Listening to the Eldest Princess's righteous declaration, Li Xinge showed no anger. Instead, he looked as though he had heard the funniest joke in the world.
"Hahahaha..."
He could not help clapping his hands and laughing.
His laughter echoed through the hall, laden with undisguised scorn and mockery.
The grating sound made the Dragon Palace's Demon Kings turn alternately green and pale, yet not one dared interrupt him.
After all, the cautionary example of the Nine-Lived Red Carp was right before their eyes.
"Integrity? Promises?"
Li Xinge stopped laughing.
"Eldest Princess, we're all sensible people here. Spare me the saintly act."
"In this world, there have never been any unbreakable promises or principles worth defending to the death. If there are, that only means one thing..."
Li Xinge sneered.
"The price of betrayal isn't high enough yet!"
The Eldest Princess's expression darkened.
"Marquis of Chu, put away those Human Race tricks of sowing discord."
"The chief Alliance Leader of the Four Seas Alliance offered me terms I simply cannot refuse. Never mind you—even if the emperor of Great Zhou himself were sitting here today, my answer would remain the same: the Underwater Dragon Palace will not send troops!"
Her tone was as decisive as severing iron with a blade, leaving no room for negotiation.
Seeing how impervious she was to persuasion, Li Xinge narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Terms you cannot refuse?"
The Eldest Princess spoke coldly.
Li Xinge lowered his head.
His voice was gentle. "Chixiao."
No sooner had he spoken—
Chixiao poked its little head out of Li Xinge's sleeve.
It first glanced at Li Xinge, then fixed its gaze on the Eldest Princess, whose expression had abruptly turned exceedingly grim.
"Li Xinge, do you intend to threaten me with my child?"
The Eldest Princess's voice was icy.
"Threaten