Supreme Emperor of Mist

'What situation is this?' Sun Wu Jian wanted to ask. But he decided to keep his curiosity in control as the visitors came to his guest hall. Almost everyone came either on themselves or in a pair, except for Qin Lan.

"Adjutant Advisor of General Peng, Wang Li-Kun, greets your highness, ninth prince of Wu, Sun Wu Jian!" one of the two elders cupped his hands together as he kneeled on a knee.

"Adjutant Advisor of General Peng, Wang Li-Yuan, greets your highness." the second elder followed.

"Both advisors, please take a seat. We've been expecting you for a while now." Sun Wu Jian replied politely while pointing his palm on the right side.

After attending to the two elders, it was the time for Huang Ping,  Shan Xiong Xin, and Expert Yi's turn. They're seated freely on both sides to even up the numbers.

Right now, there' only three more seats available inside this guest hall. But the placement seems a little awkward to both the guest and the host.

By right, Peng Yan should be seated nearest to Sun Wu Jian due to her position as the envoy of Wei. But right now, both nearest seat to him has to be given to Huang Ping and Shan Xiong Xin to accommodate Qin Lan's difficulty.

"Peng Yan, daughter of General Peng Likun, greets your highness as the envoy of Wei." she greets Sun Wu Jian with proper etiquette the moment she's in the hall. But the motive behind her action was quickly exposed when she grabbed the middle spot of the three remaining seats.

"..." 

Qin Lan was speechless. He knew that Peng Yan would do something like this, but to think that she would do it right in front of Sun Wu Jian is akin to giving a slap at Zhou Mei's face.

"Zhou Mei, the daughter of Zhou Shen, pay her respect to the ninth royal brother today." her greeting to Sun Wu Jian was different from what the other expected. It immediately garnered everyone's attention right on the spot.

"Has elder sister agreed to the royal consort's request to be her daughter-in-name?" Sun Wu Jian smiled. It seems that there was something private dealing between them that not even Qin Lan knew about.

"Yes, royal brother." Zhou Mei smiled. A simple word from her immediately escalated her position further than anyone inside of this hall.

"Men, prepare the princess a seat beside me. Royal sister, please sit beside me as you accompany me with the matter of Demon Mountain Fortress." Sun Wu Jian ordered.

A slightly sour face can be seen on Peng Yan as her plan to separates Qin Lan from seated beside her has failed. By having her sitting beside Sun Wu Jian, Qin Lan would have more time to look at Zhou Mei instead of her.

'Aargh! Hateful!' Peng Yan wanted to yell, but it was not the correct time for her to lose her temper.

'Don't worry... So what if she's a royal sister of the ninth prince? Behind me is the Country of Wei. The ninth prince would have to give me some face no matter what to maintain our current trading relationship.' Peng Yan calmed herself.

She believes that she's yet to fall within this fight for Qin Lan's attention.

"Qin Lan greets your highness." Qin Lan casually greeted Sun Wu Jian and went to the seat between Shan Xiong Xin and Peng Yan. The moment the last person was seated, female dancers entered the hall.

They were entertained with a few dances and martial performances to bring up the mood. While watching the show, food was also served to everyone to quench their thirst and fill their stomach.

Following that is Qin Lan's signature Plum Flower Fragrance wine, which was used to bring the drinker back to the world and remembered their responsibilities.

"Good wine!" the two elders with the surname Wang praised the wine presented to them. As someone obsessed with good wine, it is impossible for them to not notice the quality of Qin Lan's wine after the first cup.

"Your highness, please allow this older one between the two brothers to thank your highness for serving such a good quality wine in this meeting." Wang Li-Yuan said. The flavorful plum flower is still lingering in his mouth as he speaks.

If it was not due to politeness, he would have taken the entire bottle and start chugging it down like no tomorrow.

Also sharing his sentiment is Wang Li-Kun. The flavorful plum flower and the alcoholic taste from the fermented rice made him appreciates the wine even more.

