Volume 1, Chapter 34: The Envoy

Xingtian Dafeng, Xiahou, and Bai led two thousand Heiyan soldiers, swaggering as they headed towards the Xiangliu family's estate. They had reason to be confident. In the two years when Xingtian Dafeng was continually bested by Xiangliu Rou, the Heiyan soldiers would lower their heads in silence when passing by the Xiangliu estate. But now, after Xiahou's series of victories, the Heiyan soldiers' morale was soaring, and they felt emboldened enough to march up to the Xiangliu estate and demand what was owed.

Just as they set out, a small carriage arrived at the Xingtian family's gate. The young female shaman, who Xiahou had insulted into unconsciousness, stepped down, her face full of anger.

At the Xiangliu estate, the guards saw Xingtian Dafeng leading the Heiyan soldiers but acted as if they didn't see them. They were busy preparing a few four-wheeled carriages, harnessing strange-looking si niu to the carts. Xiangliu Hou, the head of the Xiangliu family, came out leisurely, glanced at the somewhat embarrassed Xingtian Dafeng, and chuckled, "You young ones, take it easy. But don't get too wild within Anyi."

Xiangliu Hou boarded the carriage, and with the guards in tow, they left the entrance, leaving behind an old doorman with a loud, resonant voice who shouted, "Sixth Young Master, you have visitors!" His voice echoed through the entire courtyard.

In no time, Xiangliu Rou, with a smile plastered on his face, hurried out, waving enthusiastically, "Ah, Dafeng, why come in person? It's just a small wager. Why bring so many men? Do you think I'd cheat you out of your winnings? It's just been a busy few days, and things got delayed."

Xingtian Dafeng, looking at the ever-smiling Xiangliu Rou, asked incredulously, "You're still in Anyi? After losing so badly in front of everyone, your ancestors didn't send you back to the clan lands to tend sheep? Well, I suppose being a direct descendant has its perks."

Xiangliu Rou didn't lose his smile. His beady eyes darted to Xiahou before he responded, "What are you talking about? Our feuds are just for fun. There's no need to take it too seriously. Don't worry, the money and goods I owe you are being loaded up right now."

Jumping down from Heiyan, Xingtian Dafeng walked over and gave Xiangliu Rou a few heavy pats on the shoulder, "So, how do you want to play this time? If we stick to the usual, I doubt you can find anyone to match my brother Chihu."

Xiahou, observing the forceful pats that crushed the stone tiles under Xiangliu Rou's feet, felt a bit nervous.

Xiangliu Rou, maintaining his grin, said, "What's the point of our friends fighting? If we fought each other and someone got seriously hurt, it would damage our families' relationship."

From atop Heiyan, Xiahou grumbled, "You've improved. Who's been coaching you?"

Startled, Xiangliu Rou fixed his gaze on Xiahou, thoughts racing. His face still plastered with a smile, he responded, "Who would coach me? I just got a scolding from my elders for my recent loss. Brother Dafeng should understand. I shouldn't have brought up competing at the royal training grounds. This time, I, Xiangliu Rou, almost couldn't recover."

Thanks to Xiahou's hint, Xingtian Dafeng's eyes gleamed as he laughed, "Oh, is that so?"

Pacing around, Xingtian Dafeng asked, "Alright, what do you propose? Do you think I, Xingtian Dafeng, am afraid?"

Xiangliu Rou quickly responded, "Excellent! Xingtian Dafeng truly lives up to his name, undeterred by defeat and not arrogant in victory!"

Xingtian Dafeng's eyebrows twitched in irritation. This guy always had a way of mixing compliments with barbs. Meanwhile, Xiahou remained motionless atop Heiyan, carefully observing Xiangliu Rou's every subtle expression. As Xiahou's mind raced through their encounters since arriving in Anyi, he suddenly barked, "Xiangliu Rou, has your third brother returned?"

Instinctively, Xiangliu Rou responded, "What if he has?" Then his face changed dramatically.

