Chapter 926: Past Matters No Longer Mentioned

"Ignore them. If I hide things, it will only be worse. Let them see, let them know, unless this Baoxi is preparing to pull off some major event against me."

Two days passed in the blink of an eye, and Baoxi arrived at the familiar Dahe opposite Huaxia. It was this very river that had cost him so many Soldiers back in the day; he had not expected to return here now.

Knowing that Baoxi was here as a guest, the people of Huaxia used a Boat to ferry him across the Dahe to the foot of Huaxia City. However, the thought that the flesh and blood of his own tribesmen lay beneath this very ground made Baoxi feel quite uneasy.

Still, he was able to observe Huaxia City at close range; it was sturdy and tall, and it was only right that he had been unable to conquer it.

The gates of Huaxia City were opened for Baoxi this time, though Baifeng would not go to greet him personally. The Minister of Rites, Zhigui, welcomed him at the gate; he had been to the Suiren tribe many times and could be considered an acquaintance of Baoxi.

As soon as Zhigui saw Baoxi, he was very enthusiastic: "Oh my, Tribal Chief Baoxi, welcome, welcome! I never expected you to come and visit us in Huaxia."

Baoxi's expression did not change: "I have never been to Huaxia before. Having traded with Huaxia for so long, it is about time I came. I also haven't seen your Tribal Chief in a very long time. How is he? Is Baifeng's health still good?"

"Our Tribal Chief is in excellent health and is waiting for you in the conference room right now. Come, let me lead the way, let's go." Zhigui did not detect any hidden meaning in Baoxi's words, as he was already accustomed to the concept that Huaxia people lived far longer than those of other tribes. He never even considered that Baifeng's age would make him a dying old man in any other tribe; in this era, how many people could even hope to hold their own grandchildren?

Hearing that Baifeng was in good health, Baoxi's expression shifted slightly, but he did not show too much, simply following Zhigui's guidance and continuing forward.

After passing through the city gate, an ox cart was arranged for Baoxi. However, the first thing that caught Baoxi's eye were the countless tall houses of Huaxia. For a moment, he was bewildered. He hurriedly turned around in circles on the ground, and after looking, he widened his eyes and asked Zhigui: "This—is this really Huaxia?"

"Of course it is, Tribal Chief Baoxi. Come, get on the cart first, let's look as we go." Zhigui remained all smiles; he had seen too many people shocked upon arriving in Huaxia to be surprised by it anymore.

Regarding Baoxi's exclamations along the way and his questions about things he had never seen, Zhigui explained them one by one without the slightest impatience. This was an excellent quality that a member of the Ministry of Rites, as a diplomat, should possess.

The ox cart stopped in front of the conference room door. After a chair was placed on the ground, they had the Soldiers help Baoxi down. By now, there was no need for Baoxi to exclaim anymore, for he had sighed in wonder enough along the way.

All Soldiers carrying a Weapon were not permitted to enter. Zhigui also spoke very gently to Baoxi: "Tribal Chief Baoxi, this is the rule that must be followed. Our Soldiers wouldn't bring weapons to meet you either, right? So, if your Soldiers want to go in, they must leave their weapons here."

"If you don't leave the weapons, you can't go in."

Baoxi was somewhat angry, but truthfully, after seeing how prosperous and powerful Huaxia was, he seemed to lack the confidence he once had.

"Then what about me? Do I have to hand over my weapon too just to see Baifeng? Wouldn't that be like walking into a wolf pack? Are you planning to humiliate me?"

Zhigui hurriedly explained: "No, no, Tribal Chief Baoxi, you are allowed to enter with your weapon. The reason they cannot enter is because there are no Soldiers inside either; no one has any weapons."

"Inside, there is only our King, the Prince, a few ministers, and some female Slaves. We naturally follow the rules; even when Tribal Chief Xuanyuan comes here, he is not allowed to bring weapons inside."

"Of course, if our King were to go to your territory, he would do the same. He would not let Soldiers carrying weapons appear before you."

Zhigui had provided a clear enough way for Baoxi to save face, and Baoxi had no choice but to take it. However, for the sake of his own dignity, he did not hand over his own weapon, and he did not want his Soldiers' weapons to leave them, so he simply did not let those Soldiers go in.

Zhigui led Baoxi across the threshold. The interior was bright and spacious, which stunned Baoxi for a moment, because when one entered their houses, it was usually pitch black, and one could see nothing.

Baifeng stepped forward to greet him warmly, with Yulong following closely behind Baifeng, sizing up Baoxi.

The moment his hand was gripped, Baoxi finally realized that the person before him, who had not aged at all, was Baifeng. He was still just as strong and confident, with not a single white hair to be seen, and his teeth were still very neat.

Baoxi could not help but say: "Baifeng, after all these years, you actually haven't aged at all?"

Baifeng was also surprised; at his age, it would be abnormal not to be old. But seeing that Baoxi was younger than him yet looked much more weathered, he also sighed: "Baoxi, it seems you have had a hard life all these years."

Baoxi could not tell what Baifeng meant by this, so he gave a hollow laugh and let it pass.

Afterward, under Zhigui's arrangement, Baoxi was successfully seated. Of course, good tea was indispensable, even if he was not used to drinking it.

"Baoxi, is there something you wanted to discuss on this trip? You even came in person. Are you planning to expand trade, or...?"

Hearing Baifeng ask this, Baoxi suddenly did not know what to say. His visit to Huaxia had truly been a whim; he had wanted to see how old Baifeng had become and when he would die. But seeing Baifeng as he was now, he really did not know what to say.

Stuttering for a moment, they just stared at each other. Helplessly, Baoxi could only say: "Actually, there is nothing in particular. I didn't come to talk about trade or anything; I just wanted to come to Huaxia to take a look. Considering we have known each other for so many years, I have never come to Huaxia to take a look, and you have never been to our Suiren tribe. Our relationship has grown distant, so it is better to communicate more like this."

Baifeng did not give Baoxi much face: "No, you have been to Huaxia before, with tens of thousands of people."

"Let's not bring that up anymore, okay? After all, I lost to Huaxia, and our Suiren tribe suffered great losses. You also took the opportunity to absorb many of our tribesmen and occupied some territory, so you didn't lose anything at all. So, Baifeng, let's just let that matter pass."

Baifeng nodded with a smile: "Fine, let's not mention the past anymore."