Minglong

Chapter 412: The Hongmen Banquet
Hoof-tapping hoof-tapping...

As night fell, several cavalrymen escorted the wagons toward the hunting grounds outside the city.

Xie Jinhuan, dressed as a guard in a round-brimmed hat, followed behind the group, scanning the vast wilderness dotted with lights. Meiqiu, on the other hand, was also scouting the land high above, searching for any potential adversaries.

Huo Yi, with his round face and thick beard, sat inside the carriage. Unsure of how many powerful figures he had brought as bodyguards, he harbored a sense of apprehension about 'entering Chengdu alone.' Every time he saw a figure appear on the plains, his anus would tighten...

Xie Jinhuan was far from carefree. Something was bound to happen on this trip. At the very least, Huo Yi's attempt to assassinate the king would be exposed, and Chao Chitai would take the opportunity to get rid of this traitor. There were definitely ambushes in the hunting grounds.

The key point is that the evil Taoist has a plan to eliminate him. Not only are there experts hiding in the shadows, but Yang Huaxian and others are also likely lurking in the dark. If something happens, the scale of the operation will definitely be significant.

Xie Jinhuan was therefore on high alert, paying close attention to any unusual activity.

Not far behind, Empress Dowager Guo, disguised as a female guard, walked with Bing Tuozi, Sister Bu, and Ling'er. Ye Yunchi's legs were not very agile, but fortunately, the 'Phantom Smart Driving' was quite reliable and accompanied them.

However, after the incident of serving tea at noon, Ye Yunchi seemed to distrust Zhijia. She was on tenterhooks the whole way, fearing that being the fifth concubine was not enough and that she would have to go and serve tea to her two mothers-in-law and Xiao Biao as well.

While Nangong Ye appeared aloof, he was actually observing Empress Dowager Guo. After pondering for a long time, he quickened his pace and rode up to Xie Jinhuan, his eyes darkening slightly.
(ー`ー)！

Although there were no words, Xie Jinhuan clearly understood the meaning:
You've let Ancestor Jinhuan bully you at will, and you're not going to do anything about it?
It's been several days, and there's still no sign of anything happening...

Xie Jinhuan remembered Bing Tuozi's little thoughts, but he had been traveling these past few days and hadn't had a chance to go for a romantic stroll with Sister Guo. He could only helplessly shrug and signal to A Tuozi to calm down.

Nangong Ye frowned, sensing that the young man meant 'more money', so he didn't say anything more and distanced himself again.

Jiang Xian, the first Baturu of the Changhe tribe, was sitting outside the carriage as a bodyguard with her hair in a braid. Perhaps she was a little bored during the journey, so she took out a booklet from her bosom and secretly flipped through it.

Jiang Xian wasn't the type to slack off; in this situation, she shouldn't neglect her duties. But these past two days, a new entry has appeared in Xian'er's diary:
You're not allowed to watch the cat catching mice, you're not a little girl anymore...

Isn't this just bullying people?
Jiang Xian thought to herself that she looked like a cute sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl. It was understandable that she was forbidden from being held in someone's arms, but if she was not allowed to read leisure books, what fun would there be in living?
For this reason, she specifically asked for the booklet and even proactively left a note in the diary:
I'll read it! If the booklet is gone, I'm going to sleep with Young Master Xie right away...

The result was obvious: faced with its own rebellious nature, the invisible hand backed down, only changing its approach to:

You are not allowed to lean against Xie Jinhuan's chest to watch...

……

Gulu gulu...

The carriage continued on its way, and after about half an hour, it arrived at the large hunting grounds outside the capital.

Hunting grounds are usually open in the fall, while spring is the season for animals to give birth. Hunting activities seriously affect animal reproduction and are normally not allowed.

However, during the years that Asakadai ruled, he turned the hunting grounds into a private park with entertainment facilities, and often entertained the royal capital's dignitaries there.

As we approached the central area, the afterglow of the lights came into view.

Xie Jinhuan looked out and saw a giant golden tent on the grassland, no less than ten meters high. There were many small tents around it, where cattle and sheep were being slaughtered and roasted. Nearly a thousand soldiers were stationed around it, and many carriages and horses were already parked inside.

