Chapter 428: We Have to Lay Down This Rule for Them!

The excuse made the corner of Peng Youzai's mouth twitch.

He slowly said, "I have no interest in Hai Ruyue's romantic affairs. Brother Situ, I only want to know one thing. What is the meaning of Jinzhou's army concentrating along the Nanzhou border?"

Situ Yao again used Hai Ruyue as his pretext.

"As I just said, Hai Ruyue cannot bear to see Shang Chaozong wronged. The mobilization and concentration of the army are all her idea."

Situ Yao himself knew perfectly well how clumsy the excuse sounded. But there was no helping it. No matter what, he had to provide some kind of reason.

What else could he say?

Tell Peng Youzai outright that Myriad Caves Heavenly Mansion intended to attack Tianyu Sect? If he truly said that, it would be going too far. Even a clay idol had some temper. There was no need to drive even a cornered dog to leap the wall. That was not their objective.

Peng Youzai asked, "Brother Situ means Hai Ruyue intends to mobilize Jinzhou's forces to attack Nanzhou and seek justice for Shang Chaozong?"

Situ Yao said, "A barking dog doesn't bite. It's the silent dog that bites. That woman created all this movement without a word beforehand. There's a very good chance she truly may act recklessly. Women are easily ruled by emotion."

Peng Youzai said, "If I understand Brother Situ correctly, you're telling me Myriad Caves Heavenly Mansion has already lost control of Hai Ruyue and intends to sit by while she destroys the alliance between our two sects?"

Situ Yao replied, "You can't put it that way. The situation can still be avoided."

Peng Youzai said, "I came here in person because I came with sincerity. If the problem can be resolved, naturally everyone will be pleased. I'm willing to hear Brother Situ's wise proposal."

Situ Yao said, "I imagine Brother Peng understands why the court of the State of Yan appointed Shang Chaozong Provincial Inspector of Nanzhou. They merely want to manufacture conflict inside Nanzhou and lay the groundwork for recovering the province later. So I have no grand proposal. The problem is actually very simple to resolve. Let Shang Chaozong preside over Nanzhou's secular affairs, and every difficulty will naturally unravel. Then Hai Ruyue will withdraw her troops. Nanzhou will avoid the awkwardness of openly defying an imperial decree. The scheme of the court of the State of Yan will also be neutralized. Nanzhou will still belong to Tianyu Sect, and my side will no longer have to worry about Nanzhou entering into conflict with the court of the State of Yan again. One move, several benefits. It helps both of us. The only question is whether Tianyu Sect can let go of its fixation. Brother Peng, is supporting Feng Lingbo to preside over Nanzhou really worth creating all this trouble?"

Peng Youzai said, "I appreciate Brother Situ's goodwill. Tianyu Sect will handle its own affairs. The current problem lies with Jinzhou. Jinzhou intends to use troops against Nanzhou. I ask Myriad Caves Heavenly Mansion to keep that woman Hai Ruyue under control!"

In truth, Peng Youzai understood perfectly well that Hai Ruyue could never have acted like this without Myriad Caves Heavenly Mansion's approval. He simply could not puncture that pretense. He had to endure it.

Situ Yao said, "Brother Peng, you should understand my difficulties as well. The Xiao clan has been entrenched in Jinzhou for many years and has deep roots throughout the region. If that woman insists on being ruled by emotion and absolutely insists on forcing the issue, Jinzhou itself could easily fall into disorder."

Peng Youzai said, "Brother Situ, have you considered the consequences if our two sects go to war? Leaving my side aside, here in Jinzhou, Emperor Hai Wuji of the State of Zhao will unquestionably exploit the opening. Myriad Caves Heavenly Mansion cannot bear that consequence!"

Situ Yao lowered his eyes.

"Brother Peng, the root of the trouble lies with Shang Chaozong. You should still hand Nanzhou over to him."

Peng Youzai said, "Don't you find the decision Myriad Caves Heavenly Mansion has made absurd and laughable?"

