Return of the Swallow c1-644

by Edited by Deyna up to chapter ~100.

  Lian Shengjie, one of his sub generals, and Zheng Pei sat on the left. Qin Huaiyuan and Cui Wenqing sat on the right. Qin Yining picked up a stool and sat behind her father.

  Lian Shengjie was sitting across from Qin Huaiyuan, so he could see Qin Yining’s charming face whenever he lifted his head. His heart was capering madly with excitement as his lustful urges reared their heads in full. He was the main host of the talks, but his mind was completely preoccupied by the beautiful girl. He wasn’t paying any attention to the proceedings at all.

  Thankfully, Zheng Pei was calmly collected on the Great Zhou side. He was perceptive and engaged in all sorts of verbal feints with Qin Huaiyuan and Cui Wenqing, paying overt compliments while dishing out subtle jeers, haggling and bargaining to the utmost to prevent Great Yan from taking the advantage in the negotiations.

  The first bout went for eight hours, but many areas such as tribute and the partitioning of lands had yet to be agreed upon. Great Zhou was making ludicrous demands to maximize their gains as much as possible, while Qin Huaiyuan was clinging bitterly onto everything, trying to decreases their losses as much as possible as well.

  When the lanterns outside were lit, so did soldiers bring in lamps for the tent. Everyone had talked themselves hoarse. The food had chilled and been reheated several times in a row.

  All Lian Shengjie had done the entire afternoon was to admire the view in front of him and fantasize about all the tricks and positions he wanted to try. When he saw that Qin Huaiyuan wasn’t agreeing to the reparations of fifty million silver, he frowned and pretended to be deep in thought. “This sum is for the losses that my Great Zhou soldiers have endured. It’s actually not a great sum. However, it can still be discussed.”

  Zheng Pei wanted to interject, but Lian Shengjie cut him off with a dark expression as soon as the elder opened his mouth. “Sir Zheng has been busy all afternoon. Isn’t it my turn to say a few words now?”

  Zheng Pei was in Pang Xiao’s camp and was known as the ‘Advisor’ in the Valiant Tigers, but he didn’t have an actual title or army commission. He was sitting here today completely because of Pang Xiao. The prince wasn’t in residence at the moment, and the Valiant Tigers had to be represented. This was why Lian Shengjie didn’t actually dare do anything too blatant, but neither could Zheng Pei do anything when Lian Shengjie pulled rank.

  Seeing that Zheng Pei wasn’t saying anything else, Lian Shengjie stood up and pretended to stretch and walk around to loosen his joints. He ended up next to Qin Huaiyuan and leaned sideways to look at Qin Yining’s pale face. Greed was written all over his eyes as he spoke to Qin Huaiyuan.

  “Of course, we should talk about everything in peace talks! I love drinking and hear that Grand Preceptor Qin is raising this daughter like a son. Then her tolerance must be good. If she’s willing to have a drink or two with me, then we can still talk about those conditions!”

  It’s come. Qin Yining closed her eyes. Qin Huaiyuan’s hands slowly balled into fists. He remained smiling, but he was torn between rage and resignation inside. She didn’t want to put her father in a difficult position, so stood up to bend her knee in a curtsey.

  “Sir Lian is a renowned hero with a forthright personality. I truly do admire such a person. Therefore, allow me to make use of this opportunity to toast you, sir.” She picked up the wine jar as she spoke and filled a large bowl, while she herself picked up a small, delicate white porcelain jug.

  When Lian Shengjie accepted the white porcelain bowl from the beauty, the only thing in his eyes were the flashes of her pale skin and the only thoughts occupying his mind were lewd. He didn’t pay any attention to what he was drinking, keeping his eyes trained on Qin Yining as he emptied the bowl. Only when he felt the burn in his stomach did he realize he’d been served a large bowl of potent liquor!

  The alcohol rushed to his head but he didn’t grow angry. He smiled instead. “Ai! The favors from beauties are the hardest to digest and beauties always pour the finest wine.”

  “Is that so? Then please have another. They say that three cups of alcohol will be enough to render even heroes drunk. Since the lord is a great hero, you must have three bowls of it.” She poured another bowl and looked at Lian Shengjie with bright eyes.

