Chapter 43: I Want the Money—and the Men Too!

Niu Youdao cupped his hands. "This unworthy one is indeed Niu Youdao. Greetings, General Feng!"

That was right. This female general was Feng Ruonan, the youngest of Feng Lingbo's three children.

Her brow rose slightly. "An old acquaintance? Since when have you and I been old acquaintances?"

Niu Youdao smiled. "Does the general still remember the bamboo raft on the river in Ziyun Commandery years ago? Niu remembers the general very clearly. I dodged your arrow, only to nearly freeze to death in the river."

The corner of Feng Ruonan's mouth lifted.

She remembered the incident.

Even if Shang Chaozong's party had never reported Niu Youdao's name, she would still have recognized it. After shooting her inscribed token onto the raft and riding away that year, she had suddenly wondered whether the boy might freeze to death in the river. She had considered turning back to look for him, but given the direction of the current, she doubted she would have found him and ultimately abandoned the idea.

Later, people from the Shangqing Sect had come to her carrying that same token, asking her to verify whether she had truly crossed paths with a man named Niu Youdao. Only then had she learned that the clever boy on the raft was called Niu Youdao and had entered the Shangqing Sect. Niu Youdao himself still knew nothing about that visit.

More recently, the moment Feng Ruonan heard that Shang Chaozong's retainer cultivator was a Shangqing Sect disciple named Niu Youdao, she immediately remembered who he was.

Then, only this morning, she had seen a report stating that Niu Youdao had defeated Song Yanqing and his two fellow disciples in succession. That had surprised her even more.

Niu Youdao had entered the Shangqing Sect only a few years ago. How could he already possess that sort of strength? The spear she had just thrown had carried an element of testing. She had not expected Yuan Gang to intercept it.

"So it really is you." Feng Ruonan's expression held a trace of disdain and mockery. "What? Have you come today to take revenge on this general?"

"I wouldn't dare. I came to the commandery capital on His Highness's orders to make some purchases. Remembering that an old acquaintance was here, I came especially to pay a visit."

"That's all?"

Niu Youdao gave an embarrassed chuckle. "Well... there is one small matter I was hoping the general might help me with."

Feng Ruonan could not help sneering. Her expression plainly said: Why should I help you?

Still, her answer was straightforward enough. "Let's hear it first."

Niu Youdao rubbed his hands together, looking somewhat sheepish. "I'd like to borrow a little money from the general. I wonder whether your finances are convenient at the moment?"

"Borrow money?"

Feng Ruonan was visibly taken aback.

Suspicion entered her eyes. "How much?"

Niu Youdao cheerfully raised one finger. "Not much. Just ten thousand gold coins!"

Feng Ruonan's expression changed slightly.

What kind of joke was this? He opened his mouth and immediately asked for ten thousand gold coins. To her, the sum was neither enormous nor trivial. But whatever their relationship might be, they were nowhere near close enough for her to lend him that much money. More importantly, he was mixed up with Shang Chaozong. She waved him off without the slightest courtesy.

"My finances are very tight. Not convenient at all. Cultivator, you'd best find someone else. Someone, see the guests out!"

One of the black-clad women immediately flashed down from the platform and extended a hand.

"Please."

Niu Youdao raised a hand, signaling her to wait.

With shameless good humor, he said, "General, why not name your terms? What would it take for you to lend me the money?"

Seeing impatience on Feng Ruonan's face and realizing she had no intention of discussing the matter further, his mind raced. He needed to arouse her curiosity. Otherwise, after another sentence or two she would simply throw him out.

He immediately changed tack.

"Two hours. Lend it to me for only two hours. After two hours, I'll return it to the general immediately!"

He raised one finger again.

Ten thousand gold coins for a mere two hours? Now Feng Ruonan really was curious about what he intended to do.

She said coldly, "Why should I believe you? If you take the money and run, who am I supposed to collect from?"

She was mostly talking for effect. On her own territory, she truly did not believe Niu Youdao could run very far in two hours.

Niu Youdao thumped his chest. "I won't run. What if I stay here as a hostage? If I fail to return the money after two hours, you can do whatever you like with me—kill me or carve me up!"

Feng Ruonan said disdainfully, "What use is your life to me? The Song clan will probably take that little life sooner or later anyway."

Clearly, she already knew Niu Youdao had killed Song Yanqing.

Niu Youdao burst out laughing. "The Song clan won't find taking my little life so easy. But since the general thinks otherwise, I'm willing to make a wager with you. If I lose, then after two hours I'll repay the ten thousand gold coins with interest—a full one hundred thousand gold coins. I give you my word!"

One hundred thousand gold coins?

That truly was no small sum.

The black-clad women exchanged glances.

Feng Ruonan was tempted.

One hundred thousand gold coins would be enough to issue several rounds of military pay to all the forces in Guangyi Commandery.

Her mouth, however, remained merciless.

"You need to borrow even ten thousand gold coins. Where are you getting one hundred thousand to repay me?"

"Even if I can't produce one hundred thousand in gold, I'll certainly produce goods worth one hundred thousand to settle the debt. My prince may not have ready cash, but he still possesses a few valuable belongings. If the general doesn't believe me, I'm willing to leave this as collateral."

Niu Youdao took a token from inside his robe and tossed it over. Before setting out, he had borrowed it from Shang Chaozong, saying that if he was going to meet Feng Lingbo he would need something proving his identity. It would also make it easier to command the personal guards accompanying him. The black-clad woman opposite caught the token, inspected it, then handed it to Feng Ruonan.

Feng Ruonan looked it over.

