Zhang San, please behave yourself!
Chapter 617 - 572: Khan Long Bo’s Conditions!

Chapter 617: Chapter 572: Khan Long Bo’s Conditions!

After leaving the vanguard camp of Dashi Bian, Zhang San let out a sigh of relief.

Behind him, Baili Niezhen was completely astonished, and the other twelve maidservants also cast admiring glances at Zhang San.

"Master, were you always this formidable?"

Zhang San was taken aback and replied, "How have I been formidable?"

"Master, with your eloquence just now, even in Longyou Road, I believe you could incite the various tribes of the Demon Clan to slaughter each other, allowing the Town Demon Office and the Longyou Army to reap the benefits of the fishermen."

Zhang San smiled awkwardly and said, "Actually, I was considering it from the perspective of Dashi Bian. Don’t think too badly of me!"

The maidservants smiled without saying a word.

Meanwhile, Li Jing, who had transformed into a Chi Dragon, led everyone toward the northeast, searching for traces of Khan Long Bo.

Indeed, less than a hundred miles from the Far North Snowfield, on the southern side of a tall mountain, Zhang San and the others finally discovered Khan Long Bo’s tribe.

Yet merely from a distant glance, Zhang San noted that although there were several tribes here, they all belonged to Khan Long Bo.

But the total number of people from the three tribes combined was probably only about ten thousand.

Moreover, observing the distribution of tents within the tribe, it didn’t seem at all like they were about to go to war; it seemed more like they intended to permanently occupy this grassland and were unwilling to leave.

Could it be that Khan Long Bo had seen through Sharlobi’s intentions?

Zhang San immediately realized that Khan Long Bo, after all, was a man who could vie for supremacy with Khan Muzhen on the grasslands; how could he be deceived by a young person like Sharlobi?

Khan Long Bo had probably seen through Sharlobi’s intent to have the other four armies sustain losses while he, with the central army, reaped a harvest of spoils. So, Khan Long Bo must be aiming to take advantage of the situation to demand benefits or even some of the grasslands, thus gradually expanding his power onto the plains.

Even perhaps...

Zhang San suddenly thought that Khan Long Bo might want to take this opportunity to attack the Great Sui on his march south, causing friction with other tribes along the way and beginning to expand his own territory on the grasslands.

Having confirmed that Khan Long Bo would not move south, Zhang San immediately instructed Li Jing to leave.

Just then, however, a powerful presence locked onto Li Jing.

In the next moment, Khan Long Bo’s figure mysteriously appeared nearby, floating in midair, looking at Zhang San and the others with a smile.

Zhang San immediately cupped his fists and bowed to Khan Long Bo, "Khan Long Bo, I was passing by and came to visit you."

Khan Long Bo sneered inwardly.

She knew that if she hadn’t shown up, Zhang San would have ridden away on his beloved Black Dragon.

"Since you’ve come especially to see me, you wouldn’t come empty-handed, would you?"

Zhang San chuckled and said, "Well, I am riding a dragon, am I not?"

With that, Zhang San patted Li Jing, signaling him in his Chi Dragon form to land on the ground with everyone.

After Li Jing transformed back into human form, he finally understood what Zhang San had meant.

Wait, wasn’t my purpose in coming out here to get you all to your destination quickly?

Am I not just a driver?

No one said anything about additional physical labor!

And so, Zhang San and the others were "invited" into Khan Long Bo’s tent.

They were treated to another round of fine wine and dishes.

As they ate, Khan Long Bo spoke up directly, "Tujue is about to launch a full-scale war against your Great Sui soon. Zhang San, you couldn’t possibly be idle and have nothing better to do than to appreciate the scenery on the grasslands at this time, could you?"

Zhang San smiled, set down the lamb leg bone he was holding, and wiped his mouth.

"Sharlobi ordered a full-scale attack on the Great Sui, but in fact, only his central army will benefit. Of course, I believe you, Khan Long Bo, must have already seen through this. So, my main purpose this time was to inform Dashi Bian, and then come and visit you."

But Khan Long Bo let out a cold laugh and said, "Zhang San, if Dashi Bian sends troops, no matter whether it’s clashing with the Demon Clan or vying with your Great Sui, the result would inevitably involve losses. And with him suffering losses, it would be convenient for me to expand westward. So it seems, by coming to the grasslands this time, you’ve actually spoiled my good fortune."

Zhang San’s heart dropped, and he had not expected Khan Long Bo, already wealthy with Black Iron City, to still be seeking benefits from him.

"Khan Long Bo, you have misunderstood. Everything I have done was for your sake!"

Khan Long Bo glanced at Zhang San and sneered, "Is that so? Then I am eager to hear how you have done this for me."

Zhang San smiled slightly, calmly pouring himself a cup of wine before slowly drinking it down.

Appearing nonchalant, he was actually buying time, rapidly pondering over how to persuasively talk to Khan Long Bo.

Indeed, the scarcity of time is troublesome.

"Many people on the grasslands actually know that when Khan Muzhen died, he left the khanate to Dashi Bian. At least nominally, Dashi Bian is the rightful Tujue!"

