Chapter 165: Calamity and the Turn for the Better
Long Yin lifted his hand, keeping the excoriation of the officials under control, then with a gentle face he said, “Your Gale Nation had been defeated by our Tian Long Nation twenty years ago. For a prince of a defeated nation to make such delirious remarks of surrendering without going to war, that’s rather ridiculous.”
Feng Ling’s eyes were expressionless, but he gently said, “When my Gale Nation had suffered defeat from Tian Long Nation, was it really because we fell short? No! All of it was because of heaven’s pity.
“Firstly, Kui Shui Nation and Cang Lan Nation simultaneously made their moves, separately attacking our north and south. My Gale Nation had no choice but to divide our own troops to defend these two areas.
“Secondly, your Tian Long’s Ye Family succeeded Ye Xiao as the “God of Army”, you had a talented field commander in the military like Old General Ye, who deployed armies like an expert, time and again. My Gale Nation wasn’t aware, yet suffered repeatedly under his schemes. My father always sighed, if there was no Ye Family, then Tian Long Nation might already been under Gale Nation’s control.
“Thirdly, only your Tian Long Nation has the unique killing power for your firearms, causing disastrous injuries and deaths to the Gale Nation.
“Fourthly, your Tian Long’s God of Sword, Chu CangMing, undertook the task of arranging the s troops to hinder our front. During those days my father and my emperor grandfather were afraid of the consequences from the God of Sword, so they didn’t dare to provoke the powerful enemy who had transcended the worldliness, that’s why they finally led their troops to surrender.”
“Humph! In the south there’s Kui Shui, and in the north there’s Cang Lan. if you dare to make your move against my Tian Long, they will certainly attack at the same time. This has been our three nations’ agreement for a hundred years. Although your Gale Nation has three times more land and troops than my Tian Long, if you dare to attack any of us three nations, it is equivalent to waging war against all three nations. But now, you even have delusions to attempt to persuade us to surrender, seizing my Tian Long’s rivers and mountains without using an army, that’s really funny. You father and son are treating me like a fool, or rather are the two of you going crazy?” Long Yin shouted coldly.
Feng Ling did not get mad and was still as dull as before, “Indeed, the reason why my Gale Nation wasn’t able to invade any bit of land for so many years, the most basic reason is because of the alliance of your three nations. But I dare to ask Your Majesty… If one of you suddenly changed and became an ally of my Gale Nation, do you think your Tian Long Nation would still be able to resist my Gale Nation’s attack?”
Long Yin’s whole body madly trembled, the civil and military officials with angry looks were now shocked. If they lose any one of their allies, either Kui Shui or Cang Lan, Tian Long would certainly be in danger. This statement from Feng Ling was absolutely not spoken without thought. Could it be that…
“If I am not wrong… No, I can be certain that, before I arrived here, Your Majesty must have sent urgent letters to each of the rulers the Kui Shui and Cang Lan nations. Your Majesty, you must have already received a reply from the Cang Lan’s Emperor, but have you received Kui Shui’s?” After speaking, he shook his head, using a very certain tone of voice he said, “None, definitely none. Am I right, Your Majesty?”
The atmosphere suddenly became terribly stifling, nervous eyes were focused on Long Yin. His answer would relate to Tian Long’s future destiny. Long Yin’s eyes flickered continuously, he abruptly turned his head and angrily looked at Feng Ling, “What kind of advantage did you provide to the Kui Shui Nation?”
This reaction confirmed what Feng Ling had said. Below them, all the people were surprised. If Kui Shui Nation really became Gale Nation’s ally, then the pressure upon the Tian Long would be doubled. Facing the Gale Nation was now like an approaching crisis.
Long Yin’s state of mind was out of control as he lost his tranquility, his innermost being was obviously confused.
Feng Ling shook his head and said, “No, we didn’t offer anything to the Kui Shui Nation. As for the reason why they did it, I’m not so sure. But one thing is for sure, when you and I wage war with each other, not only would the Kui Shui not help you, but also they might…” Feng Ling stopped short, as the other half part of the statement was evident.