Xingtian Dafeng laughed heartily, though his face was devoid of humor. Slapping Xiangliu Rou's shoulder hard, he growled, "So, Xiangliu Yin has returned to Anyi? After training in the Serpent Marsh for so long, I wonder how much his shamanic power has increased? No wonder your tone today sounds different, more like a gentleman than the old Xiangliu Rou."

Glaring venomously at Xiahou, Xiangliu Rou snapped, "Enough chatter. Do you have the guts to compete or not?"

Xingtian Dafeng shrugged, "Compete in what?"

"Killing!" A peculiar smile spread across Xiangliu Rou's face.

Killing? Compete in killing? Xiahou furrowed his brow. Who would they kill for such a competition? He sensed something was amiss. Trained to detect such things, even if not excellently, Xiahou smelled a conspiracy. He leaped off Heiyan, clashed his fists together, and shouted, "Brother Dafeng, wait. Compete in killing? Who would be the victims? Just now, Xiangliu's family head left, but not towards the palace."

Xiangliu Rou was shocked and glared at Xiahou. "Is he really just a brute?" he thought.

Xingtian Dafeng's brows knitted tightly. He glared at Xiangliu Rou and demanded, "Enough with the dodging. Speak clearly!"

Xiangliu Rou bit his lip but persisted, "Are you willing to compete with me or not?"

Xingtian Dafeng stared coldly at him for a long moment before saying, "Fine, let's do it. Stop beating around the bush and lay out your scheme."

Xiangliu Rou clapped and laughed, "Good, excellent! Since it's decided, let's settle this once and for all. If you win, I, Xiangliu Rou, will bow to you whenever we meet. But if I win, your Xingtian family must either send someone else to challenge me or you, Xingtian Dafeng, will be my lackey."

"What exactly are we betting on? Are you done talking yet? You're babbling like an old woman," Xiahou jabbed, causing Xingtian Dafeng to laugh.

Xiangliu Rou's face turned pale with rage. Gritting his teeth, he growled, "The Atlantean envoy has arrived in Anyi, but their demands are unacceptable. Next spring, we'll surely go to war with them again. Let's see who can kill more Atlanteans and achieve greater military merits. This is your Xingtian family's specialty, right? You won't be afraid of me, will you?"

Xingtian Dafeng didn't respond immediately but instead cut his palm with a fingernail, blood dripping. Xiangliu Rou followed suit, and they shook hands, sealing their oath with blood. If a full-scale war broke out with the Atlanteans, they would both fight on the battlefield.

Xingtian Dafeng trembled with excitement, shouting madly, "You've got guts, Xiangliu Rou! Fighting to the death in Anyi means nothing. Let's settle this on the battlefield! But I command the Heiyan Army, and my brother leads the Xuanbiao Army. What forces do you have?"

Xiangliu Rou sneered, "Naturally, my Xiangliu family's troops. Do you think my men are inferior to the rabble under your command?"

The Heiyan soldiers were furious, and all roared in unison.

Xiangliu Rou deftly sidestepped the combined killing intent of the two thousand Heiyan soldiers and beckoned to his men behind him, "Bring out the money and goods we owe to the Xingtian brothers. Include the carriages as well. Ha, what's money? Does the Xiangliu family lack wealth? I just fear someone might lose their edge on the battlefield and refuse to admit defeat." Over a hundred carriages, loaded with goods, were driven out by Xiangliu family servants, transferring the items to the Heiyan soldiers.

Xiahou smiled, curious as to where Xiangliu Rou would find an elite force to compete with the Heiyan Army. From what he had seen when he first arrived in Anyi, the soldiers following Xiangliu Rou didn't seem particularly impressive.

As the goods were being transferred, dozens of men in black robes ran down the street, clapping loudly to alert pedestrians, "The Atlantean envoy is here! The Atlantean envoy is here! Anyone interested, come see the spectacle!"

With a loud shout, Xingtian Dafeng led Xiahou and a thousand Heiyan soldiers away, leaving the remaining thousand to transport the goods back home. Bai roared and followed but then paused, his eyes flashing with malice. He leapt back before Xiangliu Rou could react, slashing down a saber-toothed tiger guarding the Xiangliu estate and fled, carrying the beast's corpse in his jaws.