  He was well and thoroughly tipsy now, and while still relatively clear headed, his courage was bolstered by the alcohol. he was very worked up and didn’t care about the others present. He grabbed Qin Yining’s soft hands and dragged her into his embrace.

  “Beauty, are you trying to get me drunk? Let me tell you something, I’m most afraid of the gentle affections from women. We can talk about anything in these negotiations if you serve me well. My emperor is far away and waits for my report, hmm? I can loosen my lips a little. I can tell that you’re a perceptive one. Let’s get to know each other better. Heaven’s bestowed this fate on us, hmm?”

  Qin Yining had stiffened all over and her face was beet red. Her round, almond-shaped eyes were filled with humiliation and indignity, but resignation even more so. Wasn’t this her goal in coming here today? Get to know each other better? I suppose I should be happy that the heavens haven’t arranged for Sir Lian to take me away with him.

  A tendon throbbed on Qin Huaiyuan’s forehead as he shot to his feet with unrepressed fury. He dragged Qin Yining behind him with one pull.

  “Sir Lian, I brought my daughter with me to see more of the world and add to her knowledge. We should focus on our business at hand.”

  Qin Yining looked at the tall, broad figure shielding her through teary eyes. Her father was on her side in the end. Even though they couldn’t defy the imperial decree, her father was still shielding her in pivotal moments! But how could she let her father protect her like this? If the peace talks failed, the emperor would blame their family!

  “What? You know this is what I like! Didn’t you bring a beauty for my pleasure? I’m giving you face in playing along! So you regret things now huh?! What was all this earlier then huh?? Fifty million silver and another fifteen cities, and not one bit less!” Lian Shengjie’s face had gone dark with his voice climbing an octave due to the alcohol.

  He’d only wanted five cities beforehand, but had just raised the price for no reason at all! Qin Yining bit her lip and didn’t things to be ruined because of her. She was satisfied enough that her father wanted to protect her.

  Qin Huaiyuan was grappling with an immense internal struggle, and his face alternated between red and white. Lian Shengjie smirked cockily and pushed Qin Huaiyuan away, grabbing Qin Yining’s hand again and headed outside with her. He was certain that no one would dare stop him this time!

  But at this time, the tent flap was harshly flipped aside. A large figure wielding a large blade strode in with an immense aura, light refracted every which way off the weapon. He had broad shoulders and an upright back, his arms rippling with strength and waist with vigor. His black fighting robe made him appear the very picture of noblesse, but a storm brewed within phoenix-shaped eyes that were set under slender eyebrows!

  Qin Huaiyuan was startled by the sight when he looked back, and Qin Yining even more so.

  “Yao Zhixhi…” Her thoughts spun furiously. She thought he’d barged in to rescue her and was assailed with a conflict of emotions. She almost started crying and frantically tried to gesture to him. “Go away, quick! You shouldn’t be here!”

  Pang Xiao paid attention to nothing apart from drawing his arm back and slashing forward with his sword! The stroke was aimed straight at Lian Shengjie’s face. If it connected, the minister’s face would be split down the middle!

  “Little prince, you can’t!” Zheng Pei was scared silly off to the side. Qin Yining paused, her eyes wide with surprise as she took another swift look at Pang Xiao.

  The proceedings scared Lian Shengjie into sobriety and he backed up two steps with a cry of dismay, falling to the ground on his butt and just barely managing to avoid the sword. Nervous sweat dripped down his face as he pointed at Pang Xiao with shaking fin
gers, “Pang Zhixhi, what do you think you’re doing?”

  “F*ck you motherf*cking piece of shit! How dare you lay hands on my woman?! I’ll f*cking hack you to pieces!” These words were followed up with another mighty stroke!

  * * *

  Chapter 111: Making a Move

  Chapter 111: Making a Move

  When Lian Shengjie saw that Pang Xiao was still intent on committing homicide, he screamed bloody murder and scrambled for his life. His panicked scrabbling barely put him out of reach of the second sword strike.

  Pang Xiao’s sword, seemingly unhappy about missing its target, bit deep into a decorative end table. It sank halfway into the table, but the latter remained intact. Pang Xiao yanked at his blade, but it stubbornly clung onto the table. Cursing under his breath, Pang Xiao promptly let go of his sword and grabbed Lian Shengjie’s collar, giving its owner a no holds barred punch.

