I am the villain in the book

It's a pleasure to meet you.

If anyone else in the world were standing opposite Wei Changtian at this moment, using these two phrases would be perfectly normal.

But Yan Huaiqing...

Firstly, Da Ning and Da Jue are currently at war, so they should be enemies.

Secondly, although Yan Huanwen is not yet dead, Wei Changtian is still the culprit who abducted him, making him the enemy who captured Yan Huaiqing's biological father.

Furthermore, even though Yan Huaiqing has not yet ascended the throne, he is still a prince of a nation, while Wei Changtian is, on the surface, just a commoner.

Therefore, from any perspective, Yan Huaiqing should not, and cannot, be so "humble".

But he said it anyway.

...

Taking a deep look at the smiling man in front of him, a smile slowly crept onto Wei Changtian's lips.

"Greetings, Your Highness."

"I have long heard of Your Highness's excellence in both literary and martial arts, possessing unparalleled talent."

"Meeting you today, I see that the rumors do not exaggerate."

"..."

One side says "It's a pleasure to meet you", "I am humble".

The other side says "Greetings", "I have long heard".

Wei Changtian and Yan Huaiqing's opening remarks at their first meeting can be said to be as absurd as can be.

However, whether it was Chu Xianping, Li Zimu, or that second-rank general, none of them showed the slightest surprise, but stood behind the two with their heads bowed and silent.

"Hahaha, you are too kind, Young Master Wei."

On the other side, the exchange of pleasantries continued.

Yan Huaiqing laughed heartily and said, "What excellence in both literary and martial arts? It's just that the people in this remote place of Da Jue have not seen the world and are just making presumptuous remarks from their limited perspective."

"In literature, who doesn't know of your poetic talent, Young Master Wei?"

"In martial arts, Young Master Wei is already a third-rank at a young age and can fight a second-rank without losing."

"In my opinion, Young Master Wei, you are the one who deserves the title of excellence in both literary and martial arts."

"Compared to you, what am I?"

"..."

Yan Huaiqing once again "praised", with reason and evidence, and did not forget to belittle himself.

But this time, Wei Changtian did not "return the courtesy", but just smiled and said:

"In the end, isn't it about who can live longer?"

"Don't you think that's the truth?"

"..."

The sun was still bright and dazzling, and there was no wind around.

But after Wei Changtian said these words, everyone felt a chill.

This chill came not only from Wei Changtian, but also from Yan Huaiqing.

"Yes."

Looking at Wei Changtian meaningfully, the sincere smile on Yan Huaiqing's face faded little by little.

"Young Master Wei, you have revealed the true meaning of this, I admire you."

"It's not easy for Your Highness to understand my meaning so quickly."

Slightly turning his body, Wei Changtian's tone was very calm: "Your Highness, please."

"..."

After so much nonsense, the two sides were finally ready to enter the hall for negotiations.

Chu Xianping gave the Shuhan soldier a look, and the latter immediately understood and led all the Shuhan soldiers out of the hall from the side door.

Soon, only Wei Changtian, Yan Huaiqing, Chu Xianping, Li Zimu, and the second-rank general remained in the hall.

And these five people will soon determine the life and death of more than a million people, and even the survival of several countries through a negotiation.

The importance of such negotiations need not be said, and its significance is even more extraordinary.

From the number of people, Wei Changtian, with one more person, seemed to have the upper hand.

But even on the battlefield, the side with more people may not win, let alone at the negotiating table.

Bargaining, deceit and trickery.

In the end, negotiation is actually like playing cards.

The chips and hand cards of both sides are determined before the start of the game, and the only thing that can be changed is the playing strategy.

And since this is the case, then the number of players is not of great significance.

It is enough for one person to play the cards, and no matter how many people there are, they can only make one decision.

What's more...

"Young Master Wei, there is still one person who has not arrived."

Suddenly, Yan Huaiqing said with a smile, "This person has a sudden emergency at home and did not come with me."

"But I believe he will be here soon, please wait a moment."

"..."

At this critical moment, Yan Huaiqing suddenly said that there was still one person who had not arrived?

Something happened at home?

What could be more important than negotiations??

You are so lazy, can't you make up a better reason????

Obviously, the excuse Yan Huaiqing made was fake.

But what he said about there being another person is definitely true.

"It doesn't matter, then we will wait for him to come."

Glancing at Yan Huaiqing, Wei Changtian complained frantically in his heart, but he didn't say much on the surface, and just nodded lightly.

And since they had to wait for someone again, it was not a good thing to just wait, so the two sides took advantage of this gap to introduce the other three.

"Your Highness, this is Young Master Chu, this is Miss Li, both of them are guests of my Wei family."

"Young Master Wei, this is General Xu, the leader of my Da Jue Imperial Guards."

"..."

Without a doubt, Yan Huaiqing definitely had information about Chu Xianping, but not about Li Zimu, which could be seen from the way he looked at the two of them.

As for that Imperial Guard leader named Xu Heng...

Wei Changtian nodded expressionlessly at him, but he was speechless in his heart.

Good fellow, is Yan Huanwen's control over the Da Jue court so weak? Even the dignified leader of the Imperial Guards is one of Yan Huaiqing's people.

Wait.

Han Zhao also seemed to have backstabbed Ning Yongnian as the commander of the Imperial Guards.

In this way, it seems that you really can't blame these emperors for being unable to control their subordinates, but there are too many bad people...

After thinking wildly for a while, Wei Changtian casually asked Yan Huaiqing.

"Your Highness, I wonder who that person who has not yet arrived is?"

"Oh, this person's surname is..."

Yan Huaiqing was about to answer, but at this moment, a rapid sound of horses' hooves suddenly sounded in the distance.

Turning his head to look at the dozen or so riders galloping towards them, he smiled slightly:

"Just in time, he's here."

"..."

Judging from Yan Huaiqing's current appearance, he undoubtedly attaches great importance to this person. Wei Changtian narrowed his eyes and did not ask further, but exchanged a glance with Chu Xianping and waited silently for the arrival of this mysterious figure.

Soon, the dozen or so riders got closer and closer, and the figures on horseback gradually became clearer.

Except for a man in black, the rest were all silver-armored Imperial Guards.

Then the former was undoubtedly the main character.

"Whoa!"

Reining in his horse, the man in black passed through the thousands of silver-armored soldiers outside the palace and walked quickly towards the palace gate.

Looking at the man's unfamiliar face, Wei Changtian felt a trace of unease in his heart for some reason.

The true qi fluctuation is not strong, about sixth-rank or fifth-rank.

He is about the same age as himself, and judging from his clothes, he is not a high-ranking official.

So, why does Yan Huaiqing attach so much importance to this person, not only wanting him to participate in this negotiation, but also willingly waiting for him?

The more Wei Changtian thought about it, the more confused he became. The man in black got closer and closer, until he stood in front of Yan Huaiqing.

"Your subordinate is late, please forgive me, Your Highness!"

"Hahaha, it's okay!"

Gently patting the man in black on the shoulder, Yan Huaiqing turned his head with a smile and introduced to Wei Changtian:

"Young Master Wei, his name is Tang Chen."