radicalducati Page 182
Page 182
They were just hoping that Haotian could force Ye Fan to reveal some of his true strength.
Northern Cold Prince's Mansion
In Xu Xiao's study, Xu Xiao and Li Yishan were discussing the matter of transferring the Northern Cold Qi to Wangjian Mountain.
This is now of paramount importance to the Northern Cold.
After all, Bei Han has now sided with Ye Fan, so it can be said that they share both glory and loss.
The stronger Ye Fan becomes, the easier the situation will be for Bei Han.
After all, it is Ye Fan who is currently suppressing the Tang Dynasty and Li Yang from taking action against the Northern Han.
Xu Xiao also knew that Bei Han's decision to break away from the Li Yang Dynasty and join Ye Fan was a gamble on his part.
If Ye Fan refuses, then Bei Han's situation will undoubtedly become dire.
However, once Ye Fan agrees, the Li Yang Dynasty and the Tang Dynasty will be hesitant and unable to take action against Bei Han for a period of time.
Xu Xiao was quite helpless about this.
The investigation into the Kyoto White Robe Case has yielded many results.
However, as the case progresses, the pressure from both the Tang Dynasty and Liyang is increasing, both overtly and covertly.
Xu Xiao is a shrewd person; how could he not guess the reason behind it?
But the White-Clad Case from back then involved the death of his beloved wife, and he absolutely could not ask Xu Xiao to stop the investigation.
This made Xu Xiao realize that, at present, due to the hundreds of thousands of elite armored soldiers of Bei Han, neither Da Tang nor Li Yang wanted to break off relations with him so quickly.
But as the details of the case gradually come to light, Li Yang and Datang will eventually take real action against Bei Han.
Even the hundreds of thousands of elite armored soldiers of the Northern Cold were no match for the two great empires.
Therefore, Xu Xiao, the King of Northern Cold, was eager to form a marriage alliance with Ye Fan.
Although the marriage alliance ultimately failed, Ye Fan eventually accepted Bei Han and became Bei Han's supporter.
This had a tremendous driving effect on the development of everything after Bei Han.
“Your Highness, although our Northern Han has sided with Ye Fan this time, and your decision played a significant role, we cannot let our guard down.” Li Yishan’s expression was grave. He would not relax for a moment until the important matter was settled. “Don’t forget the assassination attempt outside the Northern Han border. We still don’t know which force sent that assassination.”
Xu Xiao sighed slightly: "There's nothing we can do about it. The investigation into the White Robe Case has reached a dead end. Back then, those involved were intimidated by the pressure from the Li Yang royal family and the Tang Empire, and they all kept silent. I had no choice but to burn my bridges."
"With the Lord as our backer, many things have become much easier. Of course, all of this comes at a price: it pushes Bei Han to the forefront."
"This assassination attempt was made for this reason, but with the Lord's help, we can at least afford the price."
Li Yishan remained indifferent. He understood that Xu Xiao was putting himself in a do-or-die situation, and that Bei Han's predicament was becoming more and more dangerous every day.
Even if Bei Han doesn't pledge allegiance to Ye Fan, this assassination attempt won't happen today, but it will eventually come when the Li Yang Dynasty no longer needs King Bei Han.
"By the way, what is Your Highness's opinion on Haotian's arrival at Wangjian Mountain?" Li Yishan asked.
"Haotian..." Xu Xiao's eyes deepened, just like many people in the world today. Xu Xiao guessed that Haotian had come to Wangjian Mountain to test Ye Fan's strength.
However, unlike many people in the world who were looking forward to this battle, Xu Xiao was somewhat unwilling for it to happen.
After all, the more strength Ye Fan concealed, the less the Li Yang Dynasty and the Tang Empire dared to act rashly.
However, Haotian's strength is extraordinary. If Ye Fan were to be pushed too hard by Haotian, he would reveal too much of his strength.
This will undoubtedly create significant constraints on Xu Xiao's subsequent plans.
After all, from Xu Xiao's perspective, Ye Fan, no matter what, has not yet reached the realm of no bounds.
Since that's the case, we're still just ordinary people. And humans have weaknesses and can be manipulated.
“Your Highness need not worry so much.” Li Yishan, who was sitting opposite Xu Xiao, had a different opinion: “What Your Highness is worried about is that Haotian will force His Highness to use too much of his hidden strength, isn’t it?”
Hearing Li Yishan's words, Xu Xiao frowned and nodded.
Upon seeing this, Li Yishan waved his hand and said with great certainty, "But in my opinion, this battle cannot be won."
"Why?" Xu Xiao asked again, puzzled.
Li Yishan smiled slightly: "Because testing doesn't necessarily have to involve sparring. When you reach the level of a Martial Saint in the Human Realm and Haotian, what you see is no longer just about strength."
