Heavenly Star Chapter 154

“Somebody has arrived.” The middle aged man who remained silent all along beside him opened his mouth to talk. His voice, low with dryness, sounded older than his appearance.

Feng Ling’s stopped speaking, stood up. In an instant, his facial expression became warm and amiable, a face with a simple smile looking at the direction of the hall entrance.

The Emperor did not let Feng Ling wait long, he brought more than ten high ranking officials and a group of imperial bodyguards as he entered. Feng Ling took the initiative to welcome them, in a humble voice he said, “Greetings, Your Majesty. Forgive my boldness for coming here, I look forward to your consideration. On behalf of my father, Feng Ling wishes for Tian Long Nation’s good health.”

Long Yin laughed heartily, he said while walking, “You are very courteous. Actually, it’s my bad that I wasn’t able to personally welcome you, this is really an offense. Crown Prince Feng please have a seat.”

Long Yin sat in the master seat. Feng Ling sat in the secondary seat, as the middle aged man was like a shadow standing behind Feng Ling, once again motionless. Long Yin took a glimpse at the middle aged man then moved away his gaze and respectfully said, “Crown Prince Feng, based on what I know, you would have only arrived after three days. Why are you already here today? I was caught unprepared. This is a very important matter, please do prove your identity.”

“That’s how it is.” Unconcerned, Feng Ling smiled. He took out an emerald green badge from his pocket and held it before Long Yin’s eyes. “This is the Tian Feng jade that symbolizes my Gale Nation’s Royal Family’s identity. Does this make Your Majesty feel assured now? The reason for my early visit is because I yearn for the Tian Long Nation very much. I couldn’t wait to travel day and night just to get here, so I arrived a few days earlier than expected.”

The Tian Feng jade exactly fit one’s palm, its entire body was emerald green, sparkling and translucent, pure and limpid, complicated patterns marked the top of it, its center was carved with an eye-catching “Feng” character. With just a glance, Long Yin had determined its authenticity, he smiled and said, “As expected, I was too anxious. Presumably, this would be the first time that Crown Prince Feng has come to visit my Tian Long Nation. Come, I have prepared a feast for you. Since you are here in Tian Long, then you must have a taste of my Tian Long’s culinary delicacies and beauties.”

However, Feng Ling refused and said, “Feng Ling appreciates Your Majesty’s magnificent hospitality, but the time that my father gave me is limited. Every minute and every second that I am here in your distinguished nation is extremely precious, how could I squander them on these pleasures? This journey that my father had allowed me to take was to find out more about the whole world, to increase my knowledge and experience, furthermore to pay visit to the ruler of Tian Long and the numerous heroes of the Tian Long Nation. Please do consider, Your Majesty.”

Long Yin’s eyes flickered a single ray of vitality, yet immediately he concealed it, he slowly nodded and said, “You deserve the title of the Gale Nation’s Crown Prince, I admire such integrity. In this case, I shall command my people to tour you around the entire Tian Long within these days.”

“Feng Ling thanks Your Majesty in advance.”

“Hehe… Oh? One thing I don’t understand is why the Crown Prince Feng only brought along just one attendant this time?” Long Yin hinted at the middle aged man behind him with his meaningful glance.

Feng Ling smiled and said, “Precisely because Feng Ling is here to pay a visit, and not to march to a battle, so there’s no need to bring too many attendants. I believe Your Majesty will not detain me and make me a hostage, right? Hahahaha.”

Long Yin also laughed out, “You are kidding, Crown Prince Feng, but for you to feel at ease to come here, surely your attendant must not be just a simple person. Usually, capable persons come forth in large numbers in the Gale Nation, I never doubt it. Furthermore, judging by the attire of this attendant, his appearance is truly eye-catching, how shall I address him?”

Long Yin absolutely did not believe that the Crown Prince of Gale Nation would take such a risk to go on this dangerous journey and this person with a strange green suit, in the middle of this situation, his body, expression, gaze never made any moves. He did not even make eye contact from the beginning to the end, this person was absolutely not an ordinary person. This person with the capability to protect the Crown Prince of the Gale Nation was not just a simple person.

