Since You Delivered Yourself, There's No Need to Leave

Urgh!

Tian Youqing let out a muffled groan and toppled backward, head thrown back!

The guards behind him reacted swiftly, stepping forward to catch him. They kneaded and circulated their qi; with a burst of force, they forced out the arrowhead. Then one reached into his robes, took out golden wound medicine, smeared it over the injury, and circulated his strength again to let the medicine permeate it.

"It hurts like hell!" Only then did Tian Youqing manage to cry out, instantly drenched in cold sweat.

His confidant trembled and could not help muttering in complaint, "The Marshfolk truly are savages, barbarians. They do not even understand the rule that envoys are not slain when two nations are at war!"

"Endure it! Endure it!" Tian Youqing panted heavily, squeezing those two words out through clenched teeth. He was reminding his confidant, but also bolstering himself. "The dry season is approaching, and the Marshfolk are under immense pressure. These past few years, the Five Marshes have suffered many disasters, and food rations are scarcer than in previous years. Who knew how many had starved to death? The imperial court banned trade, and after Qiu Yan came to power, he adopted a policy of division, cracking down on those who traded in secret. That was what forced the Marshfolk to raise a great army!"

As he spoke, the gates of the great stockade opened. A robust man carrying a longbow strode out in great strides. Reaching Tian Youqing, he sneered. "You came to see the Great Chieftain, didn't you? Come with me."

Tian Youqing covered his wound and gritted his teeth as he followed. He recognized the man. He knew he was the son of the Great Chieftain of the Marshfolk Main Tribe, a man of considerable authority among the Marshfolk.

Speaking