Chapter 563: Red Child

Of course, Gao Shaoming's ability to hold such an important post had even more to do with his father.

His father, Gao Jiancheng, was Yan's Grand Minister of the Masses. His rank placed him roughly as deputy to Grand Minister of Works Tong Mo, yet he also possessed a sphere of authority all his own. That he could extricate a son who had returned from Zhao in defeat, have him recalled without bearing responsibility, then move him out of the Intelligence Directorate and into the post of Yan envoy to Zhao, said enough about the influence he wielded within the Yan court. Gao Shaoming's familiarity with Zhao was merely a convenient justification for the arrangement.

The old man accompanying Gao Shaoming was likewise someone who had served beside him while he was undercover in Zhao: his former steward Quan Qiao. He now went by Guo Ping, having resumed his true name, and could be said to have benefited from Gao Shaoming's rise as well.

Before long, a eunuch came out from the courtyard to lead them inside. The rest of Gao Shaoming's attendants remained outside; he brought only Guo Ping with him.

The two waited in the main hall for a while before Zhao Sen arrived at an unhurried pace.

After exchanging greetings and taking their seats, Zhao Sen asked, “Envoy Gao, what instructions bring you to see me at this hour?”

“I would not dare speak of instructions,” Gao Shaoming replied. “I merely wished to ask whether Director Zhao came here carrying any decree from the Emperor of Zhao.”

Something stirred faintly in Zhao Sen's heart, though nothing showed on his face. “A decree? What decree?”

Since he answered that way, Gao Shaoming did not pursue the question, regardless of whether Zhao Sen truly knew anything.

In fact, Gao Shaoming himself had only just learned of the secret understanding between Shang Jianxiong and Hai Wuji. The Yan court had not informed even him beforehand. Only after he arrived here, sent news back to Yanjing that Niu Youdao had appeared in Jinzhou, and received both a hint from his father and instructions from the court did he learn of the arrangement.

He changed the subject. “Niu Youdao has come to Jinzhou.”

“I heard.”

“To tell the Director the truth, I just received word from Yanjing. This time, I cannot allow Niu Youdao to leave Jinzhou alive.”

The losses among his men years ago had been severe, while he himself had escaped unharmed. He had always felt unable to face those who had died and had never let go of the humiliation of that defeat. Now he unexpectedly found himself crossing hands with Niu Youdao once more. He had long wanted to wash away that old disgrace, and with the opportunity delivered to him, he had no intention of letting it pass.

Zhao Sen understood Yanjing's thinking. To the Yan court, Niu Youdao was an obstruction in Nanzhou. If they intended to move against Nanzhou, this hidden danger had to be removed.

Even so, he cautioned, “You intend to make your move inside this provincial capital? I advise you to think twice. Myriad Caves Heavenly Mansion's strength here cannot be underestimated. Success will not be easy. Once you're exposed, do you truly think Jinzhou would not dare kill you?”

“Naturally, I won't act inside the city. Yanjing has already dispatched a group of men, so I won't need to trouble the Director with the actual killing. But Jinzhou has eyes everywhere in this city, both in the open and in the shadows. Yan's strength here is weak, and my own people are not suited to tailing him. I also hear Niu Youdao has flying mounts in his hands. I imagine Zhao's Star Observatory has no shortage of eyes in Jinzhou. I therefore ask the Director to lend me a hand: keep Niu Youdao under watch and don't let him slip away.”

Zhao's so-called Star Observatory was much like Yan's Intelligence Directorate.

...

In another courtyard of Liufang Guesthouse, a Goldenwing descended from the night sky.

A short while later, Liu Dezheng, deputy envoy of Jin's delegation, hurried into a bedroom. Inside, chief envoy Chu Xiangyu was soaking his feet.

After entering, Liu Dezheng dismissed the servants, presented a secret letter to Chu Xiangyu, and lowered his voice. “His Majesty has made his meaning clear. If an opportunity arises, we are to watch for our chance and eliminate Niu Youdao.”

