Chapter 996 - Paying Tribute (3)
Under the shocked gaze of the ambassador, Ji Fengyan strolled nonchalantly to the throne and sat down.
“Ambassador from the Kingdom of Fu Xiang?” Ji Fengyan raised her brows.
The ambassador quickly regained his composure. Although still astounded, he didn’t forget his goal. He promptly said, “I am Hu Xiao from the Kingdom of Fu Xiang. I have come on behalf of our Imperial Consort.”
Hu Xiao did not show the least bit of humility. He spoke with his head held high and with an arrogant demeanor.
Gong Zhiyu frowned slightly at Hu Xiao’s attitude. This was not the proper manner of a kingdom’s ambassador.
Ji Fengyan looked at Hu Xiao neutrally. She glanced at his arrogant demeanor before turning towards Meng Fusheng. She lifted her chin at him without a word.
Meng Fusheng immediately got Ji Fengyan’s meaning and charged towards Hu Xiao. Before the Fu Xiang guards could react, Meng Fusheng had Hu Xiao by the shoulders and gave a vicious kick to the back of his knees!
Hu Xiao instantly collapsed on his knees in agony. He landed on the hard, rock ground and his face turned red with the pain. He struggled to get up but was pressed to the floor by Meng Fusheng.
“What are you doing! I am the ambassador from the Kingdom of Fu Xiang. How dare you treat me with such disrespect!” Hu Xiao was extremely grim-faced. He could hardly believe they would make a move on him.
The Fu Xiang guards were going to move forward when Gong Zhiyu snapped his fingers. Over a hundred of armoured Blood Tribe men charged in fully armed and raring to fight.
Those Fu Xiang guards instantly stood down, cold sweat breaking out on their foreheads.
Only then did Ji Fengyan speak up leisurely, with one hand propping up her chin. She looked neutrally at the fuming Hu Xiao.
“Since you have come to my Kingdom of Hua Xia, you must adhere to my rules. You can only talk to me when kneeling down.”
Hu Xiao’s face turned black. He never expected this harmless-looking teenage girl to exert her authority so forcefully.
“Speak. Why have you come here today?” Ji Fengyan spoke in a languid manner.
Hu Xiao wanted to stand up but was no match for Meng Fusheng. He was totally pinned to the ground. Helpless, Hu Xiao could only suppress his anger and reply, “The Imperial Consort has received news of the establishment of the Kingdom of Hua Xia, and specially wants me to transmit two messages to you.”
“Oh?”
“Firstly, Mai Ya is a wanted criminal by our Kingdom of Fu Xiang. She plotted to murder our Emperor to usurp the throne. The Kingdom of Hua Xia must hand her over, or Fu Xiang will declare war against you.” Hu Xiao maintained his arrogant posture.
Ji Fengyan smirked but remained silent.
Hu Xiao continued. “Secondly, the Kingdom of Fu Xiang has yet to give permission regarding the establishment of the Kingdom of Hua Xia. According to the rules, Hua Xia will need to pay an annual tribute to Fu Xiang, amounting to 100,000 gold coins and above. If you do not do so, it will be a sign of disrespect and Fu Xiang will not hesitate to teach Hua Xia a lesson.”
Hu Xiao’s message was very clear. Not only did the Kingdom of Fu Xiang wanted them to hand over Mai Ya, they were forcing Hua Xia to become a tributary nation under Fu Xiang. The Kingdom of Hua Xia would need to pay them a huge yearly tribute or be attacked.
Hu Xiao smiled coldly at Ji Fengyan after he finished speaking. There were less than 10,000 people in the Free Valley and could hardly be counted as a nation. If Ji Fengyan was smart, she would obediently follow the orders, or suffer total annihilation.