CHAPTER 715: CHAPTER 439: AREN’T YOU AFRAID I’LL KILL YOU?_2

If it hadn’t been to clean up Tang Fei’s mess and to fight for a chance of survival for the family, he would now embrace Zhong Daolong and go to die...

That was the sense of belonging he had longed for.

"Do you think she would believe me if I said I knew nothing about it?"

"No," the old man shook his head decisively and said, "That girl is clever, her mind as clear as a mirror; she sees through many things without speaking of them."

"Yes, as we speak... it makes me feel guilty myself," Tang Fei said with a helpless expression.

When Phoenix asked him if he was tired, hadn’t she already made it clear that she knew everything?

"Then why did you still come?" the old man asked, curling his lips.

"Explaining is a matter of attitude, not explaining is... a matter of quality."

Tang Fei had explained, and even if Phoenix didn’t want to accept the explanation, it would ultimately make her feel a bit better.

If Tang Fei didn’t explain, pretending that such a thing had never happened, it would be an act of ignoring her, betraying Phoenix’s deep affection.

The old man sighed and looked at Tang Fei and asked, "Aren’t you tired?"

"..."

Don’t you know if I’m tired or not?

"Someone from Shen Wuxiang has come."

The old man knew Tang Fei didn’t want to delve into this topic, so he continued.

"What did they say?"

"They agreed to negotiate," the old man said.

Previously, when Shen Wuxiang sent people to negotiate, the old man had refused.

Their situation back then was too dire, they were at a disadvantage, with no real influence at the negotiating table.

Whatever they demanded, you had to give; whatever they said, you had to listen.

What if Shen Wuxiang demanded that they abandon the Phoenix Palace and that the Lu Clan submits completely to the Shen Family? What could they do?

Now that the crisis at Lu Ban Mountain was resolved and the Qin Family openly supported the Lu Clan,

If Shen Wuxiang was too greedy, they would have the courage to overturn the table.

Fight, win first, hurt the opponent, and then talk.

Something you can’t get on the battlefield, you’re even less likely to get at the negotiation table.

"Where will the talks be held?" Tang Fei asked.

Shen Wuxiang certainly wouldn’t come to the Phoenix Palace; they couldn’t go to Shen Wuxiang’s turf either.

Thus, the best option was to find a venue that both sides could accept.

"Hundred Beast Garden," the old man said.

Tang Fei knew about Hundred Beast Mountain; it was a zoo on the outskirts of Phoenix City.

It housed a variety of wildlife from Blue Star before the great calamity, and some animals native to New Star,

along with some extremely rare mutant beasts captured by oceanic fleets from other planets or star systems.

When Tang Fei and Little Fatty first arrived on New Star, Little Fatty had seen a TV program about Hundred Beast Garden and had been clamoring to visit.

Due to various reasons, the brothers hadn’t made the trip until now.

They never expected to have to negotiate there...

"Is it safe?" Tang Fei asked.

"Is the Phoenix Palace safe?" the old man countered.

"..."

Is the Phoenix Palace safe?

Had it not been for them using Zhong Daolong as a shield, it would probably have already been levelled by the Fire God Army.

With the limited guard force within the Phoenix Palace, it was impossible to compete with a regular army.

Yet, even if the Phoenix Palace wasn’t safe, where in New Star was truly safe?

"Can we negotiate over video?" Tang Fei asked.

According to the current AI projection technology, it would be just like sitting face to face...

Online negotiation, simple, convenient, and it could ensure the safety of both parties.

"If you’re too afraid to meet, what’s the point of negotiating?" the old man glanced at Tang Fei and said.

Tang Fei nodded and said, "Okay, then I’ll go."

"No, I’ll go."

"I’ll go."

The old man looked seriously at Tang Fei and said, "If something happens to you, what’s the point in anything we’re doing?"

"If something happens to you..." Tang Fei began.

"If I die at their hands, you’ll still have a chance to avenge me."

"Should there be any..."

"There will be no ’should there be any.’" The old man cut off Tang Fei, saying, "It has been decided."

"I’ll go with you."

"Can’t put all eggs in one basket." The old man shook his head and said, "You stay behind at the Phoenix Palace, there are more important things for you to do."

