Chapter 423: Desolate

Shang Jianxiong's brows twitched in the middle of his repentance. An unusual expectancy instantly lit his face. He quickly bowed his head before the spirit tablets of his ancestors and kowtowed three times in succession, then flung out his wide sleeves, rose directly to his feet, turned, and strode out of the ancestral temple.

"Your Majesty!"

Tian Yu and Ga Miaoshui, who had been waiting outside, saluted together.

Shang Jianxiong waved impatiently, signaling that there was no need for ceremony, and fixed his eyes on Tian Yu. "You've confirmed that something has changed in Nanzhou?"

Tian Yu replied with utmost respect, "We received the news several days ago and have had it repeatedly verified. Shang Chaozong has indeed been placed under control, and the troops under him have been divided and brought under separate control as well. Just as Niu Youdao said, Tianyu Sect's intentions are now clear: suppress Shang Chaozong and support Feng Lingbo. This can be confirmed. There is no mistake."

After Ga Miaoshui and Noble Consort Zhou had brought back the information from Niu Youdao, they had remained worried that it might be a deception. Even when reports of the changes in Nanzhou arrived, they had not dared believe them. Only after verifying the matter again and again had they finally dared report it.

"Hahaha!" Shang Jianxiong abruptly threw back his head and laughed, utterly delighted. Then he pointed toward the world outside, stabbing a finger into empty space as his face darkened in fury. "Shang Chaozong! A descendant of the Shang clan, yet you would destroy the foundations left by your ancestors. You exhausted every scheme, only to make another man's wedding clothes in the end. Pitiful! Hateful! Even Heaven will not tolerate you. This is the fate you deserve..."

After venting his anger in a torrent of curses at the absent man, he paced back and forth outside the ancestral temple.

Only after a long while did he stop before the two men. Shang Jianxiong hesitated. "Niu Youdao is that rebel's man. Why would he offer counsel to me? The more I think about it, the more absurd it seems."

Tian Yu said, "It isn't difficult to understand. Matters have already reached this point, and he no longer has the power to reverse them. Tianyu Sect ruined his plans, and they may not spare him if they get the chance later. If he has an opportunity to retaliate, why would he let Tianyu Sect have an easy time?"

Ga Miaoshui cupped his hands as well. "Your Majesty, consider this. Tianyu Sect supports Feng Lingbo, while the imperial court appoints Shang Chaozong Provincial Inspector of Nanzhou. If Feng Lingbo then rises to power, he will possess neither proper name nor legitimate standing. More importantly, Shang Chaozong still has between one and two hundred thousand direct troops within Nanzhou."

"One imperial decree would be enough to provoke conflict between the two sides. Once that conflict begins, the court can secretly intervene and fan the flames, widening the rift between them. The moment internal disorder breaks out, the court will have an excellent opportunity to recover Nanzhou in one easy stroke."

"The scheme may have come from Niu Youdao, but we have to admit that it is indeed a good one. At the very least, it can keep Nanzhou in turmoil and deny Tianyu Sect any peace!"

A clear breeze, a bright moon, and a mountain cliff. A Moon Butterfly rested in the treetop, glowing brilliantly. Beneath the tree, two men sat opposite each other at a stone table. Niu Youdao and Xiao Tianzhen played a game beneath the moon while the Milky Way glittered in the distance.

After placing a stone, Xiao Tianzhen finally broke the silence. "What exactly do you intend to do with me?"

Niu Youdao smiled. "I've already told you. I don't intend to do anything to you. You've lived for years in a prosperous provincial capital. Coming to stay in the mountains for a few days now and then, with lofty mountains, flowing water, a clear breeze, and bright moon for company—doesn't Young Master think that's rather refined?"

Xiao Tianzhen said, "Master Dao may have such refined tastes, but someone who was kidnapped here probably doesn't have the leisure to appreciate them. I already told Yuan Gang what was in my heart. I assume he passed it on to Master Dao?"

Everyone here addressed Niu Youdao as Master Dao, so Xiao Tianzhen had followed suit out of courtesy.

Niu Youdao placed another stone on the board and withdrew his hand. "He did."

Xiao Tianzhen immediately watched his reaction closely. "Then what does Master Dao think?"

Niu Youdao smiled. "That isn't something I can decide."

Xiao Tianzhen shook his head. "Do I really need to explain how much influence Master Dao has over Shang Chaozong?"