Xiangliu Rou, enraged, shouted, "Prepare the mounts! Someone, follow me! The Atlantean envoy? And that damned Bai Pixiu!"

The Heiyan soldiers moved swiftly through the city. Despite the crowded streets, the commanding shouts of Xingtian Dafeng cleared the way. Pedestrians retreated, allowing the thousand Heiyan soldiers to charge through. The pounding of over four thousand hooves on the cobblestone streets sounded like rolling thunder, echoing across half of Anyi.

Xingtian Dafeng's expression was peculiar, "The Atlantean envoy is here? No wonder Xiangliu Hou was heading out of the city. Greeting the envoy falls to him, and it's no surprise the Xiangliu family got wind of it first. But why are the Atlanteans sending an envoy now? The last war ended just over a year ago. We took seven of their vassal states, and they destroyed three of our fortresses. Are they here to declare war?"

Xiahou was excited. Atlanteans? What kind of people were they? There were no records or legends about them. Xiahou, now certain he was in the mythical Xia Dynasty, was eager to learn about these mysterious people who coexisted with the Xia Dynasty and frequently waged war against them.

Outside the west gate of Anyi, hundreds of palace guards had blocked the entrance, redirecting all citizens. About a hundred yards from the gate, Xiangliu Hou sat alone on a luxurious fur mat, nodding off. No other Xia officials were present, creating an oddly eerie atmosphere.

Xiahou nodded to himself. It seemed the Xia Dynasty was deliberately disrespecting the unexpected Atlantean envoy. Perhaps to avoid criticism of rudeness, they had sent Xiangliu Hou, a high-ranking official, to greet the envoy. But his solitary presence made it clear they held the Atlanteans in contempt. With the presence of one of the four major ministers, the Atlanteans couldn't claim they weren't being received properly, yet the minimal effort showed great disdain.

Ignoring the palace guards, the thousand Heiyan soldiers charged out the gate, stopping haphazardly near Xiangliu Hou. The Heiyan beasts, interrupted from their enthusiastic run, stomped the ground in frustration, their hooves sparking against the stones. Bai lounged on the back of Xiahou's Heiyan, gnawing lazily on the leg of the saber-toothed tiger, blood dripping down his face.

Before long, the roars of various beasts filled the air. Curious descendants of the Anyi nobility gathered in groups of three or five, bringing their guards and riding strange mounts to the western gate, creating a bustling scene like a marketplace.

Xiahou was wide-eyed with amazement. Many of the mounts he saw were rare creatures described in the "Shan Hai Jing." Among them, the most striking was the three-headed giant serpent ridden by Xiangliu Rou. The serpent was fearsome, spewing mist and clouds, its eyes gleaming menacingly. In comparison, the Heiyan Army's mounts seemed quite ordinary. When a few ink kirins roared, Xiahou felt his own mount tremble.

Xiangliu Hou sipped from a teacup he had somehow produced, containing a thick green tea. He then turned his head 180 degrees to face the noisy descendants of Anyi, admonishing, "If you're here, keep quiet. Don't let the Atlantean envoys think less of you."

Xingtian Xuanzhi, Xingtian Pan, and Xingtian Aolong arrived with another three thousand soldiers, just in time to hear Xiangliu Hou's command. Under Xingtian Dafeng's direction, four thousand soldiers from the Heiyan and Xuanbiao armies formed two neat phalanxes and moved to the left side of the clearing. The other noble descendants followed suit, organizing their followers into somewhat orderly lines.

This arrangement revealed the power dynamics within Anyi. The families of Heiyan and Xuanbiao were closely aligned with the Fangfeng clan. Other groups formed distinct clusters with no interaction between them. The weakest group consisted of Xiangliu Rou and a few loyal friends, their numbers significantly reduced after Xiangliu Rou's loss at the royal arena.

