Chapter 1037: Just that domineering (2/2)

Deputy General Xue was the first to rise to his feet. “East Qin crown prince, do you sincerely wish to ally with our Di Clan troops?”

“What right do you have to talk alliances with this crown prince?” Long Feiye retorted coldly.

Deputy General Xue’s heart gave a lurch as he realized his own status. Long Feiye was the crown prince of East Qin and its dictator while he was merely a deputy general of the Di Clan army. He really had no right to discuss terms with the man. Actually, he wasn’t striving to speak with Long Feiye on equal terms in the first place. He was originally aiming for the Baili Army, but Heaven knows why they hadn’t shown up yet. Stuck in the middle, Deputy General Xue stood embarrassed until Ning Nuo quickly gave him a platform to gracefully retreat.

“Deputy General Xue, you cannot be rude,” said Ning Nuo.

With those words, Deputy General Xue quickly backed off. Long Feiye’s words showed the Di Clan their difference in statuses and left them all uncertain. Just how was Long Feiye planning today’s meeting? What would they discuss, and how far would they go?

Ning Nuo smoothed things over with a polite tone. “Your Highness Crown Prince, Deputy General Xue currently has plenary powers over the Ning Clan troops. He’s spent many years at Three-Way Battlefield, so he has thorough knowledge of its pass. Since we’re discussing military matters today, many affairs will need him and General Baili to talk over together.”

“Details like that can be left for the military to discuss between themselves,” Long Feiye said coldly.

Now everyone knew. Long Feiye wasn’t going to talk about details of the alliance here, but simply treat it as a meeting between the rulers of both sides. Although they felt dissatisfied, the various elders and deputy generals all withdrew to wait outside. They knew they didn’t have the status to speak with Long Feiye and could only wait for the results. After both masters finish speaking, the Baili Army and Kangan Private Bank members should be showing their faces. With time so tight, they needed time to flesh out a plan before setting out as soon as possible.

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Now the Di Clan side of the room was reduced to Ning Nuo and Myriad Merchant Hall’s head elder, along with Gu Beiyue and Gu Qishao. Gu Beiyue was as calm and unruffled as ever, while Gu Qishao’s interest had waned perceptively. With everyone gone, there was no argument to watch. He had to face the reality that not everyone held the right or power to quibble with Long Feiye in the first place.

Finally, Long Feiye called for tea. Ning Nuo and the head elder didn’t speak first, wondering what Long Feiye could want to discuss. Long Feiye didn’t dawdle and came straight to the point.

“The punitive expedition to the north will be delayed until three months later. What do you two think?”

Both Ning Nuo and the head elder were stunned. Without preamble, Ning Nuo roared, “Long Feiye, what do you mean by this?”

Meanwhile, the head elder sent Han Yunxi a questioning look. Ning Cheng and Ning Jing were both waiting to be rescued, so the delay would only complicate things. They had even agreed to go first thing come spring, so why was there a sudden change?

“There’s been massive snowstorms this year. Within Northern Li, enough blizzards have passed to threaten snow disasters. If that happens, the coming spring will have poor temperatures. If we move rashly, we may be trapped within Northern Li by too many variable factors.” Long Feiye’s expression was stern, perfectly hiding how much internal conflict he had suffered to make this choice.

“Judging from today’s climate, this old man’s years of experience can tell that no snow disasters will occur!” Head Elder rejected immediately.

“Even so, the beginning of spring is when the ice and snow melt. It’ll not only make travel difficult, but leave a chill in the air. It’s hard enough to move an army under these circumstances, as you two should well know,” Han Yunxi spoke up.

“Princess, my big brother and Ning Jing’s life are in danger. An extra day of delay is another day in peril for them!” Ning Nuo huffed before shooting Tang Li a look. “Tang Li, aren’t you worried about my big sister? Are you going to abandon your own flesh and blood? Are you still a man or not?!”

Actually, Tang Li’s brother and sister-in-law had forbade him from coming today, but he insisted on showing his face. Cool and collected, he replied, “The big picture is more important. I believe Ning Cheng and Jing’er wouldn’t want us to take the risk.”

Weather was a huge risk, though not the biggest danger. Long Feiye and Han Yunxi’s failed dual cultivation was the key sticking point. They could make preparations against the worst of the weather, but not the consequences of a failed martial arts attempt. No one knew what might happen to the pair as a result. If anything happened to them before the northern expedition, then the world would fall into chaos as the dragons lost their heads. Of course, such risks weren’t something Tang Li would ever tell Ning Nuo or the rest.

“Bullsh*t!” Ning Nuo exploded.

Tang Li remained calm and didn’t answer. Head Elder knew he couldn’t convince Long Feiye, so he tried appealing towards Han Yunxi instead. “Princess, Mu Linger is in Jun Yixie’s hands too.” He wanted to use that to convince her, but Han Yunxi ended up coaxing him instead.

She said…