Meanwhile, the Imperial Preceptor, Dugu Yue, stood outside the golden tent with his hands tucked into his sleeves, waiting. The sounds of string and wind instruments could be heard from inside.
"Dangdang~"

"Duwuwu..."

……

Lord Huo Yi, who had only brought about a hundred men, broke out in a cold sweat upon seeing the thousand-strong cavalry. He lifted the curtain and inquired:

"Miss Jiang, are you sure you can return safely from this trip?"

Jiang Xian put away the booklet and said confidently:

"Don't worry, we are confident that we can invite Master Huo Yi to the banquet."

"That's good……"

Huo Yi tidied his round face and beard, then put on a smile. After the convoy entered the camp, he got out of the car first and led the way:
"Why is the Imperial Preceptor personally coming out to receive us? How can I possibly accept such an honor..."

"Chief Huo has come from afar, and our king has not come out to greet him. We hope Chief Huo will not hold any grudges..."

"Alas, the Imperial Advisor flatters me too much..."

……

After exchanging pleasantries, the two entered the golden tent, followed closely by Xie Jinhuan and his bodyguards. Inside the magnificent golden tent, several people were already seated.

Asakadai sat on the throne at the head of the table. Although he was broad-shouldered, thick-waisted, and robust, his expression was very amiable.

On the right is a civil official with a Central Plains appearance. His name is unclear, but judging from his official robes, he seems to be a Zhou envoy stationed at the royal court.

On the left is an old swordsman dressed in a scholar's robe. His appearance is old and not particularly special, but the sword "Qin Shuang" placed on the table is the first of the three swords of the Xuanhuang Sword Tomb. Everyone in the Jianghu, both north and south knows it. And its current owner is Liu Danggui, the leader of the Jianghu Alliance in the north.

Xie Jinhuan frowned slightly when he saw Liu Dangui.

After all, Liu Danggui is the leader of the Jianghu Alliance, corresponding to Wei Wuyi. It's hard to say whether he has reached the sixth realm, but he is definitely at the peak of the fifth realm.

The Northern Zhou envoy, who was also present, could represent the Great Zhou court and grant Liu Dangui the legitimacy to use force. He said that Chao Chitai was a heretical sect and told the two to mind their own business, but they certainly wouldn't believe him unless Empress Dowager Guo appeared and told them to go away.

But with Sister Guo stepping in, and the Empress Dowager of a nation following him everywhere, even a fool would know she's a Valkyrie...

Xie Jinhuan hesitated for a moment, then walked to Guo Jie's side and asked in a low voice:
How should the angelica root be processed?

Empress Dowager Guo responded decisively:
"Liu Danggui values ​​his life and this trip is probably just to earn some money. He would never risk his life for someone else. He would know when to back down if there is any risk."

Xie Jinhuan didn't think it was a big problem, so he didn't say anything more. After Huo Yi took his seat, he stood behind him, waiting for the signal to smash the cup...

……

Meanwhile, outside the golden tent.

stomping on...

Royal soldiers with curved swords at their waists patrolled outside the brightly lit camp.

The plains covered by moonlight appeared to be only inhabited by grazing cattle and sheep, but as Huo Yi and his group entered, a barely noticeable bulge appeared on the grass.

rustle~
Then, the ethereal and otherworldly Lü Yan emerged from the ground, carefully examining the interior of the golden tent with a thoughtful look in his eyes.

Lu Yan is a fire magic specialist and not good at other magic types. However, after becoming the sect leader, he obtained the Divination Sect's heirloom, the "Five Elements Seal". This item is the highest-grade version of Xie Jinhuan's Little Yellow Scale Seal, with the exclusive attribute "Understanding".

This means that any spell or incantation that does not transcend the Five Elements and Three Realms can be controlled.

Although its individual power is not as exaggerated as the Fire Edict Token or the Zhenglun Sword, its versatility is unmatched by any other immortal artifact. In the hands of cultivators like Shang Laomo and Xie Jinhuan, who are proficient in all five religions, it is equivalent to having five artifacts in one.

Therefore, Lü Yan didn't dare let Xie Jinhuan see that he had this thing today...