Feng Ling gently shook his head, held up his teacup then took a small sip.

Long Yin saw his unwillingness to answer the question, so he did not proceed further. Instead, he asked, “How is your father these days?”

Feng Ling put down the teacup and said, “Thanks for your kind concern, Your Majesty. My Father is safe and sound, it’s just that he had recently ascended to the throne, so he is preoccupied with a lot of things and too busy to look after other concerns…”

Long Yin and Feng Ling talked cheerfully and wittily, just like two caring close friends. Seated below were court officials with their faces with unpleasing expressions. Even if Feng Ling acted more gentle and amiable, they still had an intense conflict deep within their hearts. They already loathe an ordinary citizen of the Gale Nation, what more the Crown Prince of the Gale Nation, son of Feng Lie?

Apparently Long Yin appreciated Feng Ling more, as he looked very pleased talking to him, at least on the surface it was like that. In the days after the great war, Tian Long Nation was at peace for twenty years, but after twenty years, Tian Long Nation was currently still not a match for the Gale Nation with regards to troops and military prowess. Others would willfully feel unconvinced with the Gale Nation, but Long Yin, as the ruler of the Tian Long Nation, no matter how disgusted he was towards the Gale Nation, he must assume a gentle face and not to be bound to rip each other apart.

Feng Ling’s gaze swept across all the different expressions of the Tian Long court officials, finally his gaze landed on Ye Nu with an ordinary dignified attitude, whose eyes flickered. He directly stood up and saluted, “Forgive Feng Ling’s boldness, but is this Old General Ye Nu?”

Ye Nu having heard what he said, raised eyebrows and directly made eye contact. He did not stand up and with a hundred percent confidence, he said, “I am. Have we met before, Crown Prince Feng?”

Ye Nu was absolutely not a slick and sly pretentious person, his resentment towards the Gale Nation was clearly reflected on his face. He did not give a tiny bit of honor to Feng Ling the Crown Prince of the Gale Nation.

Upon hearing the response Feng Ling did not get angry, instead he became more excited. He directly left his seat, proceeded ahead stopping three steps in front of Ye Nu, bowed and saluted as he said, “It is really Old General Ye Nu, forgive me for being rude.”

“Oh? Crown Prince Feng has met Old General Ye before?” Long Yin smiled as he asked.

Feng Ling shook his head and said, “No, today is Feng Ling’s first time meeting Old General Ye. My father lived his life with pride and there are only less than three persons he had admires and Old General Ye is one of them. My father has always mentioned Old General Ye to me, in other words, he respected and feared Old General Ye, admired him for being wise and brave, with amazing military powers, incomparable talent as strong as the iron. During those years they can only be enemies, not as ruler and his minister, it was a regretful matter of his life. This time, my father has asked me to send his regards to Old General Ye on his behalf.

“I’ve heard that although Old General Ye was already aged, he was not resigned to acquiesce to old age and still assumes his position in politics. Feng Ling saw that this superior truly has a very loyal and brave blood, that he has gone through numerous expeditions. Feng Ling has rarely seen it, so I want to boldly ask, if it’s indeed Old General Ye. Old General Ye had led the army of the Ye Family to attack our numerous Gale Nation troops, but one thing that we most appreciate was the real hero like you of indomitable spirit.” After speaking, Feng Ling saluted once again.

Ye Nu softly snorted and said indifferently, “You overpraise me Crown Prince Feng. I’m just one of the numerous people who has sworn to protect the land of Tian Long Nation. All was because of the brilliant military powers of the late emperor and His Majesty, who used the correct method of commanding, not the lack loyal and brave officers and soldiers, I’m just a half dead old man who can’t afford the good praise of Crown Prince Feng.”

Feng Ling’s praise a few moments ago evidently used the Ye Family to compare to the Royal Family of Tian Long, obviously implying that what made the Gale Nation frightened and feared was the Ye Family and not the Long Family. The mature Ye Nu naturally did not want to steal the limelight from the Long Family so he covered up the details.

