Chapter 1517 - 1515: Seeing Through

Chapter 1515

"Our descendants have dignified people as well, and they can read and write, hahaha..."

...

Just as Suobuno was feeling smug, Zhao Junyao showed no reaction for a long time.

Curious, he looked up and gasped suddenly.

What kind of face was that!

He had never seen such a fierce, sinister, terrifying expression.

It was like the storm he had seen at sea before, capable of turning a calm sea into giant waves and raging storms.

His whole body suddenly broke out in goosebumps, and a chill ran down his spine.

He had experienced such storms countless times.

Each time, at least dozens, sometimes hundreds, of people.

His people had suffered such agony too many times.

Now it was his turn—is he able to survive this?

Before the chill from his spine faded, a cold blade was already pressed against his neck.

He suddenly sobered up, looking down to see a dagger gleaming with a sinister cold light.

He gasped.

"You..."

Zhao Junyao’s eyes were like glaciers, yet his face wore a bright smile, though it carried no warmth.

"You do like to dream, huh!"

"It’s just a pity it’s daytime, we’re friendly neighbors, waking you up shouldn’t be too much, right?"

"Do you dare to kill me?"

Suobuno’s gaze showed no fear, but his voice trembled inexplicably.

"Why not!"

Zhao Junyao chuckled softly.

Suobuno’s sharp and sinister eyes flickered, suddenly showing a sly smile.

"Then do it!"

"Being buried alongside your Great Chu Dynasty’s Emperor is quite an honor!"

"Moreover, the Southern Ocean Kingdom would view me as a hero; my deeds would be passed down through the ages!"

"All things considered, this deal is pretty worthwhile!"

After speaking, he narrowed his eyes, quietly awaiting death’s arrival.

Of course, Zhao Junyao would not kill him.

Enduring humiliation with a clenched jaw, grappling with deep inner conflict, he eventually tossed aside the dagger.

"I’ll spare you today. Someday, I’ll make you taste regret!"

He spat out the words harshly and then turned to leave.

Suobuno also smiled lightly.

"I’ll be waiting for you!"

...

The negotiations finally broke down.

Suobuno harbored resentment and deliberately insulted the Great Chu Dynasty.

That night, he tormented those female dancers thoroughly, finally rewarding them to his subordinates.

The next day at dawn, all the female dancers, dead tragically, and the living were killed, leaving none behind.

Gazing at the blood-stained ground, inhaling the scent of the beauties’ blood.

Suobuno’s anger finally subsided slightly.

He leaned back on the couch in his room, exhaling a long sigh, sneering sarcastically.

"Hmph!"

"Make me taste regret? Sorry, my whole life I’ve never known how to spell regret!"

...

Zhao Junyao’s resentment was even greater in his heart.

Having been Emperor his entire life, never had there been such a difficult moment.

No one had ever dared to threaten him with anything.

Now...

Suddenly facing such a wily and cunning old fox, his patience was almost exhausted.

Yet for Chenchen, he had no choice but to endure; the torment and hardship in his heart were truly...

"Taishang Huang, please calm down, take care of your health," Li Deming advised at his side.

Zhao Junyao sneered.

"How can I calm down? They’re already humiliating us!"

In exasperation, he instructed again.

"Go call all those in the court!"

He might lack the experience those people had in dealing with this matter.

Li Deming did not dare hesitate and quickly complied.

A quarter of an hour later, all the trusted Imperial Court Officials stood before Zhao Junyao.

After the greetings, Zhao Junyao waved his hand.

"You may sit down, no need for formalities!"

Not daring to decline, everyone complied.

That night, Zhao Junyao and the group of Imperial Court Officials discussed until late at night before retiring.

The officials’ opinions were simple and clear, summed up in one word: endure!

"Taishang Huang, since the Emperor’s safety is in the hands of the other side, we cannot act rashly under any circumstances!"

"Yes, Taishang Huang! Even if we seek revenge, we must first ensure the Emperor’s safety!"

"Taishang Huang, didn’t you suspect that the person in Suobuno’s hands might not be the Emperor? We might as well investigate secretly first and prepare two plans!"

"If it is, try to exchange a person for the city, and make further plans for the rest!"

"If not, find a way to rescue the Supreme Emperor first and then capture Suobuno as if catching a turtle in a jar!"

...

These viewpoints made him reflect all night long.

He suddenly realized that he was not as open-minded as those court officials.

After all, he was old; indeed...

His mental and physical abilities were no longer keeping up.

This method wasn’t hard, and the thinking was common too.

In the past, when he was young, he might have come up with it, but now that he is almost sixty, he truly....

For the first time, he felt powerless.

Such a feeling, so terrible, so... unacceptable.

...

From that day on.

Zhao Junyao indeed ceased to take the initiative, only sending people to treat Suobuno well.

If he wanted to stroll in the city, he sent people to accompany him.

If he wanted beauties, he provided!

If he wanted silks, satins, gold, and silver jewels, he provided!

Whatever he wanted, he provided!

Except, he would never mention anything about treaties between the two countries.

As he didn’t mention it, Suobuno didn’t either.

He originally didn’t intend to end it so quickly, as being well-fed and accommodated was quite comfortable now, wasn’t it?

Taking this opportunity to indulge, how could he not justify the enormous energy spent on dealing with the Emperor of Great Chu?

Zhao Junyao also rarely found peace of mind.

Firstly, he knew now that while Chenchen still held some value, he would temporarily be out of danger.

Secondly... the officials were right, two plans, in case that person wasn’t Chenchen, but just a decoy?

Therefore, the urgent task now was to quickly find a way to rescue Chenchen, not just to perfunctorily deal with Suobuno.

Most importantly, being perfunctory was useless.

It seemed Suobuno never really intended to make this deal.

Also...

Was his delay in making a decision due to a guilty conscience?

The situation stalemated like this, neither side willing to retreat an inch.

Guangnan City was also stuck in a deadlock.

Soldiers from the Southern Ocean Kingdom frequently committed arson, robbery, and looting in the streets.

Meanwhile, the Great Chu Dynasty soldiers would immediately step forward to prevent it.

The sides were extremely opposed but never truly engaged in battle.

In the end, the Southern Ocean Kingdom would often leave angrily, while the Great Chu Dynasty would continue to follow, ready to stop their next move.

Both sides were annoyed and timid.

...

Unbeknownst to them, time slipped into the twelfth month; Guangnan, usually hot and humid, began to cool down.

A fierce northern wind blew, with icy particles floating through the air.

Guangnan City became much desolate.

Firstly, the citizens were impoverished, relying solely on the Imperial Court’s aid to survive.

Secondly, the city was unsafe; no one was willing to go out.

The plague virus unknowingly and quietly disappeared, yet the people of the Southern Ocean Kingdom rooted like a tumor, unable to be removed for so long.