The dusty road to Yanfang City stretched out before them, a testament to the weeks of travel that had brought them to the very edge of the Su Empire.
The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the parched earth. The air had anticipation, a palpable energy that seemed to pulse in time with the beating of their hearts.
Hu Tao and Bi Lan, two figures clad in dusty traveler's garb, approached the towering gates of Yanfang City. Their eyes were drawn to the gleaming spears of the guards stationed atop the fortified walls, their movements sharp and precise. The city was on high alert as anytime they could be attack by the army of the Jo Empire.
"Halt! State your business," a gruff voice bellowed from the city gates, as guards eyed them suspiciously.
Hu Tao, her voice steady, announced their arrival as she showed her Tri Body Hall Token.
"We are the Tri Body Hall disciple task bu the governor and the emissary of the Su Empire. We bring a letter from Sunset Breeze Pass City."
The guards looked at each other, then at the Token that bore the Tri Body Hall insignia. After a tense moment, they stepped aside, allowing the duo to pass through the gates and into the bustling city.
Heading straight to the city's heart, where the grandiose structure of the governor's building loomed, they hurried to their destination. The cobblestone streets were almost empty and desolate, as civilians rarely go out when war and battles could breakout anytime, and few others going about their business as if the looming shadow of conflict was just another part of the daily grind.
Once they arrived, the guards at the city governors building nodded in recognition at the Tri Body Hall insignia. They were escorted inside, passing through corridors that shows of the power and richness of the place, the walls adorned with banners and weapons that bore witness to the city's storied past.
Finally, they were ushered into the grand chamber where the city's most important figures were gathered. The Governor, a portly man with a stern countenance, sat on a high chair, his eyes scanning them as they enter the room. The emissary from the Su Empire, a tall and haughty figure in rich garb, was conversing with a group of advisors.
The moment they stepped into the chamber, the atmosphere grew tense. The emissary's eyes narrowed as he recognized the Tri Body Hall token around their necks. The conversations in the room hushed as everyone took notice of their arrival.
Hu Tao and Bi Lan walked with purposeful strides, their boots echoing on the polished marble floor. They approached the dais where the Governor sat, his expression unreadable behind the heavy folds of his jowls.
The emissary from the Su Empire, a man named Lian Po, broke off from his conversation and strode towards them, his eyes gleaming with curiosity.
"It seems you have completed the task given to you," Lian Po said, his eyes flicking over the scrolls that Bi Lan offered with both hands.
The governor, Sun Hui, took the documents and unfurled them. His eyes scanned the neatly penned words, his expression unchanging. The room had gone quiet, the only sound the rustling of the parchment.
Suddenly, he burst into laughter, the kind that was forced and lacked mirth, making everyone in the room look at him weirdly. Those who knew him well could see that he was amused as he rarely laughed that happily.
Lian Po looked at the scrolls with confusion and took them from Bi Lan's hand. His eyes scanned the documents rapidly, and as he read, the confusion grew into anger.
"What is the meaning of this?" Lian Po roared, his face reddening as he crumpled the scrolls in his fists.
"How dare they mock the Su Empire with such preposterous demands?"
"Now calm down Lian Po," Sun Hui said with a hint of amusement, his voice a stark contrast to the emissary's fury.
Sun Hui raised his hand in a placating gesture, his eyes never leaving the crumpled scrolls.
"It's not as if the final decision rests with either of us."
His tone was measured.
"The new force demands are indeed... unconventional," Sun Hui said, stroking his beard thoughtfully.
Lian Po's eyes narrowed.
"Unconventional? They are insulting!"
"They demanded tax-free trade, free autonomy on conquered lands and army, and... people." Lian Po's voice grew louder with each word, his face reddening with indignation as he slapped the scroll against the heavy mahogany table. The room fell into an uneasy silence, the air thick with the scent of incense and the weight of unspoken tension.
"Do you think when I send this letter to the Emperor, he will order my execution?" Lian Po's voice was like the crack of a whip in the tense silence.
Governor Sun Hui's expression remained calm, his eyes unflinching.
