Chapter 1077: Chapter 1071: National Treasure
“Ten years is enough to make the originally rented city truly become the city of the Tianfeng Kingdom! Only then will you have truly taken root in this land!” Bai Qingyan’s words were merciless, exposing Sal Khan’s ambitions, “Only then can the Tianfeng Kingdom use these cities as a base to employ the Elephant Army in sieges and territorial expansion.”
“The Emperor of Zhou worries too much!” Sal Khan denied with a smile, “If that were truly the case, couldn’t we just take Xiliang and use it as a base to employ the Elephant Army in sieges and territorial expansion as well?”
Bai Qingyan stopped at the front of the carriage, turned her head to gaze at Sal Khan, a smile curling her lips, the Monarch of Tianfeng doesn’t wish to break this thin glass of a window, hoping to leave some leeway between the two nations…
The Elephant Army is indeed a threat to Zhou, but… having met this Monarch of Tianfeng today, she is very clear in her heart that with the Monarch of Tianfeng’s ambition, and the current situation of the Tianfeng Kingdom, this battle is unavoidable.
For the Tianfeng Kingdom, it has already entered winter, elephants fear the cold… not an auspicious time for war, but for Zhou, the best opportunity for battle is now!
Therefore, Bai Qingyan said with a smile, “Whether it’s overthinking, the Monarch of Tianfeng naturally knows best, but as for me… the words of the Monarch of Tianfeng are another matter. As the Emperor of Zhou, naturally I must consider Zhou, we cannot gamble the vastness of Zhou on whether I’m overthinking, so… Zhou cannot agree to the alliance proposed by the Monarch of Tianfeng! Furthermore, Zhou and Xiliang are mortal enemies, a war will ensue, whether the Tianfeng Kingdom intervenes or not is of no consequence to Zhou!”
Snowflakes landed on Bai Qingyan’s thick, fan-like eyelashes, her serene black and white eyes unreadable, her smile mild, calm and gentle, as if merely discussing the most ordinary of matters with Sal Khan, without any hostile intent.
Through the vast falling snow, seeing such a gaze gradually calmed Sal Khan’s restless heart.
Bai Qingyan had spoken so clearly, but… at this time in the winter snow, the climate was unfavorable for the Elephant Army. Sal Khan pursed his lips, “What if Yun Poxing has already died?”
“Then there are still the Yun family members to contend with…”
Bai Qingyan finished speaking, just about to support Bai Jinzhi onto the carriage, but Sal Khan extended his hand, “Careful…”
Bai Qingyan’s sight landed on the jade cicada in Sal Khan’s hand, her step paused.
Before Sal Khan could touch Bai Qingyan, Bai Qingyu intercepted and grasped Sal Khan’s wrist, Yang Wuce’s thumb warily pressed against the hilt of his knife, a cold gleam immediately appeared, Shen Qingzhu and Bai Jinzhi swiftly stepped in front of Bai Qingyan.
Sal Khan’s guards immediately drew their swords, and Zhou’s soldiers’ blades also swiftly unsheathed.
The atmosphere suddenly became intensely tense.
“Ninth Uncle!” Murong Li’s expression was tense.
Murong Yan’s eyes darkened, “Go over and take a look, Zhou just signed an alliance with us, we cannot let anyone move against the Empress of Zhou here.”
“Yes!” Yue Shi led a group of guards towards them.
Although Bai Qingyu was by Bai Qingyan’s side and would surely protect her, he was still not at ease.
“It’s alright…” Sal Khan first raised his hand to signal his guards to sheathe their swords.
Only then did Bai Qingyu release Sal Khan.
He bowed deeply to Bai Qingyan in apology, “Forgive me for alarming the Empress.”
Bai Jinzhi looked at Sal Khan, who was attempting to reach out to help her Eldest Young Lady, with a strange expression, rudely squeezing him aside to support her Eldest Young Lady.
Bai Qingyan, seeing the jade cicada in Sal Khan’s hand, instinctively clenched the sachet hanging from her waist, the jade cicada lying inside…
“This is…” Bai Qingyan stared at the jade cicada in Sal Khan’s hand.
“Eh? Isn’t this… brother-in-law’s jade cicada?” Bai Jinzhi widened her eyes at Sal Khan, “Where did you get this?”
She had seen this jade cicada before; Xiao Rongyan would always be playing with it.
Although Xiao Rongyan couldn’t see very well, he had good hearing, and upon hearing the words brother-in-law and jade cicada, he planned to find an opportunity to ask about it later…
Sal Khan glanced at the jade cicada in his hand and, hearing Xiao Rongyan’s question, his expression became tense, “Has Lord of Gaoyi seen this jade cicada?”
Bai Jinzhi was about to speak when she felt her Eldest Young Lady squeeze her hand, so she said, “Naturally, I’ve seen it, which is why I asked you… where did you get it from?”
“This jade cicada is a national treasure of the Tianfeng Kingdom, a symbol of the Monarch through the generations. Originally, there was a pair!” Sal Khan bowed deeply to Bai Jinzhi, “May I ask Lord of Gaoyi, where is the other jade cicada now? If the jade cicada can be returned to the Tianfeng Kingdom, we are willing to pay any price!”
“My late husband once had one such jade cicada, but it later went missing, so… seeing this jade cicada, I thought it was my husband’s, but now it seems… it’s not.”
Finishing her words, Bai Qingyan nodded slightly to Sal Khan, then got on the carriage with Bai Jinzhi’s support.
A national treasure of the Tianfeng Kingdom?
Bai Qingyan did not trust this Monarch of Tianfeng’s words, but… judging from this Monarch’s expression, the jade cicada must be of significant importance to Tianfeng Kingdom.
Bai Jinzhi helped Bai Qingyan onto the carriage and then came out, glancing at the Monarch of Tianfeng who was walking towards her with the jade cicada, her expression not too friendly.
Unexpectedly, the Monarch of Tianfeng bowed to Bai Jinzhi, “May I ask, Lord of Gaoyi, is the jade cicada of the Empress’s husband identical to the one I hold? Was it lost, or was it buried with him?”
Upon hearing these words, Bai Jinzhi got angry, “What? If it was buried, are you planning to dig up my brother-in-law’s grave? My Eldest Young Lady said it’s lost and that’s that…”
Having said her piece, Bai Jinzhi jumped onto her horse, forcing Sal Khan, eager to know the whereabouts of the other jade cicada, to retreat two steps.
Bai Qingyu also noticed Sal Khan’s interest in the jade cicada and mounted his horse, shouting loudly, “Set off!”
Zhou’s cavalry unit, guarding the Emperor of Zhou’s carriage, slowly departed from the alliance camp, heading towards the north where black sails and white python flags fluttered over the black-armored army.
The heavy cavalry of Yan also guarded the carriages carrying the Ninth Prince of Yan and the Young Emperor of Yan, departing from the alliance camp, moving westward under the fluttering flags of the mythical bird and green finch… an endless line of brave knights advancing.
Li Tianfu exited the main tent, glanced at Sal Khan’s back, and a smile curled her lips…
Even if the Tianfeng Kingdom wishes to avoid getting dragged into this war, it must be pulled into the fray now!
The Monarch of Tianfeng thinks she can be taken for a fool, thinking she really knows nothing? With the lands of Tianfeng constantly being swallowed by sand now, only by opening up new territories can the people of the Tianfeng Kingdom have a place to stand, otherwise, with the desert devouring the Tianfeng Kingdom, their people have no road but to death.