Chapter 869: I Will Obey Orders

Furious enough that his hair seemed to stand on end, Shang Chaozong snatched the Saber slung beside his saddle into his hand. He looked as though he was about to lose control of his emotions.

The enraged generals likewise reached for their weapons one after another. The moment Shang Chaozong gave the order, they were ready to charge across and kill!

Seeing this, Tao Yanfeng made as though he were about to rip Shang Shuqing's clothing away completely.

A threat!

Unable to move, Shang Shuqing closed her eyes.

The situation was on the verge of exploding into consequences no one could imagine. Guan Fangyi's heart leapt into her throat. Shang Shuqing had lived at Maolu Villa for so long, and the two of them had gotten along well. She did not want anything to happen to her.

Niu Youdao suddenly shouted, "Everyone, stop!"

At the same time, he reached to the side and pressed down on Shang Chaozong's wrist, forcing the saber he was about to raise back down.

At the sound of Niu Youdao's voice, Shang Shuqing opened her eyes again and looked at him through a blur of tears.

Niu Youdao then called loudly toward the enemy side, "Of all things, I hate fighting and killing the most. Whatever the matter is, we can discuss it properly. There's no need to start drawing blades and waving weapons around."

Quite a few people opposite were infuriated when they heard that.

Who had started all this fighting and killing? How many people had already died beneath drawn blades because of it? And he still had the face to say such a thing?

Anger was anger, but none of them were three-year-old children. Zhao did not want to cut off its last sliver of hope either. This was already the final road available to them. So long as Niu Youdao could settle the matter, Zhao might even be willing to forget the grievances of the past.

Zuo Chengfeng, Sect Leader of Luoxia Villa, called out, "Niu Youdao, there's nothing to discuss. You withdraw your army, and we release the hostages. It's that simple!"

Niu Youdao replied, "I can agree to withdraw the army!"

The instant those words emerged, the people of Yan's three great sects and Mr. Yucang all turned sharply toward him. Killing intent even flashed in some eyes.

Withdraw?

Meng Shanming and the others likewise looked back at Niu Youdao.

Shang Chaozong said in anguish, "Master Dao..."

Niu Youdao raised one palm and stopped whatever he had been about to say.

The Zhao side immediately perked up.

Many of them knew how much influence Niu Youdao wielded over Yan's forces. If Niu Youdao agreed to withdraw, then perhaps there truly was hope!

Zuo Chengfeng shouted, "Good! A straightforward man! The condition remains unchanged. The moment Yan's army withdraws back within Yan's borders, the hostages will be returned completely unharmed. They will not suffer the slightest injury!"

Mi Man, Sect Leader of Juxian Sect, likewise called loudly, "So long as Yan withdraws, I can give you another guarantee. From this day forward, every grievance between you, Niu Youdao, and Zhao will be wiped clean. Zhao guarantees it will pursue the matter no further. We will absolutely not break our word! Everyone here can witness it together!"

Without consulting anyone, he had just spoken on behalf of the entire State of Zhao.

Zuo Chengfeng and Jiang Wanlou both froze for a moment.

Then they quickly understood.

Using hostages to threaten the other side into withdrawing had always been an act of desperation, something they were trying only because they had no other path left. It was not especially reliable.

Now that Niu Youdao had finally loosened his stance, Mi Man was piling on more benefits to push him toward making the decision.

"Correct! Luoxia Villa can guarantee it as well!" Zuo Chengfeng shouted.

"Guiyuan Sect will never break its word either. If we violate this oath, may Heaven strike us down and Earth destroy us!" Jiang Wanlou also gave his guarantee.

A joint guarantee publicly issued by the Sect Leaders of Zhao's three great sects still carried a certain amount of credibility.

Long Xiu and the others looked across at Zhao, then back at Niu Youdao. One after another, they watched coldly as though the matter had nothing to do with them.

Niu Youdao said, "Why are all of you in such a hurry? There's no rush. I already said we can discuss matters properly."

The other side had been full of enthusiasm, with all three Sect Leaders rattling off guarantee after guarantee. Who would have expected Niu Youdao to suddenly toss out such an indifferent remark?

It left them choking on their own momentum.

Zuo Chengfeng felt as though they had been toyed with and said angrily, "What do you mean?"

