The Demon Lords

Chapter 443 52 Qian Emperor_3

Zheng Fan quietly ate the food in his hands.

"Why are you not talking anymore?" the Qian Emperor asked.

"In this world, many people can only worry about what they will eat tomorrow. They cannot think as far ahead as this."

"Ah, I see. So, you mean to say that I am intentionally talking to you about these trivial matters?"

Zheng Fan nodded.

The Qian Emperor's attire was indeed overly relaxed. But at a time like this, such relaxation felt rather deliberate.

Moreover, Zheng Fan had come here intending to provoke the Qian ruler and his ministers. Since he had not managed to see any ministers and could only meet the emperor, he figured he might as well try to anger the emperor first.

However, he still needed to be careful not to get beheaded by the emperor in a fit of rage.

"I am actually like this every day; it was not a special preparation just for you."

"Your Majesty is truly in high spirits."

"What about Ji Runhao? He cannot be as carefree as I am, can he?"

"He is diligent and conscientious." Zheng Fan sighed, glanced around, and said, "Your Majesty, this truly is the life an emperor leads."

"Have you ever wanted such a life?"

Zheng Fan shook his head.

"Truly not?"

"Truly, I do not."

"Why is that?"

"Because there are not many days left."

"HA HA HA HA..." the Qian Emperor roared, his laughter echoing throughout the room. He laughed so hard it seemed tears would stream down his face.

Zheng Fan rose, went to fetch another plate of pastries, returned to his seat, and continued eating.

"Why do you not ask me why I was laughing earlier?"

"Your Majesty was laughing to cover up your own awkwardness. If this foreign subject were to ask, would I not be exposing Your Majesty's vulnerability?"

"Interesting, very interesting. You, this Yan envoy, are truly quite something. Countless foreign envoys come to the imperial capital each year. I have met many, but you are the first one to be this intriguing."

"Actually, this foreign subject did not intend to come either, but there was no alternative. Who would have thought that the fighting would bring us right to the gates of the imperial capital so quickly? There was no time for the proper envoys to make the journey here, so a mere soldier like myself was pressed into service to come and greet Your Majesty."

"That is truly serendipity then."

"Indeed, serendipity."

"Your surname is Zheng, is it not?"

"It is."

"And what official position do you hold in the Yan State?"

"Commander of Green Willow Fortress in Yinlang County."

"Tsk, I have heard of you. The one who attacked Mianzhou City last time, that was you, little fellow, was it not? And that phrase, 'So-and-so was here,' you wrote that too."

"You flatter me, Your Majesty. This foreign subject initially only intended to come and take a look. Who knew the Qian people would be so enthusiastic? Their hospitality was overwhelming, so I decided to go in and 'sit for a while'."

"Prince Fu's head, it was you who took it, was it not?"

"It was."

"I am curious. The head of a Prince Fu, was that not enough for you to get a promotion? How is it that you are still merely a Commander?"

"Prince Fu's head... is not very valuable." As he spoke, Zheng Fan's gaze shifted to the Qian Emperor's head.

Perhaps because he had just emerged from the pool, steam was still rising from the Qian Emperor's head.

Seeing this, the Qian Emperor pointed to his own head and asked,

"Want it?"

Zheng Fan swallowed hard and nodded honestly.

"I am very curious. If you were to take this head of mine, what kind of military merit could you exchange it for in the Yan State?"

Zheng Fan replied without the slightest hesitation,

"Ennoblement as a Marquis."

"Hah! That is truly valuable. I am aware that in your Yan State, the rank of Marquis is the highest peerage attainable by those not of the imperial surname, is it not?"

"Indeed, Your Majesty."

"I am sitting right here. Why do you not come and take it?"

Zheng Fan shook his head and said, "Because this foreign subject does not know if Your Majesty practices martial arts."

"I do not practice martial arts."

"The practice of Qi cultivators is widespread in the Qian State."

"Truthfully, I do not believe in such nebulous matters as astrology and feng shui either."

"Then..."

"Enough of this 'then' and 'that.' Let me tell you plainly: I am utterly useless."

Zheng Fan scanned his surroundings.

"Stop looking. Apart from the woman you saw when you first entered, no one else is hiding nearby. I deliberately dismissed those ministers to meet you alone. That woman is merely a Ninth Rank martial artist. The only reason she is by my side is because I find her attractive."

"This..."

"Well? Why do you not make your move?"

"Even if I were to kill you, Your Majesty, I would not be able to leave this city."

"Heh heh heh... HA HA HA HA..." The Qian Emperor burst into laughter again, slapping the armrest of his chair. "You... you are afraid of death?"

"Of course I am afraid of death."

"I had previously assumed that you Yan people were not afraid of death at all. Are you truly a Yan person?"

"I suppose so."

"So, you will not kill me then?"

"Your Majesty invited this foreign subject for a meal. How could this foreign subject possibly do such a thing?"

Just because you say there are no experts, I should believe there are no experts? Just because you say you are useless, I should believe you are useless? Just because you say that woman outside is merely a Ninth Rank concubine, I should believe she is merely a Ninth Rank concubine?

"Enough. Let us discuss serious matters."

"Here?"

"Yes, right here."

Zheng Fan reached into his robe and pulled out a document. It had already been inspected by the woman earlier when he entered.

The Qian Emperor reached out and took the document. He did not rush to open it but instead held it to his face and sniffed it lightly, saying,

"Could you not even feign a little more effort? Never mind that it is not a state missive, nor personally penned by Ji Runhao—but this ink, it is not even thoroughly dry yet."

Zheng Fan flushed.

"Heh."

The Qian Emperor did not open the document. He tossed it aside and then asked,

"Zheng, my dear subject, what kind of women do you prefer?"

"Ah?"

"I am asking you a question. Speak."

"Your Majesty, were we not supposed to be discussing serious matters?"