Chapter 404: Unfilial Son

Even though Yuan Gang had already formed a judgment, hearing her confirm it still left him deeply surprised. He had heard this woman was the elder sister of the Emperor of Wei, and that the emperor himself was famously neglectful of his proper duties. Rumor held that the true power of Wei was actually in this woman's hands. Yuan Gang did not know whether the rumors were true.

But empty caves did not produce wind without reason. The fact that a Grand Princess could become the Chancellor of an entire state already revealed plenty. For someone like this to cross paths with him so simply under circumstances like these was truly unexpected.

Yuan Gang asked, "How can the Chancellor of Wei appear in a place like this?"

Xuan Wei understood what he meant. A state's Chancellor traveling abroad ought to have a large escort protecting her. She smiled.

"I just paid a visit to Lan Ming, Pavilion Master of Boundless Pavilion. Since I had to cross other states' territory to come here, it wasn't convenient to make a spectacle of the journey."

Then she raised a hand and introduced the man beside her.

"This is my friend, Ximen Qingkong."

Her manner almost seemed to say that this one man was protection enough. Yuan Gang's gaze abruptly locked on the man.

"You're Ximen Qingkong, the number-one expert on the Golden Core Ranking?"

He might not remember every one of the hundreds of names on the Golden Core Ranking, but he certainly remembered the name at the very top.

Ximen Qingkong said calmly, "Some things are best heard and then forgotten. They shouldn't be taken too seriously. I wouldn't dare call myself number one, nor do I have the ability to claim it. Other people placed that tall hat on my head. I don't decide how the Golden Core Ranking is arranged."

Yuan Gang said, "Thank you for helping."

Ximen Qingkong replied, "There's no need to thank me. I didn't actually manage to help you."

Yuan Gang was not an overly polite man. Since the other side said there was no need for thanks, he simply stopped speaking.

Xuan Wei, however, could not resist asking, "Brother Yuan, how did the Three-Roars Saber come into your hands? And why were people from Xiaoyue Pavilion trying to kill you?"

Yuan Gang answered, "It's a long story."

Xuan Wei gave a soft sound of acknowledgment. Clearly he did not want to talk about it, so she did not force the issue. Instead, she changed the subject.

"Brother Yuan can command sand scorpions?"

"I wouldn't call it command. I only discovered the method by accident while fleeing for my life earlier."

The man and woman exchanged a glance. Both assumed Yuan Gang was holding something back and unwilling to reveal the secret behind it. Since it was his private affair, there was no reason to press him. Xuan Wei changed topics again.

"Brother Yuan Gang, where are you headed now?"

"Where?"

Yuan Gang looked lost. With Su Zhao dead, he no longer knew where he should go.

He murmured to himself, "Back to Qingshan Commandery, I suppose."

He was not an arrogant man. After this upheaval, after crashing into a wall once, he had recognized something about himself. He did not possess the ability to navigate complicated situations.

Even Shao Pingbo, whom he had once looked down upon, was merely what people called an ordinary mortal. Yuan Gang was supposedly an ordinary mortal as well. Shao Pingbo could live perfectly well. Could Yuan Gang, a man carrying experience from another world, not do the same? Now that he had calmed down and thought about it, however, he had to admit his own ability was inferior to Shao Pingbo's.

When he was beside Master Dao, many matters had seemed simple enough. Once someone explained them, they appeared to be nothing special. But in truth, they were not simple at all. They only seemed that way because Master Dao had already untangled everything and then handed Yuan Gang the task to execute.

According to what the bearded man had said, if Master Dao had not prepared a retreat route for him in advance this time, and if that man had attacked him with intent to kill from the very beginning, Yuan Gang probably would not have survived until now. And before this, Yuan Gang had already ordered Yuan Feng and the others to break into small groups and return to Qingshan Commandery. Hearing the uncertainty in his voice, Xuan Wei's eyes brightened. She immediately invited him.

"Brother Yuan, would you be willing to come with me and visit the State of Wei?"

At Fufang Garden, Mr. Yucang stood beneath a bamboo grove and listened as Dugu Jing reported beside him.

