Chapter 728: The Toad Insists on Eating Swan Meat

Yuan Gang could not stand the way those two talked, wrangling like enemies one moment and sounding almost as though they were flirting the next. He turned and walked away.

Returning deeper into the forest, he saw the figure beneath a tree and stopped again.

Images flashed through his mind: Among the White Clouds; fleeing through the desert; the woman lying weakly in his arms, telling him not to forget her, telling him to remember that her name was Bai Su; the moment the coffin lid closed.

"Su Zhao" stood beneath the tree with one hand braced against its trunk.

Without something to lean on, she could barely remain standing. To keep her from escaping, cultivators had placed a restriction on her body that left her limbs weak and made flight impossible. There were cultivators watching her as well.

From time to time, worry appeared on her face. Her bright eyes looked toward the direction of the Dongyu River.

She had been able to tell the direction of their movement.

They were heading toward Yan.

They should not be far from the Dongyu River now.

"What is your real name?"

The familiar question brought her back to herself. She turned and saw Yuan Gang standing before her. She calmly clung to the same answer. "Su Zhao!"

She had no idea what it meant to Yuan Gang for a woman with her face to say that name.

Yuan Gang suddenly moved.

One hand clamped around her throat.

Anger ran through his low voice. "Speak! What is your real name?"

With her neck in his grip and his strength so overwhelming, she could not speak at all. "Su Zhao" weakly struck at his arm, but she could not break free. Her face flushed crimson under his grip, and she seemed on the verge of suffocation.

In the end, Yuan Gang did not let her die.

He released her.

"Su Zhao" slumped back against the tree and slowly slid down until she sat at its roots. One hand clutched her pale neck as she gasped heavily. Only after her breathing steadied did she look up at the tall man before her. "I've already told you my name is Su Zhao. No matter how many times you ask, my name will still be Su Zhao!"

Yuan Gang lowered himself and slowly crouched in front of her. In complete seriousness, he said, "As long as you tell us your true identity and background, and as long as we verify that you pose no harm to us, I will let you leave. I give you my word!"

Mockery appeared in "Su Zhao's" eyes.

She could not reveal her true identity. She would rather die than say it.

She would never let herself become leverage in someone else's hands.

She spoke one word at a time. "I only remember that my name is Su Zhao. After you hit me, my head became muddled. I can't remember my origins or identity anymore."

Anger flared in Yuan Gang's eyes.

This woman truly did not know the immensity of Heaven and earth. Did she really think that if she gritted her teeth and refused to speak, Master Dao had no way of prying open her mouth?

Master Dao's words had even hinted that if they truly encountered a hard bone, they could borrow a Spirit-Torment Pill from Xiaoyue Pavilion.

Yuan Gang had stopped him.

He knew that with Master Dao's cooperative relationship with Xiaoyue Pavilion, borrowing one Spirit-Torment Pill would be no problem at all.

He had personally tasted the pill's effects.

He knew how terrifying that poison was.

Why was it called a Spirit-Torment Pill?

Because the agony was more than even an immortal could endure.

More frightening still, even the antidote could not completely root it out. Once someone had tasted that suffering, the terrible pain would follow them like a shadow for the rest of their life.

Yuan Gang had survived that ordeal.

But he had no way to help this woman survive it.

Nor could he warn her that they might use a Spirit-Torment Pill against her.

He could not say it.

The moment he did, he would expose Master Dao's relationship with Xiaoyue Pavilion.

He had gone to all this trouble for her own sake, yet the woman refused to appreciate it. His anger rose. "Do you understand that if I can't determine whether you're harmless to us, then I cannot possibly release you? The more you refuse to speak, the more it proves you may be dangerous. The more you refuse to speak, the less chance you have of getting away. Do you understand?"

"Su Zhao" gave a soft laugh. "Once I fell into your hands, I never expected you to let me go."

Yuan Gang said angrily, "I'm being courteous because I don't want to indiscriminately kill innocent people. Don't force me!"

"Su Zhao" sneered. "People like you care whether you kill innocent people indiscriminately? Hearing you say that, should I thank you for abducting me? Heh. I won't force you. If you want to kill me or carve me up, do as you please!"

Yuan Gang surged to his feet.

