Chapter 289: It Takes a Fierce Dragon to Cross the River

Zuo Desong was somewhat surprised. "You shouldn't say things like that lightly. How could the Grand Princess owe you money?"

That was what he said aloud, but his thoughts were already turning. Since the other party had come all the way to his door, he presumably would not invent such a thing out of thin air.

Niu Youdao said, "Last year, when the Grand Princess disguised herself and traveled to Ice and Snow Pavilion for amusement, she incurred the debt."

Hao Qingqing's trip had been made in secret and kept under strict confidentiality. Naturally, it could never have been publicly announced; once exposed, the danger hidden within such a journey was easy to imagine. So Zuo Desong had never heard of it. Still, he knew such a thing was entirely possible.

He asked, "How much does she owe you that it was worth traveling all the way from the State of Yan to the State of Qi to collect?"

Niu Youdao raised two fingers. "Not much. Two million gold coins!"

"..."

Zuo Desong was speechless.

Two million gold coins was "not much"?

Then what exactly counted as a great deal? At the side, Qian You could not help glancing at Zuo Desong's reaction.

"..."

Linghu Qiu likewise stared blankly. The Grand Princess of the State of Qi owed this fellow that much money?

Was that even possible?

When Niu Youdao had just said he had not come for the warhorses, Linghu Qiu had naturally assumed it was merely a tactful excuse. But after hearing the size of this debt, he actually began to doubt himself.

This fellow had spent the entire journey completely unhurried and had never looked like a man rushing to handle serious business.

Could it be that the warhorses were only an excuse, and Niu Youdao had borrowed the protection and support of several sects simply so he could come safely to the State of Qi and collect a debt? The suspicion arose precisely because the amount was so enormous. Two million gold coins. Could Shang Chaozong produce that much money for Niu Youdao?

If Niu Youdao could really collect a fortune like that, would he still need to risk his life working for Shang Chaozong?

After recovering from his surprise, Zuo Desong asked, "Why would the Grand Princess owe you so much money?"

Niu Youdao said, "The reason isn't convenient for me to explain in detail. It would embarrass the Grand Princess. The retainer cultivators who accompanied her can all testify to the matter. Lord Zuo need only ask them."

Zuo Desong pondered briefly, his eyes flickering, then asked, "Do you have a signed debt note?"

Niu Youdao said, "She originally wrote one for me, but I returned it to the Grand Princess because I trusted that the imperial family of the State of Qi would not be the sort of petty people who deny their debts."

Zuo Desong chuckled. "Two million gold coins is hardly a small sum. You have no written evidence and merely claim someone owes you money. How are people supposed to believe that? If everyone could demand money with nothing but red lips and white teeth, wouldn't the realm fall into chaos?"

Niu Youdao said, "Justice lives in people's hearts. If the Grand Princess refuses to repay me, I have nothing to say. So I'm only asking Lord Zuo to pass along one message on my behalf: I've arrived, and it's time to repay the money she owes me."

Zuo Desong stroked his beard and shook his head. "I don't know whether the matter is true or false. Even if the Grand Princess truly owes you money, affairs of the imperial clan are the imperial family's own household matters. Officials outside the clan cannot interfere recklessly. There is nothing I can do."

"The Western Court oversees affairs of the imperial clan. I suggest you find someone from the Western Court to make a judgment..."

With a perfectly reasonable explanation delivered almost offhandedly, he pushed the matter away. How could he possibly involve himself in something like this? This was no trifling amount of money.

What would it look like for the dignified Grand Herald of the State of Qi to help an outsider collect a debt from the imperial family? The fact that he was sitting here speaking with Niu Youdao at all was already giving the man considerable face. Given Zuo Desong's own status and position, there was otherwise no need for him to take Niu Youdao seriously.

The only reason he had agreed to this conversation was because Niu Youdao's reputation was great and Zuo Desong wanted to see what sort of man he really was. In a certain sense, fame could indeed be a useful thing. Whether a great reputation concealed genuine substance was not always the important part. What mattered was that fame drew attention and brought other benefits. Why else had Xuan Zichun risked everything to challenge Niu Youdao? Wasn't it precisely for fame? Often, only after a name came profit.

