Chapter 347: Wei Chu's Head Is Here

The carriage was still waiting outside the courtyard wall. The two vaulted over, quickly climbed inside, and settled into the compartment. The whip cracked. The carriage moved off. Inside, Guan Fangyi suddenly shifted over until she was sitting pressed against Niu Youdao.

Niu Youdao turned his head just as Guan Fangyi leaned in. Their faces came together at close range, almost touching. They could feel each other's breath. Their eyes met, and both froze.

Her fragrance poured straight into his nose. Niu Youdao leaned his upper body back slightly and asked suspiciously, "Why are you sitting so close?"

For some reason, Guan Fangyi immediately grew angry. "What are you dodging for? Afraid this old lady will eat you, or are you disgusted with me?"

Niu Youdao said, "The scent of powder and rouge on you is too strong. My nose can't take it!"

"Spare me!" Guan Fangyi held out a hand. "Let me see that token."

Niu Youdao played dumb. "What token?"

Guan Fangyi immediately grabbed for the sleeve where he had hidden it. Niu Youdao swiftly swept his arm aside. Guan Fangyi lunged after it, throwing herself against him, wrapping him up and pinning him down while trying to wrench that arm back.

As far as Guan Fangyi was concerned, the object was on his person. If he refused to tell the truth, she could simply take it by force.

"Stop grabbing. I'll show you!" Niu Youdao's face was buried beneath the fullness of her chest, his words reduced to muffled noises while one arm waved outside the carriage window.

Guan Fangyi realized the indecency of the position as well and immediately pulled back. "Taking advantage of this old lady!"

Niu Youdao opened his mouth as though to argue, then thought better of it. He could not be bothered quarreling with this woman. He pulled the token from his sleeve and tossed it to her. Guan Fangyi turned it over in her hands for a while but could make no sense of it.

"What kind of token is this?"

"How would I know?"

"You won't tell me? Fine. I'll keep it safe for you!"

"Good." Niu Youdao nodded, then said with a strange expression, "You volunteered to keep this token for me yourself. I didn't force you."

Guan Fangyi immediately became wary. She examined the token again, then casually tossed it back.

"As though I care."

Niu Youdao slowly tucked the token away, then rocked with the motion of the carriage and closed his eyes to rest... By the seaside, dawn was only beginning to brighten the sky.

Three large ships were moored along the shore. The final dozens of warhorses were driven aboard, and men immediately removed the gangplanks.

Once everyone had climbed onto the ships, rows of men stood along the sides, raised bamboo poles, and pushed hard against the shore together. The three great vessels slowly drifted away from land.

Their sails were quickly hoisted. Rows of oars extended from both sides and began pulling in unison. The ships gradually headed toward the deeper sea. On the coastal rocks stood three figures wrapped in black cloaks. The one in front was Su Zhao.

She watched every warhorse board safely and watched the final three ships successfully set sail. Only then did she finally breathe a sigh of relief. She remained there until the ships had become three black specks on the distant water. Then Su Zhao turned toward the sun already rising over the horizon and lifted one hand.

The two figures beside her flew into the air and landed where the warhorses had boarded, using spiritual power to erase the chaotic tracks from the ground... At Fufang Garden, a Goldenwing descended. Not long afterward, Shen Qiu hurried into the inner residence and delivered a secret message into Niu Youdao's hands.

After reading it, Niu Youdao slowly walked out of the hall and stopped beneath the eaves, narrowing his eyes toward the distance...

At the Provincial Inspector's Residence in Beizhou, a group of officials stood around Shao Pingbo inside the hall, listening to his instructions.

Shao Sansheng waited at the entrance. Only after the officials had dispersed did he hurry over to Shao Pingbo, who had turned back to inspect the documents on his desk. He lowered his voice.

"First Young Master, Miss Su has sent word. Thirty thousand warhorses in their prime, including one thousand mares, have all been successfully loaded onto ships and have left the territory of the State of Qi. Miss Su asks that we prepare to receive them on our side!"

