The fury in Soron’s heart instantly became uncontainable!
That Tulingchen cast him aside to negotiate directly with Princess Zhiyan, he could tolerate that.
Of the kingdom’s four great legions, the Tuling family wanted to monopolise two for themselves, leaving one to Tuye and the Southeastern Legion to Soron. He could tolerate that too.
That Tulingtuo sought to be ennobled as a prince of a different surname to check and balance Soron in the future, he could even tolerate that.
To a considerable degree, what they said was reasonable. Once Zhiyan ascended the throne, the Divine Dragon Temple would be most displeased. Once the protection of the Divine Dragon Temple was lost, the Flame Empire and Western Cool Kingdom would certainly stir restlessly.
At that time, the Raging Wave Kingdom, having lost half its troops due to this civil war, would find it difficult to resist the armies of the two countries that might arrive. Although one could hardly speak of existential danger, once defeated, it would very likely mean ceding territory to sue for peace.
If one considered the greater good, then it appeared one could only hold one’s nose and agree to Tulingtuo’s conditions.
What Soron could least tolerate was that Soron Ningbing was his forbidden treasure. Tulingchen and Tulingtuo were both perfectly clear on this point, so why would they propose such a condition?
Was Tulingchen deliberately here to humiliate Soron?
There were so many women under heaven, why must you insist on marrying Soron Ningbing?
The consequences of the last time when Haigang proposed an alliance with Soron, wanting Haiguwu to marry Soron Ningbing, had they not seen?
But very quickly, Soron suppressed the fury within his heart, forcing himself to calm down.
Indeed, Tulingtuo and Tulingchen were perfectly clear on this point, so why did they still propose it?
Moreover, the core of this negotiation was that the Tuling family would pledge allegiance to Zhiyan, and after she ascended the throne of queen in the future, check and balance Soron.
Since they were checking and balancing Soron, the relationship between the two sides would certainly be very cold. So why seek a marriage alliance? Was this not asking for unpleasantness?
Very quickly, Soron arrived at a conclusion.
The so-called marriage alliance to wed Soron Ningbing was not proposed by Duke Tulingtuo, but rather a condition Tulingchen had added on his own initiative.
The reason he added this condition was not to marry Soron Ningbing.
Many people clearly knew that once one married Soron Ningbing, it would very likely mean wearing a bright green hat upon one’s head.
The rumours about Soron and Soron Ningbing had by now spread throughout the world.
Tulingchen was not so foolish as to willingly put a green hat upon his own head.
He was using advance as retreat, forcing Soron to restore his manhood.
The last time Tulingchen was captured, Soron had used medicine and secret techniques to indirectly castrate him. Although his body remained intact, he had lost male function. Faced with even the most beautiful woman he had no response, let alone producing offspring.
But he was not thoroughly castrated. Soron could completely restore his masculine vigour.
This matter, he had not let anyone know, not even his father Duke Tulingtuo.
At the time, the reason Soron had used this secret technique castration on Tulingchen was to attempt to use Tulingchen to control the Tuling family at the critical moment.
He had not expected that Tulingchen would seize this opportunity to strike back.
Seizing this great negotiation opportunity, he was forcing Soron to restore his manhood.
He proposed to marry Soron Ningbing. Soron would certainly refuse. Very well then, settling for second best, you restore my manhood.
This elegant and refined young master Tulingchen truly had fine calculations!
Soron looked at Tulingchen, a cold smile appearing upon his face. “Young Master Tulingchen, you know perfectly well that I will certainly refuse your marriage alliance, do you not? Then you will give me another choice, to help you restore your manhood, correct?”
The moment these words were spoken, Tulingchen’s expression changed. He swiftly glanced towards Zhiyan.
And Zhiyan cast a puzzled gaze towards Soron.
Soron said, “The last time, Young Master Tulingchen was captured by me. I used certain secret techniques and medicines to castrate him from within. So although his body is intact, he can no longer perform as a man, let alone produce offspring.”
The moment these words were spoken, Tulingchen’s face trembled, and his gaze towards Soron was filled with infinite hatred.
Then, Tulingchen ignored Soron’s words and continued towards Princess Zhiyan, saying, “Your Highness, as you also know, your father had a very tense relationship with the Divine Dragon Temple. All along, the Divine Dragon Temple has been striving to support Zhili’s rise. Therefore, the Hidden Continent formed a marriage alliance with Zhili, supporting him without reservation, and even the Demon Continent secretly assisted. So if you wish to ascend smoothly, the Divine Dragon Temple is a massive obstacle. One must know that both the Grand Inquisitor Rogo and the High Sacrificer Geli have publicly expressed support for Zhili’s ascension.”
On this point, what Tulingchen said was not half false.
Tulingchen continued, “On this point, the Tuling family is willing to lend Your Highness a helping hand.”
“The Tuling family’s influence can interfere with the will of the Divine Dragon Temple?” Zhiyan asked.
Tulingchen said, “Your Highness jests. My family does not possess such great power. However, we have absolute confidence in making the Divine Dragon Temple thoroughly abandon Zhili. In the end, they may not be very happy to see Your Highness ascend the throne, but they can only let nature take its course. After all, the Divine Dragon Temple cannot directly interfere with secular royal power.”
