Chapter 302: Preparing on Two Fronts

That was the situation.

"We can't keep them, can't give them away, can't sell them. They're leaving us no road to live!" Feng Entai let out a long sigh, then said apologetically to Niu Youdao, "Little Brother, I truly wronged you in this matter."

Niu Youdao shook his head. "Once the emperor of the State of Qi had his eye on us, even if we had refused at the time, I doubt refusal would have worked. If you hadn't agreed, he would naturally have found some way to force us to accept."

Linghu Qiu said, "We should still think of a way to leave."

Feng Entai asked in return, "How? So many people are watching outside. No matter who goes out, he'll be followed and searched. We can't get away at all."

Niu Youdao said, "Second Brother, I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to make another trip."

Linghu Qiu smiled bitterly. "The three sects made their position very clear. Even if I go several more times, it won't help."

Niu Youdao said, "Not to the three sects. To the emperor. The root of the problem is Hao Yuntu. This matter can only be resolved if Hao Yuntu relents. I want to talk with him."

Linghu Qiu slapped a hand to his forehead, visibly pained. "Third Brother, it's not that I won't help you. An emperor isn't someone you can see just because you want to. I don't have the ability to arrange a meeting with him for you, and he wouldn't agree to see you anyway."

Niu Youdao said, "Third Madam Pei! Second Brother, find a way to contact Lady Pei for me. I'll speak with her and have her carry a message to the emperor."

Feng Entai said, "This whole affair is the emperor's will. Even Lady Pei's own sect refuses to help. Will Lady Pei agree to meet you?"

Niu Youdao said, "As long as I can see Lady Pei, I have a way to make the emperor change his order."

Linghu Qiu said, "And if she doesn't want to see you, what then?"

Niu Youdao said, "Second Brother, you only need to find a way to contact her and carry one sentence for me. She should come."

That caught Linghu Qiu's interest. "What sentence?"

Niu Youdao said, "Tell her I understand the emperor's intention and am willing to cooperate, but I need to speak with her face-to-face. If she refuses to come and the emperor's business is ruined, she won't escape responsibility either."

Linghu Qiu looked doubtful. "That will work?"

Niu Youdao said, "It should."

Linghu Qiu hesitated briefly, then rose. "Fine. I'll make another trip to Daqiu Sect and have an acquaintance there help me contact Third Madam Pei. I'll find a way to pass on your message. But whether she comes to see you, I can't guarantee at all."

Niu Youdao said, "Second Brother, you can't talk like that. No matter what methods you use, even if you have to trick, coax, or swindle her, you must find a way to drag her here to see me."

"I'll do my best." Linghu Qiu nodded. Once he agreed, he did not delay. He turned and strode away.

"Ah!" Feng Entai shook his head with a worried sigh.

Niu Youdao said, "Eldest Brother, I still need your help with something."

Feng Entai turned back. "Say it. If it's within my ability, I'll help."

Niu Youdao said heavily, "Dig a tunnel!"

"Dig a tunnel?" Feng Entai stared.

Niu Youdao said, "Exactly. Lead the Tianyu Sect disciples and dig a tunnel from your courtyard. It doesn't need to go far. Put the exit somewhere concealed nearby."

"Keep the noise as low as possible. Don't alert the snake by striking the grass. You must have the tunnel ready for me before noon tomorrow."

"Once the tunnel is finished, Tianyu Sect's people should immediately leave this place normally through the front gate. I'll handle everything else."

Feng Entai asked, "Aren't you going to negotiate with the emperor?"

Niu Youdao said, "Negotiation is one thing. I need preparations on both fronts. I can't place all my hopes in the emperor's hands. I have to leave myself a road of retreat. If the talks collapse, I'll leave immediately."

Feng Entai felt more than a little guilty. He knew Tianyu Sect had acted dishonorably this time and had dragged Niu Youdao into mortal danger. And regardless of whether he liked it, he had already sworn brotherhood with Niu Youdao in front of so many fellow disciples. Simply abandoning him now would look terrible.

Worry crept into Feng Entai's voice. "Third Brother, the emperor has already cast his net. I'm afraid spies are spread everywhere. Escaping through a tunnel may not be so easy."

Niu Youdao said, "I know. I have my own plans. What you need to do now is prepare that tunnel for me in secret, immediately."

Feng Entai sighed. "Fine. Don't worry about the tunnel. I'll have it secretly ready before noon tomorrow."

"As quickly as possible."

"Good."

After Feng Entai left, Niu Youdao swiftly removed a small wooden board from an object inside the room and began cutting it down. With a small knife in one hand and the piece of wood in the other, shavings flew beneath his fingers.

Black Peony was curious about what he was doing. She moved closer and discovered he was carving a pattern. She had not known Niu Youdao possessed such skill.

"Master Dao, what are you making?"

Niu Youdao ignored her and concentrated on the carving. Before long, he had finished a small wooden ornament about half the size of a palm, shaped somewhat like a jade pendant. It bore a motif of blossoming flowers symbolizing wealth and honor.

Niu Youdao had Black Peony clean up the shavings while he rapidly aged the little carving to make it look old. He was extremely practiced at that sort of work, his movements deft and familiar.

Once the wooden ornament was finished, he handed it to Black Peony and instructed her, "Send this to the tofu stall outside. Don't let anyone discover it."

Black Peony examined the finely carved piece in her hand, puzzled. "Master Dao, this is...?"

"Don't ask so many questions. Carry out the order immediately."

"Yes. I'll arrange it now." Black Peony accepted the instruction and left quickly with the object in hand...

