164 How About My Diplomacy Skill? (1/2)

”Child, Old Fan is seriously talking with you, this is involving people's lives. You should take this seriously,” Mu Liqiu tried to speak for Fan De. She had known Fan De for a long, over half of her life, so she felt obliged to help.

Tang Shaoyang had more respect for the old lady than the old man. He nodded to the old lady and turned toward Fan De.

”Kuhum…” Fan De let out a small cough to diffuse the awkwardness as he tried to regain his composure, ”Just like your mother-in-law said, we need your help,” the old man did not say specifically what kind of help they needed.

”We sent a hundred and twenty soldiers to the third portal,” he stopped midway as he let out a frustrated sigh, ”And we lost thirty-eight soldiers,” the old man did not mention specifically how they died.

”From our captain's information, guns are less effective against the beast in the portal. We used half of the reserve bullets we have but the result is disastrous,” Fan De continued with his stories, ”They reported the gun only killed a few beasts,”

Kang Jiayi and Mu Liqiu were surprised that the guns were not effective against the beasts.

”Just get to the main point! I am not interested in your misery,” Tang Shaoyang waved his hand to the old man.

”Even though guns are not effective against the beast but cold weapons such as swords proved to be more effective. The people from the Flame Castle helped the soldiers to survive in the third portal,”

”So I come here to ask your help, please lend us your reserve weapon to our soldiers. We need your help to face the next portal,” Fan De bowed his head to Tang Shaoyang. He made a sorrowful expression, to show how he felt to the dead soldiers.

”I know we have a bad past, and I am very sorry about that. We know that we don't deserve your help, but our soldiers have to fight to protect the civilians. Please lend us your reserve weapon, the military would be very grateful if you help us,” with his head lowered, Fan De continued.

”Sorry, I can't help you,” Tang Shaoyang bluntly replied to the old man. Mu Liqiu was about to cut in, but Zhang Mengyao stopped her with a gesture and a shake of her head, 'Please listen to what he will say first,' she spoke with no voice to the old lady.

”However, I have solutions for you, your soldiers, and the civilians you protected. Are you willing to hear?” Tang Shaoyang smiled at the old man.

”This old man is willing to listen,” Fan De nodded.

”If we don't send our soldiers to clear the portal then the beasts might come out from the portal. The civilian would be in danger by then,” Fan De shook his head while making a solemn expression.

'No, we can't do that. Lin Duan has told me that entering the portal is essential to be stronger. I am not that stupid coming here without knowing anything about the portal,' the old man thought to himself, sneering at the Tang Shaoyang internally.

Tang Shaoyang waved his hand at the old man, ”You don't have to worry about that. The Empire will clear the portal, so there would be no portal outbreak. We have cleared the first three portals anyway,”

Fan De looked at the man for a moment before uttering a response, ”What about the second solution?”

Tang Shaoyang smiled at Fan De, ”Join The Empire, I will protect my people from harm and danger If you join The Empire. We will train the soldiers, and The Empire will arm them with weapons when they are ready,”