"You don’t plan on helping them finish building the entire city, do you?"
The next day, upon the back of Kui Shui Xuanwu, Agunas’s specter asked Feng Yuan tirelessly again. Annoyed by the persistent questioning of Agunas’s specter, Feng Yuan responded with dissatisfaction,
"I’ve already said it’s impossible! Completing the entire construction is not something a mere authority can achieve. Besides, they don’t even have a complete plan; they don’t know how to build it."
"At most, we can help them clear the area around Nanyu City. If she continues to cling on there, then we’ll have no choice but to leave on our own."
Feng Yuan said this with a sense of helplessness. He didn’t know how long Wei Dingwu planned to stay there, but they were running out of time. If they kept waiting, their return to Great Li would be too late.
"That’s the only way."
Mo Li also felt helpless. He understood that Wei Dingwu’s staying was not a good thing—she was not yet ready to bear the expectations of the people of Nanyu City.
Cheng Yong kept talking to Xiao An, but the latter looked impatient. Finally, Xiao An tugged at Feng Yuan’s sleeve, saying something with a puzzled look in his eyes. Unfortunately, without his communication ability activated, Feng Yuan couldn’t understand what he was saying.
Cheng Yong said somewhat embarrassedly,
"He wants your help to enable him to communicate directly with the King of Nanyu."
Looking at Xiao An with confusion, Feng Yuan asked, puzzled,
"Why don’t you translate for him?"
"That’s what I thought too, but he believes I might... distort his words."
Hearing Feng Yuan’s response, Cheng Yong blushed and didn’t speak. He knew that if he were to translate for Xiao An, he might very well distort his words, because in his eyes, that so-called King of Nanyu was nothing more than a spendthrift fool.
Feng Yuan naturally understood what Xiao An was worried about. Why did Elder Xia Yu send him to negotiate with the King of Nanyu? It was because in Pearl Town, aside from Elder Xia Yu himself, only Xiao An had the ability. It was not that others couldn’t negotiate, but their attitude, much like Cheng Yong’s, would likely make things worse if they were delegated to do so.
"Alright, when you enter the Royal Palace, I’ll follow to set up the Domain for you,"
Feng Yuan promised Xiao An with a smile. Releasing the Domain was just temporarily not using Wolf God Giant Sword. He had no intention of doing anything significant, so leaving Wolf God Giant Sword inside the Royal Palace wasn’t a big deal.
Seeing his father’s translation, Xiao An showed Feng Yuan a grateful smile. Although young, he was not clueless. Feng Yuan didn’t have to do anything for him. Even though Feng Yuan seemed to be acting casually, they should not take it for granted.
"Are you here to pick up Ding Wu?"
Upon reaching the Zhuo Ya Clan’s encampment, there seemed to be more progress compared to the day before—it was evident they had also been working through the night. Mo Li thought so as he saw Madam Zhuo, who was nearby, greeting Feng Yuan and his companions with a smile as they approached.
Waving his hand, Feng Yuan said,
"Your progress is quite fast."
"After all, it’s where we’ll live. Getting it done sooner by working in shifts is better than cramming into Nanyu City,"
Madam Zhuo replied with a light smile. If it weren’t for everyone respecting her and prohibiting her from joining in, she would have personally taken part in the construction of their living space. Don’t forget, she had spent a long time with the Sun-Scorch Insects, nourished by their power. Although she didn’t have modern enhancements, her physical condition was not at all inferior to average humans.
At the very least, when compared to a typical adult male in terms of strength and stamina, even those accustomed to heavy labor might not be able to best her. It was only because she was the leader of the Zhuo Ya Clan that it wasn’t quite appropriate for her to get involved directly.
The Sun-Scorch Insects kept flying around, leading a group of minions persistently cutting and polishing the stone they extracted with their flames, a pity that the stone was only being used for the walls and roads. For the main buildings, they still planned to use more familiar wood, so there wasn’t much the Sun-Scorch Insects could help with.
"Could you help introduce me to the King of Nanyu?"
Remembering Madam Zhuo’s status, Feng Yuan asked her, seeing a puzzled look on her face. Madam Zhuo nodded and said,
"Of course, what do you plan to discuss with the King?"
Pointing at Xiao An, Feng Yuan said with a smile,
"Not me, but the Envoy of the Aquatic People, who hopes to discuss some matters with Nanyu Kingdom."