"However, now it is Sharlobi who has become the Great Khan of Tujue, and just this fact alone will give Dashi Bian a great advantage in any confrontation with Sharlobi. After all, he is the legitimate one."

"Now, I have convinced Dashi Bian not to send troops, and neither will you. This gives both of you a basis for an alliance. Moreover, consider this, Khan Long Bo, if you allied with Dashi Bian, any forces other than his are fair game for you to attack, and you would be completely justified in doing so."

"In fact, isn’t it true that you sent people from Black Iron City, yet refrained from heading south, all to gain some territory on the grasslands? Then, you plan to make use of the ensuing conflicts with other tribes to eventually spark a war and expand your influence?"

"Now, as long as you form an alliance with Dashi Bian, you’ll have your pretext! So, if Dashi Bian doesn’t send troops, it will intensify their conflict with Sharlobi, leading to disputes between them. This is a great opportunity for you to expand, Khan Long Bo!"

After giving it some thought, Khan Long Bo realized that it indeed made sense.

His original plan was to go to war with everyone else, but now it seemed he could first ally with Dashi Bian and, after wiping out Sharlobi and his people, then turn to deal with Dashi Bian.

"Indeed, what you’re saying are benefits that Dashi Bian’s refusal to attack Great Sui brings to me. But these benefits come from Dashi Bian, not Great Sui. If you want me not to send troops, there should be something in it for me, right?"

Zhang San found that Khan Long Bo was truly insatiable.

Let alone not having anything of value on him right now, even if he did, he wouldn’t just give it away to Khan Long Bo for nothing!

After all, these expenses couldn’t be reimbursed when he got back.

But, the next moment, Zhang San noticed that from time to time Khan Long Bo’s gaze drifted towards Li Jing, who had been silently eating beside them.

He got it!

"Khan Long Bo, we’ve had a hard time traveling, braving the weather and the elements. I wonder if we could stay here for the night?"

As he spoke, Zhang San also glanced in the direction of Li Jing.

Khan Long Bo caught the hint and saw that this kid Zhang San really knew how to handle things.

So that night, Zhang San and his group stayed in Khan Long Bo’s camp.

However, not long after Zhang San entered his tent, he came out by himself and headed to the tent where Baili Niezhen and others were.

Baili Niezhen and the others were staying in a large tent.

Such large tents are usually inhabited by soldiers and can accommodate more than a dozen at a time.

Seeing Zhang San suddenly enter, the Cat-eared Lady and her group were startled, and some of them began to look pleased.

"Master, coming so late at night, could it be that you want to...?"

"Master, I can, I can, I’m up for any pose."

With a flushed face, Zhang San waved his hands and whispered, "There’s a special situation tonight, so I’ll be bunking down here with you guys for one night. Everyone should get some good sleep, and even if you hear noises outside, especially near my tent, act as if you’ve heard nothing."

Everyone was puzzled by Zhang San’s words.

But having followed Zhang San for so long, they knew what kind of person their master was.

So, they made room for Zhang San to sleep on his own.

Of course, after Zhang San lay down, he felt the Cat-eared Ladies sneaking up behind him five times to ask if he was cold and using the opportunity to touch him a bit.

Zhang San could only pretend to be asleep already.

After a few touches, they left, seemingly satisfied.

Just as the sixth Cat-eared Lady was approaching, a bloodcurdling scream suddenly came from outside the tent.

Everyone recognized it as Li Jing’s voice.

Then, they heard another, more familiar voice.

"Scream, my little darling! The louder you scream, the more excited I get!"

That was Khan Long Bo’s voice.

By then, everyone had more or less guessed why Zhang San had chosen to sleep in the servant girls’ tent late at night instead of alongside Li Jing in the smaller tent next door.

At that moment, Baili Niezhen couldn’t help but ask, "Master, should we send someone to check? I’m worried about Li Jing..."

Zhang San sighed softly, "No need to check. It’s useless. Plus, Khan Long Bo actually quite likes Li Jing, so don’t worry."

Hearing this, everyone was reassured.

The night passed without incident, except for the occasional noise from the tent next door.

The next morning, everyone got up and stepped out of the tent.

Then they saw Khan Long Bo emerging from Zhang San’s tent.

Zhang San nodded slightly to Khan Long Bo, who responded with a knowing smile.

After all, Khan Long Bo knew that his daughter liked this Zhang San, so naturally, he had no reason to compete with her for him.

Moreover, the little Chi Dragon was handsome, competent, and well-equipped, which pleased him greatly.

So, he no longer paid any more attention to Zhang San.

After breakfast, Khan Long Bo sent over some fast horses for Zhang San and his companions to use.

After all, Khan Long Bo knew that after last night, Li Jing might not have the energy to carry everyone by flying.

And as Li Jing was helped onto his horse by Zhang San, he looked at Zhang San with unshed tears and whispered, "Master, do you know how much I’ve sacrificed for the peace of Great Sui?"

Zhang San patted Li Jing’s shoulder, consoling him, "Don’t worry, I will definitely get you a position once we’re back! For sure!"