Under the night sky, at the Tofu House, a man returned to the rear courtyard and found Yuan Gang. He presented the wooden ornament.

"Boss, Master Dao's side sent this over."

Beneath the lamplight, Yuan Gang turned the carving over several times and recognized Niu Youdao's handiwork.

His voice became heavy. "Paper. Charcoal."

The tone was grave. Yuan Gang knew Niu Youdao too well. Unless Master Dao had encountered serious trouble, he would never use such a concealed method to contact him. The subordinate did not understand what he wanted paper and charcoal for, but quickly brought both.

Yuan Gang placed the wooden ornament on the table, covered it with a sheet of white paper, then rapidly rubbed charcoal across the surface. The pattern beneath gradually emerged on the paper.

Once the entire design had been transferred, Yuan Gang lifted the sheet and turned it over, holding it toward the lamplight. Hidden within the image were crooked characters only he and Niu Youdao could recognize: Tomorrow night. Lamp signal. Set the city ablaze. Open the city gates. Create chaos. Aid my escape! Yuan Gang's expression turned grave.

For Niu Youdao to send the words "set the city ablaze" meant he had run into enormous trouble.

Master Dao needed him to create massive chaos in the Qi capital before he could escape. Yuan Gang tore the paper to pieces. Then his hand closed around the wooden carving.

Crack!

He crushed it directly in his palm.

"Map," he ordered in a deep voice.

Before long, a detailed map of the Qi capital, made by their own people, was spread across the table. Yuan Gang stood beneath the lamp and studied it carefully.

After a long while, he turned, beckoned Yuan Feng closer, and instructed him in a low voice, "Have the brothers buy large amounts of saltpeter and sulfur from the apothecaries. Keep it secret..."

Under the night sky, Black Peony stood high in the crown of a large tree, scanning the surroundings for quite some time before descending. She went straight to the courtyard where Niu Youdao was staying. Niu Youdao stood with his hands clasped behind his back, looking up at the moon.

Black Peony approached and reported quietly, "The tofu stall at the corner outside has packed up. A white lantern was hanging from the carrying pole."

Niu Youdao gave a slight nod. That meant Yuan Gang had received his message. It was also Yuan Gang's way of telling him there was no problem. Setting the Qi capital ablaze would leave many people homeless. Unless absolutely necessary, Niu Youdao did not want to do it.

But if Hao Yuntu truly forced him until no road remained, then Niu Youdao would have no choice but to create enormous chaos in the capital.

Only if huge numbers of people fled in panic seeking refuge could he disappear among the crowd and escape.

Only if masses of people scattered in every direction could he prevent anyone from determining where he had gone. With so many people running chaotically everywhere, who could possibly know which direction he had taken? Only that way could he leave the capital smoothly. Otherwise, with so many eyes fixed on him, there was simply no way to get free.

As for whether Hao Yuntu would later guess who had done it, or whether he would settle accounts afterward, Niu Youdao could no longer care.

If he could not even survive the danger directly in front of him, what future was there to discuss? First survive the present. The future could be dealt with later. He did not want to do this.

But if Hao Yuntu refused to leave him any road to live, then Niu Youdao could only turn around and bite him back.

If someone forced him into a dead end until even a cornered dog had to leap the wall, was Niu Youdao not allowed to leave Hao Yuntu covered in soot and disgrace?

"Go check the courtyard on Tianyu Sect's side," Niu Youdao said faintly while looking at the bright moon overhead.

Black Peony left immediately.

A while later, she returned and reported quietly, "They've already started digging. Progress is fast. Feng Entai chose the exit inside a storeroom in the courtyard one property over on the left."

Niu Youdao nodded slightly.

"If Lady Pei doesn't come tonight, or if she comes and the talks fail, you all leave with Tianyu Sect tomorrow."

Black Peony immediately asked, "Master Dao, what about you?"

"I'll stay here as bait and draw the attention outside."

Black Peony grew anxious. "How can that work? If something happens, you won't even have anyone beside you to help."

Niu Youdao said, "If I don't stay, none of you will be able to get away."

"Only if I'm here and they know the permits are still in my hands can you escape."

"Outsiders won't believe I'm noble enough to stay behind as bait. If they think you abandoned me to avoid disaster, that will buy you as much time as possible to get far away."

"Remember this: once you leave here, go immediately. Split away from Tianyu Sect and travel separately. The farther you get, the better."

"Head west toward the coastal waters and join Gongsun Bu's people there. I'll rendezvous with you afterward."

"If the plan changes, I'll have word sent through the people back home so it can reach you."

Black Peony said urgently, "Master Dao, no. I..."

Niu Youdao raised a hand and stopped her.

"Enough. I've made my decision."

"I'm not sending you away only for your sake. It's also for mine."

"A large group like ours draws too much attention and is difficult to move. If you stay, you'll only become a burden. By myself, I'll actually have an easier time escaping."

"In a sense, your departure will also draw attention away and help me get free."

"Don't worry. I've already made arrangements. Catching me won't be that easy."

"I've spent years riding through the jianghu and weathered plenty of storms. I didn't survive until today by living on air!"

Anxiety covered Black Peony's face. "Master Dao, you should at least keep someone beside you to run errands and carry messages."

"Monkey is here. You don't need to worry about that. In certain areas, he's more professional than all of you and stronger as well."

"And besides..." A sly smile appeared at the corner of Niu Youdao's mouth. "Isn't Linghu Qiu still here?"

At the mention of Linghu Qiu, Linghu Qiu himself arrived. Footsteps sounded outside.

[End of Chapter 302]