Chapter 118: The Liao Dynasty, Etiquette

Several hours passed. Avugan Tamon stood outside the Chu family military camp, holding a horse by its reins, as motionless as a statue. A spring breeze swept past, ruffling his hair, yet he did not stir.

Reflecting on the monarchs throughout history, he was likely the only one to have suffered such indignity. At this thought, the burly man outside the gates clenched his fists, his breathing heavy.

"Oh? Brother Tamon, you have come such a long way; why not come inside and sit for a while?" Chu Junhan appeared before the giant, clutching a sword, her expression playful.

Brother Tamon? Avugan Tamon’s mouth twitched. Was he really going to call this brat "brother"? What did that make Chu Xiongceng? Would he be demoted a generation below Chu Xiongceng for no reason?

"Young Brother Junhan, I trust you have been well," Tamon said, though he felt nauseated by the formality. He still had to keep up appearances. "Young Brother Junhan, could we step aside to speak?"

"General!" A soldier nearby grabbed the young boy's arm, shaking his head slightly to warn him that this was a trap and he should not go lightly.

Chu Junhan took a deep breath. She trusted the supernatural capabilities of the Jiuling Trading Firm. "It is fine."

Tamon chuckled inwardly. A brat was still a brat. He would soon show this child what it meant to have someone even more capable than oneself, and heavens beyond the heavens.

"What is it?" Having crossed the barricades, Chu Junhan walked with her hands behind her back, mimicking the arrogance of an elder, looking down on everyone with an air of indifference.

Tamon bowed slightly, smiling humbly. "I know that the tide has turned against me, so I wish to surrender to the Little Divine General Chu. I hope the General will show mercy and grant us a way to survive."

"Very well. As long as you hand over the remaining cities in full, you may go wherever you please. I will not make things difficult for you." Chu Junhan lifted her small chin and huffed, acting unreasonable.

Tamon responded in a low voice, leaning in closer. "That is exactly my intention. However, there are too many eyes and ears here. Could the Little Divine General take a few more steps forward so we may discuss the details in private?"

"That won't do. I can't beat you in a fight. What if you kidnap me?" Chu Junhan stepped back, her small face filled with wariness.

The burly man’s sycophantic smile froze on his face. He coughed lightly and said, "If the Little Divine General is afraid, you may bring a few trusted men. I have prepared a grand gift for you."

He was confident. Once he pulled the pin on the smoke canister, everyone within the mist would instantly collapse. Then, he would hold Chu Junhan hostage and see who dared to move against him.

"What kind of grand gift?" The young boy looked sly, appearing every bit the greedy soul.

Seeing this, Tamon urged further, "So, please, Little Divine General, let us step aside to talk."

"Let's go!" The young boy suppressed a laugh and signaled to the soldiers who had just taken their medicine to follow behind Tamon. They moved away from the Chu camp, protected only by a few archers with drawn bows.

Chu Junhan could barely contain her amusement. Just thinking about the look of shock on Avugan Tamon’s face made her want to burst into laughter.

Once everyone had gathered, Tamon cleared his throat and fiddled with his sleeve. "Little Divine General, as I said before, I have come to surrender. Now, I shall offer you my sincerity!"

With that, the giant threw a bamboo tube onto the ground. White smoke billowed out, enveloping them all.

The archers in the distance were frantic. They could not see what was happening inside and feared for their General’s safety, preparing to raise the alarm!

Before the soldier could cry out, the smoke cleared. Everyone was still standing there, exactly as they had been a moment before.

Chu Junhan feigned confusion, looking at Tamon with a playful, mocking smile. "What is this? Is this the etiquette of the Liao Kingdom for surrendering?"

Tamon’s heart skipped a beat. How could they not have fainted?

"Yes, yes, yes, this is the etiquette of our Liao Kingdom. Do not be alarmed, Little Divine General!" Shocked as he was, the lie had to be maintained.