Eight-Row Dance

Fang Yun did not pursue the matter with Zong Wuyuan any further. Instead, he took the initiative and said to Qing Lord, "I must trouble Your Majesty to lead us to our lodgings. The scholars of both kingdoms have been weary all night; it is time for them to rest."

Seeing Fang Yun graciously offer him a way out, Qing Lord immediately said, "Please, Void Sage Fang, proceed to the Prefectural Academy. Some of the attendants may stay at Bashan Inn."

Next, the officials of both sides exchanged formal greetings. Everyone else rode in carriages provided by Qing Kingdom, while only Fang Yun's Dragon Horse carriage flew down from the Skyfaring Tower Ship.

The moment the eighteen Dragon Horses emerged, every Flood Dragon Horse in Qing Kingdom was so frightened that it dropped to its knees. Many carriages lurched and toppled sideways, and some Flood Dragon Horses even foamed at the mouth and fainted dead away from terror.

At the sight, Fang Yun suddenly understood why Jiang Hechuan had asked him to bring this luxurious Dragon Horse carriage on the diplomatic visit.

When Fang Yun looked back, he saw smiles on the faces of the many Jing Kingdom officials.

The faces of Qing Kingdom's officials were utterly grim. Fang Yun was clearly the guest, yet he had turned the tables and become the master. If word of this got out, those who bore grudges against Qing Kingdom would surely rejoice and add fuel to the flames as they spread the tale.

The matter was small, but it concerned the dignity of a kingdom. No one wished to make a spectacle of themselves. If the Literary Gazette were to write, "When the Void Sage arrived in Xiang Prefecture, ten thousand Qing Kingdom horses bowed their heads," it would be tantamount to