Chapter 1016: Delicious Food Should Not Be Wasted

Yu Zecheng's eyes trembled.

He had spent so many years and put in so much effort to climb to this position and gain the favor of the Frost Leaf Imperial Advisor.

Of course, he didn't want to die.

But did this kid dare to kill him, or was he just bluffing?

Yu Zecheng couldn't help but glance at the roasted wolf.

When that crazy He went wild, he'd dare to do anything like this.

Would he kill someone on impulse?

Dying at the hands of such a lunatic would be truly pointless.

"To be honest, my urgent visit here is to give you one last bit of dignity," He Lingchuan said with regret. "If you refuse, I won't force you, but I will personally send you on your way—as a mark of respect."

"Of course, I won't spare the lives of those barbarians who caused me trouble either. On my island, anyone who tries to stir up trouble will pay the price."

After he finished speaking, the private room fell silent.

Even Wan Sifeng didn't dare to breathe heavily; the room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Everyone waited for Yu Zecheng's decision.

Qiu Hu gripped his saber hilt, and Lu Qiowei made a hand seal, both ready to act.

If this fellow dared to say "yes," he certainly wouldn't live to see tonight's Emperor's Nectar.

Countless thoughts raced through Yu Zecheng's mind: doubt, hesitation, unwillingness, self-reproach, anger, and a hint of fear he didn't want to admit.

He asked hoarsely, "Are the others... still alive?"

He Lingchuan told him truthfully, "Eight are still alive."

He knew that once the other party asked that question, it was a prelude to compromise.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have thrown out this bait.

Yu Zecheng closed his eyes and gritted his teeth, saying, "No, I must have been mistaken."

A single admission of defeat could save his subordinates' lives; it was worth it.

It was just a single sentence, after all.

Thinking this, he felt a slight release of tension in his chest.

He Lingchuan pressed, "What were you mistaken about?"

The hardest words were already out; the next sentence wasn't as painful: "I was mistaken, this wolf demon is not from Beijia."

Wan Sifeng, sitting opposite him, sighed regretfully.

He would have been delighted to see Yu Zecheng lose his life, but unfortunately, it wouldn't happen now.

Since Yu Zecheng didn't admit the wolf demon was from Beijia, he also didn't admit to causing trouble on Suoding Island. In that case, He Lingchuan's actions naturally wouldn't be seen as directly opposing Beijia.

He Lingchuan even invited Yu Zecheng for a meal, and both were sitting there perfectly fine, though the atmosphere wasn't exactly harmonious.

But he didn't quite understand why Island Master He insisted on forcing Yu Zecheng to deny it verbally.

If both of them denied it, could the incident be treated as if it never happened?

He Lingchuan smiled. "Excellent, then Mr. Yu, please try this delicious dish."

Qiu Hu responded by pushing the plate, and the seared, tender wolf rib came right under Yu Zecheng's nose.

Yu Zecheng's eyes widened.

This was the flesh of his comrade!

A comrade who had stood by him on the battlefield and fought alongside him!

Even a brave man like Yu Zecheng, who had faced death in countless battles without blinking, couldn't help but feel a wave of nausea at the sight of the bloody streaks in the wolf meat.

Wan Sifeng, beside him, swallowed, not out of hunger, but nervousness.

"A warrior may be killed, but not humiliated!" Yu Zecheng's body trembled uncontrollably, and rage surged to his head.

At that moment, He Lingchuan's smile appeared more sinister than a demon's in his eyes!

How could someone be so cruel!

How could someone be so malicious!

"You just admitted this isn't a Beijia wolf demon," He Lingchuan said dismissively. "Since it's not, why don't you eat it? Do you have any dietary restrictions?"

He seemed to realize something and snapped his fingers. "Ah, right, some people don't eat game meat. That's easy, A-Hu."

"Yes!"

"Go tell Chef Wang that our esteemed guest isn't satisfied with his main course. Tell him to slaughter and prepare another captive—a barbarian or a wild demon, either is fine. This time, half an hour should be enough. Roast it a bit more fragrant, a bit more tender. Oh, and add some flavored pepper; this roasted wolf meat is still missing a little something."

"Understood!" Qiu Hu replied, striding out of the private room.

Yu Zecheng still had eight teammates held captive by He Lingchuan. With Qiu Hu's departure, one was certainly going to die.

He Lingchuan even looked understanding. "It's alright, we have plenty of ingredients. If Mr. Yu doesn't like this either, we can try another kind..."

"No need! I'll eat it!" Yu Zecheng didn't even use chopsticks; he grabbed the wolf meat with his bare hand, threw it into his mouth, and swallowed it without chewing.

The piece of meat was large, and he swallowed with great difficulty.

He desperately restrained himself to avoid throwing up on the spot.

"Good, Mr. Yu is a smart man!" He Lingchuan winked at Qiu Hu, who turned on his heel, no longer leaving the room, and returned to stand behind his master.

He Lingchuan raised his cup and smiled. "Your actions match your words. I toast you."

Even Yu Zecheng ate the wolf meat, which proved that this wolf was indeed not a demon from Beijia.

Otherwise, how could Yu Zecheng eat his own comrade?

This was truly 'actions matching words'.

Yu Zecheng also needed to wash away the taste of blood in his mouth, so he grabbed a wine cup and drank it in one gulp.

After he drank the toast, the atmosphere in the private room strangely calmed down again.

As Yu Zecheng swallowed a few mouthfuls of wine, he suddenly understood:

He Lingchuan was humiliating and retaliating against him, just like a cat playing with a mouse.

He was retaliating against his previous arrogance and haughtiness, against his coming to Suoding Island to capture Zhu Erniang, and against his instigation of the Bailong people's rebellion.

Retaliating for daring to cause trouble on his territory.

Yu Zecheng had been disrespectful to him before, so he was retaliating tenfold with such insane and reckless methods!

"You lunatic!" Yu Zecheng could only swallow his anger and bitterness. "In a few months, you'll be in big trouble..."

"Shush!" He Lingchuan put a finger to his lips. "I just told you, Yu Zecheng, you must be careful with your words, or disaster will strike from your mouth!"

Yu Zecheng's chest heaved a few times, and he forcefully swallowed back the rest of his words.

He Lingchuan couldn't deal with Beijia, but he could certainly deal with *him*!

He had just learned that lesson very clearly.

Once they left Yangshan Archipelago, it would be that butcher He's turn to face all the bitter consequences alone. Clashing with him now was not a wise move.

"You win," he finally admitted. "What else do you want?"

He Lingchuan ate another piece of squid. The clay pot truly kept the food warm; they had been arguing back and forth for so long, yet the dishes hadn't gotten cold. "For example, well, just for example, how does Lingxu City typically handle foreign envoys who incite rebellion and attack dignitaries?"

He specifically mentioned Lingxu City rather than Beijia because such incidents had indeed occurred in the vassal demon state.

Yu Zecheng fell silent.

Not only had such a thing not happened in Lingxu City for nearly thirty years, even if it had, Lingxu City would still deal with it however it pleased, wouldn't it?

Who could possibly say no?

He Lingchuan now had endless patience, crossing his legs as he waited for a reply.

After a long time, Yu Zecheng finally said, "Yangshan Archipelago is merely a sea region, not a nation; and you are just a small island master, not a head of state. If you dare to deal with an official from Beijia..."