Chapter 58: His Majesty Is Furious

Tu Han nodded. "I'll try."

Su Po smiled again. "If your master refuses to come out, then stay at Demon Ridge. Don't come back."

Tu Han froze.

He hurriedly said, "If the Shangqing Sect is in danger, how can this disciple stand aside and watch? Wouldn't that make me an ungrateful petty man?"

Su Po waved a hand slightly.

"That's not how it should be understood. Righteousness has its lesser form and its greater form. Even if you and Wei Duo remain at the Shangqing Sect, you won't be able to help much. If the Song clan truly acts against the Shangqing Sect, I doubt they'll leave behind anyone who might retaliate later. They'll probably uproot us completely. If Wei Duo weren't so difficult to persuade away, I would have sent him to Demon Ridge with you to shelter from the disaster. Sending him to find Niu Youdao is only the next-best option. Having you avoid the danger is not the same as asking you to stand by and do nothing. It is to preserve useful lives. If the Shangqing Sect truly reaches the point of extermination, then later you can find Wei Duo and think of a way to join hands with him to rebuild the Shangqing Sect. That is the greater righteousness. I am urging the two of you to leave precisely because I still hold hope for you. As for the others, when the time comes, I fear most will be too concerned with protecting themselves to face the hardship involved."

Tu Han's cheeks tightened.

He understood what Su Po meant. By openly exposing the truth behind Song Yanqing's death, the Song clan had already made its meaning clear.

If you do not treat a member of my Song clan as your disciple, then the Song clan will no longer treat the Shangqing Sect as our master's sect. If you show no benevolence, do not blame me for showing no righteousness.

And once the Song clan withdrew its protection from the Shangqing Sect, there would not even be any need for the Songs to act personally. They only needed to let word spread that they no longer had any connection to the Shangqing Sect. There were plenty of people who wanted to move against the Shangqing Sect. There were also plenty who coveted the spiritually rich blessed land the sect occupied. The Song clan's intention to retaliate was too obvious.

Otherwise, they would never have allowed Chen Guishuo to openly provoke and disrespect his own master's sect. What ordinary disciple would dare do such a thing and expect it to be tolerated?

What puzzled Tu Han was that the Song clan possessed more than enough power to deal with the Shangqing Sect directly. Why bother making Chen Guishuo do all this first? Wasn't that simply giving the Shangqing Sect time to prepare a response?

"Actually, Elder Luo's words weren't entirely unreasonable. We could consider going into hiding to escape the disaster," Tu Han said gloomily.

Su Po shook his head.

"He said that in anger. The hearts of the Shangqing Sect's people scattered long ago. How could we simply say we'll withdraw into hiding and expect it to happen? Without cultivation resources, how many would willingly hide away? And how many could endure obscurity year after year? Would someone betray the hiding place for the sake of his own prospects? I'd say the chance is very high. Forget the future. With people's hearts already scattered, who can even say whether there are outside eyes hidden within the sect right now? Where could we hide? Who can be abandoned and who cannot? Who could sort all of that cleanly? A sect with this many people cannot simply disappear because someone says the word. Carrying it out would be extremely complicated. Hiding without a way to guarantee safety would have no meaning at all. In the final analysis, the Shangqing Sect today lacks someone capable of shouldering the burden, someone strong enough to steady the entire situation and give everyone confidence. I cannot do it. Senior Brother Luo cannot do it. Junior Sister Tang cannot do it. Even Sect Leader Tang Yi cannot do it. That is why I did not oppose what they did to Niu Youdao at the beginning. How could people's hearts settle if a green boy who had only just arrived, whom no one trusted, was suddenly made Sect Leader? At least Tang Yi becoming Sect Leader provoked the least controversy and could barely hold things together. Looking back now, Tang Mu and Dong Guo Haoran truly did exhaust their hearts and minds. The two of them were clearly coordinating, one in the light and one in the dark, struggling desperately to revive the Shangqing Sect. Senior Brother's eye for people, and for choosing disciples, was indeed quite good..."

In the capital, inside the residence of a great clan, Wang Heng lifted a huge vat high above his head.

Crash!

He smashed it onto the ground. The vessel shattered in every direction, soil spraying outward. A rare flower that had been planted inside was trampled into mud beneath Wang Heng's repeated stomping.