"The Aquatic People? Sure, follow me."
Madam Zhuo bowed slightly and elegantly turned to walk slowly toward Nanyu City. Guo Huai looked at Feng Yuan in surprise and said,
"I thought you would just bring the people directly into the Royal Palace."
"That would be asking for trouble... I’m not so foolish,"
Feng Yuan said somewhat speechlessly. He didn’t understand why Guo Huai would think that. Even if he was reckless, he certainly wouldn’t do such a thing. Covering her mouth with a smile, Mo Ling said,
"But his way of speaking is exactly like your usual habits,"
"Do you all really see me as that kind of person?"
"Yeah, you always seem to have everything under control, and you often find things troublesome, just going straight into action... recklessly, yes, that’s it—recklessly charging ahead."
Mo Ling gave Feng Yuan a look of grievance and exclaimed,
"That’s prejudice, when have I ever been a reckless man?"
"Haven’t you always been ?"
Agunas’ phantom swished its tail disdainfully and said, knowing full well where Feng Yuan’s confidence stemmed from. Those actions that seemed rash were only because he possessed the capability, or rather, for Feng Yuan, it was the most convenient approach.
"Little Crocodile... how could you say that."
Feng Yuan glanced at Agunas’ phantom reproachfully; a light shadow resembling Agunas appeared in his hand, which he then rolled into the shape of a crocodile dumpling. With a roll of its eyes, Agunas’ phantom grumpily said,
"You’re not going to scare me with that."
At the Nanyu Royal Palace, after being announced by Ms. Zhuo, Feng Yuan led Xiao An and Cheng Yong into the palace while everyone else waited outside. Although everyone was curious about what the inside of the Nanyu Royal Palace was like, there was no need to swarm in like tourists—it would be too disrespectful to the Nanyu King.
With dark circles under his eyes, Wei Dingwu called out somewhat excitedly. After looking around and not finding Feng Yuan, he asked with some confusion,
"Where is Feng Yuan? Didn’t he come?"
"He’s taken Xiao An and the others to meet the Nanyu King. After all, Xiao An doesn’t understand the common language."
Guo Huai gestured towards the palace door and explained, prompting Wei Dingwu to ask, somewhat puzzled,
"Why is it Xiao An who has come? Is he the same little boy we encountered before?"
"It’s him. As for the reason... well..."
Liu Wenli briefly outlined the situation, to which Wei Dingwu responded with some surprise,
"Cooperation, huh? That’s good, at least we don’t have to worry as much about the Maritime People now."
"That’s debatable. If they’ve not managed to resolve their internal conflicts successfully this time, there will still be difficulties,"
Liu Wenli wasn’t particularly optimistic; she knew all too well that such conflicts weren’t easy to resolve. Why did she opt to destroy and rebuild in the past? Because it was simply too troublesome.
"I believe the elders should be able to handle it,"
Wei Dingwu said confidently, having an inexplicable faith in the elders. Liu Wenli glanced at Wei Dingwu but didn’t say much more. She didn’t see the point in explaining too clearly about something so futile.
"Should we wait for that guy here, or go help out?"
Guo Huai surveyed the surroundings and asked. At that moment, apart from the refugees resting, Nanyu City was filled with guards patrolling with stern expressions; everyone else was likely busy constructing the perimeter of the settlement.
"We’ll wait for him. Even if all of us combined our efforts, we probably couldn’t match Feng Yuan’s efficiency,"
Liu Wenli said calmly, noting from just the temporary camp how it was so. Moreover, despite her reluctance to admit it, the truth was that the power of Spirit Beasts was far more convenient than manpower.
"I wonder how long he will take..."
Mo Ling murmured softly while gazing at the Royal Palace. Liu Wenli smiled slightly and said,
"Not long, that guy must hate those kinds of negotiations."
"How do you know that?"
Guo Huai looked at Liu Wenli in surprise; she leaned on Amon and, gazing towards the direction of the Royal Palace, said somewhat distantly,
"Because I hate them too... those sycophantic individuals who are all about their own interests... I just can’t stand them..."
Mo Ling looked at Mo Li, puzzled by her expression. Noticing Mo Ling’s gaze, Mo Li gently caressed the top of Mo Ling’s head, smiling.