Chapter 244

Chapter 244: I’ve Actually Seen Them

Shang Hang Yu smiled broadly, tossing Tian Meng Nian easily onto his two attendants. The attendants stumbled but managed to steady themselves just barely.

“Oh, what a pity,” Shang Hang Yu leaned forward slightly, eyes sparkling, “I’ve actually seen those Northern Di warriors, even as useless as I am.”

“You? And what if you’ve seen them? Did they frighten you into tears?” Tian Meng Nian mocked, steadying himself with his attendants’ help.

Shang Hang Yu stared at him as though observing a fool. After a moment, he added thoughtfully, “Oh—right, I almost forgot. Given your status, you wouldn’t have had the honor to accompany His Majesty to the training grounds.”

Tian Meng Nian’s father was merely a fourth-rank official stationed far from the capital.

“You—what are you implying? Do you look down on me?” Tian Meng Nian exploded, face flushed with anger.

Shang Hang Yu dug a finger casually into his ear, “Shall we make a wager?”

“Speak!” Tian Meng Nian glared.

“Let’s both go to the Northern Desert battlefield and see who can slay more Northern Di soldiers. How about it?” Shang Hang Yu proposed.

Tian Meng Nian sputtered, pointing at him, finally shouting, “You’re insane!”

This useless young man wanted to fight in a war? Was he seeking death?

“Just say if you’re betting or not,” Shang Hang Yu calmly pressed, pleased that this opportunity had arrived so conveniently. He had been searching for an excuse to head north.

“I’m not going!” Tian Meng Nian snapped without hesitation. “And I don’t believe you’ll dare go either.”

“Then if I do go, you’d lose by default.”

“I…”

“I’ll wager your two country estates in Ting Prefecture, and the three pieces of farmland your mother left you. How many acres was it again?” Shang Hang Yu asked lightly.

Tian Meng Nian’s eyes widened in shock.

“Oh right, over three hundred acres,” Shang Hang Yu continued smoothly. “If I go to the Northern Desert and kill Northern Di soldiers, all these properties become mine. Bet or no bet?”

“I…” Tian Meng Nian was startled that Shang Hang Yu knew these details. He often bragged about them among friends, but never expected Shang Hang Yu had overheard.

Did he truly covet his lands?

But even if he did, so what? Shang Hang Yu was known to be completely useless. If he dared fight, Tian Meng Nian thought sarcastically, then he himself could easily become a great general.

“Fine,” Tian Meng Nian sneered confidently. “If you dare go to the Northern Desert and kill even ten Northern Di soldiers, all those properties are yours!”

Immediately, Shang Hang Yu waved for paper and pen.

“What are you doing?” Tian Meng Nian asked, confused.

Shang Hang Yu swiftly wrote a few lines on the paper. “Words alone mean nothing. Sign and seal.”

Tian Meng Nian hesitated. Was this useless fellow serious?

But no—he couldn’t possibly mean it, Tian Meng Nian reassured himself. Shang Hang Yu was bluffing. And wasn’t he about to marry the princess in less than two months? How could he leave for battle?

Tian Meng Nian smirked cunningly. “And if you don’t go? I don’t ask for much. Give me your newly renovated Shang Residence.”

Property in the capital was extremely valuable, easily worth more than his countryside holdings. Tian Meng Nian grinned smugly, certain Shang Hang Yu wouldn’t accept.

Yet, to his astonishment, Shang Hang Yu immediately nodded. “Agreed!”

Tian Meng Nian froze.

Without hesitation, Shang Hang Yu wrote another note, signed it, stamped his fingerprint, and handed it over. “Your turn.”

Tian Meng Nian was dazed but refused to show weakness. With friends watching, he impulsively took the paper, signed, and sealed it.

Shang Hang Yu folded the document neatly and carefully stored it away, turning to leave.

“Wait!” Tian Meng Nian shouted suddenly. “You aren’t running away scared, are you? Don’t forget, I have your signed agreement!”

Shang Hang Yu looked back calmly. “You misunderstand. I’m heading into the palace.”

Into the palace?

Tian Meng Nian scoffed. Was going into the palace supposed to impress him?

Then his face froze.

Was Shang Hang Yu actually crazy enough to seek His Majesty’s permission to fight in the Northern Desert? Was he courting death?

Tian Meng Nian stood frozen. Another young man at the table, newly arrived in the capital, suddenly stood up. “Ah! I remember now! Shang Hang Yu—I’ve heard that name!”

“Who hasn’t?” Tian Meng Nian sneered.

“Exactly! Capital City’s greatest wastrel!” another added mockingly.

“No, not that! My father’s old friend, General Pei, once boasted that Shang Hang Yu and his son played tricks on two Northern Di generals during the royal winter hunt—and won the top prize!”

“What? Impossible!” Tian Meng Nian cried. Shang Hang Yu and Pei Yu An were famous incompetents. How could they have won?

“It’s true!” the young official insisted urgently. “If you doubt me, ask anyone else who attended the royal hunt.”

Tian Meng Nian hesitated, then sneered again. “Fine! I’ll go ask someone else right now!”

Without further delay, Tian Meng Nian hurried away—not to ask just anyone, but directly to his brother-in-law, Yang Jun Nan.