Breaking Army - Chapter 23

The letter had been reduced to ashes, yet the messenger remained respectful. “Does Your Highness have any message you would like me to carry back?”

“I do. Tell him I shall visit the Demon Realm in three days. Thank you for your trouble. He didn’t expect a written reply when he sent this nonsense, so you may head back now.”

The messenger bowed deeply. “Understood. We shall await Your Highness’s arrival in the Demon Realm.”

Once everyone else had withdrawn, Xiao Chen turned to Rong Yuan. “Will you be coming with me as the Sovereign of the Underworld, or…”

“I’ll go disguised as your attendant,” Rong Yuan replied, “to avoid making a scene.”

Xiao Chen nodded. “That works. If that fox knew he was meeting the Sovereign of the Underworld, he’d likely start plotting some new scheme.”

Rong Yuan studied Xiao Chen’s expression. “You seem to have something on your mind, Your Highness.”

“I’m just worried the trip might not go smoothly.” Xiao Chen hadn’t realized he’d let his guard down enough for it to show. He took a sip of tea. “Didn’t I tell you to call me by my name? Why have you gone back to ‘Your Highness’?”

“Ah, my apologies. Old habits.”

Xiao Chen waved it off. “Never mind. Use whichever you’re comfortable with, don’t feel constrained.”

Rong Yuan nodded. “If you’re feeling troubled, would you like me to accompany you for a drink?”

Xiao Chen set his teacup down and raised an eyebrow. “Wine?”

Rong Yuan’s tone was uncharacteristically firm. “Wine.”

“What’s this?” Xiao Chen remembered how Mu Qing had been in the mortal world and teased, “Wasn’t Sovereign Rong Yuan a one cup wonder?”

Rong Yuan sat up straighter. “Certainly not. That was an accident.”

“Haha, alright then. Let’s see your true capacity. I’ve yet to taste the fine vintages of the Underworld.”

Rong Yuan ordered a jar of ‘A Pot of Spring’ to be opened and brought out. This version was far more intense and vibrant than its mortal counterpart. After his first sip, Xiao Chen’s eyes lit up, and he offered genuine praise, “Excellent wine.”

Rong Yuan lifted his glass and drank it down without a change in expression. One cup in, he was neither falling over nor drunk. He smiled at Xiao Chen, silently saying: See?

Xiao Chen’s mood improved considerably. He clinked his cup against Rong Yuan’s. “In that case, we must drink to our hearts’ content today.”

Rong Yuan was more than happy to oblige.

At the same time the Underworld received their letter, the Heaven Realm received one from Hu Qu as well. This letter was much shorter than the one sent to Xiao Chen, only a single page. The wording was equally sincere but lacked the flirtatious flair. It was filled with official pleasantries, designed to stroke egos and keep everyone happy. It praised the Heaven Realm highly without demeaning the Demon Realm.

Holding the letter, Ci Shu couldn’t help but remark, “The Demon King handles matters with such meticulous care. We could learn a lot from him.”

“He’s just being sly,” Cheng Feng said dismissively. “By sending a letter first, he makes it difficult for us to bring a large escort. It would make us look like we’re arriving to settle a grievance, which would be quite rude. But we weren’t planning on bringing many people anyway, so it’s a redundant gesture.”

“You shouldn’t say that,” Ci Shu countered. “You still have much to learn about the art of governance.”

Cheng Feng waved a hand. “I can do the formal dance if I have to, I’m just lazy and find it awkward. Since I have you, I’m happy just being your deputy.”

Ci Shu shook his head helplessly. “You really are something.”

“Brother, I’ve heard the Demon Realm has plenty of interesting things to see. Once we’ve finished our business this time, why don’t you take some time to look around? It would be good for you to clear your head.” Cheng Feng squeezed his shoulder. “You’ve lost weight, you must be exhausted.”

Cheng Feng had already prepared himself to be rejected. Knowing Ci Shu’s personality, he figured he would have to persist through several rounds of convincing before Ci Shu might yield. He had a stomach full of arguments ready to spill out the moment his brother said no.

Ci Shu grew quiet for a moment, then nodded. “Very well.”

“Now don’t be so quick to—wait, what?” Cheng Feng cut himself off in shock, looking Ci Shu up and down as if he were a stranger.

Seeing his expression, Ci Shu couldn’t help but laugh. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“It’s just strange. You…” Cheng Feng stopped mid-sentence. It was a good thing his brother was willing to go. If he said the wrong thing and made Ci Shu change his mind, it would be a disaster. He quickly pivoted. “It’s nothing. Your Highness, has something good happened lately? Care to share?”

The look in Ci Shu’s eyes made it clear he was thinking of someone, but he didn’t offer an explanation. He simply smiled and said, “I met someone interesting.”

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