Chapter 108: One Comes, I Kill One

Claiming that they had met on the road to Jinzhou was only an excuse. Zhuge Xun had originally wanted to say that the Shangqing Sect had now thrown its lot in with the State of Han and that Niu Youdao was a disciple of the Shangqing Sect, or something along those lines. That would have made it reasonable for him to step forward as peacemaker.

Niu Youdao, however, had left no room for discussion on that point. He flatly refused to let himself be linked to the Shangqing Sect again and told Zhuge Xun in no uncertain terms that he had already been expelled from the sect and no longer had anything whatsoever to do with it.

Song Long slanted a cold glance at him. “Zhuge Xun, aren’t you meddling a little too much?”

Zhuge Xun hurriedly waved his hands. “Don’t misunderstand. We’re only talking. There’s no harm in talking, is there? As the saying goes, grudges are better resolved than made. Some things are better left in the past. Why cling to them forever?”

Song Long snorted. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. Let’s discuss the real business instead. Irrelevant people should withdraw. Don’t linger here and embarrass yourself.”

Zhuge Xun smiled bitterly and spread both hands toward Niu Youdao, looking as though there were nothing more he could do.

Tu Huaiyu, the envoy of the State of Song seated nearby, said indifferently, “He was invited here by the host. Since when does one guest drive out another? Have the State of Yan’s rites and manners been eaten by dogs?”

Song Long stared at him. “Old Tu, don’t go looking for trouble where there is none!”

At their own courts, men like these might conduct themselves with restraint in speech and action. Once abroad as envoys, however, slamming tables while arguing with foreign counterparts, shouting themselves red in the face, even hurling obscenities at one another, were all perfectly normal. Courtesy between them was not much of a consideration.

Of course, after cursing each other out, they could still sit down and drink together. Once the drinking was over, they could start cursing again.

They might address each other as brothers in ordinary times, then turn hostile the instant the interests of their states demanded it, only to laugh and converse intimately again the moment those same interests required cooperation.

Tu Huaiyu ignored Song Long and turned his head toward Niu Youdao. “Young brother, this old man is rather interested in hearing what happened. What sort of feud did you form with the Song family?”

The others were equally curious. They had already wondered about the scene earlier when Zhu Shun led men out of the Yan Lodge.

Zuo Annian, envoy of the State of Qi, chuckled. “There’s no harm in telling us.”

Most of the others nodded slightly in agreement. Song Long’s face darkened. He badly wanted to flick his sleeve and leave immediately, but he also wanted to know what serious business Zhuge Xun intended to discuss afterward.

“I was originally a disciple of the Shangqing Sect, but was later expelled. On the road, my senior brother Song Yanqing tried to ambush and kill me...” Niu Youdao repeated the same account he had given Zhuge Xun earlier. When he finished, he fixed his eyes on Song Long. “At Nanshan Temple, they tried to kill me once, and I killed Song Yanqing. In Canglu County, they tried to kill me once, and I killed the son of your household steward. Today, I happened to encounter Lord Song here in Jinzhou Prefectural Capital, and Lord Song tried to kill me yet again. If I had not asked the Provincial Inspector’s Residence to intervene, who knows how matters would have ended? Lord Song, I truly do not wish to continue like this with the Song family, nor can I afford to provoke the Song family. With all these gentlemen here as witnesses today, I am willing to offer a sincere apology. I ask only that the Song family be magnanimous and spare me!”

Song Long sneered inwardly. What are you, that you think yourself qualified to negotiate with the Song family? Outwardly, however, he remained calm. “You’ve rambled on at length, but I don’t understand what you’re talking about. This is not a place for wild accusations. When did I ever try to kill you? You cannot make claims without evidence.”

Almost simultaneously, Huang Xusheng and Xie Chun, who had been listening to the conversation from outside, flashed to Song Long’s side to prevent Niu Youdao from making some rash move if the talks broke down.

Niu Youdao stood and cupped his hands. “Lord Song, I come with complete sincerity. As long as you are willing to let me go, any conditions can be discussed!”

That was no lie. The Song family was powerful. If the matter could be settled peacefully, that would naturally be best.

