"Then..."
The envoy hesitated for a long moment, cold sweat streaming down his forehead. At last, he forced himself to ask, "General Bai, may I ask when you intend to return to the capital with your army? His Majesty has missed you for some time and often speaks of you at court."
Bai Yunlie tipped his head back and sighed. "I led this army to war on the king's orders. You Kingdom has yet to fall, and I have won no merit worth mentioning. If the army turns back now, how could I face His Majesty in the capital? Report to the king that once I have razed You Kingdom's ancestral temples, I will return in triumph and bear the thorn branches to beg forgiveness!"
"But the situation at court..." The envoy tried to press the matter, but Bai Yunlie cut him off with a rough wave.
"A general in the field need not obey every royal command.
"My mind is made up. Say no more."
The envoy saw Bai Yunlie's gaze turn cold, then glanced at the burly, fearsome guards outside the hall. In the end, he swallowed his remaining words along with his fear.
Over the next few days, Bai Yunlie treated the imperial envoy well enough, serving him fine wine and meat every day.
But wherever the envoy went, two squads of soldiers seething with Killing Intent stayed at his heels. Several times he tried to leave Chen City and see what was happening inside You Kingdom, only to be politely turned back on one pretext or another.
Knowing this trip would yield nothing, the envoy finally took his leave.
"Father, how long must we keep up this act?"
"We hold Chen City and five other cities, and command over ten thousand Crimson Blood Elite. We have