“Hahahaha!” Ye Wei with a roar of laughter, then in an angry voice he said, “Your Majesty, please do not listen to his nonsense. If our Tian Long Nation is wiped out, the next target will be the Kui Shui Nation, how could the Emperor of Kui Shui Nation make such an unwise decision? He would be just handing over his entire nation to the enemy! That’s a bunch of nonsense. The Gale Nation must have sent someone to capture our messenger, then use this excuse to bring confusion to our army, we will not fall into your trap!”
The people nodded their head, yet they heard Feng Ling heave a sigh, “General Ye, your statement is reasonable and fair, but I am not fond of telling lies to other people. I, Feng Ling, swear that if I were to tell any lies, our Feng Family will become Long Family’s slaves for many generations. General Ye, do you believe me now?”
Ye Wei’s face went stiff, he stared blankly for a short moment then heavily sat down. Such maliciously sworn words, coming from the mouth of Crown Prince Feng, made him believe that what was said was true.
“Now what? Do you really believe that I will fear your insignificant Gale Nation? Our Tian Long Nation defeated you once, naturally we can defeat you a second time or the third time around.” Long Yin coldly snorted. He took a glimpse at Feng Chaoyang, who had been standing behind Feng Ling like a pile of wood. If it was not for him, they would certainly lock up Feng Ling and use him as bargaining chip. At least that way, he would be able to delay the war for two years. On the surface, he wasn’t afraid, but internally, he knew that if they were to face the Gale Nation at this time, Tian Long Nation could only have a narrow escape. The Gale Nation had been silent for twenty years and now they had finally erupted, the offensive rebound would certainly be like landslides and tsunamis.
“Your Majesty, you should not be afraid. If I were you, I would similarly not be afraid. But not fearing doesn’t mean you won’t be defeated, even if Kui Shui Nation still remained the same, the Gale Nation will still be in difficult to win against. Your Tian Long had enjoyed safety and good health greatly, although you have enough elite soldiers and ample provisions, the people within the army, those who are truly devoted, are very few. Majority of them entered the army because of the provisions or they have been recruited forcefully. As for my Gale Nation… They have suffered for generations, how could they allow themselves to suffer continuously? For the sake of the good health of their next generations, they are already unafraid to die. Going to the battlefield, they don’t know what “fear” or “retreat” is. Did you know that our Gale Nation does recruite for our army? Every year, those who voluntarily enlist themselves to join the army line up in the Ministry of War. Although Tian Long’s army and horses are highly perfected, they couldn’t compare to those who are absolutely fearless!” Feng Ling worked up his confidence as he yelled out.
“That’s very funny. Because of your selfish desires, those who desire to destroy the homes of the other people are being regarded as the brave soldiers. In your Gale Nation, can a poor person openly and “courageously” rob a rich man’s family, killing them in the process? Can you regard such a reckless nation as courageous?! Your eyes only see our Tian Long Nation flourishing, yet you do not know how we have obtained it through many generations, and through how much great efforts that provide us what we have today. Your Gale Nation didn’t know how to forge ahead, and only regret, then proceed to steal other people’s homeland as you crown your people as “courageous.” Humph, you are similar to a group of robbers. Your Gale Nation should be renamed as Robber Nation.”
Still, it was Ye Wei who did not show weakness as he criticized the Gale Nation.
“General Ye you are right. The Gale Nation was originally a bunch of robbers with their wild schemes. Because of these robbers, the Heavenly Star Continent is often enveloped in the flames of war with fresh blood flowing like a river, yet they never vanish. They never feel ashamed of their wrongdoings, and are instead proud of them. Our magnificent Tian Long Nation will never be afraid of the Gale Nation which is despised by all the people!” Zhuge Wuyi yelled.
