Chapter 399 - Negotiation
Gu Yue Kingdom
Nanglong Soujin walked to the living room while holding a book. These past few days he was idle, so he spent most of his time to read numerous book his kingdom didn't have. Many of them prove to be interesting, so he borrowed them and read them in different places.
"Don't forget to return the book later," Tang Xuan's eyes landed on the book in Soujin's hand.
Nanglong Soujin nodded. "Where's Lin Hong?"
"He was changing his clothes because Prince Sao will be coming here," he paused for a moment and scrutinized Soujin's appearance. Although Soujin didn't wear formal clothes, it still could be considered to be rather formal and good.
Nanglong Soujin nodded his head. He took a seat nonchalantly and continued reading his book. In any case, he didn't feel any need to make himself stay formal.
"Your Highness," Lin Hong was stunned to see Nanglong Soujin was already there, "Sorry that I'm late."
"There's no need to worry," Xiao Meng walked in with a smile, "My brother, Prince Sao hadn't arrived yet, so please wait here first."
Lin Hong nodded and sat down near Nanglong Soujin while Xiao Meng and Tang Xuan sat down on the different side. Neither one of them tried to engage in conversation, making the atmosphere in the room suffocating. However, none of them bother with it as time passed. The only sound they could hear was the occasional page turn from Nanglong Soujin.
"Prince Sao has arrived," Steward Du announced in a rather loud voice.
Nanglong Soujin placed the book on the table and stared at the man who walked in. Compared with the childish appearance of Prince Liao, Prince Sao looked much more regal and calm. Their appearance was not truly similar, but there were still some similar features that would make people knew they were brother straightaway.
Xiao Meng smiled at her brother appearance, "Brother Sao, this is Prince Soujin from the Long Kingdom and official Lin Hong from Long Kingdom."
Xiao Sao nodded his head. "I have long heard about your amazing prowess, Prince Soujin. It was a pleasure to be able to meet with you."
"The pleasure is all mine," Nanglong Soujin answered, "Shall we go straight to the point?"
"Sure," Xiao Sao sat down in front of them with ease. "I'm sure you have discussed the term with my little sister previously. Do you think there was any need to change it?"
"No, everything is acceptable," Nanglong Soujin had seen the term and based on Yan explanation, the trade would benefit both of them. He did try to find any suspicious remark, but only one thing finally caught his interest.
"If it's like that, should we proceed with signing the agreement?" Xiao Sao smiled gently.
Lin Hong felt that he was out of the place for a moment. His instinct told him that this prince was not up for good. He couldn't pinpoint the reason he felt that way, but the smile this prince showed to him made him felt even more uncomfortable.
"Before that, I have a question," Nanglong Soujin replied, "The battle of succession has not over yet. If we were to sign with you and you end up failing to become the emperor, would the trade turned invalid?"
Xiao Sao ponder for a moment before nodding his head, "That's true, Prince Soujin. However, let me assure you that I won't lose against my brother in the battle for succession."
"You seem to be very confident."
"I do."
Nanglong Soujin stared at the other party eyes, "Unfortunately, you have to back up your words as Prince Liao said the same thing as you."
Nanglong Soujin's sentence caused the temperature inside the room dropped for dozens of degree. Lin Hong could feel the intense murdering intent in the air, which made him shudder, but he tried to stay calm. Xiao Meng already shivered in fear while Tang Xuan was prepared to battle with his hand ready on the handle of the sword.
"Did you sign any agreement with him?" every word was spat with power, confirming the fact that Xiao Sao was not calm.
"I don't. A good merchant would always make the right choice and pick the one more beneficial," Soujin answered leisurely.
"You sure are crafty, Prince Soujin," Xiao Sao said coldly.
"Thank you for your compliment."
"Unfortunately, you don't have the right to choose," at that word, Nanglong Soujin's eyes narrowed and the room temperature decrease for another dozens degree. Both Lin Hong and Xiao Meng genuinely hoped that these two could just settle everything calmly as their killing intent would just aggravate the situation.
"What do you mean, Prince Sao?"
Xiao Sao waved his hand and a man walked in with an arrow and a rather long rope. In a glance, it seemed like an ordinary arrow, but Soujin could clearly see something different from that arrow. The rope was tied at the end of the arrow tightly.
"Do you recognize this arrow? It belongs to your wife."
Lin Hong almost gasped in shock. Nanglong Soujin's wife is Jun Hua and going by the other party words, could it be Jun Hua was here? The water current has grown even more dangerous, there shouldn't be any other way for the girl to come here at this rate.
Tang Xuan eyes narrowed. If that arrow and rope truly belonged to the girl, it would mean she was truly a reckless person. Crossing the river using such an outrageous way, if she could do that, it would mean a miracle. On the second thought, it was not completely impossible since her martial art did focus more on speed.
Nanglong Soujin's killing intent intensifies, "Did you do something to my wife?"
"I didn't have to do anything. She is the one who sends herself to her doom just because she wanted to come here and meet with you."
"Why…" Lin Hong unconsciously opened his mouth, "Why would she come here when Prince Soujin already promised her that he would return for her?"
Based on what he knew about Jun Hua, the girl was not someone who made reckless decision easily. She would carefully think about the pro and cons at what she did before finally chose to do that or not. If not for that meticulous scheme, he would have never experienced so much agony under her.
"She is truly a talented martial artist," Xiao Sao felt his heart was rather broken when he heard his group terrible failure, "But I send her a message through them that makes her follow after you."
Nanglong Soujin eyes were glued to the arrow, "She is alive, isn't she?"
"For now," Xiao Sao admitted to it. If Jun Hua was dead, he would surely bring her body and not only the rope. However, the little girl covered her track rather well.
Nanglong Soujin stayed still in his place as he looked towards the rope. None of them dared to move as they were waiting for these two to break the silence.