However, Lu Yan's use of a magical artifact to burrow underground and sneak over at this moment clearly indicates that he was not there to deliver the artifact.

After meeting with Xie Jinhuan at noon, Lü Yan saw that Xie Jinhuan had returned to the Changhe tribe, and then learned that Chao Chitai was hosting a banquet for the Changhe lord.

Recalling Xie Jinhuan's words about "destroying the Chaochitai", he naturally guessed that the brat was up to something again.

As an elder of the mountain peak, and knowing each other well, he naturally had to secretly protect this young man to prevent the righteous path's rising star from dying prematurely.

Of course, the main reason was still the huge debt. When Xie Xiao'er ran into trouble, he had a chance to settle the debts...

Since it wasn't advisable to get too close and not see what was happening inside the golden tent, Lü Yan considered the matter briefly and even performed a divination for the boy to see what his fate was like.

As a result, the heavens immediately bestowed nine Holy Grails upon this child, hahahahahaha...

? ?
Lu Yan frowned, thinking that this trip had probably been in vain.

With this kind of divination, even if Xie Jinhuan had a brain fart and wanted to commit suicide, he might not be able to succeed. What else could possibly happen?

But since he was already there, Lü Yan still held onto a sliver of hope, worried that his skills were too shallow to make an accurate prediction, so he secretly began to observe...

……

"Clang clang~ clang..."

Inside the golden tent, singing and dancing filled the air, with dancers and musicians performing music, while the nobles of the grasslands toasted each other in a joyful atmosphere.

Huo Yi sat down at the table, seemingly all smiles, but inwardly he was filled with anxiety. He worried that before he could find an opportunity to get rid of Chao Chitai, Chao Chitai would smash his cup as a signal, ordering Liu Danggui and the other elders to chop them up and drag them out to feed the dogs.

After a few cups of fine wine, Chao Chitai made no attempt to hide his feelings and turned his gaze to Huo Yi:
"I heard from my men that Chief Huo is dissatisfied with the New Year's tax policy and has recently recruited many warriors, intending to stage a coup and force me to retract my order?"

Chao Chitai's voice was loud and clear, full of energy. Although his words were tinged with a smile, the music stopped as soon as he said this. The nobles of the capital were also taken aback and sat up straighter.

Seeing that the other party had launched a direct attack, Huo Yi's eyelids twitched, her smile slowly faded, and after thinking for a moment, she responded:

“The tax policy is indeed too harsh. It’s only the beginning of spring, and the cattle and sheep are giving birth. The herders simply cannot afford the heavy taxes. If the royal court insists on collecting them, there will surely be unrest. I recruited warriors today mainly to guard against a herder uprising. But if Your Majesty does not consider the people’s sentiments and insists on your own way, then as the chief of the Long River tribe, I can only consider the thousands of herders below and refuse to pay this year’s taxes.”

Chao Chitai's trip had a clear purpose, and he didn't say many pleasantries, responding directly:
"Taxation is to ensure peace on the grasslands. Let me make this clear: this year's tax amount cannot be reduced by even a single sheep. Furthermore, the Changhe tribe has been recruiting soldiers without authorization, intending to incite unrest. Considering this is their first offense, as long as they hand over the recruited men and kowtow to beg for forgiveness, I can spare them this time."

That's just stirring up trouble.

Besides Jiang Xian and other outside helpers, Huo Yi brought many tribal warriors with him on this trip who couldn't stand the tyranny and followed him to speak out against injustice. Putting aside the fact that handing over people to save his life would break the trust of the tribe, the tribes would not accept the tax alone if it was paid in full. Naturally, he, as the lord, would have no face to go back.

Seeing how domineering Chao Chitai was, Huo Yi clenched his fist and glanced at Jiang Xiaobiao not far away, wanting to ask if the old ancestor behind him had come and if he was confident in taking action.

Jiang Xian, who was bored out of her mind and had long been eager for a fight, slammed her hand on the table upon seeing this:
"You audacious sheep demon, how dare you spout such nonsense! Do you think we haven't seen through your true nature? If you have the guts, come out and fight me! If I don't twist your head off and turn it into a boiled sheep's head, I'm not a Jiang!"

"?"

The golden tent fell silent again.

(End of this chapter)