Firmament Sword

He then said to Xu Luo, ”I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting your father, but I have long admired his reputation.”

Xu Luo smiled and said, ”My father and Uncle Xu also hold General Cao in the highest regard.”

”I wonder, what brings you two young generals all the way here, across mountains and rivers?” Cao Tianyi asked, his tone casual, but a flicker of worry flashed in the depths of his eyes.

”I’m sure you know full well why we’re here, General Cao.” Xu Luo chose his words carefully before continuing, ”A hero of your stature wouldn’t want to be framed for something you didn’t do, would you?”

”Heh, framed for what?” Cao Tianyi replied with a casual laugh.

”If you’re going to be that way, General, then I see no point in continuing this conversation.” Xu Luo stood up and cupped his hands. ”Consider this a visit from two juniors who came to pay their respects. Farewell!”

Xu Jie also stood, ready to leave.

”Haha, so impatient, you young people. Now that you’re here, don’t be in such a rush to leave,” Cao Tianyi said with a smirk.

”What? You think you can keep us here, General?” Xu Luo smiled. ”Let me be frank. For the two of us to dare come here, it means we’ve already made foolproof preparations. I imagine your men spent all of last night searching, but they couldn’t find our companions, could they?”

A dangerous glint flashed in Cao Tianyi’s calm eyes. Seated firmly in his chair, he said coolly, ”I have spent my life on the battlefield. I do not take kindly to threats!”

”But if a general wants to become an emperor, he’ll have to learn to compromise,” Xu Luo said with a casual lift of his eyebrow.

”What did you say?” Cao Tianyi’s face instantly turned cold. ”Are you trying to implicate me in treason?” he roared. ”You little whelp, don’t think I won’t dare to touch you just because you’re Xu Ji’s son!”

”Of course you’d dare, General. But hurting two young men... heh, that might be a bit damaging to your reputation, don’t you think?” Xu Luo said. ”Besides, we came here in good faith. If you don’t even have the magnanimity for this, then... what kind of emperor would you make in the future?”

Xu Luo’s constant insinuations about Cao Tianyi’s plans to rebel made Xu Jie break out in a cold sweat. Coming from a Military Family himself, he knew all too well what terrible tempers high-ranking generals could have.

If truly angered, these men would dare to kill anyone—not just the sons of generals from a neighboring kingdom, but even a prince.

But Cao Tianyi didn’t fly into the rage Xu Jie had expected. Instead, he was silent for a moment before asking, ”How did you know I plan to rebel?”

”The village massacre in the Cangqiong Kingdom... that wasn’t your doing, was it, General?” Xu Luo asked in turn.

”When have I ever done something so utterly depraved?” Cao Tianyi said with a look of disdain.

”And yet, all that filth is being pinned on you now,” Xu Luo said coolly. ”To be honest, we originally came to pinpoint the location of your army so we could rendezvous and retaliate.”

”Hah! What a joke!” Cao Tianyi sneered. ”We’re separated by the Endless Forest Sea. Even if I had done it—which I didn’t—would the Cangqiong Kingdom’s army truly dare to invade? I could ensure they never even made it out of the forest!”

Xu Luo gave a slightly sheepish smile. ”The fact that I could get here so easily proves our army could as well. But of course, that’s not what we’re here to discuss. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be sitting across from you, General.”

Cao Tianyi’s gaze flickered. He thought he had already given these two youths a high enough estimation, but now he realized he had still underestimated the handsome young man before him.

’When I was seventeen or eighteen... what was I doing? Probably still desperately cultivating at my sect,’ Cao Tianyi thought, smiling bitterly to himself. ’It’s true what they say: the new generation always surpasses the old...’

”What do you want to discuss? Let’s hear it.” Cao Tianyi was finally starting to see the young man before him as an equal, not just a junior.

”First, I need evidence regarding the village massacre. At the very least, I need proof that you weren’t involved, General. Only then can we discuss the next matter.”

Xu Luo said seriously, ”Because everything else depends on the fact that you didn’t do it. I believe you’re not that kind of man, but those who don’t know you won’t be so easily convinced.”

”Fine. The evidence... I will get it for you,” Cao Tianyi said, deep in thought. ”The evidence I have on hand right now isn’t enough to completely prove my innocence, but... I’m confident I’ll have more soon.”

”Are you confident you can capture those people from the Great Yan Kingdom?” Xu Luo asked.

Cao Tianyi’s eyebrow twitched. He suddenly said, ”They say your father’s wisdom and courage are unparalleled. I was always a bit skeptical. But seeing you today... This Prince is finally convinced that geniuses truly do exist in this world!”

”You flatter me, General,” Xu Luo said with a faint smile. He stood up, paced a few steps within the tent, and said softly, ”Second, I am willing to return and persuade our Emperor to recognize the Prince’s ascension to the throne!”

Two sharp gasps echoed through the tent.

They came from Xu Jie and Cao Tianyi.

Xu Jie thought to himself, ’This third brother of mine is truly audacious! Something like this... I doubt even our fathers would dare make such a promise so lightly!’

Cao Tianyi had just referred to himself as ”This Prince,” and Xu Luo had immediately addressed him as ”Prince.” It was a small detail that most would have missed, but Cao Tianyi caught it.

But Xu Luo’s words made his heart... pound with excitement!

”However... the Endless Forest Sea... must be ceded to us!” Xu Luo immediately added.

”Don’t even think about it!” Cao Tianyi’s reaction was instantaneous, snapping him out of his reverie as he refused outright.

”I actually think this is negotiable. Don’t you feel, Your Highness, that the Endless Forest Sea is less of a shield for the Cao Kingdom and more of a burden?” Xu Luo said with a smile.

”Stop spouting that bewitching nonsense! It’s all just a pack of lies!” Cao Tianyi erupted, glaring at Xu Luo. ”You want me to trade away my land for your support? In your dreams! Enough! I must have been out of my mind to even entertain a negotiation with two little brats like you! Guards...”