Chapter 1037: Just that domineering (1/2)

The Eastern Promotion Hall was both dignified and striking. Although it was supposed to be a guest hall, it gave off the air of a guest palace instead. Currently, Long Feiye and Han Yunxi were sitting high up in the seats of honor for the hosts at the center. Side by side, their nanmu wood chairs were only separated by a tea table in between. The fragance of tea curled up into the air of the silent room.

Next to the hosts’ seats were two rows of chairs. On Long Feiye’s side sat Tang Li and Gu Beiyue, while twelve sat on Han Yunxi’s side. The first seats were taken by Ning Nuo, then Myriad Merchant Hall’s five elders, Cloud Realm Trade Consortium’s three elders, and the military faction’s three deputy generals. Once everyone was seated, Long Feiye didn’t get a chance to call out for tea because Ning Nuo gestured for the head elder next to him to open up a seat.

He then teased Gu Beiyue, “Beiyue, come sit over here.” The way he said his name felt like the two were on familiar terms. Although Ning Nuo only said one sentence, everyone was smart enough to know what he meant. As a member of the Shadow Clan, Gu Beiyue was a member of the West Qin faction. How could he be sitting on Long Feiye’s side?

Gu Beiyue didn’t decline the offer, but simply smiled and walked over. Pleased with this turn of events, Ning Nuo stood up to welcome him. “Beiyue, the Shadow and Di Clans were the best of friends in the past. Over the past few years, my big brothers and I were searching for its heirs nonstop. I never thought it’d be you!”

Gu Beiyue didn’t answer, but made a modest gesture and said, “Young Master Nuo, sit.”

“Sit, sit!” Ning Nuo hastily returned the greeting. The two of them sat down at the same time, whence Ning Nuo scooted over in low tones, “Beiyue, when we took you hostage back then, it really was…”

Again, Gu Beiyue deferred with a mild tone. “No need to bring up matters of the past. What’s important is today.”

Despite looking ill and weak, he seemed like an iron fortress. No blades could pierce through his defenses, nor could anyone get past his amiable front. Ning Nuo had called him “Beiyue” twice, but failed to close the distance between them. Despite this failure, the various elders in the back and Deputy General Xue were all proud of the results. They had come with intentions to negotiate, so Gu Beiyue’s seat had made them feel like a winner before they even begun. With more people on their side, it was fully possible to impose their will against Long Feiye. Deputy General Xue was especially pleased because today’s talks would mostly center around military matters.

Long Feiye simply spared the Di Clan delegation one glance before returning to more pressing missives in his hands. Very soon, he finished reading the message and turned to mutter something to Xu Donglin in hushed tones. Only then did the discussions begin.

But again, he’d hardly opened his mouth when a rampant and unruly laugh floated in from outside. “You didn’t call me for something this lively? Poison lass, that’s dishonest!”

Everyone turned to see Gu Qishao striding inside. He gave Tang Li a scornful look, then went to sit on the Di Clan side in the very last seat.

“Thankfully I came before we ran out of seats!” Gu Qishao muttered to himself.

Han Yunxi was secretly harboring a bitter smile. The day Gu Qishao stops causing chaos is the day I’ll think he’s acting off.

Just like that, the Di Clan side was completely filled out, leaving Tang Li sitting by himself in a row of empty seats. Seeing this made Deputy General Xue and his compatriots both laugh secretly up their sleeve. How awkward it must be for Tang Li.

Tang Li looked left and right and almost felt like his big bro was unpopular.

“Long Feiye, still not serving the tea? Is this how you treat your guests?” Gu Qishao muttered. With his support, the Di Clan members grew more confident and smug. But Long Feiye only treated him as air as he focused on Ning Nuo.

“Who’s the one calling the shots at the Di Clan now?”

All of the Di Clan grew stiff at the question. There was no real leader amongst them now. Although Ning Nuo had the status, he lacked the power and ability; although Myriad Merchant Hall’s Council of Elders had the power and ability, they were heavily split amongst themselves; although the elders of Cloud Realm Trade Consortium and the deputy generals had no right to make decisions, they were direct participants in the upcoming war and needed to be present for the talks. The military faction was very strong and didn’t fear Myriad Merchant Hall cutting off their funds during critical junctures. Thus, they had various differences with the hall. Meanwhile, the trade consortium was on the military faction’s side. Long Feiye’s first query had already given diffiulties to the dozen-men delegation.

He didn’t press them, but waited patiently.

Ning Nuo and the head elder exchanged a few looks before he replied, “My elder brother isn’t here, so the Di Clan is naturally under Myriad Merchant Hall’s head elder’s leadership.”

“Who’s the leader of the Council of Elders?” Long Feiye asked next.

“This one!” Head Elder promptly replied. In front of outsiders, he had to preserve the authority of the Council of Elders as their leader. Although others might have objections, none of them dared to voice it here. Everyone figured that once the meeting began, they’d all have a chance to chime in.

Ning Nuo was about to ask why none of the Baili Army members had shown up when Long Feiye declared coldly, “Everyone else should get out!” Rather than chasing them off, it sounded like an order.

Ning Nuo gave a start, while the rest of the men behind him were all caught off guard. For a second, they couldn’t process Long Feiye’s words. But soon enough, the awkward situation ruffled their feathers.