Shao Pingbo's head snapped around. He struck fist into palm, his spirits soaring.

"Good! Excellent!"

He threw aside the documents and began pacing excitedly back and forth through the hall. Only after he finally calmed himself did he beckon Shao Sansheng closer and lower his voice.

"Send word to Sister Zhao immediately. Tell her they must proceed exactly as agreed. We need to remain in continuous contact with the convoy. Have the transport fleet report to us every half-day. I want to know its approximate position every single day!"

"All right!" Shao Sansheng nodded.

"Also, inspect the water route through the State of Han carefully one more time. There can be no mistakes. If you discover anything abnormal, nothing is to be concealed. Report it to me immediately! Whoever dares ruin this great undertaking of mine, I'll exterminate his nine clans!"

"Yes!" Shao Sansheng cupped his hands and hurried away.

Alone in the empty hall, Shao Pingbo suddenly spread his arms, closed his eyes, and lifted his face toward Heaven. His expression was intoxicated, as though savoring fine wine...

Inside the imperial palace of the State of Qi, Bu Xun entered the imperial study. He waved lightly. The two eunuchs inside bowed, withdrew, and left the room.

Bu Xun approached the imperial desk. Only after Hao Yuntu finished writing what was before him and laid down his brush did Bu Xun speak.

"Your Majesty, something happened on Prince Jin's side. It has caused quite a stir among the cultivators in the capital."

Hao Yuntu turned his head sharply and waited for the rest. Bu Xun bowed slightly.

"Wei Chu, the man under Prince Jin, left the capital yesterday. He was ambushed on the road and killed."

Hao Yuntu narrowed his eyes.

"Who is bold enough to strike at my son? Was it people from the three major sects?"

Bu Xun understood the deeper meaning in his words.

"The situation is still unclear. We don't know who the killers were. Prince Jin is furious and has asked the three major sects to help identify the culprits. This old servant has also had the Office of Investigation assist in hunting them down."

Hao Yuntu coldly spat out a single word.

"Investigate!"

At Fufang Garden, beneath the shade of a tree, Niu Youdao lay curled on his side in the reclining chair, seemingly asleep.

Guan Fangyi approached at an unhurried pace, her round fan moving gently. When she reached him and looked closer, she paused.

She did not know whether it was an illusion, but the man curled in the chair seemed cold somehow, as though he had nowhere in the world to lean. That feeling struck her deeply. It was loneliness.

For all these years, although she had lived amid romance, revelry, and worldly pleasures, that feeling had always followed her like a shadow. Whenever she was alone, she too often curled up like this. The man before her lay quiet and peaceful, yet somehow carried the weight of exhaustion in both body and spirit.

"Something wrong?" Niu Youdao suddenly asked faintly, eyes still seemingly closed in sleep.

Guan Fangyi lifted a foot and nudged his.

"What are you doing? Playing dead here in broad daylight? Get up!"

Niu Youdao laughed. He rolled over, stretched out his limbs, gave a long stretch, then straightened and sat up with his eyes open.

Guan Fangyi hooked the nearby round stool toward herself with one foot, smoothed the skirt behind her with both hands, sat down, and crossed one leg over the other.

"Wei Chu is dead. Linghu Qiu's people must have succeeded."

Niu Youdao turned and stared at her.

"How do you know?"

"The news has spread through the cultivator circles here in the capital. They say Wei Chu left the city yesterday and was assassinated on the road. The affair has caused quite a stir."

"A stir?" Niu Youdao looked doubtful. "Would assassins go around publicizing something like that? Or did someone escape and spread the news?"

"I heard the commotion came from the three major sects. After something happened to Wei Chu, Prince Jin asked them to investigate the killers."

Niu Youdao gave an "Oh," and the doubt in his eyes faded.

Then he muttered, "It happened yesterday. Why hasn't Linghu Qiu come yet?"

Guan Fangyi added, "There's more. Prince Ying has left the capital. The target's family of four went with the party."