------

Hundred Beast Garden.

A Phoenix Flying Car landed in the parking lot of the Observation Platform. A young military officer, dressed in brown uniform, hurried forward and voluntarily opened the car door, asking, "Mr. Lu? The Military Minister is inside waiting for you."

"Thank you." The old man nodded to the young officer, even managing to squeeze a smile on his wrinkled face.

The old man was not a particularly well-mannered person, but today was an important day for negotiations, focusing on peace.

The young officer gave the old man a surprised look, said ’don’t mention it’, and then bowed his head to lead the way.

Open-air teahouse.

Shen Wuxiang sat in the teahouse sipping tea, his eyes met with a boundless prairie.

Mountains, lakes, dense forests, birds, and beasts, they were all present.

There were even several golden Sun Birds fluttering around, the bolder ones even landed on the tea table, stealing melons and pastries.

Shen Wuxiang did not stop them, and the surrounding officers didn’t dare to move either.

Thus, the Sun Birds became even bolder, flying onto Shen Wuxiang’s shoulders and head, emitting proud chirping sounds to their companions.

Hearing footsteps from the stairs, Shen Wuxiang shifted his gaze.

Seeing Lu Yu approaching step by step, Shen Wuxiang’s eyes narrowed slightly.

The man who was once hailed as one half of the ’Imperial Double Wall’ by the previous emperor, admired by thousands of young girls, regarded as a hero and idol by countless citizens...

To be reduced to this state today?

He was younger than him, but now Lu Yu looked much older.

White hair and beard, his figure skeletal.

Hunched over, as if bearing an immense weight on his back.

A hero, late in life, without his former grace.

Such a pity.

As Shen Wuxiang evaluated Lu Yu, Lu Yu was also sizing up Shen Wuxiang.

After Tang Li’s downfall, he took over Tang Li’s power and position in the military, becoming the new foremost figure of the military.

Over decades, the present Shen Family was at its peak, not royal, but more so than the royal family.

His expression was stern, his gaze deep and cold.

Even while relaxing with tea, he kept his back straight.

It was a habit formed over many years in the military, also reflecting the toughness and domineering nature in his bones.

This was the Military Minister Shen Wuxiang, one of the Imperial Three Ministers of the Phoenix Empire, most importantly, he was the Knife Holder of the Tang massacre.

The real butcher.

"Sit." Shen Wuxiang made a welcoming gesture.

Lu Yu did not hesitate, pulling out a chair and sitting opposite Shen Wuxiang.

"Did you come alone?" Shen Wuxiang asked.

Pfft!

The old man cracked a smile, revealing a mouthful of big yellow teeth.

"I came to chat with you, not to fight. What’s the point of bringing a lot of years?"

"Besides, what’s the difference between bringing one person and bringing a hundred? If the Military Minister is displeased, won’t they all end up being fed to the beasts in the Hundred Beast Garden?" the old man said with a laugh.

"So many years have passed, and you are still as glib... it’s annoying."

"Hahaha, after so many years, the Military Minister still has his charm... truly enviable."

"Oh?" Shen Wuxiang looked puzzled at Lu Yu.

He was actually praising him?

"It proves that treason is good business... profitable for those who do it." the old man said sarcastically.

Shen Wuxiang’s gaze was sharp as a knife, the pressure and coldness emanating from him made the surrounding officers’ hearts stop, blood freeze, and even their breathing became sluggish.

But the old man was fearless, picking up the red tea in front of him and taking a sip, then grabbing some dry fruits he liked and tossing them into his mouth, crunching loudly.

"History is written by the victors," Shen Wuxiang looked into the old man’s eyes and said, "On every page of the history books, or the internet, Tang Li’s name is written on the list of traitors..."

"It can be written down, it can be removed. Tang Li’s name can be written, or it can be changed to Shen Wuxiang’s name..." the old man fearlessly met his gaze, "Didn’t you say it yourself? History is written by the victors."

"Do you think you can win?"

The old man rolled his eyes and said, "Nonsense, do you think you are going to lose?"

The unruffled nature of Shen Wuxiang was somewhat agitated by the old man’s words, his eyebrows raised sharply: "Aren’t you afraid I’ll kill you?"