Song Long leaned back in his chair and said evenly, “Nothing happened. What is there for me to discuss with you?”

Niu Youdao fell silent. He understood the other man’s position now.

Everyone seated there was politically experienced. They all understood exactly what Song Long meant, but they treated it as nothing more than entertainment. No one cared how Niu Youdao felt.

Song Long looked toward Zhuge Xun. “Zhuge, enough of this inexplicable nonsense. Have the irrelevant people withdraw so we can discuss real business.”

Zhuge Xun could only rise to see his guest off. Cupping his hands, he said, “Brother Niu, my apologies. Perhaps you should go back and rest first?”

Song Long did not even bother looking at Niu Youdao. A faint sneer curled at the corner of his mouth.

Tu Huaiyu suddenly said in an odd, mocking tone, “Some people truly leave one wondering what goes on in their heads. Who agrees to play peacemaker in a matter like this? Anyone with half a brain could tell it would go nowhere. Isn’t this just humiliating your guest? No whiskers on the lip, no reliability in the man!”

The apologetic expression on Zhuge Xun’s face vanished. He wheeled around as though angered by the humiliation. “Gray-templed old thief, who are you insulting?”

Tu Huaiyu stood as well and glared. “Zhuge brat, who are you calling a thief?”

“Whoever insults me is the one I insult!”

“An ill-bred little whelp! I’ll discipline you on behalf of your parents!” Tu Huaiyu shouted, swinging his hand in a slap.

Smack!

The slap rang crisp and loud as it struck Zhuge Xun hard across the face.

Everyone stared in shock. This was hardly the first time they had watched these two curse one another, but it truly was the first time they had seen them come to blows.

Song Long froze for an instant and nearly laughed aloud. They had been talking about his affair, and somehow these two had started fighting instead? They had wanted to watch his spectacle; now he would see whose spectacle this became.

Zhuge Xun, one hand over his cheek, was stunned as well. He had never expected the old bastard actually to strike him. That had not been in the act they agreed on privately. Tu Huaiyu clearly knew Zhuge Xun would be unable to expose the truth afterward and was taking the opportunity for some personal retaliation!

Even Niu Youdao froze. They had actually started hitting each other. These two really knew how to put on a performance!

Almost at once, Zhuge Xun slapped back.

Tu Huaiyu had been ready for it. He raised an arm to block, only for Zhuge Xun to seize a handful of his beard the next instant.

Their retainer cultivators outside the pavilion immediately rushed in to pull them apart.

With so many cultivators suddenly charging into the confined space, an accident could easily occur. The other envoys’ guards likewise flashed inside and moved their own charges out of the pavilion first.

“Who was that?” someone suddenly shouted. One of Zhuge Xun’s retainer cultivators abruptly turned and seized Huang Xusheng, who was escorting Song Long away, by the shoulder. “Why did you kick me?”

“I didn’t kick you!” Huang Xusheng slapped his hand aside, but the other man staggered backward and overturned a table.

The instant that physical contact occurred, the scene descended into chaos. Zhuge Xun’s men all surged over. Song Long’s men naturally refused to yield and came forward as well.

Seeing that a fight was about to break out, Tu Huaiyu, already separated from Zhuge Xun, shouted, “Stop them! Don’t let this damage our harmony!”

His men immediately rushed forward too. Joining Zhuge Xun’s people, they effectively put two men on each of Song Long’s guards and held them fast. Song Long was instantly stripped of protection and left isolated.

“Stop! All of you, stop!” Song Long shouted.

Standing beside the overturned table, Niu Youdao stared coldly at Song Long outside the pavilion and raised one hand.

Behind him, Yuan Fang immediately hurled the sword he had been cradling.

Niu Youdao caught it in one hand and suddenly shot forward, sweeping over the crowd.

Huang Xusheng and the others snapped their heads up in horror, but men were holding them fast and would not let go.

“What are you trying to do?” Song Long cried out.

Everyone looked over. Song Long had already been seized by the topknot and forced to his knees by Niu Youdao, the icy edge of a sword laid across his throat.

A cultivator beside Chu Xiangyu, envoy of the State of Jin, asked softly, “My lord?” His meaning was whether they should intervene.

