War declaration (1)

"So the Dong family has decided to ally with the shadow guild," Tai Jian casually said." Does it matter? Join us and I can assure you that the throne of Qin state will be yours and your parents will be safe," the dark phoenix emissary said. Tai Jian's eyes turned cold when he heard this." Have you ever been told that what I hate the most is being threatened?" Tai Jian coldly asked." I can threaten you because you are weak. If you were strong enough you would've been able to stand on equal footing with us so I would not dare to threaten you. You are a sentimental man which makes you weak. If you had no sentiments then you would've been a threat to us in a few years but unfortunately you are too weak," the dark phoenix emissary said." Indeed. He is right. Tai Jian, you might have been a war god but how many such figures do you think are in the shadow guild? You are just a speck of dust. To the shadow guild you are just a chess piece; a pawn. The lowest level of chess pieces. You can be sacrificed at will. The shadow guild sees your potential so it can help you. If you join the shadow guild ,you will become an emperor who enjoys both fame and wealth. The guild will never mistreat you," the empress said trying to convince Tai Jian." What is your condition?" Tai Jian asked pretending to be interested. Tie Hongchen did not say a word the whole time rather she keenly listened to the conversation." Marry her and become her shadow," the dark phoenix emissary said." Hahaha!" Unexpectedly Tai Jian broke out in cold laughter as if he had just heard the funniest joke in his life." You want me to become a puppet? Hmmph. The heaven battling state is already under your command and it seems the Nan family is also an ally of the shadow guild so the emperor is already a shadow yet you still want the Qin state. Your appetite is really big. Be careful or you might end up bursting," Tai Jian said. "Should I take that as a refusal from your part?" The dark phoenix emissary asked." Cousin Jian, what does she have that I don't have? What can she give you that I cannot? I am willing to even give you the Qin state of you want so why do you still refuse me? Why can't you marry me?" Dong Ning who had been silent all along finally decided to speak out with tears in her eyes. Even she was questioning herself if she was not beautiful enough. Tai Jian had rejected all of her advancements yet he accepted a foreigner without a second chance and was willing to even go against empress Dowager for her sake. How can she not be angry? She glared at Tie Hongchen with hatred in her eyes." You are nothing compared to her," Tai Jian simply replied." I refuse to believe so. She is just a cripple who cannot even protect herself how can she compare to me? I am a seasoned fighter and would've been the war god if we were born in different eras so how can she compare to me?" Dong Ning asked. Tai Jian just snorted coldly at this and did not answer her." Dark shadow emissary, I will spare your life bur punishment is necessary or else you might think that my edge is no longer as sharp as before. Go and tell your master to wash his neck clean. I will be coming for his head soon ," Tai Jian said as a terrifying aura burst out from his body. The dark phoenix emissary was shocked as he had only felt such an aura from his master. Once Tai Jian released his aura it was like a beast awakening. His aura was overwhelming. With this he was officially declaring war with the shadow organisation. His sword has now been sharpened enough and he was now ready to face this hidden organisation." So that person was indeed you!" The dark phoenix emissary said with a shocked expression. He tried to defend against Tai Jian's attack buy he ultimately failed and ended up being crippled by Tai Jian. Tai Jian had indeed spared his life but he crippled him which was worse than killing him. The dark phoenix emissary had many enemies and the infighting in the shadow guild was pretty intense with many people eyeing his position. With his martial arts crippled the dark phoenix emissary was definitely sentenced to death by Tai Jian. Tie Hongchen did nothing and just calmly watched the show before her. She wanted to see what Tai Jian would do to empress Dowager and Dong Ning. After injuring the emissary Tai Jian turned to both empress Sowager and Dong Ning. Tai Jian sighed when he saw them. He didn't know what to do with them. Tai Jian was not heartless enough and this was indeed his weakness. He was cruel to outsiders but when it came to his family he always had a soft spot for them. Tie Hongchen saw this and also sighed. She knew that Tai Jian was struggling inwardly and did not know what choice he should make. After a while Tai Jian opened his closed eyes and stared at the duo. He calmly walked out of the mansion with Tie Hongchen before he cast a spell around the mansion. With the spell both Dong Ning and empress Dowager could not leave the palace. Anyone could enter the palace and even leave but empress Dowager and Dong Ning could not enter nor leave the palace. After he did this he went back to his mansion together with the princess. The first thing Tai Jian did after returning to his palace was to look for his armour. He gave out orders for his soldiers to prepare for war. In his secret room, Tai Jian and Tie Hongchen were seated on a throne. Tai Jian was sharpening his sword while Tie Hongchen was drinking wine. The atmosphere was so relaxed that one could think that they were just enjoying themselves. It was only the calm before the storm. Tai Jian had finally set himself before the eye of the storm yet he was not nervous. He exuded an aura of confidence as if he was sure that he would win in this war. Fighting against a behemoth that had existed for many years like the shadow guild was akin to fighting a losing battle but to Tai Jian it was not a losing battle rather to him it was like he was just doing house cleaning while wiping out the stains in the house." Why don't you join me in drinking? Will you sharpen your sword for the whole day?: Tie Hongchen asked. Tai Jian stopped sharpening his sword and turned to stare at her with a smile. Tie Hongchen did not shy away rather she also stared back at him." You really have beautiful eyes," Tai Jian said with a smile." Are you trying to flirt with me?" Tie Hongchen asked as she wrapped her hands round Tai Jian's neck. At such a close distance Tai Jian could feel her breathe." You are playing with fire. Be careful or you might get burnt," Tai Jian warned as he lifted up her chin and stared straight at her eyes as if wanting to peer into her heart." So what? Don't tell me you are scared," Tie Hongchen provoked. Tai Jian simply smiled and removed her hands from his neck." I am not interested in your body. I am only interested in this," Tai Jian said as he pointed at her heart." You very well know that if we do it then our prowess will increase and you will have a higher chance of winning?" Tie Hongchen asked. Tai Jian nodded when he heard this. He knew that this was the case but he didn't want to use her.