One hand seized the hilt of the Three-Roars Saber on his back.

A cold arc flashed like a streak of white silk.

The saber came out and chopped down.

"Su Zhao" closed her eyes, tilting her neck as though awaiting execution.

She felt the wind of the blade strike her.

Yet nothing followed.

After a long moment, "Su Zhao" slowly opened her eyes.

The great saber suspended before her throat was gradually lowering again.

Her bright eyes blinked.

She could feel Yuan Gang's struggle.

After these days of confrontation, curiosity had gradually begun to grow inside her as well.

Killing her would leave neither ghost nor god the wiser. Why was it so difficult for him to do it?

She could also tell that the others held no goodwill toward her. Killing her probably meant nothing to them.

It was the man standing in front of her who had kept her alive until today.

Her eyes flickered, and suddenly she asked, "Is there another woman named 'Su Zhao' who looks very much like me? Was she your woman? Is she dead?"

She was not stupid.

From several obvious clues, she had already seen the outline of the truth and formed a rough judgment.

Yuan Gang said nothing.

Holding the saber, he turned and strode away with determination.

Seeing his back, "Su Zhao" realized she had probably guessed correctly and watched him leave with growing curiosity.

...

In Binzhou, a refined courtyard stood quiet and empty.

Hui Qingping, dressed in white, walked slowly through it.

Reaching the door of one building, she stopped below the steps for a long time. In the end, she still walked inside.

No one was in the outer room.

Behind the hanging pearl curtain of the inner chamber, however, someone was waiting for her.

The man had a full beard and wore only a thin inner robe. Barefoot, he sat on the couch, half-reclining against its head. A wine jug rested in his hand, and he drank slowly straight from its mouth.

It was none other than Wu Gongling.

"This isn't a place to discuss business. I'll wait outside." Hui Qingping threw the words through the pearl curtain and turned away.

Wu Gongling chuckled. "Pingping, as far as I'm concerned, this is the best place to discuss business. If you keep putting on those damned airs with me, then forget the discussion. Go if you want. I won't stop you."

Hui Qingping stopped.

The fists hidden inside her sleeves clenched for a time.

In the end, she did not leave.

She turned back, parted the pearl curtain, and entered the inner room.

The moment she saw the smug look all over Wu Gongling's face, together with that crude, boorish appearance of his, anger burned inside her.

There was nothing else to discuss.

Han wanted Wu Gongling to coordinate with its offensive. Wu Gongling had not refused, but he had a condition. He still had not let go of that old demand.

Hui Qingping had to marry him.

He claimed he feared being discarded once he had served his purpose and said that marrying someone of Hui Qingping's standing would give him a guarantee.

It was pure excuse.

His true guarantee was the military strength in his hands.

He had simply fixed his eyes on Hui Qingping and refused to let go.

The toad insisted on eating swan meat.

In truth, Jin Jue had already forced him into a position where he had nowhere else to go. In the end, he would inevitably obey.

But Wu Gongling was determined to play the scoundrel and insist on getting what he wanted first.

Obedience, after all, could easily be discounted.

Once war began, he could vent his dissatisfaction by making only a half-hearted effort. If he did not exert himself fully, Han would inevitably have to pay a greater price on the battlefield.

Jin Jue knew perfectly well that Wu Gongling was making an unreasonable scene.

The Han court knew as well.

Yet neither Jin Jue nor the Han court expressed any opinion on the matter. They left the Tiannü Sect to deal with it themselves.

To Jin Jue and the Han court, sacrificing one Elder of the Tiannü Sect meant nothing at all.

Especially to Jin Jue.

Hui Qingping's value in his eyes might not even equal that of one ordinary soldier under his command. If sacrificing one Hui Qingping meant several fewer Han soldiers dying, then the exchange was entirely worthwhile.

Hui Qingping's personal feelings did not matter in the slightest.

Men like Jin Jue had never held much fondness for cultivators in the first place. One could even say they were coldly watching the entire affair as a joke.

What Jin Jue felt he had firmly in hand, however, Han's three major sects might not view quite so confidently.

Did Hui Qingping want to come here?

Of course not.

But the Tiannü Sect had interests of its own to consider. This was not merely about conquering Song. If the sect used the opportunity to secure Wu Gongling's loyalty, then whatever territory he seized afterward would naturally fall under the Tiannü Sect's influence as well.

