Chapter 18: Negotiation
Editor: Henyee Translations
Cao Xing returned to his palace. After chasing away the guards at the door, he called for a trusted aide.
"Go to the snow valley and investigate if the Oak Clan are controlled by demons. It's best if you can bring back some substantial evidence."
"It's fine if you can't find any evidence. Just avoid a confrontation and observe their defensive facilities."
"I've heard some rumors recently. The power of that demon can't be underestimated."
With that, Cao Xing closed his eyes and seemed to be thinking about something.
"Yes, I will definitely complete the mission."
The trusted aide left. Cao Xing was the only one left in the room.
"My king, you're getting old."
"I'll eat the fat meat of the Oak Clan for you. When I lead the army to recover the Oak Clan, it will be time for you to abdicate."
Cao Xing had no feelings for this father at all.
After nearly four months of planning, his prestige in the kingdom had faintly surpassed that of the old king.
The commoners believed that this envoy sent by the gods would definitely lead their country to a new height.
No one in the army was unconvinced by this prince who had such powerful strength at such a young age.
To put it bluntly, Apart from a few stubborn old men, the army of this country had all become the prince's private property.
As long as he gave the order, he could easily force his father to give up his position.
However, in order to ensure the stability of the people's hearts after he took over the Feather God Kingdom, he still needed a satisfying victory.
The trusted aide changed into the hunter's clothes and set off from the kingdom. In less than a day, he arrived near the Demon Castle.
From afar, he could see the towering city wall.
Although it was still a little inferior to the main city of the kingdom, it was enough to scare people.
In order to be more convincing, the trusted aide did not enter the city directly. He first went to the nearby forest to hunt a few hares and stained his clothes with their blood. Then, he carried the dead hares to the city gate.
"Who are you?"
As soon as he reached the door, the stone statue guards asked.
"Sir, I'm a hunter from a village in the distance. I went into the mountains to hunt the day before yesterday and accidentally lost my way."
"I followed the trail of human activity all the way here."
"It's getting late. I wonder if you can let me stay in the city for the night so that I can find the way back to the village tomorrow."
As he spoke, the trusted aide rubbed his hands together, looking honest.
"One moment."
Far away in the snow valley, Qin Xiao suddenly received a message from the castle guards.
This was one of the special functions of the Demon Castle. As long as they were within the city territory, everyone could directly communicate with the owner or manager of the castle.
Currently, Elder Oak was the only manager of the castle. As for Hua Lan, Qin Xiao was not completely at ease with her.
"Master, a hunter wants to enter the city."
Qin Xiao was also puzzled.
This was the first time such a thing had happened in his territory. Ordinary hunters would not be able to come to this uninhabited area.
Besides, even if they came, ordinary people would not dare to approach an unfamiliar castle in the wilderness.
Thinking of this, Qin Xiao came to the city wall and rushed to the city gate.
When he was still quite a distance away, Qin Xiao saw the person's information through his True Vision.
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Name: Xu Fu
Level: 1
Race: Human
Faction: Feather God Kingdom.
Basic Attributes: Vitality 95, Magic Power 30, Strength 11, Agility 6, Constitution 4, Willpower 8.
Talent Abilities: Feather Attachment (LV1), Strength Enhancement (LV1), Swordsmanship Mastery (LV1)…
Skill: Illusion Feather Technique (LV1)…
—————
"Feather God Kingdom?"
Qin Xiao frowned. This person was actually sent by the Feather God Kingdom. He didn't know what his purpose was.
Moreover, this person was not weak. He was actually slightly stronger than his Phantom Hunters.
Qin Xiao immediately contacted Elder Oak.
"There's a spy from the Feather God Kingdom outside the city. I don't know what he's up to. Go and investigate him."
"Yes, master."
Then, Elder Oak slowly arrived at the city gate with his walking stick.
"Seniors, let him in."
Although the two stone statues had become the guards of the castle, the elder, as a member of the Oak Clan, still respected them.
The two doors rumbled open and let the spy in.
As soon as he entered, the trusted aide looked at Elder Oak with shining eyes.
He did not expect to meet the key figure of his trip so quickly.
"You must be the elder of Oak Village!"
"Oh? You know me?"
The elder narrowed his eyes.