  The minister, now the proud future owner of a magnificent black eye, yelped in surprise and pain. His other hand grabbed Pang Xiao’s wrist as he started to yell, “Pang Zhixi, how dare you beat an official of the court! I’m going to censure you, censure you!”

  “Hit me back if you’re man enough to! You only know how to tattle!” The aggrieved minister was gifted another punch, this time to his rather significant paunch.

  “I won’t give you the chance to censure me!” Lian Shengjie doubled over, clutching his stomach. He attempted to struggle, but was quickly overpowered by Pang Xiao. “I’m going to criticize you so harshly that you lose every last position you have!”

  “Whatever!” Pang Xiao tossed Lian Shengjie onto the ground and sat astride him. Without a moment of hesitation, he then commenced giving the minister the beating of his life.

  It was right about then that the rest of the group finally processed the events that happened after the ‘my woman’ declaration. Zheng Pei rushed frantically forward and restrained one of Pang Xiao’s arms.

  “Little prince, you’re being too impulsive! He’s the supreme commander!”

  Undeterred by the loss of an arm, Pang Xiao got in a kick. “That’s exactly who I’m beating up!”

  Qin Yining’s brains had long since turned into mush as she stared dumbly at Pang Xiao. No wonder his secondary name was ‘Zhixi’! He’s Pang Zhixi! She’d always thought that there was more than met the eye with this person. Indeed, he was the young prince who was known to kill without blinking; someone who made others tremble at the sound of his name!

  So why is he in the Great Yan capital? What is his relationship with Priestess Liu? She recalled that the emperor was taking Priestess Liu’s pills. Pang Xiao’s father had died because of her own father’s plots, so theoretically, he should hate all Qins. Why had he helped her again and again? If he had any ulterior motives, why had she never felt any hostility from him?

  Pang Xiao looked back and shook his hand, flicking his eyebrow at Qin Yining with a smirk. That smirk went all the way to his eyes, saying, “Well? Feeling good after I beat that old fart up?”

  Qin Yining’s face burned; she had no idea what she could say. Pang Xiao was treating her the same way he had before, but she didn’t know how to face him…

  Lian Shengjie kept a hand clapped over his new black eye and scrambled to his feet. Zheng Pei walked forward to help the supreme commander up, but was pushed roughly away.

  “Pang Zhixi, you’re involved with the Great Yan grand preceptor’s daughter?! You’re a traitor to Great Zhou!!”

  “Since when was I involved with her?”

  “You SAID so just now!”

  “I just fell in love with her at first glance!”

  “You’re just making things up!!”

  “I’m the one who beat you up and I’m the one who likes Miss Qin. If you can show the emperor proof of my treason, do whatever you want. But then again, you need to be alive to show him.” Pang Xiao’s words fell like iron, and he strode towards the tent flap. Just before he ducked out of the tent, he turned to glance at Qin Huaiyuan and Qin Yining.

  Qin Huaiyuan’s gaze was calm and unfathomable as he returned the gaze. Pang Xiao didn’t pay much attention to him, but flashed a half-smile at Qin Yining again before leaving in high spirits.

  Qin Yining’s heart pounded at this smile, and she subconsciously hid behind her father. Qin Huaiyuan looked at the bruised Lian Shengjei with a frown on his face.

  Zhang Pei heaved a sigh and glared at Qin Huaiyuan, then at Qin Yining. He stomped his foot.

  “What sheer, utter trouble!” He too also left with a flourish of the sleeves.

  The momentarily raucous tent returned once again to peace, broken only by the sounds of Lian Shengjie’s pained moans. The negotiations had yet to be concluded, but the Great Zhou host had been beaten black and blue right in front of them. Both Qin Huaiyuan and Cui Wenqing had no idea what to do.

  Lian Shengjie finally clambered to his feet with the support of a subordinate and staggered outside.

  “Sir Lian, our negotiations…” Cui Wenqing chased them.

  “What negotiations?! Don’t you see that my lord is injured? You come with no sincerity at all and dare ask us about the negotiations?” The sub-commander shouted harshly at him before carefully helping his lord away.

  “Grand Preceptor Qin, what should we do about this?” Cui Wenqing was quite anxious.

  “Don’t fret. Negotiations are never completed in one day. They always take time. We’ll stay here for now and see what happens. We can continue on the morrow.”