Sacrificing one Hui Qingping in exchange for such enormous benefits gave the Tiannü Sect no reason to refuse.

Hui Qingping had no power to oppose the interests of the entire sect.

Especially now that she had already lost her status as a Tiannü Sect Elder.

Of course, the Tiannü Sect still cared about face. It had left Hui Qingping some room to maneuver.

Whether she could use that room depended on whether she could persuade Wu Gongling.

The people from the Tiannü Sect had already come, but Wu Gongling refused to see any of them. He declared that he would settle the matter only with Hui Qingping, alone, and that he would wait for her here.

His arrogance knew no bounds.

After calming herself, Hui Qingping said slowly, "After Song is conquered, we'll give you two provinces' worth of territory."

Wu Gongling snorted and sneered. "When I raised troops in Cangzhou, you people already played me once. Nanzhou never rose together with me. Instead, Nanzhou came to suppress the rebellion and nearly ruined me. Anything I haven't actually swallowed, I won't believe no matter how beautifully you describe it."

Hui Qingping said, "You know the Tiannü Sect's rules. Female disciples of the sect cannot marry."

Wu Gongling swept out one broad hand. "Spare me that nonsense. You know why you're here, I know why you're here, and the Tiannü Sect understands it even better. It's all for profit. Don't pretend to be pure in front of me. You know better than I do how many filthy things those women in the Tiannü Sect do behind closed doors. Don't play the whore and then put up a chastity arch. Who are you trying to fool?"

He waved again. "Enough bullshit. Right now, I only want you. As for what comes afterward, I'll fight for it myself. Don't waste your breath on anything else. You can talk until Heaven cracks open and it still won't matter. I've set my heart on having you!"

Hui Qingping stared at him expressionlessly for a long time.

Then she said decisively, "Fine! I agree to marry you. If you dare go back on your word, watch your dog's life!"

Wu Gongling casually set down the wine jug and rose. Barefoot, he walked up to her with a beaming smile. "How could I dare go back on my word? Only if I'd grown tired of living."

Hui Qingping fought down her disgust at the smiling face before her. "The marriage must remain secret, and everything is to be kept simple. They should already have told you that."

"I know, I know." Wu Gongling nodded repeatedly. "It would be bad if Meng Shanming learned of it."

Since he agreed, Hui Qingping turned to leave.

Without warning, Wu Gongling spread both arms behind her and locked her in an embrace.

His hands immediately went where they had no right to go.

Hui Qingping was shocked.

Spiritual power burst from her body and flung him away. She turned and slapped him across the face.

Smack!

The slap rang sharp and clear.

Wu Gongling went straight down, sprawling on the floor as blood ran from his mouth and nose.

"Are you trying to die?" Hui Qingping shouted in fury.

Wu Gongling struggled back to his feet and shook his head hard. The slap had left him dizzy. Staggering, he pointed at Hui Qingping as she turned to leave. "I had you come meet me alone today because I wanted to taste what an Elder of the Tiannü Sect is like. Go on. Try walking out that door. The moment you leave, I'll make sure the Tiannü Sect learns what the consequences of this slap are!"

Hui Qingping stopped.

The fists hidden beneath her sleeves clenched until they trembled.

Seeing that she was no longer leaving, Wu Gongling staggered over again and wrapped both arms tightly around her. He blinked hard, trying to clear the dizziness while his ears continued ringing.

Hui Qingping forcibly suppressed the urge to kill him. Through clenched teeth, she said, "I've already agreed to marry you!"

"Spare me that crap. Do you think I'm that easy to fool? If I can't have you for real, what damn use is a marriage in name only?" Wu Gongling said. "Didn't you say the wedding should be kept simple? Fine. Let's settle it today. Both sides can show some sincerity!"

As he spoke, he bent down, swept Hui Qingping up in both arms, carried her quickly to the couch, and forced her down onto it with him.

He truly was mad enough not to fear death.

Only after night had fallen did Wu Gongling emerge cheerfully from the room, his clothes in disarray.

The half of his face that had been slapped was grotesquely swollen.

Behind him, the room was utterly silent...

[End of Chapter 728]