A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 1510

On the lonely island, the two Monarchs sat on the beach by the sea, talking about something.

On the left behind them were the soldiers of the Chu Dynasty, a group of the most formidable Archers, holding sharp arrows aimed at the other side.

The enemy soldiers were no less aggressive; each of them was pointing some strange weapon this way.

The two sides were at each other’s throats, the atmosphere on the verge of exploding.

If the two Monarchs suddenly failed to reach an agreement and started fighting, all their men would surge forward and throw themselves into a bloody battle.

Moments like this are always the same: either you die, or I live.

...

Zhao Junyao spoke first.

”King Suobuno, a frank man doesn’t speak in riddles. You’ve captured my son, just state your terms!”

The pitch-black old Monarch (not actually old, he just looked very old).

He beamed, showing a row of big white teeth, and said in extremely clumsy Han language,

”I’ve heard the Former Monarch of the Great Chu Dynasty is bold and forthright. Meeting you today, your reputation is well-deserved! Hahaha...”

”Since you put it that way, I don’t like beating around the bush either!”

”To speak plainly, I’ve taken a fancy to your Guangnan Territory. If you’re willing to cede these thousands of li of land before and behind, I’ll release your son. How about it?”

Zhao Junyao’s face stiffened.

Sure enough, what you fear always comes to pass.

Their goal was indeed to force a land cession.

He said Guangnan with his mouth, but how could Zhao Junyao believe that?

Their real aim was probably Jiangnan.

They’d first get their hands on Guangnan, then use it as a springboard to strike at Jiangnan.

This abacus was being played a bit too loudly.

The only question was, he frowned slightly, how should he respond?

He coughed lightly, as if finding it hard to accept.

”This... I’m afraid that’s inappropriate.”

Seeing his hesitation, Suobuno’s smile instantly vanished, replaced by a look of contempt.

”What’s inappropriate about it?”

”You should know your Monarch of the Great Chu Dynasty is in my hands right now!”

”Could it be... that a Monarch isn’t worth more than a piece of land?”

Zhao Junyao intentionally tried to gain advantage and stall for time. He smiled faintly.

”You can’t put it like that.”

”Monarch Suobuno, the Guangnan Territory stretches thousands of li in length and breadth; it’s far from being just a ’piece of land’!”

”This deal is far too significant. Words alone are no proof. I can’t possibly agree to you before I’ve seen anything with my own eyes, can I?”

Suobuno was somewhat suspicious, but after thinking it over, it did seem to make sense.

If the other side didn’t see the person, how could they easily hand over territory?

He touched the multicolored feathers on his head, his black-and-white eyes narrowing slightly.

”It’s easy enough if you want to see him!”

”I just don’t know, as the Former Monarch of the Great Chu Dynasty, are your capabilities enough? Is your authority enough?”

”If you agree to something... and your Monarch of the Great Chu Dynasty goes back on it, then what?”

Zhao Junyao gave a cold smile, his tone firm.

”He is my son. Our Great Chu has always ruled the realm by honoring filial piety. Do you think I can’t make the decision?”

You think we’re like your bandit country with no rules at all!

Suobuno didn’t understand that string of tongue-twisting words, nor did he bother to.

Anyway, with their Emperor in his hands, the man wouldn’t dare act rashly no matter what.

Besides, this sea... was his turf. What did he have to be afraid of?

After thinking it over left and right, Suobuno waved his big hand.

”Men, bring out the Emperor of Great Chu and let the Former Monarch of Great Chu have a good look!” Let him give up completely.

As soon as the words fell, several men who looked like wild savages immediately turned around and left.

Suobuno looked back with a satisfied smile, full of confidence.

”Former Emperor, you can look, but keep your men in line!”

”I don’t want any more fighting and killing, wasting your old man’s energy!”

”Don’t forget, these seas are my turf. Of course, if you also want to become my captive, Suobuno would be more than happy to oblige!”

Zhao Junyao sneered inwardly, but outwardly he yielded.

”Naturally.”

”After all, we’re the ones asking for something. We naturally won’t act rashly.”

Suobuno nodded and said no more.

...

Time slipped by bit by bit.

Zhao Junyao’s gaze roamed back and forth dozens of times between the vast sea and the enemy ships.

Finally, after a quarter of an hour, it fell upon a few figures on the enemy vessel.

He saw those savage-looking men who had left earlier escorting someone out of the cabin.

They were too far away for him to see clearly. He could only vaguely make out that the man’s head was covered with a sack, and he seemed to have fainted, his head drooping on his shoulder and swaying.

Judging from his build...

The man was slender and tall. His clothes were a bit dirty and disheveled, but one could still vaguely see a robe of bright yellow.

From what he could see, this person and Chenchen were indeed very similar.

Zhao Junyao’s heart sank slightly, but his expression remained calm.

Suobuno suddenly spoke.

”Former Monarch, I can let you look at him, but you two must not speak, and you must not exchange looks. Your Great Chu Dynasty has always been crafty. This is out of helplessness. You... can understand, right?”

Zhao Junyao gave him a resigned, submissive look and didn’t respond.

Suobuno didn’t get annoyed, turning instead to signal those savage soldiers.

After he made a few strange gestures, those soldiers escorted the ’Emperor of Great Chu’ to a spot about one zhang away from Zhao Junyao.

Suobuno said apologetically,

”Your Emperor truly is delicate!”

”He’s been on my ship for a few days, and even though I’ve treated him with good food and drink, he still couldn’t take it and fainted. You can’t blame me for that, can you...”

There was an indescribable ruffian air in his tone.

Zhao Junyao frowned and didn’t bother to argue.

Right now his whole mind was on the man opposite him.

He narrowed his eyes and studied him carefully, from head to toe, from toe to head, over and over, tireless.

He didn’t know how long had passed before Suobuno grew impatient.

”What is there for you to doubt!”

”Aren’t you father and son? Can’t you even recognize your own son?”

Zhao Junyao turned his gaze over, fixing Suobuno with a deep stare, and suddenly answered irrelevantly,

”Chenchen has gotten much thinner. He must have suffered a lot.”

”Can I see his face? He’s already fainted. What else is there for you to worry about?”

Suobuno suddenly became highly vigilant and flatly refused.

”No!”

”It’s the rule of our Southern Ocean Kingdom: you can look at the man, but not at his face!”

”If you can’t even recognize your own son, then I’ll kill him!”

With that, he stood up, ready to give the order.

Zhao Junyao hurriedly stood up as well.

”Wait!”

He stared at Suobuno’s dark face with burning eyes.

”I can recognize him. He is my son!”

Only then did Suobuno turn back, glaring at him impatiently.

”You sure?”

Zhao Junyao’s tone was firm as stone.

”I’m sure!”

Suobuno gave a cold smile and finally sat back down.

”Now that’s more like it!”

”You’re father and son. If you couldn’t even recognize him, that would mean I grabbed the wrong man, and then he’d be worthless to me. I’d just have to kill him!”