Seeing Feng Ling making such praise to Ye Nu, Lin Kuang’s expression was somehow not nice, he softly snorted, “Old General Ye is right, Crown Prince Feng’s words are exaggerated. Although Old General Ye was heroic during those years, our Tian Long Nation has many brave warriors, those as brave as Old General Ye are numerous. If you thought that our Tian Long Nation has only one Ye Nu, then you must be underestimating our Tian Long Nation!”

These words had seamlessly wiped out all the praises that Feng Ling made towards Ye Nu and also greatly praised the power of Tian Long Nation. Even if Ye Nu obviously knew that he was intentionally aiming against him, he did not have a reason to retort. Feng Ling’s eyes inclined to the side, the smile on his face had disappeared as he asked, “This superior, you are?”

“This is the Lin Family’s old master, Old General Lin.” Long Yin stepped in front to explain.

“Lin Family?” Feng Ling said with a puzzled expression, “Forgive Feng Ling for being ignorant and inexperienced, only knowing Tian Long City’s Ye Family and Hua Family, so the Lin Family is?”

Being despised and humiliated, the muscles on Lin Kuang’s face twitched, almost making him slap the table and stand up. He softly snorted and said, “My Lin Family is one of the thousand families that vowed loyalty and devotion to His Majesty, that can’t be judged under Crown Prince Feng’s discerning eyes. I have also walked to the gates of hell, I didn’t do anything world-shaking all my life, and only have some great guts. I want to ask you a question, Crown Prince Feng, what is your real intention for coming to our Tian Long Nation, is it possible for you to tell the truth?”

Long Yin’s face went serious, yet he did not say a word. The officials were all speechless, observing how Feng Ling would respond. The Emperor was not bound to rip him apart, but Lin Kuang had seized the opportunity to play the role of the “evil person”. That phrase “have some great guts” was being proven, as he was not afraid to offend Feng Ling, even if the Emperor dismissed the topic to settle it down, he did not care.

Lin Kuang’s intense attitude made Feng Ling’s face go cold. He pulled the corners of his mouth consciously and said, “Just like Feng Ling has mentioned before, coming to visit your good nation this time, the main reason was to observe and learn about the local conditions and the culture, to get to know the outstanding talents and heroes, and to gain experience. Old General Lin has an old age, there must be something wrong with your hearing ability. It will be better if you retire and rest at home as early as possible.

“Since the Crown Prince Feng has no other plans and you are our distant guest, shouldn’t you follow our rules here?” Lin Kuang said.

“It may be assumed that my Gale Nation and your nation’s rules aren’t that much different. If there are any differences, I, Feng Ling, will definitely follow. I will not do anything disrespectful towards your nation.” Feng Ling said in an annoyed expression.

Lin Kuang coldly smiled, “It is pleasing to hear that but what about your attendant? Stepping inside the Tian Long’s  gates, without His Majesty’s permission, no one is ever be allowed to bring weapons inside. Yet you had allowed your attendant to carry a large blade inside, swaggering with it, can it be considered as respect for our rules here? Or maybe, you plan to conspire against the Emperor?”

“Shut your mouth.” Long Yin lifted his hand and angrily yelled, “The Crown Prince Feng came to visit and reflected his sincerity. Old General Lin, you are extremely rude with your words.” He turned to face Feng Ling and said, “Old General Lin’s attitude is not usually like this, please don’t take offense.”

“Your Majesty! We shouldn’t be slacking on this matter! Allowing bladed weapons inside the palace will only endanger Your Majesty. It is similar to the crime of rebellion, how can we make an exception? Every single person who enters Tian Long Palace gates are requested by the guards to unload their weapons, but this person is still carrying the weapon with him. It proves that they have ignored our palace rules and unyieldingly broke inside. Meeting Your Majesty yet insisting on carry weapons… This proves that he has a suspicious mind and suspicious intentions!” Lin Kuang yelled, not permitting to overlook, nor spare anything; his expression was so emotionally stirred up.

Chapter end