Chu Xiangyu frowned slightly. He had not expected that after they reported Niu Youdao's presence here to Jin, the reply would contain such an instruction.

He took the letter and read it, then sighed softly. “His Majesty is standing up for that Eldest Young Master Shao. It seems he truly values Shao Pingbo. Brother Dezheng, what do you make of this?”

Liu Dezheng considered before answering slowly, “His Majesty said only if an opportunity arises, and even told us to watch for our chance. If no suitable opportunity can be found, in this subordinate's opinion, there is no need to force the matter and risk delaying our proper business. Of course, since this is His Majesty's command, we should still do our utmost to find an opening.”

Chu Xiangyu nodded. “A sound view, Brother Dezheng. I'll leave this matter to you.”

...

Within Nanzhou, a Black Jade Eagle circled among the mountains. Chao Shenghuai, riding on its back, took out two gold notes worth one hundred gold each and presented one to each of the two Myriad Beasts Sect disciples accompanying him.

“Thank you for seeing me this far, Senior Brothers. A small token of appreciation. Please don't disdain it.”

The two immediately refused, only accepting after his repeated insistence. One of them reminded him, “You're traveling alone. Be careful. If anything happens, contact the sect at once. Once you've traveled enough, come back early.”

“Yes, I'll remember. Senior Brothers, we'll part here.” Chao Shenghuai cupped his hands.

“Take care on the road.”

The two returned the salute.

Chao Shenghuai turned, launched himself away, and glided into the vast darkness of the night.

After leaving the mountain forest, he skimmed along the official road until he found a relay station, obtained a mount, and galloped onward.

He had come to Qingshan Commandery to find Niu Youdao. To do so, he had not hesitated to invent an excuse about going out to travel and hitch a ride on a flying mount Myriad Beasts Sect had dispatched on business.

Unless Niu Youdao gave him a definite answer about those four fellow disciples, Chao Shenghuai could neither eat nor sleep in peace. Every day passed in terrified uncertainty. This time, he had decided to risk everything.

...

Even a brilliant sun in a clear sky could not dispel the invisible gloom hanging over the Provincial Inspector's Residence in Jinzhou.

Niu Youdao, however, remained calm and unhurried, sitting cross-legged indoors and cultivating in silence.

Guan Fangyi knocked and entered. Seeing that he could still cultivate peacefully at a time like this, she had to admire his composure. Unless a blade was already pressed against his neck, this man was always methodical, doing whatever needed to be done in its proper order.

She had followed him long enough to notice that whether at home or traveling abroad, whenever time allowed, Niu Youdao never neglected his cultivation. She knew perfectly well how many affairs he had to handle, yet somehow he always appeared remarkably at ease.

“What is it?” Niu Youdao asked without opening his eyes.

“Word came back from that side. Based on the symptoms we provided and the suspected course of the poisoning, they believe it is probably Red Child poison.”

Journey to the West?

Niu Youdao opened his eyes and froze. For an instant, the name gave him a strange sense of dislocation. Recovering, he asked, “If they know what poison it is, do they have a way to treat it?”

Guan Fangyi shook her head. “They say this poison is unlike ordinary poisons. It is a strange poison born naturally from Heaven and Earth, and can grow only under special conditions in poisonous, miasmic swamps. It resembles ginseng and is deep red from end to end.”

“Before it gains spirituality, it is a powerful tonic and possesses none of this toxicity. Only after gaining spirituality and becoming a spirit does the poison appear. It can transform into a tender, red-skinned child and play through the swamps. Anyone who sees it may approach without knowing to guard against it. Once scratched by it, death is certain. That is how the name ‘Red Child’ arose.”

