The moment Lin Mo saw Ashikaga Nobunari, he could see the murderous intent in his eyes.
Like Bai Qi, this person exuded a strong butcher's aura.
The political system of East Pango was characterized by warlordism and constant warfare. Ashikaga Nobunari's ability to unify East Pango was also marked by bloodshed.
The two looked at each other, but both chose to remain silent.
"Your Majesty, this is the Regent from Great Xia, Lin Mo!" Kuroda Hanbei broke the silence first, pointing at Lin Mo as he spoke.
Ashikaga Nobushige's lips twitched slightly, and he greeted the emperor with courtesy, "Welcome, Regent of Great Xia!"
Lin Mo cupped his hands in greeting and responded with a smile.
But both of them could tell that the other's smile was a professional fake smile.
To everyone's surprise, the two did not immediately clash, but instead chatted and laughed together.
This left all the East Pangor lords completely stunned.
The banquet lasted for two hours.
Late at night, Lin Mo, slightly drunk, approached Ashikaga Nobunari.
“Your Majesty the Emperor, thank you for your hospitality,” he said. “Let’s be frank. I’ve come to Dongpango to borrow something from you.”
"Oh? May I ask what it is?"
All the lords stopped and focused their attention on Lin Mo once again.
At this moment, Lin Mo smiled and said, "Navigation chart!"
Amidst the tense atmosphere of the banquet, the lords were deeply perplexed.
They stared at the Regent of Great Xia named Lin Mo, their hearts filled with bewilderment. This young man, accompanied only by one attendant, dared to step into the territory of an enemy nation that had just experienced a bloody war, his purpose being merely a nautical chart.
The lords pondered to themselves, what secrets did this nautical chart hold that would make Lin Mo act so recklessly? He was not the kind of person to act rashly; there must be a deeper meaning behind it.
Ashikaga Nobushige narrowed his eyes. "May I ask, Your Highness Regent, which sea area's nautical chart do you require?"
Lin Mo leaned close to his ear, lowered her voice, and gave him the answer.
At that moment, Ashikaga Nobushige suddenly turned his head and asked in astonishment, "Your Highness, Regent, you must be joking!"
"Your Majesty, I have traveled thousands of miles to Dongpango, surely not just to play a joke on you?"
Ashikaga Nobushige's expression changed. "What you're saying is really hard to satisfy!"
The lords were even more shocked. Their own emperor was unwilling to give it up?
Could it be?
Where does Lin Mo want to go?
Indeed, Ashikaga Nobunari, the leader of the Tonpango, spoke with unwavering resolve: "No, absolutely not! That place is the sacred ground of the Tonpango, the sacred land of our Tonpango Susanoo..."
He realized the occasion was inappropriate halfway through his sentence, so he cut back, saying, "Your Highness, Regent, you are a distinguished guest of Dongpango. As the Emperor, I should naturally extend the hospitality of a host."
But what you want, even if I had it, it's something I absolutely cannot give you.
His face was ashen, and his fists were clenched tightly, as if he was trying his best to suppress the anger in his heart.
That place, that mysterious place known as the Holy Land of Dongpango, was, to him, the legendary abode of Susanoo, and the embodiment of the spiritual culture of the entire Dongpango. It was impossible for Lin Mo, an outsider, to go there.
Seeing Ashikaga Nobushige's expression, everyone guessed that Lin Mo was going to the mysterious sea area that the Dongpango people called the forbidden sea.
"Your Majesty, shall we speak in private?" Lin Mo suggested.
Ashikaga Nobunari looked up and understood that Lin Mo was determined to go.
"Step back, all of you step back!" he announced loudly.
The lords immediately obeyed the order, stood up, and prepared to leave.
"Kuroda, you stay! Everyone else, get out of here!"
Kuroda Hanbei sat back down, speechless with surprise.
Ashikaga Nobushige sat down. "Speak, Your Highness, why do you insist on going to the forbidden territory of my Eastern Pango people?" His hands clenched into fists. "Your actions are tantamount to provoking a second war."
"Haha, Your Majesty, I'm only taking one attendant with me to the Forbidden Sea. What are you worried about?" Lin Mo explained. "Do you think I, alone, can kill your god?"
Ashikaga Nobunaga glared at him sharply. "You're going alone? What's your purpose?"
Lin Mo picked up the wine glass in front of him, took a sip, and said, "I can assure you that I will not do anything that would be detrimental to Dongpango."
Lin Mo sipped his wine, wondering what Ashikaga Nobunari's expression would be if he told him the truth.
“I’m sorry, even I don’t have a nautical chart for the Forbidden Sea!” Ashikaga Nobunari replied.
Hmph, maybe they didn't give us enough benefits?
Lin Mo smiled and said, "I won't take your nautical chart for nothing! In exchange, I will wipe out this troublesome enemy of yours."
"Enemies? I have no enemies in Dongpango!" Ashikaga Nobunari sneered.
"Really? What about Tokugawa Iemochi? I've heard that he's secretly recruiting soldiers, expanding his army, and actively preparing for war!"
Ashikaga Nobunari looked at Lin Mo in astonishment.
In the battle against Da Xia, Dong Pan Ge suffered heavy losses and was severely weakened.
As the only one who did not send troops, Tokugawa Iemochi secretly recruited soldiers and expanded his army during the war.
Ashikaga Nobunari saw this but was powerless to do anything about it.
Because there are too many discontented voices among the lords under his command, making it impossible to unite them.
"Your Highness, you alone can defeat Tokugawa Iemochi?" Kuroda Hanbei asked in surprise.
"Since I dare to say such a thing, I absolutely have the ability to do so." Lin Mo assured him confidently, "You only need to give me the nautical chart, and I'll take care of the rest."
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