  Cui Wenqing was greatly reassured to see Qin Huaiyuan so composed. When he thought about the farce that had just happened, he couldn’t help but curse under his breath. “Great Zhou is so treacherous! I heard that Pang Zhixhi was stripped of his former command because he was too arrogant to bother taking orders! The Great Zhou emperor sent Lian here, but Pang Zhixi is still full of resentment. He left the camp for a few days a while back to express as much. Now he’s used our gathering today to make trouble because he wanted revenge on Lian, but he shamelessly dragged Miss Qin into it and destroyed her reputation. He is truly despicable!”

  “What can we do when we’re under another’s roof?” Qin Huaiyuan sighed. “Sir Cui, let’s make camp here for tonight and see what the situation becomes tomorrow.”

  “You speak truly, sir. Let’s settle here for tonight.”

  Qin Huaiyuan, Cui Wenqing, and Qin Yining left the main tent and headed east for their own territory. The father daughter duo entered their own tent after bidding Cui Wenqing goodnight and had their guards remain a yard away from their tent.

  “Father, I didn’t know he was Pang Zhixi.” Qin Yining kept her voice low even in her urgency.

  Qin Huaiyuan waved off his daughter’s explanation. “I know, this isn’t your fault.”

  “But he still messed up our matters today!”

  “Darling Yi.” Qin Huaiyuan smiled as he patted her head. “I’m actually not angry that he barged in to ruin the proceedings. I’m in fact, very grateful to him.”

  Tears welled up in Qin Yining’s eyes at her father’s words. She thought back to Lian Shengjie’s disgusting behavior as if no one else had been in the tent, and how he’d treated her like an actual whore in front of her own father and other strangers. If she really was a typical noble daughter ingrained with the importance of her virtue, she would’ve hanged herself right then and there to prove her innocence. And yet, her father had tried his best to protect her in those crucial moments.

  “Father, I’m really very touched that you wanted to protect me. But we can’t defy the emperor’s decree. We have to report back to the emperor that the talks failed today, and you won’t be able to defend yourself if he blames you for that. What if he says that you don’t care about the country because you weren’t willing to give up even a daughter? He’ll accuse you of blithely ignoring the safety of the nation. If… if Lian does this again next time, you… you should just give me up.”

  Qin Huaiyuan knew that his daughter was right, but how
could he bear to give up his only child, and one that looked so much like a younger version of him and had such a likable personality?

  “I’ll think of another way. Don’t worry, my daughter.”

  Qin Yining lifted her head abruptly and looked up at her father through teary eyes. Qin Huaiyuan’s heart melted at the sight. It took him a moment to compose himself as he patted her lightly on the head again. “My biggest regret in this life is that you didn’t grow up by my side. We haven’t reunited for long, and we always seem to be apart from each other.”

  Qin Yining’s grin was so wide that it squeezed the tears from her eyes.

  “Silly girl, what are you crying for?” Qin Huaiyuan offered his sleeve to wipe her tears away. “If you’d grown up at my side and with my dedicated education, you’d be much superior to all of the common men out there. All we have to do is obey the emperor’s decrees. He told me to bring you, and so I brought you. But if Great Zhou themselves aren’t willing to negotiate, we can’t just force you onto them, can we? How can he blame me for that?”

  “Father means…” Qin Yining’s eyes widened as she quickly grasped her father’s meaning. “That Pang Zhixi’s antics today were in pursuit of this goal as well? He beat up Lian so that it’s Lian’s fault everything failed and not ours?”

  “That’s most likely what he meant to do.” Qin Huaiyuan’s eyes narrowed as a deep look entered them. “I can’t really see through him. From your description of him before, I felt that he had unplumbed depths, but today we’ve seen that he really is unordinary. It may look like he’s unbridled and headstrong, but he has his own reasons for his actions.

  “It’s said that he has many unconventional tactics when you face him in battle, that he always has a surprise up his sleeve. He also doesn’t play by the rules in their court. Some say that he’s a mighty, proper man who refuses to be humiliated, but there are others that say he’s simply a demon incarnate who acts like a little bastard in front of the emperor. There are all sorts of rumors about him and even his own emperor can’t keep him fully under control. Today is also the first time I’ve really met him, so I’m a little uncertain as to what he really wants.”