strength isn’t particularly strong, vaguely stronger than the Japanese demons you’re currently at war with."

"Last year, during the beginning of autumn, they sent a prince as an envoy to Di’an City."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yuan’s eyes twitched involuntarily, while Li Junqing’s tone took on a teasing note:

"During the prince’s stay in Di’an City, he got into trouble with the offspring of a high official in our Imperial government, and unfortunately for him, that offspring had a bit of a bad temper..."

At this point, Li Junqing paused with a smile, softly asking O’Reilly:

"What do you think happened in the end?"

"......" O’Reilly pressed her eyebrows but did not respond.

"Don’t want to guess? Then I’ll just tell you directly."

Li Junqing held the porcelain cup to his lips and gently blew on it: "That prince was killed outright, while the high official’s son merely had to, as I am now doing..."

As he spoke,

Li Junqing drained his cup of aromatic tea in one gulp, smiling broadly:

"Drink a penalty of three cups."

The negotiations that night ended in discord.

Li Junqing’s words amounted to a naked threat, an affront to the Xi’en royal house.

O’Reilly left, taking the iron-clad figure called Xiulun with her as she exited the elegant room that cost a thousand taels for minimal consumption.

For a time, the room was as quiet as if bereft of crows and sparrows.

After a long silence, Xu Yuan glanced at Li Junqing and pushed himself up to stand.

Noticing this, Li Junqing gave him a glance, his tone slightly surprised:

"What, are you leaving too?"

Xu Yuan shook his head and walked towards the balcony that came with the private room:

"I need some fresh air."

"Heh."

Li Junqing chuckled lightly and paid him no further attention, settling back on the soft cushion and pouring himself another drink.

Arriving at the private balcony, Xu Yuan faced the biting winter wind. Looking down at the lamp-lit nightscape of Di’an, he asked in a deep voice:

"What exactly are you trying to do?"

Li Junqing set down his teacup and, observing Xu Yuan’s silhouette on the balcony, said with an easygoing laugh:

"Negotiation is like courting a fairy who is unworldly—you can’t be impatient or reveal your true feelings outright. You have to know how to pull back and forth, delving deeper bit by bit."

Moonlight cascaded like a waterfall, Xu Yuan’s hands rested on the wooden railing, and he half-turned his head, casting a sidelong glance at Li Junqing inside the room. His pale golden eyes shone even more profound under the moonlight:

"I know that’s not what I meant. When did your partner in cooperation become the Xi’en Kingdom?"

Li Junqing paused, his smile tinged with surprise:

"Ho, how come you’re starting to use cultivation techniques? I don’t remember any technique in this world that can detect lies or hear another person’s thoughts."

"I am not using it against you."

Xu Yuan turned his gaze back down, replying in a quiet voice: "What is it all for?"

"Of course, it’s to seize more benefits."

"What do you mean?"

"Hehe."

Li Junqing gave a light laugh, stood up from the heavy tea table that spanned a foot in width, and strolled towards Xu Yuan:

"My imperial brother asked our father for permission, granting me an opportunity to go to Japan, but unfortunately, the support my father provided is pitifully little beyond a title."

Speaking thus, Li Junqing was already standing beside Xu Yuan, leaning against the railing and looking up at the dark firmament, his tone melancholy:

"Five hundred thousand taels for military supplies, along with four measures of Imperial Guards... With this little fortune, what impact can I have in Japan? I had thought I could at least get a battalion of cavalry."

Realization dawned on Xu Yuan instantly:

"Unable to spare the resources?"

"Yes, the conflict on the Northern Frontier is enough to give my father headaches... Sigh, with this little fortune, I don’t even know if I can make it through, jumping out of one pit only to fall into another."

"There must be some advantages, after all, this trip to Japan is like a trapped dragon entering the sea, isn’t it?"

"Ho, you trust me so much?"

Li Junqing turned his head, his lips curving up: "But you’re right, compared to being in Di’an City, I could really stretch my legs once I get to Japan."

Xu Yuan also smiled, staring into Li Junqing’s eyes:

"Then I’ll preemptively wish you success with your plan."

Li Junqing’s gaze turned downward, his tone becoming more serious:

"Success is not easy to predict; my father has given me too little, and the strength of the maritime Xi’en Dynasty is not weak. Even if everything goes well, it could still likely end in failure..."

Xu Yuan was surprised, his eyebrows lifting slightly:

"Aren’t you quite afraid of dying? If the risks are so great, why are you still determined to go there?"