Situ Yao's decision did not change. He repeated the same sentence.

"You should still hand Nanzhou over to him."

Peng Youzai stared at him. Situ Yao remained impassive. The two men stood beneath the stars and moon in silence for a time.

"What method did that little thief Niu Youdao use to make Myriad Caves Heavenly Mansion pay such a price?" Peng Youzai suddenly asked.

He truly could not understand why Myriad Caves Heavenly Mansion would do something like this. Naturally, his first suspicion fell on Niu Youdao. In truth, from the moment he received word that Jinzhou was mobilizing troops, he had already suspected the man.

How could he not?

The letter Shang Chaozong had given him was evidence enough. Situ Yao, however, would never tell him the truth. He could not. Not only would he refuse to explain, he had to conceal the matter completely. Certain things could never be allowed to reach another person's ears.

He slowly said, "Niu Youdao? Why are you suddenly dragging Niu Youdao into this? You're thinking too much. This has nothing whatsoever to do with him!"

Among the mountains, atop a sheer cliff, Niu Youdao sat cross-legged in silent cultivation facing the rising sun, his loose hair falling across his shoulders. Guan Fangyi floated down, skirts fluttering, and walked to his side.

"Old Eight sent word. Peng Youzai didn't remain long at Myriad Caves Heavenly Mansion. He turned back that same night."

Niu Youdao's expression did not change.

With his eyes still closed, he slowly asked, "How did the talks go?"

Guan Fangyi said, "You were one move ahead. Peng Youzai returned empty-handed!"

As she spoke, her bright eyes blinked at him, profound bafflement flashing within them. She was genuinely curious. She had no idea what method this man had used to force Myriad Caves Heavenly Mansion to allow Jinzhou to mobilize troops. However little she understood political and military affairs, she still knew that Hai Ruyue presently presided over Jinzhou's military and civil administration. Kidnapping a mere Xiao Tianzhen could not possibly threaten Myriad Caves Heavenly Mansion enough to make it accept such enormous losses and pressure.

Yet no matter how she asked, Niu Youdao refused to tell her the reason.

"Oh, right. Hai Ruyue asked Old Eight to pass on a message," Guan Fangyi added. "If you dare harm so much as one finger on her son's hand, she will never let you off!"

Niu Youdao ignored the threat entirely.

He said slowly, "Notify Fei Changliu, Zheng Jiuxiao, and Xia Hua. Have them immediately lead the elite disciples of their sects to Changping City, meet Shang Chaozong, and protect His Highness."

Guan Fangyi froze slightly.

"Changping City is packed with Tianyu Sect experts. If Tianyu Sect does nothing because of the pressure, then naturally Shang Chaozong is safe. But if Tianyu Sect truly decides to harm him, those three sects won't be able to protect him even if they go."

"They don't understand the current situation either. Ordering them to protect His Highness now is obviously forcing them to choose a side."

"Aren't you deliberately making things difficult for them?"

"You already let them act freely before. Why make things difficult for them now? Can't you be generous to the end?"

Niu Youdao remained calm, eyes closed.

"There is a saying: to capture, first let go."

"I know when to loosen the reins and when to tighten them."

"When it's time to force them, they have to be forced."

"Do you think it would be appropriate for those three sects and Tianyu Sect to remain harmonious forever?"

"They have to understand something. In Nanzhou, they do not hold the right to speak between themselves and Tianyu Sect. They can only stand behind us."

"They contacted Tianyu Sect behind my back before. I can let that pass."

"But once I speak, they must obey."

"We have to lay down this rule for them!"

Guan Fangyi considered his words, then reminded him, "Tianyu Sect is powerful. Those three sects don't understand what's really happening. Before the outcome is clear, I'm afraid they won't obey you."

"If they refuse, what then?"

"If you issue this order and they ignore it, won't you have put yourself in an embarrassing position?"