Niu Youdao immediately came alive.

"So quickly? Has it been confirmed?"

"Confirmed. Prince Ying's side sent someone over to notify us, and the moment I received the message I had people verify it independently. Yesterday at court, someone suddenly accused members of the imperial clan of secretly smuggling warhorses out of the country. The Prince of the Western Court argued against the accusation, and the two sides quarreled fiercely. Afterward, a minister suggested sending Prince Ying to inspect the imperial clan's properties in various regions. Prince Ying tried to decline but couldn't get out of it, so the assignment still fell to him. After court, Prince Ying selected several people from the Prince of the Western Court's side to assist him. Our target was among them. They set out this morning."

She continued, "And I have to say, Prince Ying put on quite a convincing act. It looked as though he were merely giving Hao Yunsheng face. He brought women from his own household along and had the officials accompanying the inspection bring their families too, making the entire trip look like sightseeing. When they left the city, Hao Yunsheng even appeared in person to see him off. This prince is impressive. He made himself look helpless the whole way and quietly got the job done without showing a trace. Hao Yunsheng sold himself and is still helping count the money. If he learns the truth later, won't he die from anger?"

Niu Youdao smiled faintly.

"You're overthinking it. Since Prince Ying dared do this, he must be confident it won't set fire to himself. He won't let my affairs put him in a position where he can't retreat."

Guan Fangyi remained curious about how Niu Youdao had persuaded Prince Ying to agree to such a thing and questioned him again. Niu Youdao changed the subject and pointed toward her crossed legs.

"Hongniang, you're a woman. Can't you sit with a little more decorum?"

"Decorum? I used to be as decorous as anyone could ask. Later I had a whole crowd of people to support. If I kept wearing a cold face, how was I supposed to do business? After long enough, I gradually became someone even I barely recognized..."

While they were still talking, Old Six Xu came to report that Linghu Qiu had arrived. Not long afterward, Linghu Qiu hurried over carrying a cloth-wrapped bundle.

"Second Brother!" Niu Youdao rose to greet him.

Guan Fangyi gave Linghu Qiu a cold sidelong glance, plainly still finding him unpleasant to look at. Linghu Qiu wasted no words. He set the bundle down before them and opened it, revealing a box inside. When he opened the box, a preserved human head appeared within.

"The matter is done. Wei Chu's head is here. Third Brother, please verify it!" Linghu Qiu straightened and pointed toward the box, excitement written across his face.

Niu Youdao reached backward through the air. The sword leaning against the reclining chair flew into his hand. He extended the scabbard and prodded the head inside the box.

"Looks like him."

Linghu Qiu snapped, "What do you mean, looks like him? It absolutely is him. I've already checked carefully. There can be no mistake!"

Niu Youdao flicked the scabbard and closed the lid. He sighed with feeling.

"With this great danger removed, I finally feel as though a weight has lifted. Second Brother has worked hard!"

Linghu Qiu said, "The hidden danger is gone. There's no time to lose. Third Brother should leave the capital immediately!"

Planting the sword before himself, Niu Youdao shook his head.

"I still can't leave for the moment."

Linghu Qiu's eyes widened in disbelief.

"If you don't leave now, what are you waiting for? Prince Jin is too occupied to care about you at present. This is exactly when you should go. Once he has time to turn his attention back to you, you may not be able to leave even if you want to. Wouldn't all our work have been for nothing?"

Niu Youdao said, "Second Brother doesn't know. Bu Xun sent someone to pass me a message earlier. He told me to prepare myself over the next few days. Hao Yuntu wants to see me!"

"..."

Linghu Qiu was speechless for a long while.

Finally, he asked, "Why does he want to see you?"

Niu Youdao sighed.

"Who the hell knows? I'm wondering the same thing!"

Guan Fangyi, who had remained seated without reacting, raised her round fan to cover half her face. She could not bear to look at Linghu Qiu's expression, as though he had just swallowed a fly. She nearly burst out laughing.

[End of Chapter 347]