In the resplendent hall, exotic dancing girls performed on the carpet, while several guests sat to either side.
Xie Jinhuan sat in front of Jiang Xian. He could see quite a few other guests in the hall, mostly dressed as wandering knights and fangshi. Their cultivation varied, but even the stronger ones were merely first-grade martial artists.
Relying on this rotten collection of fish and shrimp to assassinate the king at the Northern Border Royal Court would be asking for humiliation. Because of this, the lord, Huo Yi, had pinned almost all his hopes on the "greatest baturu of the Long River Tribe," who was young but had a fearsome record in battle.
Although Jiang Xian was too young and did not look much like a transcendent-grade expert, a prodigy like her was bound to have an elder backing her. Winning over the disciple meant winning over the master.
After three rounds of drinks, Huo Yi approached them with his cup, his face troubled as he voiced his grievances:
"Miss Jiang, you must have visited various places these past few days and seen the Long River Tribe's situation. The herders have already clashed with the tax collectors to protect their cattle and sheep, with quite a few killed or injured. But I'm not the one collecting these animals. The Red Mountain Tribe is demanding them. I'm Huo Yi."
"The annual tribute our grasslands pay Great Zhou isn't nearly this much. When we ask, they say they've spent it greasing the palms of Great Zhou's great clans. Since these are private bribes, they don't dare produce any accounts, but if we don't pay, Great Zhou will attack..."
Shen Cang had seen the chaos on the grasslands over the past few days. He replied:
"Great Zhou does have some corrupt officials, but