Venerable Demon King & The Doting Immortal (QT)-Chapter 151: Peace treaty

AN: This author is mentally exhausted. Only one Chapter today. I will make it up this week.

Xiang Yu entered the city gates on a magnificent white stallion, his presence commanding and regal. Lian and Mei rode beside him, their horses moving in perfect sync, while Xiang Wei and Baihe followed closely behind on a single horse.

Xiang Wei wanted to kick this kid off his horse but he was afraid his big brother would reprimand him. Baihe couldn’t ride a horse. He was so afraid that he clung to Xiang Wei like he would squeeze him to death. He truly missed riding in the carriage.

The envoy behind them was an impressive sight, with carriages and horses bearing the banners of Zhen flying high in the breeze. The city streets were eerily empty, the citizens hiding in their homes with windows tightly shut, fearful of the Zhen army. It was like a ghost city.

As they approached the palace, the number of soldiers increased, their bows drawn and ready. Xiang Yu sneered at the display of force, unfazed by the threat. He rode past them with an air of confidence, his eyes fixed on the grand structure ahead.

Upon reaching the palace, Xiang Yu dismounted gracefully and ascended the stairs to the grand hall. The head eunuch announced their arrival with a booming voice that echoed through the vast space.

The grand hall was filled with ministers standing on either side, their eyes fixed on the imposing figure of Xiang Yu. If they didn’t know any better they might think he was the emperor of the country.

The Emperor of Yige sat on his throne, his expression stern and intimidating. A line of palace guards stood protectively before him, their stances rigid. To the emperor’s right sat the empress, her gaze cold and calculating, flanked by several concubines and their daughters.

As Xiang Yu stepped into the hall, a palpable tension filled the air. The women visibly tensed, their eyes widening at the sight of him.

The concubines and princesses were dazzled by Xiang Yu’s appearance. They wondered who had passed on the lie that the crown prince of Zhen was a hideous monster. The young man was as ethereal as a deity with features as though carved by the heavens.

They covered their mouths with their sleeves, whispering to each other in hushed tones. The emperor glared at the women, and they instantly fell silent, their heads bowed in submission.

Peng Xiu was also present, but she sat at the back, behind the others, her low rank evident. Though she wasn’t in Xiang Yu’s line of sight, he could feel her fierce gaze burning into him.

Xiang Yu wore a smile, but it was one that exuded intimidation rather than warmth. His men brought over a chair and set it a few feet in front of the emperor’s throne.

He sat down with an air of authority, crossing one knee over the other, his posture relaxed yet commanding. The ministers murmured amongst themselves, noting the crown prince of Zhen’s striking handsomeness and intimidating presence.

The Emperor of Yige’s voice cut through the whispers. "It is customary for your servants to bow down to us."

Xiang Yu chuckled softly, the sound carrying a hint of mockery. "My servants only bow to me," he replied, his tone calm and unwavering.

He leaned back in his chair, his eyes locking with the emperor’s. "I didn’t come here to compare who is more powerful. I am here to broker a peace treaty. But if you prefer..." Xiang Yu’s smile turned cold, "we can go to war."

The hall fell silent, the weight of Xiang Yu’s words hanging in the air. The ministers exchanged uneasy glances, and the emperor’s expression darkened.

Xiang Yu’s confidence and boldness left no room for doubt, he was a force to be reckoned with, and he had come prepared for whatever outcome. If he had to kidnap Han Xin and start a blood bath so be it.

The emperor snorted, his disdain evident. "You are but a sprout that has barely grown, yet you threaten to go to war," he said, his voice dripping with condescension. "Shouldn’t we be speaking to your father instead?"

Xiang Yu smiled a confident and unyielding expression. "Seeing me is seeing my father. Now, which path would you choose?" he replied, his tone calm and authoritative.

The emperor tapped the armrest of his throne, his eyes narrowing. Xiang Yu scanned the room but didn’t see Han Xin. He had specifically requested his presence so what was this old man playing at? Where was his man? "This discussion will not commence without General Han’s presence," he declared.

The emperor’s eyes flashed with irritation, but he complied, gesturing to the head eunuch. The eunuch nodded and signalled to another eunuch standing at the side hall. Moments later, Han Xin entered, his commanding presence turning heads.

He kowtowed before the emperor, trying to avoid looking at Xiang Yu. He stood with the right prime minister, his expression impassive, though internally he fought the strong urge to meet Xiang Yu’s gaze.

Xiang Yu wasn’t ashamed at all staring at Han Xin with no restraint. His eyes burned with intensity as he stared at him, a gaze that was hard to miss. It took Mei whispering, "Master, they are waiting," to bring him back to the present.

Xiang Yu cleared his throat. "These are my conditions," he said, his voice steady. "You may take a look. My offer for peace has a time limit."

Xiang Wei walked over and handed a scroll to the head eunuch, who tested it for poison. Seeing this, Lian laughed. "You think our master would poison your emperor here? What a silly old man." freēnovelkiss.com

The head eunuch’s face reddened with anger. "You—" he began, but Xiang Yu, who had been staring at Han Xin, turned his glare on the head eunuch. The old man’s chin trembled, and he shut his mouth, cowed by Xiang Yu’s fierce gaze. The room fell silent, the tension thick in the air. All eyes were on Xiang Yu and the emperor, their country’s fates hanging in the balance.

The emperor scanned the conditions outlined in the document, his cold expression gradually becoming more animated. These terms were exceedingly generous and highly beneficial to Yige.

They included trade agreements, access to valuable minerals, and even exotic fruits found only in Zhen country. While mutually beneficial, the terms clearly favoured Yige more.