Niu Youdao replied, "Guess for yourselves what I mean! For something this important, don't you think it would be rather childish for me to agree all on my own?"

"This is not something I alone can decide. I need to discuss it with everyone."

"How about this? Give me one day. Allow us to discuss it among ourselves. At this time tomorrow, I'll give you an answer. How does that sound?"

The Sect Leaders of Zhao's three great sects hesitated.

But there was nothing unreasonable in what he had said.

Yan's three great sects were not decorations. Far from it. They were a barrier that could not be bypassed.

Claiming Yan's three great sects also did whatever Niu Youdao told them would be far too absurd.

The three Zhao Sect Leaders gathered and whispered among themselves for a while before making their choice.

Zuo Chengfeng said, "Fine! We'll give you one day. At this time tomorrow, we'll see your true decision!"

Niu Youdao replied, "It's settled, then! But I do not want to see the Commandery Princess or the young prince suffer any mistreatment."

Zuo Chengfeng said, "Easy enough. But Niu Youdao, I warn you not to play any tricks. During this period, Yan's army had better not make any reckless moves. Otherwise, I cannot guarantee what the soldiers below might do to the Commandery Princess."

Niu Youdao raised one hand expressionlessly and pointed at Tao Yanfeng.

"Who are you?"

Tao Yanfeng froze at being singled out.

He had the uneasy feeling that Niu Youdao intended to settle accounts with him. Still, surrounded by the strongest forces Zhao could muster, he had little to fear.

He raised his chest and head.

"This one is..."

"Forget it!" Niu Youdao cut him off flatly. "What sort of thing you are isn't important. Don't dirty my ears with it. Why haven't you taken your paw away yet?"

Humiliated so openly, Tao Yanfeng felt a flash of anger.

But this was not a situation in which he had authority to decide anything.

He glanced back and saw Jiang Wanlou give a faint nod.

Only then did he release the hand clutching Shang Shuqing's clothes.

"Everyone, listen carefully. At this time tomorrow, if there is good news to report..."

Niu Youdao raised his hand again and pointed at Tao Yanfeng.

His tone was indifferent.

"Whichever paw touched the Commandery Princess, cut off that paw for me."

"His dog paw is a prerequisite. I want it."

"Otherwise, there is nothing to discuss!"

Tao Yanfeng's expression changed dramatically.

A chill ran down his spine.

This concerned the survival of Zhao's three great sects and the fate of the entire State of Zhao. If matters truly reached that stage, forget chopping off his hand. They might not hesitate even if Niu Youdao demanded his life.

He had only acted under orders.

Who could have imagined he would encounter this sort of man and this sort of trouble?

The bitterness in his heart was beyond words.

The Yan soldiers looked at one another and felt deeply satisfied.

The Nanzhou troops in particular were delighted.

Master Dao truly was worthy of being Nanzhou's Master Dao. He had only just suffered a loss, and he was already demanding his face back!

But to Niu Youdao, this was not merely about venting anger.

He was worried someone might take liberties with Shang Shuqing during the day they had bought.

An army camp was full of men who had gone without women for a long time. Given enough deprivation, even a sow could start to look beautiful. He did not want filthy hands taking advantage of Shang Shuqing, so he deliberately issued a threat strong enough to deter them.

The Zhao side had not expected Niu Youdao to make such a demand.

As Sect Leader, master, and the man who had given the order, Jiang Wanlou immediately spoke.

"Impossible!"

"If I don't see that dog paw tomorrow, then that will be the moment our army launches a full assault. I say what I mean."

"As for whether it's possible or impossible, that's for you to decide. I'm not forcing anyone."

"Let's go."

After throwing down those words, Niu Youdao turned his mount around and rode away first under the gaze of countless people.

Guan Fangyi was the first to wheel her horse around and follow.

The other important figures at the front began turning back as well.

Those at the front withdrew first, while the army behind maintained its guard and slowly pulled back.

The Zhao side watched Yan's forces retreat, their expressions varied.

The scenes that had just unfolded were clearly difficult to put aside.

Still, from their perspective, for two hostages to produce even this much effect—to make the enemy temporarily halt hostilities and agree to continue negotiating—already exceeded their expectations.

...

After returning to the Yan army camp, the group entered the spacious central command tent, the largest tent in this temporary encampment.