“Later, people learned of its properties, hunted and killed it, and made poison from it. There have even been cases of imperial concubines using it to murder rivals in struggles for favor. It is rarely used outside the palace and extremely difficult to obtain. The poison only produces its strange effect when it encounters blood. It has little effect on an ordinary healthy person unless that person is already wounded. Women, however, have their monthly courses, which gives the poison an opening, so it is generally used against women.”

“The thing is exceptionally rare. They have only heard of it and never seen it. They say there is nothing they can do.”

“Nothing they can do?” Niu Youdao tilted his head and gave a cold snort. “As expected of people accustomed to assassination. One description of the symptoms and they know what it is. Remember this in the future and guard against them. They may well have this poison in their hands.”

Guan Fangyi looked surprised. “What makes you think that?”

“They've only heard of it, never seen it, never even tried dealing with it—yet somehow they already know they can do nothing?” Niu Youdao said. “The way I see it, either they don't want to save them, or they possess the thing themselves and know that even if they came, they couldn't cure it. At a time like this, they won't deliberately sabotage my affairs. The second possibility is more likely.”

Guan Fangyi fell into thought.

Niu Youdao did not dwell on the matter. He rose decisively, took up his sword, and went straight to find Situ Yao.

“Red Child?”

Situ Yao looked puzzled when he heard the name.

Niu Youdao nodded. “They may have been poisoned with this. Sect Leader Situ, think carefully. Who beneath Heaven might be able to neutralize such a poison?”

Situ Yao immediately summoned the members of his sect most skilled at healing and asked whether any of them had heard of it.

Every one of them shook his head.

None had ever heard of Red Child. They still had no place to begin.

Niu Youdao's hopes for a solution from Xiaoyue Pavilion were shattered.

Seeing that there was still no answer, Situ Yao dismissed the others and kept Niu Youdao behind. Lowering his voice, he said, “We're afraid those people may leave early, so preparations have been made as quickly as possible. Two days from now, we'll arrange a banquet at Liufang Guesthouse. The invitations have already gone out.”

Niu Youdao immediately understood.

They were preparing to act in two days.

He nodded. “Good.”

After leaving Situ Yao, Niu Youdao had only just returned to his room when Guan Fangyi came again.

“Word from home. Chao Shenghuai went looking for you.”

Niu Youdao, who had been pacing in thought, stopped. “Bring him here secretly.”

Guan Fangyi reminded him, “Chao Shenghuai says he left a testament behind at Myriad Beasts Sect. If he fails to return, everything you've done will be exposed.”

So the fellow had started making threats.

Niu Youdao chuckled. “He'll return. I'll make certain he returns perfectly well. Just send him here.”

“One more thing. You'd better read this yourself.” Guan Fangyi handed him a secret letter.

Niu Youdao opened it.

The message had come from Dachan Mountain. Ga Miaoshui of the Yan inner court had personally made a trip there and demanded that Dachan Mountain cooperate with the Yan court in ‘rectifying’ Nanzhou, mixing threats with inducements.

Huang Lie had explicitly informed Niu Youdao that he had neither agreed nor refused, merely sent Ga Miaoshui away with evasive words.

The purpose of the message was to tell Niu Youdao that the Yan court truly seemed ready to move against Nanzhou and to ask how he intended to respond.

Guan Fangyi said, “Dachan Mountain is watching to see which way the wind blows.”

Niu Youdao flicked his wrist and ignited the letter. Watching the flames, he said casually, “Only natural. If we can't handle this, Dachan Mountain isn't going to accompany us to our deaths. There's nothing strange about turning with the wind. The fact that they didn't agree outright and haven't started making trouble inside Nanzhou already counts for quite a lot.”

“How do we answer Huang Lie?”

“We don't.”

“We don't?”

“One warning was enough. Do I need to coax him along like a three-year-old? So long as I remain alive, I don't believe Huang Lie will dare act rashly.”

Guan Fangyi looked him up and down, clicked her tongue twice, and suddenly felt that his domineering air was showing rather plainly.

[End of Chapter 563]