Xiangliu Hou surveyed the somewhat tidied lines, nodding slightly, "Well, a delegation of Atlantean envoys doesn't require this many people to greet them. But if you want to see something interesting, so be it. It's a shame the Western District barbarians might think this reception is for them."

As he spoke, strange noises and rising dust appeared in the distance. A long convoy of vehicles approached at high speed. The vehicles floated above the ground, drawn by four snow-white, muscular horses running swiftly, nearly matching the speed of the Heiyan mounts. Flanked by two groups of cavalry, one riding velociraptors and the other the white horses, the convoy moved forward.

Using his keen vision, Xiahou saw the Atlantean envoy seated in the front vehicle. He was a golden-haired, blue-eyed man with snow-white skin. The sight made Xiahou's heart race. The envoy's guards were similarly striking, with golden hair, blue eyes, and golden armor, appearing like divine beings. These Atlanteans, heads held high and faces full of arrogance, gazed at the sky, ignoring everything around them.

"Ha!" Xingtian Xuanzhi sneered, "Such an impressive entourage, but they only brought swords, not their peculiar weapons. Are they afraid we might steal their weapons?"

Xiahou tugged on Bai's ear, "Look, fascinating, their vehicles float without wheels. Is it magic or something else?"

Xingtian Pan laughed, "Atlanteans know no magic. They have some method for this. These floating vehicles are nothing; they have massive ships that fly miles high. Too bad they don't dare bring one here, or we'd seize it."

Xiahou's mind buzzed, almost fainting. Could this really be the historical Xia Dynasty? These Atlanteans used advanced technology, not magic. Their floating vehicles suggested magnetic levitation or anti-gravity engines, with the horses perhaps mere decoration.

The envoy's convoy stopped about ten yards from Xiangliu Hou.

The Atlantean envoy wore golden plate armor adorned with hundreds of floral patterns. His lower half was covered by a knee-length battle skirt, revealing his bare legs. A blood-red cloak was neatly fastened around his neck, his left hand holding a corner of it, looking imposing.

From ten yards away, the Atlantean envoy and Xiangliu Hou locked eyes. Neither made a move to approach. The atmosphere grew tense, as a killing intent spread among the Atlantean white horse riders and the velociraptor-mounted Daxia soldiers.

The tension in the air caused the Heiyan mounts, along with the nearby Xuanbiao beasts and their sharp fangs, to growl softly and shift restlessly. Xiahou carefully controlled his mount, preventing it from charging forward. He couldn't be sure if one Heiyan beast's sudden movement might provoke the velociraptors to lash out at the Atlantean riders.

If the Atlantean envoy were to be slaughtered at the gates of Anyi, it would surely be a scandalous event.

Unexpectedly, Bai was the one to break the tense atmosphere. Driven by a primal instinct and a natural disdain for the haughty, golden-haired, blue-eyed envoy, Bai tore off another bite of the saber-toothed tiger's neck, then, with a roar, hurled the tiger's carcass at the envoy.

Bai's strength was immense, his throw sending the hundreds-of-pounds tiger carcass flying dozens of yards with ease. The Atlantean envoy, not just a pretty face, reached for his sword to slice the disgusting, blood-soaked carcass in half. However, his crimson cloak got in the way, yanking at his neck as he tried to draw his blade. With a grunt, the envoy failed to unsheath his sword in time and the tiger carcass slammed into him, splattering a few spots of blood onto his cloak.

The envoy, infuriated, roared, "You barbarians! Is this how you treat a noble envoy from a powerful and advanced nation?"

Xiangliu Hou coughed and raised his right hand, "Are you insulting the Grand Xia?"

The envoy, seething, leapt from his carriage and stormed toward Xiangliu Hou. "And what if I am? You're all just backward savages!"

Xiangliu Rou patted his three-headed serpent, which then lunged forward and landed before Xiangliu Hou. Xiangliu Rou shouted, "Step back or die!"

The serpent hissed, its tongue nearly licking the envoy's face. He froze, then stumbled back a few steps, shouting, "This is an outrage! You savages have no respect!"