He was furious beyond measure.

He had sent word to Feng Lingbo in Guangyi Commandery and had been waiting for a response.

No response ever came.

Instead, he received news that Feng Lingbo intended to form a marriage alliance with Shang Chaozong. At first he had refused to believe it. Why would Feng Lingbo ever marry his daughter to Shang Chaozong unless something was wrong with his head?

But more news followed. Even the wedding date had been fixed, and the happy announcement had spread throughout the capital of Guangyi Commandery. Only then did Wang Heng finally accept the truth. Feng Lingbo really was forming a marriage alliance with Shang Chaozong.

What did that mean?

It meant Feng Lingbo had refused to give him face. It meant Feng Lingbo had slapped him across the face. There was no possibility Feng Lingbo would hand one of Shang Chaozong's men over to him now. That was why Feng Lingbo had never bothered replying. Wang Heng's daughter was still at home and had not returned to her husband's family. The news of Song Yanqing's death had been hidden from her the entire time.

It was not that Wang Heng did not want to tell her. He simply had no idea what sort of way could possibly be considered appropriate. Sometimes he truly could not understand his daughter's thoughts.

She had been the one who cursed Song Yanqing for having no conscience, complained that he treated her badly, and ran home to tell her family.

Yet now she was also the one constantly talking about Song Yanqing and wanting to return to her husband's household. If she genuinely hated Song Yanqing, Wang Heng would have found it easier to speak. After venting his fury for quite some time, he finally calmed somewhat. By then, the pots and jars beside the flower pond had been smashed all over the ground.

Panting heavily, Wang Heng stared at the wreckage and shouted, "Lu Shengzhong!"

Beneath the eaves not far away, a richly dressed man who had been watching walked over at an unhurried pace. He held a black folding fan covered in dark cloth. He looked remarkably elegant and carefree, except for the obvious soft, almost feminine cast to his features. This was Lu Shengzhong, one of Wang Heng's retainer cultivators.

Approaching, he smiled faintly. "Has the Grand Commander vented enough?"

Wang Heng turned to face him.

"I want you to personally make this trip and settle the matter."

Lu Shengzhong frowned.

Naturally, he knew what Wang Heng meant.

He hesitated. "Feng Lingbo has involved himself. The Tianyu Sect's people will naturally be watching from the side. It may not be easy to act."

Wang Heng's expression twisted.

He enunciated each word.

"I don't care what method you use. Bring me Niu Youdao's head!"

Lu Shengzhong looked rather helpless.

He gave a bitter smile and nodded.

"I'll do my best."

Agreeing was one thing.

Exactly how he would do it still required careful thought. Niu Youdao himself was nothing to worry about. The real problem was the Tianyu Sect.

The reason was simple.

Even if Lu Shengzhong succeeded, once the Tianyu Sect discovered he had been responsible, he would have gone into Tianyu Sect territory and killed someone under its protection. That would be the same as slapping the Tianyu Sect in the face. The Tianyu Sect would never tolerate such a precedent. It would certainly send experts after him, and it would not stop until he was dead.

At the Song Residence, the gardens were quiet.

Inside a waterside pavilion, Song Jiuming stood with his hands behind his back, studying an unfinished game on the Go board before him.

Liu Lu, the gray-haired steward of the Song Residence, approached along the covered corridor and reported in a low voice.

"The watchers sent word. Lu Shengzhong has left the capital. Nine chances out of ten, Wang Heng sent him to deal with the matter."

Song Jiuming showed no reaction.

He continued staring at the board. Only after a long while did he place a stone.

Then he said indifferently, "I hear Ziyu gets along well with his fellow disciples at the Liuxian Sect and is rather appreciated by the elders there?"

Ziyu was Liu Lu's son.

Liu Lu smiled. "The Liuxian Sect's care for Ziyu is still largely out of consideration for Master."

Song Jiuming seemed dissatisfied with the stone he had just placed and picked it back up.

"Lu Shengzhong's sect background is a little weak. Facing the Tianyu Sect, he may lack confidence. Have Ziyu invite some fellow disciples to make the trip and take a look at the situation."

Liu Lu froze for a moment.