Niu Youdao said, "You're still young. Don't do anything foolish. What's wrong with mother and son sharing the same boat and weathering things together?"

Xiao Tianzhen said, "Is youth really the issue? Master Dao was placed under house arrest by the Shangqing Sect for five years while still in your teens. You had only just emerged into the world at around twenty when you persuaded my mother to help Shang Chaozong seize Qingshan Commandery. You killed an envoy of the State of Yan and took that risk upon yourself. Afterward, you accomplished one astonishing thing after another in the State of Qi and obtained thirty thousand warhorses for Shang Chaozong. Can anything Master Dao has done be judged simply by age? Master Dao was held under house arrest by the Shangqing Sect for five years, while I have been manipulated by others for more than ten. You and I have something in common!"

Although Xiao Tianzhen had always been kept under control in Jinzhou, steward Zhu Shun still secretly supplied him with certain information and news.

The corner of Niu Youdao's mouth curled faintly. "You want to discuss cooperation with me?"

Xiao Tianzhen's spirits rose. "If it benefits us both, what harm is there in discussing it?"

Niu Youdao answered lightly, "What do you have to bargain with me? What can you even do in Jinzhou? Come talk to me again when you have the qualifications."

His tone was full of disdain, and the slight lift of his brows and the look in his eyes carried a deliberate provocation. Xiao Tianzhen's hands tightened faintly into fists. His face reddened with humiliation and anger. He plainly had no further interest in continuing the game.

After Xiao Tianzhen left, Niu Youdao walked to the edge of the cliff. His broad sleeves streamed backward in the wind as he clasped his hands behind him and gazed at the stars and moon, his eyes deep.

In the night wind, Guan Fangyi's graceful figure came to stand beside him. Arms folded across her chest, she said casually, "The situation in Nanzhou is already settled. Their lives could be in danger at any moment. If you keep waiting like this, be careful you don't play Shang Chaozong and the others to death."

His clothes fluttering, Niu Youdao closed his eyes beneath the moon and listened to the wind. "No hurry. Wait a little longer. Peaches taste best when they're ripe. I've already left them a way to resolve a life-threatening crisis. They shouldn't be so dull that they fail to notice danger when it reaches their throats."

Guan Fangyi said, "You always do things behind clouds and mist, never showing anyone the bottom of your hand. What if some accident happens?"

Niu Youdao said, "If I showed my hand, they might not wait until the end. They might open the brocade pouch early and avoid the danger. If Tianyu Sect then contacted Myriad Caves Heavenly Mansion ahead of time... I had to leave Yuan Gang enough time to act in Jinzhou, didn't I? If an accident really does happen, then all I can say is that their luck was bad."

Guan Fangyi said, "Tianyu Sect has them under strict control now. Even contacting them is difficult. What exactly did you leave inside that brocade pouch?"

Niu Youdao chuckled...

Very early the next morning, Luo An pushed Meng Shanming's wheelchair out of their residence and headed toward the yamen where Feng Lingbo was staying. The wheels rattled unevenly over the paving stones. Facing the dawn, Meng Shanming remained calm...

As the sun climbed higher, Shang Chaozong and the others emerged one after another into the courtyard with their belongings packed, preparing to accompany Tianyu Sect's group back to Nanzhou's provincial capital ahead of the others. When everyone gathered, they discovered someone was missing. Meng Shanming was not there. Naturally, they waited. Shang Chaozong waved a personal guard toward the courtyard where Meng Shanming was staying.

The guard was gone for a while before hurrying back. He reported, "Your Highness, Marshal Meng isn't there. I asked the guards at the gate. They said Marshal Meng went out, but left a letter for Your Highness."

He presented the letter with both hands. The others exchanged looks. Shang Chaozong quickly took the letter and opened it. After reading its contents, his brows knitted.

The letter's general meaning was that they could not simply sit and wait for death. Remaining here and waiting for Niu Youdao meant putting all their eggs in one basket, which was never wise. Meng Shanming intended to seek someone out and find a way to resolve their crisis. They were not to worry. He had his own methods and wanted them to leave first.

Because he feared they would refuse to let him go, he had quietly left the letter behind before departing. He specifically told them not to alert Tianyu Sect.

The letter passed through Lan Ruoting's and Shang Shuqing's hands as well. Both frowned after reading it. The handwriting was indeed Meng Shanming's own, but the decision seemed to come from nowhere and offered neither beginning nor end.