A series of shouts followed as over a hundred cloaked Atlanteans leaped from their carriages, drawing long swords and brandishing golden shields. Their cavalry urged their white horses forward, closing ranks. Meanwhile, the accompanying velociraptor soldiers sneered, and at their commander's order, two thousand velociraptors surrounded the Atlantean cavalry. Ten mages soared into the air, projecting an overwhelming pressure that paralyzed the white horses.

Xiangliu Hou calmly finished his tea, stood, and bowed, "Your nation and the Grand Xia have warred for thousands of years, with much bloodshed. A century ago, our envoy to your capital had his ear cut off and sent back to us. I wonder, what part of your body shall we cut off this time?"

Xiahou chuckled, thinking how unusual it was to threaten an envoy with bodily harm at the city gates. Xiangliu Hou was indeed an interesting character. The Grand Xia people seemed refreshingly straightforward, a quality Xiahou appreciated.

The Atlantean envoy's face darkened. He glanced quickly at his carriage and growled, "Are you intentionally insulting us?"

Xiangliu Hou sneered, "You insulted the people of the Grand Xia first. Uncivilized? Savages? In our wars, who has won more?"

The envoy glared and shouted, "I'm here to see your king. Who are you to speak to me?"

Xiangliu Hou laughed dryly, "And who exactly are you?"

The envoy proudly declared, "I am a noble of the Twelve Golden Families, from the Talanrosku family, commander of the empire's eastern legion."

Xiangliu Hou paused, then laughed dryly, "Golden? In the Grand Xia, gold isn't that valuable."

The nobles of Anyi burst into laughter, some even dramatically pulling out gold pieces and tossing them on the ground to be trampled by their mounts. Such behavior was a grave insult to an envoy.

Xiahou shook his head as the Atlantean envoy roared, "Is this your way of provoking war?"

Xingtian Dafeng stood by Xiahou's side and said coldly, "We've always been at war. Go ahead, get angry and start a fight now. With our numbers, if I kill a Golden Noble, it'll be a bigger win than Xiangliu Rou could manage." As he spoke, Xingtian Dafeng led a large group of soldiers forward, each with a hand on their sword, ready to strike at any moment.

Realizing the situation, Xiangliu Rou glanced back at Xingtian Dafeng, his mouth twitching as if cursing silently. He suddenly slapped his three-headed serpent, which hissed, spewing venom and stepping closer to the Atlantean envoy.

Xiangliu Hou, seeing this, looked bewildered. He turned back to glare at Xingtian Dafeng and Xingtian Xuanzhi, then a strange smile spread across his face. "If you insist on war, the Grand Xia warriors are always ready to bring death to your people." He stepped slightly to the side, blocking Xingtian Dafeng and Xingtian Xuanzhi's mounts, much to Xingtian Dafeng's annoyance.

Xiahou found the situation amusing. In his previous life, diplomatic visits between nations were always conducted with utmost courtesy, even between bitter enemies. But here in the Grand Xia and with the Atlanteans, it seemed like a showdown was inevitable right at the city gates.

Drawing his powerful Sun-Shooting Bow and pulling out three specially made black iron arrows, Xiahou couldn't help but smile. If this was the game of the era, he was eager to play. A Golden Noble? That seemed like a perfect target. He wondered how powerful the Sun-Shooting Bow really was and what tricks the Atlantean envoys had to save themselves.

As he lightly plucked the bowstring, it vibrated with a faint dragon's roar filled with murderous intent, causing the bow to tremble. Xiahou stopped, startled, and noticed Xiangliu Hou turning back to look at his bow with a deep understanding. Xiangliu Hou's eyes gleamed with realization as he glanced at Xiahou's long arms.

Xiahou was puzzled. Could Xiangliu Hou have figured something out? How could he know?

Sensing the escalating tension, the Atlantean envoy reluctantly softened his stance. "Honored gentlemen of the Grand Xia, I apologize for any offense my words may have caused. Both our civilizations are great and advanced. I'm here on an important mission and must see your king. Can you allow me to proceed?"

