Urban God of War: The Live-in Son-in-law

Chapter 319: I Can Cut You Down Right Now

Duan Tian’s expression was constantly changing. Although his relationship with the Northern King had not broken down and become openly hostile, it was also far from friendly. Moreover, with the addition of Sky-piercing, the relationship between the two had undoubtedly become tense.

At such a critical juncture, the Northern King suddenly seeking him out made it all somewhat puzzling.

"Did he mention any business?" Duan Tian asked the guard outside in a loud voice.

"He did not!" the guard answered. After thinking for a moment, he added, "Since the Great General has a distinguished guest, might we refuse the visit?"

"No need, tell him to please wait in the main hall!" Duan Tian immediately responded.

After all, if he refused to see the Northern Border King who had come to visit, it would make him, the Great General, seem petty and small-minded.

Sky-piercing now stood up as well, and after a moment of contemplation, said, "Foster Father, do you think the Northern King is here for me?"

Duan Tian furrowed his brows and then shook his head slightly: "It doesn’t seem like it."

Having said this, he closed his mouth, although there was a second half to his thoughts he did not voice—which was that the Northern King, in all his stature, wouldn’t bother to come for someone insignificant like you.

While Duan Tian acknowledged that Sky-piercing was no ordinary individual, until tonight, he was still relatively unknown. Neither the generals from the Utility Pavilion nor those from the General’s Mansion were fully aware of Sky-piercing’s Direct Lineage status.

"Then, Foster Father, should I avoid the meeting?" Sky-piercing inquired.

"What do you think?" Duan Tian threw the question back at him.

Sky-piercing smiled slightly, then said, "I’ve long wanted to meet this legendary Northern King. It’s said that recently in the Northern Border, he even declared that if the Great General failed to act, he would take his place. I am quite curious to see if he’s as formidable as the legends suggest!"

After saying this, Sky-piercing walked out. What he didn’t say was that if he were to leave now, wouldn’t it appear as though he feared the Northern Border King? Engaging in actions that would diminish his own spirit was something he would never do.

Duan Tian did not speak, and his silence was tantamount to consent. The two of them walked out of the study, through an exquisitely crafted corridor, and turned toward the front main hall.

At that moment, Ye Feng, leading Xiao Chuanqi, Sima Zhantian, and Leng Wuming, was walking through the pavilions and towers to enter.

"I was unaware of the Northern King’s honorable visit and failed to welcome you from afar, please forgive my rudeness!" Duan Tian, carrying himself with a commanding presence, strode forward with a face full of warmth.

Of course, this was merely lip service. If their relationship were truly intimate and friendly, and in consideration of the Northern King’s status, Duan Tian as the Great General would have been expected to personally welcome him at the door rather than merely offering verbal courtesies.

Despite this, Ye Feng was not the kind to point this out. With a smile on his face, he said, "Great General of Nation Guard is too courteous. I apologize for intruding uninvited in the late hours, please don’t take offense."

"Not at all, please come in!" Duan Tian said, stepping aside to usher them into the main hall, then everyone took their seats according to status and seniority.

At that moment, Sky-piercing coldly interjected with a laugh, "The Northern King indeed has a grand manner, but let’s not forget, this is the imperial capital, not your Northern Border!"

Ye Feng abruptly looked up, staring at Sky-piercing, and slowly said, "I am conversing with the Great General. It is audacious for anyone else to speak. If it were not for the Heaven Guard National Pillar’s past great services to Xuanyuan Nation, I would behead you right now!"

Sky-piercing’s face suddenly darkened, and he clenched his fists so tight that the force even caused a bursting sound to emanate from his palms.

Worried that the situation was turning sour, Duan Tian quickly stood up and said, "Since the Northern King is so forthright, I will also ask you a question. To deal with these families, are you planning to use your status as the Northern King or as a private individual?"

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Ye Feng replied with a cold laugh, "If I were to use the status of the Northern King, I wouldn’t have come here tonight. By now, the army from the Northern Border, a million strong, would already be assembled outside the capital!"

Since he was talking to the Great General of Nation Guard, Ye Feng changed his tone, softening it, "Our statuses are, after all, extraordinary, and personal grudges are just that, personal. If I were to use the pretense of national hatred, I would be undeserving of the title Northern King."

Duan Tian nodded in response, "The Northern King is magnanimous. Given this, I can promise you that I will not act out of national hatred, but since these families have old connections with me, I can’t completely disregard this affair. You understand what I mean, Northern King?"

Ye Feng did not respond, but turned around and walked away. He had conveyed his message; it was a show of courtesy before force. As for how the other party would respond and to what extent was no longer his concern, and frankly, he was indifferent to it.

In the rainy night, Ye Feng and his entourage arrived swiftly and departed just as quickly. It wasn’t until Ye Feng completely disappeared from view that Duan Tian finally regained his composure, turned, and asked, "What do you think of the Northern King, who is currently as illustrious as the midday sun in Xuanyuan Nation?"

Sky-piercing spoke gravely, "Not bad, indeed an air of unmatched dominance. He even dares to speak his mind directly to the current Great General. It’s becoming interesting, I suddenly find it quite interesting."

"Interesting?" Duan Tian frowned.

Sky-piercing coldly articulated word by word, "Because, only a person like this is qualified to be my opponent. Otherwise, it would be utterly pointless."

Duan Tian laughed, giving a silent nod of approval. He was already old and his ambition was no longer, so naturally, he thought of fostering a successor. Clearly, the man before him was the ideal candidate.

Sky-piercing then asked, "Foster Father, what do you plan to do next? Are you going to lay all your cards on the table with the Northern Border once and for all?"

Duan Tian waved his hand, "No, it’s not the time yet. Since just now both sides have made their stance clear and it’s a matter of personal enmity, not of national hatred, then I can’t make a move, nor can you."

"What, is it not my time either? I was actually looking forward to taking this opportunity to test how capable he really is," Sky-piercing said teasingly.

"No need to be hasty, the time isn’t right yet. This is a good chance to see his hand. Once I plan and arrange everything again, you can take action and ascend with even more legitimacy," Duan Tian advised.

Duan Tian let out a cold scoff and then added, "While I can’t intervene directly in this matter, I still need to make some moves. If it can be resolved smoothly, all the better. If not, at the very least he’ll end up with a broken arm or leg."

As he spoke these words, Duan Tian’s expression grew stern, his eyes even filled with frost.