"The Emperor is not a tyrant. He is a man of wisdom. Let him decide."
His words hung in the air, a gentle rebuke that suggested Lian Po was overreacting.
Lian Po's hand stopped mid-air, the scroll trembling slightly. His gaze flicked towards Sun Hui, then back to the scroll.
"But, Governor, if the Emperor..." Lian Po's protest was abruptly cut off by the sound of the heavy doors swinging open.
In strode a figure who seemed to embody the very essence of royalty—his posture erect, his gaze sharp as it swept the room. It was none other than the crown prince of the Su Empire, Su Yao.
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"Your Highness!" the room collectively gasped, as everyone—noble and commoner alike—knelt and bowed in a show of respect. The rustle of fabric and the clank of armor echoed through the hall, a testament to their unquestioned loyalty.
Su Yao's eyes swept over the assembly, his gaze lingering briefly on the kneeling figures before settling on Sun Hui. The prince's voice, though measured, bore the unmistakable authority of his birthright.
"Rise, all of you," he ordered, his voice resonating with a power that made the very air in the room seem to vibrate. As the officials and guards hastened to obey, the prince approached the table with purposeful strides, his eyes never leaving the governor.
"Governor Sun Hui," he acknowledged with a nod.
"Is your son, Sun Meng the General Commander, leading the defense against the Jo invasion?"
Governor Sun Hui nodded solemnly.
"Yes, Your Highness. He has been stationed at the fortress we've constructed along the northern border. However, it is with great regret that I must admit some Jo barbarians slipped through our defenses and attacked a convoy of supplies," Sun Hui replied, his voice steady but filled with an underlying tension.
Su Yao nodded gravely, his gaze moving from the scroll to the map spread out on the table. The candles cast flickering shadows across the parchment, highlighting the strategic positions and troop movements.
"I am aware of the spies," he said, his voice a mix of weariness and resolve. "They have been saboteurs for half a year now, worming their way into our supply lines and weakening us from within. But we cannot allow ourselves to be distracted by their treachery. I ask of you to hire more men to our cause."
Sun Hui's eyes flickered with something that might have been regret or anger.
"Your Highness, we are stretched thin. The war with the Jo in the north and the Xiang in the east..." he paused, swiping a hand over the map, "Our forces are spread to the breaking point."
Su Yao's expression remained stoic, his eyes never leaving the map.
Sun Hui couldn't help but voice his concern.
"Your Highness, what brings you to our border city? Surely the capital has need of your guidance."
Su Yao's eyes remained on the map, his voice unwavering.
"My father, the Emperor, has tasked me with taking the lead in operations here on the northern defenses. The Federation in the east will require our full attention in the days to come," he said, his voice carrying the gravity of the situation without a hint of emotion.
Hu Tao and Bi Lan exchanged a knowing glance, understanding the implication behind the prince's words—his presence here signaled that the Su Empire was preparing for a major shift in strategy. Attacking to the East and defending on the North.
Su Yao's gaze shifted from the map to Lian Po, his eyes piercing through the emissary's agitation.
"Lian Po, have you completed the task the Emperor set before you?" he asked, his voice calm but commanding.
The emissary, who had regained his composure, knelt to the ground, the scroll still clutched in his hand.
"Your Highness," Lian Po began, his voice steady once more, "I have followed the Emperor's instructions to the letter. I have sent envoys to the Long Empire's forces, presenting our terms for an alliance. In return, we request that each city-state sends a contingent of soldiers to bolster our ranks against the Jo."
Su Yao nodded, his eyes never leaving Lian Po.
"Some have disagreed and others are still contemplating, Your Highness," Lian Po continued, his voice carrying a hint of frustration.
"There is one city-state, however, delivered a letter of new terms and demands," Lian Po continued, a bead of sweat rolling down his temple despite the cool evening air. He handed over a scroll to Su Yao.
"The Sunset Breeze Pass City. Would send their men if we agree to this demands."
Su Yao's expression remained stoic as he took the scroll from Lian Po. He unfurled it with a smooth motion, his eyes scanning the parchment. The room held its collective breath, anticipating the prince's reaction to the audacious terms.
