The Xiongnu officials were all gnashing their teeth. Watching Li Aotian’s arrogant and overbearing expression made them furious!
Damn it! How could this envoy of the Han Empire be so bold? How dare he speak to their Xiongnu Chanyu in such a manner?
At this very moment, Nan Wujue and the thirteen other envoys standing behind Li Aotian were completely stunned.
Lord Li! You told us not to stir up trouble, so why are you being so overbearing?
Suddenly, a Xiongnu man stood up, slammed his palm against the table, and roared, "Insolence! Envoy of the Han Empire, how dare you speak to our Great King like that!"
"Even if you are a noble envoy, you cannot be this arrogant! Are you not afraid of what we Xiongnu might do to you?"
The moment these words were spoken, Li Aotian became interested. He flicked his white robes and strode over to the young Xiongnu man.
With a sweep of his hand, he slapped the man across the face. Then, backhanding him, he landed another slap, leaving everyone on the scene even more bewildered.
"You... you dare hit me?"
"Do you know who I am?"
"I am the Left Wise King of the Xiongnu! Envoy of the Han Empire, do you believe I will kill you?"
As he spoke, the man claiming to be the Left Wise King drew a dagger from his thigh and pointed it at Li Aotian.
This scene left everyone dumbstruck. In their hearts, they realized a major catastrophe was about to unfold. However, many Xiongnu officials and nobles sneered to themselves. If the Left Wise King could intimidate this Han envoy, that wouldn't be a bad thing after all.
After all, this guy... was simply too arrogant.
At this moment, Chanyu Yizhixie, sitting in the seat of honor, also had a grim expression. His fists, hidden beneath his sleeves, were clenched tight.
As the Chanyu who controlled hundreds of thousands of Xiongnu, when had he ever been threatened like this, right under his nose in his own territory? Just because the other party was a Han envoy?
"What is going on with this Han envoy? The intelligence sent back from the Han Empire said that this Li Aotian was gentle, refined, fond of poetry, and loved romance—that was why I summoned so many dancing girls to welcome him."
"But... why is he so arrogant the moment he arrives? Could there be some trick behind this?"
Thus, Chanyu Yizhixie decided to keep watching to see exactly what this Han envoy, Li Aotian, intended to do.
At this moment, Li Aotian smiled. Looking at the Left Wise King’s dagger, he let out a wild, insolent laugh.
Drawing a weapon? Good! This couldn't be better!
He took a step forward, pressing the Left Wise King closer as he said, "As an envoy of the Han Empire, I have the Han Empire to back me up! Why should I fear a mere Left Wise King like you?"
"Even your Chanyu Yizhixie is only clinging to life under the protection of the Han Empire! If we did not love peace, I would not have brought a diplomatic mission; I would have brought one hundred thousand Han soldiers, and I would have brought the decree of our Emperor Wu to conquer you!"
These words were supremely overbearing.
The Left Wise King’s face darkened even further. He gripped his dagger tightly and shouted, "You are courting death! I will have you killed!"
With that, he lunged forward with the blade, expecting Li Aotian to dodge. But he never expected that Li Aotian would instead lift his own neck, reach out, and grab the man's arm, forcing the dagger against his own throat.
"Come on! Stab! Stab right here! Aim for the artery and see how Li Aotian’s blood sprays across your face today—and then, one day soon, the Han Empire will turn this entire place into a river of blood!"
"If a Han envoy dies here, then the Xiongnu have no reason to exist!"
A threat—a naked, blatant threat! And the outcome was exactly as Li Aotian had described. According to the traditions of the Han Empire, if a man like Li Aotian were killed here, the Han Empire would have a perfect justification for war.
As the dagger approached Li Aotian's carotid artery, everyone’s heart skipped a beat. If that blade pierced through, it would be their own hearts that were being stabbed.
In that instant, the thunderous sound of the Han cavalry’s hooves seemed to ring in their ears! They could already see images of the Han elite horsemen looking toward the Xiongnu lands, waving their banners and charging!
Only six words echoed in their minds: "Kill the Han envoy, and the tribe shall be slaughtered!"
This could not be allowed to happen!
"No! You cannot kill him!"
"Hold your hand!"
"Left Wise King, do not be impulsive!"
"If you kill the Han envoy, you will be the sinner of our people!"
Upon hearing this, the Left Wise King’s hand faltered, but his eyes were still filled with fierce killing intent! He truly wanted to kill this Li Aotian!
However, Chanyu Yizhixie recalled the fate of previous Han envoys. Their deaths had brought the Han Empire vast new territories. If Li Aotian died here today, the Xiongnu would become nothing more than a province on the Han map!
Therefore, Li Aotian could not die!
"Left Wise King! Stand down!"
The Left Wise King was shocked. He turned back, shouting in a rage, "Father! This man has insulted you so greatly; why do you protect him? Let me kill him today, and I will bear all the consequences alone!"
But Chanyu Yizhixie was furious, slamming his table and shouting, "Do you no longer obey my commands?"
"Drop your blade!"