Princess Zhiyan said, “So, your Tuling family wishes to make a transaction with me. What you offer is the betrayal of Zhili, supporting my ascension to the throne, and helping me sweep away the obstacles of the Divine Dragon Temple. And what I must pay is handing the Southwestern Legion and Dragon Guard Legion to your Tuling family, and in the future enfeoffing your father as a prince of the blood, correct?”
Tulingchen said, “There is one more condition, and that is the marriage alliance between myself and the Soron clan.”
Zhiyan said, “Stop beating around the bush. You want Soron to restore your manhood, correct?”
Tulingchen’s face trembled. “Correct!”
Princess Zhiyan said, “Although this transaction is somewhat unpleasant, it is indeed rather reasonable.”
Tulingchen said, “My father too is unwilling to harm the kingdom’s vital energy because of civil war.”
Princess Zhiyan turned towards Soron and said, “Husband, what do you think?”
Soron said expressionlessly, “The Tuling family came to negotiate with you, not with me.”
Princess Zhiyan closed her beautiful eyes and began to contemplate.
The room instantly fell into a deathly silence!
Princess Zhiyan normally appeared to possess no power whatsoever. Rather than a sovereign, she seemed more like a bodyguard, an assassin, plus a fox spirit intent on draining Soron dry.
But at this moment, her decision would directly relate to the fate of the Raging Wave Kingdom.
If Princess Zhiyan directly agreed to Tulingchen’s conditions in exchange for the Tuling family’s allegiance.
Then the one whose interests would suffer the greatest harm would, first of all, certainly be Zhili. He would directly lose everything, abandoned by all.
And the second greatest victim would be Soron!
At that time, the greatest meritorious minister supporting Princess Zhiyan’s ascension would no longer be him, Soron, alone. There would also be Tulingtuo.
And subsequently, Tulingtuo would undoubtedly join forces with Yan Wuqi and numerous feudal lords and provincial governors to hollow out Soron, this prince consort regent.
At that time, it would truly be more than mere checks and balances. It would mean Soron’s political decrees could not extend beyond Tianshui City and the Southeastern Province.
If Zhiyan agreed, what would Soron do?
Very simple. He would directly turn hostile!
At this point in time, Tulingtuo was still being overbearing, attempting to suppress Soron?
Tulingtuo saw very clearly that this negotiation sacrificed the interests of Soron and Zhili to secure the interests of Tulingtuo and Zhiyan.
In his view, Zhiyan was the beneficiary. She had no reason to refuse.
Therefore, Tulingchen’s posture was so high, directly casting Soron aside to negotiate with Zhiyan.
…
Several minutes later, Princess Zhiyan opened her beautiful eyes and said to Tulingchen, “I do not have many objections to this transaction. Go discuss it with my husband!”
The moment these words were spoken, Tulingchen’s expression changed dramatically!
Discuss with Soron?
This negotiation harmed precisely Soron’s interests!
Instantly, Tulingchen shrieked, “Your Highness Princess, this concerns the future of the kingdom. Once we go all in to attack the Wind and Thunder Fortress defensive line, what percentage chance do you have of holding it? Once it is breached, you are thoroughly defeated, and the throne will be forever out of your reach.”
Zhiyan said, “What you say is very reasonable. But the reason I have today’s situation is entirely due to my husband’s support. So this kind of critical decision naturally falls to him.”
Tulingchen’s face began to twitch. He turned towards Soron and said, “You, you must consider the greater good. The Raging Wave Kingdom is not your kingdom alone.”
Soron said coldly, “Go back and tell your father. If he wishes to change allegiance and pledge loyalty to Her Highness Zhiyan, he may. I have several conditions.”
Tulingchen’s face twisted ferociously. “Speak.”
Soron said, “First, hand over Tulingduo. She is a criminal. I promised Tuli Yang.”
“Second, of the Dragon Guard Legion and the command staff position, Tulingtuo can keep only one. If he becomes Dragon Guard Legion commander, he cannot command the command staff. If he commands the command staff, he cannot be Dragon Guard Legion commander.”
“Third, the Southwestern Legion. Your Tuling family must not touch it. You must completely withdraw from it.”
“Fourth, the enfeoffment of Tulingtuo as prince of the blood was promised by Zhili, and has nothing to do with Princess Zhiyan. Ennoblement of a different surname as prince brings endless harm. We cannot set this precedent.”
“Fifth, originally I could have restored your manhood. But since you used coercion, you can forget about it. Continue being a eunuch with an intact body.”
The moment these five conditions came out, Tulingchen’s face completely changed!
Madness, Soron was mad!
He had never seen such an irrational, such an arrogant and ignorant person.
The reason Tulingtuo sent him to negotiate was because there were benefits to be gained.
And according to Soron’s conditions, Tulingtuo would not only gain no benefits, but would instead suffer great losses to his power.
Did Soron take others for fools?
This was not negotiation at all! It was completely slapping Tulingtuo across the face!