After that, Zuo Desong naturally excused himself on the grounds that he still had official business to handle and prepared to send Niu Youdao away. Niu Youdao did not stubbornly remain either. Even if he wanted to, he could not. Being forcibly thrown out would only be embarrassing.

As he rose to take his leave, he pleaded once more. "Lord Zuo, repaying one's debts is only right and proper. Since I've already come to you, I hope Lord Zuo will form a good connection with me and help pass along one message."

"For Lord Zuo, this truly isn't difficult."

Zuo Desong smiled. "I've already explained myself very clearly. I handle foreign affairs. Affairs of the imperial clan are handled by the Western Court."

"Qian You, see the guests out!"

"Please." Qian You immediately extended a hand toward the exit.

Niu Youdao raised one hand, signaling for them to wait a moment.

"Precisely because Lord Zuo handles foreign affairs, I came to Lord Zuo."

Zuo Desong gave an interested "Oh?" and said, "This old man would like to hear the details. Don't tell me you're some secret envoy from another state."

Niu Youdao explained, "People inside the State of Qi may be difficult for me to deal with. But once people leave the State of Qi and lose the protection of Qi's powerful forces, I can't guarantee what might happen to them."

"For example, your son Zuo Annian, who is serving as envoy in the State of Zhao, or the many other people under Lord Zuo stationed abroad. I don't imagine Lord Zuo wants to see your people constantly running into accidents outside the State of Qi."

The words reeked of the jianghu. Linghu Qiu was startled. He had never imagined Niu Youdao would suddenly say something this reckless and ignorant of the heights of Heaven or the depths of Earth.

He quickly tugged at Niu Youdao's sleeve. "Watch your tongue!"

Zuo Desong's pupils contracted sharply.

"Impudent!" Qian You abruptly shouted in fury.

Zuo Desong lifted a hand slightly and stopped him.

Smiling, he said, "Niu Youdao, do you know what you're saying? Are you threatening me?"

This was the first time an outside cultivator had ever dared come to the residence of Qi's Grand Herald and threaten him to his face.

Niu Youdao said, "I'm acting out of goodwill."

"Goodwill is very easy to misunderstand." Zuo Desong clasped his hands behind his back and asked in return, "If this old man becomes unhappy, I can't guarantee you'll still be able to leave this residence alive."

"You'd better say a few things now that make this old man happy. Otherwise, I'm afraid you won't be leaving today."

Niu Youdao countered, "Is that so? Lord Zuo might want to ask Qian You how the guards of this residence compare with Zhuo Chao."

"If something happens to me inside the Zuo Residence, the consequences will be very serious."

Qian You rapidly glanced toward the doorway, vigilance surging into his eyes. Zuo Desong narrowed his eyes and stared at Niu Youdao.

Niu Youdao continued, "It takes a fierce dragon to cross the river. Since I dared come here, I wouldn't have come unprepared!"

Zuo Desong said, "Don't forget, this is the capital of the State of Qi. No one gets to run wild here as he pleases!"

His meaning was simple. Even if Zuo Desong allowed Niu Youdao to leave the residence, he could still make sure the man never left the Qi capital. Niu Youdao met him head-on.

"Lord Zuo shouldn't forget either. Beneath Heaven may appear divided among the various states, but in truth it is controlled by cultivators, not by any imperial court!"

The words rang out hard and certain, leaving no room for doubt. They shook Zuo Desong inwardly. The two men stared directly at one another.

Then Zuo Desong suddenly waved a hand. "You two, go outside first."

Niu Youdao gave Linghu Qiu a slight nod as well. Linghu Qiu and Qian You exchanged a glance. Neither knew what this old man and young man needed to discuss that required everyone else to withdraw. Slowly, they turned and left the main hall.

Once no one else remained, Zuo Desong asked, "What benefit do I get from passing along your message?"

Niu Youdao said, "I like making friends. I've always believed that one more friend means one more road."

"I know Lord Zuo holds a high position and may not think much of a rough fellow like me who spends his time fighting and killing. Lord Zuo may not even wish to befriend me."

