Chapter 41: The Longevity Festival, The Banquet at Hongmen

“What do you mean by this? Is it possible that His Majesty Tianwu cannot see it?”
The grand hall was already silent, and this unruly voice rang out, abrupt and a little loud.
Everyone turned as one toward the source of the sound.
At the entrance of the hall stood three people. The man at their head appeared just over thirty, a faint smile at his lips, dressed unusually in a blue robe embroidered with intricate totems.
Avo Khan Tamun!
Chu Junhan’s pupils dilated. The middle-aged man at the door was the overlord of Liaozhou, the monarch of Liao, Avo Khan Tamun.
She still remembered, in the twenty-second year of Tianwu, Liao launched a fierce assault against the borders of Tianqing’s Liaozhou, and the Chu family army was busy defending.
That same year, Emperor Tianwu fell critically ill; her father went alone to the capital, and blood flowed like rivers in the General’s Mansion.
“So that’s how it is!”
“Han’er, come behind your mother.” Xifeng pulled Chu Junhan behind her, shielding her completely.
Having dealt with Liao for years, the husband and wife naturally knew that the visitors harbored no good intentions.

In her previous life, though only a naive child, she retained some memories of that banquet celebrating the Emperor’s longevity.
She recalled her father, fearful of Liao’s aggression, returned to Pingzhou with only a few dozen men. Yet in that past life, during the longevity festival, Avo Khan Tamun had not attended!
So there was more to the Chu clan’s extermination!
Tamun, you colluded with the dog emperor of Tianwu, framing the Chu family’s million soldiers, burdening us with the infamy of treason and betrayal—this time, we shall see who prevails!
“Envoy from Liao, Avo Khan Tamun, wishes Brother Xiao boundless longevity and an endless legacy!” The middle-aged man at the door cupped his hands in greeting, standing tall and straight, without a trace of humility.
“Tamun, you are too kind! Please, come in, take a seat!” The Emperor of Tianwu breathed a sigh of relief, his face breaking into a broad smile.
“Thank you, Brother Xiao.” The man in the blue robe strode directly to Chu Xiong’s side, not sitting at once but casting a meaningful glance at Chu Junhan.
“Brother Chu, we meet again. Who would have thought we’d sit together, raising cups in celebration?” The man picked up a cup from the table, sniffed it, smiling at the corner of his lips.
Chu Xiong stared silently at his mortal enemy before him.
“This must be the young master Chu! I’ve heard he can shoot an arrow through a willow leaf at a hundred paces—fame does not do justice to one’s presence. Truly spirited, echoing your father’s bearing.”
Avo Khan Tamun spoke, moving to approach Chu Junhan.
Xifeng pulled Chu Junhan tightly behind her, shielding her thoroughly.

Soldiers of Liao and the Chu family army were sworn enemies, and Chu Xiong and Avo Khan Tamun could never reconcile; this sudden visit could only mean trouble!
“The monarch of Liao has come a long way, please take your seat,” Xifeng said through clenched teeth. If not for being in the imperial palace, she would have gladly dispatched this villain with a single stroke.
Avo Khan Tamun sneered, “Just now, when I entered, I heard the young master Chu’s name was… what was it, crown prince…?”
“My name is Chu Junhan, not crown prince!” The soft, childish voice sounded from behind Xifeng, laced with disdain.
“Oh, right, right—Junhan the crown prince! What a fine name, what a fine name.” Avo Khan Tamun finished, doubling over in laughter.
“What is so funny about my child’s name?” Chu Xiong demanded in a low, displeased voice.
The man wiped tears from the corners of his eyes, then looked to the Emperor of Tianwu: “Tamun has heard that Brother Xiao and your sworn brother share a deep bond. Now I truly see how deep. Brother Xiao, you are magnanimous indeed! To tolerate such a sworn brother…”
The Emperor of Tianwu snorted coldly, eyeing the three of the Chu family with shadowed suspicion. “Brother, what do you mean by this?”