It was Shang Chaozong's Commandery Prince token. After examining it repeatedly, she confirmed that it was unlikely to be false. The token bore an exquisitely wrought imperial mark that was extremely difficult to counterfeit. The token was both valuable and worthless, depending entirely on the authority of its owner. Given Shang Chaozong's present situation, the token itself was plainly worth very little. On the other hand, to Shang Chaozong personally, it represented credibility and enormous face.

In other words, it might be worthless to anyone else, but it was valuable to him. With the token in hand, Feng Ruonan relaxed. She no longer feared Shang Chaozong refusing to honor the debt.

Turning the token idly between her fingers, she asked, "What exactly do you want to wager?"

"The same thing I said before. Lend me ten thousand gold coins. I'll return them within two hours, and this token serves as collateral."

Feng Ruonan shook the token in her hand. "I asked what the wager is."

Niu Youdao cursed inwardly.

This woman's appetite was enormous. It seemed she really did want to earn those hundred thousand gold coins. The whole idea of a wager had only been something he tossed out to capture her interest and keep her talking instead of throwing him out after a sentence or two.

He gave a dry laugh.

"Surely there's no need for an actual wager?"

Feng Ruonan's brow rose, her expression turning cold.

"You dare toy with me?"

"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare. Fine, fine, fine! We'll make the wager."

Niu Youdao raised both hands in surrender, then improvised.

"Ten thousand gold coins, borrowed for two hours. I wager that when the time comes, the general won't let me repay the money and will even let me leave the military camp safely. If I win, naturally I won't need to repay the ten thousand. If I lose, I'll pay one hundred thousand in principal and interest. What does the general think?"

Feng Ruonan considered it.

Something about the wager felt wrong. Her bright eyes flickered before she sneered.

"I don't think much of it. Better to change the terms. I lend you ten thousand gold coins, and you must repay them within two hours. If you repay them on time, I let you leave safely. If you're late, you repay one hundred thousand in principal and interest, and your person is mine to dispose of."

She raised her chin toward Yuan Gang.

"And him. If you fail to repay on time, he enters my command and serves me. How about it?"

Niu Youdao nearly laughed.

This woman truly refused to suffer even the slightest loss. Under those terms, she came out ahead no matter what happened.

He deliberately showed some difficulty.

"General, under your wager, I don't seem to gain anything at all."

Feng Ruonan glared at him. "My willingness to lend you the money isn't a benefit? Do you think just anyone can borrow money from me? What, you're not confident you can repay it within two hours? In that case, did you come here intending to swindle money from me?"

Niu Youdao smiled bitterly. "I'm willing to remain here as a hostage. How could this be swindling?"

Feng Ruonan barked, "If you're confident you can repay on time, what are you afraid of? Are you betting or not?"

Her hand settled on the hilt of the sword at her waist, looking as though anger might send the blade from its sheath at any moment.

Niu Youdao could only laugh helplessly. "Fine, fine. We'll do it the general's way. I bet!"

Feng Ruonan turned her gaze toward Yuan Gang.

"Hey, big fellow. Do you agree?"

Yuan Gang nodded.

Feng Ruonan immediately waved a hand.

"Bring ten thousand gold coins!"

Before long, several men carried over a heavy chest. The lid opened to reveal a heap of gleaming gold coins.

An empty chest was placed beside it, and in front of Niu Youdao and Yuan Gang the coins were transferred from one chest to the other. In practice, they were simply counting the money clearly in front of both parties. Once the amount was confirmed, Feng Ruonan waved again.

"Brush, ink, paper, inkstone. Draw up the wager!"

Writing materials were brought at once. A formal wagering agreement was written, carried over, and signed by all three parties: Feng Ruonan, Niu Youdao, and Yuan Gang.

Each side retained a copy.

The loan was complete.

Yuan Gang crouched, gave a short grunt, and exhaled sharply. Then he lifted by himself the chest that had required several men to carry, hoisting it partly onto one shoulder. Once again, Feng Ruonan's eyes lit with admiration.

What a man.

What tremendous strength.

He could become a fierce general.

"General, I'll see him to the gate and give him a few instructions before returning."

Niu Youdao glanced back and asked permission, since he had already agreed to remain as a hostage.

Feng Ruonan waved generously.

She was not worried that Niu Youdao could escape on her territory. After the two brothers had walked some distance away, Niu Youdao glanced back and muttered to Yuan Gang, who carried the chest beside him.

"That woman has bad intentions and a huge appetite. Nine chances out of ten she's planning to cheat me. We'll see who ends up crying later."

Yuan Gang said, "Master Dao, if you cheat her like this, be careful she doesn't hate you for the rest of her life."

Niu Youdao chuckled. "I'm clearly helping her, all right? Monkey, speaking of which, that woman's build actually looks like a pretty good match for you."

"There's something wrong with your eyes," Yuan Gang said with contempt.

Then he changed his tune.

"If you can get her to agree, I don't mind."

"Uh..."

Niu Youdao gave a dry laugh. "Forget it. That wild mare isn't something just anyone is qualified to ride. Neither of us brothers has that sort of fortune. Better leave her for some blessed fellow to enjoy."

From the command platform, Feng Ruonan watched the two men walk into the distance. Then she turned to those beside her.

"Go keep an eye on them. See what tricks they're planning. Don't let them run. If necessary, send word to me immediately and seal all four city gates!"

Her eyes gleamed.

"And prepare yourselves. If they really can repay the money on time, put obstacles in their way. Do not allow them to return before the deadline. I'm winning this wager no matter what."

She smiled coldly.

"I want the money—and I want the men too!"

The four female guards beside her were named Mei, Lan, Zhu, and Ju. All four laughed softly at her words. They had known from the beginning that she had no good intentions. Zhu and Ju nodded and left to make preparations.

[End of Chapter 43]