Chapter 384: Yun Ji's Sister

"Let me find it." Hao Zhen went to the pile of documents on the table, searched through them, pulled out the imperial edict, and handed it over.

Hao Yunsheng took the booklet and quickly read through it. It was indeed an edict from the Emperor.

The general meaning was that The territory of the State of Qi was vast, and Hao Zhen's task of inventorying imperial estates throughout the country would take considerable time. To avoid needless complications and make deployment easier, Zhang Xingrui and the others were to be transferred directly out of the Western Court and placed under Hao Zhen's authority.

In other words, with this edict, Zhang Xingrui had formally become Hao Zhen's man. He no longer fell under Hao Yunsheng's jurisdiction.

Seeing Hao Yunsheng's expression shift uncertainly, Hao Zhen said, "Imperial Uncle didn't know about this? If people were being transferred to me, then by rights the official notice should have reached the Western Court as well."

Hao Yunsheng closed the booklet, his expression taut. He truly had not known.

The official notice should indeed have reached the Western Court. He had probably missed it while traveling. It was not an important matter, so the Western Court would not have sent a special message to him over the reassignment of a few minor officials.

Most people in the Western Court did not know Zhang Xingrui's true identity. Hao Yunsheng did not normally appear particularly close to him either. A minor personnel transfer like this would probably have been included later in a general report together with other matters. What truly unsettled him was the timing. Why transfer Zhang Xingrui now of all times? Did the Emperor know something? Otherwise, why would the timing be so coincidental?

Was this a warning aimed at him?

Hao Yunsheng suddenly asked coldly, "Why did I hear that you petitioned His Majesty to have Zhang Xingrui assigned to you?"

Hao Zhen's expression turned solemn. "Imperial Uncle, I don't know where you heard such nonsense, but there is absolutely no such thing! If you don't believe me, you may investigate it yourself. Besides, I'm already sick of this troublesome assignment. Why would I ask for one of Imperial Uncle's men? Someone must be deliberately sowing discord. Imperial Uncle, please judge the matter clearly."

Hao Yunsheng tossed the booklet back onto the table. "Naturally, I'll investigate it thoroughly."

With that, he turned and walked away.

"Imperial Uncle!"

Hao Zhen followed him all the way out of the tent.

Seeing Hao Yunsheng walk to his mount and swing into the saddle, he hurried forward to stop him. "Imperial Uncle only just arrived and hasn't even had a sip of tea. Where are you going?"

"Move. I have other business."

Hao Zhen asked, "Imperial Uncle, you said Zhang Xingrui is missing. Is that really true? You ask me, but who am I supposed to ask? He's your man now. Find a way to deal with it yourself."

Hao Yunsheng turned his mount around him, lashed the horse hard, and galloped away. His attendants immediately followed. Before long, several hundred riders thundered away into the distance once more. Hao Zhen watched them go, his expression calm.

In truth, he really had been the one who arranged for that imperial edict. He simply had not appeared personally.

He would never lightly step forward and let a matter like this become attached to him.

There were naturally court officials who could present the case to the Emperor instead. Their argument had been essentially the same as the reasoning written into the edict. The advantages and disadvantages were obvious, and the Emperor had agreed. Manipulating a matter like this was not difficult for Hao Zhen. So there truly had never been any petition from him. The instant Hao Yunsheng mentioned one, Hao Zhen knew he was bluffing.

Hao Zhen turned and walked toward another tent. He lifted the tent flap. Inside, a man sat at a desk processing official business. It was none other than Zhang Xingrui. Two ghost cultivators stood guard on either side of him.

At the sight of Hao Zhen, Zhang Xingrui immediately rose and saluted. "Your Highness!"

A Goldenwing descended from the sky and landed inside Maolu Villa. Before long, Lu Lijun came out of a room, flashed onto a high pavilion, and offered a letter with both hands to Ghost Mother at the railing.

"Chief, he's safe. He's already entered Prince Ying Hao Zhen's service, and the imperial edict from the Qi capital has arrived as well."

Ghost Mother accepted the letter and read it.

Once she finished, her expression visibly relaxed. She turned her head and said, "Invite Niu Youdao over."

"Yes!" Lu Lijun answered and left.