"But I'll leave these words here today. If Lord Zuo ever encounters something within my ability to handle, simply give the order. I will do everything I can."

"I still have some influence with Commandery Prince Yongping in the State of Yan. One day, Lord Zuo may find that influence useful."

"Lord Zuo may not believe a promise like this from me. But as far as Lord Zuo is concerned, there is no loss involved either. Why not try and see?"

Strange light flickered through Zuo Desong's eyes. Then he suddenly burst into laughter and lifted a hand to pat Niu Youdao's arm.

"Young man, you're rather interesting!"

Niu Youdao smiled as well. "I simply don't know what Lord Zuo means by that."

"Young men have vitality and drive. I like it!" Zuo Desong pointed at his nose, smiling as he nodded.

"Helping you collect the debt is impossible. But I can mention the matter to the palace on your behalf."

"As for whether the palace will repay your money, that is not something I can control."

Niu Youdao smiled warmly. "Money is only a worldly possession. Being able to make Lord Zuo's acquaintance is far more important."

"If Lord Zuo tells me not to collect this debt, I'll immediately treat the money like dung. I guarantee I will never again mention that the Grand Princess owes me anything!"

"Whether you collect your debt is your own business. Two million gold coins is far beyond the power of this old man's golden tongue to make someone casually abandon." Zuo Desong waved a hand and patted his arm again.

"If you want to come sit at the Zuo Residence in the future, you may come whenever you like. Publicly, simply come in the name of representing Commandery Prince Yongping."

Niu Youdao understood what he meant. The residence of Qi's Grand Herald was not somewhere just anyone could casually enter and leave. Even occasional visits could easily give others something to seize upon, never mind frequent ones. Coming in Shang Chaozong's name was different. To a certain extent, Shang Chaozong's side influenced the political situation in Yan. Visiting under his name was equivalent to a regional lord of Yan privately sending an envoy. And Zuo Desong was precisely the man who managed Qi's foreign relations.

Contact between the two sides would therefore be perfectly natural. Of course, even in Shang Chaozong's name, Niu Youdao could not simply expect to see Zuo Desong whenever he pleased. But Zuo Desong had explicitly said he could come at any time. That was effectively an agreement to treat him as a friend.

Whether the offer was sincere or merely polite, and whether Zuo Desong would honor it when the time came, only Zuo Desong himself knew.

"Good. Lord Zuo has official matters to handle, so I won't disturb you any longer. I'll take my leave." Niu Youdao cupped his hands in farewell.

Zuo Desong raised his voice toward the outside. "See the guests out!"

Qian You quickly returned at the call and extended a hand toward Niu Youdao.

"Please."

Outside, Niu Youdao rejoined Linghu Qiu. As they departed, one man passed the group coming the other way. It was Chen Bie, the Zuo Residence cultivator who had gone to Flying Waterfall Terrace to watch the challenge. Chen Bie looked back three times with every step, wondering whom Qian You was personally seeing out. He quickly mounted the steps and came beneath the eaves beside Zuo Desong.

"Lord Zuo, who were those two?"

Zuo Desong said, "Niu Youdao and Linghu Qiu. Those two names shouldn't be unfamiliar to you."

"Niu Youdao?" Chen Bie exclaimed in surprise. "Niu Youdao came here?"

He truly had not expected Niu Youdao to skip the challenge at Flying Waterfall Terrace and come to the Zuo Residence instead.

Zuo Desong asked, "Is something wrong?"

"At Flying Waterfall Terrace, he sent a group of experts over and had that Xuan Zichun slaughtered..."

Chen Bie then recounted in detail everything he had witnessed at Flying Waterfall Terrace. Zuo Desong froze. He had thought Niu Youdao was afraid of making a fool of himself and had therefore arranged in secret to kill the challenger beforehand. Who could have guessed the situation had actually unfolded like this?

While Niu Youdao himself came here to pay a visit, he simultaneously sent men to Flying Waterfall Terrace to kill openly before everyone. The simultaneous use of civil and martial methods left Zuo Desong pondering for a long time.

At last, he slowly murmured, "It truly takes a fierce dragon to cross the river. Is he planning to stir up wind and waves?"

[End of Chapter 289]