Then he nodded. "Yes."

Just then, Song Quan came striding quickly along the covered corridor. He nodded to Liu Lu in greeting, then reported to Song Jiuming.

"Father, someone came from the Grand Minister of Works' residence. They ask Father to go over, but they didn't say why."

Song Jiuming's thoughts seemed to leave the Go board instantly. He put down the stone in his hand and turned away at once, plainly unwilling to delay. He went outside and climbed into a carriage. Guards accompanied him as they headed directly for their destination. The residences of the capital's dignitaries were mostly concentrated in certain districts, usually on pleasant and desirable land. But someone at Grand Minister of Works Tong Mo's level was different from an ordinary official.

A man burdened with endless daily affairs could not afford to waste time traveling back and forth constantly. Generally, wherever such a man lived was also where he worked. The Grand Minister of Works' residence stood not far from the imperial palace, making court audiences convenient. The estate itself occupied no small area. The carriage stopped beneath a long flight of high steps. Song Jiuming climbed out and hurried upward. The retainer cultivators accompanying him stopped below and did not dare intrude.

They watched as Song Jiuming entered alone. The main hall was spacious enough to hold a substantial assembly, yet it was completely quiet.

A plump elderly man in plain clothes sat at the head, brush in hand, processing official documents one after another.

Those who came and went carrying documents bearing his instructions moved with exceptional care, afraid to make too much noise and disturb him.

"Grand Minister of Works!"

Song Jiuming stopped before the desk and bowed with both hands cupped, bending deeply at the waist. Tong Mo raised his eyes slightly. His gaze was old and penetrating, carrying a restrained authority. He gave a faint wave with the brush in his hand, then lowered his head and continued writing. Song Jiuming slowly withdrew to one side. He folded both hands over his abdomen, lowered his head, and waited in silence. Before long, another man entered from outside.

He was lean, pale-faced and beardless, with frost at both temples, a jade hairpin, a hooked nose, and cold, heavy eyes. A black cloak draped around him, spotless from head to toe. It was the palace eunuch Ga Miaoshui.

After cupping his hands in salute toward Tong Mo behind the desk, Ga Miaoshui said nothing and quietly took his place on the other side. His gaze remained fixed on Song Jiuming's face, making Song Jiuming increasingly uncomfortable. After quite some time, Tong Mo finished what he was writing and put down his brush.

He looked at Ga Miaoshui and Song Jiuming, tore off the completed document, and handed it to a waiting junior official.

Then he waved one hand.

The other junior officials in the hall withdrew one after another, leaving the three men alone.

"You're aware that Feng Lingbo and Shang Chaozong are forming a marriage alliance?"

Tong Mo stared at Song Jiuming and asked in a deep voice.

Song Jiuming bowed respectfully.

"This subordinate official is aware."

Tong Mo tilted his chin toward Ga Miaoshui. Ga Miaoshui slowly stepped into the middle of the hall. His voice was cold and flat.

"His Majesty is furious!"

Tong Mo looked back at Song Jiuming.

"What do you make of this?"

Song Jiuming hesitated. "By all reason, Feng Lingbo should not possess such courage. Unless there is something valuable enough that he considers the risk worth taking, this makes no sense. I fear Shang Chaozong has already revealed to Feng Lingbo what Prince Ning left behind. Other than that, this subordinate official cannot think of any reason."

The hall fell silent.

Each man considered the matter.

Clearly, all of them accepted the logic. They also understood that the situation had become difficult to handle. Feng Lingbo was acting without fear.

Song Jiuming suddenly sighed.

"This subordinate official always believed Shang Chaozong should never have been allowed to leave the capital. I feared releasing a tiger back to the mountains. Looking at matters now, my fears were not unfounded."

Ga Miaoshui looked at him coldly.

"Does Lord Song believe His Majesty's decision was mistaken?"

"I would not dare!"

Song Jiuming bowed again.

Ga Miaoshui said indifferently, "Is there anything your Song clan does not dare do? Didn't you say the Shangqing Sect was under the Song clan's control? Then why did the Shangqing Sect still send a retainer cultivator to Shang Chaozong? And what exactly was your grandson doing when he ran off to intercept someone halfway down the road?"

[End of Chapter 58]