Feng Ling’s eyes complicatedly glanced at Ye Wei, then suddenly he sighed and desolately said, “Robbers… Although our people were compelled by their unbearable fear of famine and disaster, they repeatedly offended other nations through behaving like a robber. For my father, to unite the whole world and become the only emperor is his ultimate goal in life. I didn’t desire for all of these to happen.I am similar to all of you, I refuse to see war.”
“Really? Then why don’t you go home and advise your father against it? Why would you come from a thousand miles just to persuade us to surrender? The one who wanted the war isn’t me, it was your father Feng Lie, humph!” Long Yin glanced at him coldly and at the same time, he gave an impolite order to expel the visitor out.
“This being the case… If Your Majesty believes what I’ve said, then I will try my best to persuade my father to delay to war for five years, how about that?”
Such huge transformation left Long Yin no time to deal with it, even Feng Chaoyang behind him discreetly moved his brows. Long Yin furrowed his brows and asked, “What do you mean by that Crown Prince Feng?”
“Just like what I’ve said, Feng Ling refuses to see fresh blood flowing like a river in the Tian Long Nation because of my Gale Nation—that’s the first reason. Second…” He paused, his expression calmed down as he gazed at Ye Wei who had a stiff face. Long Yin clearly saw all his movements, so his suspicions were raised. “Your Majesty, do you believe that there exists femme fatale in this world that could make one give up all his goals?”
Long Yin was startled, but Feng Ling did not wait for him to answer as he continued, “I didn’t believe it at first. But today, I now believe that when a woman that will truly touch your heartstrings appeared in front of you, you will really understand the true meaning of the old saying “the love of beauty is enough for someone to abandon his country.” When I met this woman today, it really turned my mind around, then eventually I realized that for her, I would even abandon my position as the Crown Prince. This kind of woman, can she be considered a femme fatale?”
“When I came here this time, originally I would follow my father’s request to give the letter to Your Majesty two days later. Your Majesty, as you have seen, that was personally written by my father, and covered by my royal family’s seal of the ruler, it can’t be a fake.” Long Yin slightly nodded his head so Feng Ling continued on, “But because of that woman who touched my heart, I’m willing to disobey my father’s order just once…” His face was serious, as he earnestly said, “As long as Your Majesty can betroth that woman to me, I will return home to persuade my father immediately. In exchange for five years of peace and enough time for preparation, would you agree to that, Your Majesty?”
The crowd was completely stunned, one after another they discussed in whispered tones. A woman, in exchange for five years worth of peace and preparation time, this kind of transaction was greatly worthwhile for Tian Long Nation. But, whose daughter was this woman who could make the crown prince of the Gale Nation to behave this way?
Long Yin was silent for a very long moment, he could confirm that this letter of war was personally written by Feng Lie, so Tian Long’s disaster was imminent. Feng Lie’s written words were completely arrogant and impatient. Feng Ling was willing to delay the war for five years because of this one woman… Five years were extremely important to Tian Long Nation, within these five years he could completely form new troop, he could scout Kui Shui Nation to confirm whether it was real or not, and the Gale Nation will certainly lost their key moment to attack. For Feng Ling to make such a condition evidently explained that this woman had a very extraordinary status that pushed him to make such decision. The woman that he had mentioned… Who was she?”
The places he had visited today… Could it really be her? No wonder he looked at Ye Wei in an odd way, it was actually because of this reason.
“How can I truly believe in you? Five years, Feng Lie couldn’t wait to unit the whole world, how many years more would he live? Even if you have such intention, even if you are his son, I’m afraid he wouldn’t be able to wait peacefully for five years.” Long Yin already understood the situation clearly in his heart and did not care to ask who the woman was.
“As I’ve said, I am not the kind of person who would lie. If any of the things I have said is a lie, my Feng Family would forever be your Long Family’s slaves. My father he will agree to that, I have my own way to make him agree. If Your Majesty would believe me, I will surely respect my own words. If Your Majesty won’t believe it,“ Feng Ling’s eyes were firm and feverish, “I will use whatever method to make her mine!”
Translated by:
Fatty_Uncle
Edited by:
seriouspotato patrick_father_of_dragons