767 Closed-Door Cultivation (1/2)

Many years ago, Shangguan Fei had been ambushed by his sister while en route to the Xiaowan Kingdom. He had been crushed by a boulder and nearly died. One of his legs was still a bit stiff even now.

When revisiting that old site even now, Shangguan Fei's heart still palpitated anxiously. ”Who chose this damn place? Is he deliberately plotting against me?” he muttered, knowing very well that he was not important enough to merit such special arrangements.

The Dragon King and Prince Duodun had chosen to meet here, both fully equipped in hunting gear as if they were planning on setting out afterwards.

”Is this the culture of the Western Regions? It's almost the same as that of the Central Plains, but our garb is for not hunting but rather for drinking tea or visiting a mutual friend. Well, at least that's what I've heard.” Dog Butcher watched on with morbid curiosity. ”Will the Dragon King fight with the prince? Do we have to ready ourselves?”

Old Man Mu cleaned his ear with his pinky finger as he replied, ”You're about to talk my ear off. I didn't expect you to nag so much. Otherwise, I would have cut your tongue off that time. Let me tell you. They will not fight. They are going to put on a phony show and the one who performs the best will hailed as the winner.”

Dog Butcher was a bit disappointed. He desperately wanted to experience another life-and-death fight to test out all the new ideas he had been mulling over.

But Shangguan Fei also agreed with Old Man Mu's judgment. ”I don't mean anything by this, but the Dragon King doesn't seem to be well versed in such matters.”

Old Man Mu curled his mouth and looked around. After confirming that Long Fanyun and others were far away enough, he said in a low voice, ”I'd guess that the cold-faced kid will hold the upper hand. If his face softens even a bit, then the other side will believe he has made a big concession. But for those who are usually enthusiastic, what else can they do? Holding onto the Dragon King while crying and begging?”

Many people outside speculated about what would take place during the meeting between the Dragon King and Prince Duodun, but the people involved had no interest at all.

The two exchanged pleasantries about how they had expected to see each other for a long time. Then they repeated what others had said or what they claimed to be said by others, praising and feeling out each other for almost a quarter of an hour. Everything they said started with the same sentence patterns: ”I heard that …” or ”As soon as I saw you today…”

Old Man Mu had gotten it wrong. The Dragon King was indeed on the losing side.

Gu Shenwei's habit was to cut directly to the point, but after so much mindless conversation, he had actually had no chance to directly speak his mind. So he had no choice but to wait patiently, and could occasionally mention the Second Consort, Azheba, and Liman as a secondary topic.

Once Duodun thought that he had the scene under control, he suddenly asked, ”So what does the Dragon King think about the proposal?”

”I need Your Highness to repeat the suggestion again,” Gu Shenwei immediately replied.

When Duodun found his that his blabber had not had much of an effect and that the Dragon King was still calm, his face fell and his mien became quite serious and even a bit aggressive. ”There are 70,000 Norland Cavalrymen at Heaven's Pass. I can give all of them to the Dragon King. From then on, they will be a part of the Dragon Army and will have nothing to do with the Norland. With this army, it should be very easy to defeat Golden Roc Castle, right?”

Golden Roc Castle had suffered heavy losses at Xiaoyao Lake and would not be able to recover for a short time. With the 70,000 horsemen of the Norland, the Dragon Army would have an overwhelming advantage, though it might not be as easy as to conquer the castle as Duodun painted.

Gu Shenwei nodded.

”And also a piece of the Norland, the size of which can be discussed. If the Dragon King likes the Xiaowan Kingdom, it is yours.”

Duodun offered the vassal state as a gift and wasn't stingy at all. Gu Shenwei nodded again.

”All I ask for in return is the army that the Dragon King left in the Royal Court. It seems like I'm using the few to trade for the many, but…”

”But I'm still getting the better of the deal by exchanging a Norland army for a Norland army,” interjected Gu Shenwei, finishing the sentence.

”Haha, the Dragon King is really frank and forthright. Well, that's exactly what I mean. I hope the Dragon King won't misunderstand and think that the two armies will have no connection from now on. Golden Roc Castle is a tiny place and can be easily conquered, but contending for hegemony in the prairie may take a long time. I still hope that the Dragon King can lend me a hand after conquering the castle.”

”It'd be my pleasure. The army in the Western Regions will all be under Your Highness's command.”

”So the Dragon King agrees?” Duodun's voice was slightly raised as he asked this pivotal question.

”I can see any reason why I should refuse.”

”Great! And then there's my little side request.”

”Shulitu's head.”

”Yes.”

”He's just a kid and a puppet. Just strip away his titles. Is it really necessary to kill him?

”Everyone says that the Dragon King is ruthless and merciless. When did he become so soft-hearted?”

”I just don't want my saber to be stained with the blood of one of the Khan's descendants.”

”It is necessary, though,” said Duodun resolutely. ”The Dragon King must know what happens when one 'nourishes a viper in one's bosom.' For the men of the prairie, a twelve years old kid is no longer a child. He's already old enough to understand the intoxication of power. And not only has the Dragon King supported him, but you've also given him an army. I'm afraid Shulitu will never be a child again.”

”Since Your Highness insists, then I'll offer the head.”

”Our exchange agreement will also take effect at that moment.”

”Good.”

”When will the Dragon King do it?”

”I can't do it in public; I need to arrange an accident for him.”

”An accident? I like accidents as long as they don't happen to me, haha. But I still need a date. I don't like to wait around aimlessly.”

”Luoluo's army should have arrived in Royal Court by now. A great war is going to happen. There will be a lot of 'accidents' at that time. So I'd say within three months.”

”Three months? I'm afraid that not many of the hundred thousand horsemen that would belong to me will still be left by that time.” Duodun's face grew dark.

Gu Shenwei shook his head. No matter how varied the other's expression was, he only maintained his one expression. ”No. Shulitu will focus on defense instead of offense and will not suffer much loss. Moreover, winter is coming, Luoluo will retreat for sure. The real decisive battle will start in the spring and summer of next year.”Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please click visiting.

Duodun frowned. The Dragon King was more sly than he had anticipated. His proposal was a test, but it turned into a plot to procrastinate. Three months? Only God knew who would suffer an 'accident' during that time period.