C19 The Negotiation

Ethan strode boldly into West Wind Snow’s main command tent. He ignored the hostile stares of the surrounding soldiers. At the center of the tent sat a large, muscular woman.

“That’s Raymond’s lover? She’s brutal-looking. Does he have poor taste?” Ethan thought. He had never seen such an unattractive woman.

“Haha! I never thought the Rabbit Kingdom’s ‘demon killer’ would be so handsome. Aren’t you afraid I’ll kill you, Ethan?” The muscular woman was indeed Raymond’s lover, West Wind Snow.

“Fear? I came here voluntarily. War brings death. I have killed many, but you have killed more. I am not afraid because you dare not kill me. It would cost you more than you can afford,” Ethan replied calmly.

“Brave and smart. I invited you to negotiate, so I will keep my word. Even if we fail to reach an agreement, you will leave safely. On the battlefield, you would be a worthy opponent. Let me introduce the commander of the Golden Rooster Kingdom, Liu Dehua. I have prepared a feast. We will talk as we eat. I hear you are a man of many talents.”

West Wind Snow was ugly but charismatic. Ethan understood why she terrified the Rabbit Kingdom. He reached out to shake Liu Dehua’s hand, amused by her name. Liu Dehua clearly did not know the custom of handshaking and looked nervous.

Ethan noticed West Wind Snow did not mention the princess, the prince, or Raymond. She acted as if she did not care. But Ethan knew from business experience: the less someone mentions something, the more they care.

“Haha, you are too kind. I never turn down a free meal. I won’t introduce my companions; I may need them to carry me back if I drink too much.” Ethan hid Leng Xue and Li Yizhu’s true identities to avoid them being taken hostage.

“General Ethan is humorous. This way, please. The food is ready.” West Wind Snow laughed loudly. She looked so masculine that it was hard to tell her gender.

Ethan followed them into another tent. Leng Xue and Li Yizhu stood behind him. Ethan felt powerful: the Rabbit Queen Consort and top general as his bodyguards, and two enemy commanders treating him as an honored guest.

“To war! We are enemies now, but we can still be friends tonight!” West Wind Snow raised her cup first.

“To respect!” Ethan drank quickly. He decided not to mention the negotiation until she did.

“General West Wind, I heard your clan has close ties with the Dog Clan. In another world, your people live in peace with them. Is that true?” Ethan asked directly.

West Wind Snow froze. It was a top secret of her clan. “How do you know this?”

“I have seen that world. It is thousands of years more advanced than yours. Your ancestors came from there long ago, but you lost contact.”

West Wind Snow’s heart raced. Finding their ancestral home was the Turtle Clan’s greatest dream.

“Can you take us back?” she begged.

Ethan stood up, pretending to leave. “You invited me to drink, not to beg for favors. If there is nothing else, I will go.”

“Wait! We are ready to negotiate seriously!” West Wind Snow panicked. She had lost control of the conversation.

“Haha! You think you hold the advantage, but you are already defeated. Your army is strong but exhausted. You have no food. The land you captured is burned. You cannot supply your soldiers. You may take Guanghan, but you will lose countless men. The Queen has already prepared a final base at Ghost Cliffs. She can fight you for years with guerrilla tactics.

And we have your princess, your prince, and your lover. If they die, you will be executed when you return home. You have no choice but to negotiate. This war has no winner. Both kingdoms are broken. The only wise choice is to retreat. I will return your people later.”

Ethan’s words left everyone speechless. West Wind Snow knew he was right.

“General Ethan, you are a military genius. We will negotiate your terms for retreat.”

“NO! We cannot retreat without gaining something!” Liu Dehua shouted in her metallic voice. She refused to accept defeat.

West Wind Snow was caught off guard. She knew they had no cards left to play.

“Haha! What else do you want? I am ready for anything,” Ethan laughed arrogantly.

“General Ethan, we mean no harm. We only wish to witness your legendary power. Please show us your skill!” West Wind Snow quickly changed the subject to calm Liu Dehua.

“I challenge you!” Liu Dehua roared.

Before Ethan could speak, Leng Xue stepped forward.

“You do not deserve to fight my commander. I will fight you instead.” She was angry that West Wind Snow flattered Ethan.

“Of course. Teach my subordinate some manners,” Ethan said, enjoying the show.

“I will fight for you, General!” A huge, mountain-like female general, Zhao Chang Yingzi, stepped forward.

“Beat that dog first!” Leng Xue shouted.

“Insolent!” West Wind Snow snapped.

Zhao Chang Yingzi charged like a tank. Leng Xue dodged easily, moving like a butterfly. The strong but slow warrior could not hit her.

“Haha! Stand against the wall! Don’t spin like a donkey!” Ethan shouted.

Zhao Chang Yingzi followed Ethan’s advice and fought better. Leng Xue was furious that Ethan was helping the enemy. She pretended to retreat toward Ethan.

Suddenly, Leng Xue disappeared. Zhao Chang Yingzi saw Ethan and charged.

Ethan smiled. He grabbed the woman’s hair, punched her eyes, and kicked her stomach. She fell down. Ethan climbed on top of her and punched her face wildly, just like a street gangster. He beat her until she stopped moving.

Everyone stared in shock.

West Wind Snow could not believe the legendary hero fought like a common thug. Liu Dehua lost all motivation to fight him; it would be too shameful.

Ethan helped Zhao Chang Yingzi up politely. “Sorry, instinct.”

“Thank you, General!” she said, dazed and grateful.

Leng Xue tried not to laugh.

West Wind Snow quickly sent the beaten warrior away. She was angry but helpless. She turned to Liu Dehua.

“Commander Liu, why not show General Ethan your skill?”

Liu Dehua stood up reluctantly.

“Haha! Before you fight me, you must meet the real strongest warrior here,” Ethan said, grinning.

“Who?”

“Li Yizhu. He is a true master.”

Li Yizhu sighed. He knew Ethan was tricking him again.

“I will fight you,” Li Yizhu said calmly.

Li Yizhu faced Liu Dehua and began to dance. It was not a fighting stance — it was the Tiger Dance.

Everyone watched, spellbound. The dance was beautiful, hypnotic. Liu Dehua, Leng Xue, and even the soldiers started to dance along. Only Ethan and West Wind Snow resisted.

Li Yizhu danced closer to Liu Dehua and gently pushed her. She fell, still dancing.

The entire tent was hypnotized.

Ethan knew he had to stop it.

He screamed his horrible, ear-piercing wolf howl.

The spell broke instantly.

Li Yizhu stumbled, furious. Ethan’s scream ruined his ultimate technique.

Liu Dehua woke up dizzy, with no memory of what happened. She only remembered the terrible wolf scream.

West Wind Snow looked at Ethan with deep fear.

She had finally met a man she could never defeat.

The real negotiation could finally begin.