"If we don't look at strength, then what do we look at?" Xu Xiao asked, puzzled.
Li Yishan pointed to his heart, a mysterious smile on his face: "Look here, look at your state of mind!"
9 "Oh?" Xu Xiao nodded as if he understood, but after Li Yishan said that, he understood a little.
④After all, when one's strength reaches the level of Ye Fan and Hao Tian, one will indeed not care about the things that ordinary people care about.
⑧ They don't care about reputation or status.
2. If that's not the case, why did Ye Fan refuse Emperor Li Shimin's marriage proposal without even looking at it?
(4) That means he looks down on this marriage alliance; he doesn't care.
(3) Even if they could unify the world after marrying Li Shimin, it wouldn't be something they cared about anymore.
With the three of them having figured this out, Xu Xiao did feel much more relaxed.
Just as 0 was about to discuss with Li Yishan how to proceed with the Northern Cold after transferring the Northern Cold's fortune to Ye Fan.
Wu then heard the anxious voice of his second daughter, Xu Weixiong.
"Father!"
In a great hurry, like many young girls in the throes of new love, Xu Weixiong rushed into Xu Xiao's study.
Xu Xiao shook his head. Was this still his calm, collected, and capable second daughter, Xu Weixiong?
It seems that anything related to Ye Fan makes this girl panic.
Just because Haotian arrived at Wangjian Mountain, Xu Weixiong rushed back from Xueyue City without stopping.
Moreover, the first thing Xu Weixiong said to Xu Xiao upon seeing him was, "Father! Haotian has gone to Wangjian Mountain! What are we going to do!"
"Oh dear, I knew it all along! Do you think your father is blind?" Xu Xiao said helplessly.
Xu Weixiong completely ignored him: "Father! Is Haotian going to challenge Ye Fan to a duel?"
"Haotian's strength is not weak. If we push him too hard, will he force Ye Fan to use his full strength? If the world knows about his full strength, will some people take advantage of the chaos to cause trouble?"
Listening to his daughter's barrage of questions, Xu Xiao felt completely overwhelmed, his mood now quite similar to that of Li Shimin.
That was a great pity for Ye Fan for refusing her marriage proposal. If Xu Weixiong had married him, she wouldn't have acted this way in front of her.
Helpless, Xu Xiao could only repeat the same words Li Yishan had used to persuade him to Xu Weixiong.
Even so, the worry on Xu Weixiong's face did not diminish.
Xu Xiao could only mutter to himself, "Girls really are hard to keep once they grow up."
At this time, new activity occurred on Wangjian Mountain.
Humming an unknown tune, there were already two fish in the fish basket, each as big as an adult's forearm.
This made Ye Fan very happy.
He was already savoring the taste of those plump fish after they were grilled.
Just then, a soft female voice suddenly rang out behind Ye Fan.
Ye Fan was well-prepared; in fact, he had already sensed it the moment Haotian stepped into Wangjian Mountain.
After all, although Haotian tried her best to hide her strength, she could vaguely sense Ye Fan's presence.
Even though Haotian tried his best to hide his strength, Haotian's internal energy fluctuations were like a lighthouse in the dark to Ye Fan, attracting his attention.
Both of them were perfectly aware of this.
Haotian, however, pretended to be a passing farm girl and asked Ye Fan, "Who are you, and what are you doing here?"
Upon hearing the question, Ye Fan turned around and chuckled as he replied, "Me? I'm just a ninth-rank martial artist who lives in seclusion in the mountains and loves fishing. As for what I'm doing, isn't it obvious? I'm fishing."
Ye Fan turned around and answered Haotian's question, but secretly he was also sizing up Haotian.
At this moment, Haotian was dressed in the casual clothes of a peasant girl, with her long, black hair tied into a neat ponytail.
It wasn't the faint fluctuation of internal energy; she truly resembled a peasant girl.
But those indifferent, watery eyes, like stars fallen to earth, shimmered with an unusual light.
Her refined and elegant demeanor truly made Ye Fan feel a pang of melancholy.
Haotian was also moved by everything about Ye Fan.
Undeniably, the ethereal mystery surrounding Ye Fan had already captivated Haotian upon their first meeting.
However, Haotian was displeased with Ye Fan's evasive words.
A ninth-rank martial artist who lives in seclusion in the mountains and loves fishing?
You're such a show-off!
However, Haotian did not expose Ye Fan on the spot. The little girl's mischievous thoughts came to mind, and Haotian prepared to cooperate fully with Ye Fan to finish the play.
The mere exchange between the two left many powerful figures in the world, who were preparing to watch the show, anxiously watching helplessly.
Liyang Royal Family
Emperor Zhao Li of Liyang was holding a teacup that made a creaking sound.