After leading the Iron Futu to within thirty miles, the Turkic Great Khan halted, merely sending a message to Chen Dingye, laughingly saying: "I have already shown sincerity, coming all this way."

"Emperor Chen, likewise, must show the magnanimity and grace fitting of Emperor Chen. Given the sincerity, and since we have come to support the Emperor, should not the Emperor come out to my central army to discuss?"

"Yet, you mustn’t go into Zhenbei City."

The envoy who came to receive him forced a smile: "Our Emperor of Chen is already in Zhenbei City, prepared for a long time, waiting for the Great Khan to come. Now, at this critical moment, suddenly not going into Zhenbei City, wouldn’t that be somewhat wasteful?!"

The Great Khan rode his mount, holding a whip, smiling leisurely:

"Hahaha, wasteful?"

"Indeed, the name of Chen Dingye is not unfamiliar to me. If not, my Iron Futu entering your Zhenbei City might truly fear being trapped by you."

"Hahahaha."

The Great Khan laughed confidently, while the expression of Chen State Ministers subtly changed. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

The Great Khan reined in his horse, said quietly:

"Come if you wish, if not, it’s just an old man taking his sons back."

At this crucial moment, the Turkic Great Khan suddenly changed his mind, demanding to change the place of alliance, so the Iron Futu remained thirty miles out, forcing the Chen State Envoy to retreat.

An hour later, upon returning, he said:

"His Majesty has agreed to the Great Khan’s request."

"However, the Great Khan dares not enter our Great Chen’s Zhenbei City."

"Such a noble personage does not casually sit under the hall. His Majesty also does not wish to enter the Great Khan’s central army. After all, the reputation of Iron Futu is known worldwide; should you suddenly attack, wouldn’t His Majesty be injured?"

Conflict arose here between the two sides, with the Great Khan unwilling to enter Zhenbei City.

Chen Dingye unwilling to enter his central army’s tent.

In this chaotic world, those who have come this far, despite being disreputable or having suffered defeat, are filled with vigilance. After days of standoff, they finally chose a compromise, to go to a dilapidated temple on a nearby mountain.

Some of the Iron Futu’s personal soldiers followed, as did some of Chen’s Night Rider Cavalry, while the majority of their forces remained at the mountain’s foot nearby, establishing a state of mutual equality.

Though it was a negotiation, a banquet was warranted.

Chen Dingye brought many delicacies, wine, and meat.

Set out in the Mountain God Temple, the feast was visually, aromatically, and gustatorily appealing. The Great Khan looked at these Central Plains delicacies, holding a wine cup, his wrist slightly moved, watching the wine within ripple, he praised: "Truly fine wine and food."

"Almost stirs my desire for drink, making me want to swallow it all down."

"Alas, alas."

The Great Khan smiled mildly, raised his hand to pour out all the fine wine onto the ground, scattering the aroma of wine, then carelessly tossed his waist sword aside, sitting casually, saying: "Alas!"

"Wine personally brought by Emperor Chen, even the bravest hero on the plains might hesitate to drink."

The Great Khan’s words carried a slight mockery, promptly clapping his hands as personal soldiers brought forth wine and meat, the Great Khan sat cross-legged, holding wine and meat, smiling: "Emperor Chen, we have all rolled in this chaotic world."

"You and I both know, we cannot trust each other."

"But still, we must cooperate for the sake of the world. Both of us might as well eat our own meat and drink, no need to avoid fully speaking our minds."

Before Chen Dingye lay an array of visually pleasing Central Plains delicacies.

Before the Great Khan was a platter of hand-grabbed lamb, unceremoniously, he pulled out a small knife, cut the meat dipped in chive sauce to eat, while eating said:

"That old dragon, Jiang Wanxiang, is still conserving his energy, probably aware that his years are short, aiming for a major play before life ends, whereas Li Guanyi, this Qilin, invincible wherever his forces go."

"You killed his father, harmed his mother, ordered his capture, pushed him to become the leader of chaotic world forces."

"You could be called his benefactor, Cheng Dingye."

"But Li Guanyi surely wants to kill you."

The Great Khan extended his finger toward Chen Dingye, saying: "And you?"

"Your Chen Country only has this little territory left, only these few troops. It’s said those who aspire to rule must possess extraordinary ambition and composure, ignoring slander for the greater good."

"I have come to see if you possess such depth."

"Chen Dingye, if you still want the title of Emperor Chen."

"If you wish to uphold your ancestors’ foundations, then cooperate with me. If you want to maintain the demeanor of a great Central Plains country ruler, insisting on whatever conviction you hold, I will turn and leave."

"You face the flourishing Prince Qin, the lurking Azure Dragon yourself."

"And so, die under this chaotic world!"

The Great Khan did not intend to say much more to Chen Dingye, merely stating his purpose directly, as the situation had reached this point, any further pretense would be meaningless.

In this Mountain God Temple, the Great Khan’s martial prowess was unmatched, his gaze calm.

Chen Tianqi held his long spear, quietly closed his eyes.

Chen Dingye lifted his wine cup, gazing at the cup, the color of amber, yet faintly smiled: "Indeed, a clever person, unwilling to enter my Zhenbei City, fearing I would close the city gates?"