As he read, the only indication of his surprise was the slight arch of his eyebrow. He looked up, his gaze zeroing in on the emissary.
"Lian Po," he said, his tone even, "you claim to have a... personal connection to Sunset Breeze Pass?"
Lian Po nodded, his voice tight.
"Yes, Your Highness. They are from Sunset Breeze Pass," he said, his finger pointing at the two newcomers who remained standing at the edge of the room.
"Hu Tao and Bi Lan, members of the Tri Body Hall. They have... certain connections that could prove useful in our negotiations."
The room buzzed with whispers, eyes flickering towards the duo in curiosity and surprise. Su Yao's gaze was sharp, assessing them as he continued to speak.
"Hu Tao, Bi Lan, I will agree to the terms," he announced, his voice firm and clear.
"You will deliver this message to the leaders of Sunset Breeze Pass. Tell them we concede to their demands and await their men."
Su Yao's voice was a command, his gaze unwavering as he handed the scroll back to Lian Po. The room was a sea of astonished faces, their whispers dying down as the weight of his words settled in.
Su Yao dismissed the assembly with a wave of his hand, his gaze lingering on Lian Po for a moment longer than necessary. Once the room had cleared, the prince turned to the emissary, his expression inscrutable.
"Your Highness, why did you agree to such outrageous terms?" Lian Po's voice was a mix of confusion and anger.
"They demand tax-free trade and autonomy on conquered lands. It's...it's unprecedented!"
"It is indeed," Su Yao said, his gaze unwavering as he folded the scroll with a calmness that seemed almost unnatural given the gravity of the situation.
"But we need men. Men who can fight and die for our cause. And as for the autonomy, let them believe they have it for now. We can reassess once the immediate threat has been dealt with."
Lian Po nodded, though his discomfort was evident.
"But the free trade, Your Highness... it could cost the empire dearly."
Su Yao's gaze was as sharp.
"We are at war, Lian Po. We cannot be stingy with our terms when lives are at stake. Besides, I have learned that they are selling good quality and quantity of weapons and armors. We could use that to bolster our own defenses," Su Yao said, his eyes still on the scroll as he spoke.
Sun Hui stepped forward, his voice measured.
"Your Highness, while I understand the urgency of our situation, conceding to these demands will cost the empire a significant portion of its wealth."
Su Yao looked up from the scroll, his eyes meeting Sun Hui's with a knowing smile.
"Why pay in gold and silver, when we can pay in something far more abundant?" he mused, his gaze shifting to the crowd of soldiers outside the windows, their torches casting an orange glow on the cobblestone streets.
Sun Hui and Lian Po exchanged puzzled glances before the realization dawned on them. One of the terms in the scroll was the offering of people, refugees and orphans of war, to the Sunset Breeze Pass City. It was an unusual request, but in the face of desperation, the unconventional had become the norm.
"This Term is more beneficial than you guys think, Sun Hu and Lian Po," Su Yao said, his eyes gleaming with a cunning that made Bi Lan's skin crawl.
"We can rid ourselves of the mouths we cannot feed and give them a chance to serve a purpose."
Lian Po's jaw tightened at the prince's cold pragmatism, but he knew better than to argue. He nodded curtly, accepting the task.
"Go prepare anything we need and wait for the Sunset Breeze Pass City's response," Su Yao instructed, his voice firm and final.
Governor Sun Hui nodded, his eyes betraying the turmoil within him.
"Your Highness, I shall see to it personally."
As the room cleared, leaving only the prince alone, the prince's gaze lingered on the scroll. He knew the true cost of war, the lives and futures traded for a chance at victory. His mind raced with the potential consequences of this alliance. If the Sunset Breeze Pass accepted, would they honor their word? Would they stand firm against the Jo, or would they be the knife in their back?
Su Yao's thoughts shifted to the duo from the Tri Body Hall. They had brought him a card to play, a wild one at that, but it could be the difference between victory and defeat. He wondered what had led this newly formed force to make such a bold move. Was it greed, or something else entirely?
