Chapter 1082 — The Outpost
Blade of Dawn · Page 2 of 4
Luo Yan gazed into Gao Yang's eyes, and only after a long while did he abruptly break the silence. "There is really no need for us to haggle so long over a matter so full of water, is there? We did not come here today to sharpen our tongues—"
As he spoke, he adjusted his posture and regarded Gao Yang with greater solemnity. "Each of us rules a mighty empire. Were circumstances not exceptional, we would not even need to meet in person—if this were merely a dispute over the ownership of one fortress, our diplomats could have completed all the negotiations. But now you and I have come in person, sitting here face to face, and I hope we can speak more frankly. No diplomatic niceties, no hints or insinuations—openly and directly. In this matter, Typhon is in the wrong, so you may state your terms. What do you want?"
Only then did Gao Yang at last show a genuine smile. He sighed, settling himself more comfortably. "You should have said so sooner, instead of first bringing up Winterwolf Keep as a test. Since we have come this far, I will state my thoughts—Amber."
The moment the words left his mouth, Amber at his side had already produced a folded map. After laying it on the tea table and spreading it open, a partial map of the northeastern region of the Loren Continent was presented before everyone's eyes.
In the instant he saw the map, Luo Yan's pupils visibly contracted—yet what drew his notice was not any marking upon it, but the startling accuracy of the map and the detailed depiction of the many islands and coastlines along the seaboard, especially the latter. Some unnamed coastal islets, and stretches of empty shore that even the local inhabitants might not know clearly, were all distinctly outlined. The information betrayed by such details was enough to put him on alert.
While Luo Yan's attention was held by the map, Gao Yang's finger had already come to rest on a certain point where the borders of Typhon and Cecil met.
"Dragoncall Fjord—I understand Typhon calls this place by the same name," he said, his finger pressed to the map, his gaze fixed on the Typhon emperor before him. "I will build a port here—to serve as the northeastern node of a circum-continental shipping route. Beyond that, to provide the necessary maritime protection and turbulence warning for Dragoncall Fjord, I will also need to establish several outposts in the waters offshore... In short, I want these islands."
The room fell quiet.
Luo Yan Augustus's expression was as still as a deep pool, while beside him Matilda drew a soft breath. In that moment, it was as though a bitter cold wind swept through the surrounding space, and the very air in the room seemed to congeal into something tangible. At the same time, a single name surfaced in the minds of both Luo Yan and Matilda—
The Winterchill.
That terrifyingly powerful steel warship still lingered in the coastal waters east of Winterfort. It had remained there a long time, showing not the slightest sign of returning home, like a nail driven fast into the edge of Typhon's coastline.
So that was it.
Gao Yang said nothing, patiently awaiting Luo Yan's answer. His expression never changed, so that no one could tell whether he was confident of success or quietly gloating. The silence in the room endured a long while in that state of confrontation, until Luo Yan suddenly raised his head, and in those deep-set black eyes was a will frozen hard as ice: "Typhon cannot accept this."
"Consider carefully," Gao Yang said, not the least surprise on his face; he merely went on patiently and calmly, "I am not asking for your coastline, not asking for any land, not even asking for your offshore waters—what I ask for is the archipelago in the waters south of Dragoncall Fjord. That area already lies close to the region ruled by storm turbulence, and it does not fall within your territory."