"The Scorpion Emperor saved them?" After hearing the report, Mr. Yucang turned and asked the question with obvious doubt.

Dugu Jing said, "This disciple also wondered whether it was merely an excuse to shirk responsibility. But Elder Bai said there were witnesses. Ximen Qingkong and Xuan Wei happened to pass through at the time and saw everything. He said the two of them can serve as witnesses. A discreet inquiry should be enough to confirm it."

Mr. Yucang was surprised. "Xuan Wei went into that desert?"

Dugu Jing replied, "Only Ximen Qingkong and Xuan Wei were present at the scene, riding a single flying mount. Elder Bai suspects they went to visit Lan Ming at Boundless Pavilion."

Mr. Yucang raised a hand and stroked his beard. After thinking for a moment, he nodded slightly.

"That is indeed possible. Given Xuan Wei's status, logically that is the only explanation. No one else would be important enough for her to travel such a long way in person."

He asked again, "So Elder Bai failed to kill Su Zhao?"

Dugu Jing said, "Whether she's alive or dead remains unknown, but Elder Bai is certain he injured her severely."

Mr. Yucang said, "He gave his word, so he is responsible for it. I don't care what method he uses. He must confirm whether Su Zhao is alive or dead."

"Yes. This disciple understands. That is the bottom line. Even if we have to pay any price, a traitor must be eliminated. We absolutely cannot let one go!"

Mr. Yucang said, "And keep watch on that Yuan Gang as well. To think he can summon an army of sand scorpions and even command the Scorpion Emperor. We truly underestimated him. I never imagined he would be such an extraordinary man. No wonder Niu Youdao values him! If there's an opportunity, we might as well try to poach him away from Niu Youdao. Didn't he take the Spirit-Torment Pill? No matter what one intends to accomplish, the more talented people one has, the better."

Dugu Jing nodded. "All right."

"Ai, what a pity about Blind Man. We lost a treasure. It pains me terribly!" Mr. Yucang sighed, visibly distressed.

For Xiaoyue Pavilion, Blind Man's extraordinary innate ability had value beyond the obvious. Internally, he had served as a deterrent against people harboring disloyal intentions. His existence meant no one dared betray them lightly, because no matter where a traitor hid, Blind Man might still find them. Losing a talent like him was no small loss. But in work involving killing and fighting, accidents were impossible to avoid. All they could do was regret it. At the Provincial Inspector's Residence in Beizhou, a group stopped outside the gates.

Shao Pingbo stepped out of the carriage, stood on the shaft for a moment, and looked around. Then he raised his head to study the plaque over the Provincial Inspector's Residence before climbing down. At last, he had returned safely. At last, he could show himself publicly again.

He had only just returned to his own residence and had not even had time to wash away the dust of the road when Yang Shuang, the steward of the Provincial Inspector's Residence, arrived after hearing the news. Shao Sansheng greeted Yang Shuang with complete respect.

Although Beizhou's actual power had already fallen secretly into Shao Pingbo's hands, Yang Shuang remained the official steward of the Provincial Inspector's Residence in name and fact. Shao Sansheng himself had been one of Yang Shuang's subordinates in the early years. It was only later that Shao Pingbo had asked for him.

"Uncle Yang came in such a hurry. Is something wrong?" Shao Pingbo asked.

Yang Shuang cupped his hands. "Eldest Young Master, Master asks to see you."

Shao Pingbo said, "I'm covered in dust from the road. It would be disrespectful to see Father like this. I'll bathe first, then go pay my respects."

Yang Shuang replied, "Master said Eldest Young Master is to go immediately."

Shao Pingbo fell silent for a moment. In the end, he nodded and went with him. The inner residence was quiet. In a waterside pavilion beneath the shade of trees, Shao Dengyun stood with his hands clasped behind his back, watching fish play in the pond.

Yang Shuang approached and reported, "Master, Eldest Young Master is here."

Shao Pingbo stepped forward and saluted as well.

"Father! Your son has been unfilial and made Father worry."

"Does filial or unfilial matter to someone like you?" Shao Dengyun replied mildly without turning around.

Shao Pingbo's cheek twitched.

