Chapter 221: Road Of No Return
After thinking for a moment, Jin Cen replied, "My Jin Empire is renowned for its military strength. If Great General Feng accepts this marriage, you will become the supreme commander of the Jin Empire, and all its military power will be given to you."
Hearing this, Feng Xiyan raised his brows slightly.
After a moment of thought, he said, "The Jin Empire should have at least 600,000 troops by now. The Jin Emperor won’t give such power to this general without reason. Second Imperial Prince, why don’t you just tell this general what you really want from this general?"
Knowing he couldn’t complete his task without revealing the truth, Jin Cen replied, "Since Great General Feng has already asked, this prince will not hide it anymore."
At this, the personal bodyguard took out a map and handed it to Jin Cen.
Unfolding the animal-skin map, Jin Cen raised his chin and proudly announced, "My Jin Empire will begin our conquest to unite the Central Continent next month. Whether we attack the Yu Empire or not will depend on Great General Feng’s decision tonight."
Looking at the map of the Central Continent with only the Jin Empire’s name on it, Feng Xiyan’s eyes flickered. He clenched his wine cup in silence, then suddenly laughed.
"Ha Ha Ha!"
Seeing that he laughed until his body trembled, not only Jin Cen and his entourage were confused—but Tuluo Cheng, the generals, and the soldiers of the Feng Army were also baffled.
In all their years serving under Feng Xiyan, this was the first time they had seen him lose control and laugh like this.
Wiping the tears from the corners of his eyes, Feng Xiyan looked at Jin Cen and said, "Second Imperial Prince, this general likes that map a lot."
Hearing this, Jin Cen’s eyes lit up. He motioned to his personal bodyguard to hand the map to Feng Xiyan, and said, "Since Great General Feng likes it, this prince will give it to you."
Following his words, the bodyguard stepped forward and handed the map to a soldier.
The soldier placed the map on the long table in front of Feng Xiyan, then stepped back and stood behind him.
Looking at the map, Feng Xiyan reached out and touched the words "Jin Empire" on it. A second later, he suddenly drew his sword and cut out the name Jin Empire from the map.
Seeing this, Jin Cen became furious. "Great General Feng, what do you mean by this?!"
Feng Xiyan dipped his finger in wine and wrote the character "Feng" on the map. When he was done, he touched the map and said slowly, "It looks better now."
Noticing the madness hidden in Feng Xiyan’s calm expression, Jin Cen’s eyes trembled.
Sensing a bad premonition, he clenched his fists and thought, ’Not good. It looks like our plan has backfired. I need to leave before it’s too late!’
The moment the thought flashed in his mind, Jin Cen quickly said, "Since this prince has already given the gift and informed you of the marriage proposal, I will give Great General Feng time to consider it."
"After traveling far, this prince is tired. Great General Feng, this prince will not accompany you any longer."
He signaled to Shi Yixi with his eyes and turned to leave.
However, before Jin Cen could take a step, Feng Xiyan’s cold voice rang out from behind. "Second Imperial Prince, what’s the hurry? You haven’t even tasted the food."
Forcing a smile, Jin Cen turned to face him and replied, "Thank you for your invitation, Great General Feng, but this prince needs to return and check on my seventh younger sister. Please excuse me."
Seeing that he intended to leave, Feng Xiyan calmly announced, "The Jin Empire’s spies are trying to kill this general. Someone, come! Arrest them and throw them into the dungeon!"
"Yes, Great General!"
At his command, more than a dozen soldiers drew their swords and surrounded Jin Cen and his group.
Furious, Jin Cen glared at Feng Xiyan. "Feng Xiyan, you dare?! There are 150,000 soldiers of my Jin Army stationed a hundred li from here! Are you sure you want to do this?!"
Feng Xiyan chuckled at his words and replied, "Second Imperial Prince, this general thanks you for bringing so many troops here with you when this general is having trouble with how to recruit more troops."
Upon hearing this, Jin Cen’s eyes widened with realization. Pointing to Feng Xiyan with trembling fingers, he asked furiously, "Feng Xiyan, your original target was the Jin Empire soldiers?!"
Feng Xiyan sneered, then his expression turned cold. "Take them away!"
Following his order, two soldiers grabbed Jin Cen by the arms.
Jin Cen struggled to free himself and ordered, "Presumptuous! Let this prince go!"
"Feng Xiyan! You will pay for this! Feng Xiyan!" he shouted as the soldiers dragged him away.
Seeing this, Shi Yixi flicked his sleeve and avoided the soldiers. "Don’t touch me! This old minister will walk by himself!"
Glaring at Feng Xiyan, he allowed himself to be escorted out of the banquet area.
Once the Jin Empire’s delegation had been dragged to the dungeon, Tuluo Cheng looked at the map spread across the long table and asked, "Great General, do you want to conquer the Central Continent?"
Feng Xiyan glanced at the map, then explained, "This general had no such intention before. But after tonight, this general realized that even if we do not provoke others, they will not let us be."
He paused, then looked at the others with determination in his eyes.
"There is one thing that Jin Cen said that is true. Instead of waiting to be slaughtered, it is better to take the initiative."
When he said that, the generals exchanged glances. A moment later, they all stood up, clasped their fists, and said in unison, "This subordinate will follow the Great General to the end!"
"This general thanks you all for your support." After saying that, Feng Xiyan filled his wine cup, raised it high, and added, "Brothers, this general salutes you with this cup of wine! Thank you for accompanying this general down this road of no return!"