Realizing he might have appeared too weak, the envoy quickly added, "As a proud member of the Golden Nobility and an Imperial Legion Commander, I don't fear war. If you want war, I will give you war, but only after my mission is complete."

Xiangliu Hou elegantly shook his sleeves and smiled warmly, "You speak wisely, envoy. As a guest, you deserve our hospitality. Fighting is for hot-headed youths. Please, follow me. The king awaits you in the palace." He still hadn't revealed his exact status to the envoy.

The Atlantean envoy adjusted his cloak, raised his head proudly, placed a hand on his sword hilt, and marched with a confident stride alongside Xiangliu Hou towards the city gate.

Xiangliu Hou subtly signaled Xingtian Dafeng to disperse his troops. The nobles of Anyi casually dispersed, making crude remarks about the Atlanteans and riding their strange mounts away.

Seeing their foes retreat, the Atlantean riders relaxed and regained their arrogance. They followed their envoy, riding their massive white horses and guiding their floating carriages towards Anyi's gates.

Xingtian Dafeng's troops cleared the way. Xiangliu Hou asked the Atlantean envoy, "What urgent matter brings you here? Our two nations have been at war for so long, there seems little left to discuss."

The Atlantean envoy spoke loudly and clearly in his formal tone, "Our nation's temple maiden was ambushed by your troops while visiting our expeditionary forces in the eastern territories. Five thousand knights who accompanied her were disgracefully slain by your overwhelming forces. The temple maiden and her attendants were captured. By the decree of the twelve sacred high priests of our oceanic temple, I have come to your capital to demand the release of our temple maiden. We are willing to offer a certain price for her return."

Xiangliu Hou and Xingtian Dafeng's faces turned peculiarly serious. Xiangliu Hou halted and, after a moment of hesitation, asked, "The identity of your temple maiden, what might it be?"

The envoy responded gravely, "The temple maiden is the earthly representative of our revered sea god, unparalleled in her sanctity and purity. She symbolizes our religion. Only the purest virgins from the Golden Nobility, after being blessed by the gods, can become temple maidens. Capturing our temple maiden deals us a severe blow politically and militarily; it is your victory."

Xiangliu Hou, silent and pensive, led the envoy's party into the city.

Xiangliu Rou and Xingtian Dafeng exchanged glances and spoke in unison, "This is bad."

Xiahou, puzzled, asked, "Why is it bad? Isn't she just a woman? If we can trade her for large swaths of land, it's a fair deal." He thought that extortion between nations was a logical course of action, given that the Atlanteans' temple maiden had been captured.

Xiangliu Rou grimaced and said, "Three months ago, the Western Army sent a thousand captured beauties from Atlantean territories. Most were distributed as rewards to high-ranking officials. A few extraordinarily beautiful ones were taken into the king's harem."

Xingtian Dafeng dryly added, "Heiming Sen said the king revels in nightly pleasures, handling a hundred women effortlessly. That Atlantean temple maiden might already be carrying his child."

Xingtian Xuanzhi, fiddling with a dagger he had produced from nowhere, sighed, "It looks like we're in for a brutal war. If the temple maiden has been taken to the king's bed, well, it's said that Atlantean temple maidens and priestesses must remain virgins."

Xiahou patted Bai's head, feeling a profound sense of absurdity. Simultaneously, his respect for the current Grand Xia king grew immensely. Temples, priestesses, and temple maidens — from Xiahou's previous life experiences, if the Grand Xia king had indeed defiled the temple maiden, the Atlanteans would likely launch a relentless assault to restore their honor. The stage was set for a dramatic conflict.

According to Xiangliu Rou, the Grand Xia rulers would outright refuse all demands from the Atlantean envoy. Now, they wouldn't even need to refuse. Just mentioning that the temple maiden had been taken to the king's bed would ignite the war instantly.

Gently caressing his Sun-Shooting Bow, Xiahou muttered, "Strength, I need to increase my strength quickly. Otherwise, I might not even know how I died on the battlefield."

Sensing his determination, the Sun-Shooting Bow emitted a long, resonant hum.