Hu Xiaotian deliberately asked, "Where is the Prince of Yan now?"
Zan Buliu shook his head. "I don't know. With his abilities, if he truly wanted to hide, no one would find him."
Hu Xiaotian had previously had Visa control Zan Buliu's mind, so he knew that what the man said was probably the truth. Turning his gaze toward the grassland beneath the morning sun, he said quietly, "I suspect the Han'erjin Tribe and Guo Guangbi and his son are merely pawns being used by someone else. Forces from Great Kang may also be meddling behind the scenes."
Zan Buliu was startled to hear this. Things were more complicated than he had imagined.
Hu Xiaotian said, "Actually, even the most complicated matters can be resolved in the simplest way. Tell them I agree to an alliance. And if my army reaches Ji City someday, I won't harm a single blade of grass or tree on the Ankang Grassland. I'll leave this grassland to them." His words rang with soaring confidence.
Zan Buliu looked at Hu Xiaotian. Although Hu Xiaotian's influence had yet to reach this region, nothing about his declaration felt exaggerated. His resolute expression and confident voice inspired a deep conviction in Zan Buliu. He believed Hu Xiaotian had both the standing and the ability to make such a promise.
Hu Xiaotian told Zan Buliu, "Although the Prince of Yan is my sworn elder brother, he isn't an easy man to deal with. I've worked with him before, and I know just how formidable he is. Let me offer you a few words, Brother Zan." He paused, then stressed each word. "You're asking a tiger for its skin!"
Zan Buliu pressed his lips together. Naturally, he understood Hu Xiaotian's warning: cooperating with Xue Shengjing, the Prince of Yan, was