They had barely taken their positions when Long Xiu asked Niu Youdao, "You want to withdraw?"

The atmosphere inside the tent immediately turned heavy.

Niu Youdao replied, "Whether the army withdraws is not for me to decide. It still depends on what the three Sect Leaders decide."

Long Xiu said with apparent casualness, "You seemed to be negotiating with them quite smoothly."

"I was merely buying time," Niu Youdao said. "I wanted to ask whether any of you had a better solution. We can hardly let them kill the Commandery Princess and the young prince in front of everyone, can we?"

"I have no solution!" Long Xiu turned his head and looked left and right. "What about the rest of you?"

Everyone remained silent, or shook their heads slightly.

"Looks like no one has a solution." Long Xiu turned back to Niu Youdao. "Do you?"

Niu Youdao shifted the sword planted beside him and moved it in front of his abdomen, resting both hands atop the hilt.

He shook his head as well.

Long Xiu's gaze lingered briefly on the hands resting over the sword.

He had no idea where Niu Youdao had picked up this strange habit.

Then he said slowly, "Since no one has a good solution, I want to know what you intend to do."

Niu Youdao cupped his hands.

"I leave everything to the three Sect Leaders. I will obey orders!"

That attitude satisfied Long Xiu and Mr. Yucang well enough.

Even so, Long Xiu turned toward Shang Chaozong.

"Your Highness, the Commandery Princess is your younger sister and the child is your son. In the end, this still depends on your attitude."

"I want to know what your position is."

Everyone turned toward Shang Chaozong.

Only Niu Youdao lowered his eyes and remained silent.

Shang Chaozong's jaw tightened.

"This Prince already said it. I will not let our brothers' blood have been shed for nothing because of my own younger sister and son."

"Victory is already in sight."

"This Prince does not agree to withdraw!"

"Good!" Long Xiu nodded in satisfaction and swept his gaze across everyone.

"His Highness is commander of the army. How this battle is fought is for him to decide, and all of us must execute his orders!"

"Brother Meng, Brother Gong, Brother Yucang, what do you think?"

Meng Xuan nodded.

"Correct."

Gong Lince gave a slight nod as well.

Mr. Yucang said, "Our side will naturally cooperate."

"Since no one objects, then we'll settle it this way."

Long Xiu extended one hand toward Mr. Yucang.

"Brother Yucang, we rarely have a chance to meet. Please."

Mr. Yucang had some reservations about walking too closely with this group.

He subconsciously glanced at Niu Youdao.

Seeing no reaction from him, he responded, "Please."

Long Xiu gave Meng Xuan and Gong Lince a meaningful look.

The several men left together.

Not far outside the command tent, Long Xiu beckoned over a disciple and instructed him, "Pass down the order. Keep a close eye on every division of the army. If any general moves without authorization, seize him immediately!"

"Yes!"

The disciple accepted the order and left.

Long Xiu then looked back at Mr. Yucang and smiled.

"Brother Yucang, I assume you don't want anyone ruining things either?"

Mr. Yucang gave a perfunctory laugh.

He agreed inwardly, but it was awkward for him to say too much.

Back inside the central command tent, once all outsiders had left, Niu Youdao walked to a map and stared at it in thought.

After waiting for a while, Meng Shanming finally could not hold back.

He rolled his wheelchair forward, anxiety showing on his face.

"Master Dao, have you thought of a good plan?"

Asking another man to risk his life to save people was not something Shang Chaozong could easily say himself.

Someone else had to ask on his behalf.

Niu Youdao replied with a question.

"Has Lan Ruoting still not sent the details of what happened?"

Meng Shanming immediately understood from those words that Niu Youdao had not given up. Everything he had said before had merely been for Long Xiu and the others to hear.

"Not yet. It probably took him some time to investigate the details. The message should arrive soon."

"Time is tight," Niu Youdao said. "Don't delay. The moment news arrives, tell me immediately."

"Good!"

Niu Youdao pointed at the map in front of him.

"The terrain shown here looks like a map of the surrounding area."

Meng Shanming replied, "Correct. It's the latest map surveyed from the air using manned flying birds. It also marks the approximate disposition of the enemy's forces."

Niu Youdao asked, "Would borrowing it cause any problem for you?"

"Master Dao, take it if you need it. Of course this isn't our only copy. We have backups."

[End of Chapter 869]