Elsewhere among the pavilions, the black-robed man placed a stack of gold drafts on the table, then held out a hand toward Niu Youdao. "The item."

Niu Youdao pulled the gold drafts toward himself and handed them to Guan Fangyi beside him to count.

Then he reached into his sleeve, took out the bronze mirror, and tossed it across as though throwing away something filthy.

Clang!

The mirror still carried ink stains left from the previous inspection. The black-robed man picked it up, examined it, then took out the rubbings from last time and compared them carefully.

At last, he lifted the mirror slightly. "If this is a fake, you know the consequences."

Niu Youdao said, "To tell you the truth, I don't know whether it's genuine either. But this is indeed the object Dong Guo Haoran handed to me. I doubt it's fake. Hmph!"

The black-robed man gave a cold snort and rose to leave.

"Wait!" Niu Youdao called him back.

He tilted his head toward the gold drafts in Guan Fangyi's hands. The meaning was obvious. The account had not yet been settled.

The black-robed man said coldly, "Relax. You won't be shorted."

Sure enough, Guan Fangyi soon stopped counting and nodded. "Five million. It's all here."

Niu Youdao had originally demanded ten million. During the back-and-forth negotiations, Xiaoyue Pavilion had agreed to every other condition but would offer only three million in cash. In the end, both sides gave ground. The deal settled at five million.

The black-robed man asked, "Can I leave now?"

Niu Youdao stood with a smile to see him off. "Please. But I'd also like you to take a few words back to your superior."

"We came to know one another through conflict. What's past is past. We don't necessarily have to remain enemies. A road is easier to walk with one less enemy, and friendship is another choice. I like making friends."

"Among the people and affairs beneath Heaven, everyone can be formidable, everyone deserves respect; tug one hair and the whole body moves. Perhaps there will be opportunities for us to cooperate in the future."

"If your superior doesn't object, we could establish a direct channel of communication between us so we can avoid misunderstandings later. That's all. Please trouble yourself to convey my words."

The black-robed man's gaze flickered. He seemed to be committing the words to memory, but said nothing. After a brief silence, he turned and strode away.

With the business here concluded, Duan Hu, who had been holding Lu Lijun back, finally came over to report. "Master Dao, Lu Lijun wants to see you."

Niu Youdao gave a sound of acknowledgment. "Invite him in."

Duan Hu went out and beckoned.

Lu Lijun came over, entered the pavilion, and cupped his hands. "Master Dao, the Chief wants to see you."

"All right. Go back first. I have one small matter to finish here, then I'll come over." Niu Youdao gestured.

Lu Lijun nodded and left.

Niu Youdao then told Duan Hu, "Have Gongsun Bu come over."

"Yes!" Duan Hu departed.

Niu Youdao turned back and discovered that the money in Guan Fangyi's hands had vanished.

All she held now was her round fan, swaying gently back and forth.

Niu Youdao said directly, "Take out two million."

Guan Fangyi used the round fan to block the opening of her sleeve. "Millions here, millions there. What could you possibly have to spend this much money on? At the rate you're going, even the greatest family fortune would be squandered away."

"I'll keep the money safe for you first, so you don't tear down the bridge after crossing the river. Men are so often ungrateful. A woman feels safer with more money close at hand, don't you think?"

That was what she said. In the end, however, she still counted out two million. Before long, Gongsun Bu arrived.

Niu Youdao pushed the two million on the table toward him. "Two million. Take it."

Gongsun Bu looked surprised. "Master Dao, this is...?"

"You have a lot of people under you. Expenses are unavoidable. But Wuliang Mountain still doesn't have enough manpower. When the time is right, recruit more trustworthy disciples."

"I need a larger intelligence network. Gradually build up Wuliang Mountain's strength. All of that costs money."

Gongsun Bu looked rather embarrassed. Niu Youdao had only given him a million not long ago, and now another two million was being handed over. Accepting it felt awkward. But expanding their manpower truly did require money.

In the end, he could only say, "All right," and accept it.

Niu Youdao pointed toward Guan Fangyi. "From now on, none of Wuliang Mountain's intelligence channels are to be kept secret from her. She is to participate directly."

"She has extensive connections and understands many kinds of affairs. Discuss the arrangement of the intelligence network with her more often. Listen to her opinions."