Niu Youdao replied, "If they refuse, that only proves I haven't done enough over the years and my influence over them is limited. Then the fault is mine, not theirs. But they cannot change the final result. Things have reached this point. Whether the division of benefits they negotiated with Tianyu Sect can actually be honored will still depend on whether I agree. Whether they can continue staying in Nanzhou will also depend on whether I'm pleased. If I decide to kick them out, no one in Nanzhou can protect them. They will come asking me for help."

Guan Fangyi finally understood part of it.

Her expression twisted strangely before she mocked him, "And here I thought you were truly broad-minded when you gave those three sects freedom at the beginning."

"So you had a hand hidden from the start to keep them under your thumb."

"You're still so young, yet your scheming runs this deep. You're frightening me."

"Let me ask you something. If one day I decide to leave, will you treat me like this too?"

Niu Youdao answered as lightly as drifting clouds.

"Those who should leave cannot be kept. Those who should not leave will not go."

"I won't stop you. People here are free to come and go."

"As long as you don't regret your own choice."

Guan Fangyi spat lightly. "How is that any different from saying nothing?"

Beside a great river, Fei Changliu and Zheng Jiuxiao stood on the bank watching the surging waves. Neither spoke. A figure came flying toward them. Xia Hua was the last to arrive. She landed beside the two men, walked forward, and stood shoulder to shoulder with them.

"Sect Leader Xia certainly made us wait," Zheng Jiuxiao said mildly, turning his head to glance at her.

"Ai!" Xia Hua could not help sighing.

Fei Changliu asked, "Why the sigh?"

Xia Hua said, "Why ask when you already know? You called me here because neither of you feels secure either."

The three sect leaders and the disciples of their sects had all been dispersed throughout Nanzhou by Tianyu Sect, helping the various armies take over the province.

Fei Changliu said, "Shang Chaozong's troops have already been broken apart and brought under control. Judging from the situation, Tianyu Sect really may be preparing to move against Shang Chaozong's side. I don't know whether they'll leave him alive."

Xia Hua gave a derisive snort. "Is that truly what you're worried about? You're hesitating over which side to choose, aren't you?"

Zheng Jiuxiao said, "Where has Niu Youdao gone? What is he doing? He's been far too quiet. Would he truly hand over the foundation he worked so hard to build? And what is this business with the court appointing Shang Chaozong Provincial Inspector of Nanzhou? Is it really nothing more than sowing discord? Could Niu Youdao have something to do with it?"

Silence fell. Only the wind and the roar of the river remained. They were facing a difficult choice. In truth, perhaps it was not even a true choice yet. Before obeying Tianyu Sect's deployment, they had already informed Niu Youdao. He had not stopped them and had agreed. But now Tianyu Sect had plainly revealed the dagger at the end of the map. If Tianyu Sect truly uprooted Niu Youdao's base, there would be no place left for him in Nanzhou afterward. Would Niu Youdao swallow that humiliation?

Niu Youdao had agreed to let them cooperate with Tianyu Sect in taking Nanzhou and dividing the benefits. He had never agreed to let them help Tianyu Sect attack Niu Youdao's own interests. If they continued cooperating now, they would be openly turning against him. They had actually anticipated that matters might eventually develop this way. They had merely been thinking of their own sects' interests and had chosen to take things one step at a time.

To put it plainly, they had hoped Tianyu Sect would deal with Niu Youdao somewhere along the way. Who could have imagined Tianyu Sect would later turn around and ask them whether they knew where Niu Youdao had gone? Tianyu Sect had missed its chance.

Niu Youdao had disappeared?

From the moment they learned that, the three had been torn. Now that matters had reached this point, their unease had only grown. Should they continue cooperating with Tianyu Sect? The key was that Niu Youdao truly was not someone easily provoked. After all these years, they no longer dared act rashly where he was concerned. Xia Hua suddenly smiled bitterly.

"Without realizing it, the three of our sects have actually grown this wary of Niu Youdao."

"What do you two think we should do?"

[End of Chapter 428]