Shang Chaozong asked suspiciously, "Who could Uncle Meng possibly seek out to resolve this crisis? Tianyu Sect disciples are guarding the outside so tightly. Can Uncle Meng even get out?"

Lan Ruoting hesitated. "Marshal Meng isn't a reckless man. If he wrote this, he must have confidence."

The three looked at one another, the letter leaving them uncertain what to do. Should they notify Tianyu Sect and ask them to help find him? Yet that would directly violate Meng Shanming's careful warning. The sudden development left all of them deeply unsettled. They had not waited long when Bai Yao arrived and urged them to depart.

With no other choice for the moment, they went out to meet Peng Youzai and the others from Tianyu Sect. The mounted party thundered out of the city. Because of Meng Shanming's sudden disappearance, Shang Chaozong and the others remained distracted and uneasy throughout the journey...

At the city gate, Feng Lingbo, who had personally seen Peng Youzai and the others out, tipped his head back and let out a long breath. Looking up at the sky, he knew that his era in Nanzhou was about to begin.

"Let's go back," Peng Yulan urged from beside him.

"Mm." Feng Lingbo nodded, turned, and led his guards back into the city.

After returning to the yamen, Feng Lingbo strode directly toward a side courtyard in the rear residence. From a distance, he saw Meng Shanming sitting quietly in his wheelchair beside a waterside pavilion, with Luo An behind him holding the chair. They had not run. Feng Lingbo relaxed again.

Before Peng Youzai left, he had repeatedly warned him that none of these people were simple. He had to be careful and allow no mishap, especially with Niu Youdao's whereabouts still unknown. No one knew what sort of trick that man might pull. Caution upon caution was required.

Niu Youdao's sudden disappearance had already become a thorn in Peng Youzai's heart. He worried that Niu Youdao would intervene, yet could not imagine where the man might strike. This was, after all, the man who had managed to obtain thirty thousand warhorses from the turmoil of the State of Qi.

A smile rose on Feng Lingbo's face as he quickly approached the pavilion and cupped his hands toward Meng Shanming. "Marshal Meng, having you help stabilize the larger situation in Nanzhou is this junior's honor. I hope Marshal Meng will offer me plenty of guidance in the future."

Meng Shanming gave a slight nod. "Commander-in-Chief is too courteous. I will naturally do what I can."

"Good!" Feng Lingbo had no time to linger there. He spoke with great politeness. "This junior has many matters to handle, so I'll take my leave first. If Marshal Meng needs anything, simply instruct the servants."

Meng Shanming replied mildly, "Commander-in-Chief needn't concern yourself with me. Go attend to your affairs."

Feng Lingbo left. When he reached the moon gate, however, he stopped and looked back at the old man in the wheelchair beside the pavilion. Something strange flickered through his eyes before he strode away and disappeared beyond the gate.

"Lu An, are you afraid to die?" Meng Shanming suddenly asked quietly, his eyes still on the fish swimming through the water.

Luo An grinned. "Marshal, we came out of the Yingyang and Wulie Guards. When we were charging into battle, when was I, Luo An, ever afraid of death?"

Meng Shanming's voice was low but clear. "Your boys are getting older, aren't they?"

"Heh. The older one's twelve, the younger seven." Luo An scratched his head, seeming a little embarrassed. He shifted awkwardly before adding, "Marshal, my wife said that when the elder one gets a little older, she'd like Marshal to help train him."

A faint smile appeared on Meng Shanming's face. "Your wife doesn't want her son joining the army at all. That's your own idea, isn't it?"

"Heh heh. Same thing, same thing." Luo An gave an awkward dry laugh. He had indeed been playing a small trick.

Meng Shanming turned to look at him and reached one hand back, patting the back of Luo An's hand. "Your wife once said she wanted your boy to learn some civil studies from Lan Ruoting. If she asks, Little Lan won't refuse. Do as she wishes. Let your boy follow His Highness for now. His Highness will look after them. Don't worry."

Luo An wilted a little, but with Meng Shanming's hand resting against his, he did not voice any objection. Meng Shanming turned forward again and leaned back in the wheelchair. He closed his eyes and lightly tapped one hand against the armrest in rhythm with the weathered tune he slowly hummed beneath his breath. His gaunt figure looked desolate in the morning light.

[End of Chapter 423]