Hearing that none of Wuliang Mountain's intelligence channels would be concealed from her, Guan Fangyi blinked her bright eyes. The corners of her brows rose slightly. Gongsun Bu immediately cupped his hands to Guan Fangyi. She gave him a slight nod and smile. With nothing else to discuss, Gongsun Bu took his leave.

"What are you looking at me for?" Seeing Niu Youdao turn his gaze on her, Guan Fangyi once again covered the opening of her sleeve, as though the five million from earlier had somehow become her money.

Niu Youdao said, "Starting today, your people will take over the villa's defenses. I've given you the money and handed the security to you as well. I'm entrusting my life and everything I own to you."

That was an enormous expression of trust.

Guan Fangyi was pleased to hear it, but outwardly she turned her head aside and idly waved her fan. "You make it sound as though I enjoy trouble."

"One more thing. Since the money is with you, everyone will come to you for cultivation resources from now on."

"What, you're using me as the household drudge now?"

Niu Youdao ignored the stream of complaints behind him and walked away. He went straight to Ghost Mother's side.

Seeing her on the upper pavilion, he flew up and asked with a smile, "Something happened?"

Ghost Mother said, "I'm preparing to leave."

Niu Youdao smiled. "So the news has been confirmed? This little brother of yours didn't deceive you, did he?"

Ghost Mother gave him a sidelong look and said coldly, "You can even influence an edict from Hao Yuntu. You're quite capable."

Niu Youdao knew perfectly well that he did not possess that kind of ability.

If an outside cultivator like him dared meddle directly in the court politics of the State of Qi, Hao Yuntu would never tolerate it. This had all been Hao Zhen's maneuvering.

Hao Zhen was steeped in that sort of political craft and had handled the matter silently, without leaving himself exposed.

"Big Sister flatters me. Still, with Hao Yuntu issuing an edict at exactly this moment, Xiaoyue Pavilion and Hao Yunsheng will both be startled."

"They should understand that what has happened cannot be undone. Hao Yuntu has stepped forward to protect Zhang Xingrui. Killing Zhang Xingrui now merely to vent their anger would offend Hao Yuntu, and that wouldn't be worth it. With Prince Ying protecting him as well, they won't dare move against Zhang Xingrui lightly anymore."

"But Big Sister is another matter. They may not be willing to pay an enormous price to storm Xianyin Mountain right now, but if you fall into their hands, they won't be polite."

"Still, if Big Sister were willing to publicly announce that we're sworn siblings, Xiaoyue Pavilion would give me at least a little face."

Ghost Mother looked as though she had heard the greatest joke beneath Heaven. "Xiaoyue Pavilion give you face? If I publicized that connection, I'd probably die even faster!"

"Enough. You don't need to worry about my affairs. I'll leave shortly."

Niu Youdao tried to keep her. "Big Sister may as well rest here a few more days. I've been busy lately and haven't even had time to entertain you properly."

"No need. I'm not accustomed to staying here."

"Since that's the case, I won't force you. The road is long, and I've made Big Sister travel back and forth on my account. That was my fault."

"As for Zhang Xingrui, we'll see how things develop. If Big Sister ever feels the time is right, you can have Zhang Xingrui and his family come here. I will do everything in my power to protect them."

Perhaps because of those words, Ghost Mother's tone softened slightly. "I was already planning to make a trip out soon anyway. I'm going to Duyun Mountain. I'll count this as being on the way..."

Niu Youdao froze and cut in. "Duyun Mountain? The Duyun Mountain near Star-Plucking City?"

"How many Duyun Mountains do you think there are beneath Heaven?"

"What are you going to Duyun Mountain for?"

"Yun Ji, Mountain Lord of Duyun Mountain, has been a sister of mine for many years. I'm going to see her. If you ever pass through there in the future and need something, give my name and seek her out. If she can help, she will."

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

Ghost Mother had noticed Niu Youdao suddenly staring at her with a strange expression. This ghost woman and Yun Ji were actually sisters?

The corner of Niu Youdao's mouth twitched. He gave a vague, dry laugh. "Nothing. What a coincidence. I'm fairly familiar with Yun Ji's son, Yun Huan. We have some friendship."

"Oh? Then it seems my offer was unnecessary."

"Not at all, not at all. I'll remember Big Sister's kindness."

[End of Chapter 384]