Chu Xiangyu lifted a hand to stop him. “Internal disorder in the State of Yan is no bad thing.”

“What are you doing?”

A fierce shout rang down from the night sky. Dozens of people descended from above and surrounded Niu Youdao. Men from the Provincial Inspector’s Residence had arrived.

Zhuge Xun and Tu Huaiyu exchanged a look. Neither knew why Niu Youdao had delayed. Could he still act now that these people had arrived?

Whatever the answer, the two were eager to distance themselves from responsibility. Both hurriedly gestured for their men to release Song Long’s guards.

The instant Huang Xusheng and the others broke free, they rushed forward, only to be blocked by the men from the Provincial Inspector’s Residence. “Everyone stop!”

Huang Xusheng could only point at the surrounded Niu Youdao and shout, “Niu Youdao, release Lord Song at once!”

Niu Youdao swept a cold gaze around him before finally fixing it on Song Long, who knelt trembling on the ground. His voice was indifferent. “Song Yanqing tried to kill me; I killed him. Liu Ziyu tried to kill me; I killed him. You tried to kill me; I kill you as well. One of the Song family comes, I kill one. I’ll be waiting whenever you please!”

Shhk!

The cold gleam in his hand sliced across Song Long’s throat, and blood sprayed out. The singing girls screamed in terror.

The man who always claimed not to like fighting and killing was one thing when he did not act. Once he moved, he was extraordinarily decisive and ruthless.

Song Long did not even have time to scream before Niu Youdao took his head. A kick sent the headless body sprawling to the ground, where it convulsed. There was no possibility of its ever rising again.

Huang Xusheng and the others stared in shock. How were they supposed to explain this to the State of Yan, or to their sect?

“Hiss!” The envoys of the various states sucked in cold breaths. Even Zhuge Xun and Tu Huaiyu, who had been mentally prepared, shuddered at the sight.

“...” Fang Zhe was completely speechless. Just what sort of man had His Highness sent here?

Yuan Fang stared blankly and muttered inwardly that Master Dao really had dared to do it. This time, perhaps they had played things too far.

Chen Guishuo’s eyes were wide with shock. He had actually dared to strike in a situation like this. Was he truly unafraid of death? Chen Guishuo had never imagined that the man once kept under house arrest at Peach Blossom Spring would turn out to be such a ruthless desperado!

Niu Youdao tossed the severed head directly toward Huang Xusheng.

A moment later, the sword in his own hand was knocked away, and the men from the Provincial Inspector’s Residence quickly seized him.

Huang Xusheng and the others charged forward in fury, only to be stopped by the Inspector’s men.

“A killer pays with his life!” Huang Xusheng roared.

The man blocking him laid a sword against his neck and warned, “He will be dealt with according to law. We don’t need you to teach us. Jinzhou is not a place where you can run wild and make trouble as you please! All disciples, hear my order: anyone who dares move again is to be killed without mercy! Everyone present is to be detained!”

For a time, naked blades flashed everywhere as men stood on guard.

Soon a large force arrived. Not a single person present was spared; everyone was arrested and taken away. No one resisted.

Nor did anyone dare. Fighting the forces of the Provincial Inspector’s Residence here would simply be courting death.

Song Long’s corpse was carried away afterward.

Inside the pavilion, the untouched wine and dishes lay overturned across the floor...

Everyone was confined in a single courtyard. The cultivators had their meridians sealed and could no longer use spiritual power.

Zhuge Xun pushed open the door to one room. Rubbing the slap mark still visible on his face, he cursed Tu Huaiyu, who sat leisurely drinking tea inside. “Old bastard, who told you to hit me?”

Tu Huaiyu chuckled. “Wasn’t that to make the act more convincing? You pulled several hairs out of this old man’s beard, and I haven’t complained about that, have I?”

Outside, the other envoys paced about, none of them having fully recovered from the sight of Song Long’s death. Each was considering what consequences the affair might produce. At the same time, they were all baffled that merely attending a banquet had ended with every last one of them arrested. For now, they could only wait for their people outside to negotiate.

[End of Chapter 108]