24: Taking an inch and wanting a mile

"Prince Duan, aren't you afraid your Baiyi Tribe father-in-law will cause trouble for you if you act this way?" Prince Ruyang said.

"There's no need for Your Highness to worry about that matter; I will resolve it myself," Duan Zhengchun stated directly.

"And what if you can't? Or, on the day Min Min is to be married, the Princess Consort suddenly changes her mind? I, Prince Ruyang, cannot afford to lose Face like that," Prince Ruyang said coldly.

Duan Zhengchun frowned. Although this question was somewhat unreasonable, the risk indeed existed.

It was normal for Prince Ruyang to have such concerns.

However, when all was said and done, he was only trying to make me produce sufficient bargaining chips.

"Your Highness can rest assured on this point. I can sign a written pledge. If such a thing truly happens, I will immediately divorce my wife on the spot. How about that?" Duan Zhengchun proposed directly.

"Good, decisive enough. The first condition is settled. Now, let's discuss the second condition," Prince Ruyang said with a smile.

Seeing Prince Ruyang's expression, Duan Zhengchun realized this fat bastard was not simple.

He was definitely not as honest and easy to deal with as he appeared on the surface.

Indeed, no one who becomes a prince is a simple person.

"Please speak, Your Highness," Duan Zhengchun said, taking a deep breath.

"The second point is simple. I only need Prince Duan to represent Dali and sign an Alliance agreement with the Mongol Yuan Dynasty," Prince Ruyang said, a smile playing on his lips as he watched Duan Zhengchun.

Duan Zhengchun's mouth twitched. Was this what he called simple?

Damn it, I'm just a prince, not the emperor. Do you think an Alliance can be formed just because you say so?

"Your Highness is making things difficult for me. I am merely the humble Prince of Zhennan, not the emperor. I cannot make decisions on such important matters," Duan Zhengchun shook his head.

"No, you can decide. Currently, the Dali Duan Clan consists only of you and your elder brother, Emperor Baoding.

And Emperor Baoding still has no heirs, likely for a certain reason.

After he abdicates, the throne will naturally fall to you.

The implications of this relationship need no further explanation from me, right?" Prince Ruyang said with a smile.

"Fine, regarding the Alliance, I can agree. However, I also have a condition," Duan Zhengchun said, taking another deep breath.

"Oh? Let's hear it!" Prince Ruyang said.

"An Alliance is possible, but the Alliance relationship will last only ten years. Furthermore, this Alliance only covers matters within the Martial Forest. As for court affairs, we will not interfere, nor will we help the Mongol Yuan Dynasty resolve issues with other Imperial Dynasties," Duan Zhengchun stated directly.

Prince Ruyang frowned slightly. This differed somewhat from his expectations.

However, even so, it was sufficient.

What he needed was to form the Alliance. As for Duan Zhengchun's stipulation about not interfering in court matters...

When the time comes, it won't be up to you.

"Good, I agree," Prince Ruyang nodded.

"Now, let's discuss the third condition," Duan Zhengchun said.

"The third condition isn't difficult either. As everyone knows, the Dali Duan Clan established their Kingdom through martial arts, with their most formidable skills being the One Yang Finger and the Six Meridian Divine Sword.

It would be unrealistic for me to ask for the Six Meridian Divine Sword.

I won't make things difficult for you. I want the One Yang Finger Cultivation Technique, along with two Medicinal Pills for Realm Breakthrough or power enhancement," Prince Ruyang stated directly.

Prince Ruyang's words drew a cold sneer from Duan Zhengchun.

This Prince Ruyang had quite the appetite, and the Mongol Yuan Dynasty's ambitions were not small either.

They wanted to use this point to make Dali take a stand.

They are planning to move against the Great Song Dynasty. However, I will not be your pawn.

First, I'll stabilize you. Later, after Zhao Min is married over, won't it be up to me?

Duan Zhengchun understood Zhao Min's character all too well. For the sake of love, she could abandon everything.

This was also the main reason why Zhang Wuji had chosen Zhao Min in the first place.

Zhou Zhiruo claimed she loved Zhang Wuji, but she was unwilling to give up her so-called Emei Sect and tried to force Zhang Wuji.

Zhao Min, for Zhang Wuji's sake, could abandon her entire Family. Everyone says Zhang Wuji was foolish? He was the smartest.

History proved him right; Zhou Zhiruo turned against him.

If such a thing had happened to Zhao Min, although she might have parted ways with Zhang Wuji, she would never truly have tried to kill him.

To put it bluntly, although Zhao Min was clever, she was still someone whose hands and feet were bound by love. In short, a lovesick fool.

"The One Yang Finger is the Duan Family's hereditary martial art, not to be passed on to those outside the surname.

I can offer five Medicinal Pills. The One Yang Finger is impossible," Duan Zhengchun stated directly.

"Ten..." Prince Ruyang countered.

"Five. Not one more.

Does Prince Ruyang think such Medicinal Pills can be produced casually?" Duan Zhengchun said coldly.

"Then eight. No less," Prince Ruyang said after a moment's thought.

"Five. If Your Highness is unwilling, then I think there's no need to continue this discussion.

As for the matter between me and Min Min, we'll resolve it ourselves," Duan Zhengchun said with a cold expression.

"You... are you threatening me?" Prince Ruyang said, his Face darkening.

"It's not a threat. It's just that the first two conditions were already excessive enough.

I am also expressing my sincerity towards Min Min. However, Your Highness giving an inch and demanding a foot, pushing your luck like this, is a bit too much," Duan Zhengchun said coldly.

"Fine, since that's the case, five it is.

Attendants, prepare the ink, brush, paper, and inkstone," Prince Ruyang said, nodding helplessly.

Immediately, Prince Ruyang drafted the Alliance contract in front of Duan Zhengchun and stamped it with his princely seal.

Watching Duan Zhengchun sign the contract and stamp his own princely seal, Prince Ruyang's fat Face broke into a smile like a chrysanthemum.

"Haha... Virtuous Son-in-law, from now on, we are one Family.

Attendants, prepare a feast..." Prince Ruyang said with a smile.

"Haha... Brother-in-law, hello. I am Wang Baobao. From now on, we are Family," Wang Baobao said.

"Greetings, Elder Brother-in-law," Duan Zhengchun said with a smile.

"Haha... Good, good. Come, I'll take you to see my Little Sister right now..." Wang Baobao said, pulling Duan Zhengchun along.

Prince Ruyang's Face instantly darkened. He was about to speak to stop them, but it was already too late.

Wang Baobao had already pulled Duan Zhengchun away.

Duan Zhengchun looked at Wang Baobao with a strange expression.

This guy, was he in such a hurry to sell off his sister?

"Princess, the Young Master has brought the Groom here."

"What? Duan Lang is here? Tell Duan Lang to wait a moment; I'll be ready soon," Zhao Min said excitedly.

"Yes, Princess..."

Wang Baobao pulled Duan Zhengchun to the place where Zhao Min resided.

"Quick, tell my Little Sister her Brother-in-law is here and to come out immediately," Wang Baobao said with a smile.

"Young Master, the Princess is still bathing. Please take the Groom to the side hall to wait."

"Well, Brother-in-law, shall we go to the side hall?" Wang Baobao said with a smile.

Duan Zhengchun nodded in agreement. If not for this idiot following along, I'd be taking a mandarin duck bath with her by now.

However, such words couldn't be spoken aloud.

After all, we are on their turf, and we must still consider Min Min's Face a little.

"Meeting you today, I knew you were no ordinary man. Now it seems, indeed you are not.

No wonder my Little Sister is so taken with you," Wang Baobao said with a smile.