Tulingchen said icily, “Lord Soron, you are mistaken. It is not we who beg of you. On the contrary, it is you who have need of my Tuling family.”
Soron said, “What have I begged of you?”
Tulingchen said, “If my father joins with Zhili to thoroughly go all in and attack the Wind and Thunder Fortress defensive line, what percentage chance do you have of holding it?”
“Forty percent.” Soron said.
“Impossible, thirty percent at most.” Tulingchen shrieked, “And even if you hold it, because of the Divine Dragon Temple’s obstacles, Princess Zhiyan may not necessarily ascend the throne. Even if she ascends the throne, how will you resist the Flame Empire and Western Cool Kingdom taking advantage of the chaos? Do you have the slightest regard for the kingdom’s interests? Acting so wilfully, do you have the slightest political acumen?”
Soron looked into Tulingchen’s eyes and said, “You are correct. I truly do not have the slightest political acumen. Anything I want, I seize with my own two hands. I do not wish to rely on negotiation, on compromise. I went all in to support Princess Zhiyan’s ascension not so that your Tuling family could lord it over me in the future. Make me sacrifice my own interests to fulfil your Tuling family? Want to use some grand cause of the kingdom to suppress me? You overestimate my virtue. In my heart, apart from those I care about, what do the rest matter to me?”
Tulingchen stared fixedly at this incomparably handsome face of Soron’s, without the slightest pretence.
He saw it. He finally confirmed it. Soron was a madman, a thoroughgoing madman.
This person completely could not be judged by normal reasoning. This person’s heart cared only for emotional love and hate, not for interests and rationality.
Tulingchen said coldly, “Lord Soron, the conditions you just stated, is there absolutely no room for alteration?”
“None!” Soron said, “This is already showing leniency to your Tuling family.”
Tulingchen said, “Then have you considered that you might lose?”
“I have considered it.” Soron said coldly, “If I lose, then I lose!”
Tulingchen turned towards Princess Zhiyan and said, “Your Highness Princess, you will simply allow Soron to act so wilfully?”
Princess Zhiyan shrugged her fragrant shoulders and said nothing.
Tulingchen shrieked, “This is your Raging Wave Kingdom. You will simply allow him to ruin it like this?”
Princess Zhiyan said indifferently, “At least up until now, this is not yet my kingdom.”
“Hahaha… hahaha…” Tulingchen laughed in extreme anger, “Two madmen, two thoroughgoing madmen!”
Then, his gaze fixed upon Soron, and he said word by word, “Lord Soron, you chose this path yourself. When the day of destruction truly comes, I hope you do not regret it!”
Having spoken, Tulingchen drew his cloak over himself again, turned, and departed, returning to the great camp!
Princess Zhiyan gently nestled into Soron’s embrace, silent and still.
Previously, every evening, Zhiyan would desperately demand from Soron in bed. Even last night had been no exception.
But tonight, for the first time, she did not drain Soron. She simply nestled quietly, gazing at the night outside in a daze!
Her eyes were deeper and more beautiful than the ocean, more mysterious than the night outside.
Through these eyes, no one knew what she was thinking.
…
After returning to Tulingtuo’s great camp!
Tulingchen discovered that one more person was in the tent, Marquis Fu’e, Lord of the Fire Worship City!
Seeing Tulingchen’s ashen face, Duke Tulingtuo said, “The negotiations went poorly?”
Tulingchen said, “Soron stated that if Father wishes to pledge allegiance to Her Highness Zhiyan, he must agree to four of his conditions. The first condition, hand over Tulingduo!”
“Dream on, let him die, die…” Tulingduo immediately erupted.
Tulingchen continued, “The second condition, either yield the command staff position or yield the Dragon Guard Legion commander position. You can choose only one!”
“The third condition, abandon all delusions of being ennobled as prince of a different surname.”
“The fourth condition, the Southwestern Legion is not to be touched by the Tuling family. It must be completely yielded!”
Tulingchen did not state the fifth condition, because his secret technique castration by Soron was a secret, a secret that must not be known by anyone.
After listening, Tulingtuo’s face showed shock, then he began to laugh.
He laughed until his voice shook the heavens, laughed until he clutched his stomach.
After laughing for several minutes, his face turned ferocious, terrifying, his gaze filled with icy killing intent!
“Soron treats this as me coming to surrender and beg for mercy.” Duke Tulingtuo turned towards Marquis Fu’e and said, “My lord, I now finally understand why you, as his maternal grandfather, sought to put Soron to death. This is an arrogant fool. There is no room for negotiation with this kind of person. He can only be thoroughly beaten to death!”
“Yes, thoroughly beaten to death!” Tulingduo said excitedly, “Commit everything, destroy the Soron clan, slice Soron into ten thousand pieces, flay his skin and tear his tendons!”
Duke Tulingtuo said coldly, “The only path to survival was severed by Soron himself. Since he seeks death with all his heart, then let us grant his wish.”
Marquis Fu’e sighed and nodded, saying, “Thus, it is well!”
Tulingtuo said, “Tell everyone to unite their thinking. Let there be no more wild fancies. Tomorrow we fight the final decisive battle, going all in to destroy Soron!”