"If both adjutants enjoyed the wine so much, I'll order some of my soldiers to deliver them to your prepared accommodation. Although this prince had nothing much in my pitiful fortress here, we have ample supply of this Plum Flower Fragrance!" Sun Wu Jian laughed.

Sun Wu Jian's word made him seems humble and courteous towards the two elders. Also, it was good for him to build a friendlier relationship between the two countries by using the wine to break the ice between them.

"Then..." the two elders looked at each another...

"These two elders will be shameless for once and accepted your highness's kindness." both of them laughed. It was evident that their heart had been bought by the wine served to them.

"Servants. Fill the cup of the two elders. May I propose another toast to everyone?" Sun Wu Jian raised his wine cup as the female servant came to everyone's side to fill their cup to the brim.

"To friendship between the Wu and Wei!" said Sun Wu Jian.

Everyone finished the wine in their cup before it was placed on top of the table by their side.

And with the performance, meal, and digestif is served, it was time for them to discuss the serious matters.

"I think we're ready for our talk now. May I know the country of Wei's concern regarding this Flame Demon Mountain and this fortress?" Sun Wu Jian's word was direct. 

It wasn't a secret that the Hushan Bandits used to deal with the people from the Kuanglei Province, Evil Infant Sect, and the country of Wei. Furthermore, losing the supply of medicinal herbs from this place will be detrimental to their own growth.

"Since your highness is speaking frankly, then please allow this envoy to answer without twisting our words too. The country of Wei wished that we differentiate the business and territorial matters."

"The situation between Kuanglei Province and his highness brother, the second prince, is not a secret. I'm sure of that." Peng Yan brought up the current battle between the second prince's subjugation force against the Thunder Roaring Palace happening right now into their discussion.

"Of course, Envoy Peng. What you've said is correct. Business is business. The territorial dispute shall not be included in our discussion. Please feel free to bring up your concern to me. This prince will make sure to give you an adequate reply as long I can help it." Sun Wu Jian said.

The discussion between them went on for hours, from medicinal pills to Yao Beast scattered around the area. This Flame Demon Mountain was indeed a trove of treasure all over. Not only that but the six Spiritual Herb Garden under Sun Wu Jian's control is also an irresistible piece of fat meat in everyone's eye.

But a discussion related to tens of thousand pieces of Precelestial Essence every month is impossible to be completed in a single day. With the time is getting late right now, it was only proper that Sun Wu Jian suggested that they continue their discussion tomorrow.

"Guest from the Country of Wei, let us stop here for today and continue tomorrow, shall we? I believe everyone should be tired from all the traveling and inconveniences," he said.

"This elder has no objection. I heard that there's a proper restaurant here in Demon Mountain Fort. May we get the chance to enjoy a meal there?" said one of the two elders.

"Of course, elder. If both elders don't mind, please allow this commander to be the host tonight and entertain everyone in the best restaurant in our Demon Mountain Fort." Huang Ping said.

"Then, we'll be disturbing you." the two elders cupped their hands together as they appreciate Huang Ping's kindness.

"Your highness. May this envoy made a request too since I was not favored as much as the two adjutants?" Peng Yan said as she felt she was neglected. She was pouting when she made her request.

"May I know what is in Envoy Peng's mind? Wu Jian will make sure to fulfill your request if it is in my ability." Sun Wu Jian replied.

"I heard that there's a skillful alchemist by your highness side. Can I request to befriend him or her to exchange insight about alchemy?" Peng Yan said. It was an unexpected request because no matter where they look, it is hard to put Peng Yan and Alchemy together.

Zhou Mei's expression changed after she heard Peng Yan's request.

'VIXEN!!!' she wanted to shout at Peng Yan so much for purposely looking for the chance to get closer to Qin Lan.

"This..." Sun Wu Jian tapped his finger on the chair as he considered Peng Yan's request.

"Is it impossible?" Peng Yan asked.

"Perhaps asking brother Qin would be the best." Sun Wu Jian decided to push the decision to Qin Lan and let him settle it himself.

"Oh? Darling Qin, are you close to the alchemist?" Peng Yan asked.

"..."

"I'm the alchemist you're looking for." Qin Lan replied.