Shao Dengyun asked again, "Have the warhorses been settled?"

Shao Pingbo said, "Barring any accident, they should arrive within Beizhou's borders within two months. There shouldn't be any accident. Your son has made careful arrangements, and with Emperor Hai Wuji of the State of Zhao cooperating, there should be no major problem unless some great power launches a direct attack."

"To maneuver among powers like that and turn clouds and rain with a hand—what remarkable ability!" Shao Dengyun raised his face and sighed toward Heaven. "To have a son like you leaves even me, Shao Dengyun, admitting inferiority."

Shao Pingbo hurriedly replied modestly, "Father praises me too highly. Father is the true mainstay of Beizhou. Without Father, your son would probably..."

He stopped. Shao Dengyun had suddenly turned to stare at him, anger burning in his eyes. Father and son faced each other.

Shao Dengyun shouted, "What is this about Liuer getting married? Why does her own father know nothing about it? My daughter is to marry, and I'm still alive. Since when did it become your place to decide her marriage? You refused to spare that mother and son. Are you now refusing to spare even your own younger sister? After a little more time, will you decide I'm in your way as well and refuse to spare me too?"

By now, the news that Prince Ying of Qi was taking a second wife might not have been known to every commoner beneath Heaven, but the feudal lords of the various states had certainly noticed. A matter this large could not possibly remain hidden from Shao Dengyun. Shao Pingbo had known he would have to face this when he returned. He remained calm.

"Father's words are too severe. Liuer's lifelong future is not something I, her elder brother, would ever treat as a game. Everything I did was for her sake."

Shao Dengyun swept one large hand through the air.

"Spare me those false and sentimental words! I'm asking you one thing. Why didn't you tell me beforehand?"

False and sentimental?

Emotion surged inside Shao Pingbo as well, but he still kept himself calm.

"I didn't tell Father because I knew Father would certainly oppose it."

"Father comes from a military background. You despise political marriage and would never use your own daughter for one."

Shao Dengyun roared, "And you think I'll agree now?"

Shao Pingbo remained silent. At this point, his father no longer possessed the qualifications to refuse. The sequence of arrangements had already been set in motion. The benefits were plainly visible. Dachan Mountain had agreed as well. Before making the decision, Shao Pingbo had already prepared himself to endure his father's anger. He knew the final result too. Eventually, his father would understand. Things had reached this point, and the lives and fortunes of so many brothers under Shao Dengyun's command were involved.

Whether Shao Dengyun wished it or not, he would have to agree.

"I'm asking you another question. Tell me the truth." Shao Dengyun almost jabbed a finger into his face. "Was the death of Prince Ying's consort your doing?"

Yang Shuang stood to one side, grief clouding his face as he watched the father and son confront one another like this. He could not understand how such a good family had turned into this. Shao Pingbo answered with calm honesty.

"Yes."

Shao Dengyun's voice filled with grief. "Do you think everyone beneath Heaven is a fool? If I can see it, do you think no one else can?"

"You're pushing your own sister into a pit of fire!"

Pain appeared on Shao Pingbo's face as well.

"Father, please believe your son. I might harm anyone else, but I would never harm you or my younger sister."

Shao Dengyun said, "You could even kill your stepmother and your younger brother. How am I supposed to believe you?"

Shao Pingbo's voice abruptly rose.

"Madam Ruan was not my mother, and those two were not my brothers! They were your family, not mine! You saw it yourself. They had already put the blade against my neck. If they didn't die, then I had to die. Sooner or later, Liuer would have died in their hands as well! You cared about them. Did they ever care whether we brother and sister had a road to live? Do you think the lives of their family were more important than the lives of Liuer and me? Tell me. Cough, cough... Tell me, is that what you think?"

His eyes had reddened. Emotion surging, he covered his mouth and began coughing. The furious words came from his heart, every one cutting to the bone. Shao Dengyun looked as though struck by lightning. He staggered back one step and braced himself against the railing. Shao Pingbo lowered his hand. Blood from his coughing stained his palm. He breathed hard. Yang Shuang reached toward one man, then toward the other, not knowing which of them he ought to support.

[End of Chapter 404]