"I went hunting with my father once when I was young."
"I was lucky enough to meet you back then. You haven't aged at all after so many years."
"My father always says that he wants to visit you if he has the chance."
This trusted aide didn't blush when he lied.
The elder chuckled in his heart. The Oak Village had existed for so long, but he had never formed a friendship with any hunter.
However, he did not expose him.
"Now that you mention it, I have some impression of it."
"Is your father well? Why are you here?"
"My father is healthy."
"Hey, don't mention it, Elder."
"It's because I'm not capable enough. I accidentally entered this place while chasing after the prey. Not only did I let the prey escape, but I also couldn't find the way back."
"Fortunately, I met you here. Otherwise, I really wouldn't know what to do."
"Haha."
The elder smiled and stroked his beard.
"It's getting late. You can stay in the city today and return tomorrow."
"Thank you, Elder."
Naturally, Xu Fu was happy to oblige. Other than collecting evidence, his main task was to observe the defense of the city.
"Elder, I remember that this city didn't exist when I was young. Why did such a city suddenly appear?"
"Hehe, it was built over the years."
Along the way, Xu Fu kept looking left and right. At the same time, he tried to find out everything about the Demon Castle. However, the elder, being an old fox, was shrewd and did not reveal any useful information.
The sky quickly darkened. Xu Fu walked out of the room and came to the door of the elder.
"Elder, it's me. Are you free now? I want to talk to you."
"Come in. The door's unlocked."
Xu Fu pushed the door open and entered. The elder sat cross-legged in front of the totem and prayed as usual.
"Kid, what's wrong?"
"Elder, there's something I don't understand. I hope that you can enlighten me."
"Tell me, what is it?"
Xu Fu gulped and said, "Elder, I see that there are many demonic creatures in this city, but not many members of the Oak Clan. What's going on?"
"Could it be that the City Lord is someone else?"
"You're not a hunter, are you?"
The elder made a cup of tea and pushed it to Xu Fu.
"But I can answer your question. This city belongs to the great Crimson Lord."
Xu Fu was overjoyed when he heard that. As expected, the Oak Clan was colluding with the demons.
Since the other party had seen through his identity, Xu Fu decided to stop pretending.
"That's right. Actually, I'm the special envoy sent by the Feather God Kingdom to save the Oak Clan."
"Save?"
The elder smiled and looked at him silently.
"Yes, the Feather God Kingdom has been close friends with the Oak Clan since ancient times."
"Our Crown Prince's heart ached when he heard that the Oak Clan was enslaved by demons."
"He specially sent me to figure out the situation from you, elder. The Crown Prince will soon bring people to help you end your suffering."
"But this is our home. Where does your Crown Prince want to bring us to?"
"Of course it's the Feather God Kingdom! The Feather God Kingdom is extremely powerful now."
"With the leadership of the heroic Crown Prince, it will definitely be a win-win situation for everyone if Oak joins our Feather God Kingdom!"
Xu Fu was secretly delighted in his heart. If he could convince the Oak Clan to submit to the Crown Prince without sending a single soldier to battle, he would be able to get promoted when he returned.
"Looks like your Crown Prince is quite ambitious."
"Go back and tell him that our Oak Clan is willing to follow the Crimson Overlord!"
"This is the Oak Clan's own business. There's no need for you to take action."
This was not the first time something like this had happened. The Feather God Kingdom had sent many envoys to persuade the Oak Clan to join the Feather God Kingdom.
As for what they were planning, it was obviously the rumored ancestral land.
However, the old king was a sentimental person. Due to their ancestor's good relationship, even though the Feather God Kingdom was greedy, they did not force the Oak Clan.
"Old man, it seems like you want to do this the hard way. It's fine if you accept now, but if my Crown Prince brings the army to you, you won't even have the chance to beg for mercy."
Xu Fu threatened fiercely.
"There's no point in saying anything more. Please leave."
The elder pointed at the door and asked him to leave.
"Old thing, just you wait and see!"
After saying that, Xu Fu turned around and left.
No one stopped him along the way. This was Qin Xiao's order.
During the day, the elder had revealed a lot of false information to the other party. Qin Xiao needed him to bring this information back to the Feather God Kingdom to mislead the enemy.
"Sir, what should we do?"
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